First New Plant 2008

There is a dead time in the garden between the time tulips and daffodils bloom and the annuals and perennials start. To that end, some new arrivals to the garden were planted last fall to see if there could be some activity in that dead time. The first to start blooming were the alliums. Persian Blue alliums were ordered from Breck's Bulbs, but those are not what are currently blooming. The alliums received are shorter, and are not blue. Breck's promised to ship the correct ones this fall for next year. There is still a lag time after the spring bulbs finished and now when the alliums are blooming.

Another interesting bit: last winter was especially mild, and several mature orange calendula plants overwintered and are now in full bloom. The seeds from last year's plants are sprouting as usual, but it will be another 2-3 weeks before these are large enough to produce flowers.

Its Growing Conditions:   • Moderate drained soil   • Full sun   • Bone meal fertilzer in fall Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: allium, calendula, perennial geranium   • Starting bloom: iris & dutch iris

Last One Standing

Currently, only the rose colored columbine is blooming in the front display garden. Tulips and daffodils have gone, and the newest spring additions are still in buds. Seeds for this plant were mixed in with the pink Binghamton, NY poppy seeds from years ago, both growing in the same general location in New York. They grew here, and after a few years have developed into a healthy columbine plant. The flowers are a dull rose, and are not as large as the newer introduced varieties generally available. Still, they are a somewhat unique color from the blues, white and purples found in the seed catalogs. They grow in full sun here, but columbine likes partial shade.

For The Record:   • Grows in moderate drained soil, full sun   • No fertilizer   • Dull rose color blooms get lost in a large garden Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: columbine   • Begin bloom: calendula overwintered