These forced forsythia blooms brighten up the Michigan Gardener office as we prepare our first issue of 2013—coming in early April!

Forsythia courtesy of Backyard Bouquet Farm

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
The season’s first dusting of snow covers the CN railroad tracks along Kensington Road in Bloomfield Township.

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
A gingko shows off its golden yellow fall foliage.

A recent thunderstorm that rolled through our area left in its wake a yellow light that washed over the landscape. The resulting photos produced some odd looking results, none of which have been manipulated in any way.

Photos by Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Heuchera bathed in yellow light completely changes the appearance of the plant. This variety, ‘Hollywood,’ is actually reddish in color with silver accents.The tickseed here in the foreground took on a whole new level of saturation and the normally purple blooms of the lavender took on a yellowish pink cast.This hosta, heuchera and liriope combination appeared with a richness of color rarely seen in July.

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Ninebark ‘Dart’s Gold’

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
MagnoliaJonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
‘Shasta’ Doublefile Viburnum

The snow cover that melted over the last two weeks was quickly replaced by the blanket of snow we awoke to this morning.

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Viburnum ‘Shasta’

Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener
Tulips popping up everywhere are the true sign of spring.

Jonathon Hofley/Michigan Gardener
The tomatoes are still coming despite their challenges this year. Have a suggestion on what to do with surplus tomatoes? Leave a comment with your favorite idea.