Truest Bluest

This is Ajuga reptans. A few sprigs were given to me many years ago from a friend who had it growing in the yard without knowing what it was. My ajuga grew well, waned, almost disappeared, grew again, and somehow walked across the lawn to another part of my property. I now have two separate smaller patches, neither one worth bragging about.

Last fall, I reassembled one clump, transplanting as many of the sprouts scattered around the hostas and new magnolia tree as I could. Now spring, the grouping became a little denser than the scattered individual sprigs that survived neglect. As I look out to the yard from my deack, I can actually see a small patch of blue where in recent years, I saw nothing from that distance. It is a sight to see, with white and rad azaleas blooming in the background nearby. Very patriotic.

Salome

This daffodil 'Salome' has been one of my all-time favorites. The color and gradual change as it matures is incredible, starting out with light yellow cups turning to a soft peach; all within a mostly white backdrop.

But of course since it is one of the favorites, it can't possibly easily multiply like lesser-loved cultivars do. I've tried everything: moving it around to different locations in the gardens in the hopes that I will hit upon the best growing conditions. It's current location is a "plant it and forget it" location on the south side of the house. This bed is somewhat protected from the nasty northern winter winds, and on a slightly sloping ground to mitigate the feared wet soil fungii and water molds attacking the bulbs. Didn't help. Today I still have about the same number of bulbs as I planted several years ago.

Looks like I might be resigned to opening the wallet to bring in some brothers and sisters to keep these company next year.

Let 'Em Rip

This is daffodil 'Rip Van Winkle' I purchased many many years ago (about 20 years), being a little different than your average ho-hum yellow 'King Alfred'. I was craving something different and unique. Well, as with many a plant from my ealier gardening years, they died, disappeared, or packed it in and left town.

Three years ago, this daffodil popped up and bloomed. I was startled, and though some of the different daffodil species in the garden participated in a little hany-panky and produced this offspring. I had never seen this flower before.

The way-back machine in my brain kicked in and memory of the Rip Van Winkles bubbled up. Ah, yes. I looked at other photos of this variety and see that my version is not as hairy-looking and beardly as they are. The flower resembles the beard from someone who may have been asleep for many years. How appropriate - these have been sleeping in my garden for years and just now awakened.