After a few nights of just freezing temperature, it looks like spring really is here this time. My wife helped me bring pots into the garage for safety, and we stretched sheets over the Itoh peonies and a newly planted mandevilla. Everything appears to have survived the cold snap with no apparent damage. We have already cleared the garage and lugged all back to their places.

Every day now is a fun day in the garden. With the sun out, the chores of mulching and tidying the beds seem much easier. Growing things are appearing everywhere…first leaves on my oaks, vitex, and crape myrtles (finally), azalea blossoms opening throughout the garden, maple whirlygigs floating down, early hostas unfurling, big buds on the clematis (‘General Sikorski’ and ‘Ramona’ are going to be fantastic), wild violets throughout the woods, pieris in full bloom, peonies up and budding (color beginning to be visible), purple leaves on the ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud, and variegated liriope poking up its new gold foliage.

‘Frances Williams’ hosta

Wild violets in our woods

Pieris japonica ‘Red Mill’

Variegated liriope

Blossoms on ‘Nellie Stevens’ holly

The ‘Nellie Stevens’ hollies are covered with blossoms, the best showing since they were planted some eight years ago. An armada of bumblebees is loading up on their nectar. We should have plenty of red berries later in the year for holiday arrangements, even after the critters take their share.

Candy Tuft and Creeping Phlox

The candy tuft is as beautiful this spring as it has ever been. I didn’t do anything special to make it happen. It must like its pairing with the creeping phlox.

The new Japanese maple I planted last fall may still be relatively small, but its color now is captivating. I finally found the label.  It is ‘Summer Glow.’

Japanese maple ‘Summer Glow’