Letting Go In My Garden

“Build it, tend it, enjoy it. And when the time comes let it go.” ~Jack Kornfield

I am assessing and enjoying the new garden as spring dawns. It has been a tough spring with surprises, losses and some victories. Even though I have been complaining about the weather, really, the truth is every spring the weather is horrible, unpredictable. Actually it is crazy from winter through spring. So no point in complaining too much about it.

So what is going on. Many bulbs came back. Those I couldn’t find are now blooming in the lawn due to the reduced garden beds. Maybe I will see their progression as they naturalize. Others have found cracks or separations in the landscape fabric. And the landscapers did not cover all the garden bed area especially along the edges so bulbs I planted at edges are back. The bulbs I planted in a big pot are not showing any signs of growth. My bet is the container needs more than a day or 2 here or there of warmer weather. If they do not bloom, I am sure I can find other plants to fill the large round pot.

All the plants I moved that were left in the garden beds seem to have survived. Iris, some hosta had heuchera in the north facing containers seemed to do well too. But many in the front containers did not survive or are still not showing if they will. Hydrangea, sage, thyme and rose seem delayed. I hope they do come back.

Coneflower, English primrose did not survive. All in the containers seemed fine in February and started growing when we had a warm spell. Unfortunately the insulating snow on top of the containers melted just when the temps plunged to near or below zero. Then more snow. Plants that did survive will now be growing from the roots. Others were killed from the extreme temperature shifts and too wet roots.

So now I am deciding what to plant in the containers that will survive the extreme temperature shifts, the change in sunlight (reduction) as the seasons change and will welcome moist soil for long stretches. Gardening is always a challenge. But I do so love a good challenge.

In the large front containers I am thinking of adding some ground cover to insulate the container shrubs. Many other containers, I will be using for some spring, summer and fall annuals. Flowers like zinnia, cosmos, dahlia, gladiolas, nigella, nasturtium to name a few.

This will be a slow process of assessing the containers throughout the seasons especially with the perennials as I have used containers for mostly annuals in the past.

For now most of the color in the garden is from small bulbs, and pansies and violas in containers I interspersed throughout the garden.

Usually my first containers out are my big antique containers. I love seeing them flank the garage.

And I love to add a few small containers to the sidewalk area.

I was excited to see several golden trumpet style daffodils finally bloom. I did not plant these daffodils. The ones I planted were a hybrid of the golden trumpet daffodils, but they seemed to have reverted back. But regardless the scent and sight brought me joy. I cut half as I wanted a few in the garden.

With this vase I am linking in to the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, at Rambling in the Garden.

All the pictures shared in this post were taken with my Nikon Coolpix or iPhone camera, and manipulated on my iPhone using the apps, Pixlr and Prisma. You can follow my progress with #the100dayproject in my Instagram and Facebook feed.

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2022.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

21 Replies to “Letting Go In My Garden”

  1. The way you have half sunk pots into the gravel is most attractive, and yes that lovely yellow of the daffodils is very cheery.

  2. Daffodils are sunshine on stalks aren’t they? I am thrilled that some at least of your garden is coming back. And my garden is not only a place of solace for me, but also a learning experience. Always.

    1. Yes we are kindred spirits. I love your description of daffodils. I might want to use that with your permission my friend.

  3. I am so glad your garden is bringing you some positive surprises. I love when flowers randomly pop up in my yard, due to wind, animal scat, birds, whatever. My husband has learned to mow around them, too. I have some pots continuing to bloom in my lower level window. I am not confident enough in our inconsistent spring weather to place them outside yet. Thanks for sharing your garden, thoughts and 100 days project.

  4. Good job you like a challenge, Donna! It will certainly be a period of exploration and discovery but you will reach a point when you know you have got it right – so enjoy the journey! I can see how thrilling it must be to be able to pick your first daffodils, so thanks for sharing them with us.

  5. You certainly must be challenged gardening in your part of the world Donna and growing in containers has further issues to consider. Early days yet and you will get there in the end. You must have been delighted to see those cheery daffodils!

  6. The emergence of the bulb flowers, especially those that managed to circumvent the landscape fabric and such, signal a victory to my eyes, Donna. Weather shifts can be especially hard on plants in containers but I’m sure you’ll work out those challenges in time..

  7. We are still facing a similar problem with our container plants. Of course, it is not nearly so cold here. My coneflowers did survive. Good luck on getting it all sorted.

  8. It’s good to see you have got some flowers at last Donna. I have similar problems to you with container planting, but do usually manage to get tulips to flower and this winter my gauras also survived in pots that are shaded and frozen for weeks at a time, so I was surprised and happy! Those containers directly in front of your window will give you a nice view from indoors.

    1. Yes I am looking forward to getting the plants to grow. I am resigned to the fact that I will have to replace the shrubs there. They were transplanted in fall. Perhaps new shrubs planted in spring will give them a better chance.

  9. Hello,
    It is a joy to see the plants returning, we lost a few over the past winter. I like your container planters, you are seeing some pretty blooms. It is too early for us to plant annuals, we could still have a late freeze. It is only in the 30’s this morning, below normal for us.
    Take care, have a happy day!

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