It happened almost overnight, didn't it: we went from drifts of snow to robins chirping and tender green shoots of perennials shyly stretching towards the sun. It seems spring has sprung, even if there might be a lapse or two along the way with some chilly weather. How glorious to smell the fresh air, fragrant with the smells of spring's promise! I saw someone had already hung out planters of cheery petunias; maybe it's a bit early, but on the first of these warm days, who could resist!
Now, the spring gardening bug bites! We look at magazines, the pages bursting with exciting ideas, and we think, yes, I can do that! I saw several ideas, in several magazines, several months apart, but all sharing a common thread. I'll tell you about them. The first idea appeared months ago in a lovely magazine called "Fine Gardening" that a very kind friend shared with me. One article that caught my eye was "Make A Splash With Ornamental Grasses". The article talked about how grasses add movement and texture to our plantings. Fast forward, now, to the April edition of "Sunset" magazine, a beautiful magazine that shares the best ideas for food, gardening, and new flavour sensations from around the world. An interesting article called "Ground Breakers" talked about seven garden trends for 2011, and four out of the seven gardens featured had unusual grasses. My favourite garden featured what the author called "geometric flair" by alternating large concrete stepping stones with bands of crushed rocks and smooth pebbles. There was elegant grace in the plantings that featured several tall grasses, and clumps or shorter, variegated grasses. It was very striking because this garden was planted at an angle, not running parallel to the house, and that made the garden seem not only more interesting, but also larger.
You know how I have a weakness for hostas; well, I'd have to say that ornamental grasses come a very close second. So I know what I'll be looking for as soon as the new plants begin to arrive! Let's be on the lookout for new varieties to add a modern, edgy look to our gardens or planters.
I'll also share one other interesting little factoid that I read about in Sunset: did you know that at Disneyland in California, all the gardening happens at night? It's true: there are 500 acres of beautifully manicured gardens which are all tended beginning at 2 a.m., thanks to the use of lights mounted on trucks, and gardeners using headlamps! Any gardening work that demands more light is left till the time between sunrise and the opening of the park. Isn't that interesting?
The next meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society happens on May 18; we'll be going out to Young's Plant World and Kevin will be talking to us about the new trees and evergreens for 2011. Then on Friday, May 20, we're having our Spring Plant and Bulb Sale from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (or while stock lasts) at the Parkland Mall in Yorkton. Lots of great plants, and gardeners to answer your gardening questions. Come early for best selection!
Have a great week; Happy Mother's Day to all women, whether they are Moms or not, for your caring and nurturing spirit to others and to the earth. And for our Moms who are tending heavenly gardens, we love you, and thank you for instilling in us the love of the miracle of nature. Happy Mother's Day, Sweet Pea!
