In just three days blooming tulips went from one to several. And, the catmint, too, has more blue blossoms!
Three days ago, this tulip was alone...the only one open.
The "species" tulips with their short stems and mauve-striped foliage are also blooming, now.
On the south side of the house, the first daffodils to bloom are now withering. But, I won't deadhead and throw away these blossoms! I will deadhead them, however, and lay them on wax paper-lined trays to completely dry, then store them in plastic bags to make next Spring's potpourri. They don't look like much, now, when compared to those still in glorious bloom but they will be lovely when mixed with other dried flowers in a potpourri.
This lovely potpourri made several weeks ago contains deadheaded, dried daffodils from the 2011 Spring garden, among other types of dried blooms!
This swath of naturalized daffodils are still in bloom in the east front garden. Those up against the east front of the Cottage aren't even open yet. It seems that the Cottage stands guard among various planting zones with slightly differing weather conditions and bloom times!
Do you see a bumblebee? This fuzzy, large bee loves the blue catmint flowers!
I was out of the garden for the past three days of wind and quickly-melting snow flurries. I made use of the time tailoring a slipcover to fit a small loveseat upstairs. I'll post those results tomorrow! In those three days away I missed many garden changes.
The forsythia that was in full glorious bloom is now slightly past its prime. I'm glad I cut and forced boughs into early bloom inside the house. Nanking cherries are still blossoming beautifully.
Cherry blossoms on the Nanking cherry hedge outside the front fence.
I missed the short span of days when my apricot-colored tulips were at their best...now in decline...perhaps they got frost-nipped.
The recent cold snap has frozen all the apricot blossoms, too. The Italian prune-plum is just opening its fragrant, white flowers. Perhaps, I'll get some plums this year!
The almond tree, blooming for the first time last year, is wearing its deep pink blossoms. They look a bit frost nipped, but perhaps I'll get a few almonds for the first time.
In the Kitchen Garden, chicory is blanching under overturned, black nursery pots. The arugula is up, along with a few tiny lettuce plants. The shallots are just sending up their first green shoots. Spearmint and peppermint are sending forth tentative leaves, and tarragon is just showing beneath last years deadwood.
All these things in just three days greet my return after a short absence. Even Farmer Chet who grows alfalfa in the field across from the Cottage, disked it all up after 13 years, so he could plant corn this Spring! I'll enjoy watching it grow from my front porch as it moves and shimmers in the wind!
Farmer Chet has disked out the alfalfa in his field to plant corn.
Tomorrow I'll do a bit of garden clean up from my low garden stool - weeding, deadheading, returning most of the snippings back as mulch.
This perfect late Easter afternoon, I sat for awhile on the front porch and watched the light change and move upon the mountain flanks as the Sun sank behind the western hills. And, picked a few dandelion blossoms for freezing. When I get enough - several quart bags full - I'll make a batch of dandelion wine.
Then I picked some of the dandelion greens to go into a pasta dish along with sauteed mushrooms and feta cheese. The Chicken Girls saw me picking the greens from the other side of the south gate and started demanding - clucking and nattering for some. So I picked a handful for them, too! A welcome green treat at the end of a long Winter. For all of us!
* * * *
Abundance is...for me, at least...dandelions in the gardens!
Comments