tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59002383799644926192024-03-13T01:03:08.855-04:00My Roots Run Deep (Original)O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-4016682366630400092024-02-14T18:55:00.002-05:002024-02-14T18:55:51.533-05:00The Blue Flower of Bhutan<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Be sure to check out my short story <a href="https://myrootsrundeeper.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-blue-flower-of-bhutan.html">The Blue Flower of Bhutan</a> and other garden-related posts on my blog <a href="https://myrootsrundeeper.blogspot.com/">My Roots Run Deep II</a>. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of blue poppies taken in 2019 at Memorial University Botanical Garden in Newfoundland.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhcNqbO5w6Jm3naqb2OMqHhhATvTu7FpwhcMqukpWOkIWH4xFSm668ACl-DAziry3_7UcK7SFW-Hfakj_yBpLtvE1UicpAbQZjlsZyikta-gys-eXa6iuMlM9P5XakqYmMKqs3Ej8jOiXCC4Am50qR4Bmmf4uyOQ068RQN2LUwOMwvuNwbZpi2TlnJaw/s4032/Blue%20Poppy%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhcNqbO5w6Jm3naqb2OMqHhhATvTu7FpwhcMqukpWOkIWH4xFSm668ACl-DAziry3_7UcK7SFW-Hfakj_yBpLtvE1UicpAbQZjlsZyikta-gys-eXa6iuMlM9P5XakqYmMKqs3Ej8jOiXCC4Am50qR4Bmmf4uyOQ068RQN2LUwOMwvuNwbZpi2TlnJaw/s320/Blue%20Poppy%201.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubPEn1KFHG77eaOTqVXgCIZNzoHACxjqWlf6Fb5SbNLyeZ0k5X9Y7Z2-e8yd2hI9q_tmHiTkhXGiHEbdFC33Sg978f1ABeYKqxlluJUhWFHn-46PjaJG4n8AJ2i6YAd4kQDStL8UtpV3Uf_igveBuBn-obw51FhXGdzXqSgqxB3d0NBtaEJwy7qrpD_c/s4032/Blue%20Poppy%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubPEn1KFHG77eaOTqVXgCIZNzoHACxjqWlf6Fb5SbNLyeZ0k5X9Y7Z2-e8yd2hI9q_tmHiTkhXGiHEbdFC33Sg978f1ABeYKqxlluJUhWFHn-46PjaJG4n8AJ2i6YAd4kQDStL8UtpV3Uf_igveBuBn-obw51FhXGdzXqSgqxB3d0NBtaEJwy7qrpD_c/s320/Blue%20Poppy%202.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghAck4XjiAf7AmsUYZplWvFOkXkyr6A7n8e3XqfMQcTJB4M7c_5RsjGp7EKYZAnSmkEpSf4f-q70bHAuH6tus9Pq0KWpOyxqrH9DGvIGrO-pgfjLq1QCezzEOZAXi4tA2S62uThwulYODSvDX_hnJWFl0F20VHX1ndpZ66pzj3oTB_ZOjG2g1V5Pbc0M/s2132/Blue%20Poppy%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="2132" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghAck4XjiAf7AmsUYZplWvFOkXkyr6A7n8e3XqfMQcTJB4M7c_5RsjGp7EKYZAnSmkEpSf4f-q70bHAuH6tus9Pq0KWpOyxqrH9DGvIGrO-pgfjLq1QCezzEOZAXi4tA2S62uThwulYODSvDX_hnJWFl0F20VHX1ndpZ66pzj3oTB_ZOjG2g1V5Pbc0M/s320/Blue%20Poppy%203.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy Gardening!</span></p>O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-56371293991360204282023-08-07T18:09:00.002-04:002023-08-07T18:09:34.237-04:00Bittersweet Daylilies<p>As always, the summer is too short. The appearance of the final daylilies is always bittersweet.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WBYgzgJzm3LZKMme9Pk-3m0jqkOUmQsmAIKFrRlRmtUr8Ud8QNT5z6ox5EyGkv-cUuY2oPXTUPMKscXept-p13dNWNUZKchMgjYgUeV6kTHMGPA8_4TM5MLKPTNrBg148W4wqx4Eg5U2Usyg2LFU3LelnGTEf_QVzaQV82654YF34WfGnuD2mulb0Mo/s4032/IMG_1061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WBYgzgJzm3LZKMme9Pk-3m0jqkOUmQsmAIKFrRlRmtUr8Ud8QNT5z6ox5EyGkv-cUuY2oPXTUPMKscXept-p13dNWNUZKchMgjYgUeV6kTHMGPA8_4TM5MLKPTNrBg148W4wqx4Eg5U2Usyg2LFU3LelnGTEf_QVzaQV82654YF34WfGnuD2mulb0Mo/s320/IMG_1061.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exceptional colour from these daylilies</td></tr></tbody></table>Hope you are all having a great summer!<div><br /></div><div>Enjoy every fleeting moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Gardening!</div>O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-22317379166386294112021-02-11T21:34:00.003-05:002021-02-18T11:19:01.749-05:00Reaching for the Dirt : A Return to Garden Blogging<p>After an extended absence from garden blogging, I'm reviving <i>My Roots Run Deep </i>ahead of the 2021 garden season. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGC7S6v5Srcg71fCO0nfpwS3bde4kvPH-1Yqp_a6sqC6WHCLCh5abKi4wjgu50okjVFtkSQdpd389Elz21KYu1TC0tQZ7JcEe7jfMAJf5BXwcLmd4s81Fx2bfySVijKA_hSQFhVvVOvw/s1851/Bloodroot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1851" data-original-width="1387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGC7S6v5Srcg71fCO0nfpwS3bde4kvPH-1Yqp_a6sqC6WHCLCh5abKi4wjgu50okjVFtkSQdpd389Elz21KYu1TC0tQZ7JcEe7jfMAJf5BXwcLmd4s81Fx2bfySVijKA_hSQFhVvVOvw/s320/Bloodroot.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Keep an eye on your bloodroot. <br />The flowers of this early spring bloomer are <br />fleeting and may last for only a day.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Last March, when we first felt the seismic effects of the pandemic here in Toronto, instinctively, I reached for the dirt. I understood immediately that my garden would provide the relief I needed from events unfolding around the globe. For the first time in years, with nothing but time on my hands, I immersed myself totally and completely in rediscovering my garden: the lush greens of wild gingers and ostrich ferns; the ephemeral beauty of serviceberry blossoms and bloodroot; the unabashed flamboyance of redbud and magnolia; the intoxicating scent of lilacs and peonies; and the rugged obstinacy of epimedium and haskap. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_7fI_mznoC0-UwJvcpYSh6SvHL9NLkhpU482uJYi6bVYh2XcGxbql_KE1s2de5e4Ft_lLqh0xr3YnCTROkB4r0vO-I01fmSEt-T_1wl33CHDRdfVue-zS0ZevsZ4gRFwkmxSXOKWGY0/s2048/Ludwig+Spaeth+Lilac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_7fI_mznoC0-UwJvcpYSh6SvHL9NLkhpU482uJYi6bVYh2XcGxbql_KE1s2de5e4Ft_lLqh0xr3YnCTROkB4r0vO-I01fmSEt-T_1wl33CHDRdfVue-zS0ZevsZ4gRFwkmxSXOKWGY0/s320/Ludwig+Spaeth+Lilac.jpg" /></b></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lilac Ludwig Spaeth adds an exhilarating fragrance to the garden<i>.</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>What a revelation it was. I had been away from the garden for far too long.</p><p>And so I have returned.</p><p>In the days and months ahead, I hope you'll join me here for garden advice and reflections. Only 37 days until spring. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-coujv6TFvrdua-GsX_-L5bcuXzramFLbvVLDjN6J6DucDaCl3fBEDHZQ1RV3ElLVwFYO4hi12mlp_5qLiqoF5BZcGy2epOS8an8bAvyRLGzFkWlQZv7XH_NwL6rRSY7ow2xPSAmFR0/s2048/Allium+All+Lined+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-coujv6TFvrdua-GsX_-L5bcuXzramFLbvVLDjN6J6DucDaCl3fBEDHZQ1RV3ElLVwFYO4hi12mlp_5qLiqoF5BZcGy2epOS8an8bAvyRLGzFkWlQZv7XH_NwL6rRSY7ow2xPSAmFR0/s320/Allium+All+Lined+Up.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Alliums all in row</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p>
You can find all my latest blog posts at <a href="https://myrootsrundeeper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Roots Run Deep II</a>O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-36364727718783261202013-04-09T12:08:00.003-04:002021-02-11T22:28:30.222-05:00Crocus Not As Advertised<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m1xGEZgMtaE-eqp-B4uDw6IK7R7NYnQnNEDqA0zLUknWpE4akOH4xR5dKcl7y_HDHCJ6GnQqqa_7jLWtJlZ9JseEKDDjixcxmSu5_b2kbUtHyKQXGMfR6UnAfP7UGcp9ausKrl63v9M/s1600/DSCF4038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m1xGEZgMtaE-eqp-B4uDw6IK7R7NYnQnNEDqA0zLUknWpE4akOH4xR5dKcl7y_HDHCJ6GnQqqa_7jLWtJlZ9JseEKDDjixcxmSu5_b2kbUtHyKQXGMfR6UnAfP7UGcp9ausKrl63v9M/s320/DSCF4038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's great to see the crocus in bloom. These were unexpected, however. Planted last fall, the bulbs were a promising, new and exciting addition to the garden.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT8iD6QhiXsuG5L-O3fua8RHyYJlWj3tKrdNAPbdpRFpY03nktIOo_mTXWjqHa8IScn84CFi5inRdWHVatTZgRjunEM0ANzS5SCYSsZdmTU7zTe2S_YmgVStvUdOXVM-FtJt1tzngAp8/s1600/DSCF4047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT8iD6QhiXsuG5L-O3fua8RHyYJlWj3tKrdNAPbdpRFpY03nktIOo_mTXWjqHa8IScn84CFi5inRdWHVatTZgRjunEM0ANzS5SCYSsZdmTU7zTe2S_YmgVStvUdOXVM-FtJt1tzngAp8/s320/DSCF4047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is what I was hoping for. I'm not sure if these yellow-flowered bulbs were mislabelled or if the orange ones never came up and I'm now mistaking them for the yellow ones. It's easy to lose track of all the crocus in the garden. Has anyone ever seen an "Orange Monarch" in bloom?</div>
