Bloomday March 2017
Though not the only blooms here I managed to patch together a post for Bloomday after toiling at the office -so intent was I on getting rid of the remaining weeds (after spending most of a 4 day weekend on the effort) I pulled for nearly and hour on the hellstrip before I even realized it was Bloomday. Looming rain events next week have created a sense of urgency to at least get the worst of the weed invaders dispatched before the soil is yet again too waterlogged for efficient removal. Have I already complained that this is the worst spring weed episode I have experienced since moving to Norcal in 1986 ?
The bright spot has been the Tulips, which have thrived this year and given me enjoyment for several weeks. I think I finally nailed a succession that extends the season beyond a two week period. I'm already making plans for next year. Tulips are quite borderline here and you just don't know what you are going to get or for how long.
The first to bloom this year was T. sylvestris which is a smaller more delicate flower (2 per bulb) which I planted with 'Green Star' .
This is the green tulip 'Virichic' which I will definitely order again next year but will group with Green Star and sylvestris. Quantities will be doubled up.
My favorite this year is 'Kings Orange' a Triumph tulip . I don't like the combination with Virichic, they just look awkward together to me so I'm pondering a new companion for 2018.
Close up 'Kings Orange' .
This is 'Rosalie'. I planted her alone but next year I think I will order a white that blooms at the same time (hopefully). Still to come is the Darwin tulip 'Big Smile' which is a yellow that has naturalized in my garden and has bloomed reliably for over ten years.
Not all is Tulips...
Eccremocarpus 'Tresco Gold'. This is my second go round with this and I have found that the color is variable.It will be replaced this spring at some point.
Fuchsias blooming in March is not usual here, but 'Hawkshead' must be close enough to the house to enjoy a warmer micro-climate. It never died back this winter even when we dipped into the 20's.
Euphorbia myrsintes with Geranium 'Bill Wallis'. Bill is being severely edited this spring . He is way too happy.
This Erygium isn't blue yet, but I decided it counts !
Be sure to check out the global blooming treats at May Dreams Gardens where Carol continues to be our gracious hostess on the 15th of every month.
The bright spot has been the Tulips, which have thrived this year and given me enjoyment for several weeks. I think I finally nailed a succession that extends the season beyond a two week period. I'm already making plans for next year. Tulips are quite borderline here and you just don't know what you are going to get or for how long.
The first to bloom this year was T. sylvestris which is a smaller more delicate flower (2 per bulb) which I planted with 'Green Star' .
This is the green tulip 'Virichic' which I will definitely order again next year but will group with Green Star and sylvestris. Quantities will be doubled up.
My favorite this year is 'Kings Orange' a Triumph tulip . I don't like the combination with Virichic, they just look awkward together to me so I'm pondering a new companion for 2018.
This is 'Rosalie'. I planted her alone but next year I think I will order a white that blooms at the same time (hopefully). Still to come is the Darwin tulip 'Big Smile' which is a yellow that has naturalized in my garden and has bloomed reliably for over ten years.
Not all is Tulips...
Eccremocarpus 'Tresco Gold'. This is my second go round with this and I have found that the color is variable.It will be replaced this spring at some point.
Fuchsias blooming in March is not usual here, but 'Hawkshead' must be close enough to the house to enjoy a warmer micro-climate. It never died back this winter even when we dipped into the 20's.
Euphorbia myrsintes with Geranium 'Bill Wallis'. Bill is being severely edited this spring . He is way too happy.
This Erygium isn't blue yet, but I decided it counts !
Be sure to check out the global blooming treats at May Dreams Gardens where Carol continues to be our gracious hostess on the 15th of every month.
The tulips are spectacular! Even the species tulips died out in short order when I grew them in my former garden. I tried a few pre-sprouted tulips here but the heat and Santa Ana winds always come on at the worst possible time. I've also, reluctantly, given up on fuchsias but I just planted my first Erygiums - my fingers are crossed that they won't be one-shot wonders.
