Feeling a bit sore myself, been getting caught up on some mowing and weeding. Still moving forward though, and happy with the progress

Eric4home said:We are thinking of scaling back a bit. Meanwhile we're planning a major new display bed for tree peonies. As planned it will require about 56' of amended bed, that's Holly's idea of scaling back.

Ric, I'm going to have to show that to my husband... for some reason he seems to think I shouldn't keep adding on so I can grow more and different things (wonder if it's because he ends up doing most of the heavy labor)

Oh don't let Ric fool you. As soon as I mentioned it he was surfing the web looking for Tree Peonies. This morning he was looking at short spring bulbs that we could plant under them. That's the trouble with having 2 gardeners in the house, no one to say no. We both jump in with both feet.....or gloved hands.

Uh oh -- you're busted, Ric !

Waiting patiently for the sun -up to see what iris have opened. Things are about 2 weeks late here , except for weeds. The dwarfs are almost over and mid seasons are starting. A few TBI's are showing buds.

Many Favorite perennials were lost so I took advantage on Memorial Day Sales.

I think we are a little further behind than 2 weeks Jo Ann. We just were down below DC, and I would say closer to 4 weeks. We are just getting consistent 50*F night time temps required for caladiums and other tropicals.
What I said about the new peony bed is, it would look good with mass bulb plantings to add some interest in early spring and possibly early fall, with all the soil amendment required, it would only be a little extra work.

Same night temps here Ric. I am checking to see the overwintered caladiums I did. I never have luck doing that so if they are no-shows in a few weeks I will vow never to save them again.

We save quite a few, usually with fair success. Sometimes we just bring in the whole container, and sometimes we just dig them and brown bag them. They do need a minimum night time temp of 50*F for best storage.

Been there done that. It might be too warm in winter house.

Sometimes a closet on an outside wall can be much cooler, especially on the floor in the back.

the first peony flower opened. It is 'Sarah Bernhardt' (pink) from my home in Wisconsin.

Is that the peony that has such a delightful scent ?

Of you get your nose close enough ☺ More sent that our other peony 'Do Tell' which has a great flower, but no aroma that I can sniff.