<br />O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-10304554836706495972013-03-26T19:12:00.000-04:002013-03-26T19:12:16.309-04:00First Crocus<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCkyZO2jK29aOUl5AOP7mWwE9NjpmofR99NhL9dWFJXAD6o6qaUB5TwEQO7gYjz2CsZ_2H1otS-diypEx9A9Lxu_W1TqhFfC38ojPW6s8a5pCp1GYC28wZb4yh-Y7f4tEZxAWZeb2gsA/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCkyZO2jK29aOUl5AOP7mWwE9NjpmofR99NhL9dWFJXAD6o6qaUB5TwEQO7gYjz2CsZ_2H1otS-diypEx9A9Lxu_W1TqhFfC38ojPW6s8a5pCp1GYC28wZb4yh-Y7f4tEZxAWZeb2gsA/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Crocus</td></tr>
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After the first real winter we have had in about four years, the sight of the first crocus is more welcome than ever. The tradition continues: I have no idea what variety this is.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-45986405295464779942013-03-06T14:27:00.000-05:002013-03-06T14:27:12.332-05:00Attention Toronto GardenersMy Roots Run Deep has been dormant for some time, but with good reason. This gardener has been busy blogging for a great Toronto garden club. Please check out the <a href="http://northtorontohorticulturalsociety.blogspot.ca/">North Toronto Horticultural Society</a> blog for upcoming meetings and lots of great garden information and advice. And don't hesitate to stop by and say hello. We get together every month at the Toronto Botanical Garden which is easy to get to by either car or transit. O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-85985171420750125062012-05-16T18:24:00.003-04:002012-05-16T18:24:57.766-04:00Parade of Spring BloomersSpring marches on. So many blooms. So little time to blog. Here is the parade of flowers in my spring garden.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPxyExXF9ucNoB3hbBYVqAG3dPBQcRaZljxij-TNQj6DFCxHEoECevu3JAiMhyphenhypheneKhiRkiQHh8j5tviw9G1PXv9zpDqlHqe7Z8yg984Z7vMVY9VHnV3ut2gtzYkSaodZFDuqPvM59eWPw/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPxyExXF9ucNoB3hbBYVqAG3dPBQcRaZljxij-TNQj6DFCxHEoECevu3JAiMhyphenhypheneKhiRkiQHh8j5tviw9G1PXv9zpDqlHqe7Z8yg984Z7vMVY9VHnV3ut2gtzYkSaodZFDuqPvM59eWPw/s320/IMG_1085.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Redbud</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TejPXXvXuKe8W7mxrzMxtvGBVajd4DNHnLlsE2XcBJOd8N9EOofdrDpkw-oAUQ-wp4YnONJdWw0Xuepdr6_xs69y-uY2qvl-W_MtX6Q5rlhnxwaqnygHlFrdemxka-hVCZY55ZQecLs/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TejPXXvXuKe8W7mxrzMxtvGBVajd4DNHnLlsE2XcBJOd8N9EOofdrDpkw-oAUQ-wp4YnONJdWw0Xuepdr6_xs69y-uY2qvl-W_MtX6Q5rlhnxwaqnygHlFrdemxka-hVCZY55ZQecLs/s320/IMG_1080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HxSa-0-dB73wiVrAHNmJ0EqWDtHa1BrCd7uu8hOJiZW3cxcXBB3n_uW2pHjL-iYGra0jlb7jlgkuU2CFY_lknC207xFr31asIIRCRSkByQvTBIhQJTRLwS-uxwrxF9tR5FZfGfXVIvM/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HxSa-0-dB73wiVrAHNmJ0EqWDtHa1BrCd7uu8hOJiZW3cxcXBB3n_uW2pHjL-iYGra0jlb7jlgkuU2CFY_lknC207xFr31asIIRCRSkByQvTBIhQJTRLwS-uxwrxF9tR5FZfGfXVIvM/s320/IMG_1079.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape Hyacinth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaoyE7GAglCmQyX39Ff4pTMd_phQZgwfhJNFDw6XCw3h4wHubO-5kth7Sclpt2SPTS1XckiXdgXVqKtsdvlckpyG_A6XDsyuee_dMnwNYO9K1J2mcUz8nJKBPc2-twnVt2zDd6oIaOFg/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaoyE7GAglCmQyX39Ff4pTMd_phQZgwfhJNFDw6XCw3h4wHubO-5kth7Sclpt2SPTS1XckiXdgXVqKtsdvlckpyG_A6XDsyuee_dMnwNYO9K1J2mcUz8nJKBPc2-twnVt2zDd6oIaOFg/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulmonaria "Silver Streamers"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4038YnMBRhdlRKWzXQFKaEdF4RG8HCvCQ22HE7qR8E9zpNgxlnf_CEryuz6edTXX4BpaJkJz_B1uzXJtrzz95bldELoDfXvIRnXIzsorSNFip_F5HJQI6Z_JFGtVhp74m8i5UeEr3je4/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4038YnMBRhdlRKWzXQFKaEdF4RG8HCvCQ22HE7qR8E9zpNgxlnf_CEryuz6edTXX4BpaJkJz_B1uzXJtrzz95bldELoDfXvIRnXIzsorSNFip_F5HJQI6Z_JFGtVhp74m8i5UeEr3je4/s320/IMG_1053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serviceberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqypkl-rllVdOaHpCL5UxNkMuHQyR-BtPdWz3zn6fQjElakb5ozDEwHS4y5aSZVZv9HaLwk7nLRmv-gxe6gvAZtoyip9pfvosdqKgNkoHTVm77Vl4pHaktmQCrHvTvdvqbYbJk7HGYLBw/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqypkl-rllVdOaHpCL5UxNkMuHQyR-BtPdWz3zn6fQjElakb5ozDEwHS4y5aSZVZv9HaLwk7nLRmv-gxe6gvAZtoyip9pfvosdqKgNkoHTVm77Vl4pHaktmQCrHvTvdvqbYbJk7HGYLBw/s320/IMG_1031.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PJM Rhododendron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWFI0AGqLW-7Mp51KyawBPLJcMS42ZmIQAsmla8zu6DNRHTgdf1YkC5TY1Zb1P-0Sfc4qdUAHSUwBuw2J7q8Vrk-wOcMJaY6rCfsSAecojD7tdvxOEzBbe_hBA81bHi6gz9S8smOi5U8/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWFI0AGqLW-7Mp51KyawBPLJcMS42ZmIQAsmla8zu6DNRHTgdf1YkC5TY1Zb1P-0Sfc4qdUAHSUwBuw2J7q8Vrk-wOcMJaY6rCfsSAecojD7tdvxOEzBbe_hBA81bHi6gz9S8smOi5U8/s320/IMG_1046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Poppy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO9sLIlbjKoocBGIIVoHfn7AyY-iwt08bxAh51FlX7MN09NCFu4yRAzQ2lXSPtg6yaLg5xJhooeHi51gv7kzOm8tnFiuLNX1qmpt2JKhqajFumuznf6Kq3CVYgm_HCGI6vC4d1vkBzUk/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO9sLIlbjKoocBGIIVoHfn7AyY-iwt08bxAh51FlX7MN09NCFu4yRAzQ2lXSPtg6yaLg5xJhooeHi51gv7kzOm8tnFiuLNX1qmpt2JKhqajFumuznf6Kq3CVYgm_HCGI6vC4d1vkBzUk/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epimedium "Orange Konigin"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpQbWFEhe21qVgsDpWLJtZYLI5HnEoMHGELagn1QRW8ksnh-vsDiHVBFwa76psPDdmZL4POnES0DFypmwOI-r6fOcpBGc4fwfpn05Q9ziT8k6gm6k2KsiHXTq6JMFP3TjZMrgE4lVja8/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpQbWFEhe21qVgsDpWLJtZYLI5HnEoMHGELagn1QRW8ksnh-vsDiHVBFwa76psPDdmZL4POnES0DFypmwOI-r6fOcpBGc4fwfpn05Q9ziT8k6gm6k2KsiHXTq6JMFP3TjZMrgE4lVja8/s320/IMG_1069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulipa Sylvestris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although there are more blooms to come, the flower parade is slowing down. A towering Norway Maple has already plunged the garden into dense shade, creating conditions for an urban woodland garden. These springtime blooms usher out the winter and now that their job is done, foliage and groundcovers will take over the show providing a cool and restful space at the height of summer heat. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-45512725033407134152012-04-20T12:54:00.003-04:002012-04-20T13:23:11.423-04:00Three New Daffodils<div>Three new daffodils are blooming but I don't know what they are. I planted 15 new daffodil bulbs last fall. 5 came in a bag labeled "Variant." 10 came in a bag labeled "Sorcerer." I thought I was planting two varieties of daffodil. Apparently not. Now that spring is here, there are three distinct daffodils in bloom. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uFvEGukKISB9X-SxmmakKNfH-HuDvYi1rm-OxxA1C74e1NlaCFhdC7phnF7QNm7lyjLIZWjyB_oeaV4Of4tmzlA7Vzsl5khgmMexlp9km6kWKwb_wSStkhWCpYtegaOzco8zRNcKYeA/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uFvEGukKISB9X-SxmmakKNfH-HuDvYi1rm-OxxA1C74e1NlaCFhdC7phnF7QNm7lyjLIZWjyB_oeaV4Of4tmzlA7Vzsl5khgmMexlp9km6kWKwb_wSStkhWCpYtegaOzco8zRNcKYeA/s320/IMG_1065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733528148978701858" /></a>I love the pure white petals on this daffodil. The pink cup was totally unexpected (pink is not my first choice when selecting daffodils). And yet, compared to pink cups I have seen and grown, I quite like this one.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MCi8I-ohrlilRt8DTyesZfYPAlb0RFVX38kzR51ndPiaUjfzwStLJm7TnBQzOqBy_oXgtrFYfU8QTLLJxPjGgVhVnlhyphenhyphenOL0o7T1oIBveP0Y9Wk6CdalccN5ZbSuaqLeVXfnBBEKl6g0/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MCi8I-ohrlilRt8DTyesZfYPAlb0RFVX38kzR51ndPiaUjfzwStLJm7TnBQzOqBy_oXgtrFYfU8QTLLJxPjGgVhVnlhyphenhyphenOL0o7T1oIBveP0Y9Wk6CdalccN5ZbSuaqLeVXfnBBEKl6g0/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733528139143575378" /></a>This small-cupped daffodil could be "Sorcerer." I found only one image of "Sorcerer" online and this comes pretty close.