The past few weeks have been busy for me here and with all the diversion I visited the lottie irratically and took snaps when I could. There was alot to do in the lottie and the jobs varied from admiring flowers to garden center shopping to veg plot care. Here are some pics showing what is going on here at the moment--not a great deal, but I am aware of the action waiting in the wings. This nice row of poppies really did my heart good to see. The countryside is full of great, long colourful fields of tulips at the moment. Some folks are growing them in their lotties. I liked how the sunlight shone down into the cups formed by the flowers' petals. As I saw it, it was like they had a small candle inside causing them to glow. I can't actually see it so good on the pic, but in 'real life' it was indeed that way. Over at the garden center across the street there was a special sale going on...and out front, was a girl selling strawbs--the first of the season (grown in a greenhouse). The smell was supurb, but the colour was too pale, so I knew what they would taste like. I chose to wait for my own. I needed a second Laurel, and I found one in the garden center. I was pushing off for the foto and to head back to the lottie to plant it along the fence between Willem and me...a modicum of privacy. More work was on the schedule that day and the strawberry plants were finished up, side dressed with cow manure and watered, as I could not trust the weatherman on the telly. I often go with my gut as they say. I do use the weather media as a sort of guide, but in the end I trust my own instincts when decisions have to be made. It did not rain. This Viburnum burkwoodii was blooming heavily and the scent filled half the garden. I got this about six years ago as a cutting. It has done well and grows each year, producing heavenly scented bloom balls. I have not pruned it yet and may put that off for a time longer. The Opal Plum is blooming well this spring and I hope that it will yield alot of fruits because I REALLY enjoy their flavour. Very sweet. This Arisaema triphyllum (I think) is new this year. I planted it late last season and so I was quite interested to see if it would emerge. I was not disappointed. It had just begun to open. I also have the purple-striped one (Arisaema triphyllum?) I am not 100% sure about these species, as these jewels are not native where I live. I see two more dark spikes, so there is more to come. Spring here is like that Arisaema--slow to unfold.
Spring is a little slower here Sjoerd. I did notice a few blooms on my strawberry plants so I can't wait! That row of Tulips sure looks nice and the lottie is so neat and tidy too. I see your forget-me-nots are blooming Sjoerd. I knew you'd have lots this year
Ok, now you had me drooling for strawberries. They don't quite taste like they should, those greenhouse grown ones, but still... Your plots look very nice. I especially enjoy your forget-me-nots. The Arisaema amurense is rather funny I think. Weird blooms. It looks like you've got everything under control so far.
NETTY-- I am glad you liked the tulips. I hope that your strawbs will hurry up. Yes--the forget-me-nots are back again in all their glory. I am happy and so are ther honey bees. DROOPY--Arisaema amurense...I have to remember that. Thanks. I hope that it looks more 'normal' today when I go out to the lotties to do some planting and transplanting. The strawberries would have tasted ...ok...but the smell that filled the air was really what grabbed one's attention.
I am so glad to see your update of the lotties. The tulips are gorgeous. Viburnum burkwoodi is one of my favorite early spring shrubs, their fragrant spicy smell is delightful as are the blooms. Everything looks healthy and green. I also like the blooms on the opal plum. :-D
That's all a pleasure to see! I'm a viburnum fan too.... The Arisaema amurense is cute as can be -- looks like a little baby bunting. Now, the first pic... sooo pretty, especially the contrast between the bright flowers and dark background. What is the triangular shaped structure there, Sjoerd? I don't remember seeing that in your pictures before. Is it a cold frame?
Thanks for your nice words, GAIL--Yes, I really like the smell and appearance of the bloom clusters too. They are much nicer to smell if the darn wind wouldn't blow so hard. Hi Daisy--That appears to be a cold frame. Those are tulips that I passed while biking to the garden center. Many people grow tulips here in the spring, but I am pulling mine out this year and I shall think of something else to plant for next season.
