No snow here. . . . . .

. . . . . other than the falling petals of the 

Chinese Snowball bush.

So here's a little more info in case you have one, or are considering adding

 one to your garden. I have written about it before, however each year people

continue to request more info when they see the mass of blooms open in our

 back garden. 

Here in the USA this plant does best in zone 3-8 (we are in 7). 

Neither, snow - the real kind - ice, flooding, drought, high heat, and often

 very high summer humidity, have posed any problems.

It does sit in dappled sunshine which is apparently a good place to 

encourage growth and bloom.

If you live elsewhere you may need to check if you are in a good zone in

 your country for it to thrive.  

Took these photos this morning. Quite a chill in the air after a cold night, 

however the sun is bright and no wind disturbs the leaves in the tall oak

and hickory trees surrounding us.

I purchased this plant at the end of summer 2000. It was an 8 inch pot perched

 on a rickety sale table at a local DIY store. It looked like a dead stick but there

was a pretty tag on it - aren't they all - showing a beautiful shrub covered 

with hydrangea-looking white balls - so I bought it for a few dollars.

TLC, time, patience and good luck seem to have paid off.

I'm thinking my snowball bush has now just about reached its max growth

 measurements, 8-10 feet tall by 8-10 feet wide. After hours of heavy 

rain on Monday the branches, heavy with blooms, drooped almost to the

 ground and I've added pruning to the garden 'to do' list after the flowers

 are finished. 

Meanwhile, I'm snipping some the lower boughs and really enjoying 

them in the house, mixed in with some white azaleas.

Later today I plan a little garden work - I'm limited with my back issue

 so just a little at a time - and today it will be planting the amaryllis bulbs

 back into the garden where they'll spend the summer months again. 

Some years they have bloomed outdoors, a wonderful sight, other years

 only green leaves. Whatever they enjoy doing during their summer,

 vacation they still bloom in the house again in late winter when I've

 shown them off to you. . . . . . probably boring you silly with so many

 "amaryllis photos!"

Here I'm sharing more detailed info from the professionals.

How can anyone not want one of these great plants in their garden.

An amazingly 'SHOWY' addition to any landscape; the Viburnum Macrocephalum, more commonly known as the 'Chinese Snowball Bush', is beautiful and easy-to-grow. The flowers emerge a striking lime-green in late spring and gradually turn to snowy-white in mid-May; they retain their green color for several weeks before turning to cream and then to white. 

At full maturity, the 'Flower-Balls' resemble brilliant white pom-pom's, reaching up to 8' wide. The 'Chinese Snowball Bush' will bloom in mid-spring for weeks on end.

The Viburnum Macrocephalum is a sterile plant (producing no fruit) so all of its energy goes into blooming and . . . Does it ever!!! A relative of the honeysuckle, the 8' flowering clusters are made up of an abundance of delicate 1' flowers. The clusters resemble the blooms of the Hydrangea plant. 

Best of all, this particular variety will provide a longer & more profuse BLOOMING SEASON than any other plant in its family. The foliage of the 'Chinese Snowball' is a brilliant dark green with 2'-4' leaves that have a 'saw-toothed' edge; they are stunning against the stark white of the flowering clusters.

The 'Chinese Snowball Bush' can be trimmed to any size or shape; it can be sculpted into shrubs, hedges, borders and trees. Cut it back after flowering and prepare for another round of blooming; this incredible plant blooms on both, old and new wood. 

The Viburnum Macrocephalum is an extremely hardy variety that is resistant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew, unlike its' relatives. If you are looking for an incredible 'point-of-interest' for your landscape, you have found it in the 'Chinese Snowball Bush'.

• Insect & Disease Resistant
• Showy Clusters of 'Flower Balls' (up to 8' wide)
• Repeat Bloomer
• Carefree
• Provides Bountiful Cut Flowers
• Deer Resistant
• Non-Invasive Root System
• Heat & Drought Tolerant
• Attracts Butterflies

How can one go wrong with this plant!

Happy gardening everyone.

Happy Weekend ----------

• Grass cut several times already
• Arbor, fence and gate re-painted and new white lights installed for Summer evening twinkling
• Azaleas blooming, bluebells 'ringing' all around the garden
• Birdhouse "Spring cleaned"
• Acer gorgeous after last year's professional pruning
• Red maple brilliant red, will then turn green
• Weeding, compost spreading, mulching being done this weekend
• Two new Boston ferns purchased for the front porch - last year's Swedish Ivy overwintered in neighbor's sunroom and now hanging on porch

Despite the recent ups and downs of life we are managing to get

 back to things requiring attention here at the cottage.  

Our neighborhood is looking beautiful.

March was a particularly tough month for us. 

Bob's brief hospital stay after a B/P-heart scare.

 Making the change to a new way of eating/cooking without salt has

 been a challenge. He's doing fine - I'm tired of reading labels to

 determine sodium content. Bottom line - DON'T eat anything that

comes in a box, bag, jar or can!

My ongoing herniated disc problem and leg pain preventing long walks.

Daughter had, and still needs, ongoing assistance/transportation

(we're providing) following shoulder surgery.

There are other serious family member medical issues to deal with.  

A nearby neighbor's unexpected death at home knocked us for a loop

and took us to a funeral.

 An amazing family member's death across the pond saddened us. . .

 but he was almost one hundred and five years young!!!

We felt doomed in March.

Life became a daily effort, just facing each morning was exhausting

 and, as you know, I became absent from here for most of the month.

We too are 'feeling our ages' but hoping with the arrival of Spring, better

weather, and plans for a short trip for a change of scenery soon will give

 us a lift. Then with a long-awaited trip home to England all planned and

 hopefully taking place after so many cancellations during COVID. . . . we

 will be 'up and running', or at least walking, for the remainder of the year.

Meanwhile off to tackle some weeding after the heavy rains of 

Thursday. . . . . then afternoon tea on the front porch, and this evening

 lighting the last fire on the hearth until next Winter!

Doing just a little Easter decor - will share in the coming week.

Thanks so much for your concerns - we are good and hope you are.

Enjoy your weekend dear friends.