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0lw1cHugdsL3NWjA5ykm-P70ef_nCUNFKu8ot63Vwl2-K9hRqeLCa-64-wF-a9TITxpyBx2MLmzBlRvCfCnOzMlJPoj5LUCUJ2e_DIlX5RCDL8l7V6Hj4hJwvpnOplrXzS8fUtUPvHw/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0lw1cHugdsL3NWjA5ykm-P70ef_nCUNFKu8ot63Vwl2-K9hRqeLCa-64-wF-a9TITxpyBx2MLmzBlRvCfCnOzMlJPoj5LUCUJ2e_DIlX5RCDL8l7V6Hj4hJwvpnOplrXzS8fUtUPvHw/s320/IMG_1063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733528129789892658" /></a>This is the largest daffodil bloom I have ever seen. It is freakishly huge and the stems bend under the weight of the flower. The colour succession on this flower is quite dramatic: the orange cup is surrounded by yellow petals that fade to white at the tips. Very interesting. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>The true identities of these daffodils may forever be a mystery to me. Just another reason to never trust a plant label.</div>O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-90969832587966432242012-04-11T11:25:00.012-04:002012-04-12T14:35:40.560-04:00An Exceptional Year for Daffodils<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAJ4_Svdm6GRQ4oyMofANPsos4ZSNlyID8PkDs30E9FaEu1JoF1JQr8WmvkSwoP8QKOduf_z0i3PolLgJqnI67k1WhgEZ3uZKxGEZ5Ka8nkn9wZVmlN2mbd-y9VixJxLj_tE-Dp9tpmA/s1600/Daffodil+Barret+Browning.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAJ4_Svdm6GRQ4oyMofANPsos4ZSNlyID8PkDs30E9FaEu1JoF1JQr8WmvkSwoP8QKOduf_z0i3PolLgJqnI67k1WhgEZ3uZKxGEZ5Ka8nkn9wZVmlN2mbd-y9VixJxLj_tE-Dp9tpmA/s320/Daffodil+Barret+Browning.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730318144651274354" border="0" /></a>It has been an exceptional year for daffodils. One of my favourites is "Barrett Browning," with its white petals and frilly orange cup. The water droplets are a nice touch. This daffodil has under-performed in the last two years. It is said to be a good naturalizer, however, so I hope it eventually finds its stride because it really is a beauty.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jyxT2XIEeoxCiL9vmamSur17GrOdkD-uMDcRg0W7AfmubADD1fkTn2gA99zyBHeraPCD921TQlF9lNTnyHd6r8E4AmtR1H5FRrAXQlskW6-0-rlrcDcFKjQ4Q46UlAdpHlE8sI3yv6g/s1600/Daffodil+Mnnow.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ok1sTsLGR_cIXf8TXOOx3lavI320j1He5S7-zEQO9wEc5PY1njO-gWKB_YgvFVASuCFoZKE09zwhgHbMZjWjqsNlmT6nv77v9BxhaPtzR8IB8QKWRujrhiG1brtqBQG0dWvDSFeKF04/s1600/Daffodil+Mnnow.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ok1sTsLGR_cIXf8TXOOx3lavI320j1He5S7-zEQO9wEc5PY1njO-gWKB_YgvFVASuCFoZKE09zwhgHbMZjWjqsNlmT6nv77v9BxhaPtzR8IB8QKWRujrhiG1brtqBQG0dWvDSFeKF04/s320/Daffodil+Mnnow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730324582721176642" border="0" /></a>"Minnow" is a miniature with a bloom about the size of a thumb print. Even a small grouping of "Minnow" looks very impressive as each stem can carry multiple blooms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CmYuVhQCtejswUcg824w7wIgELaI2gHMYutiMmUgxLrU-qgR5-Tl-Dha67GOPDOlv2blFTjAYEBGJyywfnhqPaN25EQlFANOQXgfHRJp8VyYzAgd_Y_1no2gDAyAM_0Hk17f_T4-jPg/s1600/King+Alfred+Daffodil.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CmYuVhQCtejswUcg824w7wIgELaI2gHMYutiMmUgxLrU-qgR5-Tl-Dha67GOPDOlv2blFTjAYEBGJyywfnhqPaN25EQlFANOQXgfHRJp8VyYzAgd_Y_1no2gDAyAM_0Hk17f_T4-jPg/s320/King+Alfred+Daffodil.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730577241448481234" border="0" /></a>The King Alfreds (<a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.ca/2009/04/daffodils-galore.html">which aren't really King Alfreds</a>) look stunning as usual.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq_Psq0gCCAxQyT4tCyPjDD0T2YiLes3KGRY2iGGVWd2JN9f-_KH4YVC0hdNvvAcRpvDmxxVgqvRHguc-Uo4pFlsjhl6q5h5TAL2pcw6zZOWrvv-vYV3_SsvyTPSCjgYZlCuK7tDFuIc/s1600/Daffodil+Tete-a-Tete.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq_Psq0gCCAxQyT4tCyPjDD0T2YiLes3KGRY2iGGVWd2JN9f-_KH4YVC0hdNvvAcRpvDmxxVgqvRHguc-Uo4pFlsjhl6q5h5TAL2pcw6zZOWrvv-vYV3_SsvyTPSCjgYZlCuK7tDFuIc/s320/Daffodil+Tete-a-Tete.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730580638306142914" border="0" /></a>Tete-a-Tete, another miniature, continues to bloom its little head off. The <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.ca/2012/03/time-for-tete-tete.html">first blooms</a> appeared in late March. This is a garden work-horse. I dare say it's a guaranteed bloomer even for gardeners who have a lot of bad luck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGIA51ACub1Ke5lwb_Ki6tG4-yVZhxvGSZzDlnQT_MZzd5aGSXje44dAa14gCf-rXldP8HijyI6Y76WI-NLezd-MKE3rUm2pWcfTt58GmjT0vnQxNrWyFa5EeRymginpNvi5GaDKc6us/s1600/Bunch+Two_Tone+Daffodil+Unknown.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGIA51ACub1Ke5lwb_Ki6tG4-yVZhxvGSZzDlnQT_MZzd5aGSXje44dAa14gCf-rXldP8HijyI6Y76WI-NLezd-MKE3rUm2pWcfTt58GmjT0vnQxNrWyFa5EeRymginpNvi5GaDKc6us/s320/Bunch+Two_Tone+Daffodil+Unknown.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730580665447211730" border="0" /></a>This unknown daffodil variety continues to be my favourite. It has returned reliably for years.<br /><br />I was worried for the daffodils during our March heatwave. But now that temperatures have returned to seasonal and even a little below seasonal, the daffodils seem quite content and I am more than happy to enjoy their long-lasting blooms.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-34366732095054558312012-03-26T18:36:00.006-04:002012-03-27T13:54:44.409-04:00Time for Tete-a-Tete<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5otYxM5vE5B_mxjjccx16t0xhGlF0KNGTa6WhKzCfLwHkDKWTx7KAwP9r0BnCvwdJeWgGCCkcG1hQ157Ilsx3HoFw-ew2N2_V-5ZGBsmYrE7nRurYeH1C3DSGjGU7g6aoknctm4kjJs/s1600/031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5otYxM5vE5B_mxjjccx16t0xhGlF0KNGTa6WhKzCfLwHkDKWTx7KAwP9r0BnCvwdJeWgGCCkcG1hQ157Ilsx3HoFw-ew2N2_V-5ZGBsmYrE7nRurYeH1C3DSGjGU7g6aoknctm4kjJs/s320/031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724346504879424610" /></a>The Tete-a-Tete daffodils have been in bloom for a couple of days already. Through sheer luck I've managed to place them in such a way that a few clumps are poking through the cinammon-peach foliage of the "Southern Comfort" Coral Bells. Despite my various attempts at garden design, some of the most pleasing combinations in the garden are simply a fluke.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lcpgSiBssWF7l-Ooqp831bmy17btfPFnuIf2yCU4b4Zk7VjOKP5u6FvnX0VWmyLHcKZ1KKwOdgJtlvWb3nfuMF8DvwIAPJLTrh8cQBpWAY3jSO1SnFsE1SRJspX5vrFf0wg210m9K4c/s1600/030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lcpgSiBssWF7l-Ooqp831bmy17btfPFnuIf2yCU4b4Zk7VjOKP5u6FvnX0VWmyLHcKZ1KKwOdgJtlvWb3nfuMF8DvwIAPJLTrh8cQBpWAY3jSO1SnFsE1SRJspX5vrFf0wg210m9K4c/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724346497547072562" /></a>Tete-a-Tete is a miniature daffodil with a real sense of drama. Notice how the petals flare back and away from the cup? That's some serious floral attitude.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX1fVO3WuF1gPlXw7BUljiWEOnumf9QGPEjDdsMA2xL2NTg113AG_qItKBmBqcCVHshuB3yatMXcRv02h9TxRBY5kbXu7BGRmxnrhFGcs6Q8sDJjR13bfeJJtQYGw2bLrAXO9K9_MyMs/s1600/029.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX1fVO3WuF1gPlXw7BUljiWEOnumf9QGPEjDdsMA2xL2NTg113AG_qItKBmBqcCVHshuB3yatMXcRv02h9TxRBY5kbXu7BGRmxnrhFGcs6Q8sDJjR13bfeJJtQYGw2bLrAXO9K9_MyMs/s320/029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724346468475702050" /></a><br /><div>There are so many reasons to grow Tete-a-Tete. The bulbs bloom reliably and profusely. The flowers are long-lasting, much more so than regular daffodils. Tete-a-Tete is a very early bloomer. Once the crocus are done, Tete-a-Tete fills the garden with sunshine. Their diminutive size is very charming. And, perhaps the reason I love them most: the squirrels don't touch them. If you are looking for an easy bulb that all but guarantees lots of blooms Tete-a-Tete is a winner.