Signs of a Harsh Winter

It's been a harsh winter. My garlic is now a good 5" tall now, but some of them appears to not have made it. I thought I planted more than this, but I guess not! 

Native plant: Anemone is in bloom!

More evidence that this winter was really harsh....even with inches of mulch over this hellebore, it is not quite as big as it was last year, however, it is blooming!

The Daffodils and Forsythia are also blooming today! Tuesday it is supposed to get really cold again :\ The pear tree has broken dormancy and sprouted some leaves already! We're ready for spring, but winter isn't giving up the ghost yet!!!

My hot peppers that I have overwintered aren't doing so hot :(

Falling Into Autumn

I think I have to find a way to incorporate some of these into the garden! 

This weekend is the start of fall so I was feeling festive and picked up a few things! Love these warty pumpkins! I will have to save some seeds!

I added the orange themed pansies to the two urns since my Nasturtiums never really grew. They look nice and festive with the black Petunias! I put the pumpkins by the front doors, but I think I may have to cave to those darn Mums! It just NEEDS something, ya know?! 

An Epiphyllum is in bud! I hope I get to see it bloom! 

Buried my Ostrich fern and one of my Hellebores under the garage staircase. Need to dig a much bigger hole for the other one! 

Peonies, Irises and a Bletilla are buried by the fence, ready for winter as soon as I mulch it!