Narcissus (Daffodil) 'Mount Hood'

Everyone loves the daffodil.

They are the ultimate sign of spring after a long cold winter. A promise of better things to come if you will.

But yours truly is completely indifferent to the narcissus ... with one exception. I dig the white ones.

A few years ago, I did my homework and determined that the best white daffodil available was 'Mount Hood'. I can tell you from experience, they rock:  

I have always had a soft spot for white flowers (one of these days I will create a moon garden filled with only white flowers, but I digress) and Mount Hood fulfills that need.

What is interesting, is that when these daffodils first bloom (late April here in zone 6B) the trumpet is a pale yellow color:

And eventually transforms to a pure white (as seen in the two photos below):

And when the pure white state is reached, it is nirvana:

I planted a few clumps of these a few years ago and while they reliably come back and bloom each year, I haven't seen them multiply as much as I had hoped for:

Some other nuggets of info before I get out of here:

• Each bloom is about 5" in diameter
• Survives in zones 3-8
• They reach a height of about 14" to 18" 
• Prefer full sun but have thrived in partial shade for me 
• The foliage is a fantastic blue/green color
• As with all daffodils, they are deer resistant 

Have you grown this? Dig it? Would also love suggestions for other 'whites'.


John  

Time to cut back the ornamental grasses

I don't give a flying fig what Punxsutawney Phil said, Spring officially began this past Saturday, February 25th. 

According to MY calendar, Spring commences when I cut down the first ornamental grass. This normally occurs around the second to third week of March, but to celebrate this mild Winter (and to take advantage of a window of free time between dance class and a basketball game) I headed outdoors, battery powered hedge clippers in hand and went to town on the OG's. 

First up, Miscanthus 'Gracillimus':        

This is my largest ornamental grass so the "cut-back" was the most difficult. But with my pure brute strength, I laughed at the challenge.

I do worry about the big hole that is left as a result, but hope the emerging daffodil bulbs will help hide the carnage for the time being:  

Next, we move on to the Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'. These grasses collapsed in an ugly pile in late October, after an out of nowhere snow storm, and never recovered:

I couldn't wait to slice and dice these puppies so the ugliness of fall/winter could be forgotten:

Since 'Karl Foerster' is a "cool season" grass, I knew it would show signs of new growth already ... and it didn't disappoint:

I also chopped back another Calamagrostis ('El Dorado') and was greeted with new growth again:

I even cut back a few small newly purchased clumps of Calamagrostis 'Avalance' (a variegated form I'm super psyched to watch mature) and yes my friends, more new, green growth:

Like Leatherface from "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" I slaughtered this Sorghastrum 'Sioux Blue' without missing a beat:

And boom, whacked back Carex 'Kaga Nishiki' and was greeted with this delicious foliage:

Northern Sea Oats was cut back in mid Fall in hopes of managing the reseeding, so no need to touch them:

Finally, I was able to contain myself and allowed this Carex 'Cappuccino' to remain as is because she still looks damn good:

That's all for now.

There are still quite a few Miscanthus and Panicum in need of a haircut and I can't wait to chop away soon.


John

Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've spent a lot of time reviewing my garden photos from the past year as I map out my big plans for this year. In a lot of ways, the photos tell a different story than what I experienced out in the garden - a welcomed different perspective. 

One plant I've come to appreciate even more through photos is Miscanthus 'Variegatus':     

This ornamental grass, with it's variegation (equal parts white/green), is a welcome foil to all of the surrounding green foliage. I had no idea how many photos I had snapped of this beauty over the past year until recently. Before I share these with you, some bits of info are in order:

• Mature size falls in the 5' to 6' range (a little taller when in bloom)
• Survives in zones 5-9
• Prefers full sun
• Seems to be OK with most soil types including my poor draining clay
• Is a "warm season" grass meaning the foliage starts to grow when the temps warm up later in spring
• Flowers in mid to late September here in zone 6B. The blooms are reddish and tassel like.
• Flopping over later in the season is a known problem due to its large size but one I've yet to experience.

Now on to the photos:

Here she is (far right) at about three feet tall in July:

The variegation shining through the Panicum blooms:

The foliage contrasting well behind a Viburnum and amongst a sea of green:

Glowing in early evening:

Looks fantastic back lit by the sun:

Contrasts so well with the early autumn foliage of Itea 'Henry's Garnet':

And looks even better later in the fall:

The blooms emerge in late September:

And finally, like most ornamental grasses, they provide winter interest:

So what do you think? Are you a fan? Is staking a necessity?

Let me know already, won't you?


John

I am one happy SOB

Oh baby! I am getting way friggin psyched!

I love this time of year when it takes just a little bit of investigative work to find signs of spring. To the "normal" person's eye, it's the end of February and winter is still in session.

But to the wacky gardener's eye, spring has fought it's way through and there is no looking back. 

Here are some recent photos from THIS "wacky gardener":     

The Summer Snowflake bulbs are peeking through:

And will soon look like this:

The buds on the Viburnum 'Aurora' are oh so subtly transforming:

Will soon look this this:

And then BOOM, you get this beauty:

The Iberis 'Snowflake' (Candytuft) is just starting to show it's new red growth:

Which will explode into this in no time:

The Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue' (Creeping phlox) is also now showing its new reddish growth:

Soon to be followed by this:

And ultimately this:

This pile of green mush means little now:

But it foreshadows the beautiful blooms of the Lobelia siphilitica:

And finally, I can spot the buds forming on the Crataegus 'Winter King' (Hawthorn):

And cannot wait to see the blooms up close and personal for the first time in a few weeks (I had this tree planted last spring).

Ladies and gentleman, the end is near. Be very excited.


John

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant' (Summer snowflake)

I have failed miserably trying to grow tulips.

I have never been able to successfully get a hyacinth to bloom ... even once. 

Even daffodils have been a bit of a challenge for me. 

I was ready to throw in the towel on bulbs all together a few years ago, considering my growing conditions - poor draining clay soil, numerous rabbits and deer. 

But after a Google search on "moisture loving bulbs", I finally found a bulb that has survived for multiple years for me, the Summer Snowflake:

To actually see a bulb peaking through the soil in early spring is a thing of extreme joy for me:

Here is some information on the Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant'):

• Size - about 18" tall by 24" wide
• Survives in zones 4-8
• Prefers full sun to partial shade
• Typically blooms in late April here in zone 6B
• Has been deer resistant to date

Some additional photos: 

The leaves are strap-like and glossy and form a vase shaped clump: 

As the blooms appear, the leaves and flower scapes take on a bit of an arching shape:

As for the actual blooms, each "bell" is made up of six equal petals each marked with a green dot at the tip:

While most of my bulbs are relatively young (3 years), I expect them to multiply as the years progress so I will soon be looking at some serious drifts each April/May.

The foliage has already emerged here with the warm temps and I am pumped to see how they perform.  
Now it is time to get out of here and do a Google search for some more wet tolerant bulbs ...


John