Spring Teaser

The weather here in zone 5b is nothing but a tease.  Sunny and 50 degree temps gives us a hop in our step, and has me laying out my gardening tools ready for some Spring clean up.
But I step outside and the frigid wind takes my breath away.
Too cold.
Back inside next to the fire place and making more plans.  What will I do when my skin can stand to be outside?
This is mid March, and I'm looking out wanting to see the lush green of Mid May instead.  It's hard to imagine in just 2 months time my rows of marked dirt will be anything more than what I see now.  I can't help but think it just looks junky right now.
That's just me being irritated that the sun is out, but I can't really play.
So, I look for hope, and as always, inspiration.
I know I have just as many pictures and posts of other people's gardens as I do my own, but they have what I aspire to have, so I'm keeping the dream alive, by posting my goals.

Last Spring, Mom and I had the pleasure to be invited to a plant sale at a home who's gardens have been featured in a garden magazine.  I don't remember the magazine or the year published, but this journey was nothing short of a delight.  I brought home a car load of new green friends AND some long term goals.

St. Charles Private Garden Plant Sale 2018

 The long driveway lined with well organized baby plants, well labeled, complete with pictures and instructions, and all reasonable priced....well, I stood at the base of the driveway and just took it all in.  I did not want to seem undignified by skipping and singing aloud all my happy thoughts.  So I stood quietly, gathered my dignity, then calmly walked the isle of possibilities.

Then, at the end of the row was a smorgasbord of beautiful greens dotted with wispy Spring pastels.  I. Love. This.

Pachysandra, Hostas and Japanese Forest Grass in St. Charles woodland garden May 2018

Pulmonaria and Ginger May 2018

Each Spring I look at my blooming bulbs and think (as I imagine other like me would think) I want more.  Where can I add more?  I make notes of the holes in the Spring display, then wait for Fall.
Then Fall arrives, and I'm tired, I'm busy and the garden is so full, I think I can't possibly add MORE to it.  I add photos like the one below, as a reminder to myself:

Self - PLANT THE BULBS!!!!!  Group them amongst the hostas - your Spring self will thank you!!!

'Liberty" Hosta amongst Alliums and groundcover May 2018

Sweet Woodruff with hostas and maybe an Allium May 2018

Lamium marks the peninsula border May 2018

Oh, to sleep among the Ferns. I adore this scene

Bleeding Heart in front of Ferns May 2018

Bleeding Heart and Alliums?

 I could not find a label for these, but I believe they are Alliums.  Correct me if I am wrong...

I believe this is Woodruff under Trilium

 I fell in love with the small multi branched trees peaking out from everywhere.  I don't know if they were all the 'Mount Airy' Frothergilla or other small trees. But it made me want lots of them.  Here they are giving some stability to another Bleeding Heart, Hostas and Lamium

Bleeding Heart, Hosta and Lamium

This is for my Mom.  She wants these hostas, but the owner did not have any for sale. They really look nice next to the Lamium

'Lemon Lime' Hosta

Trilium and Lungwort

This small tree is most definitely the 'Mount Airy' Frothergilla, I know because there was a label

'Mount Airy' Frothergilla over Pulmonaria,  Solomons Seal, Lamium and Hostas

'Raspberry Splash' Lungwort

'Liberty' Hosta with spent spring blooms

I always enjoy seeing how gardeners make paths and where they choose to lead me

I am also a sucker for an Arbor, anywhere!!

I spend hours looking at the base of Arbors.  I have 3 in my yard (year to date) and I aspire for them to emerge from the garden, instead of being stuck in the yard. I am looking for something like this

 This almost makes me sad I ripped out all of my Pulmonaria.  A friend had given me a clump and it took off in my garden, but it was intrusive and swallowed some other younger plants.  The leaves are scratchy and would leave a rash on my arms. So I gave the walking orders.  Those wispy blue blooms are tempting .....

I loved this shady woodland garden walk and am so thankful that the homeowners opened up the space for us visitors.  It was truly a treat.