in the garden - planting spring bulbs

We've had the warmest days this week, so I've made the most of them and spent some time planting some spring bulbs around the yard. I didn't plant too many, just a few clusters here and there. There are some under the large maple in the front yard, and some to the side of the front entrance. The rest have been planted under the lilac bushes which will be a welcome sight come spring. 

In each grouping I planted a few double White Lion narcissus, a few miniature White Marvel narcissus and a few double white snow drops. I selected them for their varying heights. And because they're white. (Obviously!) I love the idea of planting bulbs. Something to look forward to during the winter months, when the garden is asleep.

The garden centre looked beautiful.

I think I need to pop back in for some more muscari.

I also picked up some paperwhites to force inside for Christmas - another thing I love doing this time of year. However, due to the fact that their bulbs arrived in September, and then sat in a cool shed, they're already starting to sprout! So these ones will stay out and I'll enjoy them now through November, and I'll find some others to store away in the basement for a couple weeks so I can enjoy them closer to Christmas.

Miniature White Marvel

Double White Lion

The littler boys helped me "tuck the flowers in bed for the winter".

If you've wanted to force paperwhites, but aren't sure what you'll need, or how to get started, they're quite simple. I'm not an expert, but basically, I just pot them up now and keep them in a cool place for about 6 weeks (our basement is fieldstone so it's perfect). To pot them, I just fill planters halfway with small stones, then place my bulbs with the roots facing down. They like to be kind of snug, so fit them in quite close together. I put a bit of potting mix around them, but leave the top third showing, and then give them some water. The stones help with drainage. Don't forget to water them while they're away, a couple times a week, and then the same when they're out. Some recommend a mixture of alcohol and water to keep them from getting kind of leggy, which they can do, but I'm too cheap for that. Plus, I've read mixed reviews on it. I do however, plant them kind of low in taller pots to help with their height, and then I'll tie some ribbon around them while they're blooming in they start to flop over.

Have you planted anything for spring?

A Rainy Afternoon

The plan was to get groceries...

Drop Willen off at school. Go grocery shopping. Stop by the bank. Pick Willen up from school.

It was fairly simple.

But the rain was so refreshing, and the scent of the pines and the soil so earthy. Rows of benches lined with endless possibilities for the most beautiful garden. So my afternoon was spent walking the aisles of our garden centre in town, Rice Road Greenhouses. I decided to go there because 5% of my purchase would go back to Willen's school.

It was such a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

I was able to find a few perennials that I would like to add to our gardens once we've finished raising our beds.

I even had a handsome little helper who was really more concerned with splashing in the puddles than smelling the flowers.

Lily of the Valley would do wonderfully in the shade garden behind our garage.

I have some White Bleeding Hearts that flower in the Spring behind there as well.

This particular variety of Astilbe, which seems like more of a dwarf variety, is called Deutschland. I do love Astilbe. I find them dainty and whimsical.

I'm also looking for some ground cover in the front for amongst some Evergreens. I liked the Smoke on the Mountain and White 'Alba' Periwinkle.

This bloom on a Japanese Peony bush was the largest bloom I've ever seen. It was nearly the diameter of the 1 gallon pot it was planted in.

I also came across a few more varieties of Peonies that I don't have, each of which would fit in my gardens perfectly. The wonderful thing about Peonies is that they do so well in the full sun, and with our house being South-facing, all of our gardens in the front are in full sun.

'Duchesse de Nemours' Peony

'Sea Shell' Peony

'Primevere' Peony

'Lillian Wind' Peony

I also found two varieties of Anemones. This is actually the reason I had stopped! I had wanted the variety Honorine Jobert, which blooms in the Fall, but this variety, Snowdrop Windflower, is similar and blooms in May or June. I think I might try both.

I also came across a new (to me) variety of Lilacs, Mme. Lemoine French Hybrid Lilac. 

I think it's clear that I'm partial to a white garden.

The weekend the top layer of remaining sod will be scraped, and then we will order soil and raise our current beds. We decided to put in quite a bit more garden in the front instead of just sodding the entire thing. I think our house needs it esthetically. As well, by adding some large bushes, the view from the living room window will be much more beautiful, and the road will be almost entirely blocked out. We will also install a large Flagstone walk which will replace the crumbling brick walkway we currently have. The only grass left will be a small area among the gardens, which we will sod, and the very front grass, which is road-side. That will be seeded.

I'm eagerly waiting for the beds to be finished so I can get to work planting.

I may have also stopped by our Benjamin Moore store in town. Our garage will need to be repainted this year and I think I've finally found some colours that go well with our current siding. With a new roof, and a newly landscaped front yard, I can't afford to reside perfectly decent siding. So a fresh coat of paint on the shutters and eves, as well as the garage and front doors will make a big difference.

I can't wait to see everything finished.