Ledge and Gardens

Crocus, Scilla, Eranthis - Three for Thursday

The little bulbs, Scilla siberica, Crocus, and Eranthis hyemalis have been up for a while but they fail to unfurl when the temperatures are cold. (I did sneak in the snowdrops). It is generally around 50F when the flowers open.  We have had very few days with temperatures over 50F.  Yesterday was the perfect spring day for working in the garden.  You might disagree.  I like it cool when pushing a wheelbarrow of compost and dragging leaves raked from the gardens. I noticed the flowers wide open while cleaning beds.  It is very hard to stop raking and dragging and compost spreading to pick up the camera.  It breaks the rhythm.  I did force myself, i.e. needed to stop in order to rest the weary muscles, to run in and get the camera.  The ground is fairly dry which is a good thing since photographing small flowers requires the prone position.  Bright yellow is harsh this time of year and I must remember to put the Eranthis next to the scilla.  A mixed bed would just be glorious.  There is nothing so blue as this little scilla.  Even the pollen is blue.  One lone purple striped crocus is blooming in a corner of the garden.  It is difficult to notice just one crocus especially one that is white and purple.  It called to me begging to be noticed.  It deserves better placement and more added.  The small bulbs are a good way to start the spring season.  They would get little attention if they bloomed at the same time as that showgirl, the herbaceous peony.   What is your favorite small bulb.  I cannot choose. I just can't.  Thanks to Cindy of My Corner of Katy for her inspirational 'Three for Thursday'.    

Three for Thursday - Maple color

This week, I have noticed that the maples are all wearing glorious colors in the garden.  The swamp maples lead the parade in my garden...  well, these are not actually in the garden but on the edge of the back field.  Close enough.  I have planted some Japanese maples here. They come in a variety of size, shape, texture, and leaf color and they all do add great fall color to the garden.  One of these, Acer japonicum f. aconitifolium is just beginning to change its robes.   I find that the Japanese maples all change a bit later than the native swamp and sugar maples.   The sugar maples pretty much define the New England fall. Sad to say that there are none here but many around the neighborhood. 
Shallow rooted and difficult to grow anything, even grass, underneath, they pay their rent with heavy summer shade and a spectacular show of warm oranges and reds. There you have three different maples brightening the landscape.  Thanks to Cindy of My Corner of Katy for hosting the Three for Thursday adventures.