No doubt there are rewards in the garden on the bleakest winter day, though a bit more effort is required to find the scattered blooms or whatever it is that pleases the gardener. On this marvelous April afternoon, following a string of days that would satisfy any gardener, there are blooms at every turn. And, in the few spots where there are none, there is foliage that is equally pleasing.
This garden was begun thirty years ago, and on this splendid spring afternoon there is not a care in the world, no weed or dead dogwood to bring the day down. Of course, trouble lurks around the corner, but that’s to worry about another day. Negatives are banished until July (or at least overlooked).
It seems ridiculous, but I most often claim that the best days of the garden are in the third week of May. But, how could that be? Today is best, though it is possible tomorrow could be better.
Two fragrant viburnums, Carlesi and Burkwoodi (below) have an unmistakable scent in early spring.
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 
Yep, those Chokeberries must be sprayed or the deer will browse them to death. 2 out of 3 of my Red Chokeberry shrubs were salvaged from the deer by surrounding them with large cages – they are finally approaching 15 feet; the 3rd is struggling as it was in a more vulnerable location – it’s alive and not bad at 4 feet, but not a specimen any more. Damn those sweet doe-eyed critters!
I’ve missed spraying the chokeberries several times, so they’re tall and lanky. I hope to do better this year to give them a chance.
So, too, are my tall ones. I ponder …. What should we do about ‘tall and lanky’? Prune? Lower? Leave them to rise to the heavens?
I will probably prune mine in half after flowering to try for a stockier plant.
They are almost unheard of here. We tried growing them years ago, but discontinued growing them because we could not sell any. I really want to grow them for fruit, but was guessing that the deer would get them if outside the fence. Now I know.