It’s March and that means we are at the gateway to Spring!  Watch and wait for the Daffodils and know that in just a few more weeks prime gardening time will be here.

March Meeting:

Presenter: Dean Anesi

Date: March 6, 2007

Gardening Tip:

Early Blooming Flowers: What to plant for Early Spring Blooms

Gardeners in cold climates can still enjoy colorful flowers in the garden as early as March and even February in some areas, even when there is still snow on the ground. How early certain bulbs, perennials and shrubs will bloom varies from one zone to the next, and even on the location within your own garden (depending on sun, shelter, etc.). The following list is by no means exhaustive, but will give you ideas for some early bloomers that are good bets for producing flowers in late winter and early spring.

EARLY BLOOMING BULBS
Plant these tiny early risers in the fall for late winter/early spring blooms. They will bloom well before your daffodils and tulips.

Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa gigantea)
Flower: Blue, Pink, or White
Height: approx. 4 inches

Snow Crocus (Crocus chrysanthus)
Flower: White, Gold, Blue or Purple
Height: approx. 4 inches

EARLY BLOOMING PERENNIALS:  As soon as the snow melts (and sometimes even earlier) these hardy perennials spring into action.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectablis, D. eximia, D. formosana)
Flower: Red, Pink, or White
Height: varies with species
Hardy to Zone 3
Full shade to Partial Sun

Primrose (Primula denticulata, P. vulgaris, P. veris)
Flower: White, Pink, Yellow, or Purple
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Hardy to Zone 5
Full Shade to Partial Sun

www.helpfulgardener.com

February Meeting

Presenters:  Shane Andreasen and Zak Coon

Date:           February 7

Garden/Home Tip:

Brighten Up Your Winter Garden With Colorful Berries

Just because the trees are bare and there is snow on the ground doesn't mean that your garden has to become a winter wasteland. A well-planned garden will provide year-round interest and visual treats. Many evergreens and hardy ornamental grasses can be quite stunning in the colder months.

But perhaps nothing can compare to the vibrant color of berries during the winter. Berry palates range from bright red to yellow to pale blue and white, so there is something sure to please your eye. Many berries will also attract a variety of birds to your garden. Here are a few suggestions for hardy berry-bearing beauties that can provide a bit of pizzazz to the drab winter landscape

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum)
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
Tea Viburnum (Viburnum setigerum)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Winter King Hawthorne (Crataegus viridis)

www.helpfulfardener.com