Gardening in March

The warmer days appear to have started in Bloomington.  Perhaps spring is here or we are in the “Fool’s Spring.” 

 I spent the bright day picking up sticks, cleaning out the pond and pruning back damaged Lenten rose leaves in my garden.  Hellebores are a lovely plant to have in your yard and as a real bonus, deer don’t eat them.  The early spring blooms add color and will last a month or more.  The foliage is quite attractive the rest of the season and stays green through the winter.

Lenten Rose with damaged leaves

 Late winter and early spring are the perfect time to prune your hellebores.I prune the damaged leaves to the base but don’t cut leaves that look fine.You don’t have to separate old damaged leaves from new ones later in the season if you take this approach.As I started the pruning, I could see the new flowers at the base.I’m looking forward to their full blooms.

Lenten Rose with emerging leaves

Submitted by Pam Roberts