Mood reversal

I clearly posted too early yesterday as it turned out to be a lovely day. It was cool, cloudy and rainy for much of the day. We got .52" which was enough to make the garden sparkle. The rain, coupled with the recent hot days, has the garden on overdrive. I walked around a number of times just marveling at the beauty. 

As much as I like flowers, nothing beats the greens of spring. Up or down there was something lush and fresh to enjoy.

And, yes, there are lots of plants in full bloom like this unknown Peony. Last year I noticed a small stem on a mature species Peony whose leaves were clearly different from the main plant. I separated it and decided to watch it. This spring it shot up with a big bud that is opening into what looks like a gorgeous flower.

In the morning I got together with my garden gal pals to brainstorm some trees and shrubs that one of the members of our little group could add to her garden for winter interest as well as screening views of her neighbor's property. All that garden chat is always a boost.

When I got back home treats had arrived in the mail: The 30th anniversary edition of Gardens Illustrated magazine. 

I've been reading this mag since it hit the newsstands. I used to have the first 50 issues. I still have plenty of back issues, but now I only keep the ones that I really want to look at again — and again. This one is the second issue published. Also in the mail. was a box of plants from Odyssey Perennials. Mostly different Primula varieties.

This is Aquilegia viridiflora var. atropurpurea, one of the mail order plants. This is the nursery website photo as the plant is quite small. I'm going to put it with a group of Geranium phaeum whose flowers are deep violet and whose leaves have splashes of the same color. Despite my cranky start to the day, it turned out to be pretty perfect. 

Comments

[Kris P]

I'm glad your somewhat sour mood on Monday turned around so well, Linda. I love the bright green of new foliage too. In my garden, I also get flushes of orange-tinged new foliage from our Xylosma hedge, which often outshines the rest of the garden.

I smiled when I read you'd collected years of Garden Illustrated magazines. I had a decade plus of Fine Gardening at one time but, when we moved in 2010, I decided enough was enough ;)

[Ginny]

I'm glad your cranky day turned out not to be one after all! That aquilegia is a beauty in a low key, quiet way. Love it! What nursery did it come from?

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Oh good. My mood has been going back and forth with the changeable weather, too. April is always up and down, but not usually so dramatically. And I hope May will be a little more "normal." It's usually one of my favorite months here in S. Wisconsin.

[Linda Brazill]

BETH — ​My favorite month as well. So far so good.

[Linda Brazill]

GINNY — Russell Stafford / Odyssey Perennials. Small nursery with small plants; but interesting ones.

[Linda Brazill]

KRIS — Even though ​I got rid of a bunch of the garden mags but still need to discard more of them. They're a small number compared to garden books, but still too many.

[Barbara H.]

Oh, those magazines - I feel your pain. Glad you had so many garden treasures to make up for it.

[danger garden]

I've definitely gone thru similar reversals, also usually involving the garden, garden talk, or new plants!

[Chavli]

With gardens going into overdrive, one can't help but feel elated. "I walked around... just marveling at the beauty"... it sounds just like what I do, never tiring of it.
I was surprised to see how far along your ferns are considering the tough winter you had. They are certainly ahead of my own ferns in Seattle, especially the Japanese painted ferns.

[Chavli]

P.S.
I know nothing of Peonies, but the Peony discovery is fun! I wonder if you'll be able to ID it eventually, or maybe it's a new spontaneous hybrid?

[Linda Brazill]

CHAVLI — I keep noticing how many things look great and then suddenly see something odd. Last year my Lady Slipper orchid (Cypripedium 'Hank Small') had five stems loaded with flowers. This year there is one lone stem. I haven't a clue what that means. It's old and was moved a couple of times until I found the right spot and it took off. My other, equally old, Cyprepedium is doing the same thing. I am just going to think positive: It's still alive.

[hb]

Walk and Gawk is one of my favorite garden activities. Color is wonder but that pure freshness of new foliage is just as good.

Glad your day turned out beautifully.

[Jerry]

Aquilegia viridiflora is such a beautiful plant. I got a few seedlings planted out last year. Hopefully they will bloom by next year at the latest!

[Linda Brazill]

JERRY — The plant I got is small enough that I think it will take at least a year to get any flowers. ​