Daffodil Ammends and an Ode to a Tulip

I had never been a huge fan of spring narcissus...otherwise known as daffodils.  Maybe it was the bright color yellow (which has not been one of my favorites), or the association with the sniffles and sneezing that often signaled the beginning of spring for me.  Perhaps I grew bored with them.  I always knew that there were a range of different varieties, shapes and colors, but for some reason, I never really gave them a fair chance.

Of course, I would plant Easter gifts of mini daffodils each season, but always forgot where I had planted them.  Last year, to try and remedy my detached relationship with the ever so loved bulb, I bought a bag of white daffodils and planted them though out my perennial beds.  When they appeared, I felt a twinge of excitement.  They were cute and cheery and a little bit different from other types that I had seen.

I moved to a new house and garden during the winter, so I had seen the landscaping in late summer/fall, but never really had the opportunity to inspect the subtleties of the plant life.  Of course I brought many of my own valued plants, ones that I had added to my collection and wanted to introduce into the new setting.  With the coming of spring, and a brand new garden, there were so many lovely surprises that I was welcomed with each day.

The collection of daffodils was one of these surprises.  Everyday, I would walk around the yard and noticed daffodil varieties that I had never seen before.  Each bunch appeared gradually, like a wave coming on to the beach and leaving a trace of water behind in the sand.  I had planted one or two packs of bulbs in the fall, but back then had no idea about the collection that I was adding on to. 

This one below is one of my new all time favorites...despite it's yellow color (wink wink).  It has a flower as detailed as a peony and smells so fragrant and sweet.  The flowers are so heavy that they needed to be supported in wet weather to keep their pretty little heads out of the mulch beds.

The creamy yellow small ones, and little white ones looked like they belonged in some kind of dewy fairy world.

Varieties with two tones were spectacular, fading from one color to another, or bright colored center against yellow or white petals.  Others sported multiple layers and ruffles adding complexity to their  beauty.  They were planted in clumps, with different varieties positioned next to one another, which added emphasis to their individual characteristics. 

I was so excited to see all of the different kinds that I now had on my property that I began cutting them and making arrangements to give away to friends, and decorate the center of my breakfast table.  I went for a walk around the creek that runs through my back yard, collecting wild grape hyacinth so that I could add a pop of contrasting royal blue color to the bouquets. 

Now, much like many plants that I discover each season, I have opened my eyes and have become intrigued by these intoxicating little flowers.  Each fall, I will be sure to keep an eye out for new varieties to add to my collection. 

As an ode to my former favorite spring flowering bulb, one single yellow tulip appeared in my new garden!  (And of course it was yellow...)

In the Blink of an Eye

Ever wonder how one day in late March or early April, the landscape suddenly seems to transform from it's cold, gray, skeletal structure into a colorful, lush paradise, in what seems like the blink of an eye?  I am constantly amazed by the magic of nature, and how year after year it is able to produce so much life and growth out of nothing in an instant.  There is so much going on while these plants are dormant, so much that we don't see.

In the distance, a lime green haze is forming on the trees in my neighborhood.  This is the moment that I look forward to most in spring (despite the allergies), because I know that soon the trees will be full of bright green leaves and the air will be getting warmer. With this moment of transformation in mind, I have decided this year, to pay particular attention to the way that these familiar plants and flowers emerge, some poking though the soil, and others leafing out on what seem like dead, lifeless branches.

As I observe these plants undergo their yearly transformation, I am hoping to learn more about them, and about the nature of growth and life itself. 

I started thinking about this about two weeks ago, when I first started my spring clean-up in my yard.  I was walking past a lilac that I've kept in a pot for 8 years, when I noticed small clusters of tiny buds.  I took a small sucker from another, more mature lilac 8 years ago, intending to plant it in my then, new yard.  As the years passed, I watched this little plant grow bigger and bigger, becoming full of green leaves, but never blooming.  I repotted it over and over again but eventually figured that I would have to plant in the ground it for it to bloom.

When I noticed the bud clusters, all over the plant, a giant smile came across my face, I wanted to scream out and jump up and down with joy.  The excitement of seeing these little clusters was as if someone told me that I had just won the lottery.  There is something in this discovery, watching this process of growth, that gives me such a rush of adrenaline.

A few days later, the bud clusters extended into full lilac blooms waiting to open.  I can hardly wait!

Here are a few others....

 Peony.

 Sedum.

 Hydrangea.

 Hosta.

Tulip Magnolia.

 Peas.

And the tulips of course.  They are late to bloom this year, but seemed to suddenly emerge from the ground with bright orange, red, and yellow blooms.

Last fall, I picked up a pack of daffodils at the hardware store, making an effort to fill my backyard with them.  I have had a couple that bloom, here and there, but have never a real attempt to plant them.  I prefer the less traditional varieties, and picked these up.  To my surprise, these are rather unique little daffodils with tremendous personality.  They have multiple creamy white bblooms branching off of one stem, causing the flowers to turn downward.  They look shy and bashful.

I plan to continue my observations as spring marches forward.  Stay tuned.

Highlights from the Philadelphia Flower Show 2013--Part II

In addition to the themed displays at the Philadelphia Flower Show, there are rows and rows of specimen plants, that are judged and on display.

This is one of my favorite parts of the flower show, where you can see what makes the perfect begonia, poinsetta, and even snake plant.  It is a place to see every variety of cactus imaginable, countless orchids, flowering bulbs, rock gardens, and terrariums.  I love to see what I have grown and also get ideas.  Here are some of my favorites this year.

I could have spent hours and hours inspecting each and every plant.  But alas...after a little shopping....it was time for dinner.

We ventured over to Talula's Garden at 210 W. Washington Square to try out their fresh, seasonal, farm to table selections.  They had an amazingly diverse menu, yummy cheese plate, old fashioned drinks, and heavenly deserts.  I look forward to going back in a few months to sample their spring and summer menu.  There is a great outdoor patio area too!

Talula's was the perfect place to end our Flower show day!  Fresh ingredients, botanicals, terrariums, long wooden country style tables, tulips, and garden lights.

Here are some of the dishes that we sampled...

Carrot Soup, Spicy Cucumber Radish "Pickles," Torn Mint and Yogurt

 Pear Salad, Red Watercress, Endive, Walnuts, Port Pears, Blue Cheese, Poppy Seed Dressing

 Seared Gulf Snapper, Kumquat Vinaigrette, Chervil, Mint, Sunchokes, Radicchio, and Creamy Cauliflower Puree--Yum!

and for dessert....

Crisp Creme Brulee Napoleon--Vanilla Bean Creme, Pistachio Tuiles, Blood Orange Sorbet

Oh....and don't forget the Maple Glazed Brussles Sprouts with Alpine Cheese, Cider and Leeks
and the Creamed Kale with Fontina and toasted pistachios.

And their coffee and espresso is really good too!

And so ends the Flower Show 2013 adventure.  Can't wait until next year!