Each Little World

Hellebore seedlings

I planted my first Helleborus foetidus (from Pine Knot Farms) in 2017. It did so well that I added a pair of H. foetidus 'Red Silver' (from Plant Delights) in 2019. Last year I decided to move one of them and lost it over our much hotter and quite dry summer.  

At the end of the season I discovered it left behind a forest of seedlings. I am going to pot some up for me and garden friends. 

I haven't ever had or dealt with Hellebore seedlings. If you have had experience with them, I'd love any advice you care to share. 

The waiting game

The end of winter and the arrival of spring in southern Wisconsin plays out over a number weeks. Late snow is not uncommon, but it's been years since we've had such a whopper of a storm in late March. It set a record; the official city snowfall was 12.5" ( 31.75 cm.).

Based on what was pushing up last Friday, I expected to have my first vase of flowers from my garden this week. Instead I'm staring at this empty beauty sitting on the bookshelves where my garden books live along with crafty supplies. 

The snow on the south side of the house is melting quickly given how much had fallen; the north side is still covered in white. The 10-day weather forecast is almost totally rain or light snow with warm temperatures. That should push spring into arriving. I'm more than ready.

March madness

I was out in the garden Friday checking on emerging snowdrops and Hellebores.

Galanthus 'Magnet'

Helleborus 'New York Night'. The leaves on most of the Hellebores were flat on the ground around the flower buds. I cut them off and set them aside, thinking I'd toss them over the plants if the weather took a turn for the worse.

Saturday morning I woke up to very different garden; the turn for the worse had arrived. I sat around, just checking every couple of hours to see how much more snow had fallen. We were at 6" when I got up at 6:30 am. It was up to 8" by 8 am and 10" at 10 am — the time that the day-long textile workshop I signed up for in January was beginning

Luckily they offered a Zoom component for those of us stuck at home due to the weather. I've only done Zoom lectures or chats with friends. This experience was an eye opener in terms of what students and many employees have been dealing with since the start of the pandemic. Not easy trying to do serious work on Zoom.

The windows on the north and south sides of the house had melting snow on them, suggesting how whirling the wind was. Both snow photos were taken through the windows which suggests why they are not my best ever images.

I visually measure snow depth using the wooden bridge over the dry stream (below). This time I went outside with a yardstick to get the 10" measure.

I've lived in snow states my whole life, so this weather wasn't all that surprising. My personal weather theory is that at the end of the winter season — just when you are frantic for spring — you will get the snow that you missed at the beginning of the season. Unhappy to be proven right again.

Looking down

We were on the second floor of a UW medical facility on U. Row yesterday when I glanced out the window of the patient waiting room. I was taken aback to realize the building has a garden on top of its big roof overhang that extends out over the entrance of the building. (We had light snow Wednesday night and cold temps yesterday morning.)

I'd love to see what this looks like in the growing season but I am not sure if they let you wander the building without checking in for an actual appointment. 

Madison's West Side Farmer's Market is held in the parking lot of this facility every Saturday. I've been going to that for years but never looked up; though I'm not sure if anything would be visible from down below. Alas the UW is enlarging the building and the market is moving to a new location this spring. I have a feeling I will never make it back to this location until I need a colonoscopy down the road.

Slo mo

Every time I check the weather, the forecast has changed. Rain has turned to chance of light snow or frozen mix despite daytime temps barely dropping below 40°F for the next ten days. Monday and Tuesday were mostly sunny and we hit 50°F both days, so there has been progress in the garden — just not with the snowdrops. Most still have barely appeared. But other things have. 

Paeonia japonica. I aways leave Peony stems in place in the autumn to mark the location come spring. Since they arrive early I want to be sure I don't step in the danger zone.

Paeonia mairei, a Chinese woodland Peony that blooms very early and can take some shade. I like Peony buds as much as the flowers. 

Since I planted a few Tulips acuminata in this bed last fall, that's what I am assuming these leaves represent. I caged them as soon as I took the photo. No other spring bulbs are showing anywhere else. 

Last spring, I planted three Galanthus 'Mrs. Macnamara' "in the green." Whether the other two will flower is unclear. 

At the same time I planted two bulbs of G. 'Wasp.' Clearly they are very happy. I'll be happy when they opens their "wings" and look more waspish.

Hamamelis vernalis is the spring-blooming witch hazel. Alas, it is not a Wisconsin native as I assumed when I planted it. Very insignificant flowers and a poor shot by the gardener. But you get the idea: The Carex growing beneath it is more interesting.

