A Giveaway For You!

I love daffodils! Do you all love daffodils? Let me tell you if you don't you have not explored them enough. There is a daffodil for everyone. Some are small, some big, some single, some double, some fragrant, some are white or yellow or orange or pink or a combination and the list goes on!

I have posted on daffodils many many times during the past five plus years that I have been blogging and I don't ever see that changing. Today's post is special in that I am sponsoring a giveaway in honor of all the friends who have ever given me anything--daffodils included. The above pictured daffodils just happen to be my recent gift from a friend named Carrol. I do not know what cultivar these daffodils might be but I think they are either a Jonquilla division or a Miniature division type daffodil. They are blooming right now in Carrol's garden so I would consider them an early daffodil. The flowers are the size of a quarter and are so fragrant they rival edgeworthia for scent. That is a big scent let me tell you! The foliage is rounded and very stiff but not so significant. When I saw these daffodils in bloom I did not even think they were daffodils. I have tried to research the cultivar but am not having good luck. If anyone has a suggestion as to what type they might be I'd love to hear it. Carrol received these lovely daffodils from a fellow gardener (Mrs. Wooten) who lived nearby. Don't you know passalong plants ensure the person who passes them along is always remembered? I did not even know Mrs. Wooten but now her daffodils will grow in my garden and I will always remember this.


Mr. Fix-it and I were visiting Carrol to pick up some rocks Carrol and her husband were getting rid of as they downsize their garden. Carrol offered the rocks to me. I guess most of my friends know I love rocks and free things so I am almost always right there to get them. My garden is a bit eclectic (just like me) and part of the reason is because I have so many good friends who share not only plants but hardscaping and other garden treasures. In fact, I took home a few other things from Carrol but I'll save those for a later date. Thank you Carrol and Tom!


Now on to some garden pictures featuring daffodils and a few other early blooming perennials. 
'Ivory Prince' is blooming. This is one of the best cultivars of hellebores for all gardens in my opinion.

Right next to the Ivory Prince are a bunch of hyacinths. The combination is quite lovely.

A long shot of the garden with the hyacinths and 'Ivory Prince' show the 'Tete e Tete' daffodils blooming in the lawn. These daffodils were just planted last spring but they will soon be dug and replanted again-on the new property. A gardeners work is never done, or so it seems to me. Sigh. Now on to the giveaway to make your work nicer in your garden!

To make the garden more enjoyable for you, to thank you for reading this blog and being interested in gardening, and to give exposure to a garden related company that I happen to like very much because they are kind enough to allow me to give one of you readers a VERY NICE prize for your garden, I am going to do a giveaway for you all. 

The company is called Serenity Health and Home Decor. You may remember they sponsored a giveaway last year that a very happy fellow blogging friend won and posted about. This year they are very generous with the choices I can give one of you lucky commenters and visitor to their site. Let me first say I don't normally do a lot of these but when folks are as nice as they are at Serenity Health, put no mandates on me to do a giveaway or how I do it, and are so generous to make one of you happy I am all for it. 

Okay, the three choices Barbara at Serenity Health gave to me to giveaway to you all included:

• 3 Jug Outdoor Fountain 
• Lion Head Solar Fountain
• Mayan Double Hammock

I looked at all three and actually really like all three. I could see me using all of them in my garden. Especially the hammock-providing I ever rest! Taking naps outside is a great thing to do! The Lion Head Solar Fountain was awesome too. A very classic choice for a garden. The 3 Jug Fountain is also wonderful. Who wouldn't want to hear the sound of water while gardening? Go take a look at all three and come back and let me know which prize you would select if you won the giveaway in a comment below. I'd love to know your reasoning behind your selection because each and every garden is unique, as are the gardeners. While we could all use all three of these prizes in our garden only one can be awarded. The winner of the prize I selected for you will be announced on April 1st; the drawing will take place Sunday, March 31st at 6:00 PM CST. That gives you three weeks to ponder over the choices. If you like check out Serenity Health on Facebook as well. I will need your name and address to give to Serenity Health once the drawing is complete. They will be sending you your prize directly. This giveaway is open to United States addresses only.

in the garden.....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

'Ivory Prince' Hellebore

Of all the hellebores blooming in Tiger Gardens my favorite has to be 'Ivory Prince'. Ivory Prince is a special one for its upright facing blooms that look like glowing bouquets of posies that one would carry down an aisle. The foliage is very strong as well. It is of course evergreen but it appears to have a stronger volition that most hellebores. It holds up well to the elements and almost always looks good-even without trimming.

