Thursday 4 September 2008

Spring bulbs.....plants and dragonflies.....

When I went to the garden centre with Dad on Tuesday, I bought some spring bulbs...........now is a good time to plant them.........on visiting other peoples blog this year I saw several spring blooms I really liked and made a mental note to buy them when the time was right..............Golden Bells is above......I bought 4 bags of 7 bulbs and you get 5 - 15 blooms to each bulb. They are only 8 inches high so won't be blown down by the strong winds that we get here. Where to put them.....perhaps you can help me here.....the woodland walk is one place, although I already have daffs in that area....but these would add to that scene..........I also thought perhaps they would look pretty in the grass around the water feature........their tiny blooms would be seen from the house ........which do you think would be best, I would love your opinion......
I fell in love with this tulip when I saw it posted on someone's blog.....this is Black Parrot...........I know where these are going...........
I already have Fritillaria Mekagris in the garden, and I love them.....so I am adding to my collection.............I shall plant these in the grass in the woodland walk.......I love planning ahead........it is exciting to think about what is to come.....and for me all part of gardening..............

Verbena Bonariensis (This is for Rose).............
Not a good photograph Rose.......these have reseeded in my shingle drive......but you can see how you can easily see through even a large group of them.............I will be pulling these up soon, as they are totally in the wrong place but the bees and butterflies have enjoyed them............I would say for anyone wanting to attract both of these insects, you cannot fail with this plant. In my borders I have underplanted them with catnip and white japanese anemones and they look beautiful........they are very easy to remove as they are not deep rooted........they do not need staking and hey rabbits don't like them!!!!!!!!

And finally while I was walking around I saw this little chap.......is it me or does he look like he has fallen asleep........anyway I thought it was a lovely photograph to leave you with............



18 comments:

Miranda Bell said...

Hi Cheryl - it's been so long since I had the time to sit down and enjoy anyone's blog in weeks and I've actually really missed this! I love trying out new plants and bulbs - always fun trying something new... at the end of the day if you don't like them or they're not right where you plant them first time round they can always be moved! Will have a quick scan down your other posts since my last visit to see what I've been missing out on... take care - see you soon Miranda

Baker Watson said...

Aha! Cheryl is taking photo's of the dragonflies. Great. Your are a lady after my own heart.

Baker

Rose said...

Cheryl, Thanks so much for the photos of the verbenas. That is definitely the plant we saw! It grew all over the Idea Garden, but as you say, it didn't block the view of other plants and looked lovely wherever it was. I'm so excited to know what it is, Cheryl!

The golden belles look a little like crocuses; are they similar? I vote to put them by the water feature where you can see them from the house. They might get lost in the woodland area.

I've ordered a few tulips and other bulbs, but I usually don't plant them till late October or even early November. Sometimes it stays very warm here until October. I am starting to think about my shopping list, though:)

Rose said...

I meant to add a P.S., but hit "publish" by mistake...I meant to reply to your comment about your garden house. I realized after I went back that you're putting in windows, so no, it's not a gazebo. I don't know why, but I've always longed for a gazebo...
You'll enjoy your garden house much more throughout the year, though.
It's raining here today...hooray!

beckie said...

Cheryl, that's it! That's the plant we saw in several areas of the Idea Garden. How wonderful, now we both can get some. I think it will look great planted among the false sunflower. Thank you. The yellow bells would look wonderful around your water feature and bring it to life while waiting on the other plants to come up. Those dark parrot tulips are beautiful and with your daffidils in spring would be stunning. I have seen those checkerd flowers elsewhere on blogs and have been thinking of planting them. Aren't they ususual? It's a little early for spring bulbs here, but I am in the planning stage. Almost as much fun to do that as it is to see them grow. Such a great picture of the dragonfly. Sadly they will be leaving soon.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Those little yellow flowers ought to be up by the house Cheryl. You will enjoy them so much there. Those parrots will be great wherever you plant them. I have some white Jap anomones that I will put some ver.bon. by next year. A good idea. Thanks.

Pat said...

Been reading your blog...
Lovely.

I'm new to blogging but not to gardening. So I'll be around for a long time. You're on my "read list" of bloggers I enjoy.

Anyway do you think we can link to each other?

Thanks,
Patsi

Cheryl said...

Hi Miranda....hope you are well......yes that is the thing with bulbs they can always be moved.....have a good weekend....

Cheryl said...

Hi Baker I am making the most of my dragonflies, I know they will soon be gone......beautiful creatures.....

Cheryl said...

Dear Rose......golden bells are mini daffs.....I love them because they are so small and I think the bees will love them......

Don't buy ver. bon. I will send you and Beckie some seeds......

I shall put my bulbs in around the end of September.......

Have a great weekend.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.......will send you some verb. bon. seeds in late autumn....they are really easy to get started and then you have them for life......

You can get so many different bulbs now, it is lovely to think ahead to spring......

and yes Beckie sadly the dragons and damsels will soon be gone.......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....will send you some verb bon seeds via Beckie.....

It looks like the golden cups will be going by the water feature.....

Have a lovely weekend.....

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Yes, it's time to buy and plant bulbs. I have a lot of planting to do in my new border as there are no bulbs in there yet.

Verbena bonariensis is all over my garden too and it's a wonderful plant both for us and the bees and butterflies.

Have a lovely weekend!

Marimoy said...

lovely bulb choices and what a cute little dragonfly!

marmee said...

how great you are planning ahead. i love your choices, especially the black parrot tulip. very cool.
the image of the sleeping dragonfly, amazing!

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I forgot all about bulbs...thank you for reminding me. I think by the water feature too...you will be able to see them in the early spring and they will be so cheerful.
"Hello" to Dragonfly! I am head over heels in love with them...very nice photo. He does seem to be sleeping.
I so enjoy coming and visiting in your gardens. Thank you.
Namaste,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Hi Sherry.......I think that is sorted out....everyone seems to think the same area, so shall plant them by the ornamental pond.......

Dragonflies are beautiful....I am becoming very taken with them to.......the little chap does seem to be sleeping........

Shirley said...

Hi again Cheryl :-)

Ah… a woman after my own heart! I love the planning and garden reflections at this time of year too. Oh yes… and the bags of bulbs in my potting shed ready and waiting to be planted :-D