Wonderful Husband, the Spoiled Mutt and I are sitting on our porch, enjoying only the second day of warmth and sunshine we’ve seen for quite a while. It’s lovely…it won’t last long, but right now, we’re making the most of it.

Yesterday was the first warm and sunny day, which we spent working in the yard and gardens. I’m not bragging, because the weather gets most of the credit, but I can’t remember the gardens looking more beautiful than they have this year. I think this Spring’s weather, raining about every other day and remaining unseasonably cool, has been good for the plants, although it’s nearly driven me crazy.

“In-Between” Time

It’s that “in-between” time, when the daffodils have bloomed and are going dormant and new flowering plants have gradually been budding out. The native “Amethyst Falls” wisteria has more blooms this year than ever! There are lovely soft purple clusters, looking almost like grapes on the vine. One azalea is still absolutely covered with magenta blooms, although all the others have finished for the year. The oakleaf hydrangeas have lots of buds, full of promise. The astilbes are just a few days away from brightening their space in the fern bed. The Ol’ B rose is outperforming anything I’ve ever seen from her – the entire yard is filled with her heirloom scent. And, the Immortality peony, which I planted at least four years ago, has finally decided she likes her location and has outdone herself with five blooms, bridal white with the most delicate and lovely yellow centers.

Foxgloves

One little thing I would like to brag about: the foxgloves which I started from seed and transplanted outdoors last spring, have exceeded my most optimistic expectations! They are dramatic, some nearly five feet tall and gorgeous (see photo). I hope to never be without foxgloves again. I started more foxgloves inside this spring and transplanted them about a week ago. They settled in beautifully and are growing well. Since foxgloves are biennials, taking two years to flower and then dying, I hope the foxgloves blooming this year will self-seed. I won’t take any chances, but am already planning on starting more in 2021.

You know how, when you see someone else’s children after a few months, how astonished you are at how much they’ve grown? I’m beginning to realize perennials are nearly like growing children. You put them to bed in the Fall, and come Spring, you are astonished at how much they have grown! I look at plants that Wonderful Husband and I planted 10 or 11 years ago, when we first moved in; they are now mature, beautiful plants. It seems like yesterday.

I’ve realized this Spring, perhaps because of COVID -19, that nothing lasts forever…not perennials, not trees, not friends, not loved ones. Plants are easy to replace, even if they take a few years to fulfill your expectations. Please, don’t assume your children, your spouses, your family or your friends will always be here. Be sure to cherish them. You might talk to your plants (I do), but be sure to talk to the ones you love and let them know how very, very much they mean to you.

Stay Green and Healthy, Good Friends!