I couldn’t help but notice the other day while driving around town, that lavender was coming into bloom.

That of course got me thinking about growing lavender, choosing varieties, and how to actually use the plant other than just to look at it.

I don’t think that I am alone when I say that I am drawn to plants with foliage that is anything other than green. If your search for dark foliaged plants for shade has left you frustrated, look no more. Here are a few choices that are well worth incorporating into your garden…

Every year I try to move my customers a little farther out of their comfort zones to experiment with some plants that perhaps they are unfamiliar with or are afraid they will fail to make grow. Mostly, I am talking about the focal or “thriller” components of a container planting.

As much as I would love to talk about reblooming hydrangeas and other wonderful blooming plants, the fact is that the weather is finally cooperating for us gardeners to get a bunch of chores done and I fully intend to work myself into a state of blissful exhaustion.

I first fell in love with Peonies back in the early 70’s when I was stationed in Petersburg, Virginia with the US Army.

I was driving out in the country one afternoon when I came upon row after row of these incredible plants covered with pink, red, or white blooms that looked like carnations on steroids.

I know it is probably raining in your garden and will be for at least another week, but I have to tell you that the last two weeks were just amazing! I would sincerely hope that you all share my feelings.

It just blows me away that even at the crusty old age of 70 I am still overwhelmed by the magic of spring.

Well, are we all feeling a wee bit exhilarated by this fabulous spring (or should I say summer) weather?

Are we experiencing a burst of energy and an intense desire to get everything done in the garden in one weekend?

Pace yourself!

Are you feeling a sense of panic, like you just lost the last 30 days of gardening and are now so far behind that you will never catch up? Not to worry. Mother Nature is also behind schedule so we have the entire month of March to get back on track.

Last week I pontificated on the ramifications of the recent winter storm. We discussed frozen roots on container plants, broken limbs on trees and shrubs, disfigured evergreens, and frozen buds.

In retrospect, that all sounds very depressing, but please don’t despair - I am pretty sure the worst is behind us.

If you are like me, you went to bed last Sunday night with a light dusting of snow on the ground and woke up to eight to ten inches covering virtually everything in the garden.

You might ask: “Is all lost?” Hardly!