JAPANESE MAPLES

I love them. I collect them. I keep most of them in containers so that if I move they can go with me because I choose each one carefully. A Japanese Maple only comes home with me when it "speaks" to me. I have even chosen a Japanese Maple before because of the shape of its exposed roots and the moss growing under them. Here are a few photos of my maples. I think the current count is 9.

'Virdis'

Fernleaf Maple - It has Huge leaves! I love it!

'Shishi gashira' and 'Virdis'

'Bloodgood'. I know they're common - but look how beautiful!! The color is spectacular!

Two unusual green varieties Fernleaf and 'Shishi gashira'

More Hostas

HOSTAS!!! White bleeding heart, the world's biggest and most invasive fern, (that I was warned not to plant but did it anyway because plants that spread seem like more for your money to me) and my very favorite variety of Hosta 'June' make such a beautiful combination.


Seriously, rain drops on a hosta are soooo beautiful!

Spring!

There is nothing more fun to me than watching hostas pop up in Spring! I go out everyday and look to see how much they've grown. Today after the rain stopped I went out and took photos of many of my favorites. They are always so pretty with rain drops resting on their leaves. This hosta is called 'Striptease'. Fun name, huh?

This is my new bed of hostas - I planted it two weeks ago. I still need to mulch around them. I really think I wish I could collect every hosta. They are all so beautiful. I love finding new and unusual varieties.

The name of this hosta is 'Drinking Gourd' yet another fun name. Notice how the leaves are cup shaped.

My two 'Sum 'n Substance' Hostas under my Coral bark Japanese maple are getting so big! Yay! Under them is Persicaria 'Painter's Pallete' The three make a beautiful combination of foliage colors and textures.

LEM!

Yay!! It's finally warm enough for my oldest - Lemon - to join us in the garden.. She is very cold natured so she doesn't come outside until it's warm. She's been out the last two days with Jody, Blue and me and she's very happy for the spots in the sunshine! :)

What a difference a Week Makes!

From Snow last Sunday to 75 degrees today - what a week!! Can you believe it? Someone told me a joke this week. If you don't like the weather in Atlanta.... wait 15 minutes!! :) This week that seems very true.

I am so excited that Spring is almost here. There are signs of it everywhere! Here are some pictures of what is popping up and blooming now.

I've found tons of baby hellebores!!!! Yay!! And yes, I know I have got to get the leaves out of my beds and mulch and pinestraw them.. that's next weekend's project.. I'll post pictures of this weekend's project later.

My climbing hydrangea!! 'Moonlight'

The Garden Center and my Garden were covered in snow on the first day of March! It was really exciting to see. I grew up in South Alabama - so I haven't seen a whole lot of snow in my life. And while I would never want to live where there's alot of snow (I prefer HOT weather to COLD anyday - and really wish it could be fall year round - well half the year.. and the other half Spring..... well no .. okay I need some seriously sunny summer days too... Ok. ok. here's what I need everything except Winter with the exception of some late Winter/Early Spring snows and cool weather at Christmas ;) )

I've added some photos of the garden center and my garden.. beautified by snow!