First Signs of Spring

Chartreuse green, the color of resurrected life that comes with Spring, is seen here in my Connecticut garden in the Euphorbias just now preparing to bloom.

Below you see "Snow Drops" now fully in flower. In the Northeast these beautiful flowers are the first heralds of the coming Spring.

I love a Chartreuse border. To create one, I use the following plants:

Annuals: Nicotania ("Havana Green"); Perrenials: Alchemilla Mollis (a Must), Euphorbias, Hostas ("Royal Standard"); Thymus ("Golden Dwarf"), Heuchera ("Key Lime Pie") mixed with Milium Effusum Aureum and Beris Gold Torch.

Below, from my friend Monique Duveau's book "Secrets de Cuisine," is a colorful spring salad of Escarolle, Dandelion, Chicory, young Spinach, Nasturtiums, Violets and Thyme blossoms. Monique recommends a curried Vinegrette dressing with shallots and garlic bread croutons. Enjoy!

Photo by Francois Goudier