First Flowers

My seasonal planters are filled with pussy willow, pansies and ranunculus, all cold-tolerant

 I've spent too many winters in Chicago to think that Spring arrives as scheduled  in March.  Too many painful memories of plants nipped in the bud by an April freeze.  But I  succumbed to the days of sun and warmth that have brought forth some crocus and daffodils and went forth to the garden center today to buy plants to put in my seasonal containers in my front yard.


Winter overall this year was not so bad - we had one day in January of sub-zero temperatures.  The weather forecast for this coming Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April  1 is in the mid-70's .


Though short-lived I'll be happy to get the early warmth so that I can just lie out in the sun and bake away all the winter doldrums.  The flowers are sure to greet the warmth as well but I'm still worried about their survival if a late April or May frost/freeze arrives.

While it wasn't very warm, it was a nice, sunny 51 degrees and the first day I've got to do some planting. I am so looking forward to April and the beginning of the garden season.  The folks at the garden center were working hard to get ready for the coming heat-wave.  It will be a mad house.  Which is why I went today.

 

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago
All rights reserved

A SPRING-LIKE DAY AT THE GARDEN CENTER

I didn't expect to do any gardening this early in the season, but then....
I saw this
( is this a fairy's garden ? )

The tree and shrub lot of Gethsemane Garden Center

Gethsemane's Gift Shop
A feast for the Eyes

The greenhouse orchid section

Phalaenopsis 'green valley ' aka the Moth Orchid

Oncidium now known as Psychopsis papilio 'Ram's head '

I was just going to stop by the garden center to check the schedule for this season when I made the mistake of stepping into the greenhouse. Spring had arrived ! I was surrounded by fragrance ( jasmine in the air ) and flowers everywhere. I was drawn to the two orchids above -Oncidium 'ram's head ' and Phalaenopsis 'green valley ' and they practically jumped into my bag so I adopted them. I was told that this particular variety of Oncidium blooms for about 5 to 6 weeks and then flowers continue to grow and bloom for 5 straight years. Well how can anyone resist that? The Phalaenopsis is also a re-bloomer . Aren't they gorgeous?

Everyone tells me how easy it is to grow orchids and that most are killed by too much attention. I feel more confident now that I have my rosy-glow grow light.

I was invigorated by my visit to the greenhouse. I loved the minature garden complete with wheelbarrow, hoe, shovel, stones and plants. Looks like the fairies are at it again.

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago
All rights reserved

EARLY APRIL AT THE GARDEN CENTER

This past weekend was Spring Openhouse at the garden center where I work a few days a week. This is where you meet and greet the avid gardeners eager to see some beauty after a long cold Chicago winter.

We have the annual Hellebores festival as well and lectures on various interesting subjects which draws large crowds especially on the Spring-like weekend we had with temperatures in the 60's.

After experiencing many heartbreaks from late April freezes I have learned my lesson and won't plant until mid-to-late May. A day or two of warm weather in April do not a Spring make. As a matter of fact, last April my 'Betty' dwarf magnolia froze in bud.

It was wonderful to walk among the rows and rows of colorful tulips, pansies, daffodils and other blooming flowers. It won't be long now before I see the Spring display in my own garden.

April is best spent planning the garden or landscape and I was delighted to see many Chicagoans out to do just that. I love helping young couples with their first garden, especially those who are willing to do much of the work themselves. To see their delight as the garden evolves is great satisfaction.

A FEW MORE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

These are a few more of my favorites among the 80 new plants at the tree and shrub lot where I work :

Magnolia x 'Golden Endeavor '

Cercis canadensis 'Little Woody '
( NOT! There's no photo available; just image this in purple, and only 10 feet tall !)

OMG! Hydrangea macrophylia Forever and Ever 'Peppermint '

The aristocrat of trees -Japanese Maples
Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'
The leaves are green and cream with a strong pink edge

1st of its kind :
Prunus cersifera ' Crimson Pointe'

Rhododendron 'Blue Baron '

COMING TO A GARDEN CENTER NEAR YOU

Viburnum opulus 'aureum'

I'm getting ready for the new garden season and will work a few days a week at the Tree and Shrub department of Gethsemane Garden Center in early April. We are one of the largest in the city. My superior John has been busy all Fall and Winter selecting outstanding plants for our department and he sent me a copy of his prize picks.

I'm a big fan of viburnums ( pictured above ) and trees and shrubs that have chartruese or gold leaves, so I've picked them first to show you :

Tsuga canadensis 'golden Splendor '

Pinus thunbergii 'Ogon '

Acer shirasawanum 'Ogura yama '

Kolkwitzia ' Dream catcher '

Cercis canadensis ' Hearts of Gold '

Taxodium distichum 'Peve Yellow '

Stay tuned. More beauties to come.

GET THEE TO THE NEAREST GARDEN CENTER, DO NOT PASS GO

Autumn shot of my Asian pear tree which
prodAAuced a bumper crop of 17 pears in its second season.

Garden Quote : " Far beyond hope the Spring is kind again, Lovely beyond the longing of my eyes. "-Margaret Cropper


The garden center is a treasure trove of knowledge. I am lucky to be within walking distance of one of Chicago's largest and finest -Gethsemane Garden Center at 5739 N. Clark Street.

This is a new blog so you may not have guessed it yet, but yes, it is a kind of DIY or self-help site that intends to inspire and encourage novice gardeners . Besides, all you seasoned jaded gardeners, landscape artists , horticulturist , arborists, etc. already know everything anyhow.

For the novice gardener who doesn't want to pay the big bucks to garden designers like me, I offer these words of advice on how to accomplish a beautiful landscape at minimal cost by perusing the free services offered by Gethsemane garden center. First you must do your homework.

Homework : Begin with just one area of your property and concentrate on that. Make a sketch showing where your house is located, as well as any major trees, shrubs, hardscapes such as sidewalk or patio, fences, etc. Measure the length and width of the area and indicate the exposure ( north, south, etc.) . Observe how much sun/shade the area gets ( do this in early summer ) and how long it gets it . Make digital photos at various angles and print them out.

Now, get thee to Gethsemane and go directly to the Tree and Shrub division with drawing in hand and say, " Help me, please, somebody help me. " Caution : Do not do this on weekends from April to June because it is a madhouse and you'll not be able to get the attention you deserve from one of their designers. They open late in the evenings during the Spring and Summer so go when its not so hectic.

Not only will you be advised on what tree or shrub should go where, their accomodating staff will help you select , deliver and even plant it if you so wish. And, furthermore they will refer you to the pros in the other departments such as perennials ( plants that come back every year if you're lucky ! ) and annuals ( those you have to plant every year ) to fill out the color in your design.

As a Gethsemane " groupie " from the day they opened many moons ago I figure I've dropped a king's ransom there both in my personal garden and my client's. Like many of my fellow Chicagoans I just cannot pass that place without stopping in and picking up a " few things. "


When my husband sees me coming home with new plant purchases he declares that there is not any room to put them. He's always amazed that I find some.