I wasnít planning to conduct an experiment, but I now know that impatiens are not poisonous to Labrador retrievers.
This is our first spring with a dog in the house. Weíve had dogs before that spent most of their time in the kennel. But when our daughterís dog came for an extended stay (ahem), we adopted her like a fourth child. So she goes outside when we go outside.
We figured Fannie, now 18 months old, would be curious about the holes I was digging and the flowers about to go in.
But I didnít expect her to gallop through the flower bed, grab a plant in her mouth and flee the scene like a purse snatcher.
Come back!
Within seconds she was hacking and coughing like she had something in her throat. I donít really think she ate the plant ó probably just inhaled a few blooms. But Iím sure she discovered impatiens do not taste good.
I could write a book about all the plants I have killed or allowed to expire ó without any help from the dog.
There were the astibles that looked like ferns with feathery flowers. They needed soggier ground.
The petunias, marigolds and other sun-loving annuals petered out for lack of sunshine and overabundance of shade.
Voles wiped out what felt like a generation of hostas. Drought killed shrubs I thought were well-established and would make it ó rhododendron, oakleaf hydrangeas and assorted evergreen shrubs.
I used to approach garden centers with a sense of adventure, eager to plant something new and see how it would do. Now I cut to the chase ó impatiens.
For a couple of summers I skipped planting annuals. They peak around the 4th of July. It becomes a struggle to keep them watered as the summer heat drags out.
Why bother at all?
Why? Because something about seeing that bit of color brightens my day. Besides, itís good to come out of hibernation and enjoy the outdoors.
The first reminder that winter will not last forever comes with the crocus. Then the hellebores come alive, their white blooms hanging down.
Various buds and blossoms pop up around the yard. Each new splash of color brings us a step closer to spring and summer ó hellebores, camellias, daffodils, forsythia, tulips, (wish I had some redbud), dogwoods, azaleas, rhododendron. Finally, we are on the threshold of May.
ěHope is the feeling we have that the feeling we have is not permanent,î Mignon McLaughlin once said. That sounds like a good description of spring.
Maybe Iíll try a few different plants this year after all. Iím feeling hopeful.

Elizabeth Cook is editor of the Salisbury Post.