the loveliest double-flowering Salmon colored Quince:
It makes my heart flutter...
H
How about yours??
I've never grown Quince before but I found this one on the White Flower Farm website, and as it was that "most-perfect-of-colors" ~ before I knew it, one was in my basket, ordered and on it's way! Click the link and it will take you straight there. Hardy to Zone 5, I plan to keep it pruned on the smaller side. Fruit is a deliciously lovely side benefit.
Above: Arrived in a good size container, laden with blooms. :)
I am a happy gardener.
Look what else is about to bloom! Peony 'Silver Dawn Mix'
A Peony that blooms so early, it often gets killed back by frost. I'm hoping that's not the case this year!
Flowers in shades of apricot, pink & yellow ~ this bud looks pink!!
Even tho I added "Silver Dawn Mix' to the garden three years ago, the above bloom (from last year) is the only one I've ever seen. The rest have been frozen before they had a chance to get this far. Maybe 2015 is the year it's (and my) luck changes??
Elsewhere in the garden, new growth can be found every day.
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' growing thru the antique steam grate.
Exactly how I envisioned.
The idea was for the grate to keep it from flopping ~ perhaps impossible considering it's sprawling habit but a girl can try, right?
A few seeds & tubers have been started.
Zinnia 'Queen Red Lime' because I can never find plants anymore and it's one of my favorite annuals.
Plus the Dahlia tubers (overwintered from last year)
All are showing vigorous growth, unfortunately the paper tags (used to label them last fall) disintegrated over the winter & now who knows which tuber is which. I will not make that mistake again because I like to know what I'm planting where.
April is the month I call "In and Out" because I am always hauling tender plants & seedlings (like the Dahlias & Zinnias) outdoors (when it's nice) then back inside when it freezes. It's a lot of effort but the plants grow so much sturdier outside then I can ever achieve indoors.
It's also Tulip Season. After all the drama I created, ranting about how there weren't going to be any tulips because of the rabbits, I have been proved wrong! It looks as if quite a few were spared (although chewed foliage is visible everywhere in the garden & photo above)
There are times it's good to be wrong and this is definitely one of them!
However; now they've moved on to the lilies! I'll spare you another of my "fits" tho because maybe it will be for naught too.... Fingers crossed.
Above & Below: Tulip 'Sensual Touch"
Other than taking photos, not a lot was accomplished in the garden this week. Butterball (our Lhasa) developed an abscess under one of his eyes & a trip to the Animal Eye Clinic ensued. He's kept me busy ever since with twice/day pills and drops. It looks like it's improving now but I cannot even tell you how gross an abscess is when popped. Oh my. We'll return for a follow-up this week & hopefully all will be good.
Above: Fringed Tulip 'Mascotte'
The last activity of the week involved chasing Grackles. They arrived two weeks ago & once again, want to take over my little garden. I keep fighting the battle to keep them out but I'm not sure who's winning? It feels like them. They are SO very persistent. *sigh*
During one of my chases I spied a Robin starting a nest in the overgrown 'Sea Green' Juniper (Juniperus x media 'Sea Green') I had planned to have it pruned but I think I'll cancel until she's done. Signs of spring abound....
Now all the silly chases have to stop because I NEED to finish my taxes!!! Until next week....
Oh my ... the most perfect of colors is right. Sigh. Honestly, I love that shade of pink/peach/cream.
Posted by: Beth @ PlantPostings | April 12, 2015 at 07:39 PM
Oh my gosh - that Quince is exquisite! I was looking at some Quince today at the nursery but didn't buy one. It wasn't nearly as gorgeous as yours! Your tulips are amazing too! I'm so happy the bunnies didn't destroy them. The Nepeta looks so great coming up through the grate. I look forward to your blog every Sunday and you never disappoint!
Posted by: Dana | April 12, 2015 at 07:46 PM