Located in a raised front garden in nearly full shade these hellebores are carefree. They never need watering or fertilizing. They simply ask for an organically rich soil and a bit of mulch. Looking out my front living room windows my eyes are always drawn to these glowing hellebores.

If you ever run across the 'Ivory Prince' cultivar of hellebores don't pass up a chance to pick up a few. I purchased mine several years ago at a local big box store for about $1 per when they were marked down. In the four years or so that these hellebores have been growing here I have not seen any seedlings. I believe the best way and probably the only way to propagate these flowers is through division. They are definitely a plant that is a must have in any shady garden....


in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Early Spring

By SKEETER Spring has arrived early in my Georgia Garden! The daffodils have been blooming for a couple of weeks. We have had wonderful weather for about 3 weeks now. Most days have been in the 70's. We have had some days in the 80's as well either tying or hitting record highs for February. This beautiful weather has gotten me off my rump and into the yard, Full Steam Ahead!
Spring is my favorite season and daffys bring such joy to me with their bright yellow blooms. This is a really large one.
Hyacinth in colors of Pink, White and Blue are putting cheery smiles on my face as well. I love the way these things smell and since I have had luck with them, I believe I will add more to my gardens this year once the prices go on sale.
Lookie here what I found in the Spring Planter! The Hellebore finally giving blooms after 3 years with me. Ignore the weeds, after all, it is spring ya know. I was so excited to see the hellebore blooming.
I had never heard of Hellebore's before blogging. I have not spotted any in our garden centers with casual strolls either. While in Tennessee a few years ago, I spotted them and my mom bought me one for my birthday. The thing was too soggy the first place I planted her. She almost died on me that first year. I took her out of the ground and she spent a year back in her pot recovering. Last year I put her into the Spring planter, and now blooms!
I was thrilled with one bloom but I have 3 total. I am so happy and hope she gets bigger and stronger and makes a bold statement for me some day.
The Forsythia has been trying to bloom for over a week. She could not contain herself any longer and decided to burst open with her glowing self.
Yellow is such a bright color when the sun shines above.
The Phlox is blooming also which is a sure sign of Spring.
The Wild Plum trees have exploded with blossoms practically over night!
I just adore those sweet tiny blossoms. Too bad they don't hang around long but soon, the deer and bunny's will be eating plums off the ground.
The Saints Crab apple Tree is getting full of green leaves. I hope to see Blossoms before long. We are trying our best to keep the squirrels from this tree. They like to eat the buds and we solved that issue last year. But now, some of the critters have solved the mystery of our Squirrel deterrent and are once again getting to the tree. Stinking little critters. If they were not so darn cute, I would get rid of them all!
Iris are looking healthy for their first blooming season with me. Can't wait to see the big blooms Tina! Again thanks for passing along a plant that reminds me of my grandmothers. Iris is one flower I should aways have in my garden for the fond memories. Lily's are coming up everywhere! It looks as though all those Free Lilies from last year have survived their first winter in my garden. At the rate they are going, I may be dividing some next spring.
Peony are peeking out of the ground. They, like me, are not sure all that cold stuff is gone for good just yet. I have taken up the "Welcome Mat" from Mr. Jack Frost. I do not want him to drop by for a visit. If he does, it may be a sad day for the local farmers with fruit trees blooming.

As I type this, a small flock (about 2 dozen) of Robins are entertaining me outside my windows. They are working the lawn from the East side of the house to the West side looking for worms. They are a sure sign of Spring. And of course, it would not be Spring without those pretty but pesky Dandelions in the grass. I had such a SAD winter but now that is a mere memory. The glorious weather has given me a burst of energy and I find myself outside more and more these days. I am so happy that we are having a EARLY SPRING, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Bloom Day March 2010

From In the Garden

Bloom Day this month sees me with a smile on my face. I am actually laughing at myself. For about five years now the above pictured hellebore grew in an area of one of my gardens and never ever bloomed. I could not figure out exactly what it was! I thought it might be sweet woodruff, then pachysandra, but it was neither of these and hence the smile on my face. I have to laugh at myself at times. This hellebore bloom (I assume) is about 3" across. I've never seen such a big bloom but it sure it nice in the garden. The foliage is not like the usual hellebore foliage. It is taller and doesn't really create an umbrella. Hmmm.

