Spring already?
Well, I may be jumping the gun a little,
but a day of sunshine can have that effect.
It was cold, the ground was frozen for some of the day,
so I started off by pruning and removing the dead stalks of last year's perennials.
A lot of gardeners tell you to do this in the fall,
and while this makes a nice, tidy look for the winter,
I prefer to do the clean up in February for a couple of reasons.
The birds will feed off the seeds in the cold winter months,
and watching the birds in the garden gives me great joy.
Also, I kind of like the tall, brown stalks.
It gives height and structure,
and reminds me of the beauty there last summer, and the beauty to come.
I found some surprises as I worked.
I was not expecting big, fat buds on some of the trees.
Or the phlox already popping it's head up.
I certainly didn't anticipate a hydrangea blooming!
It was a bud from last fall,
that somehow lasted through the winter and decided to try it's hand
at blooming in February.
Another reason to put off the pruning till spring!
And a purple vinca in bloom.
I always forget that they bloom early.
For which I'm thankful--both that they bloom early
and that I forget!