Monday, April 13, 2009

Hosta and Viola

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"
- Mark Twain


'Thaila' Daffodil

Tulip


Hosta 'Eskimo Pie'

I created a flower bed last year under my Tulip Tree on the North side of my home. I have been slow on planting in it as I keep changing my mind as to what I want so I started with a few plants. Some pictures here last year of the flower bed. Saturday I planted Hosta 'Eskimo Pie'. This Hosta can tolerate a little sun, which it will receive from the East in the early morning hour. It reaches 20-24" high and 30" wide. White flowers on 30" scapes in midsummer.


As a companion plant I planted Viola 'Cornuta Purple Showers'. It is also a shade loving plant that reaches 6-8" high and about 12" wide. Its evergreen leaves support star shaped flowers and if cut back in the summer can produce a second blooming. I thought the purple would be a beautiful contrast to Eskimo Pie's pale yellow centers.


The rest of the day I spent spreading a yard (pickup truck full) of mulch. Ugh! But once finished the flower beds look so pretty. This year I will be able to sit back an enjoy the garden more. As some of you may know I spent last year planting about 70% of my flower beds. ....... but I will confess I am one to always find a new flower bed or landscape project. LOL

Thursday, April 9, 2009

April Days

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.You know how it is with an April day.When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.But if you so much as dare to speak,

a cloud come over the sunlit arch,And wind comes off a frozen peak,


And you're two months back in the middle of March."- Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926


Thursday, April 2, 2009

First Day of April


A lovely little daffodil

Some early wild tulips getting ready to open. I noticed the seed there on the ground from the bird feeder. Uh-oh!
Vinca

Hmm I 'm not sure what this is I believe I planted some bulbs here, but didn't mark it. Heck this could even be a weed. We'll wait to see....

And this will be the first year for this liatris. At least I think this is what it is? I planted in a flurry last fall and didn't mark everything. Which is ok to me because I do like surprises sometimes.