Doesn't that picture just draw you in? Our second review of the week is Erica Glasener's , Proven Plants Southern Gardens. If you live in the south, and yes, much of Oklahoma is considered the middle or central south, this is a good book. It is especially good if you're a transplant. Erica, who was the host of A Gardener's Diary for fourteen years on HGTV (goodness, I hate writing that acronym), lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and is an expert in southern gardening. I got to know Erica when we were in Raleigh for GWA in 2009. I found her passion for southern gardening to be refreshing. We talked roses, and discovered we love many of the same varieties. Proven Plants Southern Gardens begins with a brief explanation of the basics, soil, exposure, and planning before you dig that hole (something I could definitely heed). Erica is a big proponent...

So, the bubble of spring weather we had over the weekend burst in the 30s yesterday. As you run from your car to the indoors, I bet you're barely giving the garden a glance. Are you feeling sad? Don't be, it is February, the cruelest of months. And, it is nearly finished. Hip, hip, hooray!! It's nearly March, and you know what that means, right? It's book season which is always something to celebrate. I'm pulling out the party hats with a week-long celebration of garden book reviews and maybe even a giveaway. So, let's get the party started with The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden, by Ivette Soler, otherwise known online as The Germinatrix. First, I'm green with jealousy. Ivette lives in California, and she gets to garden nearly year-round as do so many of my other gardening friends. I'm a California,...

Helleborus x nigercors 'Honeyhill Joy' So glad to see you sweet hellebore. Missed your sunny face all winter. H. 'Blue Lady' What about your sisters, they of the drooping heads? Why don't they let us have  a peek? You are always first to the party even ahead of H. nigersmithii 'Ivory Prince.' Hello Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane.' Lovely to gaze upon your elegance if only in spring. Later, you'll be covered with rough leaves, but now, you wear your finest frock. Since those same rough leaves turn a brilliant red/orange in fall we forgive them. Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' always blooms before 'Arnold's Promise' Hello Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold's Promise.' You're just starting to unfurl, but your scent is awesome. The beginnings of bloom . . . Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold's Promise' Hello Crocus chrysanthus 'Snow Bunting.' You are as beautiful and welcome as Elizabeth Lawrence described you in A...

Remember all that boring stuff I wrote about the snow and ice only a couple of weeks ago? Although it started out foggy this morning, it's now 78F and beautiful outside. I'd love to tell you I'm planting hellebores or something, but I've got four articles due this week, and two sick children. Chicken soup came first, and then research on vines later. I will try to get in the garden sometime today. I really do have hellebores to plant, several new seed strains including: Winter Jewels™ Painted Lenten Rose, Helleborus x 'Brandywine,' and Winter Jewels Apricot Blush. I bought these at TLC Nursery in Oklahoma City one day when Helen Weis and I were goofing off. Unfortunately, the snow came and put my planting on hold. When I was at the same nursery the other day looking for two Ilex x meservae a/k/a Castle Spire® hollies for the end...