We’ve been enjoying perfect spring weather for a few weeks which has allowed an abundance of garden time and also time for plants to catch up a bit after a crazy winter. I have been neglecting to post on Saturdays due to some trips and all the productive time in the garden. Forsythia and daffodils are in bloom, but it will be a while before the late, double daffodils open.
ONE – These faithful bulbs brighten our walkways and our dining table. Note the jaunty, 15-year-old beagle.
TWO – The first blooms in the perennial beds are always these Pulmonaria oficinalis.
THREE – Nearby, the native redcurrant bushes, Ribes sanguineum, are showing first signs of color. Soon, hummingbirds will be all over these.
FOUR – I’ve been adding new peony tubers to beds near the house where we can best enjoy their fragrance. Some are Itoh or intersectionals, and I’m hoping for a bounty of blooms as they mature. The original dozen tubers in a couple of beds are springing to life.
FIVE – A couple days ago I wrote a post about new plant purchases — an exciting time! The blue of the Corydalis flexuosa ‘Porcelain Blue’ are begging to be shared again.
SIX – A large portion of my time has been spent prepping the beds and planting out vegetable seedlings. So far, joining the overwintered cauliflower, kales, garlic, and leeks are snow peas, broccoli, cabbages, and lettuces. I’ve also direct sown spinach and carrots. WHEW!
View gardens from across the globe each Saturday by visiting The Propagator’s blog, the gentleman who began Six on Saturday.
Gardens at Coppertop -- March Picker 
Oh, those peonies are going to look wonderful in a while. And such neat vegetable beds!
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Thank you, Jude. Spring always feels like a fresh start.
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Your veg beds look immaculate. Oh to having hummingbirds in the garden – that must be wonderful.
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Thank you. Of course, just out of frame is a bed that needs weeding! Lots of little hummingbirds here. So fun to watch!
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I wouldn’t have had Ribes down as a plant pollinated by hummingbirds, shows how little I know. I had a whew day on the veg front today but you look to be a week or two ahead of me and a world apart on presentation.
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Congrats on getting your veg going. It feels great, doesn’t it?
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I can’t wait to see those peonies, did you see the feature on Gardener’s World last night? Such fabulous plants. That corydalis is an amazing colour!
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I do love the blue. I’ll have to look for that show (in a pirated version here). 😉
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I don’t think I’ve seen red currants growing for many decades, but I still remember their rather distinctive smell. How fabulous that humming birds enjoy them too. I’ll look forward to seeing those peonies in flower when the time comes!
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Thank you, Jane. The native Ribes do have a sweet smell.
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Your garden is so neat and ordered. I love that blue
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Thank you, Helen. The vivid blue makes up for the plants’ overall weediness, I think.
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These veg beds are so clean and perfect! Bravo March.My peonies are at the same stage and I can’t wait to see them bloom.What a pleasure it must be to have hummingbirds … unfortunately none of these birds in Europe …
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It feels great to have the veg planted. Fred, I had no idea Europe doesn’t have hummingbirds. That’s quite interesting.
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Glad you are having better weather. I have always wanted a Beagle. The colour of that Coryaldis looks fantastic.
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Beagles are the best!
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Wow you have hummingbirds in the northwest? I assumed they stuck to more exotic southern climes. Your veg plot is very ship shape, mine is a mess, an assault course of canes, tubs, netting and general garden crap. I did get some carrots sown at the weekend though. (Dont know why I bother, every carrot year is a crushing disappointment…)
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Lots of hummers here of a few varieties. I’m sure your veg plot will take shape soon enough. Here’s hoping for you to get some long, delicious carrots this year. (I have no idea what I’m doing right, but I’ll admit to about 60-80 pounds of carrots each year we’ve lived here!)
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Ha. Carrots… 🥕🥕🥕. Don’t make me laugh. I sowed some at the weekend. Not holding my breath…
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Everything looks to be growing very well. Hard to believe not that long ago, you were covered in snow.
I love the flowers on your red current bushes. I’ve never seen those as I don’t know anyone who grows them.
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Yes, the contrast between snow and now is amazing! The Ribes are a PNW native and very common here, but I don’t tire of them.
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A fabulous corydalis. The peonies ars going to be a wonderful sight.
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Thank you, Chloris. You have so much to see there at your place! Have you grown corydalis?
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Ribes sanguineum is native there too? They are supposedly native here, but I have never seen them in the wild. We have several at work, and one blooms white. I can not remember is the white one is a different species, or just a cultivar. I normally prefer white flowers, but for these, I think the pink is prettier.
Peonies are enviable! They grow well in a few gardens, but generally do not do well here at all. I would guess that they would be happier in the colder spots, but that does not seem to be the case. When I lived in town, they did not do well at all. However, a neighbor just two blocks away grew them very well. It was no colder than in my garden. I can never identify what the difference is. They just do well in some spots, but not most. I will not be trying them anytime soon, but may do it again someday when things stabilize. Supposedly, some people grow them as far south as the San Gabriel Mountains and even the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County.
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Beautiful flowers! We are behind you, but Spring is here and snowdrops in full bloom.
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