TREE PEONIES & GET TO KNOW YOUR SEEDLINGS

 GARDENING TIP: Get to know your seedlings – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Once you can identify them, you’ll know when to pull ‘em, know when to walk away, know when to run. Well, maybe not “run,” just know when to move them if you want those plants to grow in other parts of your garden.

TREE PEONIES: Each spring, I look forward to the gorgeous flowers of this woody-stemmed plant. Although the blossoms last a brief time, especially if there's a hard down-pour, the fabulous crepe papery petals are worth the wait. Once the petals fall off, the plant still retains interest because of the beauty of the leaves and dark, peeling bark.

                           

I've loved this plant for many years and never tire of painting it.

Red Tree Peony

HAPPY GARDENING!



Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig

 

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GARDEN STRATEGY: NO MULCH, JUST GROUNDCOVER!

I absolutely love this season! With the perfect spring weather, it’s almost a pleasure to do the limited weeding that’s ahead. I say, “limited,” because with the strategy of NO MULCH, JUST GROUNDCOVER, I have very little weeding to do. By planting periwinkle (Vinca minor) in all of my garden beds, I’ve eliminated the mulching that I had been doing for over 30 years. All of my bulbs and perennials come up through it and the groundcover keeps in the moisture, preventing roots from drying out, even in the heat of summer. If you aren’t already doing this, you may want to give it a try – maybe only in a small portion of your garden, as a test patch. 

Red with Yellow Tulips

Grape hyacinths, tulips, heuchera, roses and narcissus growing through the periwinkle.

Bleeding Hearts, violets, and other perennials among the periwinkle.

When the first daffodils appeared, I painted this little girl trying to decide which flower she would choose. She's reaching for one, but looking at another! I hope that you enjoy her, along with my "Yellow Daffodil" painting!

"Girl with Daffodils" by Barbara Rosenzweig

"Yellow Daffodils"


Garden Tips for this Month:

• Some of the plants that may be divided now are primrose, bleeding hearts, asters, primrose, iris, daylilies, and chrysogonum. This is best done before they get too large, avoiding excessive wilting or death.
• To make plants bushier, cut back beautyberry, roses, St. John’s Wort, buddleia, and caryopteris in late March, early April.
• Remove “weeds” (any plants that you do not want growing where they appear) as soon as you see them. One man’s weeds are another’s valued garden addition!

 Primrose

Narcissus

What are your favorite spring gardening tips?

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Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig

WHAT THE ...HELLEBORE!

Never thought that I’d ever say this, but I do love my hellebores! For over 35 years, I didn’t plant these gems because the lovely blossoms faced down instead of up. I know; dumb reason! Then I started seeing newer hybrids that somewhat faced sideways and were varied colors and shapes. Finally, I just couldn’t resist!

If you have a shaded area, do try these since they not only have long-lasting blossoms, but the leaves stay a wonderful glossy green throughout much of the year. Enjoy!