Welcome Spring!

March 20th--the first day of spring--has finally arrived! The hellebores are blooming after being buried by a foot of snow for weeks.

Daffodils are poking their heads up through coral bells.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Shamrocks were sacred plants for the Druids and Christians because of the significance of the number three to each faith. Shamrocks are actually white flowered, three leafed clovers (Trifolium repens), common weeds in Ireland. Legend has it that St. Patrick taught the Irish about the Trinity using a shamrock.

Pinning on a shamrock on St. Patrick's Day is a way to celebrate Irish pride. Also, remember to wear green today (even if you are not Irish) or you may get pinched! (Photo Source=www.life123.com)


Cheers!!! Green beer is on tap in many American bars on St. Paddy's Day. "Erin Go Bragh!" is often translated as "Ireland Forever!" (Photo Source=www.cnn.com)

Baptisia Blooms

Baptisia Blooms in June.

The Perennial Plant Association crowned Baptisia australis the Perennial Plant of 2010 for many reasons.

Baptisia, or False Indigo, is a low-maintenance North American native wildflower that has few, if any, pest and disease problems. Even deer avoid this plant! It it highly adaptable and grows in zones 3-9.

Baptisia blooms for several weeks, from mid to late spring. Its violet-blue blossoms look like tiny sweet peas. Deadheading the spent flowers encourages more blooms. In fall, large, dark, rattling seed pods appear. The soft blue-gray-green foliage stays attractive all summer long.

Baptisia grows 3-4-feet tall and wide. It looks right at home in the back of the sunny border. It prefers well-drained soil. Long-lived baptisia does not like to be disturbed once established, so transplanting or dividing this perennial is difficult.

False Indigo can be found in shades of purple, cream and yellow.

This plant has rich roots. Early Americans used Baptisia to produce dye. And, it is a legume.

You just can't go wrong with a Baptisia blooming in your garden!

Spring Cleaning

Better Late Than Never! Spring cleaning the potager on one of the first sunny, warm, dry days in March...

Time to compost!