Today is February 21, the sun is shining and hellebores, a mixed bag of hybrid seedlings, are the stars of the moment. Looking back to just over one week ago, it’s hard to believe that my garden was covered with heavy, wet snow.
Hellebores
my front garden, February 13
For a moment I could appreciate how pretty it looked, covering all the dead leaves and plants waiting to be cut back. While I enjoyed the quiet beauty and brief reprieve from cleaning up my garden, (guilt-free for a few days), I am glad not to live in a climate where snow is a regular occurrence in winter.
this table never looked so good
Almost overnight, early daffodils are beginning to bloom and the forsythia buds are showing color. Yesterday was short sleeve weather and I decided to cut off the ratty foliage on my hellebores. The reward is the hellebores themselves, in shades of pink, maroon, white, green and dark purple. These unnamed seedlings delight me and persist for weeks. When they finally begin to fade, their bedmates, ferns of several types will fill in with lush green growth.
While I know better than to think we have seen the last of winter, these late winter flowers have me feeling “guardedly optimistic.” And, tomorrow I look forward to attending a symposium titled “The Inspired Gardener.”
early daffodils
Presented by the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Georgia Perennial Plant Association, it takes place at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. There are still a few spaces left (don’t count on lunch though).
For more information visit http://www.georgiaperennial.org/events/
In March I will be giving a lecture and teaching a workshop at Callaway Gardens ( always a great group) on garden design and in April I am excited to return to Barnsley Gardens (now a resort in Adairsville, GA) to teach a workshop and give a tour. I worked at Barnsley many years ago helping to prepare the garden for its debut as a public garden.
Just in case you missed the news, I am leading a tour to Southern Italy this spring and a few spaces are still available. It should be a great trip if you like gardens, good food and Italy! Check out this link for the details.
