For anyone who has travelled around the temperate part of the world in spring, one of the most impressive horticultural sights is... 

One would think that having an attractive garden in the months of April and May would be a piece of cake.  It is!  We have a gazillion options for adding interest across the whole gamut of plant types, from annuals and perennials to shrubs and trees.  I often joke with customers, telling them to “just plant one of everything”, knowing full well that this philosophy would result in horticultural chaos.  But if your garden is not absolutely drop-dead gorgeous in these spring months, you probably need to spend more time at the garden center.  Perhaps the following plant information will stimulate you to do so!

Continuing on with my automotive analogy from previous to-do lists, April is going to put us into 4th gear, which is almost top speed.  We will save overdrive for May.  Here are some thoughts to consider...

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to drive around town looking for a neglected lawn, or abandoned lot, that has become a veritable sea of dandelions.  On a typical dark, gloomy northwest spring day, the sight of a thousand bright golden flowers makes my spirit soar.  It is every bit as enthralling as a trip to the daffodil fields of Skagit County, without the distraction of a gaggle of tourist.  For two short weeks, this vacant lot is my source of inspiration.  It is my reminder that despite endless showers, the sun is coming and it will soon be spring again.  For me, all of these positive vibes come from a plant that most of us see only as an annoying weed.

Let’s face it.  Gardening in the shade can be challenging.  It’s not only dark but often dry as well and if it isn’t dry, it is probably damp and full of slugs.  While there are many shades of green that we can work into a shade garden, getting other brighter colors proves to be a little more difficult.  Here are two sure bets that I have worked into my shade beds that you should consider for yours.  As a bonus, they are also blooming now!

I don’t know how you feel about this “daylight saving time” stuff, but for me it’s a nightmare that goes on for months.  I’m forced to leave my warm little cocoon a whole hour earlier than my body says I should be.  To add insult to injury, not only will I be physically suffering from this artificial jet lag, I will also be in a constant state of mental confusion as my mind keeps having an ongoing conversation: “What time is it REALLY?  The clock says 10:30 pm but my body says 9:30 pm and I’m not sleepy.  Or the clock says 6:30 am and I need to get up, but my body says 5:30 am and that I should keep sleeping.” 

As we move into March the pace of activity in the garden accelerates and the number of interesting plants that could keep our gardens from being boring increases.  With the mild winter we seem to be about two weeks ahead of schedule, so there are lots of opportunities for adding interest to the garden.  Here are some standouts for a “typical” March...

In case you haven’t noticed, spring has sprung!  Last month we shifted into first gear and this month it is second gear.  It’s time to make sure your seat belt is fastened tight, because it’s going to be a wild ride.  Here’s your roadmap for March…

I just spent 5 days over the holidays in Plain Washington, near Leavenworth, with a bunch of friends hunkered down in a cabin surrounded by snow and cold temperatures.  It was obvious that it was still the dead of winter.  On the way home, as I reached the lower elevations, I was amazed to see how many plants were coming out of dormancy and starting to bloom.  Yes folks, spring is almost here.  I spotted crocus, snowdrops, daffodils and a Winter Daphne who’s fragrance I could almost smell as I drove by.  A Witch hazel, cornelian cherry, several varieties of hellebores and, just starting to crack color, a delightful buttercup winter hazel with its primrose yellow bells.  The last plant I noticed just up the road from my home was one that I consider to be a true harbinger of spring — flowering quince.

I have three great opportunities for you this week, just in case you are not quite ready to get your hands dirty.  First and foremost, the 28th annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show runs this Wednesday through Sunday at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.  This is a world class production that is sure to get you in the mood for the upcoming gardening season.