The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies. Gertrude Jekyll

Annie's Little Plot

Annie's Little Plot

Saturday 26 January 2013

The thaw is on.

Lets hope so anyway. I'm ready for the snow to go now, we've had snow on the ground here for 12 days and whilst it looks pretty I want to see my garden properly again. I've been out this morning to top up the bird feeders, trying to entice the birds for the RSPB Garden Birdwatch which I'm going to do tomorrow, and you can just hear a constant drip, drip, drip.
The pots with my tulips in all still have their snow hats.
At least the sun is out. We had a top up of snow last night but I think its due to disappear soon and I think rain is forecast for later tonight. I feel for all the people at risk of yet more floods.
Bob will be happy when it has gone, but he's basking in the sun on the windowsill next to me while I write. He sits on there until even he gets too hot and then comes and sits on my knee which makes writing difficult!
The view from the window here can be a bit distracting, out onto the allotment at the back and on towards Castle Hill.
My seed order arrived from Sarah Raven this week, a package of promise for a colourful summer ahead. I didn't actually need too many vegetable seeds this year so I've just ordered a few new varieties to try but I want to try and grow more flowers for cutting this year so I've been seduced by all the gorgeous photos in Sarah's catalogue and order some flower seeds.
So I'm going to try a few that I've grown before like 'Black Ball' Cornflowers, sunflowers (I'm trying the wine-coloured 'Claret', some white Larkspur, Verbena bonariensis (which used to self-seed in the garden but the recent cold winters here have put paid to that) and a mix of Sweet Peas called 'Amethyst', more Jewel colours. Then a few that I've not tried before like Tithonia rotundifolia, which Monty Don always raves about and is a star of his Jewel Garden, Orlaya grandiflora, Salvia viridis (Blue Clary), Malope 'Vulcan', Dahlia 'Bishops Children', Echium 'Blue bedder' and a flower with the gorgeous name of the Blue Lace flower, Didicus, which has pale blue scented umbels. Bliss.
Finally, I thought I would post a picture of the Amaryllis which I got for christmas, I potted it up on the 9th January, It had been in a box and had obviously started growing in there which was a bit of a problem as it was growing sideways!
It has straightened up a bit but the stalk hasn't grown very high before it has started flowering. Oh well, the flower is beautiful though. The variety is 'Apple Blossom' and it is white with a delicate pink centre.


They are weird plants aren't they!?

19 comments:

  1. Your weather sounds a bit like what we are having here - it is starting to thaw and the sun is out, for now anyway. I can't wait to get cracking sowing seed but there's no point in doing anything yet, I am going to have to clear the greenhouse out first anyway.

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    1. Yes I'm itching to get started too. I know that I can't yet I need to be patient but it is hard!

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  2. I too was enticed by a pack of the Didiscus when lucky enough to visit Perch Hill last autumn: I look forward to their flowers. I'm sure that once again I have far more seeds to sow than space in the garden, but isn't that always the way?!

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    1. Yes I'm sure I've got too much seed too but you've just got to try some new things every year! Would love to go to Perch Hill, maybe one day.

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  3. I got carried away today and went to the garden centre because there was some blue sky above the snowy fields! It was so lovely to feel and see the sun today. No more snow...fingers crossed...we are nearly there! Take care. Chel

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    1. Yes so nice to see the sun, the snow has all gone here now after heavy rain last night. The garden looks very dark now!

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  4. I'm growing Bishop's Children this year too.

    That is the shortest amaryllis I've seen!

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    1. Its ridiculous isn't it, well some things work and others don't. Think its because it had started into growth while still in the box which is not ideal. Can't decide whether I like them or not, but was worth a go at growing.

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  5. I still have a lot of seeds left from last year but I'll still end up buying more from Sarah Raven! Her brochures are addictive x I've never grown amaryllis but they look really interesting.
    I'm off to browse the seed catalogues again for the seeds you've mentioned!

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    1. I think she selects plants with such gorgeous jewel colours that its hard to resist.

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  6. Goodness, that was quick. I've never grown amaryllis before so I don't really know what to expect, but mine doesn't look anywhere near flowering yet. Such a lovely list of flowers you're growing this year, you should have a beautifully scented house if you're growing them for cutting. We had a heavy snowfall on Friday evening and in to the early hours of Saturday, but the rain came yesterday and washed it all away, thank goodness. I bet Bob's happy that it's thawing.

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    1. It was quick I wasn't expecting that, surely should have grown taller before it started to flower! Don't think it was stored properly. Oh well its pretty. I'm dreaming of my scented garden already.

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  7. Yes I've had enough of snow for this winter as well.
    It looks like you'll have some lovely flowers come the summer.
    I like your mini amaryllis! Flighty xx

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    1. Fingers crossed thats it for the snow, though we did have some in April last year!
      Its certainly mini!

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  8. Sarah Raven's catalogue's are amazing and way too tempting. Serious restraint is needed, although looking at my seed box, I'm not sure it was employed. Wet and grey here and I'm starting to get cabin fever. Thinking I might have to cover the beds at the plot if they are to ever get the chance of drying out. Sounds like you're going to have a beautiful coloured garden and plot this year.

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    1. I hope it will be a colourful plot, need something to look forward to with all the cold wet weather.

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  9. They're amazing aren't they? I love this colour amarylis. I've not grown one for several years, and seeing yours gives me a twinge of envy.
    I'm a Sarah Raven garden fan too - I'll be placing a seed order this weekend. Exciting!
    I do love your beautiful summer garden, all lush and opulent and growing! Oh for summer days!
    Wishing you a happy weekend,

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    1. Hi Josie, thanks for leaving a comment. Yes I'm definitely dreaming of summer days, seems a long way away yet though, but there are signs of spring! It was a lovely colour quite delicate compared to some of the brash ones out there.

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  10. Sarah Raven specialises in seductive photography that has you parting with large wads of cash before you know it! The black ball cornflowers are wonderful, I will be growing them again this year myself, likewise Bishop's Children - beautiful and prolific. Enjoy, sounds like a wonderfully colourful collection.

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