</div>O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-26335198573617999882012-03-22T12:42:00.005-04:002012-03-22T13:19:13.558-04:00Three New Crocus in Bloom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMUH3n8ZxgydECDGtQDKtE9KoM2X8N9Pd_NEa8Uu45wwYDc520OYzdKKuiehLcPr9fBp52NmTIt-tVLSWonHZkvS39G7qoi5ZaRWefgZh2JLtuv4jGQzKNL3veih4pcWRhs0SLwsAwrE/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMUH3n8ZxgydECDGtQDKtE9KoM2X8N9Pd_NEa8Uu45wwYDc520OYzdKKuiehLcPr9fBp52NmTIt-tVLSWonHZkvS39G7qoi5ZaRWefgZh2JLtuv4jGQzKNL3veih4pcWRhs0SLwsAwrE/s320/IMG_0974.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722763958937788434" /></a>The giant crocus are in bloom. Here's a nice bunch of "Pickwick." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-19iHP3bTau8lh2_IHhm2WrN1UnAZDfHb21Y5DGimLkH8aygT9CXIfpFxOHK73PGYKkWG_7GIt5ZrhxJnXO-tUOR5P8DvjbmIqnplhEzwiJgIFJ8n1Yl3kua_nQioCd91yZ0bSjZKOcY/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-19iHP3bTau8lh2_IHhm2WrN1UnAZDfHb21Y5DGimLkH8aygT9CXIfpFxOHK73PGYKkWG_7GIt5ZrhxJnXO-tUOR5P8DvjbmIqnplhEzwiJgIFJ8n1Yl3kua_nQioCd91yZ0bSjZKOcY/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722763947266221634" /></a>"Pickwick" is definitely the showiest crocus in the garden with its many stripes. If it weren't a flower it might be a delightful hard candy. It's certainly a popular choice among gardeners: I've seen many of these fancy crocus in bloom throughout the neighbourhood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbdOaVAMb5-WEs6_rJRyH6IM5nnXbVC6ruNLRzDwd2EShJULCR4ro5u7ILhW04peM5GnlDuH0rItpFycraXbb_BkMX8nUPnC30dDfXSBBd4l9sloPUL01ZkKbV-3tdrVg0Kp1w-Jvx6g/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbdOaVAMb5-WEs6_rJRyH6IM5nnXbVC6ruNLRzDwd2EShJULCR4ro5u7ILhW04peM5GnlDuH0rItpFycraXbb_BkMX8nUPnC30dDfXSBBd4l9sloPUL01ZkKbV-3tdrVg0Kp1w-Jvx6g/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722763939287464402" /></a>Another giant is "Jeanne d'Arc." It has a massive flower that is pure white.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iyWMCm5xVYDzS3exqQZZbWTCsADiND4zlFn1XZtS4MqODy8sbiMiHXsIxZ32G87hMT3ixplmzou-lSH22Vnt0SsmLue8iqzSJ2cn1ptpMUvzCXmtvEMqRjfXONMU11U1whfnStYbyqk/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iyWMCm5xVYDzS3exqQZZbWTCsADiND4zlFn1XZtS4MqODy8sbiMiHXsIxZ32G87hMT3ixplmzou-lSH22Vnt0SsmLue8iqzSJ2cn1ptpMUvzCXmtvEMqRjfXONMU11U1whfnStYbyqk/s320/IMG_0978.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722763930135275410" /></a>This is "Silver Coral," another white bloom distinguishable by its pale purple base.<br /><br />I'm still waiting to see Crocus "Advance." The first time I planted "Advance" the corms were mislabeled. I got what appears to be "Spring Beauty" instead. So I tried again, planting some "Advance" last fall but so far it has not made an appearance. Despite some confusion over the names of several similar white/purple varieties and the inevitable damage by squirrels, it has been an excellent year for the crocus.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-64406508084121886342012-03-20T13:42:00.005-04:002012-03-20T14:12:33.474-04:00Crocus: Yalta and Prince Claus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab-cQopK_ewm95y0Kzsm6QR1uR2JEyT_6yHse5t_h9WS-lRmz1Uy4JMevggBvpFk680DLwGRz4mq7lx1RtNt8QSY_3eIvLwAy5q4xfgnco1kyBD4RCrvdVBkoPj-_4WDG0c5b-s0_oQM/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab-cQopK_ewm95y0Kzsm6QR1uR2JEyT_6yHse5t_h9WS-lRmz1Uy4JMevggBvpFk680DLwGRz4mq7lx1RtNt8QSY_3eIvLwAy5q4xfgnco1kyBD4RCrvdVBkoPj-_4WDG0c5b-s0_oQM/s320/IMG_0967.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722036838704655154" /></a>Happy spring! There's one new crocus in bloom to welcome the changing of the season. Crocus "Yalta" was easy to identify with its distinct pattern of alternating purple and white petals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsq4R9KoJth-A6jh7qG8v0_934yI9AOVHGvgDwHnoei5MOril5qOH1gdaWwoT56u0d2cRNL7JW3rEi4PEu0vAoaQmRITC3YFvAymNH71HvWAh-vhrokL5R6zrpv5TyeQqZim-_RbHqlg/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsq4R9KoJth-A6jh7qG8v0_934yI9AOVHGvgDwHnoei5MOril5qOH1gdaWwoT56u0d2cRNL7JW3rEi4PEu0vAoaQmRITC3YFvAymNH71HvWAh-vhrokL5R6zrpv5TyeQqZim-_RbHqlg/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722036829750340850" /></a>Sadly, out of the twenty I planted, only two are in bloom. I've said it before and I'll say it again: squirrels! I hope these flowers make a comeback next spring. They are an eye-catcher.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGTrsX7tuBRb8moFUN3t5AAouGD8EHS7tvgHaMOsdTcr2sCdwoIbRoKYV_N1iujhjYwSA3mHE0Wp7eHFgF1sRzqg54K27B632u64KyiMdOgSGCDFtbJqf3RDyP-d7t0xi5nuD0x80gDE/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGTrsX7tuBRb8moFUN3t5AAouGD8EHS7tvgHaMOsdTcr2sCdwoIbRoKYV_N1iujhjYwSA3mHE0Wp7eHFgF1sRzqg54K27B632u64KyiMdOgSGCDFtbJqf3RDyP-d7t0xi5nuD0x80gDE/s320/IMG_0969.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722038982947743906" /></a>After staring at this bunch long enough I have convinced myself that these flowers are Crocus "Prince Claus." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t5zA6nMrOmpvtRrTOAZVzWsbKA1GuAkk5ZoeK0eSoZCE3s1xXRfgvoUUU8EDK68v0Ka8bzl5w-tp7-HnssuvnH7A_Lwv0WFImB31mPrqo3Wd81kFiLYyNqWnTZfe0ONDj5gLnQcGmBQ/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t5zA6nMrOmpvtRrTOAZVzWsbKA1GuAkk5ZoeK0eSoZCE3s1xXRfgvoUUU8EDK68v0Ka8bzl5w-tp7-HnssuvnH7A_Lwv0WFImB31mPrqo3Wd81kFiLYyNqWnTZfe0ONDj5gLnQcGmBQ/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722040276984394594" /></a>"Prince Claus" has what I would call "smudgy" purple highlights on the outside of the petals (as opposed to the distinct stripes and feathers of <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.ca/2012/03/another-early-crocus.html">Crocus "Fuscotinctus"</a>.<br /><br />There are a few crocus varieties that have yet to appear including some of the Dutch Giants but I would say the majority have bloomed and are already fading. Hard to believe that's the case on the first day of spring.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-28658855020181595722012-03-18T14:01:00.007-04:002012-03-18T14:37:35.013-04:00More Crocus and a Hellebore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZr6SaRmvv-NTMH5tuQziGjSAhkJz2ZY8eXBxgNcN2lBHGGAfKt9fOvQ8apoYzFGIeKjOxngsEkFbs8eV5WxI-CDSs6syPBj5epjEc7d6xgd2f_ZFnTEnqDvhYN0Gn-tgDF7zfw7-zJc/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZr6SaRmvv-NTMH5tuQziGjSAhkJz2ZY8eXBxgNcN2lBHGGAfKt9fOvQ8apoYzFGIeKjOxngsEkFbs8eV5WxI-CDSs6syPBj5epjEc7d6xgd2f_ZFnTEnqDvhYN0Gn-tgDF7zfw7-zJc/s320/IMG_0966.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721299251034624290" /></a>This is the prettiest bunch of crocus blooming in the yard right now. They were planted long before I kept track of plant names so I'm not sure what they are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzSfU6nDGeVon3Ntzd40HHHaCLRx89LT_Aq1SUtKUTwMzaw2ZwWCN3AewiZSI-Eu-zUhvct81jZ4aR1Oh9qedM4TQodHkWv6k-6Y8j_Xwih9ysTrs18ONyuzE1EQOeQf-M_l86HHjH8s/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzSfU6nDGeVon3Ntzd40HHHaCLRx89LT_Aq1SUtKUTwMzaw2ZwWCN3AewiZSI-Eu-zUhvct81jZ4aR1Oh9qedM4TQodHkWv6k-6Y8j_Xwih9ysTrs18ONyuzE1EQOeQf-M_l86HHjH8s/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721299861284153106" /></a>Now that I keep track of names I find it is not enough to stay on top of what's blooming. Last fall I planted an assortment of white crocus featuring purple highlights on the petals. Today, I can't tell any of them apart! They all looks so similar. My best guess: this one is Prince Claus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a6GL-qhd_08AY5pWOR1Ezy5bREY2NS5WaTI0-fSEBxbn4zVbWeopiDVJb4LxOLbHmZGgUrLTXpl99o_uKYi23P1L5a6unpTM3dv8IaVJaoIgwxh1sXMQYSxTBk9v-zhsv7THKJ4TLaA/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a6GL-qhd_08AY5pWOR1Ezy5bREY2NS5WaTI0-fSEBxbn4zVbWeopiDVJb4LxOLbHmZGgUrLTXpl99o_uKYi23P1L5a6unpTM3dv8IaVJaoIgwxh1sXMQYSxTBk9v-zhsv7THKJ4TLaA/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721301885510086434" /></a>This one looks like Spring Beauty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCRQcUSMxCJLlCpuhyphenhyphenNjDtvd_a6n6z2CIzSFWME7VsCB8ZoejpL2prwWs0OanWyGH1BNfPZprF-oCVBNkCszHlSA7vDQ9BL5YUzPFQZSWnhUc8NPM2HEo0ksQKxF2NejDX_ryDaM203k/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCRQcUSMxCJLlCpuhyphenhyphenNjDtvd_a6n6z2CIzSFWME7VsCB8ZoejpL2prwWs0OanWyGH1BNfPZprF-oCVBNkCszHlSA7vDQ9BL5YUzPFQZSWnhUc8NPM2HEo0ksQKxF2NejDX_ryDaM203k/s320/IMG_0963.