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Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brillance' (Serviceberry):
I've been wanting to add one of these to my garden ever since I noticed the berry clusters (and birds) hanging off one in the southern part of our neighborhood. Today, I made it a reality.
Now I just need to figure out where to plant it! Happy Arbor Day everyone ~ did you celebrate by planting/buying a new tree or shrub?
You'll never believe what I woke up to this morning ~ 4" of wet, heavy snow!!! OMG. I was totally caught off guard ~ we were expecting rain (per our local weather report), not snow. It's 34 degrees right now and more rain/snow showers forecast for the next four days. Good thing I haven't planted anything yet ~ I would be devastated. Just yesterday it was in the 70's (and very windy) when I took a few pictures of new blooms in the garden. How quickly things change. Let's look at those pictures ~ maybe, just maybe, it will take my mind off the snow!
Magnolia 'Jane'
This is 'Jane's' second year in my garden ~ you might remember she spent the first year overwintering in a container before I finally planted her last spring. Now she has about 10 blooms ~ I am dreaming of the day when there are so many I can't count them!
Primula 'veris'
Are at their peak right now ~ every clump covered in blooms. I can't stop being happy about having them in my garden again.
Pink(ish) Daffodil ~ name unknown
One lone bloom has finally shown up (from a package of 10). Now I can't find the package to give you the correct name but nevertheless it was a welcome discovery & good to know they weren't all "lost."
Now I better dig my winter coat and boots back out and go outside to shake some snow off the trees and shrubs. Who knew I'd still be doing this two days from May?
P.S. We rented the movie "It's Complicated" last night ~ how come no one ever mentioned the incredible potager (Meryl Streep's character has) ~ I was completely wowed by it!
sitting here? High up on the rafters?
I wonder how many people have or have not? I almost missed it myself.
It's a perfect spot for a nest ~ high on the east side of a big box store, protected from the cold winds and getting the earliest morning light. This spot also surveys open fields, slated for development but because of the economy ~ put on hold.
There was discussion in our family about whether these were Great Horned Owls or Long Eared Owls ~ we have both in our area. I am going with Great Horned Owls. Anyone else care to voice an opinion??
I took these pictures as quickly as I could, not wanting to draw attention to the owls least they be disturbed. I wonder how much longer before they're gone? The baby is not so much a baby anymore.
I'm glad I had the good fortune to spot them ~ I wouldn't have wanted to miss them.
I hustled around the garden between rain showers over the weekend to see what was new. It was cold too ~ temperatures in the 40's & 50's with gusty winds. Gone were any thoughts of summer attire, sweatshirts & long pants were the mode of the day. Despite the brisk, wet weather, I'm glad I made the effort ~ Epimedium 'rubrum' had burst into full bloom:
It's one not to be missed. Above, one of the many blossom spikes. What a dainty, dainty plant. I can't imagine photographing it without a macro lens ~ the flowers are so tiny.
Not to mention downward facing! Another photographer challenge. This was the best I could get on this attempt ~ it was too cold to stay huddled on the ground for long.
On my way back inside (to warm up), I noticed something else exquisite about to bloom ~ Virginia bluebells!
This is a first for me thanks to Shady Gardener (who so kindly did a plant swap with me) I know I'm going to fall madly in love them ~ if I haven't already ~ those purple buds are pretty darn nice by themselves.
No rain today so I'm headed back out and see what else I can find. You can bet I'll share the results with you soon!
is the name our local nursery gives this particular weekend. In my mind it's almost deserving of "holiday status" because it happens the same weekend every year ~ two weeks prior to Mother's Day. It's the first date they will sell you a rose of any kind. Before this weekend, all you can do is look and admire. If you want first pick or if you have a certain selection in mind, this is the time to "rush" right in and purchase before it's sold out. That's exactly what I did with these two David Austin roses that have been on my list:
'Crown Princess Margareta' and 'Teasing Georgia'
Remember I dug the holes the other day? These will join the other two David Austin roses already growing in my garden, 'Abraham Darby' and 'Gentle Hermione.' They both did so well last year, I felt safe spending the money to add a couple more. I can't wait to see (and smell) the actual blooms!
