Hello! I know it’s been a while. Real life and all, which leads me to Spring gardening. The ups – not as many rabbits this year! (Will probably regret saying that by tomorrow when they come out in droves. LOL) The downs – just how out of shape am I? And the battles – let the slug carnage begin! What is really crazy is the Spring we’ve been having so far. Yesterday was the first morning we weren’t in the 30’s. Usually, by now our days are upper 50’s to lower 60’s. Friday is supposed to be 82F! Then we head back down into the upper 50’s, but still, It’s been a crazy Spring.

The other is the plants that I have lost this winter. We had snow, but it is Western Washington and usually we get snow once, maybe twice if at all. This year we had snow in October/November that stayed for a day or two. Then more snow here and there, but not enough to stick. I lost my rosemary and my Armandii Clemantis. The Clemantis I’ve had for quite some time. I think I planted it shortly after we moved in 22 years ago. Maybe it was just its time.

This is the only picture I have of it blooming. Below is what I found when I went out to scout the garden to see what I needed to get started on.

As you can see it was quite big and smelled wonderful when it bloomed. The only downside of clematis is that they want to climb on EVERYTHING! So I was forever battling to keep it off of the rhododendron and the lilac bush. That did not mean I wanted to get rid of it. Now it is gone and I am left with this stump, which itself is not bad looking, but I’m not sure if I want to keep it. It is pretty rotted. Also looks like a big undertaking to get rid of. This may take some more thinking before I tackle it.

I think I managed to get ahead of the shotgun weed. We’ll see as spring progresses. Still some things to do, like cut back the ivy. That is always fun. Well, I’m off. Over 80F tomorrow!

Heidi