May Bloom Day
Easter lilies are out. In a surprising twist for 2008, they haven’t yet all fallen over. Do they lack calcium in their diet of something that they are usually so weak-kneed?
This is really just me fiddling around with my new camera. It’s going to take a lot of work. Never can remember the various effects of aperture and exposure.
I’ve seen some criticism of Zephirine Drouhin among the blogs, but I am still enamored of the spectacular color and her classic rose form. I’m not really smitten by most single roses (except Rosa laevigata). And the fragrance is lovely.
I really love this tradescantia with purple flowers and chartreuse leaves. I can’t remember where I found it. And whatever filter I’ve got on this camera really does do a better job on blue/purple shades than the old one.
Hi Karen, your new camera has taken some superb shots. I love the lilies and am anxiously awaiting the blooming of ours. Many, many buds this year after last year’s disastrous frost. Zephirine is a beauty and fragrant too? What’s not to love? I love the blue that the spiderwort offers to the shrub border, expecially under the deciduous azaleas. Thanks for sharing your lovely flowers.
Frances
Comment by Frances — May 16, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Ha! Spiderwort under the deciduous azaleas. What a lovely thought. You are the most imaginative gardener I know, Frances, and I shall copy your inspiration shamelessly.
Comment by karen — May 16, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
I planted Zepherine many years ago, mainly because it is more shade tolerant than other climbers. Now that I have gotten all sophisticated and actually have a color theme, Z. does not fit in. I don’t have the heart to pull it out, besides my wife loves the color and the fragrance. So it will stay.
Comment by Les — May 17, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Periodically, I get all sophisticated and devise a color scheme. Then I find myself craving more diversity and sprinkle a packet of assorted zinnia seeds. I think it’s probably hopeless!
Comment by karen — May 18, 2008 @ 8:54 am
A new camera, how fun. I love those spiderworts (Tradescantia) but they are ending up all over my flower beds, and not by my choice. Do you find them invasive in your garden?
Comment by Carol, May Dreams Gardens — May 18, 2008 @ 8:58 am
Carol, yes Tradescantia is native here, so it pops up in the lawn, shrub borders, etc. But it doesn’t spread very rapidly. I just find individual plants here and there. I decided I’d try and make a virtue of necessity by planting this one, which is such an interesting color. I love Frances’s idea of letting them loose under the deciduous azaleas–a lovely color combination.
Comment by karen — May 18, 2008 @ 9:30 am
I just got a new camera too. It’s much more fussy, like my old non-digital 35mm and so I find it sort of trying when I want to take a quick snapshot. But I’m sure I’ll adjust to it soon.
I find it interesting that your spiderwort is still blooming. Mine started dying down almost six weeks ago. I think it’s pretty weedy but as it fills the mini-woods (which doesn’t have anything else much growing in it) with flowers for a month without any help from me, I let it be.
Comment by mss @ Zanthan Gardens — May 18, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
I quite agree about the new camera. I’m having to learn to use a camera all over again and grab the little one when I’m in a hurry.
Yes, I think that is absolutely the right use for spiderwort–move it all into a “woodland” setting and let it do its thing for a month.
I have noticed all this year that you seem to be a couple of weeks ahead of us in spring, which I find surprising. I’d have expected the coast to be slightly warmer than you, although admittedly you are farther south. (I think.)
Comment by karen — May 19, 2008 @ 9:23 am