It's only a surprise because I planted the bulbs last year and nothing happened besides a few leaves popping up. I had planted them by the fence, not anticipating the shade it throws off, and so then chalked it up to a couple of dollars down the drain. To have this bulb survive the winter and decide to show up now in a mostly shady location was a surprise.
And to be perfectly frank, I don't love the color, but I'm biting my tongue.
Then I went around the corner to the Abeille Allée and saw this little gal:
More bulbs I'd planted this spring. When I bought and planted them I was envisioning rows of fragrant lilies that would captivate me with their gentle scents as I walked by. Unfortunately, this is the only one (of about a dozen) that emerged from the ground. It's not 36" tall as it's supposed to be but rather 6", so I have to get on my hands and knees to smell it. It's my midget Stargazer.
Have you had any surprises in your garden lately?
I'm not loving the color of that pink glad either, but you have to admire its exuberance, and it wanted you to notice! The surprises in my garden this summer have been the no-shows -- aggressive plants like physostegia (Obedient Plant) and Evening primrose that just didn't show up at all. Where did they go?
ReplyDeleteSpring bulbs are such a tease, who knows what will or won't come up later.
Laurrie - The no shows are a very nice surprise. I keep waiting for my neighbor's Obedient Plant to mosey on over to my yard and am happily surprised that it hasn't thus far.
DeleteEvery year I have a few plants that just mysteriously croak. Usually plants that are completely hardy in my zone. A few of my lilies made a come back this year after I decided to stop battling red lily leaf beetle. Found out the oriental lilies like Stargazer are not as susceptible. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteSue - It's weird when you expect things to come back and then they're just not there anymore. I'm sure there's a life metaphor in there somewhere.
DeleteFunny, it must be something in the air, since my next blog post is going to be about plants that I thought were dead but weren't. So yes, like you I am having my share of garden surprised.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love hot pink.
Sarah - I'm looking forward to your post about zombie plants!
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