Ah weekends, they always disappear so fast! Life has been good as of late, 2012 has a lot of promise. I don’t exactly know when it happened but spring is upon us. Sure we still might get one more snowfall before it’s all said and done, but the bulbs are on their way and so is everything else. Green buds cling loosely to bare branches, a quick walk about the garden shows a world of activity. I’ve really been enjoying my job as of late, the houses are filling up fast and the green visuals are incredible. It’s a beautiful place to work and there is no finer place to be then a greenhouse full of flowers. I work with a good group people with a twisted sense of humor. The ridiculous jokes and fake animosity helps the day move smoothly. Having our “private” greenhouse in the back is a real luxury and it’s great to overwinter the collection with ease. Every Thursday I do a walk about the nursery and update our plant availability list. At the end of the walk I do a quick buzz about with my camera and get photos to update the website. While their first destination is the nursery’s website, it seems a shame not to share them with you guys as well. Things are certainly looking nice this time of year.

We’re finally on the last couple greenhouses of primulas, the last two Fridays I have spent 8 hours straight cleaning these pesky things.  Somebodies got to do it right?

A premium variety we sell, Primula belarina ‘Buttercup’ is something a bit different.  Reliably hardy and surprisingly prolific when overwintered outdoors. The one I have at home looks equally as luscious.

A semi hardy noid variety we sell, similar to the florist variety of cyclamen are right on schedule.

Recently planted seed geraniums. Oh just 1500 some flats or something, no big deal.

Lavenders on their way.

Saxifraga ‘Peter Pan’ has always been a favorite from the start. A cushion forming hardy perennial, in it’s prime it is incredible. I love the lush rosettes.

Saxifraga ‘Triumph’ is my favorite of the two, it migrates a bit in the garden but is mostly well behaved.  The flowers are less abundant then S. ‘Peter Pan’ but are taller and more interesting.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ emerging for the season. I actually prefer the look of this plant earlier in the season then later.  In full bloom the flowers are absolutely covered in bees.

95% of the hardy primulas are still asleep, the two of these poked their heads up early to brighten the day. Primula denticulata

The tulips are looking good this year.

The true harbingers of spring: Iris reticulata are out in full force.

What a show!

So photogenic. “Amazing, incredible, more, more, you’re a god!”

Narcissus ‘Dutch Master’.

As per usual my weekend was spent satiating my plant obsession. I met a new plant friend, an orchid grower/collector here in town. We drank coffee, ate pastries and traded some seeds. The next day was spent doing a little nursery hopping and accidentally adding another 8 new plants to my collection. It’s a tough life we plant collectors(HOARDERS) live, a tough life indeed.