Heuchera Seedlings

I do like heucheras (as evidenced by this post) and realized last year, I think it was, that they seed around. I found little seedlings on one side of my house where there are just a couple of older heucheras and so the seedlings weren't anything particularly special. It was just kinda fun to find them.

Okay, now I'm beginning to think this isn't uncommon, as I have just today found a number of seedlings in the bed where most of the heucheras reside (there are a few others here and there). I was popping out dandelions and did a double take. As I looked around, I found more and more. I suppose it isn't all that shocking as when I think about it, I have a sedum that seeds around. It's just...still...surprising to me. Although, I do like surprises, usually.

Okay, here's my favorite of these new ones:


Note the green edges. That's pretty neat. Here it is closer:


Here's some others, none made me go wow or anything, but they're kinda cute...






(haha...dandelion leaves at the top of the picture, above...guess I didn't get to that one...yet)



The last two are from last year, I think, and are a little bigger, more mature than the others. I also have a seedling from Midnight Rose, which has some of the same speckling, just not quite as as much as its mom. A lot of seedlings are like that and why one often has to grow many many to find one that's really special (ahem, could I possibly be talking about daylily seedlings?).

Rolling On....

It's so fun to go outside and see what's new...I think we're at least two weeks ahead, possibly more.

I wasn't sure for a long time if this variety was indeed February Gold, but it does look like the other pictures on daffseek...


Because I always like a close up...


Still waiting on the new February Gold purchased last year from a different source...

Newly opened Cassata...will turn all white with time...



Also just opening is Arrowhead, a Cyclamineus type that will recurve as it matures...


My dwindling Easter Bonnet...growing amongst the tree roots and being shaded out by azaleas...


Other flowers....Pink Roman Hyacinth...quite the vigorous bulb, unlike its blue cousin...


Cyclamen Coum...


Iris reticulata...this one blooms in the foliage, not an attractive trait...


A better picture of Galanthus Viridapice (no wind)...


One of the Golden Lotus Strain hellebores...


And...the worst for last....beware daffodil virus (these will be removed tomorrow)....remember, no mercy!

Here We Go!

This wacky winter has turned into a surprisingly early spring. The calendar may still say its winter (and, of course, there could...shudder...still be some weather ahead...) but the plants outside aren't listening (or is that reading? ha).

The daffodils are beginning, the earliest since I started keeping records ('06) and I suspect since we came back here to stay ('99). And, like every year, I get all excited about the snowdrops and crocus. Really, (smiling) these would all get lost in the explosion of late spring to summer flowers so I always applaud their cleverness in being such early bloomers.

Before I forget, the two sold out ones from Temple (as of Jan. 17) are Blonde Inge and John Gray. With that, below are pictures of Scharlockii and Viridapice which look similar to me except...and it's kind of a big except...Scharlockii is a tiny little thing at 5" (I don't even think mine are that tall) and Viridapice is larger at 8". However, they do look quite a bit different from the other snowdrops I have...

Scharlockii...


Viridapice...


Fragrant shrubs are doing their thing...it's glorious if I do say so myself...all my daphnes are blooming now, the two in the back as well as the front one, Alden's Regal Red...pictured below...


Even my S.C. tea olive is getting in the show...


Those tea olive blooms are mighty tiny, but mighty powerful in fragrance...so wonderful to have it and the daphnes going....

Always a very reliable early bloomer, my Pink Dawn Viburnum is going strong...


Another diminutive flower, iris reticulata....


One more note before I end with the obligatory crocus pictures...I've removed four varieties of daffodils from my garden, sadly stricken with daffodil virus. As those who have been with me for a while know, I collect daffodils. Listen, listen, listen...only buy from trusted sources. These were all rather common varieties, so, thankfully, should I decide to replace them, it shouldn't be too hard. Actually, I think have most of them duplicated, already, now that I think of it. Let me just say that should you most unfortunately see this in your garden...be ruthless! Do not hesitate...because it will spread. I have had to learn this lesson twice: first with my oriental lilies and now. I'm optimistic that I've got it under control and will watch very closely a couple other varieties that are somewhat near where I removed these from. If I see any sign, out OUT OUT they will go. No mercy.

So, here we go....




The above ones are a named variety, Lilac Beauty.

With that, we should see Cream Beauty, yes? Cream Beauty is usually the first one to bloom here...

Butterflies

I'm still, as usual, going through pictures. Butterflies are always so fun, I think, and I frequently see the swallowtails as they love parsley. There may be more (I certainly hope so) that turn up in photos and if so, I'll update this post...but for now:








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Who knew there were so many varieties...check these out here

More on Snowdrops

I placed my order for some new special snowdrops and already two are sold out :(

This year, I'm not planning on adding very many new plants, so the snowdrops failure was a bit disappointing. Sort of. I mean, they're kind of cool to collect and I like having something bloom when little else is...and I really like their tough nature in such a small plant...but....

...as I walked around today looking at the ones I have blooming, I've got to say (should I say this?), it's pretty dang hard to see the differences. Well, obviously a double would be way different, I just don't have any doubles blooming right now and they've, as a group, been a bit more difficult for me.

It's very enjoyable looking at pictures that an internet friend in the UK puts up of hers (need I say she is also a daylily person...haha). With hers, I see many differences and I'm fascinated. Of course, it goes without saying, the selections over there are way way beyond anything we can find here. So, maybe that's it....I just don't have any of those cute ones...(grin)...

Perhaps one day I'll make a visit over there since the bloom season for snowdrops is so agreeably not when daylilies are blooming (or most of the garden period)...that is, when I can figure out how to bring some back...grin...legally, of course. And, when air travel is not so annoying...sigh...

Anyway, here's what I found outside....just a little while ago. We're having this marvelous weather that mimics spring. You gotta enjoy it...all the while knowing that some wicked storm is probably waiting in the wings to zap all those silly plants that dare to think it might be spring when the calendar so clearly tells us we're in winter.

And, yes, I did see that the new zone map is out. No change for me here (7A) which I have no quarrel with. In my experience, we have weather cycles of all sorts here but woe to the person who fails to plan for a very cold winter...which will happen...in some years. See all those snow posts...lol...

Okay, no more distraction...

Here's a newer one, Mrs. Thompson, from a few perspectives...


(yes, it is windy...)


Bertram Anderson



Winifred Mathais


Don's Big Seedling....


Limetree....


S. Arnott...



So, are you with me?? Do you see much difference? There's probably some height difference, blossom size and maybe even color (of leaves...e.g., greenish vs greyish) on established clumps, so we'll have to give them that...

Now, how's this for irony? I've got my precious little fancy ones, all labeled, etc.... when, what do I see?? Bear in mind that I have (before the collecting started) bought for years generic snowdrops, most of which never even bothered to emerge...there, over there, in the midst of massive weeds (yes, I'll show you...I have no pride)....look here:


Seriously?? Now, I can see a difference in this one...a totally unknown thing. Sigh. By the way, that's some massive chickweed (and oxalis). It must have roots ten feet down (ha), but I did attempt a modest cleanup....


Whew.....still needs more work, clearly. Anyway, is that Opposite Rule or what?

Gardening...it keeps you humble....

Just because they're nearby (maybe I should venture around and see if some of the others are blooming, too...)...


....off to battle chickweed....