April and Spring

April is here and Spring is showing some signs of arrival. We have had a wet winter, heavy snow in spring, record river levels, and below average temperatures. Even though the yard is snowier and wetter than last year, things don't seem to be too far behind.

Above is a photo of ladybugs in the south foundation bed -- it was actually taken March 20. It is interesting to see this bed come to life first...the beetles are the first moving insect of the garden! I really must make better use of this early bed with its heat.

No outdoor seeding yet, things are way too wet still. I will try to transplant some lettuce this year and see if we get salads sooner than direct sowing. If that works, then I will repeat again.

(lettuce seedlings, 7 days old on 4/5/2009)

Cool-season transplants are growing nicely...

(early cool-season seedlings on 4/5/2009)

Some are chomping at the bit to be put out. I may start some hardening off so they can go in as soon as the garden is ready. I see some round swiss chard leaves, and the kohlrabi and kale are hard to tell apart at this point (kale is on the end).

(closer view of seedlings on 4/5/2009)

But, as you see - that last 12 inches of snow is holding on still. That is probably good though as the river levels are still falling (they will rise again come this weekend maybe). I do know it is spring...robins are singing, staying in the trees - what is up with all that white?

(snow from late March storm 4/5/2009)

This is the first vegetable showing its green. Walking onions I planted last year. I am hoping they will take off in their second season. I think I will be happy with this perennial giving a yearly supply.

(walking onions 4/5/2009)

In the south bed, day-lilies are sprouting nicely. They are a bit water-logged this spring, but about as tall as last year.

(day-lily in southern bed 4/5/2009)

I think this some kind of crocus I planted last fall. Either way it was planted last fall and it is coming up now.

(bulb in southern bed 4/5/2009)

I'm getting excited to get out and plant and see what is coming back under the snow!

The Echinacea are Coming

I've been reading a lot lately about Echinacea in other gardens and have been patiently waiting for mine to bloom...well they are an their way. Above is the start of a white variety and a couple different purple types below...



I thought I would also do a little Wednesday garden tour...there's always so much in the garden to interest me and I try to show it all. I have noticed lots of yellow and pink.

Here is another type of "funny flower"...


This yellow daylily always looks nice...even if it is pretty common these days.


The morning glories have such a glow in the later morning hours.


I like how the tall onion scapes provide a clean vertical shape.


The rose mallows dance in the breeze wind...


These little Coreopsis sure have a great fire-cracker effect...


I just love the many shades the leaves and blooms have on this Heuchera.


These pansies and violas sure look cute tucked into their own spot of this bed...they've been going strong this summer.


The lettuce going to seed has its own look...I really like how the red leaf variety looks.


Finally our happy Rudbeckia.

Funny Flower

I said funny flower, but maybe it's funny flowers -- these baby's breath got tangled under the nasturtium flower.... Things have been pretty busy lately at least as far as work and other things go. Today is a nice Saturday...a little cooler than it has been. If the wind ever dies down down it will be perfect.

I can't summarize all the things going on in the garden since last time, so I will just do a walk through of what the highlights are now...

These rose-mallow flowers have started to bloom. They are so pretty and have an interesting star in the spaces at the base of the petals.


Not quite so showy, the potatoes have flowers...I suppose that must be a good thing.


I just love this clump of asiatic lilies...it is so tall, I almost think I should move it further back in the bed when fall comes (to allow some shorter plants a better display). However, it is doing so well I hesitate to change the conditions.


Here's a close-up of one of the blooms.


A shot of the purple-blue flowers in a barrel...I have procrastinated looking them up in a book still. (Update: Okay I think it's a purple tansy.)


Other developments...the Black-eyed Susans have started to flower.

Orange Surprise (GBBD June 2008)

Welcome to my garden bloom tour for June 2008. This post is in coordination with Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day at the "May Dreams Gardens" blog where you can find many other gardens in bloom. This orange flower has a presence this month, but I might say some of the buds steal the show as well.
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The Blooms:

I wasn't sure what to expect a few days ago when I noticed this plant tucked in the back of a wildflower bed. It's the first bloom in the bed and really stands out. Update: I think this is Siberian Wallflower ("Cheiranthus allionii").


My seed grown violas 'Johnny Jump Up' are just starting to bloom. Isn't it cute?

Viola cornuta (Violaceae)

Now is finally the time for chives and alliums. The bees should be flying in soon.



Allium (ornamental) & Allium schoenoprasum

How about these small white and pink flowers...they're radishes. The beneficial bugs love them and maybe they can keep the pests busy too.



The alyssium I planted have been blooming for a few weeks.


It's a common weed, but it is blooming.


A I mentioned earlier this month, the peas are in bloom. In fact, some can be harvested from the snap variety right now - I will let them get a bit bigger before picking though.


The nursery violas are continuing to flower.


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The Buds:

Some plants are quite ready to show this month, but they're getting ready.

Some asiatic lilies here and to the south of the house are forming buds.


The wildflower will be the second plant to bloom in that plot. Onions from last year are forming buds.

Spurred Snapdragon (Linaria maroccana) & Onion

A kind of red clover is starting to get a hint of color. This other flower bud has an interesting look.

Red clover & ?Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)?

Not sure what these two are, but they're in the "wildflower" plot too.

?Catchfly (Silene armeria)? Dairy Pink (Vaccaria pyramidata) & Sweet William (Dianthus)

Here you can get an idea of some "Tiger" lilies that have buds - I'm sure they're a few weeks away or more.


Well, you made it to the end of the tour. It has been a cool spring and lately wet. This has left a number of plants behind this year, but has been good for the cool season crops. Some more bloom day information...

Skipped (flowered and done between last bloom day and this):

• Flowering shrubs

Continuing (flowering since at least last bloom day):

• Dandelion
• Viola (purchased)
• Strawberries

Buds (of note and not pictured):

• Shasta Daisy