We have just been noticing some robins, too, Sally. C'mon spring.

My first sign of spring is hibernating animal road-kill. Poor things.
Robins are not here yet but Polly lives near big water so they would go there where temps are moderate.

Jo Ann, road kill here too :o(

How coincidental. I just came in from cutting my first bunch of Asian pussywillows. Other types will not be out for a while.

Rick, a picture? We have the common grey, I love the black but don't need a tree in the sewer lines, and even the pink look pretty.

Well then, I think this one would be too aggressive. This one is Salix chaenomeloides and if I let it go, I estimate it would grow 30 ft. Every other year I chop it to 2-4 ft., after which it grows 6 ft in one season.

I am sure Salix gracilistylis 'Melanostachys' is much more reserved for you. Another good one would be Rubykins. it is much taller (mine is 10ft), but more wispy, and not a strong grower as willows go, with very small and pretty pink/red catkins.

Also Salix cinerea 'Variegata', looks like a wild pussywillow with variegated leaves, and Salix shraderiana would do well. Shraderiana is the latest blooming willow species, but not as showy..

Okay, bad pics, but better than nothing...

Rubykins and schraderiana



cinerea 'Variegata'
variegation fades as the summer continues.

Weeeeee beautiful.
A small flock ( 10) of winter Robins just landed in the driveway. These Robins are in the lake area all winter. The singing migraters is what I want to hear.

Pussywillows are so prettty.

Rick, both pictures bring back memories of pussy willows in a vase, a dry vase, unless you wanted to plant them. After my elderly friend passed, (it was she who gave my Mom wands of them,) I cut some stems from her ''tree'' and rooted them. I planted them across the road and eagerly awaited the small starts the next year. Next year I went over to not find any. Grrrr, dang rabbit chewed them off!!

Jo, yep, the songbirds! I can't wait to her the robins that used to be the early bane of a hangover :o)

Hi Lily

Hello Dahlianut!

Spring has has sprung here. Today, a lot of lily noses are poking thru the ground.

I'm next!!! I'm next !!!
Please I want to be next !!!

Too cold here yet. Please let me be next. My toes are cold too!

I bought Iris

Very nice choices

Jo Ann, you bought iris, sigh.... They're just beautiful!

I thought my first robin was just puffed up, but I swear I saw him today. He just has a huge breast! I have got to get another picture. I posted him above in Feb.

Robind are finally here as well as Song Sparrow I heard on the way to the mailbox.

We're coming out of a colder spell here, a few nights in the low 30s, and light snowfall. The anxious Lilies don't look like they suffered any damage- I was a little worried about some LOs that are nearly to my knees already. I don't know if I've ever had a Lily that far along before April even arrived!

Good to hear that your lilies seem to be safe. We're still very chilly here too, about 20 degrees below normal but should rebound nicely by the end of the week. Daffs and tulips are only half-way up with no lilies in sight, and I'm glad about that!

Same weather here.