I was pretty sure that evergreen Euphorbia stygiana had thrown in the towel after our freezes this winter. It looked a little brown for an evergreen. The branches aren't black though.
Look, some new leaves!
And at the tips, new green growth! Glad I didn't get an urge to tidy up the garden this winter. (Sloth triumphs again!)
Podophyllum pleianthum emerging from the soil looking like parasols - so adorable! This was a very old clump that had declined so much over the last four years that I didn't notice it when digging holes for tulip bulbs. I found the large roots and saw that they were growing in horrible hard pan soil. No wonder they were fussing. After an excavation and addition of copious amounts of compost and manure, they were once again placed in the soil. I hope they thrive in their new digs.
Arisaema kishidae peeking out from its camellia petal bed.
Bergenia buds.
Rheum palmatum atrosanguineum is a cool plant but it needs something (like maybe a new home) to keep it from dying back in the middle of the summer and leaving a huge vacant gap.
So, what's your take on this plant? Does it just need to be divided? It's only been in place for about four years.
Here's a wider view showing the whole mess. The original plant is now the big thing in the middle that looks like a tree trunk. Divide and conquer or death? It does have great red foliage in the spring as can be seen here.
Inside, the appearance of black pots sprouting begonias on every available spot of countertop is a sure sign that summer is growing nearer every day! Driving home this evening, I noticed that some of the earliest maples have begun blooming. The acceleration toward summer will be happening very rapidly over the next few weeks. It's an exciting time to be a gardener!
Still, the houseplants are eagerly awaiting their outdoor summer vacation.
Maybe it's time to admit that I don't really hate houseplants. Have you started seeing signs of spring?