A trip to town was in order to gather supplies and a stop was made at Client #1's to check in on things. The crocus were blooming.
Crocus had been planted through out the garden before my time. I may need to plant more with next fall's bulb order. More is always good. For this year I slipped in more daffodils with the tulip order.
The bark of the Crape Myrtle was all nice and smooth after winter's vigorous attention. I will have to watch and see if it has an actual peeling season.
The tulips are coming up. I have planted about a thousand bulbs for the last three falls in a row and there is no way of knowing who or what was planted by whom and when. I could take notes I suppose, but this isn't a test garden. Pretty is the point. Abundance is the aim. In some spots the tulips have yet to appear. I order a mix of early and late varieties to extend the bloom period. I also have a suspicion that remnant tulip bulbs come up earlier than the freshly planted ones.
More crocus in the Pachysandra.
The Helleborus have burst forth. I never did get around to cutting off all the old foliage. It persists quite well as nice green leaves through most of the winter and you hate to cut it off when it serves a useful purpose in the winter landscape. Then it got buried in snow on the north side of the building and I couldn't get to it before I left.
While I was in town I accidentally bought some plants. It was so spring like and the nurseries were coming back to life. I am not crazy though. Rhododendrons can be planted now without fear of the cold that is bound to reappear. The ground isn't frozen. That is all that matters.
A request for strawberries was made and now is the time to plant them. It may be a tad early and better if the plants were still dormant, but since you plant them for a crop the second and subsequent years there is no need to worry about a late frost hurting the blooms. I cut them all off anyway to get them ready to make runners and form a nice patch for next year's crop. Maybe I will get a few berries this year since I picked the everbearing varieties 'Quinault' and 'Sequoia' that will produce into the fall. I just have to be patient and remove most of the flowers this year.
Back home again there was time for an afternoon stroll to see what condition the Bulbapaloozathon is in. We now have daffodils with flower buds showing.
More crocus appeared in the warmth of a sunny day.
A lot more crocus appeared. They began blooming the day after I got back home. That could mean something.
Two kitties have been spending a lot more quality time outdoors during daylight hours.
One of them is better about posing for the camera.
Two spring days in a row, what a treat.
Tomorrow there will be some planting.
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11 comments:
Your bulbs are coming along fine. Looks like home.
That Crawford is a cutie. Looks like he has a heart on his nose.
Would you like a start of the Snowflake or do you have them already? I brought them here from N.C. so they should be ok. When the foliage dies down it should be ok to dig them, right.
My potatoes are up, radishes, carrots & the onions are poking their heads up. Got my dwarf citrus trees transplanted. Wanted to do more but ole' Arthur sure is hanging around a long time.
"While I was in town I accidentally bought some plants."
I sooooooooo recognize that symptom.
Lola spring is a good two weeks later this year, but coming along fine now. I recall discussion of the Snowflake, a Leucojum species as being a needed addition here. Frances at Fairegarden will dig bulbs anytime with no problem, but witing for the foliage to die back gives the bulb more stored energy. Tomorrow I will plant the snowpeas and strawberries.
It's really terrible Kitty. I have had sacks of bulbs jump off the shelves into my cart. My real excuse for being at the nursery was to see if they were stocked for an upcoming planting job.
I accidentally buy plants all the time too. Usually from the clearance rack. It's a shame I'm the one that has to pull the plants from the tables at the store. Someone's got to make that call though.
Crawford looks so handsome. I bet there isn't a moving leaf, mouse etc safe while he is patrolling the area. He looks quite happy to be out and about witht he crocus.
Welcome back; ain't it euphoric??!!
bev
I just adore crocus. I planted 50 more this year but every gardener knows 50 more was not enough.
I agree about Crawford. He is really a handsome guy. Is Collar still as skittish as she was when younger?
Sallysmom
Hi Christopher....you have hit the ground running since you got home. No need to let the nice weather go by unnoticed! It's another beautiful day today, so surely a great day for planting and more garden inspections. We've had a cold spell here for this time of year, but the weather has been glorious! I have a few plants that fell into the cart myself that need to be planted today. I have to share this with you ... a few days ago I spotted a hummingbird in my back yard! I am so excited about this because I have never seen a hummingbird down here. Next time I hope to be armed with my camera!
Spring has sprung! I love the spring blooms, the new plants in the nurseries, the ideas already percolating on bulbs to plant this fall.c
'Quinault' and 'Sequoia' are two varieties commonly available here too. I'm surprised, but I don't know as much as I could about strawberries.
Daffodils and crocus are done here. The hybrid tulips are done too (because I kept them in pots baking on the roof), but the species tulips are just getting started. Irises and Watsonias are the next big things to wait for.
Tom I am always bringing home plant parts from clients gardens so I understand.
Lisa they are enjoying their new freedom, but winter has turned them into real house cats.
Bev it is good to be back and welcomed by spring weather. I left at the right time.
Sallysmom, Collar is still a bit skittish but slowly getting better. She still has her spells and a stranger sends both of them running to hide.
Siria you may be seeing the hummingbirds as they begin their trek north. Plant things that will bloom for them at this time and you will see more I bet.
Carol this is the time when holes in the bulb display become apparent. If only those places could be remembered in the fall. Take notes he says.
Chuck I had to read up on strawberries. I want a good crop and will try to follow directions. It seems you can get 3 to 4 years from a patch and then need to start fresh. We are a long way from iris season.
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