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721304018346104594" /></a>Crocus Minimus?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindmdGvMBaf7Z0vj_5od-g4N9Rva5l4hz3vy17Lu75su6Y1Jrie4YBZ5tDGqnDabncjMrqF7TRzCDYJk4l41kvgz9RFxA8uI6Xa9bbu8duVOUMYvkmuSwXm6ZovBKJt11zjn1LN4WnROU/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindmdGvMBaf7Z0vj_5od-g4N9Rva5l4hz3vy17Lu75su6Y1Jrie4YBZ5tDGqnDabncjMrqF7TRzCDYJk4l41kvgz9RFxA8uI6Xa9bbu8duVOUMYvkmuSwXm6ZovBKJt11zjn1LN4WnROU/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721304898176443794" /></a>I have no idea. A valuable lesson learned: it's worth mapping what's planted where. It's also worth choosing a variety of distinct colours to make identification easier. No more white and purple combos for this garden.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBYp7-smGBiGX9UhO7B6ZqAiE80mMagQ6NqZWmfJKcHZ5tEFq5oS5u2xcK6fhcuNgBhfA1zs0YKFm8BF9DxHm2DQUb9qaVIPGjOjmSOCFSnqUzZFLEiT4hXu8g9WMxBWfgvc4jpZb2eQ/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBYp7-smGBiGX9UhO7B6ZqAiE80mMagQ6NqZWmfJKcHZ5tEFq5oS5u2xcK6fhcuNgBhfA1zs0YKFm8BF9DxHm2DQUb9qaVIPGjOjmSOCFSnqUzZFLEiT4hXu8g9WMxBWfgvc4jpZb2eQ/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721305703041825970" /></a>While the crocus are proving a bit confusing, there's no mistaking this garden stunner. Hellebore "Ivory Prince" is nodding slightly and very low to the ground, growing taller by the day. Whether I've got the right names or the wrong names, these winter blooms are a more than welcome sight. The garden season is off to a great start.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-89653463086790394262012-03-16T11:03:00.009-04:002012-03-16T11:43:57.759-04:00The Crocus Parade Continues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvhKoo2GAki96T2rZg660GE2Cblsnq4CipRojamSsGV-R4qSBKsjycglyEprcJ7oqSuo1axgAzC0-XCAEhfmD4p7tXD7tNn4h0Yez7K6cusB6sH4Uml_6D8E2YU0sro9hv-ZAb_l52aw/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvhKoo2GAki96T2rZg660GE2Cblsnq4CipRojamSsGV-R4qSBKsjycglyEprcJ7oqSuo1axgAzC0-XCAEhfmD4p7tXD7tNn4h0Yez7K6cusB6sH4Uml_6D8E2YU0sro9hv-ZAb_l52aw/s320/IMG_0946.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720511276996481154" /></a>I was worried for my crocus last night. Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch and warned of the potential for "toonie-sized" hail. Toonie-sized hail! That could dent a car. Were my crocus doomed? Fortunately, the storm was limited to a heavy downpour. The crocus are none-the-worse for wear. <br /><br />Blue Pearl is back for another year. There's an almost imperceptible dusting of lavender-blue on the outside of the petals. The insides are pearly white. This was easily my favourite selection from <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2011/04/crocus-blue-pearl.html">last year</a> but this year it is underperforming.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsM35uhQ6NcQokPSjM3q8pcDC7pRoY9VBNIn40xCgKGV5hoNU_ZsvHw46k2wcvjwUFkmIv22qe_xe9GgdERz7i7DAnNG4uQrQZBotrY3sSIrAAsWTAYYh8ZHu4L8n9d9wLLPj-I4d8zo/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsM35uhQ6NcQokPSjM3q8pcDC7pRoY9VBNIn40xCgKGV5hoNU_ZsvHw46k2wcvjwUFkmIv22qe_xe9GgdERz7i7DAnNG4uQrQZBotrY3sSIrAAsWTAYYh8ZHu4L8n9d9wLLPj-I4d8zo/s320/IMG_0948.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720514046944501794" /></a>I loved Blue Pearl so much last spring that I added <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2011/11/just-in-time.html">another 40 corms</a> to the garden last fall. I don't see them yet. A little disappointing for sure. I blame the squirrels.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGC6l9Q2bS7m5EfvFsOkjMIBbt1DImJyL-LycjEr9EGRogcH0Kb5PiTtp1A2UY6MNcT1c6_NWTH7ob-EUrCNauWMzJpWRnNS4JlUpo9pmAhnUS5UK8hJLEtpLsQfIZcZpbXE9B6jhoUA/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGC6l9Q2bS7m5EfvFsOkjMIBbt1DImJyL-LycjEr9EGRogcH0Kb5PiTtp1A2UY6MNcT1c6_NWTH7ob-EUrCNauWMzJpWRnNS4JlUpo9pmAhnUS5UK8hJLEtpLsQfIZcZpbXE9B6jhoUA/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720515588647683394" /></a>Squirrels did quite a bit of damage to Crocus Tricolour last year but these cheerful blooms seem to be making a comeback.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH7qulMKzTNmNHisuP0Kmw4zmUHESf28KGDdJEjN9pE1rjtgKxOz25_kj_RKFM1oauk7QA6aaBsXZa26SsJSdwI1r1XrHCX_6kXj3zpZe5617utYEvWciXToLY6MWwxuo7BHa3zibDaE/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH7qulMKzTNmNHisuP0Kmw4zmUHESf28KGDdJEjN9pE1rjtgKxOz25_kj_RKFM1oauk7QA6aaBsXZa26SsJSdwI1r1XrHCX_6kXj3zpZe5617utYEvWciXToLY6MWwxuo7BHa3zibDaE/s320/IMG_0950.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720516268037239858" /></a>These blooms feature an orange-yellow base, a band of white and purple-tipped petals. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-DdX_yW8nqmNcF-PjFYe2SDkZXQAk46waME44VqtihJlzKSPakjtZFgPnXhAbRC1yhqOi0LjxnSR9O_oO766FkcS_KvtYmbP9z0O9u7oaIQV4vr8KiP1BeSxgqnk-xQ5XUI_mxzzkWQ/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-DdX_yW8nqmNcF-PjFYe2SDkZXQAk46waME44VqtihJlzKSPakjtZFgPnXhAbRC1yhqOi0LjxnSR9O_oO766FkcS_KvtYmbP9z0O9u7oaIQV4vr8KiP1BeSxgqnk-xQ5XUI_mxzzkWQ/s320/IMG_0951.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720517774095413282" /></a>Ruby Giant is making a really great impression this year. Only one flower survived the squirrel onslaught <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2011/04/last-crocus.html">last year</a>. To have a group of four in bloom is a treat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkmI9Xig28XpBDCy4X9vIe7xbfVQVOxPUB0_46auHD6Sot9wivhceYIWA3WwH8zCejpXw6G1WxPgmMxlnWRQzvBHoH4JlxGJ573Un1yxOnbnpxm2rxbKki6Oo3pG8BcyTaGAYou2DHZA/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkmI9Xig28XpBDCy4X9vIe7xbfVQVOxPUB0_46auHD6Sot9wivhceYIWA3WwH8zCejpXw6G1WxPgmMxlnWRQzvBHoH4JlxGJ573Un1yxOnbnpxm2rxbKki6Oo3pG8BcyTaGAYou2DHZA/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720517243589217186" /></a>The purple of Ruby Giant is much deeper than that of Tricolour. It is definitely a drama queen among the crocus.<br /><br />There are many crocus still to come including: Jeanne d'Arc, Silver Coral, Pickwick, Prince Claus, Advance, Yalta, Minimus and Lady Killer. If you are able to deal with the disappointment of losing some corms to the squirrels, crocus are the perfect flower to kick start the gardening season.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-21342422308056888202012-03-15T09:31:00.002-04:002012-03-15T09:42:45.427-04:00Another Early Crocus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9poH4VzJq1zNM4CBkk2urARkh5k0FExVJQ4LbX3yr8EOCK9b4UZx9WU7vV3fevmuQk_X5UbotDfDyYS24ssxGoBIt929HH-qmpxa7OGtWuQjeimNfN3BIAbamdqlOlnGenYOFpRp86c0/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9poH4VzJq1zNM4CBkk2urARkh5k0FExVJQ4LbX3yr8EOCK9b4UZx9WU7vV3fevmuQk_X5UbotDfDyYS24ssxGoBIt929HH-qmpxa7OGtWuQjeimNfN3BIAbamdqlOlnGenYOFpRp86c0/s320/IMG_0938.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720116863598819890" /></a>Crocus Fuscotinctus is back for another year. I love the feathered, purple stripes on the petals but prefer the creamy, mellow yellow of <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-crocus.html">Crocus Romance</a>. Like Romance, Fuscotinctus is early compared to <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2011/04/crocus-fuscotinctus.html">last year</a>. Is it too soon to sense a theme for the garden season ahead?O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-51907251905312656962012-03-14T16:04:00.004-04:002012-03-14T16:18:14.533-04:00First Crocus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhrAtr8Ng3x5otT7AZebqubaTfvN4RoFuAjFzbAUs0-R5YubLOE7zUu9ujnWHpA-4FHbNhIAh5ijY31OLMf6NYYvW57ArBW3aVUB1N5j49mesXKbIR2P6lwRKAFuhceQvI9nMAV56i5M/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhrAtr8Ng3x5otT7AZebqubaTfvN4RoFuAjFzbAUs0-R5YubLOE7zUu9ujnWHpA-4FHbNhIAh5ijY31OLMf6NYYvW57ArBW3aVUB1N5j49mesXKbIR2P6lwRKAFuhceQvI9nMAV56i5M/s320/IMG_0940.