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

Fall Fire

The firey yellow-orange calendula thrives in cooler weather that starts coming around September. It does well in spring and fall and blooms well past the first frost. During summers it all but shuts down flower production, producing few flowers that are quite small with a dull yellow color. Once the weather starts to turn cool, it perks up and starts to thrive again. Photos do not accurately show the true vibrant color of flowers, good for cutting.

Leaves have an unusual spicy fregrance. The plant is self-seeding and profusely comes back each year. A few plants will survive the winter here, and exhibit lots of flowers in late spring right after the tulips stop.