We’re supposed to have a gorgeous weekend – sunny with temperatures in the mid teens, and no rain. Likely the nicest weekend of spring, so far. It was cooler than usual for much of April and forecast to remain the same for the next two weeks (after tomorrow), which may not be great if you’re waiting for Lilacs to bloom, but it’s perfect if you’re loving the slow unveiling of all the colours that spring bulbs bring. Daffodils are still centre stage, by a long shot (with tulips quickly catching up), but I wrote about them a few days ago, here, so not much yellow in today’s Six. Except maybe this first shot. I couldn’t resist trying to capture the first real spider web of the year:
That’s Narcissus ‘Jetfire’ in the background. Still going strong for three weeks now.
2 – This is Tulip ‘Daytona’ just about to open. I’m enchanted with the hint of the frilly petal edge that will soon appear, but even more tickled by the teeny tiny tulips showing up at the base of the larger stalk. I’m hoping they will produce teeny tiny frilly white tulips, perfect for a bud vase.
3 – More tulips, these are Red Emperor. I planted about 100 of them and they’ve started blooming this past week, giving me splashes of fire engine red all over. They’re interspersed here with Exotic Emperor, a white and green tulip. I thought they’d bloom at the same time, because I’m Canadian, eh, but no joy.
4 – OK – a few more daffs, but only because I wanted to capture this small Hyacinth bed. The fragrance around them is heavenly, and the bees love them too.
5 – Clematis have started to shoot up. This is C. texensis ‘Gravetye Beauty.’ More shoots than ever before – I’m hoping for a great show of dark red flowers this summer.
6 – I know I’ve taken (and displayed) a lot of bee photos this year, and a lot of Muscari photos (this is M. latifolium…again…), but hey, why not. Grow what you love, and share what you grow.
That’s it this week from my corner of Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. Every Saturday, The Propagator encourages gardeners around the world to share six things that are happening in their garden. Pay him a visit, where you’ll see gardens on the other side of the world, and gardens a month or more closer to summer than here. Stay safe everyone.
Hi Fred! It’s a weeping white pine – Pinus strobus ‘pendula’ It survived a vicious attack by pine sawfly larvae two years ago, which meant I had to do some pruning, but I think it’s recovering…
Nice shot of the spiders web. Lots of fantastic colour tulips. The insects seem to have enjoyed the Muscari a lot this year. Had lots of butterflies on mine.
Is that an Eastern white pine behind the ‘Red Emperor’ tulips? (not to change the subject.)
Those little ‘Daytona’ tulips are silly. It must be nice to get them to grow so well. The white color of ‘Daytona’ is pretty sweet; but I am not so keen on the frills. Of course, I would be tempted to grow just about any tulip that would perform well here.
Wow that is a lot of shoots on you Clematis. I’ll have to be brave one year and cut one of mine right back. When do you cut the Clematis back? Liking the amount of Tulips in the pictures.
For this type of Clematis I cut it back to just s few inches in early spring. It pretty much dies to the ground and sends up new shoots in the spring. Other Clematis require different pruning though….
I agree – I have to make sure, when taking photos, that the background is either blurry or interesting…I’ve taken far too many shots with cars or power lines distracting from the main subject.
I so enjoy seeing the seasons evolve in different parts of the world – we’ve had such a warm April that the flowering of tulips and daffodils seems to be ahead of you! Love the muscari – mine are all done now for another year..
Me too! We had a nice all day rain on Thursday, that, plus a bit of sun has speeded up the tulips it seems, while hundreds of daffs are still going strong!
Very good last picture ! What kind of pine is it behind red emperor tulips ( #3)?
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Hi Fred! It’s a weeping white pine – Pinus strobus ‘pendula’ It survived a vicious attack by pine sawfly larvae two years ago, which meant I had to do some pruning, but I think it’s recovering…
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Yes it looks good and healthy ! Lovely shape.
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Nice shot of the spiders web. Lots of fantastic colour tulips. The insects seem to have enjoyed the Muscari a lot this year. Had lots of butterflies on mine.
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Really? Butterflies? Wow! I think ours haven’t yet emerged from cocoons etc – it’s too cold when the Muscari bloom.
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Love that last picture too – bee and Muscari – wonderful!
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Thank you!
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Looking wonderful, Chris! I love cool springs, better for working and savoring the spring bulbs.
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Thanks, me too! Pretty much a perfect spring this year, for bulbs, anyway…
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Daytona looks like it’s going to be amazing. I like your tulip choices. Here in the UK Jetfire was over before my tulips flowered.
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Once things get started here, it’s full speed ahead! I think it’ll be white tulips in a vase tomorrow!
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Is that an Eastern white pine behind the ‘Red Emperor’ tulips? (not to change the subject.)
Those little ‘Daytona’ tulips are silly. It must be nice to get them to grow so well. The white color of ‘Daytona’ is pretty sweet; but I am not so keen on the frills. Of course, I would be tempted to grow just about any tulip that would perform well here.
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Pinus strobus ‘pendula’ I’m kinda loving the frill. The tulips are open in today’s warm sunshine – they’re going to look great with Narcissus ‘Quail’
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Oh, that pine sounds familiar. I must have asked about it before.
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Yes, you advised me to prune it back after a devastating sawfly caterpillar infestation a few years ago. 😁
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Oh, of course. I am sorry to not remember.
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Wow that is a lot of shoots on you Clematis. I’ll have to be brave one year and cut one of mine right back. When do you cut the Clematis back? Liking the amount of Tulips in the pictures.
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For this type of Clematis I cut it back to just s few inches in early spring. It pretty much dies to the ground and sends up new shoots in the spring. Other Clematis require different pruning though….
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Yeah category 1, category 2 etc
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The daffodils and hyacinth look very pretty among the trees.
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I agree – I have to make sure, when taking photos, that the background is either blurry or interesting…I’ve taken far too many shots with cars or power lines distracting from the main subject.
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I so enjoy seeing the seasons evolve in different parts of the world – we’ve had such a warm April that the flowering of tulips and daffodils seems to be ahead of you! Love the muscari – mine are all done now for another year..
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Me too! We had a nice all day rain on Thursday, that, plus a bit of sun has speeded up the tulips it seems, while hundreds of daffs are still going strong!
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i do like to see clematis shoots after winter, very encouraging. you have some catching up to do though, some of mine are past the 7′ tall already. 😎
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😄😄
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