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719847007790105938" /></a>Wow! The garden is really ahead of schedule. Crocus Romance is in full bloom one full month ahead of <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2011/04/crocus-romance.html">last year</a>. Romance first bloomed two days ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWw7mXgJy-v6Z4mnu0KpCiADhFd95I8ZxdsAiG1SJ7R_UUEgX0T-BxPOwV242pfwlK6BPSnbjKw-TPq_bBxFARjLvDZP7vxtiosPjO1inGk57DmU9vug5fjEO6e1IKxJAThz9Gynoh3s/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWw7mXgJy-v6Z4mnu0KpCiADhFd95I8ZxdsAiG1SJ7R_UUEgX0T-BxPOwV242pfwlK6BPSnbjKw-TPq_bBxFARjLvDZP7vxtiosPjO1inGk57DmU9vug5fjEO6e1IKxJAThz9Gynoh3s/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719847015419065234" /></a>I love these buttery yellow blooms. Remarkably, the squirrels have not touched them. I can't say that about all my crocus. Critter damage is apparent in some selections that are still emerging. Maybe the squirrels don't like yellow. I, on the other hand, am loving it! Bring on spring.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-13198319800415344122012-02-27T20:42:00.003-05:002012-02-27T20:52:41.744-05:00First Snowdrop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium8V2Nrj_HKpy3ia0n-Z2nt1yn0IfoUfLYns-B1aMaLIOP0kOycG6HnlUCAwVJhKuRTW-EkXaCFS3qgJlNvq3SZKd0PJP6JBLkpEDYi4ZJNp5xfGJ7Lywp0qpK3H9r1Cohv1CQNCvquY/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium8V2Nrj_HKpy3ia0n-Z2nt1yn0IfoUfLYns-B1aMaLIOP0kOycG6HnlUCAwVJhKuRTW-EkXaCFS3qgJlNvq3SZKd0PJP6JBLkpEDYi4ZJNp5xfGJ7Lywp0qpK3H9r1Cohv1CQNCvquY/s320/IMG_0926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713996863589888818" /></a><br />The temperature reached 9.3 degrees celcius today. Reason enough to get outside and do some garden clean-up. I found the first snowdrop of the year when I cleared away the dried stems of the calamint, which was also greening up at the crown. There's snow in the forecast later this week. Glad I was able to enjoy this February day in the garden.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-64789340691085226012012-02-21T14:47:00.004-05:002012-02-21T14:59:16.404-05:00Signs of SpringYou know it has been an unusual winter when daffodils are poking through the soil in February!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-F4iuZ7p1uXY38tVrcMsyF5Oxd2BQhGg4Sana_CkITCHHyU0fkzh_8DCdD1FR9LjacjD41OxIgAMtigq6oZQPvdx_l623iHLBZ9FclkPmx0FNVfDXODWWyByGIEojeNwwlYPMOafvd8/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-F4iuZ7p1uXY38tVrcMsyF5Oxd2BQhGg4Sana_CkITCHHyU0fkzh_8DCdD1FR9LjacjD41OxIgAMtigq6oZQPvdx_l623iHLBZ9FclkPmx0FNVfDXODWWyByGIEojeNwwlYPMOafvd8/s320/IMG_0920.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711678816258109618" /></a><br />These two snapshots were taken in a full-sun Hamilton-area garden over the weekend. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2r6jKdMFnDUdEwS3aDNNnOIfckJijZteFRshACRR_XJ30CxL4VpFNZtERhL8inZvSYkKKrDroGdw86o0IeYWlCRDX42N2Nl5ZZa4GzPkhbH6kdW7Ie7F11vLhgyT7xnjKHZwaJp_sLE/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2r6jKdMFnDUdEwS3aDNNnOIfckJijZteFRshACRR_XJ30CxL4VpFNZtERhL8inZvSYkKKrDroGdw86o0IeYWlCRDX42N2Nl5ZZa4GzPkhbH6kdW7Ie7F11vLhgyT7xnjKHZwaJp_sLE/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711678787789442562" /></a><br />In my own garden, the snow crocus are starting to push skyward. It won't be long now before the bulbs starts producing some fabulous colour. Can't wait!O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-24110026055374475862012-01-17T11:11:00.006-05:002012-01-17T11:29:48.448-05:00Garden Talk on the Evergreen Garden Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NEfQmxnbejk2B4CdS9SgzTaiiaPwJv7x5XOgPy28v8KEJUdHAx8vGffIyb8PJs7gdkQDufWbnwQg6rkx8OuHjLvH6bnZksBrTZkQz6Tj4DyV1MxDFQsZh6qeKQ61phQNIkW_BYHpYg0/s1600/DSC03414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NEfQmxnbejk2B4CdS9SgzTaiiaPwJv7x5XOgPy28v8KEJUdHAx8vGffIyb8PJs7gdkQDufWbnwQg6rkx8OuHjLvH6bnZksBrTZkQz6Tj4DyV1MxDFQsZh6qeKQ61phQNIkW_BYHpYg0/s320/DSC03414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698635286151167618" /></a><br />I'm looking forward this talk on the <a href="http://northtorontohorticulturalsociety.blogspot.com/2012/01/february-meeting-evergreen-brick-works.html">Evergreen Brick Works Garden Market</a> hosted by the <a href="http://northtorontohorticulturalsociety.blogspot.com/">North Toronto Horticultural Society</a>. I have always wanted to visit the market and am especially interested to learn about the native plant selections. I'll take notes and start planning ahead for spring planting (although it feels like I could plant today....our January has been CRAZY mild.) <br /><br />Toronto and area gardeners are more than welcome to attend. The talk is free. A $2 donation is suggested for refreshments. All the details are in the links.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-58284129495087554622011-11-11T12:03:00.004-05:002011-11-14T16:58:53.202-05:00Just In TimeI saw the first snowflake of November today. It was small and the moment was fleeting but it was snow nevertheless. Thankfully, the patio furniture is in the basement, the bulbs have been planted and the garden has been put to bed for another year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A0YlmGARK8AOpTA6v4QCIh_FavtVBmEwK7bouallREzPpoSwi5K3gd0FeDVnFGiBRh0LU4uXSToj87I2n9hBZOZtDnWoLUIoLYcacm2Wq7dv0Ir2SAHq0mzPiNLoDtVrwB-R-36ggY4/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A0YlmGARK8AOpTA6v4QCIh_FavtVBmEwK7bouallREzPpoSwi5K3gd0FeDVnFGiBRh0LU4uXSToj87I2n9hBZOZtDnWoLUIoLYcacm2Wq7dv0Ir2SAHq0mzPiNLoDtVrwB-R-36ggY4/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" border="0"alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673786704944987506" /></a><br />Here's what was in this year's box of bulbs:<br /><br />5 Narcissus "Variant"<br />10 Narcissus "Sorcerer"<br />30 Hyacinthoides "English Bluebells"<br />45 Scilla "Spring Beauty"<br />4 Camassia"Blue Melody"<br />6 Tulipa "Drumline"<br />10 Tulipa "Sylvestris"<br />20 Puschkinia "libanotica"<br /><br />Crocus in early spring are just about the best thing about gardening so I have added lots:<br /><br />12 Crocus "Jeanne d"Arc"<br />12 Crocus "Silver Coral"<br />12 Crocus "Pickwick"<br />20 Crocus "Prince Claus"<br />40 Crocus "Blue Pearl" (so stunning <a href="http://myrootsrundeep.blogspot.com/2011/04/crocus-blue-pearl.html">last spring</a> I just had to have more!)<br />20 Crocus "Advance"<br />20 Crocus "Yalta"<br />50 Snow Crocus "Minimus"<br />25 Snow Crocus "Lady Killer"<br /><br />Add that to all the bulbs planted the year before and the springtime garden promises to be stunning. Time to hunker down with some good books until spring returns once again.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-35851246989851143482011-10-14T11:02:00.004-04:002011-10-14T16:10:12.615-04:00Krazy for KatsuraI've slowly been moving the garden away from a focus on perennials to a focus on trees and shrubs. My tastes as a gardener are changing. I still love my purple coneflowers and veronica and salvia and my globeflowers and I always will. However, I'm loving the deadheading, weeding and dividing less and less every year. Scaling back the number of perennials in favour of trees, shrubs and groundcovers that will cover more garden space with less maintenance is the route I'm following. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOU8nPuG5uVCnCZZ9AV5okc77NzcgEeaAppZ-JYn-9Xsefb194v1B6Eda74g3YrZ7DFcrMTpGFcFfkAzUgsFHPyJBIzu4I32-nJH2e-BVBDmTMZSc6rLGm2MvqH9R2En1HG8lPCd5bHo/s1600/IMG_0780.