It's a cool 45 degrees out there and I'm hoping the rain holds off long enough for the little guy to nap and me to direct sow more seeds. While my tomatoes, cucumbers and beans will remain inside a bit longer, I've read or been told it should be safe to start carrots, beets, arugula and even some annuals outside. Just to be sure, they'll all have a home under the cloche until Mother Nature is a bit more forthcoming with her warmth.
Speaking of the indoor seedlings, the bush beans are developing small violet buds. I'd thought these were going to be more leaves but clearly this is something different. I'm pleased to see this given I lost all my runner beans to impatience.
Outside, there's a few more signs of life. The highlight is of course the Corsican hellebore that dear Catherine at A Gardener in Progress gifted me. Look how many fat buds are on this thing! She clearly has a well cared for garden, so if you haven't visited get over there and check it out.
Hovering above the Corsican is a Camellia bush. I sheared this into a ball, a spousal request that I gave into over the holidays. It was likely not the best time but I did spot this large bud developing on one side. It may be the only one this season so I'll cherish it.
Yet another mystery plant in my parking strip. I have no idea what this is and whether I planted it. It remained just bare twigs over winter and now it's leafing out. Right now it's all of maybe 18 inches. Any guesses what it may be?
Internal struggles continue on whether to prune my 'Gold flame' Spirea. The suggestion is to do so in early spring, but is it too early yet? This one has been in the parking strip for several years and is looking rather leggy. It's not terribly large, maybe a foot high and wide. It's always so difficult to shear a plant back once it starts coloring up. Any suggestions?
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17 comments:
Very good, 40 something? Uh huh! That kind of looks like a white salvia?
I don't know anything about pruning the Gold Flame in your area and zone. Here in Kentucky, Zone 6a, I prune mine in January while it is dormant, but I don't do it every year. When I did, I cut it severally, way low, then fed it a little. When it was time to start awakening, it put out new growth and did well.
Sorry, no help here, don't have the spirea and don't know what your mystery plant is! Seems early for salvias, mine are still all below ground, but who knows. Trying to make myself get out there today, but it's shivery... way to go with the cloche/seeds!
Shearing the camellia into a ball may stunt the growth of flowers but should return in full glory next year. That is a beautiful bud you have. I absolutely drool over everyones hellebores and yours too. I have none but it is on my list of things "I have to have". Good luck with all your pretties coming up.
I'm never sure whether to prune my spireas either. They are just starting to leaf out. I usually just leave them. I'm not sure about your mystery plant, it looks a little familiar. Maybe when it has more leaves it'll be easier to identify.
Glad the hellebore made it home safely :)
Hope you get those seeds sown soon!!!
Its frustrating when your all geared up and no sun to play with!!!
Your plants are looking lovely!!! Sorry I cant help with when to prune, I only do it when things get to big, regardless of the season! It hasn't killed anything so far, but maybe i have just been lucky!
Linzi x x
I usually prune my spireas after they're done blooming. Often, you'll get a second round of blooms with the new growth, though not as full as the first bloom. If they're looking really straggly, I cut them back pretty far (to maybe 4-6 inches). They grow back pretty quickly. Otherwise they just get cleaned up a bit.
Darla: It's been quite pleasant today. Got quite a bit tidied up. I'll look up white salvia. I know I haven't planted that but maybe it's a throwback from owners gone by.
Barbee: I need to look at a PNW gardening book. There's bound to be information in there about spirea in this area.
Karen: I have some blue salvia that I hope comes back. It was a really dark color. Believe I picked it up from the Tilth sale last year.
Becca: That poor camellia, it's always getting sheared back. It really should never have been placed so close to the house. I just can't bring myself to remove it.
Catherine: They're so leggy right now, but I think I'll take Donna's advice and prune after flowering. That's what I have to do with the Bride Pearl bush.
Linzi: I got them in today thanks to the little guy's long nap. Also did quite a bit of clean up. A productive day indeed.
Donna: I think I'll do just that. Your tip sounds quite familiar, and is usually the case for many of the shrubs in my yard. Thanks.
The hellebore is beautiful - so subtle!
I have a Spirea 'Gold Flame', which I usually prune hard back around this time of year. However, 2 years ago I transplanted it and it is still a bit weak in growth so I haven't yet. Saying that - maybe that's what it needs! The leaves always seem to come larger and more colourful if I prune hard.
No clue on the mystery weed- did you ever figure out what the other one was? The beans are beautiful! Looks like Catherine blessed you with a beautiful Hellebore! I really need to get some of those :)
Very pretty and the photography is stunning! I may have to try these hellebores. I think it would work in my zone.
-Heather
Phoenix C.: Hmmm, now you've got me second-guessing whether to wait on pruning. I just need to read up on this shrub!
Tessa: I'm pretty sure it is an anemone. Thanks for the help. Now if I could just figure out this latest mystery.
Heather: They're great for late winter appeal if you can grow them. I highly recommend!
I've always heard that it's best to prune shrubs as soon as the blooms fade. This allows the plant plenty of time to establish growth to bloom the following year. That being said, (rules are meant to be broken) I pruned my spiraeas last summer because the darn things had a horrid case of powdery mildew. They are starting out this year with no old leaves to avoid a repeat of the mildew.
Can't tell what your mystery plant is. Maybe a few more photos from different angles. ?
Spring is showing up in your plants. Good luck with your vegetables. A very successful gardener was asked what makes your garden so beautiful; he showed his secateurs. It means pruning is essential to make a garden look good and the plants love it because they emerge better and more floriferous. (This to your question should I prune or not.)
I've pruned my spireas after bloom too, but I think I would prune now if they've been leggy. I'm always hesitant to cut things back, but if they're not looking their best, I'm always glad after I've done it.
Hey, I had a thought on those bean buds - don't the flowers of beans need to be pollinated by the bees in order to produce fruit (ie beans)? Not sure on this but you might want to check so you avoid another bean-related bummer. This from someone who has yet to start a single seed indoors, of course! Maybe if they have to stay indoors a bit longer, there is a way to pollinate them yourself by hand???
Your place is looking good. I love those hellebores!
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