Right now is the blissful time of the bulbs and azaleas here on the farm: blue bells, Leucojum aestivum (Gravetye Giant), thousands of daffodils and narcissi, and the vibrant Muscari 'Valerie Finnis' and armeniacum. The lily of the valley are just starting, with the may apples leafing the woods and the fruit trees flinging their pastel petals about like confetti. And, of course, the dogwoods flitting through the trees like the most wonderful and elegant of ghosts. You wonder if you really need summer at times like this.

Our frost date here in Pennsylvania is May 15th, although I am always tempted to rush the season a little. However, one important thing we are doing right now in preparation for it, and something you should be considering as well, is getting out your saws and shears and, finally, getting rid of all the winter-kill and shaggy-headedness of your trees and shrubs and roses and vines before the growing season starts to overtake you. Tie up the climbers, too, while you’re at it. This week I sheered the tops of the Euonymous around the lily and cutting gardens ('Silver King' and 'Golden Queen' respectively, both wonderful variegated varieties that really add visual punch to a border in a green landscape), as well as the Lonicera Bagusson’s Gold that surrounds the two most visually prominent beds in the vegetable garden.

It really pays to crisp up things like edging and hedges at this time of year. Top your beds off with a nice mulching around the perennials and the place looks quite spiff, whether there’s a blossom in sight or not!