I have two hostas that look just plain wonky. One I tossed already, since I thought it may be the dreaded hosta virus, and the other one is going to hit the trash can this weekend for the same reason. Not sure if it's virus or frost-related but I don't want to take any chances.

Other than that, it's been a *gorgeous* spring - lots of moisture available from all the rain, and not too hot yet, the spring displays (perennials and trees) have been fabulous this year!!

Have noticed a few things are putzing along - caryopteris (Bluebeard bush) and oakleaf and PeeGee hydrangeas are really taking their time getting fully leafed out.

Sorry to hear about your roses. They can get touchy in the spring - flower buds are easily toasted if it gets too cold at night.

finchlover I am not sure where you are but I am Washington state and we had a bit of a tough winter for us. I lost some established plants and my butterfly bushs are incredibly slow to get moving. Last year they had kept a lot of their leaves and were fully leafed out by this time. This year they dumped all their leaves and are growing mostly from the bottom, some from the upper wood.

I have also thought that plants were not coming back and decided to plant in the empty spots. When I got close though I could see that there was stuff growing just under the mulch.

Guess it's just slow to wake up. Sitting outside in freezing temps would make me hesitate too. ;-)

Oops, wanted to add this; You wondered if you should water or not. Try sticking your finger into the dirt to see how far down it is still moist if at all. You mention the light but persistant rain. I have been fooled by that in the past and not watered but later found that the rain was only getting the foliage or mulch wet and not much else.

I finally decided to measure rain and use the sprinkler whenever I don't get one or two inches of rain in a week. I don't have something fancy, just a tupperware container that measures 3 inches deep. Some plants need more water then others too and I try to group them together. Hydrangeas and Astilbes come to mind. I try to make sure they get two inches of water a week at least.

Our spring has been fine for me although colder then usual to begin with and now gray for just a bit too long and that's all. Good working weather for the most part. Lots of spring flowers have lasted a long time. It has been great for keeping the mosquitoes at bay, too. Last night was the first time I have been bit by one. I think that is pretty late. Everything started growing well with a couple of warm sunny days, but are in a holding pattern at the moment.

My roses are actually looking great, to my delight. Clean foliage and budding up well. I have seen ladybugs on the leaves and I've added new fertilizers this year. We'll see how long that lasts. [g] Last year, they looked great until just after their first flush of blooms and went downhill from there.

pm2

For us in southwest Missouri, it has been a very cool spring which has slowed things up a bit, but that is all. We have had excellent rains and the gardens are now really jumping.