Count Down in the CIty

Ten days until spring. What better day to plant some pansies. From my neighbor's cherry blossom tree that erupted in bloom last week, spring has arrived.

Yes a few plants have arrived at the nursery. In search of pansies yesterday. Available annuals that like cool temperatures like pansies, violas, ranunculus, primrose, candytuff, and others. Cool season vegetable starts were also available. And the above perennials overwintered in the green house and now 1/2 price. Tried to pick the ones already emerging from the soil. I also picked a pretty columbine. Didn't know forget me not's came in pink.

One of my favorite colors with the ruffles.

Removing the primrose and will plant back on the porch.

Lined a wood box with plastic and added soil for the primrose. Two did well but the other 4 look dead although they'll come back. This was my first time planting primrose. Two were already hardened off and 4 were, the 4 that lost it's foliage when night went below freezing. The other 2 didn't seem to mind the freeze and looked normal when temperatures warmed back up.

It'll look better soon and I'll plant them in the yard and possibly they'll return in the spring. Bought some hardy ones last season for the yard but haven't seen them return yet. I'm hopeful. Narcissus and a few tulips from last year are above ground. Only one winter aconite of a large bunch planted, and cyclamens are blooming in the yard.

Buying this wasn't using wisdom a few years ago at the flower show. First, it's too deep, and the opening too small to put much in it. Yes I spent 2 days at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Didn't take pictures this year. Just wanted to enjoy the show.

Lined and soil added.

Looks pretty close up but tiny display on the door. I'll work on what to put in it for summer to make it more full and add more flowers.

Winter sown shade seedlings still surviving. Alliums emerging.

All to keep out critters and see some tulips.

The flower bed will be pretty soon.

Last years digitalis seedlings. Can't wait to see them this year. I'm waiting for my second sowing of some more to germinate. The first didn't do well. This flower bed is tiny so 2 seedlings will be enough. It would be nice to have some for the yard. The last time I planted them there, slugs ate them.

Last falls pansies returning.

What perennial is that? Can't remember.

Not pretty but keeps squirrels from eating them. I'll remove it soon when they get a little taller and the blooms form.

On the sun porch. I cleaned it up a little for you. Soon will do some work out here. Some caulking and painting, new rug, light curtains, and new cushions. In time I hope. I have everything but have to cut out the fabric and start sewing. Even bought wood and legs for wood  tables for the porch instead of the ones I have.

Self pollinating blueberry, lilac looking poorly, and a Hardy Chicago fig. In a few years maybe some fruit.

My container bulbs did okay planted so late.

Pumpkins are still alive and firm. Guess I should roast them and make some soup or pumpkin bread before they rot.

Iris not at their prime. They were hidden on the porch and I noticed they had already bloomed. Caught these 2 before they fade.

Can now say a hydrangea survived the winter on the porch. It's early yet.

Believe they're bluebells. Will plant in yard after blooming. This is wheat happens when you order more than you have room for or too lazy to plant outdoors.

And they continue coming.

Agapanthus from the flower show. It's ready to grow so I potted it up today.

Added these. 

Then watered.

Time for some coffee and rest. After I start dinner and cut my roses. A fire on a 70 degree day. Yes, it's cool inside. Have a beautiful day.