ReplyDeleteThe tulips bombed at the box office when I was a San Diegan too Kris, but even up here I still pre-chill them for at least 6 weeks. Except for 'Big Smile' I treat them as annuals and include new bulbs every year in my plant budget.
DeleteGardeners are a funny breed, aren't we? Pretty much every one of us grows things that are borderline in our climate. Your tulips are beautiful. I never had much luck with them in my garden and gave up, though I do have one random variety that I inherited with the current garden. Your Eccremocarpus photo makes me hope even more that mine comes back. The cold winter may have been enough to take out the parent plant, but it dropped lots of seed that should germinate.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Zone 9 Evan so the Eccremocarpus was planted last summer and never really died back-it is in a sheltered location as well. I'm not crazy about that color though-and I think the seedlings are variable. I may try the pink one next time.
DeleteHi, KS, gosh your tulips are really beautiful!!! I so envy you that you can grow them so well and that at least some come back reliably.
ReplyDeleteHere in San Diego it is simply to warm for them to return and for me it is just too much work and too expensive to plant tulips for a one time show only. But I am so happy to enjoy them in your garden. My favorite has to be 'Green Star'.
Love the Erygium, a plant that I hope to welcome in my own garden one day!
Happy spring gardening!
Christina
Hi Christina. The Eryngium is a variety called Jos Eijking that I bought from Digging Dog Nursery via mail order. It is a stellar performer !
Delete'Rozanne', not 'Bill Wallis'!!!!
ReplyDeleteTulips, wow! We've had our usual late winter heat wave--tulips have become impossible here. It's lovely to see yours.
No kidding Hoov, I have several Rozannes but Bill looked so cute. He now looks cute everywhere there is a bit of open soil-including between bricks. I am starting two year eradication project-I think that's how long it will take.
DeleteThe 'Kings Orange' sure is pretty!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Thanks Lea , this will be a repeat purchase for 2018-I can beleive how long the flowers have held up.
DeleteAnd here I thought I was over tulips! Yours are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteTulips are so damn festive, and a great antidote to winter. They bloom before much else is up and then I dig em up and buy/plant them again next year. It is an extravagance, but I don't care.
DeleteWunderschöne Farben im Garten! Die Euphorbia und das Geranium sehen so gut aus zusammen, phantastisch!
ReplyDeleteLG lykka
Danke schoen Lykka !
DeleteYou have a nice array of tulips. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteHappy GBBD to you as well Lisa, and happy spring !
DeleteI think the secret to tulips is to think of them as annuals. I've had years where we get a couple of 80 something degree days right around the time the tulips are blooming and they last about two days. I have a vole problem in the new garden so may have to stick to daffs.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much treat them as annuals too, except for Big Smile. Very greateful I don't have that rodent issue to deal with !
DeleteI had lots of what I assumed was 'Bill Wallis' so let it become excessively thuggish, crowding even aloes -- the first bloom was a tiny pink flower, not BW as expected, so it was all torn out. Not sure why BW seeded/reverted to just a worthless plant. I love doing the tulip thing every so often. They're such miraculous jolts of pure color and form.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the little native geranium that is a winter weed here.It pulls out very easily unlike Bill who has a fleshy taproot. I did skip a couple of years of tulip buying and missed it alot.
DeleteNice selection of tulips. I love 'King's Orange'.
ReplyDelete'Kings Orange' has been outstanding !
DeleteYour different varieties of tulips are absolutely stunning! It's good that you got a jump start on the rain. We are experiencing it today, as it is pouring, but everything is starting to come to life!
ReplyDeleteLove your tulips. The Kings Orange is really nice. A bit like Indian Summer which I grow and has been a favourite for a number of years.How do you get your Erygium like that at this stage of the year?
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,the Eryngium is blooming with no intervention from me ! In fact I have 4 of this particular variety, one of which has never bloomed at all.
Delete