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My Spring Garden

© Barbara M. Martin

Please note: Thank you for visiting my Cottage Garden topic and reading my columns, published here from February 1997 through spring 2003! This Cottage Garden column was written by Barbara M. Martin and is Copyrighted, including any photos, by Barbara M. Martin. It may not be altered or copied or published elsewhere in whole or in part without specific permission from the author. I regret I am no longer actively editing or contributing to this suite101.com topic as of mid-2003. Happy Gardening!

Spring in my own mixed border garden means a quick succession of old favorites rushing through bloom. The early bulbs and fragrant viburnums give way to annuals and perennials, as wave after wave of color washes through the beds. I love the bright splashes of accent or contrast: true red "Beauty of Livermore" oriental poppies, a spike of Crayola-yellow tall bearded iris, the clarity of saucer-like white clematis popping through the neighboring shrubs.

In the gentle sunshine, the purple chives and transparent thyme begin the show, then come the tall proud Siberian Iris in shades of light and dark blue next to the blue flowered baptisia, then the border iris. The best looking iris this year are a clean yellow and a mysterious deep mahogany.

Meanwhile come flushes of pink and white azaleas, fresh golden stardust patterns on the new aucuba foliage, and then suddenly we are engulfed by the perfumes of assorted and slightly neglected lilacs and spireas, the spreading blue-toned prickly-looking mats of spicy sweet dianthus and too soon we move on to those sinfully fragrant and flopping peonies by Memorial Day if not before.

Almost at once the clematis, roses and rhododendrons are laden with blooms and then the heat arrives and we switch gears into summer with the lavender blossoming under the baking sun. Time seems to compress until each day brings new delights while what thrilled us last week fades forgotten into oblivion. Where did the pansies go?

Meanwhile, the soil is warming and it's time to plant tomatoes and peppers, sow another little patch of green beans and sidedress the peas, I weed around the cleome seedlings but I am holding off planting melons or squash.

This spring has been so hot so early, and so very dry. We did not have our "April showers" and although the "May flowers" are doing their best, some of them are wilting by lunchtime. We are approaching a record held since 1952 for consecutive days without rain at this time of year. I am waiting for rain before I plant anything else, because roots will not grow into dry soil and dry soil is about what we've got. Instead of planting, it's a good time to top up the mulch.

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