Comments on: Green Leaves in the Spring Garden

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:34:55 +0000

Amy, thanks. There are lots of bulbs popping up now, but so far only the Galanthus (snowdrops) and Puschkinia (striped squills) are blooming. The Helleborus ‘Ivory Prince’ is the first perennial to start opening its buds too.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:27:34 +0000

This is the best blog on northern shade gardening I’ve ever read. Thank you for the gorgeous pictures of real plants in real settings and for all the information. I’m starting a new shade garden, and your blog is both entertaining and incredibly informative. I look forward to what’s next!

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 23:18:31 +0000

Pomona, it perked me up a great deal to see the Helleborus out and green, when there was very little around town that wasn’t brown. Even a bit of green brings the garden to life. Now I have different Campanula coming out from under the white in their best greenery, as well as Dianthus. There are sprouts on my Aruncus too. I think this week will see lots of new growth, since we just had a good rainstorm that washed away most of the remaining snow.
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of the responses about the earliest green in different gardens too.

By: Pomona Belvedere

Pomona Belvedere — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:26:36 +0000

I was so interested to see plants that are green for various gardeners at this time of year, and many thanks for the illustration of “rotundifolia”. I do think season extension is one of the more interesting things gardeners can investigate, and I also appreciate the easy-intro moss gardening styles; I want to start using moss, but some of the more elaborate ways frighten me.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:35:56 +0000

Jennifer, the flowers on columbine are so pretty, and really blend well into a woodland garden. I don’t have any right now, but I should add some to my garden, especially if they also have early green growth I’ve been trying to add more early and late season flowers, as well as early and late foliage to extend the garden season as long as possible.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:07:10 +0000

Here in Colorado Springs, it gets pretty cold, but we do not have consistent snow cover. So, there is very little that stays green over the winter (maybe Heuchera?). But, columbines usually start putting out new growth in December/January.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:10:41 +0000

Bughunter99, I could ship you some spare snow, although most of ours is melting quick now. I hope that the April frosts don’t cut into the bud count on the Helleborus. Today I noticed some fresh sprouts out on other plants for the first time. I think our spring is on a roll now.

By: bughunter99

bughunter99 — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:55:53 +0000

Your hellebores are in amazing shape. It almost makes me want to live where it’s so cold that snow cover doesn’t melt in the winter…almost. : )

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:18:32 +0000

ChrisND, I have the same debate, and usually leave the leaves until the middle to end of April, or until my enthusiasm gets the better of me. I feel like I’ve been a watcher for too long now.

Hurray for the early growers, patiently waiting under the snow for their chance. Those first bulb sightings are exciting. The pace in the garden quickens after that.

By: ChrisND

ChrisND — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:06:26 +0000

I too enjoy the first glimpse of green foliage as the snow melts. It is always an internal debate with me about removing snow and fall leaves to encourage this growth, or to leave the extra insulation until there will be no more freezing nights. I guess nature can handle it.

We are now into the first stages of bulb season- just a few things beginning to poke above the ground. But I have spotted green leaves on daisies, parsley, walking onions, and strawberries. Some plants were awakened by warmer temperatures at the end of winter and seemed to grow under all the snow while the rest of the garden waits.