Spring has come awfully early this year, normally I'm not snapping photos before cleanup in mid to late April. Nothing too exciting to post but I thought it would be nice to start a timeline of the progression of my gardens from now through autumn when everything is done for the year! Sadly, its supposed to get down to 35 Monday night.

Daffodils blooming




Weeping Cherry



Red Elder (my favorite shrub)




A couple long shots

Is that Elderberry? Red, meaning stems or foliage?

I love Elderberry and transplanted/divided what I found on the property near the brook. They are thriving. Birds love the seeds so I hardly ever get to harvest them.

I purchased one that had purple leaves (name?) but it died.

So was wondering if this is what you have. Hard to tell from the photo.

Thanks for posting pictures of your garden. Your garden is so interesting, and pretty.

Dot

I am curious about the red elder too? What makes it your favorite? I am not familiar with it.

Beautiful garden Sandy.

I love your fence. It makes a gorgeous background. Your plants are pretty too, it's just that I've always wanted a fence and your's is so pretty!

Blessings, Mona

Regarding the Elder, it's not elderberry, it's just Elder and I have several pictures in the plant database which shows it's different stages. I thought it was red elder but my pictures are posted under Golden Elder, I will have to search for the tag again and see which is correct.

I like it LOTS because of the different stages it goes through, it is always interesting and I adore the summer foilage!

Glad you like the photos...that fence is pretty old, we have to keep replacing sections of it but I just don't want to invest in new fencing since I don't plan on staying here for more than ten years (we 've been here for 30!)

Yes, I'd have to agree my gardens are "interesting", no rhyme or reason, just plant where I can since hubby would much rather have a yard full of grass and no plants

Single red fernleaf peony. Normally these bloom around Mothers Day, they should be no where near this size in March.



Here's what they look like when they bloom in May

That's very pretty. Is it considered a ground cover??

I love the fence with the weeping cherry right there. It's beautiful.

Hi Cindy

I've never thought of it as a groundcover. They usually take a few years to settle in when planted and this one just exploded this spring with new growth. They get tall, about 24". The foilage sometimes disappears in summer and you think they died, but it's just a common occurence with this type of peony.

Here's a pic that interprets it better since its a side view

Oh, ok. Now it does look taller.

Boy, I want a fern peony! That's the green with envy smile!

Lots of pretty things blooming in your garden. Daffs and Cherry Blooms are my favorites. I have cherry here but my cherry trees are the eat it cherry kinds.

Sandy, I really enjoyed seeing part of your garden. You have some really great structures. When I first saw your fern leaf peony, I had to get off and google it. It is stunning. The contrast of the foliage and bloom color is fantastic.

I have quite a few peonies... but all are the "regular" type except for one tree peony. I see Fern leaf ones at Curt Hanson's and have loved them! Foliage is so pretty!!

I love ferns! I really love your fernleaf peony. WOW!!! Thats just plum beautiful and unusual and ok i'm out of adjectives!!!

I have trouble getting peonies to grow with out hot temps. I have a pink and a white and one that's supposed to be red but isn't. I learned 10 years ago not to buy peonies that are in boxes, a big big no no. It took the "red" one about 5 years to bloom and then it was white with just a fleck of red. It's only bloomed 2 times in nearly 10 year!!!

Peonies are one of my most favorite plants. I don't know why I don't buy some in the big pots and just enjoy them.

Your's is beauiful. Thanks for sharing. I knew that I liked your fence and it was because it looked old. I was afraid the word old might not appeal to all so I didn't use it. I love old fences. They are so regal and something that should be treasured.

Blessings, Mona

Sandy, thank you sharing your garden with us. It is beautiful! I especially like the fernleaf peony and wheeping cherry. I have wanted a weeping cherry for a long time but do not know where we would plant it. I MUST find a place! They are spectacular in the spring.

The fern leaf peony is just spectacular!!! Wish I could grow them here, ditto on what Mona said.

Dot

Thanks for posting, your gardens are great! ~Jan