Who is ready for some blooms?

As of day before yesterday, my neighbor has the year's very first blooms; some wonderful bright purple crocus on the sunniest side of their home are shining at me through my kitchen window. My yard is still barren of blooms. It should be a bit before I see any- as my earliest bulbs are planted in some shadier, later to thaw spots. I did get smart to the idea of planting a few spring flowers in the sunniest spots, but they are later tulips and daffs, and still have a ways to grow.

 

Note to self: plant some crocus in the sunniest spot.

 

Nary a pansy can be found at the local garden centers yet. (Sigh)

 

I'm ready for some blooms. I'm even watching the forsythia like a hawk, circling it, waiting for that first gold yellow bloom.

 

In the meantime, here are some last years favorite blooms:

A creamy white, almost yellow daylily- I have the name somewhere, can't find it at the moment.

Ms. Eileen dahlia.

Kogana mix dahlias.

Kogana dahlia in red.

Fluerel Dahlia.

Cappuccino Rudbeckia

Garden Wonder, my favorite red dahlia.

Peaches and Cream nasturtium.

Myrtle's Folly dahlia.

Giant dahlia Emory Paul towers over roses.

A self sown sunflowers fed so many bees.

Mums re blooming a fall effort.

Don't they just seem to smile at you?

 

Happy gardening!

Major Loss a Reason to Start Anew

I know, they are just plants... but I'm still mourning the loss of my dahlia collection in a tough way. Last year, my knitting business was more than a full time endeavor, and I ran out of time, and frankly energy, to properly store my dahlias in the way I usually do. I was desperate for an alternative to leaving them out in the cold to die, and tried storing them in a crawl space under our house. I shouldn't say I TRIED- I was so busy I was not involved at all- my husband and kids did it all for me! This week, we finally dipped into the stock to see how they did, and they've all perished. Probably about 70 of them. Years of collecting and caring, gone. Normal me would totally be devastated, to the point of tears. I didn't have time or energy for tears. It is what it is. Instead, I budgeted and started recollecting. I've taken a positive spin on things, and decided this is a great reason to get some varieties I've always wanted to try! So here's one last tribute to the collection of years past:

Pineland's Princess:

Kogana Fubuki:

Akita:

Garden Wonder:

I replaced Akita, one of my favorites! I also bought more of Arabian Night. I've ordered a few stunners, includin Mrytle's Folly, Gallery Dahlia Art Deco, and Fluerel (supposedly the white Kelvin Floodlight). I've also finally treated myself to a Giant Ball Dahlia, and Pon Pom types, too. Very excited for new things to come... and even if a few orders have to be less than early, or I need to put my shop in vacation mode, I will be storing them properly this year. You live, you learn.

Happy gardening!