Ah…Spring!

Although it started out damp and overcast today and is sunny now, yesterday was absolutely gorgeous.  The Painted Quilt household has definitely been bitten by the Spring Fever bug!

Last week, Mr. PQ and I visited several garden centers on a quest for new plants.  The landscaping around our 175 year old home has been sorely neglected over the past 5 or 6 years and as soon as the weather cooperated, we began the outside work.  Mr. PQ dug out some sorry-looking, overgrown Mugo pines and spirea and I did a lot of severe pruning to some holly and euonymus shrubs.  We are hoping to replace those that we removed with some native Nova Scotia plants as well as several different species of rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas.  We moved from a hardiness Zone 3b in Ontario to a Zone 6b in Nova Scotia which means I’m in seventh heaven in that I’ll be able to enjoy plants that would never have survived in Eastern Ontario.

Here’s my very first rhododendron, a pale yellow bloomer called ‘Nancy Steele’.  The large buds haven’t opened as yet but give it another week or so and it should be in full bloom.  The foliage remains green and stays on the plant during the winter which makes for some beautiful winter garden landscapes.  Rhodies are very prevalent in Nova Scotia and I can’t wait until they are all in bloom.

One side of our house remains in shade all day so I had to plant a few of my favorite spring bloomers that thrive in the shade…bleeding hearts.  I just had to have one of each…a red one…

And a white one to keep it company.

I alsoplanted a French lilac.  This particular species will produce dark purple flowers outlined in white.  It doesn’t look like much now but I’m hoping that it will produce a few blooms this year. 

Of course Mac had to supervise the whole time.  He just loves to roam the property while we are outside working.

I don’t know whether you can see it in this next photo but the deer have eaten the foliage on the tulips almost right to the ground.  These tulips were planted in the field behind the house in a naturalized fashion and not in a designated flower bed.  Oh…and they also ate the crocus blooms as well.  *sigh* 

I ran out of gas yesterday and today I’m preparing Easter dinner so tomorrow I’ll plant the other rhododendron and three blueberry bushes that are patiently waiting to take up residence at their new home.

There’s a lot more outside work and planting to be done but I want you to know that I’ve also been doing some sewing as well.   I just couldn’t resist and recently signed up for a needlecase swap.  I can’t show you anything just yet because my partner and I decided that we would surprise each other but I’ll be sure to post what I designed and made as soon as she receives it.

Happy spring and Happy Easter.