A look around the garden:
The catmint is bigger than ever. I have it planted throughout the large bed. I can see the beginnings of its purple blooms.
Yellow Archangel. Do you see the Jacob’s Ladder in the top left hand corner? Heidi gave me some cuttings a few years back and it has really taken off. I wish everything thrived like it does. However, it tends to take over.
I wanted it for the portion of the bed that is right under the Sugar Maple. Jacob’s Ladder does really well in shade. But it’s a pushy little devil. I’ve already had to yank some of it out. See how it’s trying to take over where my grasses and daffodils are (in the upper right hand corner?) And how it’s creeping down around the Yellow Archangel and toward the Sedum?
The silvery Lamium will have purple blooms soon. Jacob’s Ladder will also bloom. All in good time.
The peony buds are getting bigger. Every year that we’ve lived here, the peonies have bloomed the first week of June, but I think it will be much earlier this year. Please, peonies, hold off until I get home on May 19th!
But here’s the biggest news; it may not be as pretty, but it’s pretty exciting to me:
Grass is growing! After a drought-like winter and early spring, we had some rain last week, and this is what I saw when I got home on Saturday.
That grass seed sat on the dry ground for a long time. But I remained hopeful. I’m sure we’ll have to seed in the fall, too, but it will be much less daunting. And yes, I know there are rocks there. After picking up approximately 1 jillion rocks, I finally realized it was a losing battle. Anyway: Hello, grass! Welcome!
I scrubbed down the porch yesterday, planted my pots and window boxes and added a couple of hanging plants. I must admit, the inside of the house is being woefully neglected as I devote my energies to the outside. I only have so much time on these days off. One more day at home, and then I’m off to Hartford again for 10 more days.
Happy Monday.
Your garden is looking gorgeous. I don’t have any Jacob’s Ladder but I do have a big patch of Catmint. I love it’s spiky blue heads when it blooms.
Glad to see you have some grass growing and~ I hope that your peonies hold off to show their sweet blooms until you are home to enjoy the.
I love this time of year when everything is sprouting up. I was just looking at Jacob’s Ladder at the nursery and might have to go back for it. If it grows as vigorously as you say, I may have to try it in some of my harder to grow spots.
Your garden is looking lovely!! I planted some catmint in a pot. I love the blue flowers! Peonies are one of my favorites!
Yay, grass! Isn’t it great to know all of your labour is paying off now. I’m heading back to the garden for more weeding…
Things are popping out all over. That is what makes spring so fun. My peonies are early this year also. I wonder what that means for the rest of the summer.
Claudia…pretty soon you will be mowing that grass :):) I like your flowerbeds. Smiles, Susie
Oh happy day indeed when the grass pops out. Your flower bed is lovely. We worked outside all day yesterday and I got sunburned and my house is wrecked inside I am afraid. I am waiting for rain today. We need it badly.
So pretty. Spring is grand!
And here I’ve been wearing myself out in the backyard yanking mine up!
Brenda
Oh that ANY kind of grass would grow in our shady backyard! Pretty photos. And I’m so glad I finally found that kitchen island of yours. LOVE IT. :-)
How exciting to see your garden come alive. I really, really hope that you are home when the peonies bloom!
Hugs,
Jill
Your garden is looking beautiful and hooray for the grass, Claudia. You weren’t kidding when you said there are a lot of rocks.
Can’t wait to see your peonies when fully bloomed!
Your garden looks to be thriving, Claudia! And GRASS! Huzzah!! You must be sol relieved. The Jacobs Ladder looks like a lot like Crown Vetch which I mistakenly planted one year and now have to follow around and pull up before it chokes out other things. But it is pretty and if I can keep it in the places I want, it does fill in the gaps nicely. (I’m like you at this time of year and tend to spend more time fussing outside than I do inside!) I hope you’ve enjoyed your time at home.