I was able to spend the afternoon gardening, too. I think the high temp. was only about 49 F. but the sun felt fairly warm & a stocking cap helped with the comfort level.

I dug some peonies to share with a friend and had to dig some others because grass had invaded & I couldn't get it out. I potted the peonies I'm keeping and will work on grass control in that bad area this year. I will probably put down layers of newspaper and mulch over it. I think I will put some of my potted brugmansias out there this year.

I went around doing the Limber Twig Test to determine what has truly kicked the bucket. Surprising some plants are still very pliable although dead-looking. Some surprise leaf budding, yea! The grass is finally coming back, such a shockingly beautiful rich green color. The clover in the Fleur De Lawn is starting to pop open. A profusion of green dots everywhere mark the re-emergence of baby labrador violets.

The creeping buttercup and bird's foot trefoil are busting out everywhere, rampant luxurious jungle. All trees are finally showing signs of life. Some willow varieties are leafing. The groundcovers are popping up with new growth. Today was a glorious day!

The rain we got yesterday was so needed and sooooo wonderful!

I agree! I had to work but what a wonderful day it was to be outside getting my hands dirty and grooming plants while enjoying all of the birds singing their hearts out! I could really get into a few more days of this, I don't want to be too greedy!

It rained here and hailed too. When the sun finally came out it was cold and windy.

7th weekend in a row with lousy weather.

Peonies need a good depth of fertile soil, like would be used for growing vegetables. Pots are often too small for them, hope you used big ones.

Weedy perennial grasses may outlive layers of newspaper. I'd try repeated applications of glyphosate instead.

I spent as much time as the weather would allow over the last week or so cleaning up my beds, pruning, fertilizing etc. Even had an awesome arborist out to do my 25 year old Japanese maples. So today I get all excited to plant and....."Just when you think" (I'm saying that in my best "Dumb and Dumber" voice), I procure a whole truckload of plant material today to get down and dirty with and get home to discover the ground is white with hail. So much for the best made plans :-)

Anyway, I gots me a whole bunch of fun stuff:

edgeworthia 'Gold Rush'
enkianthus 'J Iseli Red'
acanthus 'Tasmanian Angel'
geum 'Mrs Bradshaw'
dicentra 'Goldheart'
campanula 'Dickson's Gold'
iberis 'Purity'
aucuba 'Mr Goldstrike'
hebe 'Patty's Purple'
berberis 'Golden Ring' and 'Royal Burgundy'
spiraea 'Goldflame'

Now I just need a day like Sunday again to get them all planted before I head south for another week !!!!!!

The hebe is tender. Protect from cold weather such as we just had last winter. The edgeworthia should also be placed in a warm nook.