Our Record Breaking Winter Rewards

This was a record breaking winter here in Michigan. These are some images of our rewards.

Evergreens are a lovely golden crispy brown, Boxwood's are a  nice variegation of tan and green, some are all tan and crispy. 

Roses have died back to the roots. Holly's are a copper color, and ornamental grasses are slow to show new growth if any at all. Magnolias are blooming, but sadly.

Baltic Ivy which is usually evergreen here is just a mess of dead leaves.

These are just a few of my observations as I begin my gardening season, who knows what else will show up later. 

 Our record breaking winter meant a disastrous spring for us.

A first look at spring 2014

My first spring container planting for 2014, a sure sign that we are heading in the right direction here in Michigan

Pumzi

This is a very interesting and brilliant film. A look at what our future might be like

for Gardeners, and for the world.

Dan Pearson On Commitment

Marigolds & Tomatoes

Here's a creative arrangement that uses cherry tomatoes , rose hips and marigolds. Along with a few other ingredients from the Summer garden makes this a simple, yet elegant design.

Warm colors, interesting textures, and surprise elements makes this HOT.

These are all plant materials collected from a garden with a no fuss approach that really works. Look around your garden this  year and see what you might come up with.

Looking forward with a look back

I Know spring just got here, well..... sort of here in Michigan. We still have mountains of snow that will take the better part of April to melt away. We are getting more sun filled days, and some warmer temperatures outside which is nice. 

It won't be long before I can sit on my second floor back porch and enjoy my container garden. Yep I'm  Looking forward to summer already.

 Here's a look back at the second floor porch garden from previous summers. I'm looking forward to enjoying it again soon.

Joni ( the cat) enjoys it too.

Welcome spring