Late May Bouquet

Fewer few, butterfly weed, rose champion, astilbe, love-in-the-mist seed pods.

Forcing Branches III

Three and a half weeks after the snowstorm and from when I brought some branches in and finally they opened late last week. It took a bit longer than I expected, but the display is quite nice.

Here are some blooms of tulip magnolia.
And ornamental cherry.
Both vases as seen on my messy dining room table.

Forcing Branches II

After a recent winter storm, there are lots of broken down tree branches in my neighborhood. Otherwise I would not clip branches from a live tree in winter, but since these, unfortunately, will become waste, it's a great opportunity to bring some branches indoors for forcing. Just place branches in water and watch them being fooled that spring is here.These are from tulip magnolia. I took garden clippers and sniped some smaller branches for a vase in my home. The blooms should open after a few days I think.
I also have brought in a branch from my dogwood--it was also broken during the storm. Not sure if that will produce any blooms, but it's worth trying. Besides, it looks great as is.

There's a big cherry tree branch down behind the church, but I have not been back to get a cutting or two from it yet. I'm sure I can force some blooms out of that. My own lilac also got damaged, but I have never had any luck forcing lilac, although I know it's possible.

Another easy-to-force tree that comes in mind is hazel.

Forced Forsythia

About two weeks ago a strong wind gust knocked down a heavy oak brunch and it, in turn, broke off two branches from my forsythia bush. I brought them in and put in the water. It's blooming now.We had some snow this morning, but on my mantel there's a small reminder about the spring that will eventually come.
Other good candidates for forcing the branches are cherry, quince and birch. The latter will sprout small, fresh-green leaves.

Violas

Our small mom & pop hardware store has various violas. First, I did not indulge myself and did not buy any, but when I was back in that neighborhood today, I stopped by to pick the lilac violas (center). And since I'm there, I took a four-pack of yellow ones, too, and some magenta pansies. They all were less than $5!
Now they are in little pots near the front door.

100 Muscari

$12 for 100 muscari bulbs at Costco. Planted them all today, most in the front yard. Now the challenge will be to remember exactly where and not plant something else on top.

Mum Time

It's sign of early fall--round, bushy and colorful mums show up in stores and markets. When I went grocery shopping today, I could not resist putting this maroon baby in my basket. Only $4! This gave me a small push I needed to spruce up the entry to our house.I repotted the mum in a larger pot previously occupied by petunia and coleus. Both were not doing so well after long, hot summer. Part of the coleus could be salvaged. I think this looks nice!

Mums are perennials. Most likely I will replant this one somewhere in my garden. It will not have its current perfect round shape next year, but that's OK.

Safeway Basil

First, can I say how excited I am about my blog? I even have my first follower (Erika, I'll always remember that!)

Yesterday I bought live basil plants at Safeway--they routinely sell them in produce section. I think that's the best deal around for $4. You get plenty of basil for mozzarella, tomato and basil salad and then there are three or four basil plants to put in the garden to boot. I've used "Safeway basil" for my herb collection in the garden for the last two years and have decided that there's really no need to spend more money on basil seedlings at a nursery. This way you alreday get your first harvest and the next one can be done soon after.

"The planting material" does look unusual--their roots are squished together in some weird spongy mold with some substance that I'm sure is some super-duper plant food. I just pull the plants apart and shake off anything that will freely come off. No worries about weak-looking roots. The good thing about basil is that it's one of those plants that will easily root from a cutting. I might even use some of this same basil bunch to cut some stems, put in a water and after a week, when new roots have appeared, put it in a pot with some potting mix and give it to someone to plant in their garden. To my first follower, perhaps...


P.S. I could not help myself and took a picture of my white peony with raindrops on it tonight as well.