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.

Paperwhites and Amaryllis

The paperwhites are blooming in the winter garden but I wonder if they will survive 3 nights of frost -unusual  for this part of the US to have for 3 consecutive nights to be in the 20s.  Well I picked some to be sure -they last well in vases too.  I also have the first of this year's blooming indoors as well as the gorgeous big Amaryllis.  It is so cheering to have blooms in December both inside and out.  The camellias are also in bloom and the berberis have gorgeous scarlet berries glowing brightly.

Feeding the birds is also a fun activity to keep their cheery chirps going at breakfast time.

Lycoris

Well the Lycoris managed to defy the early frosts and we still have a couple of brave souls though today it is 80 degrees again.  South Carolina in mid- November  Frosty one day 70 or 80 degrees the next!!!  It is a gorgeous sunny day though -just love fall.

Spider lilies or naked ladies to give them their more common names. Nerine are very, very similar too

Been a awhile again I know but I was busy rehearsing for Lion in Winter.  A play about Britain's Henry 2nd and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine -it was a huge role and one I have o\wanted to do for some time -great that it came along.  it was exhausting though!!1

Time to order fall bulbs

Dahlias?  Still planting at the end of August???? Really -we had a bunch of dinnerplate and cactus dahlias left so we weeded a space, threw them on the ground and covered them up with some topsoil.  Well it was worth a try -I will keep you posted on the results.  The dahlias were individual prepacks in peat moss and most were sprouting well -so we will see.

It is time to order fall bulbs too -so check us out for tulips, daffodils, alliums,  muscari, crocus etc etc.  And don't forget those Amaryllis bulbs and paperwhites for indoor planting.  www.marlborobulb.com   email: info@marlbrobulb.com  or call 1-800-999-0567

It has been a strange year weather wise though - we are still getting regular rain and the pasture is sooo green -the ponies love that -normally the fields have been brown for a month.

Lycoris time

Goodness the first lycoris, (spider lilies and naked ladies are other common names for this plant) are blooming already and we have only just finished planting the last of the dahlias!!!!

Back to the lycoris -the yellow ones are just gorgeous this year, the pinks are doing well -no sign of the reds yet -but I wasn't really expecting  to see any for another couple of weeks.  We still have new season lycoris bulbs -so give us a call on 1-800-999-0567 Marlboro Bulb Co  or see www.marlborobulb.com or email info@marlborobulb.com  

August already!

Well, again a long drought between blogs and lots of rain on the flowers -but the summer has been crazy with a trip to Aruba and the Aloe Vera Farm -that was so interesting.  I have already bought 2 aloe vera plants and planted them in warm sheltered spots in the garden. Hope they survive. They are really easy to use -just cut a leaf and it them like a fish and rub the gel on your skin -no sticky finish; your skin will drink up the wonderful gel feel so soft!

Also TWO trade shows, a big one in Columbus OH that was really busy- but 3 days on the trade show floor gets a bit too much.  Then the 2 day show in the newly revived SNA -Southern nurserymen's Assoc in Atlanta GA -2 days is great and I love the interaction and the chance to meet with friends, customers and fellow booth staff -old and new.  It is a great talking place and a good opportunity to see a lot of people in one place and in a short space of time.  I always think trade shows are very good value for the networking chances they offer.  There is a lot more optimism in the industry too which is very encouraging.

 

Of course I was also in the play, The Red Velvet Cake War as a German Psychologist -one minute very prim and proper and the next falling in love and chasing the guy!!!

But, back to the garden at home -yet more huge weeds -with so many trips away and so much rain this year the weeds have really taken hold.  Some pull up so very easily and others as you know I'm sure are tougher and deeper.  The crusher run drives are  a mess too with so much grass and weeds growing through.  I really have to use round up; I can't see a way round that unless anyone can offer advice on killing weeds on paths and driveways -quite a large area too as I love walkways through the various garden areas.  I love to get in among the plants not just see them from a distance and paths through beds beckon.  They say so clearly "come and see"

Lilytopia

June -this is my birthday month and the month for lilies, so I have to start with my very own lily, named for me Patricia's Pride

This is by the side of my 5 o'clock or alcoholic garden!  See earlier posts for that one!

Now for a couple more stunning lilies

This one is Forever Susan -named by Allan Armitage for his wife.

And this one is Abbeville's Pride.  we named this as a fundraiser for the Abbeville Opera house for their 100th Anniversary a few years ago

and one more for now The one below is Royal Trinity

Fireworks!

Gorgeous firework-like flowers that last really well in a vase.  Allium christophii or Albopilosum as it is now more commonly called, is a great addition to any garden.  Plant in the fall.  This one was planted late so didn't bloom until early
June! You can also dry these flowerheads  and spray with gold or silver paint for beautiful Christmas decorations or table decorations.

May Already??

Goodness is it really so long since I added a blog?  Sorry! So much happening in the garden too -including endless weeds.  The iris and hostas love all this rain.  What a wet cool spring it has been.  At least the daffodils and tulips really lasted well this year.  I went to visit friends in Delaware a coupleof weeks ago and also took the opportunity of visiting Longwood Gardens-haven't been in April for a long time -the gardens were stunning.

  Now back home and the lilies are getting tall and lots of new growth is appearing everywhere.

The Allium Siculum

 is stunning this year.  It is also a plant that cuts well for those flower arrangers out there!  Will also be rehearsing for The Red Velvet cake War opening May 31st.  I will get to that weeding sometime I suppose -it will still be there, that's for sure!

Fabulous Flowering Tulips

Here is another idea for planting tulips directly over rocks and water -no dirt.  The water stays just below the level of the bulb so as not to allow it to rot.

Well it would be if I knew how to turn this picture on the blog -there must be a way of turning it upright.  But you get the idea!!

This is the early turiumph tulip Oscar -isn't it neat?

Double daffodils, Iridescent Iris and Help???Mystery

What a glorious time of year -with so much in bloom and so much colour.  A twelve month garden is a must -every day is different, every day a joy to walk around and see what new leaf or bud has emerged.  And it is no so difficult to acheive with colorful barks and early blooming shrubs like Lonicera Frangrantissima and hammemalis and Edgeworthia to name just 4 ideas.  Of course the drawbacks are there too as the weeds also start to flourish -but the beauty outweighs the weed.  The daffodil above is the double Ice King.  It starts off more yellow in the centre then turns to white -heavenly!

And here is Crocus bluebird a dainty species crocus -only planted in late Dec.  Next winter it will bloom earlier.  And here is the lovely Iris reticulata

 

And what is this????  This daffodil and a few others like it are blooming in a clump of N. Ice Follies.  Is it a sport?  Has it reverted?  Or has a virus affected that clump of Ice Follies?  This is a real mystery daffodil.  Any ideas out there?

 

 

Delightful Daffodils

The daffodils are really starting to put on their show now.  They are popping up everywhere.  Above you see St Keverne, one of the early varieties. But there are many others too -such as the darling little Narc. Tete a Tete. This has been blooming for 2 or 3 weeks now -Gorgeous!  N. Ice Follies is also flowering well and the N. February Gold.  Iris reticulata and many of the species crocus are also showing their bright faces along with hyacinths and Triteleia (Ipheon).  You can't help but smile when you see such a beautiful patch of sunshine can you?