Author: Flower Roberts

My First Love was Leaves

| Flower Roberts

I have not always been the FLOWER.

My first love was leaves.   I collected leaves.  Pressed leaves into pictures.  Made stationery with embedded leaves…

In my home there are leaves on the rugs and floor clothes and walls and sofas…

So today I want to share an unusual leaf.

I have been watching this plant grow for months.

It was a gift from ” My Friend the Fairy.”  (See post. She is adorable)

The plant is a “Queen of the Night” , “Night Blooming Cereus” or Epiphyllum oxypetallum.

Its nickname is also Gooseneck cactus.   Now I know why.  One leaf decided it needed to be longer.  So it added another lobe on the tip.

This stem and leaf first looked like a rising cobra’s head several months ago.

It elongated and has now sprouted side leaflets.

The leaves are very thick and the venation is visually absent,

IMG_9538

except for the midrib seen underneath.

The midrib sends vein offshoots to each leaflet.

The underside of the main leaf has rootlets which is typical of an epiphyte.

Lastly, I would like to include a photo that those who know me will appreciate.

Photo shoot carnage.  Positioning leaves lead to a spill.  Another mess.  I wonder what punishment will be bestowed upon me by my facedown fairy godmother. She’s mean.

IMG_5809

The Queen only blooms once every couple of years, so I will enjoy its leaves in the meantime.

FLOWER

 

 

Hare Hormones

| Flower Roberts

Poor Charlotte has gone through another false pregnancy.

IMG_9515

This second round lacked the crazy fervor of last spring’s nesting.

There has been less fur pulling and growling.

Barley has been allowed inside the nest for napping.

IMG_9511

I have sent them both out on this windy day to clean up the nest.

It was built behind the carriers under a table.

IMG_9505

I will be putting a cleaner version back in that spot with timothy hay and rags.

I hope I did not clean up the nest too soon. There was quite a bit of spying going on through the window during the cleaning.

IMG_9516

Another little critter is nesting. This Chickadee was very pleased to pluck hair from the rabbit rugs that were hanging out for airing.

IMG_9526

FLOWER/Bunny Mama

 

 

 

Fragrant Viburnum

| Flower Roberts

This lovely Viburnum X juddii it too far from the house to get babied, so it is not much to look at.

IMG_9494

But I make myself walk all the way down the hill when I see the blooms, because the aroma is fabulous.

IMG_9476

One sniff is never enough. I stand around the shrub sniffing multiple blooms.

The buds are bright pink and open as blushing pink.

IMG_9474

I am always glad to see and smell the blooms.

FLOWER

You Go Ahead On

| Flower Roberts

You go on to that meeting,

I’ll stay here with the baby.

You go ahead on to work,

I’ll stay here with the children.

You go ahead on to the Y,

I’ll stay here with the laundry.

You go ahead on to that race,

I’ll stay here with the sick one.

You go ahead on to church,

I’ll stay here with these dishes.

You go ahead on with what you’re doing,

I’ll stay here with the weeds.

You go ahead on on that trip,

I’ll stay here with the dogs.

You go ahead on and on and on,

I may be here, but I’m all ready gone.

Columbine Time

| Flower Roberts

If you have a good variety of flowers in your gardens,

you know when the various types are stepping it up in the bloom parade.

Here in North Carolina the daffodils have had their days.  The tulips have gotten enough attention  now.

The new feature flower group is the Columbine.

IMG_9431

I have had the usual purple and pink for decades.

It seems the pinks are more numerous this spring.

I have two relatively new types, besides that darling tiny red ‘Little Lanterns’ from a previous post.

These two have a different form of flower, both are double and the blooms seem to look up rather than nod.

‘Winky Double Red’ reminds me of a granny’s bonnet even more than the old cultivars.

IMG_9440

I love the deep mauve color surrounding the butter yellow.

IMG_9427

The buds are very dark and tight.

IMG_9402

‘Nora Barlow’ is has spiky pink blooms with a hint of yellow.

IMG_9434

This hybrid is a bit taller than the old types. Here is one beside an old pink for comparison.

IMG_9436

I have not saved seed from these, so I don’t know if they will be true next generation.

Nora Barlow does have one progeny beside the original.

IMG_9433

They are a nice addition to my collection.

Next come the iris.

FLOWER

 

On the Other Side of This

| Flower Roberts

On the other side of this storm, there will be sun.

You be that here.

On the other side of this sadness, there will be joy.

You be that here.

On the other side of this chaos, there will be calm.

You be that here.

On the other side of this hunger, there will be plenty.

You be that here.

On the other side of this hate, there will be love.

You be that here.

On the other side of this world, we will be one.

You will be there.

 

The REAL Exotica Bloomed Correctly

| Flower Roberts

The replacement bulb for Amaryllis Exotica has bloomed.

It has the expected color and striations.

The apricot color definitely has a red shimmer in it.

I feel sorry for the original bulb, which will now be stuck with the name,

BLOOMED INCORRECTLY, from now on.

They are both lovely. Both will be cared for, nurtured and loved.

Though only one has a pedigree.

FLOWER (Plant Mama)

You Gotta Get An Epimedium

| Flower Roberts

I love hundreds of types of plants.  I am in love with a dozen or so.

The twinkle in my eye during March belongs to my yellow Epimedium.

It peeks out from under a Pieris japonica bush and an Autumn fern.

Its butter yellow blooms dangle from wiry stalks like tiny lanterns aglow.

A perfect place for a fairy to read a book.

Even the leaves are lovely.

FLOWER

Squirrel Snack Bar

| Flower Roberts

My maple tree is now a popular hangout for my little furry friends.

IMG_9288

They are eating the samara fruits off the tree.  These are also called whirlbirds or helicopters due to how they fly in the wind

IMG_9280

I love watching their little paws picking the nutlet bundles.

IMG_9291

Sometimes they even hang upside down to pick them and perch on tiny twigs to eat.

IMG_9297

I wish I could climb up there with them.

FLOWER