(Revised 25 2011)
Most home owners in our area would not think of gardening in March (other than perhaps some cleaning), but we believe March can be more alive and interesting in most years, at least the later part of it. However, I admit we have not yet put in enough effort to show that (but it is coming).

True, March is the month when serious gardeners here hold their breath anticipating (wishing for) a short winter. A short winter would mean we may see some flowers and dig the garden. A long winter means staring out the windows looking for signs that the white stuff is starting to melt, and re-checking the weather forecast.

I forgot to take enough ‘fresh’ pictures last March even though spring came about three weeks early. Some of our heathers are doing much better than past years, and some Hellebores were rushed to start in March.

Helleborus started in March

More often, the beginning of March…

More snow again!

For us, the first sign of spring arrival is our hamamelis starting to bloom…

Hamamelis intermedia 'Ruby Glow' performed the open ceremony in mid-March

Late March: More often towards the end of March (Hamamelis int. 'Arnold's Promise’?)

In a good year, we can see some early flowering bulbs by the end of March….

Iris reticulata 'Early Royal' towards the end of March

In a not so good year, snow will continue past end of March. but usually we would have a few heathers showing up in spite of the snow….

Erica 'John Pook'

OK, you gardeners in warmer zones think this is no garden; at best just signs of lives. They are indeed, and we treasure it at a time when we still cannot put our winter coats away yet.

(Visit April Garden)

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- Bertrand Russell