A few sequential days of near-record warmth were a joy to us here in Woodford County after this particularly long, gray, snowy winter. Although I tilled the garden under last fall, vowing to let it go, a few perennials proved hardier than the tiller.
I couldn’t bear to destroy the Lenten Roses, and they have been especially beautiful this year. Perhaps removing all that was around them gave them room to breathe. They’ve been blooming since late February.
After a few volunteer purple crocus bloomed out, a few cheerful daffodils replaced them. I did run the tiller over them, but they decided to live anyway.
Also coming up are lilies, astilbe, anemones (looking prolific and quite well; better, in fact, then when I last saw them), and the ubiquitous self-seeding columbine, which have been abundant here since I planted several the first year I lived at this place. The angelica plant looks quite happy, though I would have sworn I’d entirely destroyed it.
And of course, the wild onions are coming up in squadrons. They’ll have to be dug out, garden or none.
The catkins are bursting out on a little willow I bought a couple of years ago at the Bluegrass Trust Antiques & Garden Show at Keeneland. I’m glad, and somewhat surprised, that the willow survived the winter in its fairly exposed spot on this windy hill.
The faithful redbud, that hardy native at the end of the deck, is showing its vibrant early-season pink. Redbuds are tough. Every year, I appreciate this tree, one of the earliest to bloom. The redbud’s other name is “Judas Tree,” from the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from the branch of one, and that the pink flowers, which bloom in the Easter season, are perpetually stained with his blood. I think the legend is too dark for this pretty little tree, with wood so brittle that it would hardly make a suitable gallows, not to mention the other logical flaws in the legend.
Looking at these volunteers, I can feel my resolve weakening. The garden may have its way, it seems.
After May 1, when we’re most likely past frost, I expect I’ll find myself replanting the garden. But not till then. There was sleet for a few minutes this afternoon, and snow predicted for tomorrow. The redbud and the Lenten Roses will be fine, and mostly likely, so will the willow. Not so sure about the daffodils.
