APRIL PHOTO A DAY: FIELD OF TULIPS

30 Saturday Apr 2011

Posted by backyardnotes in April flowers, Spring bulbs, tulips

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friendship gardening, Spring flowers, tulips

FINAL APRIL PHOTO A DAY (#23): A TRIP TO THE SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL. The big bloom is winding down but there are still several fields of tulips to see and we found just one field of waning daffodils. The groundskeeper had never been on this adventure and it had been many years since mom or I had made the trip, so it was a nice Friday afternoon diversion. And we missed the weekend crowds.

After completing the tour we stopped at Christianson’s Nursery where we lingered for an hour browsing their amazing selection of plant material. They have one of the better selections of herbs around here and must have had ten or more varieties of mint alone and better than average selections of tomato and pepper starts. Of course, we did not drive away without plant purchases. If you live in the greater Puget Sound area it is worth a trip to this nursery. Today I will be planting yesterday’s booty and then get the vegetable garden beds ready for new seeds.

APRIL PHOTO A DAY: TINY NARCISSUS

27 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by backyardnotes in April flowers, Narcissus family

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narcissus, Spring flowers

THESE LITTLE DARLINGS are narcissus triandrus ‘Hawera’, and about ten inches tall. They are planted along with a potted Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ aka Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick.

APRIL PHOTO A DAY: GARDEN WHIMSY!

26 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by backyardnotes in April flowers, Art, Garden Wildlife, Spring bulbs, tulips

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Spring flowers, tulips

MAN WITH A HEART FOR NATURE might be appropriate here. Several years ago brother-in-law Richard crafted a ‘couple’ from steel for our garden. As you can see the ‘man’ happens to be perfectly positioned in front of a red tulip; it begged to be photographed. A perfect metaphor for spring.

APRIL PHOTO A DAY: MORE TULIPS!

25 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by backyardnotes in April flowers, Spring, Spring bulbs, tulips, Weather

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Spring flowers, tulips

SWEETHEART TULIPS are a burst of sunshine. And, this is the perfect photo for today’s return to the same cool, rainy pattern we’ve been in for months. These fosteriana type tulips were planted in 1998 and are among the few that continue to bloom after more than ten years. They look good underplanted with those pesky grape hyacinths – if you have the nerve (or in my case, they were already in place). A source for these tulips and other bulbs is here.

APRIL PHOTO A DAY: PEARS ON THE WAY!

22 Friday Apr 2011

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blooming now, fruit trees, pears

A WEEK AGO THESE WERE TIGHT BUDS. The pear bloom has commenced. The Bartletts and Rescue are the first to bloom followed by Comice. We planted our three variety espaliered pear tree in 1996. So far the week has been dry but cool and some sun nearly every day. A little more warmth will encourage the pollinators to come out and do their job. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good crop this year.