I regret having to imprison my plants, but it is for their own protection. The local deer ate this shrub down to half its size last year.
That’s why its blooms are low to the ground. Quinces usually have a more open form.
This one is Chaenomeles, Double Take, Orange Storm.
Many plants are being moved to safer locations, but I am hesitant to dig up shrubs. My garden is going through a painful transformation due to the deer problem. It has been painful for the plants and the gardener.
FLOW
I have a shrub circle down the hill from the house.
The shrubs are planted around a huge oak tree.
I have included one special specimen of each of my favorite types of shrubs.
I planned each to bloom in its own time.
The first to bloom is my one and only Quince.
It is the Quince of dreams.
Chaenomeles ‘ Double Take, Orange Storm’.
I found it while plant shopping with my sister.
It was in a too small pot full of weeds. I had to rescue it.
I told the worker that I was reporting them for abuse and neglect.
He gave me a discount.
My ‘Orange Storm’ has recovered nicely.
Stay tuned for more from the shrub circle.
FLOWER
Since I have a garden, not a groundhog, I tend to consult it as to when spring will arrive.
The first place I go for this information is the weeds. Yes, that’s right. WEEDS.
They know more than the hybrids. Their DNA has not been tampered with.
They use old school, and I do mean old, methods to determine when to start growing.
Well fellow Carolinians, the weeds say get busy.
The mint family(square stems) and dandelions are all ready blooming.
That means if you delay in weeding, you will be weeding mama weeds and baby weeds. Two generations! That’s way more than twice as many.
You don’t have weeds, you say? Lucky you.
Then consult some of your garden favorites.
The BULBS say spring is near.
Tete-a-tetes say yes.
The crocus concur.
The old daffodils on the hill are thrilled.
Bulbs are always ahead of the game you say?
Ask the PERRENIALS.
Foxgloves are growing foliage.
The columbines are coming out.
Perennial poppycock you say?
Then go see a SHRUB.
The Pieris are ringing their spring bells.
The Quince is quite convinced that spring is near.
If you still need to consult a CRITTER, or two.
The bunnies have some spring in their hop.
Get busy people. Being a gardener is like being part of a horse costume. If you’re not a head, you’re a behind.
I said spring is near NOT here. You crazy people better not set out tomatoes yet. They go out the third week in April.
P.S. I do have a groundhog. But we don’t mention such things around Mr. Flower.
FLING
floweralley 