Before They Are Gone

After returning from but one week away from the garden, it was noticed that the plants have jumped forward into hyperspace during that short time span. The temperatures were still winter like when we left, and the flowers were well behind schedule. Coming home found record breaking highs in the ninety degree range that had made quite a change here.

Newly planted in the Fairelurie last fall on the recommendation of comments in this post, many thanks to all who offered such wonderful ideas!, Fritillaria meleagris has happily proven to be a mixture of white and purples.

Just to be on the safe side, the fritts were planted at the edge of the Fairelurie rather than in the lawn. It seems they are tall enough to show above the ever rising height of the lawn grass that will be allowed to meet its full potential and even flower. More will be added to the fan shapes in the fall, but this little grouping looks good where it is, so will stay there.

But these mid summer type of temperatures are hard on the early spring blooming bulbs. The flower petals are already showing signs of dehydration, spent before their time. The foliage of the Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’ was barely showing on the day we left Tennessee for the sunshine state of Florida.

They are now in full bloom and barely able to keep their heads above the zooming to the sky grasses in the fan shapes of the lawn. It appears that only the first fan was planted with these. We must add more, or spread these, they are a success.

Like this sunrise that greeted us on the first morning back in our own home, one barely has time to run for the camera before it has disappeared in a puff of sunlit blue skies, the flowers too are sublimely ephemeral.

Planted in late March, straight from the big box store, the hyacinths and lettuce look promising. (Carex testacea ‘New Zealand Orange Sedge’ in the red pot has been a soldier of winter interest. We shall see how it performs in the heat of a Tennessee summer.)

Promise fulfilled, these will be popped into the garden in a deserving spot after they pass their prime, which won’t be long unless there is a cooling trend on the horizon soon. The lettuce seems big enough to be transplanted right to a salad plate.

The fragrant winter blooms of Edgeworthia chrysantha exceeded expectations in its first blooming year. It was in full frontal all out open flower when we left…

…and is now a mere shadow of its former self. The ivory calyces are falling gently to the earth as the leaves emerge from the branch tips. The naked flower stems, shown on the right, are still otherwordly, as is everything about this small fascinating tree.

The latest of the crocus to bloom here, Pickwick was at peak when we left the garden. Now there is nothing left but the fading foliage. At least there are photos by which to remember it until another year passes.

But consolation is offered by the beginning bloom of this bright and cheery yellow fellow peeking out amongst the white Phlox subulata, scattered hither and yon over the Fairegarden, to the dismay of some and the delight of others.

NOTE:
There are several other short time bloomers that are featured in a simulcast posting. Click to view it here-The Short Lived Among Us, they were way too numerous to squeeze into just one story.

Frances