More than a boxcar load

When a bag of 100 daffodils was purchased last Fall, CG thought he might have a problem finding time or the space needed to plant all of them. Once they were all in the ground, it was a big sense of accomplishment. A small drop in the proverbial bucket when compared to: Helen Lee's Daffodils

Ice Follies

 

Dutch Master

 

Carlton

Ice King

 

Fortune

 

Salome

 

narcissistic

英语

conspicuous 

Sir Winston Churchill

Lemon Glow

Forsythia Bed

The forsythia bed is entering its second year of maturity. Maybe by this time next year, it will have a substantial showing.

There are more than 8 first year forsythia and 90% of the daffodils are newly planted. By next year, the plants should have seasoned-in better.

much anticipated blooms

A single five minute stroll through a few dozen early blooms was worth the countless hours of planning, procuring, and planting hundreds of bulbs.

The toils and troubles during a long dark winter are vanquished by the bright, simple perfection of nature.

 Perfectly Generic.

 (not regretting the bulk purchase of generic yellow daffodils)

 

even imperfections are fascinating

 

Remembrance.

Mid March Landscape Notes

1. Average rain/temps for this time of year
2. Spring plant purchases have been completed
3. This time next year- no more missing an entire weekend of gardening every month!
4. Weeding the front yard is going full tilt
5. Need to start some mondo grass in the farm bed
6. Will begin vertical fertilizing the river birch trees in a few weeks
7. Wine colored iris in front bed have been positively ID'd as Louisiana Iris
8. Only two more bushes need to be installed in the backyard (dwarf butterfly bush in the cut flower bed and a Natchez variety crepe myrtle in the corner bed)
9. Will mark areas that need daffodils with white-dotted rocks
10. Several areas need to be re-mulched

California Poppies '10

It's the lone survivor from the Calif. poppies that were started from seed a year ago. Single digit temperatures and inches of snow were not able to curb this plant's enthusiasm for another year in the Natural state.

The poppies were expected to be annuals, so this is a nice surprise. Another planting area will be started in a few weeks, with the hope that this year's crop will be an improvement over last year.

Prelude

It's the beginning of what should be a nice display.

A signal of progressive renewal.

And a simple stance of remembrance.

any day

Compared to last year, the daffodils are a little more than a week behind schedule. Maybe only half have even pushed-up shoots. At least they are stronger in numbers- close to 500 more than last year. There's a good variety of fragrant, showy, intricate, unique, and traditional daffodils. And even though there was a lot of planning involved in their placement, there will always be surprises.
So far, it seems the farm bed daffodils have multiplied quite well. These should be yellow/yellows that will be used to continually bulk-up the forsythia bed. The front bed will have to be watched closely and marked for areas that need to be planted. CG is anticipating $1 gallon pots (3 to 5 bulbs apiece) available at walmart following the end of the blooming cycle.
The next few days are expected to be sunny with highs in the low 60's. This should kick the plants into high gear, and signal the start to a busy gardening season. Big things are expected from the daffodils this year- and it should start....any day...