You don't have to go far to see true magic occurring. More magical than any romance or fiction fantasy novel. Spring is unfolding everywhere in the Twin Cities!

Crab apples are in full bloom. Their limbs groaning as their blooms float gracefully on the breeze, releasing their faint but intoxicating fragrance. Magical to the point of being a genius that they, like many other trees and plants out smarted winters tight grip.

Even the most recognizable bloom in the entire world has also joined Springs chorus... Dandelions! A delicacy in many European cultures, it's a bright ray of sunshine on lawns, side walks and rolling hills all over the metro. Where there is sun it's safe to say there are blooms.

It's safe to say, back in the 1980's rare plants and trees were virtually non existent in the Minnesota landscape, or reserved for elite gardeners and their clients. Plant breeding and genetics still hadn't made the leap across the Atlantic. Today, Minnesota gardeners are just as savvy as any I have seen anywhere around the world.

With all our new found planting freedom and frenzy has come shade. As we continue to plant and our gardens mature so does the shade creep; and like any good magical novel a new chapter starts.

Shade should not be considered a barrier to color, a barren waste land left to mulch, hostas, or even worse...weeds. True magic and color can also be achieved in deep dark moist spaces. Flamboyant plant breeding and genetics from Europe and the United States has created a whole new gardening palate for shade.

What is that I hear you mumble like a hobbit..."every flower I plant in shade dies". Try this...add lots of compost and then add these seasonal blooms made in the shade. 'Sonic' series New Guinea Impatiens, 'Go Go' series tuberous begonia and 'Fiesta' series double Impatiens. These all display large beautiful blooms and clusters of blooms for high color impact. and "You Betcha" Minnesota, you can mix em in with your hostas! And that; as we say in Australian is MAGIC !