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOU8nPuG5uVCnCZZ9AV5okc77NzcgEeaAppZ-JYn-9Xsefb194v1B6Eda74g3YrZ7DFcrMTpGFcFfkAzUgsFHPyJBIzu4I32-nJH2e-BVBDmTMZSc6rLGm2MvqH9R2En1HG8lPCd5bHo/s320/IMG_0780.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663365526361173506" /></a><br />I went to the garden centre looking for a tree to replace a sad, droopy Rose of Sharon that I had been cheering on for a decade. After a lacklustre and messy performance this summer I decided it had to go. I headed to the garden centre to find a replacement and as I pulled into the parking lot a tree ablaze in a fiery red caught my eye. It was a Katsura. Oh, I shopped around looking at all the great selections on sale but the Katsura had won me over and was as good as planted in my yard. The colour is amazing! I visit it often to sniff around...apparently when the leaves drop the tree gives off a scent similar to cotton candy. Admittedly caring for the tree will present some challenges. Katsuras like moist soil and my garden is very very dry. I will have to commit to a regular watering schedule in July and August. This will also help a Japanese Bloodgood Maple which lives opposite the Katsura and suffers from leaf scorch when neglected in the summer heat. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u_VWVnMYyN8Q8pnsIG1MFPjAi9_sPlli7bSCiwzK_RO1jQaHqY9EbvjBitcNmxJ6SsoKA4Nnx6erwgAnRebslH-LGsclIQQLQe-jPJXOBYmaAcIEwlTrmRc1cpoAmgmJDmeL-rmhe60/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u_VWVnMYyN8Q8pnsIG1MFPjAi9_sPlli7bSCiwzK_RO1jQaHqY9EbvjBitcNmxJ6SsoKA4Nnx6erwgAnRebslH-LGsclIQQLQe-jPJXOBYmaAcIEwlTrmRc1cpoAmgmJDmeL-rmhe60/s320/IMG_0788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663365548604078370" /></a>This isn't a Katsura. It's a maple out in Flamborough. It pretty much glows doesn't it? When mature the Katsura should take on a similar shape. It is going to be a thrill to watch it grow and glow.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-1064378104704812252011-06-07T11:56:00.003-04:002011-06-07T12:14:33.874-04:00Peony: Emile Debatene<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD0vjqawZyt_oYjeh1H924uVVE37TtA9-ILoOwxspM1FjcLiUHIp6qZZAM7NwELbiVH39wNSjY71KzIJ_4hVVVhN4rKQZ-7oewVQDTYJfshpXXtdx5uXnCUGSDtl9Fcb1xIcj9xiJCUA/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD0vjqawZyt_oYjeh1H924uVVE37TtA9-ILoOwxspM1FjcLiUHIp6qZZAM7NwELbiVH39wNSjY71KzIJ_4hVVVhN4rKQZ-7oewVQDTYJfshpXXtdx5uXnCUGSDtl9Fcb1xIcj9xiJCUA/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615508862788144370" /></a>I am over the moon about my new Emile Debatene peony. Just a few days ago the buds looked ready to burst. I don't have much pink in my garden and thought I didn't care for the colour. But these blushing buds caught my eye repeatedly from the kitchen door and even the upstairs window and quickly began to win me over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2AQMlMtVs50CY7vFVZ-jFKEAx9MrYNGkuwzR8btzLPnRhhAKGPQTj9lh1DRILpMHB1EAUKbMWETN0Hn2TuAjLYf6xlzOb84BmRV69eH2zBoaDPjoNlVG8grLz2ICM3a1yyohlY2-qxc/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2AQMlMtVs50CY7vFVZ-jFKEAx9MrYNGkuwzR8btzLPnRhhAKGPQTj9lh1DRILpMHB1EAUKbMWETN0Hn2TuAjLYf6xlzOb84BmRV69eH2zBoaDPjoNlVG8grLz2ICM3a1yyohlY2-qxc/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615508876174937426" /></a>Now in full bloom, these flowers have caused me to fall in love. I have to admit that I have been in somewhat of a garden rut for a few seasons. I still adore my coneflowers, salvia and globe thistles. And I still wait with great anticipation for the foxtail lilies to bloom. But there's no escaping the sameness of it all. The peony is new and exciting and I'm wondering why I never thought to grow one before.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-xeVuSBdbPf_WYKsqyNp1_umlpyxO0wVTsBtUyGi9dtjqvJEnr1LIz6zLQmPGpyv1PYIQ3FhVgW6ylbK_Z30AIWOXFbkJxVZU5-YioTuHqzDSQP2gmSYs3ntnJ_V8Kp_466ChrUs314/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-xeVuSBdbPf_WYKsqyNp1_umlpyxO0wVTsBtUyGi9dtjqvJEnr1LIz6zLQmPGpyv1PYIQ3FhVgW6ylbK_Z30AIWOXFbkJxVZU5-YioTuHqzDSQP2gmSYs3ntnJ_V8Kp_466ChrUs314/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615508863017908786" /></a>There was a huge downpour overnight with thunderclaps that woke me up several times. I was sure the peonies would be flopped over in the mud (as a first year peony grower I didn't think I would have enough success to require hoops or other supports). But the flowers stood up well to the conditions, bowing a bit but still standing. The fragrance of these flowers is also outstanding. Welcome to the garden Emile Debatene. You just made my day.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-68833333630612355372011-05-23T09:35:00.009-04:002011-05-23T19:10:12.040-04:00The Gardens at St. James Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zwAjoZzuOzgsZl2vzZRPs0VWOeqscldVlcq_rMBjhU62_i110swp3hZ4nvuyOfkDrrUI9_A5C5WfM72jM9PkAly0w-1u2hUqrjI068BUKVFSnVIjZ7Wt0Twrc4-v_1JeiRdxPGYqrnw/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zwAjoZzuOzgsZl2vzZRPs0VWOeqscldVlcq_rMBjhU62_i110swp3hZ4nvuyOfkDrrUI9_A5C5WfM72jM9PkAly0w-1u2hUqrjI068BUKVFSnVIjZ7Wt0Twrc4-v_1JeiRdxPGYqrnw/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609905335172107442" /></a>The Gardens at St. James Park in downtown Toronto looked absolutely beautiful this weekend. I took advantage of a break in the rain to walk by and take a peek. The flowers were enough to make me forget all about our cold, soggy spring. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuQKL0361aoku34X2Zjk6y9RknTCgElCLyy5ALPpY-b_AgBVCLgFBIOJioZxOSeaE1TtMB7ipF59V2q1NftYaUG1C2TrX2zw-oiI5kehGJOFpoiMAx5voXFfur-tcb5iuPbGkhB_Aklg/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuQKL0361aoku34X2Zjk6y9RknTCgElCLyy5ALPpY-b_AgBVCLgFBIOJioZxOSeaE1TtMB7ipF59V2q1NftYaUG1C2TrX2zw-oiI5kehGJOFpoiMAx5voXFfur-tcb5iuPbGkhB_Aklg/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610041012538029426" /></a>It seemed to me there were tulips by the thousands. The gardens are modest in size but appear expansive, largely because only one tulip type is featured. Everywhere my eyes landed, there were more and more tulips. A great effect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBpI6s5JTk24pZdt4N5KE4_PCPu1B_cwV0sTKCaAoSaveseRK5e5R63VQAdmA9c2r87L3yHdq6pWcczgLOwFtUbtMBLbXr06stJvNARzMZMowi1RtRlp6pvm7is1F9WnKKLVq0aHRFJU/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBpI6s5JTk24pZdt4N5KE4_PCPu1B_cwV0sTKCaAoSaveseRK5e5R63VQAdmA9c2r87L3yHdq6pWcczgLOwFtUbtMBLbXr06stJvNARzMZMowi1RtRlp6pvm7is1F9WnKKLVq0aHRFJU/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610040989314936722" /></a>The featured tulips were deep pink with a white-edged petal. Remarkably there didn't appear to be any squirrel damage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7IhuBijo7ghO4BlXlFrZRqfSGT87jcWRhEF-lPqonKvmoT7ffJv4bkHuxMRP3_gl-TZu0oElBAzDQuURU-xow9GY26JYKvYJCLkwTu1m8eN9W4M7fHqT7OMzjA-NHRDQ-TxuOlO-S-A/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7IhuBijo7ghO4BlXlFrZRqfSGT87jcWRhEF-lPqonKvmoT7ffJv4bkHuxMRP3_gl-TZu0oElBAzDQuURU-xow9GY26JYKvYJCLkwTu1m8eN9W4M7fHqT7OMzjA-NHRDQ-TxuOlO-S-A/s320/IMG_0158.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610041004449919042" /></a>Different varieties of tulips were planted outside the main beds including this beautiful selection featuring dramatic curves in a pink blush. There was also a deep shade bed which appeared to be a work in progress and two large beds that were more naturalistic in style but I could barely tear myself away from the main show.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnUmVcGpuA-S86ZmgphKVq1VvDVFNKMeVRc2MblQ0nadh6QuPdnt8oizEmP0zzB10my216jrIrBhVtbbSeW9wU0G0F7itqBXGPGLD5DU3ithSdkX3jNXrkoQaCSzKLOfuf81TxRZNI4w/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnUmVcGpuA-S86ZmgphKVq1VvDVFNKMeVRc2MblQ0nadh6QuPdnt8oizEmP0zzB10my216jrIrBhVtbbSeW9wU0G0F7itqBXGPGLD5DU3ithSdkX3jNXrkoQaCSzKLOfuf81TxRZNI4w/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610045301895565426" /></a>The gardens are right beside St. James Cathedral which is a very impressive structure for those whose interests lean more to architecture and history.