Spring is Here!

The unsettled weather that arrives at the end of winter and early spring brings both disappointments and surprises. Locally, although our rainfall is short of the average, we have had a continuing series of cooler-than-usual, cloudy, wet days that have delayed the bloom time of many perennials. One great surprise has been Prostanthera rotundifolia (right), an Australian bush mint. Its aromatic foliage has remained evergreen through its second winter. It is now covered in buds from the ground to its five-foot top. Given a little warmth, we expect blooms by mid-May.

The weather is perfect for the development of the Siberian iris in our stock field. (Iris siberica 'Laughing Brook' is shown at the top of this Joy Creek TImes entry) Although our iris patch is a great distance from our parking area, a distant glimpse of the brilliant iris colors is enough to draw even the laziest gardener to this far field. With the back-drop of the early spring clematis to complement the iris, the hike is well worth it.

There, Clematis from the Section Atragena (which includes C. alpina and C. macropetala) will be at their peak. Clematis ‘Willy’ (above) is a perfect example of the free-flowering nature of many of the selections from this group. Also,the fantastically large buds of the early blooming forms of Clematis patens like ‘Guernsey Cream’ and ‘Manshuki’ (‘Wada’s Primrose’) promise that they will be part of this show.

Along the path down to the stock area leads through two shaded areas where the young leaves of the hostas are looking their very best.(Hosta montana 'Praeflorens' is shown above) These young leaves are fresher and brighter in color than mature hosta leaves. Their emergence is cause for celebration in the woodland garden.

Photos: Joy Creek Photo Archive © all rights reserved

© 2007 Joy Creek Nursery