Gardening in the Snowbelt

We’re seeing photos of Deb Fitzgerald’s garden today.

I live close to the buckle of the snowbelt in northeastern Ohio. I’m blessed with a woodland, a wetland, and a pollinator bed, plus sun for perennials, which adds a zone in spots close to the house.

Spring vetchling (Lathyrus vernus, Zones 5–9) is a beautiful little perennial sweet pea. Unlike the more familiar species of Lathyrus this isn’t a vine, but a little perennial for sun or shade with loads of sweet pink (or magneta in some forms) flowers in the spring.

A frond of Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides, Zones 3–8) uncoils to greet the spring.

Pale blue grape hyacinths (Muscari ‘Valerie Finnis’, Zones 4–8) and a yellow-foliaged spirea (Spirea japonica, Zones 4–8) complement each other perfectly.

Many spring bulbs will take an unexpected late snow without missing a beat, as they are native to areas with volatile spring weather.

This wide view of the garden includes beautiful trees and many flowers in soft shades of lavender, purple, and blue.

We may think of conifers as just being green, but this Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis, Zones 4–7) has a moment with beautiful pink cones. These are the male cones, which produce the pollen to fertilize the female cones, which grow large and woody with seeds.

What a better way to show off this yellow bearded iris (Iris hybrid, bearded group, Zones 3–9) than with a backdrop of creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera, Zones 5–9)? The combination is pretty magical.

I love the rocks in this garden, which create a beautiful effect.

Wow! A dianthus (Dianthus hybrid, Zones 3–8) with silver foliage and magenta flowers looks even more brilliant against the backdrop of a glowing orange heuchera (Heuchera hybrid, Zones 5–8).

A low wet area is planted with things that love that.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

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