We are approaching the part of spring that is sort of an in-between season. Most of the bulbs, including the big three, crocuses, tulips and daffodils, are done. The bluebells are fading, almost to the point of being weeded in certain areas. The little iris are in their second half. The trees have finished their colorful week. It will be a month before the summer two-month period of color riot will start with the Asiatic lilies.
So what is to be done with or made of, this in- between season?
Well for one thing it is time for hosta. They are fresh and clean. They get bigger and bigger. The blues are bluer and the yellows are crisp. Today I moved one big established plant that was crowding out this marvelous new trillium. I enjoy the instant gratification of a giant hosta appearing out empty space.
It is also time for indoor plants to go outside. In my case that is the orchid cactus plants. At the same time they cannot go hang in the walnut tree, as it does not have enough leaves yet. It is going to get crowded under the crabapple trees. The actual orchids should wait another week or two until the upper 30’s get out of the forecast.
Finally it is time for annuals. There are the proverbial impatiens in amongst the hosta. I just planted nasturtiums around the pond. In a few weeks I will plant the caladium, designed for color in late summer.
And of course there really are lots of things just coming into bloom. The tree peonies began to bloom a few days ago. The allium are starting. I think there will even be a few blooming orchids in time for my plant sale in a week. There are shooting stars and pasque flowers. I guess the difference is that you have to look a little harder to find the color.
Did I mention weeds? There is this one weed that is so everywhere that we call it the ground cover weed. So you weed a little here and a little there, pulling up some things that are finished, trying hard not to pull up the crocus bubs.
But there are pictures, even some that are pretty nice.
Here is one of the shooting star clumps. If you can find the time, you should really go to Rochester cemetery. There are shooting stars by the thousands.
This is one of the tree peonies. Check out the bonus picture of the whole plant. It is a focal point plant. That means a plant that is capable of drawing your focus from across the yard.
This is a little alliums, acting as a forerunner for the great big ones in 2-3 weeks. As stars go, it is good.
Finally there is this exquisite yellow iris. I couldn’t decide whether the top view or the side view was best. So the side view is in the bonus picture section.
So what do you like this week? Last week the four great pictures just about completely split you votes four ways. The Monsella tulips just edged out the other three, who were in a dead heat. I think you will see most of those pictures again this fall.
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In the bonus pictures there are additional pictures of the four selected pictures.
There are also other high points from this week. The hosta is June, one of the most colorful hosta. The trillium is the same as the picture one week ago. The flowers turn from white to pink as they age. The yellow plumey things are fairy bells, a more cultivated version of the merry bells found in the woods this time of year. The botanical name is dispoum flavum.
The amaryllis has just gone outside, having finally decided it is time to bloom. I love to have a few wait to bloom for springtime. Talk about your focal plant.
Enjoy the week and if you are in the neighborhood come by next Saturday morning for my spring sale.
Philip
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