Forsythia in Bloom

Sun showers between rain showers are a sure sign of Spring here on the Oregon Coast. In my front yard the Shiro Japanese plum is in full bloom perfuming the air. I wait with great anticipation for June when the wonderful delicate fruit is ready to drop into the hand. Nearby the daffodils and narcissus are putting on a spectacular show. Around the corner the trilliums are peaking out and not far away the lenten rose is showing off. Not to be outdone the is the English laurel which for years I thought of as an evergreen hedge. This time of years it blooms with the sweetest scented flowers. The magnolias are starting their usual excellent display.

The forsythias are showing nice color here near the ocean while 10 miles inland their cousins are in full bloom. Wild cherries are a nice addition in the woods with their lovely white blossoms. The wild sword ferns are beginning to show the new fronds in the form of fiddle heads. My Danish grandmother took my sister and I to the woods at this time of year as children to enjoy an little salad right off the fern plants. This is an excellent season to visit the Coast.

Gardener's Supply store in Williston, VT

Got a chance to stop by Gardeners Supply in Williston Vermont recently.   What a great location they have with plenty of space to show their wares.   Since I didn’t want to pay to fly a second suitcase home, I was limited to small items.   I grabbed several small, easily transported things.   Visiting with the staff I was reminded of the fact that gardening is a universal language.   Different zones to be sure and vastly different climates led to some interesting comparisons.   While Vermont is still at least two months away from last frost our gardens on the coast are showing signs of waking up quickly.   Thank goodness for on-line shopping,  I still have time to order those items I think I can’t live without for this year.   The folks at Gardner Supply have the same business philosophy I practice and that is the customer always comes first.