 |
| This is the best spring bloom ever for our cersis canadensis |
But the unnatural weather of the past month – 80-degree days
in mid-March followed by a long stretch of cool, dry weather – produced a rare
spring treat: a prolonged period in which daffodils co-existed with the
blooming of our cersis canadensis (forest
pansy redbud), and Virginia bluebells are in full show mode at the same time as
epimediums. The bergenia is glorious, and so is a bright pink azalea off on a
corner of the garden. A dogwood that
customarily blooms in mid-May is already bursting, as are our lilacs.
 |
| Our Virginia bluebelles typically appear in mid-April for a few weeks |
As the rain tapers off, though, the suddenly waterlogged
daffodils and hyacinths will keel over.
The petals from the ornamental plum will fall and form a blanket of pink
around the base of the tree. Those bulbs
that lingered beyond their normal bloom time will be gone in a matter of days.
 |
| Jeffersonia diphylla (twinleaf) makes a brief appearance, but has lingered this year |
It has been a beautiful spring thus far, though I know the
stress placed on our shrubs and perennials will cause problems this summer
(unless this weekend’s storm is a harbinger of a lot more of the same). But we hooked up the rain barrels on Friday
and so captured 150 gallons of rainwater plus filled two dozen two-and-three
gallon jugs.
 |
| This is epimedium suphureum. The flowers seldom last longer than a week |
Our nearly snow-free winter is already having other
repercussions. Ticks made it through the
winter unscathed and the tiny deer tick nymphs – which have the highest prevalence
of Lyme and other disease infection – are several weeks early in making their
appearance. Deer, squirrels, moles,
voles and rabbits also had an easy winter, which means extra applications of
repellents.
This is not intended as a rant or complaint. If you garden, you have to expect the
unexpected. The same quirk of weather
that gave New England a spectacularly beautiful March and April is going to be
responsible for a set of problems down the road. If you’re an astute gardener, you alter your plans and make allowances. It’s as simple (or complex) as that.
