Monday, February 1, 2010

I couldn't wait.

It's dark now. The sunset was gorgeous, as usual. I said I would post these tomorrow, but I took the photos today. And I do have a full list of things I'd like to get done in the morning, before lunch.

The backyard felt very warm today, even at 45 degrees. The robins were all over, scratching, digging, and aerating the soil.



Some of their work.





In the perennial bed, daffodils and hyacinths are marching on.





It was very cold the past two nights, but the camellia didn't care.



And check out who survived the freezes.







Wallflowers seem to be immune to cold. Ox eye daisy has germinated. And the large, round seeds appear to be a type of hibiscus, but I can't say for sure since I didn't read the tag in the container. One day this week, I want to get out and sort the sprouts from the non sprouts. It'll make it easier to find them when it's time to plant out. I should have alphabetized them.

5 comments:

Brian David Morley said...

You're so lucky to have Camillias outdoors, I'd have A LOT of them if that was my climate.

Darla said...

So, wonder why my Camellia only has one bud? Your bulbs are coming right along...so glad your seedlings made it!

Tom - 7th Street Cottage said...

Brian, I think I have 8 right now. This spring, I plan to take cuttings of my favorites. One that was here when I bought the house was huge. It took up most of the backyard. It was easily 25-30 feet tall. I had to chop it down to grow any vegetables. It's been regrowing for the past two years. The roots have sprouted dozens of suckers. The foliage is dark red and glossy when new, turning green with age. I believe it is a Sasanqua. The blooms are a light pink and the huge tree was covered. I hated cutting it down, but it had to be done.

Darla, it could be a lot of reasons. They like shade, need fertile soil. Try feeding them this year. After spring breaks, give them a dose of acidic fertilizer specifically for camellias and azaleas. Do it again in mid summer. Prune the tips out of each branch to encourage more growth which will give you more blooms. They set their buds in late fall.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Your camellia is lovely and look at what is coming up in your gardens and in your little containers. You sure do have a green thumb.

FlowerLady

L. D. said...

Good for you. The growing continues. That camellia is fantastic.