Millerton Spring 2012

It’s early May and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for gardening. 

 This past weekend I cleaned and preened.  

So many things are showing signs of Spring life. From perennials that are sprouting new leaves and beginning to flower to seedlings just popping through the ground. 

As you can see, our Japanese Maple is vibrant as is our lovely Azalea. 

Each year I attempt to add a few new "Old Favorites" to our garden, including many I  grew in Southern California.  

I am so very excited to report that my Sweet Peas are about two inches high! We planted them by seed about three weeks ago and I've been checking them consistently. But until Saturday, no signs of life.  Now, they are adorable little seedlings that will, in a few months, provide beautiful and fragrant blossoms.

In Carlsbad, California, from March through May, they grow Ranunculus in fields.  http://www.theflowerfields.com/ You'll find rows and rows of them in every color imaginable.  I LOVE Ranunculus but had no idea I could grow them in Millerton.  Well, you can!  After a few weeks, our babies are up and are tiny little bushes of about 3 inches in diameter.  

Freesias, like Ranunculus, are beautiful, a favorite from growing up in near San Diego, and smell divine.  They've pushed through and they're pointy head is about 1/2 inch through the surface.

Unfortunately, both the tubers of the Ranunculus and bulbs of the Freesias will have to be removed from the ground and stored away come Fall. But it's a very small price to pay to have such beauty.

About two weeks ago I reseeded our lawn in a few areas and the grass is about an inch high. Likewise our Morning Glory seeds have sprouted and are about an inch high.  

Interestingly, likely because of the mild winter, two Johnny Jump-Up plants not only wintered nicely, they are lovely little clumps full of blossoms.

Making their annual appearance are the Lily of the Valley, the Chrysanthemum (who said they were annuals), the Lambs Ear, the Anemones, the wild Columbine, my “Fancy Ferns”, Lime Light Hydrangea, Wisteria, Korean Dogwood, and Hellebores (pictured above) which love this area under our large Azalea.  

This is just a short list of what's happening in our flower gardens in Millerton and certainly does not include what's up with our vegetable garden.  More on that subject to come.

HAPPY SPRING!