Oh! Those Poppies

| Flower Roberts

I blog about these same poppies every May. I hope that continues.

My poppy population gets smaller each year despite my efforts to save and share seed.

I would hate to lose these treasured flowers from an old friend who is no longer here.

Bill Troutman gave me these seeds decades ago.

The singles bloom first, only a few doubles have appeared so far.

I cannot imagine a more beautiful plant, bud, bloom or seed pod.

This is one of my most valued plants.

I hope it will continue to dazzle me every spring forever.

Daddy’s Bluebirds

| Flower Roberts

I have been telling folks that my daddy has been sending bluebirds to check on us.

It makes my friends smile, but I doubt they believe me.

Two evenings ago, while I was sitting in one of my “Spy Chairs” here comes one of daddy’s bluebirds.

It perched in the tree about eye-level to me and my camera.

Then there was a blur and another tiny bird perched beside the bluebird.

I thought it was a humming bird that I had been taking photos of earlier.

When I downloaded my photos and zoomed in I saw it was a warbler instead.

Maybe daddy is trying to tell me I need some new glasses. Ha!

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It’s all in the detail — Zimmerbitch

| Flower Roberts

Eco-print; feijoa leaf on silk. Image: Su Leslie 2019 This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge ask us to focus on the details, so I’m going to take you on a wee journey through a very cool fibre art process I learned recently. This is not a lesson in technique (I’m a total novice here), but a […]

It’s all in the detail — Zimmerbitch

Elegance

| Flower Roberts

There is no finer flower than a double peony.

The singles may produce many more blooms,

Krinkled White peony

but every double bloom is a delight.

Duchess de Nemours

The blooms need to be supported, especially during rains.

They are worth all the work.

I love everything about every one.

Karl Rosenfield peony

My favorite blooms late so you will have to wait for her.

She demands her own grand entrance, just like the famous actress she is named for.

Flower

Iris in April

| Flower Roberts

The rainbow of colors has started in the iris beds.

Pink was first as Persian Berry bloomed early in April.

Persian Berry Iris

Thunder Echo was second with its deep burgundy edges and tan frilled top.

Thunder Echo Iris

Taco Supreme joined the group yesterday.

Taco Supreme Iris

Little Much has been set apart so as not to be crowded by others.

Little Much Iris

Banana Frappe burst out brightly this week.

Banana Frappe Iris

Just this morning Night Affair opened its hatch to guide pollinators to its treasure.

Night Affair Iris
Guide markings for pollinators. Brush hairs below.

These are the colors of my Iris Rainbow on this lovely April morning.

My garden blesses me over and over.

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Jessop is a Jewel

| Flower Roberts

If I dreamed up a tiny plant, it would have striped leaves and tiny dusty-plum-colored flowers.

I do not have to pretend this jewel of a plant exists.

It is really growing all over my garden.

Tucked under planters, beside rocks, between roots.

Tiny little Ledebouria cooperi ‘Jessop’ is a dream come true.

All it needs it a place where it won’t be stepped on.

My ‘Jessop’ is lowly, lovely and dearly loved.

Ledebouria cooperi ‘Jessop’

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Fairy Wings

| Flower Roberts

Sometimes magic is green. I consider the Epimedium a magical plant.

Someone else must agree, since one of its common names is “Fairy Wings.”

The blooms hang on thin stalks that are almost invisible.

I have four varieties yellow, orange, white and red.

Yellow is thriving under a shrub.

Orange is tallest of the four.

White is the smallest and blooms later.

My newest ‘Rubrum’ only had two red blooms, but is growing well.

Four colors of “Fairy Wings” in my garden. There has got to be magic here!

FLOW