Spring Blooms, Part I
2007.03.22
The Hyacinths are blooming, the Daffodils should be coming soon, and the Tulips are on their way as well. Hard to see them in the first photo, but the Grape Hyacinths are up too (the flower head is very small, but the long, narrow leaves stick out a ways).
The Kinnikinnick putting on little blooms. I didn’t even know they were going to have flowers.
2007.03.25
Went to Marbott’s Nursery today and bought a few more plants. The evergreen shrub with tiny pinkish flowers is an Andromedia (Pieris japonica) called ‘Shojo’. Should grow to about four feet. The three plants with unusual purple leaves are a hybrid of Coral Bells called ‘Amethyst Myst’.
One of the things I really love about buying plants and putting them in the garden is this scenario, which has happened several times but today is the latest example: the tags with the Coral Bells said “sun to part sun”. But now that I’m looking them up on the web, half the sites say “plant in shade”. Who am I supposed to believe? It’s a wonder anything grows in home gardens with such inconsistent advice. I tend to follow the tag’s advice, figuring the plant was probably grown here in Oregon, so they should know what works in this area.
Lastly, I planted some Columbine ‘Swan Mix’ in a blank spot next to the bulbs. The photo on the right gives a better view of the little Grape Hyacinths,
2007.03.30
A couple Tulips have opened up, along with the Daffodils, and the Columbine. I’m a little confused about the tulips, they don’t look like the online images of the three varieties I supposedly bought from Portland Nursery. Maybe they were in the wrong bin? Oh well, still nice, but I was expecting vibrant orange, red, and yellow.
Early Spring