Now that I have learned how to get pictures from camera to computer, I have been having a little fun taking shots of plants out in the yard. So here is a thread to share plants (or other garden features) of interest at this time of year. I have been so happy to see my crocuses bloom this week and I discovered a helllebore under a shrub that was pumping out the flowers.
Here is a hellebore blossom. I got this plant as a tiny start from a friend several years ago, and it has started to take off at last.
An orange leaved plant of interest most of the year. Carex testacea. It was getting dark, so this is the evening shot.
Good pictures. Don't ya love it.
The crocuses are Chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty'. My plant records method worked! I simply pitch the labels and tags into a shoebox and dig through when I want to know what's what.
I thought those crocuses looked just like mine! They're my favorites so far this year. I got mine at Brent & Becky's clearance sale this year, and also an earlier set from HCG in 2006. I'm just loving the nice clumps they make, and so many blooms as well.
How long have you had the Carex? How does it blend in your garden, colorwise? I've thought it could be hard to coordinate? Is there red as well as the orange?
Susy, I had ithat Carex (orange and green striped leaf) under a Ceanothus, where it looked fine in contrast with the dark green foliage and the blue flowers. It got too shady for it there, so just last Fall I moved it to the current location, next to some daylilies. I really have very little advance color sense, and can only sort of determine when something will look good before I see it in action, which won't be until the lilies bloom (they are red and yellow). If it doesn't look good, I'll have to move it again. I put it there because there was an empty spot and it needed a home, more than any other reason. What was that Heidi said about moving a plant 3 times? I take great comfort that I am not totally off in my 'plant and see what happens' garden design methods.
I have the same filing system too. But I am taking it one level higher. Putting the name under the plant. The only problem is you have to label each picture different. So I have "...1" and " ".....2" etc for all the pictures of the same plant.
Hi Maury , I think you carex is actually libertia gold strike. Very cool plant from new Zealand. I have this year gold finger and taupo blaze two very new and cool ones. Google carex testacea and the libertia. Thanks Heidi
Heidi, I think you are right. That picture is not a Carex after all, it is a Libertia. So much for my filing system. I guess it is working at 50% today.
My Filing is people asking me all day what something is. If not for that I would have called that a pretty orange grass.
I realized I had to look in a different place. I also have a folder with receipts in it when the nursery lists the plant names there. That one is from Mike Lee, and he doesn't have printed labels on every plant for me to toss in my box.
Oh good, I THOUGHT that was Libertia! Then when you said it was a carex, I just got confused. Whew! That was a close call. I cannot deal with more confusion in my life.
I have a computer program called Ideas Genie that I use to keep track of what I have and where I've planted it, etc. It works great...when I remember to input information. I generally just keep it all in a box until I take time to do the computer thing. It's a good program but I use only a fraction of its capability.
Forgot to say thanks for the name of the crocus. I will be on the lookout for them. I love the color.
This message was edited Feb 24, 2008 7:28 PM
I have a california poppy this year called cream cup. It is supposed to be that color
The libertia is really interesting MHF - glad to have the information. And the crocus is a stunner. I am putting crocus on my must remember for autumn planting list - now where did I file that? Oh, pooh, I'll just start another (that is my file technique - woeful!)
Gotta add my Crocus, they are so pretty, this year.
Indeed they are Tils!
And mine. Can you tell I'm trying to catch up on all the PNW threads??
Beautiful crocuses Murmur and Tilly, and primroses too. The slugs and rain have been taking a toll, so mine are looking a bit bedraggled now.
The real Carex (i think), hidden behind some prolifically self seeding ornamental onionish plants whose name I do not recall at all and cannot find in my labels box. oops, sideways, don't know how to fix that, sorry.
This message was edited Mar 2, 2008 4:44 PM
Thats what I want to get Hens ans Chicks, forgot to put that one my list.
I like the pic, even if its sideways.
Tilly, here is the Crimson Flag Lily (thanks to Susybell, we have a better name for this plant) otherwise known as schizostylis.
Note: This is a November picture, just after a freeze, not February.
I love it. 'Yes' 'Please'
Murmur - if you DO manage to catch up on the threads, please let the rest of us know your technique -
know doute
Hey, Laurie are you getting ready to go off to London, if so be happy it will be over quick with your new scheulen place. ( I hope)
Love
Tills
Laurie, it's called "don't do anything else whatsoever except read your DG threads." And it doesn't really work - I just try.
Alas, Carole, I guess we are all tied to the threads by little faeries strings for ever and ever more. I can think of a lot worse things.
The white Crocus are showing their heads, Kinda funny how that happened, to have the white in the center and the yellows at each end, the bulbs all looked the same when I planted them.
The Minni Daffi's have bloomed, but the big ones are still thinking about it.
I thought when I dug the bulbs up that they where the little Irises I had, so I labled then Iris, I don't think they are Irises. now I cant find them. Hoping they will pop up somewhere.
This message was edited Mar 3, 2008 2:28 PM
Tills, it's always such a nice surprise when we remember (or not) where we planted something!
You are right on both counts, I couldn't believe I did it I was being so careful. My DH bought them for me two years ago, I hope I find them.
Murmur ~ I'm still catching up as well. Are those crocus really that blue? That is GORGEOUS! MUST HAVE! What IS it?
That oniony thing might be allium? I like that schnizalstik thing also. Really pretty. P
WW, The oniony thing has dangly, small, white bell-shaped flowers rather than the usual allium globe, but it may be a different sort of allium. I'll post a picture when it blooms, and maybe someone can identify it specifically.
When I make it to another DG event, either tour or work party, that you are also going to, I'll bring you a start of the schizostylis. It really is nice in the Fall, though it doesn't look so lovely right at this time of year.
Tills ~ your yellow/orangy crocus would be SO AMAZING paired with Murmur's blue! Wow. Any MHF...the schizo is awesome. If you ever divide? ;~)
Sheri, The schizo is the same thing as the Crimson Flag lily which I gave you a few of when you were here. They grow and make a good sized clump, so you will have them to place in several locations in a year or two. They transplant easily.
I know it's not Feb. anymore, so this is technically a March picture, but I was so excited that my Red Lady Hellebore put out a few blooms for the first time.
Holly ~ that's so GREAT! Thanks! Being so new I still don't know what everything is. I can barely wait to plant them now. BTW, got the strawberries into a potager box the day after you gave them to me. Checked them this morning before workwork and they seem happy and perky. Did get the rest into a bit more soil and hopefully next weekend will have a day to play in the dirt! The hellebore is beautiful!
MHF, I happened across another one called "November Cheer". It looks like it's a darker red/red pink (from the picture anyway.) Would you like some when it's grown up a little bit? Maybe in a year or so?
Unfortunately, those crocus in my garden are very purple - beautiful, though (and also pair well with yellow!!!).
I have a Red Lady Hellebore, too - and I think it's going to bloom! And I have a lot of schizostyli (my girlfriend and I call it "Skizzy" - much easier to remember!) . . . I just need to dig some up and divide it.
