Perfuming the Air

I know that Spring is on the way, when my Saucer Magnolia start to bloom. Magnolia x soulangeana fills the air with an awesome fragrance. I have two very large ones that I am sure have been there for many years. One has pink blossoms and the other has white.  They are both showstoppers in the garden. However if their parade gets rained on they are gone. The blossoms are very fragile and litter the ground as soon as the wind blows hard. All that being said they are among the most popular blooming trees.

Another wonderful combination of color in my yard early on is the addition of the Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) and Dogwoods( Cornus florida)I have just white dogwoods but I love the pink as well.  The redbuds prefer to be an understory tree, and will bloom much better if on the edge of a grove. A perfect combination with White Dogwood that prefers the same growing situation.

Now is still a good time to plant these trees for a spectacular show next Spring. After gray skies who among us would not be thrilled to see these pink and white beauties.

Just a reminder!!

I have already hit on the value of spring bulbs for early color  but just in case you have forgotten here is a reminder. There are so many different bulbs that allow for early spring pop in many different colors. I try to plant new ones every year........

What Feels Me with Joy in the Spring

I am going to write a series of Blogs this Spring Season about my favorite time of the year.  It has been a long hard winter and I am savoring every burst of green, every bloom that pops open and every sweet aroma that fills the air.

Perhaps this will help you all emerge from the winter doldrums and give you all some gems to add to your garden this planting season  for next years coming out party.

Stay Tuned.....Spring is Awakening

Educational and Entertaining Lecture

This morning I attended an excellent and motiving lecture by Douglas W. Tallamy.  It was presented by the Glenview Garden Club of Louisville.  Dr. Tallamy is a Professor and  of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware.

The talked was called "The Birds and The Bees and ...Beetles? Preserving Balance in the Garden with Nature's Partners"

Basically it was about preserving our wildlife by making sure we all do our part and plant native host plants. Conservation by conscientious gardening and landscaping.

I am currently working on an article on Cool Shrubs for the Landscape for the 'Kentucky Gardener ' and now I need to rethink what is really cool!

Check out this website:
 ww.bringingnaturehome.net 

I have already ordered this book as well as "The Living Landscape".  Dr. Tallamy mentioned if you are seeing Lightening Bugs in the summer you are on the right track. My precious grandson Thatcher and I sat on the tree swing and watched  the lightening bugs, just last summer. I feel I am on the right direction but definitely motivated to do more!!

First Daffodils

Look Mom and Dad.....the first daffodils have begun to bloom.  So exciting.