This is the second year that I planted freesia bulbs. I had a bag that had been in my gardening supplies for a year or so (I have a tendency to put things away and forget about them), so I finally decided to put them in the ground. The results were great! These are such strong-smelling flowers though, I recommend you don't cut them to bring them indoors. They are beautiful outdoors in early spring where you can enjoy the scent and not be … [Read more...]
Irises
Irises are very low maintenance and make a nice addition to the spring garden. There are so many varieties, you can find the right one for your type of soil and for your tastes. These are just a few from my garden. [GARD] … [Read more...]
Daffodils from the garden
The daffodils were so beautiful this year, I just had to share the photos I took. Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Signs of Spring: Early blooming flowers in my garden
Although it was muddy, I took a walk through my yard this afternoon before heading back to the office. I was really looking at the vegetable plots I just planted although it's only been a few days. I'm already on seed watch, waiting for the signs of the first sprouts. But while traipsing through the yard, I started to see the signs of spring starting to show. I took some photos of some of my favorites. Spring beauties can be found in the … [Read more...]
Stream Bank Erosion Control Using Rocks and Flowering Plants
Fast running water can erode the banks of a stream quickly. While keeping the bank planted is important, I wanted to reduce the amount of weed-eating necessary to keep the grass (and weeds) down and also make the stream bank more attractive. I opted for lining the stream edge with large landscaping stones and mixing in irises, daylilies, and even some daffodils. The stream in my back yard A small intermittent stream runs through my back yard. … [Read more...]
Guide to Planting Spring-flowering Bulbs in Fall
With spring around the corner, I am anticipating the bloom of spring-flowering bulbs. If you planted yours in the fall, you should expect to start seeing them in late winter or early spring. There’s nothing like the early color to break up the bleakness of the winter garden. Daffodils Daffodils or narcissus come in a variety of color variations – yellows, pinks, oranges, whites, double-flowered, trumpet, and miniature. These flowering bulbs … [Read more...]
Red Spider Lilies – Lycoris radiata
In the deep South, fall brings a bright red carpet of strange spider-looking blooms. You can find them wherever an old homestead may be found or even deep in the woods where an old homestead used to be. The red color adds vibrancy to the waning fall landscape. Although these bulbs are not native to the United States, they were introduced from China in the mid 1800's and have been found here ever since. They are prolific in the … [Read more...]