Thursday is the Spring Equinox.  In the Pacific Northwest that does not mean that anything you want to grow in your garden is doing much more than producing visible bulges on branches.  These and a few crocus are just the profligates of Spring.

Still, we bought these Don Juans, one for each post on the outside of the pergola, at the end of the Fall season at Garden Spot in Bellingham. And then, we never planted them before the rain started.  This picture was taken before that rain. The Autumn Sedum was blooming profusely.  That means the growing season is one cold snap from over.  Then the snow came and more rain, then more snow, and as always more procrastination.

Today, Dan removed the non climbing roses pink shrub roses from the pots beside the pergola and planted these in their stead.  Now we should have roses climbing up the pergola by Summer.  The older roses will be potted soon and will remain on the deck. They are cheerful and hearty little buggers. The deck is the only reliable place to grow roses where the deer on this mountain think of any rose as one of many tasty snacks. Spring comes slowly and steadily.  And none too soon.

I hope to be able to see the roses climbing from out here in the yard!