Visions of Flowers

I am really missing my garden. I have forgotten about all those baskets of weeds that were hand pulled, insects that like to munch on the plants, and yes, all of the deer damage that happens regardless of my methods of attack. To help during this time of waiting, the catalogs are arriving and I am making lists. Every year I plan on buying, or hunting down, certain plants but I somehow, manage to lengthen that list as the growing season progresses. I just completed my online order with Bluestone Perennials. I love ordering from this company. Bluestone Perennials is an Ohio company which is a real plus for all of us Ohio gardeners. The company is family owned and its web page states that they have been in business for more than 35 years. I learned about them when I was in Master Gardener School and I order from them every year. A big thanks to my sister Cathy who has been sending me a Bluestone gift certificate for the last few years.

Right about now, I am dreaming in color. The uplifting color of the early spring daffodils. This is my favorite type of bulb. I can’t wait to see my old daffodils come back in their glory, and my new daffodils in bloom. But for now, I will just have to create a mental image and let these soon to be flowers enjoy the cold spell. A dear friend of ours, a Master Gardener, gave us some Cool Flame daffodil bulbs and we planted 50 more Ice Follies bulbs, so the yard should be a burst of color in early April. I can’t wait!

Well, looking over my garden this winter, I just happened to notice that the deer have decided to prune my "Early Amethyst" Beautyberry" shrubs. If the deer have to pick on something in my garden at this time of the year, it might as well be the Beautyberry. These shrubs need to be pruned in late winter anyway. It is hard to pick a favorite in the garden, but these shrubs keep coming up on my list. I feel in love with them while visiting our local botanical garden, Franklin Park Conservatory. I have a group of three now, but there may be more to come as I add to that growing list of “must haves”.

Early Amethyst Beautyberry after a deer lunch

A Snow Angel next to Sedum "Autumn Joy"

A Gardener’s Winter Retreat

I have been seeking out TV shows on gardening. Oh please HGTV, help me through this long period of waiting for spring. I look forward to watching Gardening by the Yard with Paul James on HGTV. Even the repeat episodes are a breath of fresh air, but I want more. In my search, I came upon an interesting show on Create TV which is broadcast on my local PBS station. Of course, there is the Victory Garden, which I am enjoying, but I discovered a new show called Garden Smart. I have enjoyed watching this show, and with the enthusiasm of a starving gardener, I recommend it to you. While checking out programs in my area, I discovered that there are several gardening shows out there, but you have to check to see if they are broadcast on your local PBS station. Click on the Gardening Page of Create TV to find a show that may interest you. It takes some searching, but for a hungry gardener in the Midwest at this time of year, it is refreshing.