Winter, Spring ….Winter ?

 

It’s February 24th in Cincinnati and the projected temperature for the day is a high of 74. The projected high tomorrow is 44 with a possible dip below freezing at night. In my garden, daffodils are blooming along with the snowdrops and hellebore.

Daffodils (aka Narcisissus) are known as the marker of Spring, named for the mythological character Nacissisus, who was so enamoured of his reflection in the water that he couldn’t look away from it. Hence the downward tilt of the flower head. Apparently they are as confused as we are by the recent Winter weather patterns.

Narcissus are extensively used in gardens because they naturalize quickly and contain toxic crystals that deter deer and other pests as well as providing thousands of varieties which offer a multitude of colors shapes and sizes.The plants will be fine in cold weather and typically can handle the rapid changes that often occur , especially in our part of the country, as long as they are not in bloom. When the temperature threatens to  drop below freezing, I suggest you venture into the garden and cut yourself a nice bouquet  utilizing all the blooming daffodils before there is a chance for them to freeze. Keep in mind that you will need to soak the daffodils in water for at least 6 hours to detoxify them before it is safe to mix them in a vase with other flower’s blooms.

https://pixabay.com/en/daffodils-blossom-bloom-flower-634463/

http://www.shenandoahvalleyflowers.com/gardening/shenandoahs-easter-daffodils

https://mnprairieroots.com/tag/daffodils/

Pineapple Lily ‘Sparkling Burgundy’

It has been some time since I last took time to write about what interests me
most ... gardening. In the interim, life got in the way in the form of family
illness and a full time business designing, installing and caring for clients' 
gardens. 
The fact that it is a grey day in Winter has brought me back to where I began. 
Years ago when my children were small, at the end of the day, I would use garden
planning as the remedy for the winter blues. 
Today, I was thinking about a client's enclosed patio and decided to share
the plant I had suggested she try in one of her containers this spring/summer.
This particular client always brings a smile to my face with her funloving, quirky
disposition. The plant I suggested evokes the same response.
I am referring to the Pineapple Lily (eucomis comosa), which I originally
discovered at the entrance to a beautiful old garden in Cincinnati.    
After some investigating, I learned that the Pineapple Lily was a native of South
Africa and was typically hardy through zone 7. That was somewhat discouraging 
until further research revealed 'Sparkling Burgundy',a variety that is hardier 
and boasts gorgeous color in both flowers and leaves. The species is a long lived 
plant that is happiest in sun and can live in a wide range of soils and is amazing
in containers! It reaches 18"-24" in height and blooms from midsummer to early 
fall. An added bonus is its pest resistence and attraction to butterflies and 
other pollinators.
If you are looking for something striking, unusual, needs little care and 
can be used directly in the garden or as the centerpiece for your containers,
look no further.