I have a couple of forsythia shrubs that bloom beautifully each spring with their vibrant yellow flowers preceding the leaves. Forsythia are fast-growing shrubs with an upright and arching form that can take on a rather wild-looking shape that, to me, looks very natural and free. I prefer this natural look and prune our forsythia […]
Archive for the ‘Trees and shrubs’ Category
Gold Mop Cypress, Superstar!
I planted a Gold Mop Cypress in my front garden about 4 years ago and it added a bright spot of color to our yard. While considered an evergreen, it is actually a vibrant glowing shade of yellow gold that lasts throughout the year. When you examine Gold Mop’s foliage, it appears fine and feathery […]
Coppicing Pussy Willows
Before spring even arrives, while snow is still covering the ground, an enduring ritual takes place. On a warm February or March day as you go for a walk along country roads you notice that the pussy willows (Salix discolor), true harbingers of spring, are already sporting their fuzzy catkins. Free for the taking, you […]
A Garden in Winter
I like my winter garden because it is a time for rest, reflection and planning for the new year. When we get snow, I spend a lot of time looking out the window admiring all the shrubs and fir trees covered in white looking so peaceful and serene. I usually leave that snow on my […]
Boy Holly Needed
A few years ago, my sister Mutsie used her gift money to buy an evergreen holly (Ilex) shrub for the yard. It was a beautiful little shrub covered in red berries. She read all the plant information and planted her holly exactly as directed. Her shrub settled into its new home and began to thrive. […]
December Spring?
I was clearing out some of the overgrown brush in my garden when I noticed a few flowers blooming on my forsythia shrubs and was dumbfounded. I do know that we’ve had strange weather this year, a few really cold and frosty nights in November and now weather that has been unseasonably warm with quite […]