Crocus
Prairie crocus
Serviceberry
Golden bleeding heart
As we shelter from the pandemic at home, I've never enjoyed the garden as much as this year.
Early spring
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Years ago, I (Sarah) planted hundreds of crocus bulbs by the front windows, where the snow melts a few weeks earlier than elsewhere in the garden. Within days of the snow retreating, these rich purple or yellow flowers are the first splash of color in early spring. This year, April 2nd. Next to flower is the furry prairie crocus and serviceberry, against the fresh lime growth of the cedar. In the back, the golden bleeding heart is luminescent, enjoying the full sun before the trees leaf (mid-May). Ferns and small hostas unfurl perfect foliage, the slugs are not yet awake.
Late spring
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In the back, years of mulch and extra water support the healthy growth of shade plants. In late May, the sweet woodruff, viburnum and natives: tiarella, Solomon's seal (polygonatum), and the 15 ft dogwood (C. alterniffolia) all have white flowers. Moments of brightness among the different textures of green. The little garden by the front patio is my place for experimentation, with Biokovo hardy geraniums, blue fescue, stonecrop sedum, miniature fern-leaf bleeding hearts, and an emerald spreader yew. I watched birds, squirrels, cats, and children chase through the front garden, as I participated in Zoom meetings and worked on my laptop outside, until the chill of October.
Summer
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If I had a sunny garden, I'd spend all my time weeding. Instead, to allow the ornamentals to compete with the mature trees, I spend most evenings listening to a podcast and moving hoses. The lime greens of spring have darkened and as summer moves towards fall, the flowers of the hydrangea, stonecrop sedum, and echinacea, deepen from pale rose to deep scarlet.
Autumn
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In a Canadian woodland garden, fall is the season for bright color. See the contrasting foliage of the neighbors' sugar maples (orange red), Norwegian maples (yellow), and our young red maple (dark red). Cool nights also trigger the hosta and Solomon seal to turn golden. Pumpkins replace annuals to add color until the snow (late October / November).
Winter
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We usually have snow by Alex's birthday (mid-November). The snow remains on the ground until spring. The garden is bright, with a reflective floor and leaf-less trees. The treehouse becomes more prominent, and the only colors are the red, orange and yellow stems of native dogwoods planted in the front to catch the winter sun. By the end of February, there is too much snow to fully appreciate the container by the front path. I spend weekends in January and February skiing, and let the garden sleep, dreaming of the spring sunshine.
