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Moonstruck by Moonscene

| Flower Roberts

May is Amaryllis time here. I will share many of these throughout the month, but none will be more quietly gorgeous than ‘Moonscene.’

This is the flower of dreams. Perfect shape and luster. Lovely coloration and patterns. I have been stalking its stalks for weeks. Watering and staking and waiting to see those lovely faces.

I must admit that I have referred to many of my Amaryllis/Hippeastrum varieties as the “clowns of the garden.” I am ashamed of this harsh judgement. They cannot help being over-hybridized. They have been manipulated genetically to be big and showy. This is their purpose as a holiday flower in the fray of holiday decor. (Stay tuned for those.)

However, when these specimen are transferred to outdoor gardens they seem comical and out of place. They must be placed properly so as not to clash with the other plants. My favorite grouping is by a pond surrounded by ferns.

If you want an Amaryllis that stands out without flash and clash. I do hope you can find yourself a ‘Moonscene’ to add interest and beauty.

Moonscene

FLOWER

The Purloined Poncirus

| Flower Roberts

I must confess to stealing a fruit from a Chinese Bitter Orange tree on a South Carolina plantation many years ago. I need to bare my soul of picking the little citrus and stuffing it into my bra.
I forgot about this stolen cargo until late that night, as I was changing my clothes the shriveled little fruit fell out and rolled across the floor.

Why I felt the need to steal seeds from such a mean little tree is beyond me. I think I was impressed by its long, sharp thorns.


Now I have two mean trees of my own. With equally long and strong thorns.

No fruit yet.
Such is the life of a plant addict. A pinch here…a pick there…

Stashing precious cargo in pockets and undergarments.

Such are the crimes of the afflicted.

FLOW

Sweet, Little Epimediums

| Flower Roberts

The Epimediums are very delicate looking, but don’t be fooled. They are tough little beauties.

Orange and yellow are the first to bloom. These are tucked up under Autumn ferns and shrubs.

These blooms are complex and are worth close examination.

The orange was a gift from my dear friend Steve Baldwin.

The yellow blooms and spreads like it loves its niche.

These are two of my fairy plants. The blooms seem to have tiny wings.

I love that!

FLOW

Baby Herbs, Barbie and the Little Red Wagon

| Flower Roberts

This wagon was my daughter’s. Her brother had a larger one. Both are still in use.

This smaller wagon has been augmented for the purpose of temporarily housing baby plants, to move them in and out of the sun.


There is a story about this little wagon and this Barbie. How I modified the wagon and how Barbie lost her head is in the blog linked below.


Anytime we get out the wagon, somebody brings up the Barbie story and we laugh again. Enjoy!

https://floweralley.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post&jetpack-copy=241

FLOW

The Scent of Spring

| Flower Roberts

I am notified that spring is near not by sight, but by scent.

I planted an Edgeworthia shrub on the bank below the deck. The breeze lifts its scent up to my window.

You must bend to see the faces of these miracle blooms.

I cannot tell you how joyous it is to smell the scent of spring.

It is sort of a creamy gardenia that reminds me of a Chanel powder puff mixed with Cool Whip. I know that mixture makes no sense.

When I cup a bloom in my hands I envision my Little Girl Blue bottle of perfume from Avon that I had as a teen.

Bright yellow clusters with green centers and a delicious scent.

How could I not love this shrub?

FLOW

179 Enwood Drive Charlotte, North Carolina

| Flower Roberts
Front yard with giant post oak and pecan trees.
Garden with perfect soil, garden building and fabulous workshop.
My wonderful parents. Daddy is gone and mom is in a home.

I would buy this if I could. I want someone who can appreciate it to buy it. It is not a showplace…it is a homeplace.

Google the address if interested.

FLOW