Snowdrops Continued

Here are a couple that I find do have distinguishing appearances:



Pictured above is Merlin.



Pictured above is Viridapice.

And, here are a couple that were new last year, blooming this year...





I'm happy they're both blooming, but they look quite alike to me...much like others I have.  No matter, I hope they continue to increase as they are still lovely.  I'm just not sure whether they're worth a label (smile)....

Snowdrop Season

Belated welcome to 2013.  Outside, the snowdrops are blooming...at least those that have decided they like it well enough here. 



S. Arnott pictured above.

For the first time in a number of years, I'm not planning to add any new snowdrops.  The differences are, for the most part, too subtle for me to see.  Add in a survival rate of maybe 50% and it becomes a game I am less interested in playing.

 

Don's Big Seedling pictured above.

Those that are surviving here are (in my plans, that is) going to be moved to line my front walkway.  Some are there now, but others are scattered here and there.  It's nice to appreciate them and that will be much easier when they're all in the same general area. 



Mrs. Backhouse #12 and Straffan pictured above.

One day, I still would love to visit the UK during snowdrop season.  Many pictures I see from there show so many varieties that are simply unavailable here.  And, the glory of it all, to see endless sweeps of them would be inspiring.



Winifred Mathais pictured above.

Perhaps one day (sooner), I will make it to Winterthur where I understand they have large areas of snowdrops.  It appears they reopen on March 1st. 



John Gray pictured above.

I think I have a couple of doubles that have survived but are not in bloom.  Doubles, especially, seem to not like it here.  Since the blooms last for quite a while, I will keep attempting to snag a few more pictures of some that aren't featured today.



An unknown snowdrop pictured above.

Also in bloom are the first of the crocus (yellow), some hardy cyclamen and hellebores.  It's challenging (that's part of the fun) to capture the hellebores as so many like to hang their heads  However, the beauty contained there, especially the doubles, makes it so worth it.  Last year, I removed a number of dark flowered ones that no longer pleased me.  It seems that light colored flowers and white ones show up so much nicer against their foliage. 

Many changes around here making for no excuses for lack of things to talk about and share. 

Here's a taste:



Lucy and Rudy.

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...

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....

Small Winter Joys

One of life's small pleasures (or is that a gardener's)...


Evolving into a nice little patch, which pleases me.....same ones yesterday not open in the gloom...


Slightly larger, as they are tiny things and it's nice to see them...


Here's Bertram Anderson, all by itself...(in fairness, it just arrived last year)...


And, I'm happy to say...I'm finally working on getting that patch by the doorstep as recommended by H. Lyman of Temple Nursery...


The hellebores have started as well.


The doubles, like above, delight me to such an extent that I am considering removing some of the more ordinary singles...to make room for more doubles, of course.

That said, I still like the simplicity of this single one...


Tastes change and this year, at least, I am not as enamored of the darker singles...or maybe it is just that I have too many. Once, they were the ones I sought first.

Even though it is winter, the garden moves forward. If only the weeds wouldn't...or better yet, they could just plain disappear (in my dreams).