Kaseys Korner

Tulip wrap up

Is anyone else a little bit sad that tulip season is almost over??  It seemed shorter than ever this year and maybe it wasn't just my imagination ~ I think the unseasonable heat "helped" speed along the blooms?  Whatever happened, my garden is (already) almost completely devoid of them and Alliums are quickly taking over the spotlight.  Before they're gone, I hope you'll indulge me a couple more images?? 

Too good to pass over ~ a couple lily-flowering varieties ~ first 'Ballade' (lit by morning sun:)

and a clump of 'Elegant Ladies:'

but the ones you really have to excuse me for are 'Charming Beauty:'

Above mixed with Japanese Maple 'Red Dragon' and below, blown fully open by midday sun:

I've made a fool of myself over them ~ pointing my camera in their direction every chance I get.  I thought 'Sensual Touch' had won my heart but when 'Charming Beauty' followed, that fickle little thing called love made me switch gears!

There, my fellow tulip lovers, is a little bit of sheer heaven, don't you think?!!  They are already written on my list to re-order so try not to clean them all out before I get a few more!!  ;-)

Now a few Allium images (since I mentioned them earlier.)   'Globemaster,' ''Gladiator' and 'Purple Sensation' were added in multiples last fall.  Today, rewards of that effort are being reaped by winged friends and gardener alike.

Above:  one of the many Red Admiral butterflies we've had in the garden this spring.

Lining the curve of the new raised bed:

the repetitive pops of purple, a visual delight:

drawing the eye ever upward.

Above:  Alliums in garden bed on east side of house.

I guess it'll be okay to say goodbye (to the tulips) since a wonderful progression of blooms is waiting to follow.  Some long time residents and others, new attractions.  In the latter category would be these double pink impatiens I recently found:

Can you say my fickle heart has a new fancy??!!  Tiny pink rosebud blooms. *sigh*  Oh, it's good to be a gardener where finding a new love is as easy as visiting the greenhouse...

Tulips galore, part II

I had so much fun photographing the tulips in the previous post, I decided to do it again.  Anything that enjoyable bears repeating, right?!!!

Besides, 'Sensual Touch' just keeps getting better & better:

So it would be stingy of me not to share the goodness with you! 

They've opened to the most heavenly shade of apricot/coral/orange ~ like having a gorgeous sunset on a stem. 

Definitely, definitely ordering more!!!!

Also, all my fellow pink lovers, you'll be thrilled to know 'Foxtrot' deepens to an even lovelier montage of our most beloved color:

Yummy, yum, yum ~ right??!!

Enough of the updates, let's move on to some new blooms (because this time of year it's hard enough to keep up without going backwards!)  Another exquisite double, 'Charming Beauty' is opening next to 'Sensual Touch:'

That was good planning, wasn't it?  I think it would be even more magnificent if I added in some yellows this fall???  Note to self....

Then there are Greggi tulips, 'Tsar Peter:'

which, I think, are starting to multiply.  :-)

Most happy about that. 

The next photo's for you Shady Gardener ~ look how the Virginia Bluebells have multiplied since you shared the start with me:

I had to move them once but I think I found their happy place! 

They've rewarded me with a nice clump so thank you, again, very much!

Finally, the new project ~ an enclosed yew bed with a lilac standard as the centerpiece:

The left side of the bed is actually part of the yew pathway I put in last spring.   I'm still deciding what to plant in the center but whatever I decide, I'm pretty sure there will be some veggies mixed in. 

Above, a longer shot of the back garden ~ I've certainly made a dent in the grass now!

The garden is re-energizing me ~ thank goodness ~ so much happening every day, it's impossible for it not to rub off!  Thank you for all your support too ~ you've left me the nicest comments & they absolutely made me smile.  :-)

tulips galore

I'm officially nominating myself in the category of "worlds worst blogger" ~ so if anyone is still reading out there ~ feel free to check that box next to my name!  The truth may sting but it could quite possibly motivate too....

No excuses, no promises (in regards to future postings) but at least I haven't shown up empty handed ~ I have tulip photos for all.  :-)

Upon viewing, you'll notice I had a "thing" for double & peony flowering varieties last summer (when I placed my order.)  I'm not at all disappointed now that they're blooming ~ please admire the delightful lushness with me ~ 'Gudoshnik:'

Don't you think a photo of 'Gudoshnik' should be right next to the definition of "divine?"  I sure do!

If pale creamy yellow perfection is not your thing, maybe 'Foxtrot' will be??

I know I am eating it up ~ pink loving girl that I am. 

Having said that, 'Sensual Touch' is also dropping my jaw with it's magnificent combination of fringed petal edges & fully double blooms:

The catalog described it as "smoldering orange, golden-apricot & rich tangerine with pink flushes & yellow edges."  SOLD (as duly noted)

That is some "in your face" genius coloring.  I'm definitely ordering more!

