I have a similar problem with a dull period in my garden, although yours seems to be during bulb season, and mine is just after it. (I do have sandy soil, so I can plant most bulbs--no tulips, though!) That's too bad that the camassia died--when you mentioned moisture, I thought of them. I can't grow those either, but because my yard is too dry. Is your soil mostly clay? And what is your moisture and sun level for the whole growing season? (Maye you need plants that can handle spring moisture and summer dryness?) Something I'm doing in my garden is looking at the plants that are doing what I want, and then finding different varieties of that species, or similar species. You seem to have success with most of your columbines, so maybe add several new columbines--some may bloom earlier or later, and there are different flower shapes to add some variety. You could try that with some of the other successful plants, too. Siberian iris in different spots of the yard may bloom at slightly different times, and there are different colors. I really wanted to buy variegated iris, but at the nursery it was sitting in water with the other water garden plants, so I passed on it. Later I found out that it doesn't need that much moisture--but that may be why it's doing well for you. But you've found that you can't put it in a truly soggy location? I do have another idea to chew on: sometimes a plant won't be perfect for us, but blooming in a certain place, or a certain time of year, is good enough. Maybe your nepeta is too wide where it sits right now, but you could move it, or move the plants around it, and enjoy it more. And if the forget-me-not is reseeding too heavily, try pulling most of it (or snipping off the seed stalk) before it goes to seed. Those are things that bloom at the right time, and are surviving in your yard. There's work involved in nursing an ailing plant, and then replacing it, so I figure time spent holding back an "exuberant" plant is worth it, too. I (or others) might be able to suggest a couple of other plants to try once we know the conditions of your yard, and I hope some of these ideas help.

It's SPRING! And I have zone envy, too. Bill, your photos are wonderful and tempt me to move further south. NHbabs, love the stones and bleeding heart. Mine are in a shady area so I don't think they are as far along as yours. I love forget-me-nots when they bloom but then they get tall and unsightly looking. Should i just clip them? After an internet hunt for Black Chokeberry, we found a nice though small selection at Scenic Nursery in Raymond NH but they were already 6' tall. I wanted something next to a spreading cottoneaster that wouldn't get any taller than 6' and preferable stay shorter. These didn't look like could be pruned back much. Should you check out this nursery, it's in a delightful spot tucked next to a river, be warned that they are not open on Saturdays. I thought their shrub prices were reasonable. I ended up with Halo Dogwood. Our house is white so I think the red stems will look nice in winter and provide some perches for the birds we like to watch/feed. I keep meaning to take photos of my garden. After watching for bloodroot by the side of the road, I discovered I had some in my garden. I must have gotten it at last year's plant swap and it's very happy in my garden (soil on the moist side). The wonderful Viburnum Onandago that had to be moved away from the house was moved to my future wild life sanctuary. The viburnum kept getting taller, even after pruning (I waited a year too long) and was at least 9 feet tall. The pruning caused it to spread, I think. Fortunately, my husband has a backhoe. We only lost a couple of branches. I know this area of our property can be wet but it's wetter than I expected. The next day any holes left from backfilling were filled with water. A wonderful dark purple leafed perennial that doesn't bloom until late summer appears to be invasive. I don't want to remove it entirely but maybe it should be someplace else. It is Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker' (Hairy loosestrife) . Does anyone have experience with this plant and a recommendation about whether or not a should remove it from a medium size bed (about 15' x 4').

FINALLY got some blooms opening! -A few daffodils, mostly the existing ones or ones I moved last fall so they still had roots on. The new ones I planted as bought bulbs haven't opened yet. -A few scilla. - One muscari. - The forsythias are just starting to open. - The indomitable Hellebore (foetidus) has been blooming for months it seems. - The pussy willow is pretty much done. - One snowdrop still around. - Several pieris in early stages of bloom. My garden overlooks the Bay - as I drive out, the road takes a right angle turn away from the water and immediately the gardens are weeks ahead of us. I've been seeing forsythia in full bloom and daffodils all over the place, less than 1/8 of a mile away. Claire

Blocks are on the way. The post lady said 3-4 day. So be watching. Linda won the game block. Because we did not finish the game I put one slip of paper for each try, shook the bag and Linda was the winner. The block was called Shadow of the Swallow. I don't know how to post pictures on this forum so if anyone would like to post yours when you get them that would be nice. Thank You if anyone does it. Many thanks to all who started this trade and to those who finished. Please post when you get you blocks. Thanks to all. gmom