Hi GPODers!
We have another fabulous spring garden to share today. This one is from Kris Northup in State College, Pa. Kris first shared her colorful landscape in fall (check that out here: Fall in Kris’s Garden), with foliage in bold hues and the final flowers of the garden season. Today she is back to share the bursts of color that emerge from her beds in spring.
I am Kris Northup; this is my second submission to Fine Gardening. The first was in the fall of 2023. I am an avid listener to the FG podcast and eagerly await the new publication every month. I live in State College, Pennsylvania, Zone 6B, and have been gardening since I helped my grandmother in her Burbank, California, garden when I was a toddler. I love watching plants grow! My current gardens have been a work in progress for about 30 years on a typical suburban lot. I am so enjoying this spring, as we have not had a late frost and everything is magical! I am getting older, at 73, and have to count on my wonderful husband to do some of the heavy lifting and digging for me, as I am constantly moving and changing things. That is the fun of gardening to me: reimagining.
“Every person is like a box of magic: a mysterious vessel full of you-never-know-what.”—Elizabeth Berg
Under the Bloodgood Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’, Zones 5–8), we see Blaauw’s Pink azalea (Rhododendron ‘Blaauw’s Pink’, Zones 6–9), Othello ligularia (Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’, Zones 3–8), and Jack Frost brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, Zones 3–7). In the background, some peonies are just coming up as well as a new bed, ready for planting along the screen that we built. Can’t wait to get started on that!
Dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata, Zones 3–9) along our front path is an early pollinator that attracts bees and hummingbirds.
Lilac Wonder tulip (Tulipa bakeri ‘Lilac Wonder’, Zones 3–8), a wild tulip that returns every year, along our front walk with Blue Star juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’, Zones 4–8) and Black Scallop ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Binblasca’, Zones 4–9)
Variegated sweet iris (Iris pallida ‘Variegata’, Zones 4–9), which has purple flowers when in bloom, among Siberian spurge (Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana, Zones 6–11)
White bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’, Zones 2–9) with Espresso cranesbill geranium (Geranium maculatum ‘Espresso’, Zones 5–8) and Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5–9)
Brilliantissima red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’, Zones 4–9)—flowers in spring, berries in summer, and brilliant fall color. Just love it! Backed by a native redbud (Cercis canadensis, Zones 4–9).
Violets and dandelions in the grass, which pollinators love. Instead of chemicals, a yearly aeration and seeding keeps a nice balance of grass and pollinators in our lawn.
Newly planted laceleaf Crimson Queen Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’, Zones 5–8), which takes the place of a 20-year-old Garnet Japanese maple that we lost last year. Fronted by Jack Frost brunnera and Purple Rain Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain’, Zones 3–7) just appearing on the right.
Prima Belarina® primrose Spring Sun and Amethyst Ice (Primula vulgaris ‘Belarina Spring Sun’ and ‘Belarina Amethyst Ice’, Zones 4–8)
White hellebore and another Jack Frost brunnera (they reseed everywhere!)
Thank you so much for sharing this collection of color, Kris! Your garden in spring is just as lively and lush as it is in fall. I only hope we get to see its peak summer blooms later this year.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone’s hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.
Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix – Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators – bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides – Don’t plant disappointment – Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds – Grow wildflowers everywhere – Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business – Quality You Can Trust – Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.
Ho-Mi Digger – Korean Triangle Blade
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability.
Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.