Out front, 'Indian Summer' (not double) is fronting 'Akebono' (fully double) for a breath-taking display:

Could it get any better???  When the neighbors all stop to drool, it has to be a winning combo, right?!

' Indian Summer' has been in the garden several years now and still ranks at the top of my favorites list.  I can't imagine pink & orange being paired more exquisitely.  'Akebono' was a new addition last fall.

Backtracking to the rear garden, check out the display below of 'Big Chief' (I think?) tulips & Double Pink Flowering Almond:

The Almond is new ~ thanks to many of you and your fabulous portrayals last spring.  You made me think I *had* to have it and now I'm so glad I do. 

Sprays & sprays of sweet pink blooms & buds ~ it's really, really incredible ~ and totally lives up to the hype. Is it greedy to already want another??

Also, would sharing a "normal" tulip photo seem quite unremarkable or not (after the exotic beauties featured above??)

I'm feeling a little sorry for my "regulars" after waxing on and on about the newbies.  Can you blame me tho??  I'm truly not partial ~ blooms of any kind & color are thoroughly appreciated and relished ~ it's just the novelty of the new toy bulbs putting stardust in my eyes.... 

Anything doing that in your garden??

 

 

Springs magic spell

has woven a cocoon of enchantment around this eager gardener.  The freshness & emergence of life are heady intoxicants.

Invigorating pops of color have appeared almost overnight. 

Tulip 'Akebono:'

Fritillaria lutea maxima:

Hellebore 'Kingston Cardinal:'

and 'Phoebe:'

dot the garden.

amidst an abundance of Narcissi including this small cupped variety, 'Dreamlight:

and sweet cowslip, Primula veris, has made its earliest appearance ever (in this garden):

Charming blooms, all of them.  A small sampling of what lies outside, but a giant boost for a color starved, bloom thirsty gardener.  I know you can relate....

Note:  Hopefully they can persevere thru the snow & rain mix predicted tonight.  If not, I'll have a lovely bouquet on my table in the morning....

 

'Bulb A Licious' time of year

lots of spring love to share today. 

A pretty pink drumstick primula:

some gorgeous purple striped crocus buds:

followed by Muscari 'Pink Sunrise' against the Fairy garden gazebo:

topped off with Daffodil 'Lemon Glow,' Hellebore 'Blue Lady' and a vintage watering can:

oooh, that's so good it deserves another look:

or two:

Aaahhh, springtime.  Lovin' every minute here ~ hope you are too.

vibrant leap day

Double pink Streptocarpus:

Amaryllis 'Lady Jane' (not quite in bloom):

and Pink Phal orchid with Amaryllis 'Red Pearl' in the background:

Not a bad way to wrap up February!!! 

5 reasons to like snow

No, I haven't done an "about face," I'm still not a fan. BUT, in light of the fact we're finishing up the snowiest February since record keeping began, and more snow is forecasted this week (not to mention March is typically our snowiest month) I thought some slippery mind tricks were in order to get thru the remaining days of winter!

Here we go ~ let the trickery begin... (whatever works, right?)

1.  Snow is good insulation.  Okay, I can get on board with that.  I have a few borderline hardy plants that will most likely survive the winter because of almost constant snow cover. 

2.  Snow is good moisture.  Well, got me there too.  But I've always been in the camp of rain is better and less destructive.  Plus it doesn't turn dirty and icky looking afterwards.  Having said that, the worries of having to hand water all the evergreens planted last summer hasn't been an issue with regular snowfalls. Props for that!

3.  Inclement outdoor weather, forces the creative mind to turn to other pursuits.  Like crafting:

Always more fun in winter (to me) than summer.  Okay, this isn't so hard (or bad) right?

4.    Snow and cold kill unwanted pests (or at least knock them back) in the garden.  That's a very good point ~ I can't find an argument with something that beneficial.

5.  The snowy months of winter make spring all the more appreciated.  AMEN sistah.

No mind tricks required ~ I'm SO on board.  So are the Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconites) who decided enough is enough and broke into bud anyway.  *pretend you hear a 'hallelujah' chorus here*

Well now ~ there's five reasons and they were easier to come up with than I thought they would be.  hmmmm.   I think I'll let that "settle" for a spell and see if a reversal of thinking is in order.  Could this bonafide summer girl actually have a change of heart about winter??  That's probably pushing it.  But positive reinforcers don't ever hurt...

Amaryllis 'Clown' ~ I ♥ u

If I had to pick the Amaryllis in my collection that had the largest bloom ~ hands down it would be 'Clown.'

