The unusally late ice storm put some things behind their usual blooms dates, but things are starting to get it all sorted out now. Hooray
Every piece of color is always so extra appreciated this time of year, and even more so after that slight delay.

Lots of lovely stuff coming out in my garden now as well. The oriental hellebores are particulary stunning this year. Some of my home grown seedlings have finally flowered but nothing exciting there, just dark pink backs to the petals and creamy coloured inside, still nice though.

Ooooh wish we could see them. You are a patient gardener to grow them from seed Nicola.

I included mine on the Jan and Feb strollie pages. Did a 'Plant This' article on them in yesterday's paper and have added it to the plant profile page on this site, here.
I'll never forget that solid hellebore bed we saw in the Windsor Savill garden. So awesome.

I don't have any blooms, but I do have lots of green showing

Yeah!!! That's such a good feeling, isn't it?!

One of my greens has decided to be less so. This poor day lily has been in this toooo shaded spot for many years, without growing much larger because it needs more sun. The tiny chore of moving has been on a very long list for a very long time. Maybe its new white striped leaves are a plea for priority attention.

A varigated daylily! Maybe you should leave it there. ;o) I just moved some poor,overpowered daylilys to my new bulb bed, where they won't be crowded out (at least, not for a while).

Maggie, I had to tell you that I finally did order some plants from Yuccado Nursery. I kept going to their website and looking, and finally gave in. Also, by serendipity, found Aztec Lilies and Hippeastrum papillo at the Phillapelphia Flower Show (that's a whole 'nother story). So am excitedly waiting to see how this bulb bed turns out. I'll let you know, and thanks for putting me on to Yuccado!

Is everybody else busy moving plants around during this wonderful weather? I joke with my neighbors that some people rearrange their furniture, I rearrange my plants. :o)

If you went to the Philly Flower Show,,, that's a story I want to hear

Yes,,, tis the season to rearrange plants 'round here isn't it. and tis the subject of next Saturday's column. mindreading again, huh Sandra ;-)

Can't wait to see pics of your bulb bed in bloom, threat threat

Are you moving plants around yet MK?

Welllll...IF you insist;

How I got to go to the Philladelphia Flower Show, by S. L. Cavanaugh:

I have a neighbor whose husband just retired from American Airlines, and they can fly (standby) anywhere for free. Although she is what I would call a moderate gardener (not an off-the-deep-ender like us), she has a thing about going to that show.

She has threatened to take me before, but to be honest I never really encouraged her because as much as I like gardening, I have never been overly interested in flower shows. I guess because they seem artificial and impossibly unrealistic to me.

Several weeks ago they asked me if I was doing anything "next Tuesday", and wouldn't tell me where we were going, just what to bring. So we flew to Philly and back in one day, and had about 4 hours at that show! Can you believe it!

And of course I enjoyed it immensely. 4 hours wasn't nearly enough--it is a big deal. This years theme was tropical, which was a little ironic because the exhibiters had to set up during that near blizzard the east coast had at that time. Some of the tropical specimans got a little nipped. I couldn't believe the size of some of the displays, and of the plants (trees!) in them.

Among the big nursery displays there was one of just spring bulbs (my current passion), which included dwarf Iris, which I'd never seen before. They're only 6" tall, and oh so cute! Real iris blooms on these tiny plants with slender foliage. I MUST have some, but you get those in the fall.

The exhibits I liked the best were those of the individual specimens of things being judged. The orchids were amazing--some of them mimic insects. I had seen a nature show once that explained that some orchids mimic a specific female insect, and are pollinated by the male insect trying to "mate" with them!

There were many venders, we got over there last thing and I just LUCKED into finding those bulbs right away. Off we went, with me feeling pretty smug with my booty!

Okay, I’m lovin that “off-the-deep-ender like us”
And being whisked away to Philly for a 4-hour garden jaunt is more than I can stand. Tell your neighbors I’ll give um a great guided tour of London’s Chelsea show this year (if you will write my columns for me while I’m gone
And finding the bulb vendors at the last minute – must be kismet !
The dwarf Iris you fell for,, are they bearded ones, or I. reticulata or ..?

Eeeuueww--I didn't know there were different species of the dwarf Iris, but I'm pretty sure they were reticulata. I picked up an order form from the company that did the display, it just says "Dwarf Iris" and lists many varieties. The web site is www.jacquesamand.com, if you want to check it out. A lady I got to talking with said www.johnscheepers.com was her favorite source for bulbs, and their Dwarf Iris were a little cheaper, although they're not very expensive either way. About $5-7.00 for 20-25 bulbs (tubers?)

Have you ever tried them here? Any reason they won't "do" in Texas, you know of?

I discovered my neighbor has a scanner, so when I get my photos back I'll try to send you some. Do I send them to your email?

Love those links - great prices!
I have planted reticulatas in the French Drain bed several times. They bloom very early - Jan/Feb.. seldom return the 2nd or 3rd year for me. They like sharp drainage, moist soil in growth cycle and bone dry in dormant stage. I suspect they do not like our extra hot summer temps, but then, Terry says they do not return well for him either, in the North of England.

Another one referred to as 'dwarf iris' is a series of dwarf bearded iris. I have a cute one blooming right now - will start an Iris thread and post its pic there.

Yes,yes,, please, do send me picies of Philly flower show,,I will do a forum virtual tour of um!