"ODE ON THE SPRING", by Thomas Gray

                Philadelphia,    Feb. 2013

Photo, Vermont, 2005

Although it will be awhile before the iris and delphiniums bloom, I take heart in seeing the robins, juncos and jays eating seed in the still snowy yard.  The kitchen window is  my tv. The sun shines brighter, longer and is proof that before long the  bulbs that are timidly pushing their way through the leaves of last Autumn will risk opening up to another year of life.  After living in Vermont for so many years with it's short growing season, Philadelphia is a gardener's dream come true.

Quote from 2013 Digging Dog Nursery, Albion,CA, Catalog description of Mock Orange.....
"PHILADELPHUS.   First introduced to Europe along with lilacs by Ambassador Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq in 1562, this classic and easy-to-grow hollow-branched shrub was used by the Turks to make pipes.  Its Latin name means "brotherly love" and its orange-blossomlike fragrance has enhanced teas, perfumes and almost certainly, many 'friends' walks in the garden."

So for all of you who live in the City of Brotherly Love, Spring is upon us.  Rejoice and get out your seed and plant catalogs.  Those of you who have green houses or sun porches can start seed and force bulbs.  Happy day.

For those of you who live in Vermont, New York and other New England States I offer the words of Mark Twain,  "New England has nine months of winter and three months of bad sledding."  Still time to dream.

Remember the Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2 -10, at the Convention Center.  This year's theme,  BRILLIANT, A Tribute to the English Cottage Garden....my favorite!!!!   See you there!!

Hoping you will all come and spend time with me this summer ....the table and chairs will soon be ready and the trees always offer us their shade and cool breezes.  I provide the food and tea. 

"Ode On The Spring - a poem by Thomas Gray
Lo! where the rosy-bosomed  Hours,
Fair Venus' train, appear,
Disclose the long-expecting flowers,
And wake the purple year!
The Attic warbler pours her throat, 
Responsive to the cuckoo's note,
The untaught harmony of spring:
While, whisp'ring pleasure as they fly
Cool Zephyrs thro' the clear blue sky
Their gathered fragrance fling."