It's early May again.... my husband is going hungry, the dust is piling up around the house. My to-do list has been neglected and unchecked. "Why?" you may ask.... No, my friends, it is not because my May gardening tasks have kept me occupied. Nor is my neglectfulness to blame on sickness or fatigue.... THE WISTERIA IS IN BLOOM!!! Try as I may, I cannot drag myself away from the sight of a Wisteria dripping with pendulous purple divinity. There is no plant that captures the essense of heaven more than Wisteria. ( I know I say this about almost everything, but I truly mean it this time.) The long fragrant panicles of Wisteria sinensis swaying in the breeze, clinging to a pergola with its woody strength truly sends me to a dreamlike state. Do yourself a favor and find a place for this majestic vine in your garden (or at least find a friend who has one!!!).

Ah, the sweet ambrosia of early spring.... the scent of the thawing earth thick in my nose, the first glimpses of emerging crocus fighting their way through the melting snow, stolen afternoon moments in the sweet warmth of the sun....

With the spring equinox just around the corner, the garden floor is quivering with life waiting to "spring forth" and greet the new season. Everyday I track the progress of my snowdrops, crocus and daffodils steadily pushing their way out of the frozen soil to cheer winter-weary onlookers. The forsythia in the back border is beginning to grow heavy and fertile with this year's feature presentation of yellow brilliance. As much as I enjoy every aspect of my awakening garden, my early spring heart belongs to one plant alone.... the Helleborus orientalis, or Lenten Rose.

Lenten Rose occupies a shady spot of my garden, planted close to a garden wall so she can be easily admired. The dark green leathery leaves survive the winter in almost unspoiled condition. Weather depending, as soon as the snow melts a bit and the soil warms up a degree or two, Helleborus gets busy producing her heart-capturing saucer shaped flowers. Many hybrids are available thanks to extensive breeding from some of Helleborus' biggest fans. Lenten Rose is available in deep purple-black, blushing mauve, pale ivory green, buttery yellow... most cultivars boast a sweet speckling of spots in the center of the flower.

Helleborus has remained one of my favorite parts of spring.... she deserves a place in every garden, and in every gardener's heart.....

Greetings garden friends.... I realized just last week that if I were forced to leave planet Earth in the mid weeks of February and I could only rescue one plant from my garden it would be this.... Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold's Promise', a.k.a. Witch Hazel. During the dreary snow covered days of mid to late winter, Witch Hazel manages to burst forth reliably and faithfully to announce the nearing of spring with its delicate tentacles of friendly yellow. Even the chubby, overfed songbirds of my backyard seem to waddle their way to the intoxicating aura of a Witch Hazel in bloom. And as if the mere presense of its cheerful flowers weren't enough, Witch Hazel has climbed the evolutionary ladder to produce fragrant, yes that's right, deliciously fragrant flowers. And fear not, gardeners, your Witch Hazel will not forsake you later in the season when its reproductive duties are finished.... The fall color of this plant is reminiscent of its early winter glory when the large textured leaves turn a rich autumn yellow. Plant Witch Hazel in most soils, as long as they are well-drained and somewhat fertile. They will thrive in full to partial sun, but be sure to protect them from overexposure. Witch Hazels work well at the back of a border in groups, but the best way to appreciate this shrub's many attributes is on its own as a specimen in the garden where you can showcase its stunning mid-winter show, its rich green texture of spring and summer, its graceful autumn color and the sturdy vase shape of its bare grey branches during winter months.