One other (small) purchase that made its way into my cart is a 4-pack of this ruffled pansy:
I've never seen one quite so "frilly" before? It almost looked like a double? Is this new or am I just out of it? Here's a side view which shows a little better the ruffled effect:
Unfortunately there was no tag in any of these 4-packs so I can't give you a name. :-(
I have to say, it was nice to be in the greenhouse again ~ I've been on a self-imposed restraining order until yesterday! My garage is so messy (if plant shopping can't motivate me to clean it out, what can??) and it's still too early to plant frost tender annuals (meaning my containers) so I decided to wait and purchase when I can actually plant (Mother's Day weekend in our area). Of course exceptions have to be made, right?!!!
Now that I've ventured in, I don't know if I can stay away!!
It's raining again today ~ another 2.1" in the rain gauge overnight. We had a fortnight like this last April where we received almost 5" of rain. At the time, I thought it was an anomaly (we live in a fairly arid climate) but now it makes me wonder?? All I can think is at least it's not snow! That fortnight also set the precedent for a cool, wet summer ~ I sure hope we're not in for another one of those. I'm ready for some HEAT!
Anyway, because it's not fit for man nor beast outside, I finally sat still long enough to compile many of my currently blooming daffodils into a post. If you are ready, willing and interested, I'd love to share them with you.
In no particular order, (insert drumroll please) Narcissi 'Mount Hood:'
A large-cup all white variety. Takes your breath away, right?!! Just kidding ~ trying to entertain myself on this dreary, gray day.
Narcissi 'Las Vegas:' (wouldn't mind being there today)
'Las Vegas' comes to you with the extra bonus of a very small crab spider. Nice, huh?
Narcissi 'Derringer:'
I believe 'Derringer' is what you call a "split cup" variety?? Anyone want to back me up on that (or correct me?!!
Narcissi 'Bantam:'
'Bantam' falls in the large cupped category which is deceiving because as you can clearly see, it does not have a large cup. This category seems a bit "all inclusive" ~ containing ruffled cups, colorfully edged cups, trumpet-like cups or flat cups. Don't you think that pretty much covers the gamut??
Narcissi 'Beautiful Eyes' is one of my favorites:
I'm lucky to have a couple rather large clumps of these.
Narcissi 'Bravoure'
Another large cupped variety.
Narcissi 'King Alfred:' (the most well known daffodil that comes to mind)
and last but definitely not least, Narcissi 'Ice Follies:'
A few more have either already been featured ('Dreamlight,' 'Lemon Glow' and 'Goblet') or weren't photographed (like miniature variety 'Minnow').
When I was putting together my post it occurred to me that the pink cupped daffodils I found at Lowes last fall weren't included and even more alarming, have yet to be seen by the gardener. What happens to bulbs that just disappear? I'll have to check into that. (we do not have a squirrel problem here ~ too new of a neighborhood and too few trees). If I can't find them I think I'd like to add them to the list along with a double of some sort. Maybe 'Petit Four??' Or other worthy suggestions? I know I've seen some gorgeous daffs in blogland this spring!
or maybe April down pours would be a better description. We received over 2" of rain last night ~ a LOT for this area especially at one time. Everything in the garden is looking so fresh and green this morning. I think it's just the thing to spur the trees and shrubs into action. It's not finished either, the forecast for the next week shows rain every day so May should be dripping with flowers. Right??!! Yesterday, before the serious rain started, I snapped a few photos of the tulips that are just starting to bloom. Most of these are new to the garden having been planted last fall. Triumph tulip 'Indian Summer' was put on the list after viewing it on a blog last year (sorry ~ I can't remember whose but if it was yours, thanks! I'm lovin' it!)
The pink & orange combo is just dynamic for me.
Flipping a 180, and going from vivid to soft & dreamy, is this lily-flowering tulip 'Elegant Lady:'
It's not far enough along to really appreciate the "lily effect" yet but I promise to rephotograph. You can, however, see the curved petals on lily flowering tulip 'Ballade:'
I'm not sure why I waited so long to plant lily-flowering tulips ~ I am totally diggin' the reflexed petals.
Skipping back to another Triumph tulip, I caught 'Apricot Beauty' basking in a sunbeam.
Good thing I did, since the sunbeams are going to be few and far between in the near future.
