This is the time of year when plants start growing and blooming at supernatural rates...and I absolutely love it! Each day brings a new surprise...and I spend my time in a perpetual state of excitement and anticipation. Which is funny when you think about it...I mean, I am the one who planted all of these plants...so theoretically, I know they will be popping up. But, just like a dog that is excited every time her owner returns, I stand at the beds, panting and drooling, as my beloveds return.
Spring always brings the most amazing scents. Right now, the lilacs in my neighbor's yard are blooming. They have a giant hedge of them, beautiful colors, right along the property line. And, if you listened to our first Good Enough Gardening podcast, you know that I am happy to enjoy those that cross over to my side. Because although I absolutely love them when in bloom...lilacs just don't do much when bloom time is over.
Portland is the city of Rhodendendrons and mine are just getting started. I inherited a stand of them. This is another shrub that is completely unremarkable when not in bloom...but hey, they came with the property, so I will leave them be for now. I think the flowers are absolutely gorgeous, but am always disappointed that they have no scent.
Last year, I bought Alstroemeria...actually, I bought it in the fall, my favorite time to buy and plant perennials. And though I think they are overused in floral arrangements in general, I bought a different variety than the standard one seen in grocery stores everywhere. I couldn't believe how it had suddenly sprung into action! Take a look...and take a listen to this week's podcast to hear my opinions about the name of this plant...
Finally, my beautiful hellebores are in bloom...why so late? Who knows...and I am not looking a gift horse in the mouth. These beauties are green with fuschia flecks and are blooming right in front of a fuschia azelia...spring perfection!
Our next podcast will be out in the next couple of days...load it up on your iPod and take it out to the garden...let us keep you company while you dig in the dirt! In the mean time, come on over to our our Good Enough Gardening Facebook page and see what's happenin'...
I'm more veg gardener than flowers, but I do love my lilacs. We planted a bush the first year we moved in here.
Posted by: Daisy | 05/01/2009 at 04:24 PM
Hi Jean! I plant Alstroemerias all the time - I don't like the florist hybrids, either - I prefer the taller species ...they are really satisfying as garden plants, but they DO flop all over the place and need some structural plants around them to contain them a bit.
In my own garden I never heed my own advice, and they flop away and are constantly trampled by my dogs. But the wonderful peachy-gold flower is just yummy, and when it is blooming at the same time as my Rosa 'Red Ballerina' - super cool!
I am very jealous of your beautiful Hellebores!
Posted by: Germi | 05/04/2009 at 02:37 PM