Planted March 11

What a gorgeous day--and it promises to be warm all week as well. I stopped at Johnson's to add to the primroses I planted last week. Put some Japanese-style primrose near the bench, as well as some more in a plot and some tiger-striped violas with an intense smell. Also planted a peachy nemesia and some sort of edging daisy. Pansies and violas are blooming, there are more eranthis' up by the pump, and daffodils and hyacinth are about to bloom all over the garden.
While I was waiting for the bus, an elderly gentleman admired my plants and we started talking about how wonderful it is to get your hands into the ground. I told him R says I always come home with a blissful expression from digging in the soil. Primrose

We agreed that plants teach us to have generous hearts and to have faith and hope. A plant will fail to thrive and then after it gets moved someplace else will perk up and take off. And most plants are happiest when you take off chunks from time to time and spread the gifts around.

In fact, this garden is pretty badly in need of dividing and thinning, I think. I pulled a clump of tradescantia and left it in a container for anyone who wants it, but the iris and day lily needs thinning the most. That will probably need to wait till after blooming.

Eranthis

More planting planned tomorrow, everyone is coming by and pulling the covers off the flower beds to see what is peeking up.

Inspiration afield

Dutch Iris and Crocus on Albermarle Street
Pink chionodoxa and speedwell

Star magnolia on Biltmore Street

 

Over-optimistic

I know, it is silly but I couldn't resist the primroses at Whole Foods market. I bought an assortment of three and tucked them in with some whispers of encouragement. It is supposed to rain tomorrow, perfect to bed them in, then rise into the 70s by next weekend, so I hope they'll give us a little early cheer before they go toes up.

Speaking of gambles, I was in Garden District today and pulled a handful of mystery bulbs that were lying around without ID. I couldn't recognize them, nor could the owner, so he told me to take what I wanted for a quarter per. I think maybe the enormous yellow ones are some kind of fritillary, while the ones with roots might be eremurus (I'm hoping--it's my husband's favorite.). Any one have any ideas? I figure I'll put them in and see what happens--if nothing, I'm out less than the price of a latte.

Spring's coming

It is spring at the National Botanical Garden where the orchid show, appropriately titled Simply Sublime is in bloom.

Passion Flower

There was a glorious passion flower in the conservatory as well. I hope the one we planted last year comes back. I'll plant another one if it doesn't. We're planning a trellis to show it off better.

Meanwhile, sheets of daffodils are popping up around town
while CROCUS rules on Biltmore Street.

Aconite (Winter) - Eranthis hyemalis

First flower up, in the bed facing the pump, is Winter Aconite - Eranthis hyemalis , There are lots of crocuses in bloom on Biltmore Street but not in the triangle yet.