Tulip 'White Parrot' by the Circle Lawn

Tulip 'White Parrot' with forget-me-nots (Myosotis) by the Circle Lawn this weekend.

Tulip 'Persian Pearl', Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete' and purple-tipped Echeveria: A Spring Container Combination

Tulip 'Persian Pearl' and Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete'

Spring bulb container with Tulip 'Persian Pearl', Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete' and purple-tipped Echeveria

Tulip 'Persian Pearl', Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete' and purple-tipped Hens & Chicks (Echeveria)... I love the pointed tulip and hen together.

A sunny combination for our patio that began in March this year and bloomed through the first half of April.

A bit of catch-up posting this week of the flowers that have been flying by in the warm March and April temps. We did get a bit of snow this weekend and a nice chill temperature, so hopefully we can continue to enjoy our tulips! See our other tulips pots here.

Phipps Conservatory Spring Show 2012

2012 Spring Show at Phipps Conservatory

My husband and I had a quick run through at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA this spring for their Spring Show 2012. You can be sure of being hit by the heavy scent of spring bulbs as you enter the conservatory - a rare treat in most Aprils in Pennsylvania!

Here are a few of the best tulip and hyacinth combinations that I came across. The theme for the spring show this year was around the world. Holland... France... England... oh my.

Our Tulip Containers this April at Gilmore Gardens

Tulip 'Ballerina' on our front steps this week in Pennsylvania.

Success! This is the first year that bulb pots have worked out for me. Tulip 'Ballerina' on the right and Tulip 'Virichic' on the left with a few white Anemone blanda peeking out of both.

I love this tulip! Tulip 'Virichic' potted up with white Anemone blanda, in front of the blooms on the Hill Garden.

Tulip 'Ballerina' in an urn atop the Hill Garden with white Anemone blanda.

I have finally been feeling better. Thank you for all of the well wishes I received! Vertigo for five weeks is no fun thing.

I am going out to pull more dandelions. Happy April!

Tulip 'Virichic'

Tulip 'Virichic'

Tulip 'Virichic'

Tulip 'Virichic' in pots this week at Gilmore Gardens.

GBBD April Flowers in Pennsylvania, Zone 5

The Circle Lawn on April 15th, 2012.

 Welcome to GBBD April at Gilmore Gardens in Pennsylvania, Zone 5!

Our garden is still a month ahead of where it normally is in spring.  It looks much more like May from last year than April.  We are located on a corner lot in our little town, so we have lots of passersby with which to share our spring celebration. Our location contains gardens in shade, semi-shade and lots of full sun. See the map of Gilmore Gardens to link these areas together in your mind as you look around.

Tulip 'Ice Stick' in the Hill Garden

Tulip 'Ice Stick' in the sunny Hill Garden. (March 22, 2012)

Tulip 'Ice Stick' is one of the first full-size tulips to bloom in early April.  It is a species tulip that tops out at 10-12 inches tall and is classified as a Kaufmanniana Hybrid, which are known as the Water Lily tulips. They are very hardy (zones 3-8).

Most species tulips perennialize better than more highly bred cultivars, which means that they are tulips that are more likely to return to bloom again next year, maybe even for many years to come. All tulips like a good baking in the summer months, so they are not likely to return in damper areas. Most tulips are native to Turkey and its surrounding countries.

Heuchra villosa 'Citronella'

Heuchra villosa 'Citronella' (a chartreuse foliage Coral bell)

I have discovered a new heuchra (commonly known as Coral bells), which is no great feat these days as it seems a new variety is coming out every other minute. But, I really like this one, Heuchra villosa 'Citronella', for numerous reasons.

Heuchra 'Citronella' has wonderful chartreuse foliage that will brighten up any combination. As I carried it around the yard looking for my chosen spot, I was having the problem of wanting it in several locations at once. Being foliage, it will sustain its place in a garden design instead of bloom-and-done. And lastly, it kept this same foliage all winter through, with very little damage. In fact, the photo above has only new growth in the middle of the plant, with the outer leaves remaining for last year. 

See it with beautiful Tulip 'Angelique' in our Driveway Garden.

Thanks to Christina for the prompting to post this one!

Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete' and Crocus 'Grand Maitre'

Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete' and Crocus 'Grand Maitre' in the Hill Garden.

Spring is moving along at a fast clip this year, with most things blooming a month ahead of time. Here is another simple combination that I do not want to miss sharing.  I am so pleased to have planted this pair in our gardens this year: the little cyclamen daffodil, Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete', and the large purple Crocus vernus 'Grand Maitre'. They were planted in several groups throughout Cherry Corner Garden and the Hill Garden.

Colorful Punch with Tulip 'Angelique' in the Driveway Garden

Tulipa 'Angelique', pink blooming Lamium, cobalt blue Muscari armenicum and vivid yellow Heuchera 'Citronelle' in the Driveway Garden.

Tulip Angelique, Lamium, Muscari armenicum and Heuchera 'Citronelle' in the Driveway Garden... iris foliage coming up through these ground covers and the rose bush in the back anchor this planting with some needed green.

Read more about this garden in the Driveway Garden Succession 2011.

Happy Easter to all!

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' planted in the Patio cracks & Rock Garden

Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty', also known as Siberian or wood squill, blooming in our little rock garden.

Scilla siberica, also known as Siberian or wood squill, are a bright greeting in the springtime. These little bulbs, which bloom at 6 inches tall, have persisted very well in our garden for four years. They naturalize readily from their seed, and can carpet entire sections of woodland with time. Their name does not exactly identify their descent, as they are native to southern Russia and Turkey.

Spring Combination: Forsythia and Pachysandra terminalis

Try a Forsythia shrub under-planted with Pachysandra terminalis for a finished looking spring combination.

Some of the best gardening ideas can be found all around the local area where you live. Just look around with the eyes of a curious gardener. Even in the most unlikely places, you may find some wonderful planting ideas. Cosmos in sidewalk crevices... wild asters in the railroad grade... veggie pots on an apartment steps. This combination came from observing my neighbors plantings on the way to dinner one evening.  It is found along our Front Walk and is effective, though incredibly simple.