Spring is opening her eyes and stretching her arms out wide. I see it in the Hellebores, Tulips and Daffodils in my garden.  Down by the James River Park, Virginia Bluebells are nodding and Woodland Phlox is blooming in the shade of the forest floor.  Native Paw Paw Trees are sporting their saucy red blooms hanging like lanterns along the path.  All the trees are leafing out and covering our cars in a fog of yellow pollen.  Spring is here.  Magic is everywhere.  Come outside and see! 

“Sometimes since I’ve been in the garden I’ve looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something were pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of Magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden—in all the places.” Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

When I was a little girl The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books.  A young girl finds friendship, healing and magic in a garden brought back to life.  I imagined a place where I could steal away and walk among the flowers, birds and butterflies…and dream.  Now my garden is a place where I curl up with a book or pick flowers to bring inside.  My house is full of collections of stones, feathers and seashells because those are the things that are precious to me. My garden looks a little ruinous… like Mother Nature had her way.

What’s your idea of a garden?  Mine is probably different from yours, but in one way we are the same. We all are longing for a Haven.  A place just for us, that welcomes us home and doesn’t mind the dust.  This month I invite you to dream and envision what makes your garden a haven.  I will share where to go for inspiration, tips for your own garden, and a favorite April blooming native plant. 

RVA IMMERSE

One of the best ways to be inspired is to visit gardens.  For one week a year, you have a unique opportunity to see private gardens during Virginia’s Historic Garden Week.  You can tour spectacular gardens in Richmond and beyond from April 26th through May 3rd.  I will be volunteering on Wednesday, April 30th at the Pope Avenue tour, “…a jewel of a neighborhood tucked into Richmond’s Northside, offering a unique mix of architecture on spacious lots complemented by beautiful gardens.”  This tour is a fundraiser for Council of Historic Richmond, and the gardens are extraordinary. Please come visit me and enjoy a once a year feast for the senses.  

Another way to immerse in your garden is to walk expansive public gardens that invite you along a journey.  This month take a Springtime in Virginia Tour at Lewis Ginter and see one million blooms emerge as daffodils, tulips, and bluebells cover the grounds.  Take pictures of all your favorites and be inspired to plant in your own garden. 

GARDEN GUIDANCE

Clean-up:  Spring is here, and your garden is calling you.  If you held off on the clean up, your pollinators are just starting to emerge. Remove matted leaves from emerging planting beds and compost.  Edge Beds (if you like) and feather in mulch along the lawn and bed’s edge for that neatly turned out garden bed.  Or let it be.  It’s up to you.

Trees and Shrubs:  Now is the time to evaluate your tree canopy and shrubs.  See any dead limbs or branches?  Now is the time to remove dead wood.  Call your arborist if you spot dead limbs.  Don’t be concerned if Crape Myrtles are slow to leaf out.  You can remove the water shoots at the base of the tree.  Enjoy our Spring blooming trees…Redbuds, Cherry Trees, and Dogwood Trees are on magnificent display this month.

Thoughts on Pruning:  I think it goes back to cutting all the hair off my dolls growing up.  I just love to prune things.  And I have learned the hard way…Just a trim please!  Think back to your worst haircut and don’t take too much off.  Pruning at any time spurs growth, so removing dead wood and wonky bits are fine in the Spring.  A serious chop (more than a third of the growth) is not beneficial for most plants.  MOST IMPORTANT:  Before you grab your pruners, note the bloom season.  Do not prune spring flowering shrubs (like azaleas) until after they bloom.  As flowers fade on previous year’s wood, you may prune back branches that are crossing or congesting the shape of the shrub.  Trim a little at a time…with sharp loppers or hand pruners.  Feel free to deadhead late summer to fall flowering shrubs like Limelight Hydrangeas…You will not be removing this years blooms.  If you want to deep dive into pruning techniques, this is a great place to land.

NATIVE PLANT LOVE

My favorite all time April blooming perennial is NATIVE and a great substitute for lawn-like areas.  If you have a sunny slope, or want to reduce the amount of mowing, this evergreen low growing ground cover is perfect for you.  Phlox subulata or Moss Phlox is a hardy, easy to grow blooming ground cover that deer rarely eat.  Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds love it.  You must have sun, or else it really doesn’t bloom well.  Your local nursery will be sure to have this fantastic blooming native in white, pink, or rose with a dark pink eye. Now is a fantastic time to stop by Colesville, Cross Creek, Strange’s or Sneeds to select some Phlox for your garden.

CURRENT PROJECT INSPIRATION

In client gardens, I love to plant densely.  I love the look of a lush garden bed, and use ground covers extensively to reduce weed pressure and amp up the flowering season.  I love to use Phlox subulata along a walkway instead of a sea of brown mulch.  When it rains, you have a pillowy low low-growing ground cover instead of brown bits covering your walkway.  The early spring flowers are a lovely bonus for you and for early emerging pollinators.  My favorite color is ‘Emerald Blue.’  The color is sublime. 

-See you in the Garden!  Wendell