I actually got my tape measure out (so that you wouldn't think I was bluffing) and measured 8+ inches in diameter! 

That's a full 2" larger than 'Razzle Dazzle' which also happens to be blooming now.  I set up a comparison shot so you could see for yourself:

I know I don't have to explain which is which! 

Pretty impressive, right? (not to take anything away from 'Razzle Dazzle' ~ I'm fond of all my "babies!")

Lucky me, there are three enormous bloom stalks that emerged from 'Clown' ~ two opening now & the third close behind.  It makes for one gigantic bouquet of red & white deliciousness:

The perfect early Valentine gift...

I'm particularly partial to the two blooms above that opened "back-to-back."

A waterfall of loveliness....

We'll see if it gets any better ~ my bulbs have been slow this year but finally I have about five more buds waiting in the wings.  Maybe they'll all bloom together for a big "finale?"  That would be a great way to end winter, wouldn't it?

Bonjour February!

Seriously counting down to spring now! 

Totally cemented after my Dad told me yesterday that we'd made it thru the darkest quarter of the year (Nov 4th to Feb 4th.)   There's life stirring deep down in the earth now ~ I just feel it.  And I.am.SO.ready!!!!

Tho January wasn't as hard as it typically is for me (thank you Pinterest!)  Amaryllis 'Blushing Bride' saw me thru the last days of the month:

The stalk broke when "someone" perched it precariously where it shouldn't have ever been and it fell.  *Ahem*

Thankfully it suffered the fall gracefully & looked every bit as lovely in a vase on the sill...

If I used my imagination (maybe too big of a stretch), I could pretend it was blooming outside instead of in!! ha

Now that it's February tho ~ there will be blooms outside with or without imagination. 

That is, as soon as the results of the latest big snowstorm melt. 

p.s.  A huge "thank you" to Jo-Anne at John Scheepers, Inc. for the above 'Blushing Bride' bloom.  She very generously sent me a second bulb when I questioned whether my original bulb was indeed her.  I am now indebted because, it appears, they are one and the same.  Many apologies and much thanks again for the opportunity to confirm it.

January bloom assortment

I know, I know ~ I'm still MIA because of Pinterest.  I swear it's going to stop SOON so I can visit everyone whose been kind enough to continue dropping by during my addiction.  (sounds like I need to check myself in or something, doesn't it?!!)

I'm forcing myself here today or my own Mother will probably stage an intervention.  It's not like there's nothing going on to blog about ~ I just can't seem to get past Pinterest when I sit down at the computer.  Who knew?  It has taken even me by surprise.

Normally I'd be running straight to the blog to share the BIG news about finding my first outdoor bloom  ~ a snowdrop!

Instead, you're getting it a day late.  There's no other explanation (then my new obsession) as a January bloom ~ in this part of the country ~ is definitely cause for proclamation!

Incidentally, I've sailed almost right thru January with no sign of the winter blues that normally affect me.  I have to credit Pinterest & the weather with that.  We've had quite a few unseasonably warm days (60 degree+) and very little snowfall ~ I was even out watering yesterday!  Those kind of breaks really buoy a spirit.

I could also attribute the plethora of indoor blooms to being upbeat.  The greenhouse/bathroom is brimming with them.  There's the pink phal orchid (given to me several years ago by a neighbor):

I re-potted all my orchids this past fall using an Orchid potting mix (not just bark) and they've all responded exceptionally well.  The three Phalaenopsis orchids have at least two bloom stalks each where I've usually only gotten one from them in the past.

Needless to say, I'm going to purchase more of that potting mix!

The last batch of paperwhites are also blooming:

This is the second round ~ the first round bloomed in time for Christmas but I never photographed them because of you know what.

There's also a 'Cajun' Hibiscus blooming.

It was purchased on a greenhouse expedition about two weeks ago.  I thought I was buying a replacement for the one shown below (that I lost overwintering last year):

Alas, as you can see, they are not AT ALL the same.  I will definitely keep looking as that one was superb. 

Blooms extend beyond the bathroom "greenhouse" too ~ the forced hyacinths on the kitchen window ledge opened and smell quite divine:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

For some reason, I focused only on the white ones? 

If you'd like to see a little pink tho ~ there are tulips in the watering can vase on my table:

and Amaryllis 'Purple Rain' is on the sofa table.  The photo below was shot at night:

I would ordinarily regale you with photos from all angles of a new Amaryllis but this one has been a big disappointment.  I had great expectations but the best I can say about its bloom is "ho hum."  Maybe I am getting jaded because I've been spoiled by so many outstanding varieties? 

Something I'm sure we're in agreement about ~ there is plenty of beauty all around me ~ too much to keep my face buried in a website!  Now that I've "come up for air" maybe I can turn myself around??  Fingers crossed...