What an exciting time of year!  So many changes happening.  I promised last week a picture of our Dwarf Korean Lilac tree.  It is at it’s peak this week – magnificent to say the least.  I sit outside on the porch and just soak it in – both the beautiful flowers and the intense lilac fragrance.  This tree has to be one of the highlights of the spring.

The canopy of this ornamental tree provides just the right amount of shade needed for my miniature hostas growing beneath it.  The shadow doesn’t cast over to the sedum groundcover we have planted on the edge of this bed.  Speaking of the groundcover here – we have three different varieties of sedum planted.  For the most part, they respect their territory while still managing to extend somewhat around the edges of the garden bed.

My try at petunias in a part shade bed is taking off.  Petunias like full sun, but I’m hoping that they will prosper in an environment of approximately 6 to 8 hours of sun during the summer months.  So far – so good.   We have five main areas for annuals.  The other four have begonias planted which are a part shade/shade annual.

The fun accent to our gardens, some of which provide a sense of whimsy, is our garden art.  Leif loves anything metal that rusts.  We feature  garden art made by local Minnesota and Iowa artisans.  These coneflowers here are just one example.  Stop in and check out our one of a kind garden art.