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Well it's getting to that time of year where seeds that have been
ordered are arriving and I get ambitious in getting the garden going.
Last Fall I started some seeds for Fall/Spring colour. Above are some shots of some of them. Pictured are Viola 'Blue Haven' from the Viola Sorbet series. I was amazed at there vigour, and how quickly they started blooming, showing flowers at only 1 1/2 inches tall. This hybrid grows to about 8 to 10 inches wide and generally to about 6 inches high. Performing best in full sun, this Viola responds favorable to often fertilizing (every 2 to 3 weeks) during the growth season. It well reseed but if you going to have volunteers popping up in the garden I can think of many that would be worse. I started several flats, gave out a few, and have heard wonderful comments on how well this viola is doing. I'd have to say if your looking for a very easy care annual this that give you months of colour and delivers old fashion charm then this Viola is for you.
BOTANICAL WORDS:
validus - meaning strong, robust
plants with this word - Lobelia validus
I wanted to share some photos of what many of the branches are covered with around this time of year. I don't know what types of lichens, moss, or fungus these are. I do know that they do not harm the plants they grow on. The bottom pictures is of soil with some type fungus or moss. By mid Summer they usually dissapear or shrivil down to where they are not noticable. To me they are really cool. Almost like a organic collage. Certainly something interesting to look at before all the buds start to swell and leave start to unfurl.
BOTANICAL WORDS:
digitatus - hand sharped; with fingers
plants with this word - Carex digitatus
Another reminder that Spring is on the way is when the Crocus start blooming. There are many species of Crocus but the types that are generally sold at your local nursery or garden centre are Crocus vernus. Crocus vernus (Dutch Crocus) come in many colours and combinations and slowly mutiply if given the opportunity.
One of the cleaverest ways I've seen them used is acturally planted in lawns (in cold climate areas). The flowers bloom before the first mowing and the blade like leaves blend in perfectly with any rye, blue, or fescue grass lawns. This look works best when the bulbs are planted spordically and in a unplanned way. When the Crocus flower the lawn will look like a short meadow in bloom.
Crocus are native to the Mediterranean area and are in the Iridaceae family (Iris family).
BOTANICAL WORDS:
pogonanthus - with bearded flowers
plants with this word - Geranium pogonanthus
Starting again. Its been a long time since I have posted on a regular basis. Sometimes life pulls you in other directions or one doesn't feel the motivation. I have continued to keep up with the photography and now feel its time to return and share some current and not so distant past shots.
Often I find the writing potion of posting to be the most difficult because I'm not very good at it. So you'll find my posts to more brief.
I hope you all enjoy, and if you do have question on any of the plants please
feel free to ask.
Even though Spring officially has not started, it always feels like it has when I see the Snowdrops (Galanthus) blooming. Here are some of the first bulbs to blooms. A native to Asia Minor and Europe the amaryllis family member prefer cold winter locations.
They are often confused with leucojums. Generally you can tell the difference by the different lengths in the petals and sepals of the Snowdrops (Galanthus). Were leucojums typically have sepals and petals of the same length.
In either case I find them delightful and a wonderful messenger that Spring is near.
BOTANICAL WORDS:
lineatus - meaning with lines, in a straight line
plants with this word - Convolvulus lineatus
