Monday, December 31, 2007

Garden Dreams

Thanks to BEK's latest post and all the seed/plant catalogs in the mail, I've been propelled into thinking ahead to spring.


We have one or two Hellebores still alive. They have never bloomed and I doubt they will this year.


















Look at this one from the Heronswood catalog.






So gorgeous! I will look for this at our local nursery this spring.




I wish Acanthus mollis were hardy in our zone. I suppose I could try it...



And look at the foliage...





















We should try some Epimediums in our shade garden this year. How about Epimedium x rubrum? Nice.






Why do gardeners always seem to have zone envy? Check out this plant I can't grow either....





Can you tell I love the color pink? Yeah. No kidding.

Our bamboo is still green and looking good...





Under all this ice are koi, goldfish and a frog or two. Yes, they always over winter OK.



















Kim and I planned on enlarging our veggie garden next year. Until my lay-off that is. We'll see.




We moved our Golden Chain tree last fall. It looks like it might make it, this bud looks hopeful.




And it appears that our Dogwood tree will return...




There are spring bulbs under this snow somewhere....





Wish I had the space for this type of garden embellishment...(I can dream!)




If you love to garden, check out this site; Zen of Watering.

I'm getting close to starting some annuals from seed. That should help curb my lust for spring planting. Besides, it's good for me!

"Get dirty, be happy.
Gardeners know how important soil is to plants, but studies are now finding out that it's good for people, too. Researchers at Bristol University and University College London discovered that the soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae helps elevate your mood. Originally used to treat cancer patients' pain, scientists found the bacterium also increased feelings of well-being. Studies with mice found that M. vaccae affects the brain in a similar way to anti-depressants. So get out in the garden and get dirty ----- it's good for you."
(from Garden Gate magazine - Feb 2008)


Here's wishing everyone a great New Year!


13 comments:

Fightin' Mad Mary said...

I love the photo of you two! You guys are on the floor and the dog is on the couch, so cute!

Wurzerl said...

What a informative great post! You are planning a lot of new plants in your garden. I' m not sure if you will have joy with Acanthus mollis in winter! It could be better to plant Ac.hungaricus, but it' s true, this Ac. isn't so nice pink. I wish you a green thumb with your garden and health for you and your family in 2008.

Bek said...

I got a new seed/plant catalogue yesterday and just by flipping through the pages I want so pretty much everything:) It's torture having to make decisions!
Thanks for the groundhog-arcticle you sent me. Very interesting.
I wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year 2008! Great picture of all three of you:)

Jeffrey said...

Happy New Year.... Enlarging a veggie garden may be a good thing down the road when money gets tight.

But there's plenty of time between now and then. I'm sure something will come up for you.

Jannett said...

Great Blog. I will be back again. We also love gardening.
Happy New Year.
Hendria

Bob and Robin said...

Great post, Victoria! Yes, its time to look at basil and Mexican oregano, if I can find any. Try to do basil every year, but the Mexican oregano is another story. I may have access to a greenhouse this year and a little space. Happy New Year to you and Kim.
- Bob

Rosemary said...

thanks for the touch of spring , I love gardening catalogues , so tempting!In the dead of winter nothing better.
In the past I have grown seeds indoors for spring planting , so satisfying , have fun.

MA said...

Hi fellow Boise gardeners/bloggers! Just a little note: the hellebore takes a minimum of three years to bloom. I was ready to dig mine out last spring and lo and behold it started blooming in March and didn't quit until July. Hang in there. Good things come to those who wait and wait and wait....

Wurzerl said...

This comment here from 1.of January between fightin' mad mary and bek is my last comment in your blog!
I hope you will find the lost comment.
Have a nice weekend Wurzerl

Anonymous said...

I am just gazing at all that greenery *sigh*

Great picture...the dog looks like he is o.u.t.

Reginas Cottage said...

What a wonderful blog and your post
is very informative.I will back again
Have a nice weekend

Natalie said...

Happy New Year!!! I have 3 Hellebores. Two are the Lenten Rose variety and they bloom and reseed every year. I have this other one that I am not sure the variety, but it never has bloomed. I was looking at the them today...all droopy and cold outside! I can't wait to see what you are going to plant...so I can get some ideas!

Genie said...

Your entry with all that plant info makes me feel so inferior. I would love to be a gardener... but back to that Edgar Casey thing.... I just want to know how to do it without having to learn. But I got so excited to see your bamboo. I grow Golden Bamboo in my yard! It's running bamboo, unfortunately. I knew my husband would hate it so I got it all in the ground one day before he got home. I love it. He hates it. The birds and the cats love it too. He makes me go out and trim it every now and again. Thankfully it's dry enough here that it hasn't taken over the yard.