Spring begins. Rhodanthemum hosmarense 'Casablanca' has dark centers, while the species has yellow
Cerinthe major
Drakensberg Daisy is a hybrid of Gerbera species
A few more Dutch Iris flowers, but the big show is yet to comeThis may be the same flower stem of Echeveria coccinea posted for February Blooms, and it's still blooming, beautiful, and feeding hummingbirds. Leucospermum 'Tango' continues in full flower. The color really is that saturated. Dazzling on a grey day. Leucospermum 'Yellow Bird' is just beginning--one flower snuggles up to Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor'. Brave bird!
Hunnemannia fumarifolia tries same with Agave salmiana 'Medio Picta':
A rose or two, with the promise of more to come. 'Snowbird' of course. First introduced to commerce in the depths of the Great Depression of the 1930's. Verbena 'Imagination'. I saw this last year in a neighbor's garden--instant "want". A trip to the garden center a few weeks ago, and six-packs were there. The very first flowers, rich intense violet. Also in flower since Februrary Blooms, Metrosideros 'Springfire' has been feeding hundreds of bees daily. This is the smallest, youngest of four 'Springfire' in the garden, and the only one on flat ground. It gets more moisture because of that, and has had a much bigger bloom.The other Iochroma in the garden, 'Princess'. Purchased to act as a fast, possibly temporary privacy screen for one specific angle on the patio. It is doing the job. Now matured somewhat, it is flowering more. The much-anticipated flowers of the second Leucadendron 'Pom Pom' are developing. The actual flower is the cone-like structure nestled at the center of what are bracts, not petals. The bracts will turn an intense light yellow, the cone a brilliant red. Not in time for this month's post.Because several 'Blue Glow' Agaves have flowered and been removed, I can now get close-ups of Aloe (aka Kumara) plicatilis. This Aloe is about the distichous arrangement of the leaves and the distinctive silhouette of the plant, not the flowers, but the flowers are attractive, too. Another Leucospermum, 'Red Ribbons', is about to begin. Last year it was still very immature and provided only a couple of unsatisfying flowers. This year looks more promising. Rhodanthemum hosmarense 'Casablanca' is now in full flower. Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike is the intense magenta. Much thought and effort put into the mailbox bed has produced pleasing results: lots of foliage color with flowers as a bonus. Agave 'Kissho Kan' is a new addition. It sat in a pot for years recovering from its last, unsuccessful stint on the arid front slope. I hope it will thrive here where there is some moisture. I liked the arrangement of Iochroma 'Purple Queen' and the Freesia in this photo very much. Not sure why. Are they conversing? (Thanks, KP!)
"Hey, did you get your vaccine yet?"
All the Freesias are in bloom now. This white/ivory/yellow one is the most fragrant:The dwarf Alstroemeria hybrids sat in bud for weeks and weeks. Finally open in the past few days, just in time to get hailed on. A bit of damage here and there, mostly to the foliage. These plants are about the same size as the Hellebores. They make a nice pairing--same size, but different foliage and flowers. Not to worry about the hail damage. There will be more flowers and new foliage. There's been a lizard around keeping the foliage free from earwig damage. Lizards love to eat earwigs. I love lizards!Hellebores continue. So much joy, for so little effort. How can such easy plants be so wonderful? Visit MayDreams for more links to more beautiful March flowers from Garden Bloggers.
Not only do you have many beautiful and interesting flowers, but you photograph them so well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loree!
DeleteBeautiful from start to finish, HB! I envy you the Hunnemannia, which I've tried and failed to grow twice (in different spots). The Iochroma and the Freesia look as though they're having a conversation, or perhaps a flirtation.
ReplyDeleteWe got another 0.19/inch of rain this morning. I hope you got some too.
I throw Hunnemannia seeds all over every year, literally all over the garden, but they only come up where they want to. I threw thousands of seeds onto the front slope, and I've gotten two plants. They have a mind of their own.
DeleteThat's it, the two plants look like they are talking. :)
About 0.2", I'm thrilled! Happy happy rain.
Yet more eye candy to tempt me out of zone. Your Leucospermums are just stunning! Alstroemeria and hellebores I can do, so perhaps I should just hold there for the moment.
ReplyDeleteOh wait..
Finally, I have tracked down seed for the spiral aloe. I should have my grubby mitts on them by the end of the week and then the fun will start. Thanks for the tip! Of course, having found a supplier of 'exotics' a packet of Agave parryi ssp. neomexicana seeds may also have fallen into my cart. Supposed to be one of the hardiest for us, with adequate rain protection.
Discovering that Leucospermums will grow in my garden was/is a thrill. They are amazing, and also benefit bees and nectar feeding birds here.
DeletePolyphylla seeds, cool! Enjoy! Aloes I found pretty easy to grow from seed, except they are not fast and very vulnerable when small. Agave I found more difficult than Aloe, again they are extremely fragile when small. Once they are say a cm wide, they take it from there. (Here, anyway) That Agave is extremely beautiful, hope you have success with it. All the parryi ssps are gorgeous.
That was a wonderful treat, and it's amazing how many blooms you have already in the garden.
DeleteThanks M&G, happy you liked the pictures!
DeleteLove the Rhodanthemums!
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Great little low grower--it's a favorite.
DeleteI really like that Echeveria bloom. I have only seen the pink ones. This deep coral red is nice. You do have lots of beautiful blooms.
ReplyDeleteThat particular Echeveria will flower for months on the same stem that gets longer and longer. It's a little different from most of them.
DeleteHappy spring! I sure wish I could grow the Leucospermum. I love it every time I see it here. And your post reminds me that I don't think my cerinthe came back last year...
ReplyDeleteThey are amazing plants. I feel very fortunate to be able to grow them.
DeleteCerinthe are easy from seed. I get seedlings every year, too many really--end up pulling a lot. Another flower the hummers will feed from.
I'm hopeful that my Leucospermum will get a bloom next year. It made it through our cold winter-as low as 24- and still looks great. Maybe I'll be brave and put it in the ground.
ReplyDeleteWow, 24F! Did not know they could take that cold. Hope yours does well for you.
DeleteHow beautiful. Gorgeous photos of really interesting plants, most of which would do well in my garden too. Makes me wish I’d planted more Leucospermums and Leucodendrons. ‘Tango’ is just fabulous. Glad you had some rain, even if some of it came as less desirable hail.
ReplyDeleteRidiculously easy plants, too. The cones fall cleanly off the Leucospermums--don't even have to deadhead!
DeleteThanks--the rain was such a joy!
A feast for my storm-damaged eyes and such clarity of color and shape.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny. Happy you enjoyed them. Hope your storm damage fades away quickly.
DeleteI can't believe the coincidence: I was going to post about Rhodanthemum hosmarense 'Casablanca' vs. the species, and you have both of them as well! I'm partial to the dark centers, I must admit...
ReplyDeleteLoving the leucospermums in particular!
The dark centers are very, very attractive. The one I'm not thrilled with is 'Marrakech'. Flowers are smaller and pinkish.
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