Monday, March 15, 2010

Yard work, tulips and sweet smells

What a beautiful weekend! It was sunny for a change, the temp-
erature was great, and we took advantage of the nice weather and worked in the yard. While hubby was mowing (goodbye dead grass!), I was out back trying to dig up roots in this flower bed behind the pond. This bed was full of wood fern and ground ivy. I don't want to completely get rid of the ivy (which is impossible anyway), but I did want to try and reduce the amount of ferns in this area. Now that the sun shines on this bed (because of losing the big tree), I would like to plant some type of flowers, and I am thinking cosmos. I can just imagine how pretty they would look gently nodding in the breeze. Sounds simple, huh? Not so! I spend all afternoon digging, pulling, and digging some more to clear out the roots. This was quite a job. But it's done. It's too early for seeds, but as soon as I know our freeze chances are over, those cosmos seeds will be scattered.

Tulips are up, and blooming! I ordered quite a few bulbs from Breck's in the fall, and have several coming up, but seems like I should have more plants. I am making a note to order and plant more next year. Some of the tulip bulbs are hybrids, so I am hoping they will come back .
This is my favorite tulip. I ordered a few bulbs called
Day-
dreams They start out as yellow, change to very light apricot..
..then gradually change to a deep orange.
During the day they open to the most beautiful flower. According to the specs on this variety,

"day-
dream blooms are long-lasting and reach up to 5 inches across.."
I am enjoying this tulip so much! It was such a joy to go out this weekend and see the large flower. And that orange color..wow! I will order more of these!

The sun shinning directly on this flower gives it a golden look. Just beautiful!
As I worked clearing, cleaning and pruning this weekend, I kept smelling the sweetest fragrance. I thought it was my violas, which it was to some degree, but then I remembered the 2 new little plants I bought at Home Depot last week. That's what the sweet smell was! This is a Nemesia-compact innocence. Nemesia is a pretty annual with little snapdragon-shape flowers.
I only bought 2 because Nemesia is a cool-season annual. These little plants will not last very long, but I think they add a bright touch to this early spring garden, and I sure will enjoy that sweet smell as I work and relax out in the yard.
It has been such a good weekend, and..it's Spring Break for me, and...we are off to the Hill Country later this week! Spring is almost here!

12 comments:

JenningsJunk said...

Your blooms look wonderful!! Just reinforces how much I want to get out to the Arboretum ;-)

Meadowview Thymes said...

I know JJ. I am in need of an Arboretum trip myself! I may take Mother tomorrow if the weather is ok. Have a great week!

tina said...

You sound like you worked very hard! I don't even want to think about it but your flowers cheer me and will cheer you too once it is all done. Love those tulips! None here yet.

Meadowview Thymes said...

It was hard digging out all those roots Tina, but you are so right..I can just picture the flowers this summer! The tulips are just starting to put on a show here. Wish I had planted more though. :)

Susie said...

We sell Nemesia at work. It does have the sweetest smell.

I'm growing some cosmos from seed in pots right now. Only a couple of seedlings have come up so far.

Enjoy your trip this weekend!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Susie--cosmos grow great here and re-seed like crazy. I am really anxious to get started and plant seeds!

Skeeter said...

As a Tennessee Vol Fan, (Go big Orange) I really like your orange tulips! I am not seeing any coming up in the Semi-formal garden. I suspect the Vole has had a nice winter keeping a full belly with my garden bulbs. Darn rodent!

Nola said...

Your tulips are adorable; I've never had luck growing them, but think they are beautiful. It WAS a wonderful weekend for yardwork, wasn't it!

Meadowview Thymes said...

I know what you mean Skeeter, I have the same problem with squirrels. I sprinkle red pepper in the beds where there are tulips and it seems to help. Do you think that might work?

Yeah Nola-the weekend was perfect, but I hear there is another cold front on the way. Darn! I am so ready for warm weather!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I need to order some tulips next year. I picked mine up at Home Depot. And they aren't doing piddly!
Brenda

misterreereeder said...

Great pictures and you did not have to go far to get them. Ihe yard looks so nice and just confirms I have a lot to do in my own!!!

Anonymous said...

Yeah for spring, long awaited and beloved season! LOL It's arrived here too, with my first crocus blooming today. I'm so excited.