Today vs. Yesterday!

 Well, today...  No one who enjoyed our day yesterday believed what the weatherman was trying to make us believe!  The local retailers who's just received orders of bedding plants, where in a mad scramble to find room for them under cover.

First season for the yellow Tulips~

Our high temperature reached 60 & with just a light breeze, it was our most stellar day to date. Blue skies with white fluffy clouds perfectly interspersed.

Second season for my reds~

Every year I say I'm not going to buy more plants.  This year, I wanted to visit new-to-me nurseries in Omaha.  They are always So inspiring!  So when I couldn't help but spot the beauty below...

Lemony Lace Elderberry~

We bought two, one for each side of the big cottonwood. They are so bright, we can easily see them from the back deck.

New plant stands~

I'd been looking for plant stands, something strong enough to hold decent sized pots.  I found these on-line at Home Depot.  After a successful day Saturday, shopping at the opening of the Blooming Barn, I wanted nothing more than to start potting!  Wisdom prevailed as I tucked my new bedding plants away either in the cabin, or craft room.   

The winds came!

I woke, in sometime in the middle of the night, to howling wind gusts.  From the west room, I could see the flags blowing due south.  The cold system from the north was moving in...

Monday, morning.  Snow flakes in the air~

This morning, the temperature was hovering just above freezing.  I put on my coat & went out to cover my germanium's - yet again...  I'd planted them two weeks ago now - too soon.  They were So ready to get out of pots & into the ground.  Butch had potted the full-sized plants last fall.  I'm going to take cuttings once they start growing again.  Now, they're just holding their own against the cold nights under plastic bags.

It has been cooler than normal, the flowering trees have stayed in full bloom for so long!  Sooner or later, spring will return & hopefully stay!  We're promised mid-60's by next weekend!

Spring Xplosion!

Last week, when I thought I was done transplanting, my friend Clara called again!  All Thursday afternoon I spent digging & planting!   I sat up the sprinkler to water & the birds had an amazing time!  They flew through the water, stood in the sprinkling water & chirped about it!  If I hadn't been covered with dirt, I would have gone for the camera.

New Weigela showing pink blooms~

As the day ended, I was wishing for rain.  It's been so very dry.  By Friday, I'd planned to get my germaniums out of the house & into the ground, but Clara visited again, this time with ferns!

Newly transplanted wood fern!

I've missed ferns so much!  From being so thick, they were a groundcover in WA, they seem to be hard to find here.  As I was planting, dark clouds rolled over.  Rain!   It seems as though I've waited forever!

Chickadee in the timber~

Saturday, we drove to Malvern.  The Blooming Barn was open for business & they carry such a variety of bedding plants.  Over the past couple years, I've learned what works in the planters out front & found what I needed.   Next, a stop at Sherbondy's in Council Bluffs for bushes.  After moving two piles of wood debris Fri., I wanted shrubs to mark the path. Butch helped & by the time we were done, it was raining again!  Perfect timing.

Pink Sparkler Birchleaf Spirea

Sunday, we spent working at home.  Butch can get more done in a day, than I can in a week!  I took the germaniums out & made several starts for the gardens by the cabin.

Red Germanium 

They look a little weak, but last nights rain really helped.  I'll have leaves to cut off, but if they do as well as they did last year, I'll be happy.

This morning dawned sunny & bright!  It's hard to ignore nature this time of year.  Another big thunderstorm rolled through late last night - Nika wore her thunder shirt, but was still very distressed.

Ms. Quail has joined Mr. Quail

My challenge now, is differentiating between actual weeds & plants that may be considered a weed in a flower garden, but are a native of value in a woodland setting.

Daffodils!

Out of the 100 daffodil bulbs I planted last fall, probably half have bloomed.  Even half have given me a good start on naturalizing the marsh.

Tulips~

The new tulips, have their buds & I'm looking forward to blooms!  At least with these, I planted twelve & have twelve flowers!

Honeysuckle down...

But - we do have neighbors...  This one can't do anything without a backhoe.  Yesterday, he decided to do some bulldozing along his side of the creek & left the above honeysuckle pushed down & into the creek...  If we get a heavy rain it will cause the water to back up & create more erosion on our side.  He has put large chunks of concrete along his side.

New glass signpost caps!

I had to do some searching to find a company that sells glass post caps.  When I called, Island Post Cap,  I was told that the blue I wanted was sitting on a ship sailing over from China.  (The factory had been closed due to the virus.)  They did have one green & red I wanted, ready to ship.  Today, the box arrived by UPS.  Even with great packaging, the red one, still in it's tight, reinforced box, was shattered.  I called John & he'll ship the replacement when the blue arrives.

Next, I have to find time to letter & paint the signs!  This time of year, actually any time of year, I can hardly be inside, it's so beautiful outside.  Plenty of projects & I love doing them.

Blooming Barn~

After months of rumors, today was the grand opening of the Blooming Barn in Malvern!  It was a warm, sunny day - with big thunderheads floating overhead.  Just enough of them for most of us to believe that we'd have rain by afternoon. 

Inside one of the Greenhouses~

We'd driven by a couple times during the construction & the last time it looked like there was a lot left to be done.  It came as a surprise when the opening was advertised for today!

A busy place~

With an older barn, a new barn under construction & at least three greenhouses, there was a lot to see!  I think every plant lover within miles of Malvern planned a visit today!  We'd all been so starved for color & the smells of spring!

Cute metal roofed gazebo~ 

So many of the trees are in full bloom now!  Pinks, whites & one variety that didn't expect to see here - the Redbud!  I asked my friends in the Garden Club who told me that this is about the northern most extremity of their range.  Of the large trees - about half are budding out - beautiful shades of pale greens!

Inside the older barn building!

The décor of the barns was so unique!

Lots to see!

Painted & metal art seem to be popular - at least in the places we've seen.  Unique & colorful animals, birds etc.

A pony too!

I admit - I was tempted :-)  It this pony had been more gold - he might have come home with us!  Really a darling piece of art.

Flowers!

The variety of bedding plants was just incredible!  As good as anything I've seen in Molbacks or Wrights!  Linda & I had such fun meeting for lunch in at Skagit Valley Garden's in Mt. Vernon over the months before we moved.  Here there's no lunch venue, but nearby is the Classic Café!

Another greenhouse full of beauty!

Several other shoppers warned me that's it's Way too Early to put out bedding plants or vegetable starts yet!  We had a freeze one night last week.  I had to bring in my pots of germaniums.  Even so...

Our mailbox post~

We found a nice, heavy, bronze color planter & filled it with Calliope Large dark Red Geraniums & Sedum mexicanum.  Similar to what I'd planted at the Homestead.  It looks great with the rocks we bought, for around the bottom of the post :-)  Buying rock is something I've never done, it was a trip to the mountains.

Everything is turning green, the birds are singing from dawn to dusk & the cardinals come by a couple times a day.  I'm looking for a small weed trimmer to use along the creek.  I have plans :-)