I’ll be brief today because the garden is calling my name and the chores list seems endless. Gardeners worldwide are posting today at The Propagator’s site, so do have a look. Here are six signs of spring as it approaches here at Coppertop.
One – A walk through the garden is so very encouraging as it reveals abundant life pushing forth. Budding shrubs and emerging perennials include native red-flowering currant, lilacs, lupines, irises, and poppies.
Two – It’s a beautiful time of year to view the structure and peeling bark on the climbing hydrangeas, Hydrangea anomala petiolaris, that flank the entry to the vegetable garden. Impressive winter interest!
Three – Crocus patches are expanding and bringing cheerful color out front. We’ve also been enjoying the golden green branches of Cornus sericea ‘Silver and Gold’.
Four – Garlic planted in October has emerged — 100% success rate again!
Five – I’m almost finished pruning the roses and cleaning up perennials in the rose garden. I survived with just a few scratches! Before and after:
Six – The hellebores are blooming well now, as is fitting for Lenten roses, and this is one of my favorites of about a dozen I grow. It’s from The Honeymoon Series, Helleborus ‘Rio Carnival’.
Gardens at Coppertop 
Full of promises in your garden with all these new spring shoots… Love the lupin tufts.
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The new green always encourages us, Fred. 🙂
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Spring is such a exciting time of year. I must try garlic, I shall add it to my wish list.
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The hardnecks are reliably easy for me, and I encourage you to give it a go.
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And we are off! Lovely to see it all getting going again. I love pruning roses, yours look really good. Beautiful hellebore. 🙂
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Thanks! I have 6-8 more roses to complete, mainly climbers in other areas, and I put them off until last since they’re most challenging. 😉
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You got a massive garden, but still I am amazed by how neat and tidy everything is. Congratulation on the garlic bed which is looking as is you are going to have a huge crop.
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Noelle, I’m certain neat and tidy wouldn’t pop into your head if you had a true walk-around here. Ha! Amidst the work crying out to be done, I’m definitely finding plenty of beauty, though. The garlic is about 50 heads which we go through in a year here. Have a great week!
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So much to look forward to and everything so well ordered in your garden. Lovely shiny crocuses.
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Thank you, Chloris. Yes, they are shiny!
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Is flowering currant native there, or was that planted?
You know, I will be in your region next week or so. I leave on Wednesday, and after stopping in Yreka and Ilwaco, I should arrive in Silverdale or Poulsbo by Saturday.
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They’re native here. We have a few in the native edges. Enjoy your time with your dad, and don’t strain yourself when doing work on his trees! 😉
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Oh, I will be fine with the trees. I just hate to prune the trees SO late! It violates the major rule of pruning prior to bloom. However, I must do something before the trees fall apart from their own weight.
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Those lupins are looking well – I’m not sure any of mine have reappeared. I must check later. Beautiful crocuses
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Lupines are pretty at every stage, right? 😉
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Good to see your post again. I didn’t plant garlic last year which was silly because it is so successful. Your dark purple crocuses are striking. You have been working very hard, it certainly shows in your lovely garden.
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It’s good to reconnect with you, Granny.
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Wow, you’re well ahead of us. Remind me what region you’re in? We’re in S. Ontario and the birds are singing, the stream is rushing, but still a lot of snow here.
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Cynthia, good to see your smiling face. It’s feeling like spring is approaching here in NW Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. Glad you can enjoy that birdsong.
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I always love seeing your hellebores March. 😃 Happy gardening!
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You have a sweet week in the garden, too, Cathy!
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Wow ❤ You have a huge garden! I can recognize the flowering plants by their shoots, spring is such an exciting time!
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Hello Sarah! Thanks for the encouragement. Big garden mean BIG work… 😉
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I miss fir trees!
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