GBBD....Things Are Poking Through

I had a perfect morning here in Central Illinois Zone 5b (some say 5 some say 6).  I could not sleep because my daughter announced she is moving out 5 months earlier than expected, so I was up at 5am.  Funny, because the time change happened yesterday, so it still felt like 4.
Actually I don't know what 4am feels like - only that it's wrong.

I got up, made coffee and did hours worth of work when I would normally be blissfully unproductive.  By the time my 'real morning' started, I was a head of the game, and as the sun came up the day meandered in with a misty fog.

Creeping Jenny

Overly productive + foggy morning = Garden Photos.  And this, the day before Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.

Thank you Jesus.

Through the scattered mulch, leaves and remnants of last years growth I see hints of greenery.  Tulip, Daffodil, Alium, Day Lilly, Iris, Geranium, Clusterd Bellflower, Clematis, Sedum, Elderberry, Fern, Lady's Mantle, Lamium, Achillea, Hellebore, Columbine, Spirea, Clematis, Spirea......they are coming


The thoughts that vexed me throughout the night dissolve when I'm in the garden.  Maybe they don't totally evaporate, but at least they receed giving my mind and emotions some reprieve.  This mental distance then makes room for perspective.

My first daughter is leaving.

I feel as if I'm no longer needed.
This is entirely not fair, because I did the same to my mother and she also, to hers.  We married and moved away.  This should evoke pride and a sense of accomplishment, that I was able to grow something strong and bold, and installed enough strength to take flight.  MY plan was for her to fly across town.  Not another state.  Alas, with my garden and with my daughters, it's never my plan that is carried out.

Tulips, Daffodils and Creeping Jenny

My children,  The Heavens and the furry creatures that roam about have their own agenda, and it is up to me to adapt rather than sulk & wallow in my own passed over plans.  Give me a few days and I will muster the strength to adapt.  Today, I wish to look forward to the change in my garden as well as mourn a little over the change in my life.  Just for today.

Daffodil

Clusterd BellFLower

These two are a new addition to the cottage garden (I renamed this area AGAIN).  I'm trying to plant vignettes of 3 or more plants that will bloom or compliment each other at the same time. The purple Allium and light pink Geraniums, next to Mr. Blowing Ball evergreens should be light and delicate this Spring.  I also placed some lavender here, but don't see any sign of it.  The catmint off to the side, may or may not reach over to this purple/pink area

Clematis 'Pink Champaign'

 Last year this climbing vine did not preform as well as it had in the past.  Might need to throw some food at it soon to give a boost.  Does anyone feed their Clematis?

Achillea 'Apple Blossom'

Sambucas 'Blacklace Elderberry'

I bought a few of these light pink Yarrow ladies last summer after a garden walk in Rockford IL (See Here).  After seeing Pink yarrow for the first time, I got to thinkin' that I needed some.  Then I saw this pin, and I knew exactly what I was going to do.
I put them near some Lambs ear and deep purple Salvia, under the Dark Purple Sambucas 'Black Lace Elderberry'.  I hope they bloom together.

I just love the texture of the yarrow.

Achillea 'Apple Blossom' in Spring Garden

 Each cluster of Sedum around my yard brings me a special kind of joy.  It starts with adorable rosette buds that look cheerful and well organized in their perfectly round habit.  Perfect things.

Sedum 'Frosty Morn' the way it should look

Sedum 'Frosty Morn' cut back a bit

Well, almost perfect.  I have two of these 'Frosty Morn' Sedums side by side.  The 2nd cluster threw some ALL GREEN stems.  I read that I needed to take them out immediately less the whole plant revert back to it's natural all green color.  So, the other mound is not so sculpted....

The Blackberry Iris is another cheerful cluster.  Well, maybe because it's Spring, it all looks cheerful to me.

This grew a bit out of hand last year.  It grew tall and rudely leaned over the garden's edge to we had to skirt around it.  I didn't appreciate this, because I use the brick edging to walk when my feet are bare and the grass is wet.  I put a tomato cage around it last year, but it was too little too late.  

NOTE:  Move this to backish of the bed and put cool cage around to keep upright.

BlackBerry Iris

Over in the Shade bed, there are some things happening.  I almost didn't go over there because it was so muddy.  But at the threat of missing something I slogged my way over there.  No regrets

Top left: Not sure, Ladys Mantle, another unknown, Lamium 'White Nancy' a mossy flagstone, more moss under leaves, a fern head, Hellebore 'Lenten Rose' and tiny leaves of Spirea ' Magic Carpet'

TODAY'S STAR is: Lenten Rose Hellebore!

This was my FAVORITE (today).  I've been eying Hellebores for awhile and never pulled the trigger.  Can't say why.  I only bought one, just to see if it really did bloom as early as they said, and to see if it really does disappear so summer plants can take the stage.

This is beautiful!!  I planted this late late fall, and am thrilled that it lasted the winter.

I want more. More. More. More.

Hellebore 'Lenten Rose'

 After that kind of color, why even finish the circle around the house?  Because must check them ALL!  Maybe there is more joy poking through the rubbish of last season.

I forgot the name of the lil muppet.
This is one my husband picked out.  I can't remember why I placed it where I did....I must have drawn out a plan somewhere.
Must resist the urge to move him.
I do think he's down right adorable.  Not even knee high.  I am happy he made it through the winter.
 Looks like I only lost over conifer (Norway Spruce 'birds nest'). Another reason to mourn.

I need to come up with some companions for this guy to help show him off.  This is near my future "HOT BED"

I think this is a Pinus Strobus..something

Around the corner and in front of the house my Dwarf Mugo Pines are bright and lively.  Can they be bigger?  They look bigger?  I placed them last Spring.  Then there is the day lily patch which might come out.  I had 3 of them when I moved in and I divided the other two 6 or 7 times.  I ran out of energy so this one still remains.  Then, my beloved Orange Poppies.  I put that photo in, mainly so I would not do what I do every other year and mistake it for a weed.  

Dwarf Mugo Pine

Stela-Dora Daylily

Orange Poppy - PLEASE DON'T PULL ME....again

Poppy pals

That's it for my March Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.  Check out our host and see what other bloggers have in their gardens.  Happy Spring to everyone!!