Save the Seeds

No, this is not going to be a rant against Monsanto.  I won’t even go there.

I am sharing my methods for saving seeds of annuals, biennials and perennials.

I do this to have more plants, keep “heirloom” plants going, share seeds, and avoid buying annuals’ seeds every year.

I will demonstrate with some poppies that were given to me by a dear, artist friend, Bill Troutman.

He is no longer around, but every spring these poppies take my breath away with their beauty.

Bloom and Pod
Bloom and Pod

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Poppy Pods

Once the pods are brown, the holes around the crown will open. Shake some seeds out onto a piece of paper with the name of the flower written on it. This labels the inside of the seed packet.  I do this to avoid that “What is This?” issue if I forget to write the name on the outside of the folded paper.

I do this on a box lid to avoid losing seeds in the process. I have multiple sheets of paper in it, so I can walk around the yard collecting different seeds at the same time. It’s also handy for carrying the roll of tape and the marker.

Folded paper with name of seeds.
Folded paper with name of seeds.

Then fold up the paper and tape it up. Then write the name again on the outside.

Labeled seed pack.
Labeled seed pack.

I sow these poppy seeds in November.

Some other seeds I save in June are foxglove and columbine.

Columbine pods and seeds
Columbine pods and seeds
Tiny Foxglove seeds. Don't sneeze.
Tiny Foxglove seeds. Don’t sneeze.

Now,  share some seeds with your gardening friends.

They make great hostess gifts for garden parties. Just add a photo and bow and wah lah!!!   Future flowers.

Follow the Flower!

Fairy Lily Surprise

Years ago my little niece came to me with a fund-raiser catalog for her school. I was pleased to find bulbs offered among the usual nuts and wrapping paper. I ordered a packet of five pink “Fairy Lily” bulbs. The scientific name is Zephyranthus robustus.  It’s nickname is rain lily.

I planted these in a pot that had some extra space and forgot about them. Later, I noticed little green shoots. Then one day some sweet little pink faces were peeking out.  When the central plant finally out-grew that pot, I divided the bulbs and put them in many more pots with space in them and even planted some in the yard.

The fairy lilies tend to bloom after it rains.  I am surprised to see some blooming in different spots at different times.  The blooming periods are unpredictable, so it’s like getting a little surprise from my niece whenever more bloom. I smile every time I find some blooming and remember my little pink fairy niece.

fairy and daylilies 041

Fairy and her Lily
Fairy and her Lily
Fairy Lily Party
Fairy Lily Party

You know you are getting old when you plant things yourself and then are surprised to see them later.

Follow the Flower!

Like White?

White flowers pop in shady spots. They never clash with other colors. They even show up at night.

Here are some of my favorites.

Ornithogalum arabicum
Ornithogalum arabicum
oakleaf hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Wigelia
Wigelia
Epimedium
Epimedium
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May Breeze Phlox
Krinkled White Peony
Krinkled White Peony
I have white and pink varieties.
Diamond Astilbe
Thalia
Thalia
Camelot White foxglove
Camelot White Foxglove
My newest bulb has shown it's lovely face.
Peruvian Daffodil
Duchess de Nemours Peony
Duchess de Nemours Peony
Immortality Bearded Iris
Immortality Bearded Iris
Easter lily
Easter lily

Follow the Flower!

June Buddies

A quick walk around the yard with my camera to capture all my little friends in the garden.

I almost stepped on Mr. Snake while looking at clouds.  My daughter calls him “Big Guy.” He showed up at one of our parties. We had to stand in front of him as my sister-in-law passed.  I hope she doesn’t read this!

We have lizards everywhere. I suspect some arrived in bales of pine needles.  We have had baby snakes come that way also.

The tree frog on the rocks is named Mortimer. He used to stay near our front porch at a little patio pond. He has now moved onto the porch behind a piece of art.  He peeks out as we go and come. You will see him in future posts.

June buddies 001

June buddies 048

June buddies 006 Mr. SnakeLizard palsBubba on Duty

I wish this picture of the frog at my daughter’s pond did this frog justice.  He is bigger than my hand and makes a big SPLASH as he jumps into the pond.

Follow the Flower!

Night Moves

Just because you aren’t out enjoying your garden at night, does not mean it is empty.

Here are some of our neighbors who prefer the darkness.

Some silently creep along the ground, some climb trees leaving a shiny trail behind, while others are loudly calling their friends to come to a pond party.

snail climbing treediplopodcalling all frogsfrog by the pond

Follow The Flower!

 

What’s blooming today?

Astilbes are adding color to their racemes. Foxgloves are blooming to the top of their spires.

Daylily stalks are lifting up the buds of future flowers. Foreshadowing the parade to come.

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Foxglove/Digitalis
I have white and pink varieties.
Astilbe
My newest bulb has shown it's lovely face.
Hymenocallis festalis/Peruvian Daffodil
Easter Lily/ June 4
Easter lily/June 4, 2015
Zwanenburg Blue Spiderwort June 2015
Zwanenburg Blue Spiderwort
June 2015

Follow the Flower!