Dreaming of Violas, Snapdragons and Iceland Poppies

When the weather is hot and sunny, I like to think about the winter garden, just as we dream of warm gardens in the dead of winter.

Early Spring in my garden, 2007

When I first came to Southwest Georgia, I passed a veterinarian's office in Cairo. There was a glorious planting near the street of white Snapdragons, blue Pansies and Iceland Poppies in shades of orange, yellow and cream. One of the Plant Ladies had worked her magic there.

I never quite achieved the glorious garden I saw there but I've had some stunning pansies, some sweet Iceland poppies and spiky snapdragons; they just never turned out in the same bed.

Plant Ladies were among my role models for planting in a hot and humid climate. When I used to spend time over there, I had opportunity to see Astilbes die under the shade of Crape myrtles in front of the hospital entrance and judge just how long a Delphinium lasts before it is toast.  A Plant Lady introduced me to Pentas. It was mid-winter and the tops were dead but I could tell it was something I had to plant. 

Small-flowered Pansies and Violas are more impressive than the Giant Pansies. A great host of small blossoms are more impressive than 2 or 3 big blooms.

All photos are from previous years here.

 Violas have a constant stream of flowers. If one is damaged by the weather another soon opens. They're more resistant to cold because of their alpine species heritage.

Dark colors can make an impact when wisely chosen and carefully sited.

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I gave up the darkest Violas because I thought they looked like black holes from a distance.

Of all the pansies I've planted, I liked these best.

I wonder if their name is written somewhere?

Next month is time to start Violas, Snaps and Iceland Poppies from seed in moderate climates.  My plans do not apply to areas that get snow and continuous hard freezes. If I don't get seed planted I may wait until January to buy flats of plants during a warm spell. If I happen across any Snapdragons this fall, cuttings of Antirrhinum are easy. 

Meanwhile, I cut back Verbena bonairensis that flopped all over the front lawn and saved a bowl of seeds. Before I was done, a butterfly was nectaring on the short stems with blooms that I left. Tithonia and Lantana are plentiful now , so I felt comfortable with cutting away some Verbena on a Stick.

Verbena on a Stick back in May.

Now That April's Here GBBD

Spring came quickly, left soonest. We had a few cool nights this week but it feels like summer. The glorious spring bloom fest is over. All the bulbs, all flowering trees are done. Summer's Hydrangea quercifolia is coming into bloom early.

Confederate jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides hangs heavily on the air.

Maybe it's overpowering because there is so

much of it.

Pentas and Verbena bonariensis.

I've been planting out Pentas as they come into bloom. Next fall I'll label all my cuttings. I can recognize they are Pentas but forgot that I might want to plant by color. Three more of this pale pink have bloomed to add to this bed next week.

A mild winter did little to encourage fall-sown annuals. Poppies

are not as plentiful this year, except for California poppies,

here with Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' and Echinacea.

Daylilies are blooming early this year.

A daffodil walk becomes a daylily walk as daffodil foliage fades and daylilies come into bloom. My daffodil/daylily walk here has daylilies outside on the driveway side. On the inside are yellow roses, beginning to make a show with white Pentas.

Happy Bloom Day with 'Julia Child' -- my fav yellow rose.

Join the fun for Bloom day at May Dreams Gardens.

Runners-Up in the Bloom Day Contest

It's hard to leave off some of April's Blooms when writing a post for Bloom Day. So many pretties, so little time for readers to go down the entire list before rushing on to the next glorious photos on another blog. I tried to show some of the more uncommon plants in my garden on the fifteenth while passing over some beauties. "I'll give you a whole post of your own later," I promised some while reminding the roses that they get shown off all the time.

One of two kinds of Larkspur, show with a poppy.

This one is more double, blossoms reminiscent of delphinium.

Single Larkspur with little bunny heads in the blossom if you look carefully.

TAMU calls this one Consolida ambigua 'Bunny Bloom'

Laura Bush Petunias and Sedum acre

Pentas cuttings are just getting started.

A few of last year's have new growth.

Verbena on a Stick and the first Corn Poppy.

Gerbera. Note the hole in the leaf; hail did that.

Poppies failed to make the cut because most of the petals have fallen,

leaving lots of decorative seed pods.

Sweet William seedling.

First blossom on White Dawn rose climbing on a rough cedar post.

My Original Bloom Day post is here: Sparkleberry and White Shrimp .