Spring Garden Beauty–Plants to Enjoy with Both the Tastebuds and Eyes

During winter I always seem to forget about some of my garden treasures, especially the small varieties like my violets and mini-hostas. But then spring arrives and I discover them again. It’s a fine reward for having a lot of perennials, that just pop up every year and add charm here and there. I thought you might enjoy seeing them, too.

All the violets pictured are wild varieties that just show up in the woods and gardens here in Maryland. Some people are surprised about the purple and white, yellow ones, and all-white ones shown here, but in fact, they all grow wild in my yard. Actually, experts say there are several hundred varieties of violets. (For my story on decorating cupcakes and other baked good with fresh and candied violets, go here.)

During winter I always seem to forget about some of my garden treasures, especially the small varieties like my violets and mini-hostas. But then spring arrives and I discover them again. It’s a fine reward for having a lot of perennials, that just pop up every year and add charm here and there. I thought you might enjoy seeing them, too.

Of course, I never forget where I put my rhubarb! It’s right next to my red primroses, which are at their peak of color right now. See the red stalks peeking out under the big green leaves! I deliberately plant my rhubarb and herbs among my ornamental varieties, as I have a shady suburban property ill-suited for a full-fledged vegetable garden. (Even if I had more sun, I think the neighbors would be unhappy to see rows of tomato plants or bean poles in my yard!)

I’ve been following the progress of all the perennials for over a month now, and guesstimate that I’ll be cutting some rhubarb stalks for the table in another month. In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy their colorful stalks and large ruffled leaves. Eventually, around the time of harvest, those leaves will be 2 or even 3 feet long! (Once, they’re gone, some ferns and hostas that are just poking through the ground will fill their space.) For my very popular rhubarb-strawberry freezer jam go here.

So far the early spring flowers have been so bountiful, I had enough to cut some for pretty bouquets. What a wonderful season of the year!

For more on the ferns in my shade garden in spring, go here.

Or perhaps you might like my post on pastry decorating with violet blooms here.

Or perhaps a recipe for making violet decorating sugar here.