One of the drawbacks of Witch Hazels is the fact that they hold their leaves for a long time which often obscures the flowers. Luckily this is the only branch with foliage still on it. The green ribbon marks a tree that our aborist is treating.

It's Spring! I guess.

Nothing says spring to me like the velvety green of moss after the snow melts.

As I walked west along the the stepping stones late Sunday morning, I looked up and the picture wasn't nearly as springy as I wished. Though the back garden faces south, the slopes keep snow in place until the temps really warm up. 

It was sunny, but the temperature was only in the low 20 degrees F. ( around -6.66°C.) The stone steps up the Tea House slope were still mostly buried. 

As was the west side of the building. 

The gardens at the top of the slope get the most sun in the back garden. This is Helleborus torquatus on March 5th.

Two weeks later on March 19th.

Just a foot or two away is Helleborus 'New York NIght', here on March 5th.

March 19th. I can see the difference but it is rather marginal.

Galanthus 'Jonathan' is near the two Hellebores but this is the first I've seen him. 

The plants in the above photos are all to the left of this snowy path. The shadows from the big shrubs and the fence keep it snowy up here. 

I found lots of typical spring scenes: twigs and branches on the ground, lots of pine cones scattered about and a few bulbs that were dug up by critters last fall.

When I took this photo of Galanthus 'Magnet' on March 5th, another snow storm was on the way.

Despite the recent cold and snow, they just keep pushing forward. 

The weather forecast for this week includes  a few days of rain with rising temperatures into the 40°s F. Those two things should clear away the snow. If plants start to make their moves, at least I'll be able to see them. 

These photos are not exactly inspiring, but they are an ideal record for me. As you all know, there's nothing better than being able to go back and see what was happening on specific dates year to year. Last year we had light snow on March 19th and 25th. I picked my first snowdrops for vases on March 27th.

GBBD: Waiting for Spring

Back to normal

Mark had a great crowd at his opening, despite the fact that the snowstorm that had been forecast for last Thursday arrived an hour before the party started. Lots of old friends and photographers. We closed down a bit early when it became clear that the storm was going to keep everyone else at home. We were glad we only live a few minutes away, so our drive home was short and safe.

We spent the next day doing nothing — after my cataract surgery consult. Then Mark was back at the gallery Saturday afternoon for more visitors. This week we have house guests, along with warmer temperatures and rain in the forecast. Should be a great week. 

Mark has coffee every morning with one of his photo buddies, Tom Schmock. Tom came to the opening to capture the scene since Mark was going to spend the evening talking. This is one of my favorites that Tom took of Mark. 

Thanks to all of you for all the lovely comments you left last week about Mark's exhibit and the local magazine article about him.

Mark's Ten Year Retrospective Exhibit

For the past ten years Mark has tried to answer the question: “What is a good photograph?” 

Through the exploration of various subject matter, photographic media, equipment, technique and, most importantly, photographic theory his images have evolved over time.

This exhibit at the PhotoMidwest Gallery consists of 77 framed prints, 27 self-published photo books, 100s of unmounted work prints as well as relevant quotes from artists and scholars who influenced my practice.

If you are unable to attend the opening (details below), PhotoMidwest is open on Saturdays from Noon to 4PM. We live only a short distance from the gallery and Mark would also be willing to provide access at almost any time. Just let him know. 

If all else fails you can view the images at PhotoMidwest. The books can be viewed at Blurb.com by searching in the "bookstore" under "Mark Golbach." 

TO

PHOTOGRAPH

IS TO

LEARN HOW

TO 

DIE

 

A TEN YEAR RETROSPECTIVE OF IMAGES 

BY MARK GOLBACH

OPENING RECEPTION

MARCH 9, 2023

4PM – 8PM

SATURDAYS FROM NOON TO 4PM

MARCH 4, 2023 – APRIL 22, 2023

 

PHOTOMIDWEST

700 RAY-VAC DRIVE

MADISON, WISCONSIN

CONTACT  MARK GOLBACH

TO ARRANGE FOR ACCESS AT OTHER TIMES

[email protected]

Mark's in Madison Magazine

Doug Moe, a well-regarded local journalist and former co-worker of mine, wrote a nice piece about Mark in Madison Magazine. It details his ten years since retirement taking photos.

These days he's so involved with his own photo work that It's rare that I can get him into the garden to take pictures. When we first started the garden he was the main photographer of it for many years. 

The above photo is one of his earlier ones and is not in the exhibit; but it's always been one of my favorites.