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUTrVdIc-QPex9iMjkP3IccTa5HcbtpkEn6tZctDceY9wwkf0O9AwQy3qdGkPJGNxz71U3M-o29XVspHI2fHACknVfce6V8zvTgq-C9pVUlaknaglUOM9ELRjHv6eutyeflxCAj-W7Qw/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUTrVdIc-QPex9iMjkP3IccTa5HcbtpkEn6tZctDceY9wwkf0O9AwQy3qdGkPJGNxz71U3M-o29XVspHI2fHACknVfce6V8zvTgq-C9pVUlaknaglUOM9ELRjHv6eutyeflxCAj-W7Qw/s320/IMG_0153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610041014236601522" /></a>I'm not sure if the city or a garden club plants and looks after these gardens. Whoever is responsible deserves a great big thank you. I'll be sure to visit this park again in summer to see what's growing. If it's even half as lovely as the tulip display it will be well worth the visit. If you ever find yourself at King and Church give yourself a few minutes to enjoy this beautiful space.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-45307137315164633482011-05-19T22:16:00.010-04:002011-05-19T23:11:47.356-04:00Showcase of Native Plants<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSL1vsddUWQrvzJPy6zZUDaL4OS6h1XnuBn1PqRIPwulmDdIhQr6XXTAFFo3Mag0bWKR76rJGholcWO0492tdnKVxVfRsk5uMSD2clJfAnlsZVqvNrGXuUi1CVo9X3ZcoUqHxJ7JT-9c/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSL1vsddUWQrvzJPy6zZUDaL4OS6h1XnuBn1PqRIPwulmDdIhQr6XXTAFFo3Mag0bWKR76rJGholcWO0492tdnKVxVfRsk5uMSD2clJfAnlsZVqvNrGXuUi1CVo9X3ZcoUqHxJ7JT-9c/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608617547603487762" /></a><br />The rain and cool temperatures have been great for the garden. Everything is looking lush and the blooms are lasting for a long time. The woodlanders like the native <span style="font-style:italic;">tiarella cordifolia</span> above are especially beautiful right now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7sujXL21cJGHAIs4fVIvTJquWJ8GK5tr5dp1snoiCmM8laOQfzKA3VOQ9M9zOL_P4_JEZicMT16rze6Dc8WIXKqHxH667bSF7715Czm4IwMzFgeeRjbCNS4SlYb44uTKZVJFNV2evC4/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7sujXL21cJGHAIs4fVIvTJquWJ8GK5tr5dp1snoiCmM8laOQfzKA3VOQ9M9zOL_P4_JEZicMT16rze6Dc8WIXKqHxH667bSF7715Czm4IwMzFgeeRjbCNS4SlYb44uTKZVJFNV2evC4/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608618513323187858" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;">Geranium maculatum </span>or wild geranium has done very well. The blooms are abundant and the foliage is spreading into a lovely ground cover. The geranium is growing under a mature fir tree so it receives considerable shade. The soil is poor and the root competition fierce but the wild geranium is taking it in stride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiV2C1oyCJnzTMhyphenhyphenvXnxpmyzDBrVhuz-TDYDqN-r4-6-sLs72tsCPW2Dm7wxMYr6fbQRBmoVuEHsajkqPrdHMntjKu79nejsPHY3Nh7YDj97ovTqF1DKJpuqqEBHB3HA-DmsJb0SsKOQ/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiV2C1oyCJnzTMhyphenhyphenvXnxpmyzDBrVhuz-TDYDqN-r4-6-sLs72tsCPW2Dm7wxMYr6fbQRBmoVuEHsajkqPrdHMntjKu79nejsPHY3Nh7YDj97ovTqF1DKJpuqqEBHB3HA-DmsJb0SsKOQ/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608620061104883410" /></a>Here's another shot of the wild geranium. For a plant that produces such a delicate little blooom it's actually quite tough. This is a native plant of Ontario.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoLMbTxwPQapsx8zQWoORid3nvGH46Qs9ieSjXm_-W6Tmd3EoYpbHJU7fIOz7Hs5YDCSIDCErJk_j5iKqRb5DQmv0SBVYibeAHklM4gT01WizafLSvfjwCjnwsvWnUD1Go3uvnhOpLG4/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoLMbTxwPQapsx8zQWoORid3nvGH46Qs9ieSjXm_-W6Tmd3EoYpbHJU7fIOz7Hs5YDCSIDCErJk_j5iKqRb5DQmv0SBVYibeAHklM4gT01WizafLSvfjwCjnwsvWnUD1Go3uvnhOpLG4/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608621103353321602" /></a>It took about three years for the wild columbine to take off but now that it has there is no stopping it. I started with a handful of plants and allowed them to self-seed over the years. They have established a lovely ring around the base of the eastern redbud. The columbine gets almost full sun in early spring before the tree canopy fills in, plunging the garden into almost full shade. <span style="font-style:italic;">Aquilegia canadensis</span> is another great native.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWo9qRrkvQB84rBqK3JAglTv0_S44-0H2WidRKQQWayO1A1YTpgQ2V9buntm1-FggPUFu2tHGyBU2aL5PnePIQQIBWNb6pWlLZnBWVi8BHlWxlFvr5U7Jnd_Bf4d7k4n9BEago-p3umg/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWo9qRrkvQB84rBqK3JAglTv0_S44-0H2WidRKQQWayO1A1YTpgQ2V9buntm1-FggPUFu2tHGyBU2aL5PnePIQQIBWNb6pWlLZnBWVi8BHlWxlFvr5U7Jnd_Bf4d7k4n9BEago-p3umg/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608623609313466002" /></a>I'm on a roll with the native plants. This wood poppy (<span style="font-style:italic;">stylophorum diphyllum</span>) was a volunteer, nestled in among the wild columbine. These plants seed themselves so willingly. It makes me wonder why they aren't thriving in the wild. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7gpqOew3KPYLXvZgZemwgYRyzJE0YGy_7Opzc9S_UYwsQHOy0QzEhQfQ_8VDz38JIZb9UCVcIke-ySumx37PGbPHSTLvG2K1BOHaiNfhncaVVme7cwAMZ0Fa2p07itQT977rWPGL038/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7gpqOew3KPYLXvZgZemwgYRyzJE0YGy_7Opzc9S_UYwsQHOy0QzEhQfQ_8VDz38JIZb9UCVcIke-ySumx37PGbPHSTLvG2K1BOHaiNfhncaVVme7cwAMZ0Fa2p07itQT977rWPGL038/s320/IMG_0094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608622725536298162" /></a>Every shade garden needs some Solomon's Seal. Check! This was a pass-along plant and it keeps on giving and giving. After only a few years I have already divided it a few times. It's a very elegant plant that is great for shade. I'm not sure what variety of Solomon's Seal this is but am fairly sure it is one of our natives and a lovely one at that.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5900238379964492619.post-71948544936126213012011-05-13T14:30:00.003-04:002011-05-13T15:00:25.840-04:00Mitella Diphylla: Mitrewort or Bishop's Cap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-aWAiZ1ICVzydAv-u5IK5zjsUOyqVJIOHHh4SwMdyjJIaA0D9nY2fgvNuf5oIdRRdFVsQ6_hTVNvlO3A9wJege0QylFuHJ1JW_4vlKxeRHPJHP3za5vdpCsdz-6wSzzhdKp9ay8wfsg/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-aWAiZ1ICVzydAv-u5IK5zjsUOyqVJIOHHh4SwMdyjJIaA0D9nY2fgvNuf5oIdRRdFVsQ6_hTVNvlO3A9wJege0QylFuHJ1JW_4vlKxeRHPJHP3za5vdpCsdz-6wSzzhdKp9ay8wfsg/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606270827902199218" /></a>Mitella Diphylla is a fabulous little plant for the woodland garden. It enjoys spring sunshine and is among the first perennials to bloom sending up sprays of stems covered in miniature white flowers. When the summer heat kicks in it prefers shade. The flowers fade but the neatly mounded light green foliage remains throughout summer. It prefers moist soil but does quite well for me in average to dry soil. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SYLnVHMWvbJTz-9SsqJG9Iw5-yiQYeexSX9j73Q7LRdwZx9PENZ2b6vBCjTVXEKy85wHEByhzzRgXI8A54i3M-q6Cq7Pui4Zb0RfPi64-JBH3vFQTojpqzQFZpfQWQ5Ta7mAtAGc_RU/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SYLnVHMWvbJTz-9SsqJG9Iw5-yiQYeexSX9j73Q7LRdwZx9PENZ2b6vBCjTVXEKy85wHEByhzzRgXI8A54i3M-q6Cq7Pui4Zb0RfPi64-JBH3vFQTojpqzQFZpfQWQ5Ta7mAtAGc_RU/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606270819145505138" /></a>From a distance the flowers create a white haze above the foliage. It is really worth getting up close to see the flowers. They are reminiscent of snowflakes. I have never seen this plant available at garden centres. I picked it up a few years ago at the High Park Native Plant Sale. There is always a great <a href="http://www.highparknature.org/wiki/uploads/Resources/Plant_List_Apr_9.pdf"> selection </a>of natives available. While I love to gawk at all the newest plant selections to see the latest, greatest colour or the biggest, fanciest blooms, I find I am often more thrilled with the understated beauty and sheer reliability of native plants.O.I.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187071254424223374noreply@blogger.com2