Also blooming are: crocuses, mahonia, daffodils (finally began blooming 6 March 2010, in 2009 they began blooming 26 February, and in 2008 they began blooming 2 March), hyacinths (8 March 2010 and 12 March 2009), edworthia chrysantha (a new purchase from the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show), and a surprise guest shown below.

The weather has been fickle but it is interesting to note that while daffodils and crocuses are blooming later this year than last, the hyacinths are four days early!

From In the Garden

A late entry to this month's bloom day is the above snowdrop. I planted them for the first time last fall after falling in love with them on all the blogs the past two years. I kept looking and looking and could not see any sign until yesterday when I was rewarded with this bloom! I hope it brings some friends and is happy here as I can see a whole yard full of them.

What's blooming in your garden on this soon to be rainy March Day?

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

New Life and Old...In the Garden and Plant of the Month

From In the Garden

"Spring is near!" say the Hellebores.

From In the Garden

"But the glory of the past summer remains." says the Pink Turtlehead.

From In the Garden

"Ah, but I am so tired and weary of winter that I have to hang my head." says the Goatsbeard.

From In the Garden

"I second that thought!" says the Hakone Forest Grass.

From In the Garden

"Standby you all!" says the furry Star Magnolia. "We're getting ready to put on a show! You all are so lovely even in your winter colors we can see the glory of the summer to come-even now in the winter...."

in the garden....

This month's Plant of the Month is the Hellebore, but we wish to say goodbye to all of last summer's plants as we clean the garden and make room for the new in the garden. For more information on hellebores click on the above link and it will take you to last year's Plant of the Month-also the hellebore.

Right now the garden is thawing out from a big snowstorm, but the hellebores and remnants from last summer's garden are displaying their glory still-spring is near though.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Bloom Day-March 09

Camellia sasanqua, unknown cultivar. This is also the camellia that has a sport/variegation on the foliage.
This is a long shot of the camellia pictured above. The camellias are actually red, though it appears they are pinkish in the first picture. One of these days I'll figure out how to use photo editing stuff-maybe:)

White camellia sasanqua. Not sure the cultivar.

Hyacinths. Taken inside the house looking out the kitchen window.

Hellebore. AKA Lenten Rose.

Forysthia. Unknown cultivar.

Siberian Scilla, Scilla sibirica.

Hellebore.

Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain'. Note the hairy flower. I find this plant very interesting and an awesome addition to any shade garden. The foliage is evergreen. 'Diane Clare' is also blooming.

Hellebore. Can you tell I'm liking-no make that loving-the hellebores this year?

Crocuses. 'Giant Mixed'.

Flowering quince. Chaenomeles japonica 'Rubra'. 'Texas Scarlet', and 'Jet Trail' (a white cultivar) are also blooming.

An amaryllis; a gift from my father two years ago. This one must be an Easter amaryllis because it always blooms in time for Easter.

I checked last March's Bloom Day post; which was the first one I ever posted. All of these flowers were blooming but some are added, such as the camellia and hyacinths. Also, I had a tree peony blooming last year, and primroses in the garden. While I do have a tree peony this year it is not blooming, and I did not buy primroses since they simply do not last more than one season here in my Tennessee garden.

The begonias I posted on last month's Bloom Day, have failed miserably for me. I think I gave them too much water and attention. I need to remember that in the future.

Also blooming but not pictured are: pansies, vinca, Glory of the Snow, Flowering Almond, aka Prunus glandulosa 'Rosea Plena', red geraniums (inside the house under grow lights), and muscari (last year the muscari were way ahead of this year's blooms).

If my records are right and the weather is similar to last year's, folks in this area can expect the tulips to bloom around the end of the month, along with the redbuds, crabapples, bleeding hearts, and verbena 'Homestead'. Already in Clarksville the amount of plants blooming is amazing. I have noticed: 'Bradford' pears, some cherries, magnolias, and many forsythias. It is looking lovely....

in the garden....

