Hi, this is Joseph in Indiana. I moved into my house about a year and a half ago, and the yard was a completely taken over by masses of invasive weeds: honeysuckle and knotweed. So I cleared all that out, and now that they are gone, I’m finding all kinds of treasures. Sometime since the 1940s when the house was built, a gardener must have lived on and loved this little urban lot, because all kinds of long-lived treasures are popping up and enriching my spring.
These hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis, Zones 4–8) somehow survived years of being smothered by weeds. Last spring they were just foliage, but they’re bouncing back now wonderfully and are covered with fragrant blooms. I have no idea what the variety is, of course, but I’m thrilled with how vigorous they are. I can’t wait to start dividing them and spreading them over the garden so I can enjoy their fragrance.
Peonies are survivors. There were a few peonies on the property when I moved in, but the shade of weeds had reduced them to just a few wisps of foliage. But now, with a little love and more sun, they’re coming back, and this one even has a flower bud! I can’t wait to see what it looks like and to watch it really start bulking up in the years to come.
Last year I had just one or two blooms of long-suffering glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa forbesii, Zones 3–8). But free from weeds, they’ve transformed into a carpet of bloom this year.
I’ve been adding my own plants, of course, like these primroses (Primula hybrids, Zones 3–8) I grew from seed.
I grew a LOT of primroses from seed. I wish I had planted them closer together so they’d make a solid carpet, but maybe next year.
These little hoop-petticoat daffodils (Narcissus ‘White Petticoat’, Zones 5–8) are tiny and delicate. I love how they look, but maybe they aren’t in the right place, as they’re a bit easy to overlook.
Narcissus ‘Trena’ is in the bed between my sidewalk and the street. I love the nodding flowers held up over the foliage.
Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris, Zones 4–8) is a favorite. I love the early blooms and the way the silky hairs on it glow in the sun.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Comments
What a perfect reward for all your hard work! Thanks for sharing it with us, Joseph.
Very nice surprises to your purchase of the property ! And next year , things will even be better ! That's the thanks one gets for giving them the opportunity to thrive again . Great inspirations to build upon ... Peace from the Mohawk Valley in central NY .
A wonderful and uplifting story Joseph. Love the photograph of the Pasque Flower. Keep up the excellent work!
It's so nice to find surprises come up from whoever lived there before you, and to bring it back to life by clearing the way for the sun to reach the Peonies again, etc.
The glory-of-the-snow - oh wow! I just bought some for Autumn and look forward to having what you have!
Never heard of a Pasque flower before its so exotic- super interesting.
I had no idea how gorgeous a mass planting of Primrose could be!
Great story Joseph. You must have taken a lot of care while removing all those weeds to have such healthy survivors. I know if I tackled the job there would be nothing but more weeds seeding back in . Be proud!
“Maybe they aren’t in the right place, as they’re a bit easy to overlook.” I’ve always used the out-of-the-way spring bloomers as an excuse to wander—repeatedly— around our property to check on what might have popped up overnight, to uproot some persistent dandelions, to dream about companions for next year. If the neighbors ask what I’m up to, I have an answer they can relate to.(The little girls next door have asked if I lost something!) “Checking on our new Lenten rose” makes sense to them. Wearing a path in my lawn in April, not so much. :)
Let the new adventure continue! I used to want to get everything planted quickly, but as I age I am enjoying the process more. It is always such a delight to see a plan come together... then figure out more possibilities! I am in awe of your delicate Pasque flower, it is a true beauty. Enjoy this adventure, Joseph.
What wonderful surprises! It's always a treat to walk our gardens in Spring noticing each new little growth each day. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos.
Joseph, you're obviously enjoying your new home and bringing to life all those treasures with your TLC. Continued success and I look forward to more great photos and finds.
Get ready to scream!: geometry dash world is back with a vengeance! New story, new levels, new pain... I mean, FUN! Prepare to rage (and love) your way through these insane challenges. ️
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in