Author: variadm

Daylily dreamin’

Dearest Spot,

Thank you for the lilies, my dearest. You do not know how glad I am to see such beauty. This past Sunday I paid a visit to ChopperJim‘s house and he showed me a side yard which lay barren. He once told me I could plant anything I wanted in that garden when he first installed sprinklers. It was a tempting offer at the time, but I knew it would not truly be my own. I await the day when we will find that little patch of heaven-on-earth we call home and plant/grow our own garden. When I first gazed upon the photos you sent me, I grew nostalgic for my own lilies that grew tall and bloomed brilliantly about this time of year. The daylilies would follow suit immediately after and bloom nearly all summer long. I think I favor the red lilies best of all…they drew the bees, birds and butterflies from all over with their bright colors, so I am quite fond of the short red border lilies you have pictured.

We must visit the Arboretum again…you made sure to capture very pleasant memories of our trip there, and of course, I got my lily fix as well. Very soon, my love, this distance will not be such an obstacle to our plans for happy gardening and fantastic dining adventures.

I love you.

5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (1) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (2) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (3) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (4) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (5) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (6) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (7) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (8) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (9) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (10) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (11) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (12) 5/23/2009 Arboretum Flowers (13)

New callas of May

The callas are blooming. First up: Flame. These blooms display brilliant yellow, with a touch of orange or red. I am assuming that as the weeks go on, they will deepen in color per their namesake. As an aside, the single blooming purple flower of my Devil’s Wine calla has barely faded but held its true shape. It’s a testament to how long-lived these calla blooms are!

My Blossom Farm order came in last week, but 2 of the lavender plants I ordered do not appear to be faring very well. I’ve been keeping a close watch on them, but it appears the smallest of the 4 has given up the ghost. I’ve messaged Blossom Farm for assistance…perhaps they are not beyond rescue. I’m just glad that I have one each of the 2 larger specimens, Coconut Ice and White Provence.

I’m not too thrilled with the Bewitched Purple potato vine (which appears to be mislabeled) threatening to take over my planter. While the palmate shape of the leaves are attractive, they are much too large and overshadowing the neighboring plants. I intend to pull it out as soon as I can find a suitable replacement, preferably a petite-leaf purple potato vine, similar to the compact bright green potato vine (which may be a Sweetheart Light Green) in the other planter.

Today is an example of a perfect morning on the patio, cool weather and warm sun. I should invest in a folding patio set. Perhaps I can shop for one this holiday…if the fiance will let me out of bed this weekend. 😀

5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (1) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (2) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (3) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (4) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (5) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (6) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (7) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (8) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (9) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (10) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (11)

On the patio again…

It seems my pups have a taste for dill. My poor dill plants have been nibbled and grazed on. Methinks I need new dill plants. Also, my lavender plants came in last week…I managed to get them onto the patio this weekend…before the pups did any more damage to them. But the photos demonstrate that the herb garden is thriving despite the attention of vegetarian pups.

5/11/2009 On the Patio (1) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (2) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (3) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (4) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (5) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (6) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (7) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (8) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (9) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (10) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (11) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (12) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (13) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (14) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (15) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (16) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (17) 5/11/2009 On the Patio (18)

The patio herb garden

This weekend marked the beginning of my modest herb garden. Since I needed to drop by Home Depot to pick up a bag of garden soil, I decided to replace the dead ornamental pepper plant and pick up some filler for 2 unused planter troughs I still had sitting on the patio. I decided with all the cooking I’ve been doing lately, I might as well stop spending money on store-bought fresh herbs and grow my own. I purchased 2 each of the following: lemon thyme, thai basil and fernleaf dill. I suppose I should read up on the care and maintenance of these plants. (Edit: good info on care)

In addition to the new plantings, I finally got my white salvia into its new pot, which will hopefully prevent it from drying out. I also sank the remainder of my calla lily bulbs in the new herb planters.

My lavender plant grower contacted me this morning to inform me that my order will take another 2 weeks before shipping. I can’t wait for the lavenders to arrive!