The daffs are blooming here (central southern okla) as we have had 60 to 70 for the last week, less than 2 weeks ago it was down to 7. Expect nighttime temp in mid 30s up to mid 50s daytime for the next couple of days.
I had a chance to save plants from an old heirloom garden this week. ( Sanger) Now or never type of thing. I dug red texas yucca, siberian iris, tall beardeds iris, daylily (probably just orange ditch lily) , red spider lily, and a petite type of climbing ivy. I got several small digs of passion flower vine underneath a vine 15 ft high and about 8 inches across. I know most were not the proper time for transplant but we will not have another hard freeze this year and I got them back in the ground at my place asap.
It about killed me...too much, too soon after an idle winter on the sofa. Anyone had similar experiences? With what results? I save heirlooms from abandoned properties or land about to be cleared anytime I can. Before we retired hubby was in the land clearing business in the Dallas area and we saw many old gardens just cleared flat for new projects or housing development. I have saved as much as I can when I can. It was a lot easier when my husband had big machines on the site. We once dug and moved some now about 50 yr old crepes in the middle of a hot
texas summer. They survived and are doing well 20 yrs later here in my yard. I have my eye on a huge old agave on land that has been sold to Winstar casino for future development. I don't know who to ask about moving it yet.
There are thousands of daffs on the site just about to bloom I will have to get as soon as I can, same with more lycoris radicans (red spider lily). I am anxious to see what other dormants jump up as the ground warms more. I will have to move them in a hurry to save them. Only my old 68 yr body and a shovel and hand spade but the dirt there is the best I have ever seen in this area, black and crumbly and easy to dig.
Texas heirlooms
I feel your pain my dear, my husband and I just hand selected moved and set out over a thousand pounds of rocks on Saturday, then on Sunday we did some heavy gardening and pruning at the church, for 3 hours, needless to say I am demolished but proud.
Josephine.
It's very satisfying to know I have saved the plants. Worth the pain. I certainly hope they survive the early spring move.
I tried digging an old patch of Crinum lilies......too much for me , I couldn't get deep enough withourt tearing the huge bulbs........I really want them, hate to see them lost to progress.
The red yucca were hard to dig as well, but I did get some smaller divisions. I could dig many more if the body and the energy hold out.
I am going back on Wednesday to dig again if the weather permits. I can at least dig heirloom iris of unknown idenities and some more red spider lily. This yard I was told was in homes and gardens years ago. It makes me think the iris will be more than just the old church/cemetary ones we all grew up with. I am interested in seeing what iris I will have. It may take until 2012 or later for them to bloom after the move at an inappropriate time. God willing, I have time and patience to wait and see.
It is very satisfying to save plants from demolishing homes. I live near an old home that was torn down a few years back.
My children and I noticed a brick window box and blooming flowers...they were the Americanum crinum (white swamp lily). They were also planted around a tree. Of course, I went back and dug some up (sliced many bulbs, too). They have multiplied through the years and I have traded many away. Those crinums are so deep and hard to dig up but worth it.
A friend rescued some mixed spiderworts from abandoned house so I have many in my bed. (Anyone need some?)
Good luck digging!
Betsy
Shame you guys cant hire a younger helper to do the labor, some of them will work for supper even, chuckle,
most young people I know would rather take it from their folks than work for it.......I am willing to pay well.
Went back today did get 4 or 5 crinum....but, be still my heart, I found and dug several peonies. I have never grown then, don't know anything but I don't think they like hot dry sands......will have to do a bunch of amending I think......got some aguga, more spider lily, daylily, siberians, and found a batch of what looks like just emerging echinecea, I brought it home.......busy tomorrow trying to get as much in the ground as I can.
goood luck, take care!