Spring projects

I've undertaken several bigger (for me) garden projects this spring that are keeping me a little too busy.  One of them is digging out some of the grass in the back garden to make room for a few more shrubs and perennials (and maybe even that weeping pussy willow I recently purchased)!  I'm thinking of adding a picket fence section thru the center of it but haven't made a final decision yet??  My plan is to break up the yard into two "rooms" which shouldn't be that difficult considering it isn't very big to begin with.  I wish I'd started all this last fall so that the grass could have been turned under and composted.  Maybe it won't get planted this year?  Could be I just lay the framework?  We'll see. 

I have to say it's a most delicious place to be working right now.  The nannyberry (viburnum lentago) is in full bloom and it smells heavenly. 

It's also humming with bee activity.  So many bees the air is abuzz with the sound.  It's like having your own personal symphony.  I listened as I did a little planting in that corner of the garden.  Two (nursery propagated ~ not harvested) Jack-in-the-pulpits (Arisaema triphyllum):

and more primulas!  You know how obsessed I am with them by now.  These are 'pubescens' variety:

They are hardy to zone 3 which will make them more reliable than the 'gold lace' ones I like but can't always winter over.

I also noticed the goldfinches eating the buds off another viburnum (name failing me at the moment).  I remember reading about this on someone else's blog last year but hadn't witnessed it here yet.  Now I have and I'm not sure I like it.  Although I do like the goldfinches so it's a bit of a conundrum what to do.

Above is a rather really bad photo of one caught in the act!  I hope they save me a few blooms (and thus berries) and don't strip the buds clean. 

I also made an exciting discovery ~ buds on the tree peony I bought at the end of season last fall. 

If the buds actually open, they will be my first tree peony blooms ever.  I never even got it into the ground last year either ~ it spent the winter in a container, nestled in a protected spot next to the house.  I suppose I ought to plant it now that it appears it can survive and even thrive here!

Anyway, as soon as a little more progress is made on the projects, I will share some photos with you all.  Now I better get back out there ~ too long a break and I feel like slacking....

 

Comments

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

Your project sounds like a biggie. Will there be photos? I have never seen Goldfinches take buds off a plant.....could they be getting bugs? Just a thought, gotta put in a good word for the finches!

[Ramona]

Kathleen, I can't wait to see the progress of your beautiful garden! I'd like to plant a tree peony too. They sound pretty hardy in our zone.

[PlantPostings]

Amazing photos! I love Jack-in-the-Pulpit. We have some of those here, too. They're so unique!

[Wildlige Gardener]

Your photography takes my breath away...fab-u-lous! Wonderful post :)

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such generous comments, Kathleen. I appreciate it so much :)

We have a new addition to our family...five months old now...and he has stolen my heart. He lives in Paris, which means we have been over there as often as we can to see him grow. I have not been on my blog so much or visiting friends either...so, I'm catching up.

Happy Easter :)

[tina]

Those tree peonies are really tough. It is so exciting to have one bloom!

[Lona]

Sounds like you have a big project to do this spring. Your viburnum looks so beautiful. I hope the Goldfinch leave you some blooms too. I have never heard of this but that one was caught in the act.