caladiums and snowdrops!????

Goodness it is November already -mind you you it has been a really busy acting year this this.  #plays finished already and now rehearsing for the next one.  A fairly new Christmas play at Centre Stage in Greenville SC  It is called Sleeping Indoors
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Anyway on Nov 14th just before this next bout of really cold weather kicked in, I took a couple of photos in the garden -Snowdrops -very early -and caladiums in a sheltered spot that survived the cold nights this year.  Appropriately they are caladium White Christmas -mmm is that an omen for the winter to come?

What is going on here???

Lycoris for sale!

 

We have lycoris in stock now!  And now is the time to plant so call us at Marlboro Bulb company -1-800-999-0567 or email info@marlborobulb.com

Lycoris

Well, the lycoris are blooming already this year -about 3 weeks earlier than usual -in fact some of the red ones are over already but the first yellow one of the season has just opened -I need to get a photo on the blog for you to see -they are so lovely and the yellow is not so often seen -it can be more temperamental than the red or pink so I will try to capture it while I can -I'll be back later with that picture!

Elephant ears, caladiums and such

Well it has been a while but I was busy in plays again -I had the lead in Noel Coward's Hay Fever in April followed by Agatha Christie's The Hollow and now I am rehearsing for Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit!! -Well I do have to grab the chance for a major role in a Brit play when it comes along!!!
Anyway the weeds are getting away with me -must find some time to tame them a little but the Elephant Ears came back really well after the harsh winter - cold for SC anyway -and the caladiums are really looking good, so here are  a couple of pictures

I also have this one -colocasia easculenta Mojito in the wine garden surrounded by caladium Brandywine!

And while we are on the subject of the 'alcoholic' garden this one is Canna Moonshine

and now here is the new caladium Frog in a Blender -sorry about the name -I tried to suggest Creamed Spinach but it was rejected -oh well -it is a great new caladium

Just got back from the SNA trade show in Atlanta -still quite a smallish show -about 110 booths I think, but plenty of interest shown so it seems to have been well worthwhile.

 

 

wine garden and tulips

This is the wine garden with tulips coming into bloom

The daffodils are Mint julep, the clematis Sparkling champagne, the day lilies coming in are Little Grapette and Summer wine  -the hosta in the pot is Tequila Sunrise the yellow bush beyond the bottle tree is Deutzia Chardonnay Pearl -so as you can see my alcoholic garden is made up of plants with alcoholic names. -the Iris later will be Champagne Elegance, the viburnum Brandywine. There are two Weigelas -Midnight Wine and Summer Wine, grapes either side the archway, Ajuga Burgundy glow and Heuchera beaujolais as ground cover -and so on -a fun way to garden to have theme gardens and a great place for a cocktail party! I will also have tomato Brandywine and pepper Chablis I think it is -must check!

More species tulips -they are so adorable and good perennials even in the south

there is a good selection of white tulips -I also have them in my white garden 

And here is a fun way to grow tulips -keep them cool then bring indoors before blooming -the triumph tulips seem to work best for me though i have used lily flowering -just experiment and have fun!!!

spectacular spring

What a gorgeous time of year -here is a selection of pictures taken a couple of days ago.  It is such a wonderful time of year when we go from the drab of winter to spring cheer

The hosta garden areas seem to have benefited from the colder winter

see how well hostas adapt to pots -they don't have to compete with all the tree roots and they do get a little colder in the winter in the south

and another view.

Next is the rock garden -I adore those mini daffodils and the species tulips are perfect little jewels at this time of year.  This is the fifth year they have returned -species tulips make great perennials and the gregeii tulips also come back really well -mmm need to take a picture of those too -will do that later!

not a great picture -sorry you can't see the vibrancy of these beauties

The lily bed is full of species crocus first then tulips and scilla siberica -the dying leaves will be totally obscured by the growing lilies

More tulips -mmm -the color didn't cone out too well here either -it has to be the blog!

"A host of golden daffodils"

Here is a better picture of the Rijnveld's Early Sensation

The minute the snow melted and the air was warmed with sunshine the daffodils started popping out everywhere.  The Rijnveld's was actually a little later than usual -I suppose after so many nights of frost this winter they decided to wait -but more and more are opening up daily.  Such a cheerful sight from the deck in the mornings.  The crocus opened up again after the snow and the snowdrops just kept right on blooming. Even now there are still a few last snowdrops around.

Now we have a few hyacinths opening -lots of daffodils including pretty Tete a Tete

and  the 'wild' jonquil types are opening out too -see below.

Aren't they just gorgeous???

Spring? -or the calm before the storm!!!

Two beautiful days gardening as this long winter drags on.  It seems we are getting another winter storm tomorrow and Wednesday.  Still in the midst of all the chaos to come, as it will -the south is definitely set up to cope with snow! Here are a couple of shots to chase away those winter blues and remind us of the promise of the fairy child's gift of spring.

Daffodil Rijnveld's Early Sensation

Species Crocus Bluebird

Those early daffodils are always so delightful and that splash of yellow so cheering.  And as for the species crocus -so so sweet  The snowdrops are still blooming to and the first winter aconite - or Eremurus   The species tulips are also showing their tips above ground.  Can't wait for them.  I planted more this year.  They come back for several years too.

 

oops not Eremurus but Eranthis! What was I thinking???

Super snowdrops

What a gorgeous little clump of joy nestling in the shelter of the camellia bush.  These giant Galanthus are a delight after the cold winter days of this winter.  60 degrees forecast tomorrow then back to 19 overnight Tuesday and another cold cold week.  Goodness this is a strange year.  The poor plants won't know whether to start growing or stay in hibernation!!!  Though I have to say there are green spears of daffodils appearing all over the garden as well.  Tough little things huh?  And so cheering to see.  The promise of spring.

Spent some time on the sunny rock garden planting mini daffodils and tulips -a little late really for those minis as they usually bloom so early but that's ok they will still bloom -they will just be a little later this year.  The tulips are fabulous and perennialize much better in the south than their bigger showier cousins.  They work really well in the outdoor slightly larger fairy gardens too - they are sooo cute.

It was great to get out into the garden after so many wet or bitterly cold weekends too.