Monday, March 15, 2010

Bloom Day

I was reminded this morning why I don't drink. The dizziness and headache that got me out of bed at 4:30am was uncomfortable to say the least. After a shower, it's a little better, but I'm still not feeling 100%. I still managed to get outside as soon as it was light enough to gather some blooms for Carol's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Daffodils, wood hyacinths, and crocuses have their usual spot.



Mahonia is in full bloom all through the gully.



Periwinkle in the edges of the woods are showing their namesake color.



A clump of violas are striking. I'm going to leave these in hopes of reseeded plants next year.



The tea olives are just getting started. Over the next few days, all five in the yard should release their fragrance.



One plant I don't have, but considered purchasing when I returned the cherry tree this week is Daphne odora. They're just starting to bloom and the fragrance is outstanding. I've read they can be a bit difficult so I'm not sure I want to invest the money in something so temperamental. Yes, I returned a dead plant. I did pay full price last spring. So there will be no cherries in my yard any time soon. Instead, I picked up the two Arizona Cypress trees in one gallon containers and a couple of Emerald Green Arborvitae. They were planted yesterday in various spots around the back yard.

It's 48 degrees and partly cloudy. The high today should reach 65. Upper 60s will arrive later in the week.

9 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Hope you feel better as the days moves along Tom.

I love your violas. They always make me feel happy. The vinca is sweet too.

Your Mahonia is really a cool looking plant.

Happy Gardening

FlowerLady

Unknown said...

It looks like the garden is waking up, even if the gardener is a little groggy.....

I refer to Daphne as my favorite miserable plant. Right now the fragrance knocks me over every time I go out the front door. It likes great drainage, hates to be moved, and will look good for three or four years....then drop dead with no advanced warning!

The best advice I ever got about daphne odora was that they hate being root bound. Make sure you pull it out of the pot at the nursery; if it's root bound, don't bother buying.

It's a fragrance that might cure a hangover, though.....

Jean Campbell said...

Looking good, looking good. I can't decide about Mahonia.

Hope you feel better. I have a lingering cough that I can't get rid of. I think I failed a test. I said No when DH asked if I wanted to go with him to town and go by 'the flowers' at the nursery center.

Darla said...

Glad I'm not the only one unsure of Mahonia. Take B-Complex if you are going to drink!!!!
Things are waking from their winter slumber...hopefully if it does return cold, it will be short and light.

sweetbay said...

Is your Mahonia fragrant? That's what always makes me think I need one.

Daphne is one that I have been mulling over too.

Try to take plenty of fluids.

Kris said...

*sigh* All those flowers. Around here we're just happy we can finally see dirt... :-P

Tom - 7th Street Cottage said...

The mahonia isn't fragrant. At least not that I can smell. It's one of those shrubs that was here when I bought the house and I've left them pretty much as they are, where they are. I transplanted a couple small ones last year, but they died. The tap root makes it difficult. The blue berries in the fall make it even more interesting.

Melody said...

Some mahonias are fragrant but you have to get close to the plants to smell them. The scent of tea olives, on the other hand, will spread across the yard. My husband loves their fragrance, so we have one by the porch, one close to his shop, one close to my potting area and one near the driveway. Whenever we are walking around the yard, we can smell them:)

Chloe m said...

I like your Violas! Mine have yellow in them but I wish they were solid.

Hope your head feels normal soon.