A Whole Lot of Magic at Latta

| Flower Roberts

If you were wondering where all the fairies had gone yesterday,

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they were all down at Latta Plantation for the Fairy House Festival.

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I have never seen some many fairies.

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All colors, sizes and ages came to construct a magical fairy colony along the wooded paths in the Faylinn Village.

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In additions to the construction of dwellings,

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fairies could also get their faces painted, make crafts,

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play games, listen to stories,

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plant flowers, blow bubbles and learn about nature.

There were even flying lessons available for the bravest little fairies.

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My next post will be on Fairy Fashion.  They have a flare for fashion!

FLOWER

Toad in a Trance

| Flower Roberts

I suspect these high temperatures tricked my toad out of his torpor.

I am sure my snooping around weeding and cleaning also disrupted his winter rest.

He spent all day yesterday perched on this rock at the top of the wall.

I checked on him many times yesterday. He was unresponsive.

I did not touch him for fear he might plunge to his death, if disturbed.

He was still precariously perched last night when I went to bed.

This morning, I was pleased to find him in a less exposed location.

He has moved to a space between stones, not far from the hole he emerged from.

He still won’t look at me, maybe he blames me for early emergence. Typical toad attitude.

FLOW

 

Unmulch: Remulch

| Flower Roberts

Get out there while the weather is good. Gather your tools and gloves.

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It’s clean-up time in the perennial beds here in the south.

There are babies on the way.

New bloom growth of Hellebores and Epimediums are peeking out of the ground.

 

I also cut down evergreen ferns now so I have a clear view of the lovely new fiddleheads.

Get all those old stems out of the way before new growth emerges.

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It is much easier to do this now than have to be careful around the new shoots.

Removing old mulch and fallen leaves also removes disease and insects.

Replace with a fresh light layer of pine needles.

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It is not spring, but you need to spring into action.

Like the saying about a horse costume… I’d rather be a head than a behind.

FLOW says GO!

Seed Sorting

| Flower Roberts

Maybe a better title would be “Seed Hoarding.”

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January is the time to sort seeds. We start sowing in February here in North Carolina.

I must say that sorting would be easier if Flower had done a better job of storing them. Note the envelopes with 2015 on them. (Sigh)

It seems as though any old bag will do.

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Accurate labels are not important either.

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Thankfully I took an Economic Botany class in college.

Our final was identifying hundreds of seeds by sight.

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Moonflower : Ipomoea noctiflora

I do throw in a few pods with  the seeds.

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Red Double poppy

If I did not, I am afraid that Columbine seeds could be mistaken for a bag of mouse poop.

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Columbine

I found these unidentified seeds in a tiny bucket. (Anybody recognize them?)

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Seeds do have their own character.

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Love-in-a-Puff: Cardiosperma halicacabum

Here are some Hibiscus seeds that were husked today.

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Hibiscus

Jack-o-Lantern has never grown here. I’ll try again.

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Jack-o-lantern , Chinese Lantern: Physalis alkekengi

I seem to have sown a seed in my coffee.

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FLOWER

Ice Art

| Flower Roberts

I spent the weekend at Winter Fest in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

My favorite part was the ice sculpting.

The artists set up huge blocks of ice in the middle of the town park.

This was the finished product .

There were also frozen signs made for different businesses around town.

These pieces were lovely, but did not inspire me to become an Ice Artist.

I was too cold to stick around and watch the artists work.

I did return later for photos.

By then I was rather tired, but there was only this seat available.

So I just stood around with the bear.

Better to stand with a frozen bear, than sit with a frozen rear.

FROZEN FLOWER

The Green Patch

| Flower Roberts

I made a trip to the green patch today.

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I was happy to be snipping in the sunshine.

I got a basket full.

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Not enough to cook up a mess.

They aren’t for me.

They are for the bunnies, of course.

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There is nothing more yummy to a bunny tummy than fresh greens.

See that smile?

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FLOWER

Raindrops on Rainbows

| Flower Roberts

I had to go outside today despite the cold and rain.

I have been pacing like a trapped animal in the house.

I was happy to see this colorful spurge, Euphorbia x martini.

Spurge Euphorbia x martini ‘Ascot Rainbow’

‘Ascot Rainbow’ is its variety name.

The raindrops added a nice touch of sparkle.

Thank goodness for some color on a dreary day.

FLOWER

 

Amaryllis Anticipation

| Flower Roberts

Each winter I order at least one new variety of Amaryllis.

This year I ordered two.

Half-and-half is still blooming and has sent up a second stalk.

Benfica is making me wait.

Its buds are dreamy red velvet.

Every day there is slow progress toward blooming.

It is a joy to watch.

I will be happy when I finally see the faces of its flowers.

Until then, I am enjoying the anticipation.

FLOWER