A couple other miscellaneous photos ~ finally (after viewing them almost everywhere else in the country) the bleeding heart is beginning to bloom:
and a longer shot of one of the Primula polyantha 'gold laced' clumps:
Notice how loaded it is with blossoms. We're going to be enjoying it for quite a while.
I'm off to dig holes in preparation for my two new David Austin roses, 'Teasing Georgia' and 'Crown Princess Margareta' ~ this rain will be perfect for settling them into their new home!
and pretty spring blooms ~ a picture perfect combination. Almost every day now there is something new in bloom. Exactly what we've been waiting for, right? Here's the latest in my garden:
Primula polyantha 'gold laced'
Two, out of the trio planted last spring, survived the winter and are blooming now. I wasn't certain they'd be back since it was another time I pushed the zones. Polyantha's are hardy to zone 6 and I'm definitely in zone 5 ~ after this past winter there is no way I'll believe we moved up a zone. They were well mulched tho so I guess that paid off. Unlike Primula 'vialii' (which is supposed to be hardy to my zone) but has not emerged. It was not mulched as well since I thought it was hardier. If it doesn't show up soon, I'm going to try again but next time treat them just as tenderly. You just never know with plants, do you??
The first primulas to start blooming here are still going strong. 'Denticulata' in white:
and purple:
That is my white drain pipe behind the purple primula. I don't know why I didn't notice when I was composing the shot? I saw it while downloading to the computer and my first reaction was going to re-shoot but now I've decided it makes the purple bloom head "pop." I think I need more of these ~ anything that blooms so early should be added in "spades," don't you think?
The next bloom makes me think I should rename my post ~ since it's yet another primula. Maybe "Primula Parade??"
Primula 'veris' buds
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will know how excited I am to have this primula about to bloom. I tried to start it from seed for four years to no avail, until last spring! Now I have five or six seedlings plus the start above from my old garden (thanks again Mom).
The final bloom for today is not a primula but rather a pink forget-me-not. Whew. The post title stays. :-)
Myosotis 'Victoria Rose'
I shared 'Victoria Indigo' with you a couple weeks ago ~ covered in snow. I did not start these from seed but rather purchased them several years ago. They are both spreading nicely so I've been moving them around the garden. They were most recently added to the new wall/berm project I built last month.
Okay, that's it for today. I'll be back tomorrow with some more!
I had plans for getting a post together showing all the various daffodils blooming in my garden but I can't seem to sit still long enough to compile it. I know it will happen so stay tuned and don't give up on me. I can, however, share my new favorite (and the most recently planted) Narcissi 'Dreamlight' ~ it's worthy of an individual posting anyway, don't you think?
It's a small-cupped Narcissi as you can easily tell from the dramatic side-shot below:
I fell hard for the scarlet/orange rim & green center ~ such a bold & striking combo. I have a feeling there just might be more of these small cupped Narcissi added to the garden in the fall. I've been eyeing 'Sinopel' and 'Royal Princess' as companions for 'Dreamlight.' Any one else love this variety as well??
there are signs of spring everywhere. Yesterday I had my camera in hand most of the day snapping some images to share with you ~ as proof if you will. The pond spouter is back in action ~ that's a sure sign of spring!
I still have one of those ugly solar panels over one end just to protect the fish from Herons. The nurseries & greenhouses won't have floater plants available here until the end of April. As soon as I can purchase those, I'll remove the remaining panel. The water temperature was 66 degrees yesterday (because of the panel) and the fish were very active.
Another sure sign of spring ~ the goldfinches are sporting their brilliant yellow plumage:
This one was waiting his turn for a spot on the thistle feeder. I have to say my arbor (where above goldfinch is perched) was one of the single best purchases I've ever made for the garden. Besides being great for vines, architectural interest and roses ~ it is an attractive landing spot for many of the birds that visit my garden ~ like this Says Phoebe (another sure sign of spring):
Yesterday was the first sighting of the season. He was fresh from a bath and flew to the top of the arbor to preen & clean his feathers. He also spent a lot of time just examining the surroundings. Maybe he'll build a nest here since it doesn't look like the flickers are going to....
Finally, a shot of Greigii Tulip 'Tsar Peter' fully open (as promised in previous post):
There are many other tulips about to burst open, my container fountain is being set up and readied for action and the patio furniture is being hauled outdoors. All sure signs of the season.
I so prefer this time of year over putting everything away, don't you?