The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show

From In the Garden

The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show is going on at the Nashville State Fairgrounds off I65 in Nashville. The last day will be Sunday, so hurry if you wish to see some really super fun gardens, buy some great plants, books and what nots for your gardens and spend the day in gardening world.

I had the pleasure of attending with my good friend Vonna yesterday. Geri was unavailable and I missed her so much I kept calling Vonna by Geri's name. Good thing Vonna is such a good sport. I must be getting old or I'm truly a creature of habit and was too used to Geri going to the show with me.

Vonna loves to plant shop and was great fun! I can see us doing this show annually. She is truly a plant addict and purchased a bunch of African violets, some geraniums, and many herbs. She also purchased a few hellebores, as her garden is lacking this wonderful plant. Each time she sees my hellebores she longs for them, so we were quite happy to find some at the show today. She purchased a red hellebore and is such a sweetheart she bought the one pictured above for me-against my wishes I might add. You just can't say no to her though. She knew how much I wanted a 'freckled' hellebore. I also picked up a couple of double hellebores to go along with the one above.
The theme for this year's gardens was something like "Flavor of Gardening". I really didn't spend too much time on the gardens, but did get a snapshot of this child friendly garden. The 'engineer' was present and in costume. He enjoyed participating in this garden show. All gardens had to incorporate some kind of plant that could be used for culinary purposes. His garden had rosemary and a few other herbs tucked into the planting. The 'engineer' himself really had no idea what the plants were; which cracked me up. I think he was there to run the village and train only.

One of the most popular booths at the show has always been The Rustic Greenhouse booth. They are from Sewanee, Tennessee and can be reached at: (931) 598-9059. Linda, the owner, is very knowledgeable and I have purchased numerous plants from her over the years. Her plants are always top quality and good performers. This year I picked up some foam flowers for my new 'Secret Patio' garden. Does anyone recognize this cultivar pictured above? It was simply labeled 'foam flowers' so I did not get the cultivar name.

I also picked up a 'Hummelo' lambs ear, Selaginella (Spike moss), Rocky Mountain Penstemon, and a Rose Foxglove from her. Selaginella is usually a big seller at this show. It looks like a moss, but is classified as a 'fern ally'. According to Wikipedia, fern allies are not flowering plants, but also not ferns. They are similar to ferns in that they multiply by shedding spores. They prefer to grow in the same conditions as ferns and mosses. It is a unique plant that looks like a cross between a fern and moss, and one I've not had luck with in the past. Here's hoping to success this time around.
I was absolutely thrilled to find a 'Rainbow' Leucothoe catesbaei (fontanesiana). This shrub is evergreen and is in the Ericaceae family. As such it requires the same growing conditions as rhododendrons, pieris, azaleas and camellias. That is: an acidic, well drained, moist soil in a partly shaded area. The shrub is loaded with buds, which I believe will turn into lily of the valley type flowers, very similar to pieris flowers. My 'Rainbow' is joining the hellebores and foamflowers, foxglove, and penstemon in my 'Secret Patio' garden.

Additionally, a sweet surprise from a vendor at the show came my way. Geri and I each purchased a tree peony at last year's Lawn and Garden Show. My lovely yellow tree peony died. I stopped at the same booth and was looking at them this year when the manager came to talk with me. Surely he was looking to sell me another tree peony. I told him the one I purchased there last year died, so I did not think buying another would be a good idea. He quickly took one off the shelf and gave me a replacement tree peony! Gee, I sure hope I don't kill this one as well. And I might add that this year's tree peonies are a tad more expensive than last year. The vendor earned my loyalty and respect for going the extra step simply because he wanted to.

When we arrived back to northwest middle Tennessee, Vonna and I both downloaded our new acquisitions and I was able to plant almost all of the new plants. Additionally, I checked on my plants under the house. Several were ready to come out and go into a hardening off area in the garden. These included: gerbera daisies, brugmansias, and an agapanthus. All showed new growth even under the house! To say yesterday was a most wonderful day in the garden, would be an understatement. Let the gardening season begin!

One more thing, if you intend to visit the Nashville Lawn and Garden show, you can visit their website and print off a $1.oo coupon. The entry fee is $10. Every little bit helps. There are also lectures at this show, a flower arranging/design contest, many societies are on hand to give away freebies and to answer questions, and much much more than just what I have posted about here. Check out their website for more information. Enjoy and here's to happy gardening!

in the garden....