Saturday, February 27, 2010

Ready For Spring

I generally start my rounds at Client #1's here. This is what I see when I first arrive, currently in its more open winter phase, but far from a dull planting. On the left is a row of White Pine that screens the main four lane highway. The tree in the foreground and those in the left corner of the parking lot are birch of some sort. The three trees on the right are Platanus, the Sycamore. The shrub plantings from left to right are Kerria japonica, (hate it) Doublefile Viburnum, Cotoneaster and a pink Spirea. This screening continues on the right to include a grouping of rhododendron, juniper and large spruce trees.

I have been spring cleaning the perennials to prepare for the bulb show that is stirring in the still cold ground. Though for some reason I did not want to cut back the grass mops in the island bed just yet. I still find them interesting while waiting for the bulbs and hosta to gather more of an appearance. The big pile of snow in the parking lot has been removed.



Looking in the opposite direction is the pond garden in the rear of the building. The four lane highway is right behind the planting of evergreen trees of Hemlock and Spruce. This is the time of year when I cut the remaining dead brown remnants of the perennials to the ground.



The main perennial bed on the sunny front side of the building has gotten its late winter haircut.



Thousands of bulbs are stirring throughout the grounds.



I needed to get this done before I left and would have done it sooner but the weathers have so not been cooperating. By mid March this kind of heavy cleaning could cause damage to the awakening bulbs.



In sunnier spots some tulips are well up. Mostly there is just an inch of an inkling or less of what lies beneath.



The bark of the Pinus bungeana, Lacebark Pine is most interesting. One of these is on the wish list for my own garden to be.



The iris bed on the pond overflow end is mowed and ready for green. While the summer foliage is totally appropriate, lush and nice, this particular pale violet iris does not put on much of a floral display and is more aggressive than it seems to be worth.



A garden is now ready for spring. I can leave it be for a while.

Tsunami? What tsunami? What is that saying? Come freezing hell or high water I am going to Maui.

8 comments:

Pam said...

Hey, are you heading to Maui? I've been too busy lately, so not keeping up. If so - enjoy! It looked like the tsunami was (thankfully) minor - but boy, their 'warning system' seemed to be pretty good (it's so interesting though - they can now track the 'waves', and give 5 h, 4 h - down to 30 min warnings. I just found that fascinating.

Lola said...

Hope it's all calm when you get there.
Have fun.
Client #1 garden looks great.

Anonymous said...

Client #1 has some attractive spaces there, all ready now for spring.

I like that lacebark pine. It looks like someone went at it -- oh yes, most artistically -- with stencils and various colors of paint: it has that stencil-y mixture of sharp edges and blended colors. I like those colors. From the one bit of older bark, it looks like the palette changes from season to season. I could put one down by the creek once the Leaning Locust goes bye-bye -- though that will probably not be soon as I think the potential arborist is rather busy cleaning up trees that have *already* fallen in Laurel Park and Kenmuir.

Enjoy Maui. (It should be at least another month or so before the next major disastrous quake somewhere....)

Julie in Henderson Co.

Siria said...

Hi Christopher! Bon Voyage! I'd say it in Hawaiin, but I don't know how to say it. In any case have a wonderful trip and safe travels. So glad all your chores and commitments have been completed and you can leave knowing you can go and have a great time and not worry about things back home. Take lots of picture!

chuck b. said...

Did they hire a designer for that garden originally? Seems like a professional job.

Anonymous said...

I know you have been dreaming of warmth and sun and surf, Christopher, and hope your trip goes smoothly and safely and you are able to meet up with old friends. This winter has been one for the books, and how you have been able to deal with all the trials and tribulations it has brought your way is admirable. The new pump is just the thing. The resident gardeners are lucky to have you there, in so many ways. Now you deserve a vacation! :-)
Frances

Anonymous said...

Well hell didn't freeze and high water didn't come, so off to Maui! Have a great time and we'll look forward to some warmer photos!

bev

Christopher C. NC said...

Yes Pam I am headed to Maui for two weeks. Thank goodness the tsunami was minor. We have had those when I was there, but again only tiny waves.

Lola I look forward to seeing the bulbs blooming at Client #1's when I get back.

Julie I have begun some judicious clearing to get a bit more sun for my pines and other evergreen screenings from the road. I'll find a place for the Lacebark. Hope there is no earthquake while I am there, though Hawaiian earthquakes are relatively mild in the 5 and 6 range.

Siria in Hawaiian that would be "Aloha" coming and going.

Chuck I am fairly certain there was a designer involved for the install. This is the docs third office garden and his taste got more refined with each one I am sure. He is a plant geek without knowing any names and has an eye for the exotic and unusual specimens.

Frances I am so ready for warmth and sun, but have to be careful not to cook myself. I sure hope it is over when I get back and that the Knoxville airport doesn't get snowed in Tuesday early am.

I'm ready Bev. Quite glad the islands did not get smacked with a tsunami.