Six on Saturday: April 20

  It’s raining for the 4th day in a row, with a blustery wind so some of the photos for today are a bit blurry!   A couple were taken during a break in the rain just as the sun was setting last eve, so the color is “off” a bit.  Regardless of that, there is lots of color to behold in the gardens, so we’re feeling very blessed.  The split-sup daffodil above is one I ordered last autumn from Brent & Becky’s bulbs, however I can’t find my list, nor can I find it on their website.  But, it’s the most vibrant, shocking yellow I’ve seen!  I’ve already ordered more varieties of split-cups, because late last summer when I placed my order, some I desired were already sold out.  The split-cups are not as heavy as some of the doubles and larger-flowered daffys, so they stand up to our winds and heavy rains better.  I’ve been cutting the ones laying on the ground or with bent stalks…one of the few times I bring flowers to the house without feeling remorse!

  These are “British Gamble” that were planted three years ago under black walnut trees.  There’s a little mud splashed on them, but otherwise they are huge and gorgeous, one of my absolute favorites.  They seem to have exceptionally strong stems that hold up despite storms.   I think these are “Congress” also planted three years ago under the black walnuts in the Front Island.  The trumpets are actually a darker orange than it seems in this photo.  There are dozens of varieties of narcissus in the gardens.  Someday, when it’s not raining I will count them all and try to make a list.  Many of them were moved from the old farm 25 years ago, and some were found blooming at the “new” farm when I came here, and some have been added over the years.  This new peony-flowered tulip is “Sunlover.”  It opened a bright lemon yellow with green markings on the outer petals, and it’s supposed to turn orange as it matures.  These are in the potager’s interior border, where there is very little color at the moment.  I switched from “Charming Beauty” peony tulips, which I’ve grown the last two years but unless “Sunlover” is longer-lasting, I’ll be switching back this fall because I prefer the softer tones of “Charming Beauty.”    Happily, there’s no waiting for orange with Triumph tulip “Annie Schilder.”  And here’s the lone hyacinth grouping left after the ravages of the neighbor’s pig.  Years ago several of the pale orange “Gypsy Queen” were planted, and somehow this descendant became a pale yellow.  Isn’t the scent of hyacinths heavenly?  So, that’s my “Six” for this Saturday before Easter.  If you’d like to see what other gardeners are offering for their “Six” visit The Propagator, who hosts this meme.

 

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