Seems strange to say that but I've been so busy lately I haven't had much time to actually work in the garden. Ten minutes here or there with the camera and I have to go in. This morning I was up early, the soil was moist from our rain last night and I was energized. The perfect recipe for accomplishing garden tasks. I have been meaning to cut the oriental poppies back (they have long since been done blooming) and fill the void around them with the 'Antiquity' Cosmos seedlings I started in April. Check that off the list.
The poor seedlings were about a foot high, blooming & desperate to get in some actual soil. I'm so glad I could finally accommodate them. While I was out there, I found the most wonderful surprise. The poppies heads (about to open):
that I thought were all pink peony poppies, were NOT! Look what greeted me:
A 'Lauren's Grape' carnation poppy (papaver somninifera), named after Lauren Springer Ogden for those of you acquainted with her. I have no idea if this poppy is available worldwide or only regionally?? I know our local greenhouse grows and sells it annually. I bought a few last year and obviously, it reseeded. Hooray for happy moments like these. Another surprise that might make you pause is:
Yes, a Hellebore bloom! Crazy, huh? I added a few to my garden earlier this year (after seeing so many gorgeous ones on your blogs) and I guess it likes where I planted it because I never expected a bloom this year. This one is 'Red Lady' but the bloom is anything but red. I hope it wasn't mismarked although I'm sure it will be beautiful no matter the color. I would say my day is off to a good start! I hope yours is too.
What a lovely color on that poppy. That would really make an impact.
The Hellebore needs a calendar;)
I'm so happy with the cosmos I planted this year. Next year I'll have more. None of the ones I planted survived. They all died from too little light. I need to rethink my set up for indoor sowing. Luckily my garden center was selling them in flats.
Marnie
Posted by: Marnie | June 26, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I would be happy to have a bit of that rain you've received. Their calling for storms here all afternoon & evening with a 40% chance of precipitation. Nothing yet. :( Love that gorgeous poppy, what a nice surprise.
Posted by: Racquel | June 26, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I've seen Lauren's Grape on in the internet, but as a plant not seed.
My peony poppies sent up some single poppies too, so I'm sure you'll get some peony ones. I guess they get mixed up a bit.
Very pretty picures!
Posted by: Catherine/gardenerprogress | June 26, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Wow beautiful poppies! I have never tried to grow any but the California regular old orange kind. I would love to try some of those!
Posted by: cindee | June 26, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Dropped by from Catherine's. Don't you just love little surprises like these?
Posted by: Darla | June 26, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Hi Kathleen, love that poppy. what a nice dark color!! I would love that one in the garden.
Posted by: Janet | June 26, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Good start indeed. Surprises in the garden are most fun.
Posted by: tina | June 26, 2009 at 08:44 PM
That is a beautiful poppy and what a great surprise. Your day was looking good. 'Was' because I'm late as usual anymore!
Posted by: RainGardener | June 27, 2009 at 07:49 AM
All the garden blogs I read are really bad influences on me. They make me go out and buy more plants! Lately, I've begun to crave poppies. Now we won't even mention that I have a clearance poppy plant that just "appeared" at my home recently. Now, where to put it? Hmmm.
Posted by: Robin Leja | June 27, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Wonderful picture of Lauren's Grape!!
Posted by: Sweet Bay | July 01, 2009 at 08:49 AM