While standing in the dark near mounds of dogwood shrubs on my friends’ rural property last week in below-freezing temperatures, I felt like a bit of a thief. I had, in fact, gotten permission to help myself to some branches, so I snipped away and heaped my score in the trunk of my car, deposited the pruners where I found them, and drove home. I wanted the bright red dogwood … [Read more...] about Forcing spring branches indoors
spring shrubs
Appreciating February daphnes
In my Zone 6a garden, February daphne (Daphne mezereum, Zone 5) blooms in March. The calendar discrepancy causes me no concern, because they’re still the earliest of deeply scented shrubs (soon to be followed by Koreanspice viburnum and lilacs), and reward me for braving the elements when I’m out early to get things done. When temperature and humidity are just right, the daphne … [Read more...] about Appreciating February daphnes
