When I bought this plant, Acacia pravissima, in 2004, I had only seen it as a fairly small specimen. I appreciated its architectural qualities, not anticipating the rapid growth, much less flowers. This photo is a little out of focus, but I like that about it. It captures the fuzziness of the flowers, in sharp contrast to the crisp spikiness of the foliage.
Here is the Clematis armandii as it looks today. It began blooming early in March under the plastic roof of the deck. While those flowers are nearly spent, these on the outside of the deck are just coming on. We get a prolonged blooming season this way. The scent becomes more pronounced as the blossoms begin to fade. It is hard to resist spending the bulk of my time idling on the deck wreathed in delicious aroma.
Anemone blanda seems happy here, where others (Mt Hood daffodils, for instance) have failed. I bought only a few, just to see how they would do, because an earlier experiment was less than stellar. Now I will have to order more if I am to enjoy them in drifts. Actually, I rather like them scattered sparsely like this, so that the form stands out against the dark background. Maybe I will just wait and let them colonize on their own, if they are so inclined.
I bought a little bag of these bulbs from a highly regarded nearby nursery. They were labeled Camassia. What I got was Leucojum instead, but they look very sweet in the woodland.
These little grape hyacinths crept furtively into the garden, I know not how. Seems like a good idea. There will be more.
I promised last time to keep a running account of the progress of E. wulfenii. This is about as exuberant as it gets. To give you an idea of scale, it is roughly waist hight on a six foot person.
The cherry trees are just coming on. They won’t last long, if we have our usual hard rains…just long enough for the bees to find them and do their thing. There are two of these ancients out front, placed exactly the right distance apart to support a hammock. I truly hope there will be at least one day fine enough to lay in the hammock gazing up through the blossoms and listening to the buzzing of the bees.
Meanwhile, out in the woods, a volunteer cherry puts on a show, using the darkness of the surrounding cedars as a backdrop.
I thought it would be cheery to be greeted by daffodils just as you turn in to our lane. I planted three different kinds so the bloom time would be staggered. My mistake. Luckily, the bulb catalogs are just hitting my desk while last year’s goof-up is plain to see. This time, I will shoot my wad on just one variety, in an attempt to make a bold statement.
Now these little dears thrive no matter what…and talk about drifts! I ask you: why are we so determined to struggle against nature’s success stories, when we could just relax and learn to make dandelion wine?
Lots of bloom in your garden! I like those last flowers, they will indeed bloom no matter what!
Things are looking very springlike in your garden! So how long is your C. armandii? I’ve got mine on an arbor…it’s less than a year old. And I love your pot/totem! How much more meaningful than something anyone can buy…definitely garden art!
Ooh – you are so lucky to have Clematis armandii. I’ve never seen it in person, but your photo and description make it appear as wonderful as I’d imagined. And I envy you your Euphorbia wulfenii: I dearly wish I could grow that!
My husband is constantly reminding me that it’s just a bias we have against dandelions and such. I try to be understanding…and sometimes it’s a good excuse. But I still try to make them disappear.
Leslie, the armandii on the deck is about twenty feet long, but the other one we bought at the same time is only six or so feet tall and yet to produce any blossoms. The happy one receives late afternoon filtered sunlight.
Nan, the E wulfenii is bigger than I thought. Once the rains took a break from beating them down, they straightened up and are as tall as I am. The ones I planted on purpose are not nearly as vigorous as the random seedlings that pop up here and there.
Malisa, I talk a good laissez-faire attitude, but I, too, do my best to banish the dandys.
Thanks to all who have commented here…makes this whole process more fun.