Ken 3rd year back fairly normal. Mid April for things to stir here and by mid May transformation all but in. Deep moisture is good. In fact I am still transplanting since its so cool and for the most part cultivars are still dormant. Snow to move in about mid morning. Dax...The Sham obtusa, I called it, was replaced with Cedrus libani var.atlantica 'Horstmann'. I tried Sham twice and died both times. This conifer in B&B plus 6 ft. in height will not support itself ,that big, with 90% of its root base gone. !-2 ft. potted versions will survive.but I am not going back there. Dave

I noticed that my Raspberry Pixies seem to be a darker, more browned color this year. None of them have been moved to new locations, so I have to assume it's the weather. Whatever it is, I wish it would continue, as I like the color this year much more than the usual color. Totally Confused

I have heard there is a prediction of a big snowstorm in a couple of weeks (how they think they know this I have no clue, the weather people can't even get it right for the next 24 hours) so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Most of my garden is starting to come up, a few bushes with early leaves, but we are still way behind where we were this time last year. Not cleaning up flower beds for at least another 2 weeks, except those which I know can take it (irises, rock garden). I'm only cleaning paths and edges for now, cutting back and pruning roses, grasses, etc. Hellebores are in full bloom, tulips are coming up, early crocus have come and gone, late ones just now blooming. Some wildflowers are up, harbinger of spring, false rue anemone and toothwort are beginning to bloom. Early daffodils are in full radiant flower, later ones not far behind. Virginia bluebells are up but not blooming for another couple of weeks, probably. The tulip magnolia was in full, open bud last week just before we got hit with 25F two nights in a row. It doesn't appear to be hurt but I'm still waiting. The buds are still pink and firm but they could still drop. We only get to see them bloom about once every three years or so....it was glorious last year.

I thought you were just doing like HH does with his Smarty phone. :) Indeed, as my hosta arrived last year in droves and dribbles, they spent the balance of the growing season trying to survive. Now this is the first year I've seen most from dormant to full glory. And I am more enamored than ever with hosta. So good to see the drought and bad weather in general has not stopped spring from coming to our gardens.