Within hours my Mom will be here from the cold and snow of Canada, and I’ve picked some Dahlias, Thalictrum, and Hydrangeas for her. The Dahlias haven’t done all that well so far this year – the early hot dry spell followed by rainy weather at Christmas has left them a little tattered, but there is plenty of time left for better blooms.
I’m really not sure why I grow ‘Glads’, as my Grandpa used to call them. I selected the subtlest of the available colours – 2 different softish pinks, and planted them around orange trees in a raised bed on the sunny side of the water tank. They have gone wild, shooting up in all directions, more every year, covering up the young orange trees and the runner beans behind them. I’m sure it’s the mixture of 3 manures (llama, chicken, and sheep) that made them go so mad – they are relatively normal where I’ve transplanted some to the other side of the water tank.
Well, we have gone from an extra rainy October to a dry and now hot November. It’s been like the middle of summer these last few weeks. Many of the rose blooms just wilted on the bush, and the Hydrangeas have burst into flower.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – Hydrangeas”
I cut as many sweet peas as I could this morning to keep the flowers coming and had enough for vases for home and work and friends. It’s wonderful, although it made me a bit late for work.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – Cupani Sweet Peas”
A week of sunshine and suddenly all of the roses are out, and I’m trying to pick all the Sweet Peas to keep them going. I still haven’t put the tomatoes out though, in case a big wind comes up.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – Roses and Sweet Peas”
The kettle belonged to C’s parents, originally used for boiling water on a wood stove, but stored in a cupboard over the last few years. When C found it, the lid fell off and almost broke his toe – it takes 2 hands to carry it when full of water. I’m looking forward to having it boiling ready for a cup of tea on the wood cook stove next winter.
Here are my favourite pink roses: English Rose ‘Gertrude Jeykll’, Delbard ‘Chartreuse de Parme’, and Rugosa Rose ‘Anne Endt’.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – Pink Roses with Pinks and Ixias”
Graham Thomas is a lovely colour, and a beautiful shape and fruity scent. I had to pull all the leaves off though, they were so black spotty, whereas the Iceberg is also beautiful and scented and has beautiful healthy leaves. However it’s the supporting actor not the star.
C’s Dad passed away this week, having fought cancer bravely and gained a hard won year. For him, the end was a blessing I think as he was in a lot of pain yet struggled with the effect of the painkillers on his ability to communicate.
I know this doesn’t really belong in this meme – however growing and gathering and photographing flowers is my main creative expression at the moment so… all things come into it.
Continue reading “In a Vase on Monday – a sad week”
It’s been a wet Spring, and this seems to have lengthened the bulb season. Roses are starting to bloom, and we still have a few Narcissi and Freesias, and lots of Iris, Ixia, and Anemones. There is even one last Tulip. The Columbine are just starting, and Lily seedlings are coming up like grass in the humus-ey soil where I’ve retained the bank with old logs.
