The Otherworldly Season of Spring

There is an ethereal quality about spring that makes it otherworldly. The way everything turns so green when the spring rains and warmth come.

This plant makes me think of the fae-like qualities of spring the most. Every spring when I pass it, I tell myself to take a picture. It won't last long, and it is so beautiful. I am always looking at it and bending over to see the blossoms that hang off it like little bells. It is called Sicilian Honey Garlic. I got it as a free bulb that came with a Dutch bulb order I made years ago. It has been one of my favorite spring bulbs.

The colors that explode in spring are so welcome after winter and look so good with the green foliage; everything blooming new and not sun-scorched yet.

The spring rains. Every bud and blossom dripping with rain looks so much prettier. I ignore the drooping plants and appreciate the rain when it comes.

The herbs all bloom in spring, and here the catmint looks like it is a fairytale setting for my frog.

The hostas are now so lush and beautiful in this corner of the yard. I have tried to shade them from the summer sun, but to no avail. They will not look as wonderful as they do now for the rest of the year. So now is the time to enjoy this spot in the garden.

The Veronica looks like a royal scepter growing in abundance, waiting for the bees to come and partake. 

The colors on this rose that change as the bloom matures and even glows in the evening during the blue hour. I also don't forget to smell this rose with it's fruity scent it is heavenly.

The texture of lamb's ear which makes you stop and take a second look as you wander by, desiring to reach out and touch it.

The bearded iris that also has an element of texture, not to mention the flamboyant display of the blossom itself.

The happy dance of violas above their pot, as if they were aiming to please. 

The clematis that has bloomed in the daylilies, It has a  star shaped bloom peaking out of the foliage because the wind keeps it from ever climbing the mailbox post.

The angle of the sun in the sky in spring (and again in Autumn) makes for the most delightful shadows along the fence. 

The dappled sunlight on the garden with that spring sun is also visually interesting.

So these are the things I enjoy and try to look for in my daily garden walk. The cares of the world fade away when you have eyes to see what the creator has in store for you.

In Victory,

Sherry

Chinese Peonies

The peonies are in bloom, and they are spectacular! I bought these years ago in a bag at Walmart, and it took years for them to bloom. They were one of the flowers that were worth the wait. I cultivated them each year, and once moving them to a more optimal location, they are now the stars of the early garden.

I have a New Dawn rose on that trellis that is loaded with blooms. I can't wait to see that bloom. It was from Walmart, also very cheap.

I put my pitcher of peonies in the shed because there were a few ants on them. It has been cool, and they have stayed in here for several days and been gorgeous.

I am loving my remodeled shed. I am using it everyday! 

In Victory,

Sherry

Potting Shed Part 2

Here is the rest of the potting shed. I traded out lenses to get more of it in the frame. The floor is just plywood for now; next year I might stain it. I don't think I want to paint it. 

 

Here is the left side of the shed. I have a useful watering station with lots of storage in the baskets.

I moved the baker's rack out here also. I included a tea set because I like to have a sip while working, and I do sit down and enjoy the view out the door. I was really surprised how nice the view was from inside the shed. I will post that later after the flowers I just planted fill out.  

I take much inspiration from Japanese gardeners. I like the Nordic ones too, but my favorite has been Herbal House in Saitama. It is very Ghibli-esque and charming. It may be a little busier than what I am presenting here, but as my imagination plays in this space, it may get a little busier.

What garden shed could be complete without Peter?

Storing functional items here ready to go out the door.

And finally a place for my French colored gate. Hubs and I made this last year out of fencing scraps, and I had it outside all winter, but the wind would beat it around, so it is coming into the shed now.

So, back to planting because everything is blooming all at once about a month early! 

In Victory,

Sherry

A Potting Shed

With hundreds of seedlings needing transplanting, I decided to remodel a shed and turn it into a potting shed. It was an underused space in my garden, and I really needed to get out of the kitchen repotting and starting seeds, so this was a perfect solution.

It was a really basic and ugly shed, but with a coat of white paint and a rearrangement of the shelving, I was surprised how my ugly duckling progressed.

I am pleasantly surprised how it is turning out. This side is just about like I wanted it, but I am still working on the other side. This is the rustic potting table and flower-arranging spot.  

There is even room for the bistro to stay out and be styled. Here I have my white lilacs, which look lavender when they open, in a vintage ironstone pitcher.

I used it for the first time this past weekend and stayed out there repotting summer plants for hours, and it is awesome! 

In Victory,

Sherry

Plant Theater

Have you ever heard of a plant theater? The most common version of this is the auricula theater, most often on display in England or France. I love primroses (auricula), but the flowers that work best for my area would be pansies and violas. 

So, I potted up my pansies this year and created a plant theater. 

It is a fun way to display the beauty of the season, and when it gets too hot here, I can move these plants to another spot in the yard and not lose them like when I plant them in the ground.

Some violas in a little wire basket can be moved about too and repotted if needed.

Upon walking through the yard, I found long-stemmed wild violets, a lilac, and yarrow foliage to make a mini spring bouquet. 

In Victory,

Sherry

Layering the Garden

 

I have always looked at garden design books and been completely underwhelmed. I see amazing borders with all of these flowers, shrubs, and trees that fill in with each season and make a full landscape around the garden. I often look at these and wonder how it is to be achieved without owning a garden center. So, I decided it was okay to start layering and filling in my garden with just what I have: a few spring bulbs from the grocery store. 

It is okay to start small and add a little every year. This has been the way I have approached this. 

A cottage is small and not ostentatious. The cottage garden should be too. 

The cottage garden should be practical and full of things you can use or you enjoy to looking at. I have never had many spring bulbs. So, I have finally added just a few to brighten the spring landscape and give some color to a season that will pass all too fast.

In Victory,

Sherry