Spring Progresses

I should be north of Gainesville by now, approaching Cleveland, on my way to Blairsville and a gardening conference, but . . . . Mother Nature had other plans. There is no escaping the fact that North Georgia is "under the gun" for storms today - rain, wind, perhaps hail and tornadoes. So, I am staying home and consoling myself with this photograph I took the other day -- and some others. More to come . . .

We have a name!

Thank you, Marcia Winchester, for identifying the plant I posted on April 17!

"Hyacinthoides hispanica or Spanish Bluebells. It is an old fashion bulb that loves to multiply. It likes moisture in spring (not standing water). It has also been called Scilla campanulata."

I have already e-mailed my daughter to ask her to let me know when they start turning brown, so I can go and dig some up. If for no other reasons (and I think there are many!), the color alone will complement lots of other plants in my garden perfectly.

What Is This?

My daughter Christina and her husband, Ryan, bought a 30+ year old house last summer/early fall, that had stood empty for three year, with a close to one-acre, overgrown yard. The original owners had installed lovely garden areas and we are now in the process of identifying some of the plants. There are Daylilies and Hostas everywhere, Bearded Irises, shrubs that include Rose of Sharon, Holly, Crape Myrtle, Hydrangea, Azalea, Camelia, and such trees as Dogwood and Japanese Maple, as well as old. old, old Maples and Oaks. This plant (pictured) is everywhere. It seems to be a bulb and the bell-shaped flowers are gorgeous. I know I have seen it before, I should know what it is, but . . . . I cannot think of a name. Do you know?

"Bloom Day"

Today is April 2010 Bloom Day and my most spectacular bloomer is a huge Rosemary.

Cherry Blossoms in Georgia

Say "cherry blossoms", and everyone immediately thinks of Washington, D.C. But, there's more to know about this Flowering Cherry of Japanese origin. After I photographed this specimen today, I went home to my computer to research it and - guess what! - I think I've made a "find".

According to the USDA Natural Conservation Resources Services' web site, the Prunus serrulata Lindl. is only found in California and Massachusetts in this country. But I know where there is one - at least one! - in Georgia.

Regardless, it's a gorgeous tree and this photograph only barely is an indication of its beauty.

"Black" Tulips

The "puny" tulips (plants) are producing some mighty nice blooms! This morning I had to visit them with a watering can before I could take their picture (pollen!). Strangely enough, the ones in my backyard are darker than the ones in my front yard (same variety!), but who cares? They look good!

Yard Art - Garden Fairy

I am not a raving fan of yard art, and only have a very few pieces in my garden, but this fairy said “buy me”, when I saw it in an antique shop the other day. Now, with a bird poised on the tip of her foot, sitting on a marble ball atop a long pole, she watches over my Rosemary.