Sunday, October 31, 2010

Seasonal slippage

It didn't take trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell or tonight's forecast freeze warning to announce that the seasons have slipped. Signs are everywhere in the garden.

Even though the dahlias are defying the fall with a final flush of flowers, their foliage has become dull and embrittled by the cooling temperatures.


This "Normandy Painted Pearl" variety sports a glorious color range: the outer petal surfaces are coral-pink-purple and the interiors are yellow and pink.  The blooms change color dramatically as they mature.


This morning, I cut a massive amount of dahlia blossoms. When I put a vase in the dining room, I realized that their pink-yellow-coral palette aligned perfectly with the shot cotton quilt that I am currently piecing.  


Serendipitously, I've found my seasonal slippage sewing project.

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Garden variety jonesing

I didn't even really try to abstain.  None of that facing yourself in the mirror stuff for me.  I was simply looking to indulge my addiction for spring bulbs, and this morning's Financial Times provided the slender excuse needed.  I mean, who am I to argue when Robin Lane Fox is hustling spring flowering bulbs?  More "Tete-a-Tete," you say, Robin?  Sure, why not!



As midnight rolls around, this fall's order looks like:

Brent and Becky's Bulbs
10 Narcissus "Tete-a-Tete" (beds to side of front walk) Planted 10/31
50 Narcissus "Minnow" (beds to side of front walk) Planted 10/31
50 Narcissus "Thalia" (new side yard) Planted 11/6
10 Tulipa "Purple Prince" (old side yard) Planted 11/14

Old House Gardens
10 Tulipa "Prinses Irene" (old side yard) Planted 11/14

And for indoor forcing:

White Flower Farm
1 Amaryllis "Novella"
24 Paperwhite Narcissus "Ziva"

Old House Gardens
3 Hyacinth "Gipsy Queen" Cooling 11/12
3 Hyacinth "L'Innocence" Cooling 11/12

Total okay-ness.