First I wanted to show how the double Hellebore is looking so far. I'm waiting to plant it until the first bud finishes opening so I can get a good picture. The area it's going to is pretty shady and a difficult one to get good lighting.
Hellebore 'Mardi Gras Double' is taking her sweet time, but I'm really excited about how it looks so far.
The winter sowing containers soaking up the sun on the deck. Most of the larger ones have two different types of seeds. I've still got more to start, mainly annuals.
Nigella 'African Bride' and Canterbury Bells 'Cup and Saucer Mix' seedlingsSo far these have sprouted:
Hollyhocks
Bush Morning Glory
Veronica 'Lilac Fantasy' (yeah, my first try saving seeds from it)
Cleome (one so far)
Nigella 'African Bride'
Canterbury Bells 'Cup and Saucer Mix'
I also plan direct sow Poppy seeds in the next week, I've got 4 kinds to try this year. Last year when I was given my first Poppy seeds I was told to sow them outdoors in February. Surprisingly it worked even with all the cold and snow that we were still having. That same person told me to throw the Larkspur seeds out at the same time.
Go Catherine! You've got a LOT of seeds started there girl and look at your deck totally devoid of snow. That's amazing.
ReplyDeleteI usually sow my poppy & larkspur seeds outside the end of Feb or first part of March too. Sometimes I throw them out right before a snow so that the moisture seeps them down into the soil a bit. I can't wait to start the pink ones you sent me. So far I've only started a couple of perennial seeds. The annuals will have to be much later or they'll get way too leggy (at least that's what happens to me).
Kathleen ~ Wow, I am impressed with how many seeds you have started. It saves so much money by using seeds.
ReplyDeleteI did plant larkspur and it is growing :) outside. I have some more flower seeds to plant. We will see how they do. Enjoyed your post!
Dear Catherine, Your double hellebore is delightful. I am so pleased for you and I am sure that it will give you many, many years of pleasure.
ReplyDeleteYour seed sowing is IMPRESSIVE. If you are unable to accommodate them all I am sure that you know plenty of people who would love to have a plant. They make such personal and wonderful gifts.
Wow! Catherine... where will you store all these as they continue to grow... when will they be able to be planted out in your garden? Impressive is right! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat Hellebore looks really nice. It seems that you are ahead of us with the seed sowing, we're still having snow flurries here.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, your Hellebore is stunning! I'm slightly envious of all your seedlings too...although I'm hoping mine will show themselves very soon! Looks like you're off to a great start though!
ReplyDeleteWay to go on the Winter Sowing! (I only have 24 milk jugs out in the snowbanks - I know, I'm a slacker)
ReplyDeleteWorry about where they'll all go when you completely run out of room, or dig up some more lawn. lol.
What wonderful success you are having with the wintersowing. I tried it in the jugs..it's going so so. Do you poke holes in the lids or just the bottoms, when they start sprouting do you remove the lids at all for air circulation? I am way interested and am trying to decide on the best method for me.....I sow my larkspur and poppy seeds in November or December here...the poppy seeds you sent are doing wonderfully!!
ReplyDeleteOh my my my I think I finally found the hellebores that blew me away. Love your double.
ReplyDeleteLook at all the work you've been doing. I finally brought down the jugs I had in the greenhouse for hauling water before Bob got my plumbing put in. Guess I'll try it. I know I'm late but better late than never right? I kept putting it off to get in more prayers for my seed planting abilities.
That hellebore is beautiful. I have never seen one like that.
ReplyDeleteYou sure have many, many seeds planted. I have to agree, where are you going to put them all?!?!?
I guess it must be time for me to start thinking about the seeds that I ordered online. Was thinking I'd direct sow them. Do you know that SAME hellebores bloom still has not opened! How long does it usually take? It's been weeks.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
You really have inspired me to get going but I will wait another month. I can start things in the large window to the east or south now. I want to try the hollyhocks out and I will come back and look at your list before I go to the store. Thanks for sharing. Good for you with your starter boxes.
ReplyDeleteYour double Helleborus is amazing -- but I love pretty much anything "double."
ReplyDeleteDo you keep your seedlings outside on the patio? I'm afraid it'll get too cold if I leave them outside. I should start some annuals this year - I normally don't add them to my garden but should.
Oh Catherine you put me to shame I am still in the thinking stage.
ReplyDeleteLove the Hellebore.
You have it going on girl! Wow can't believe you have so many seed trays. I am going to be following behing you. At the end of the month I'm gonna direct sow the Poppies and the Larkspur and probably some others as well. Will you be thinning out these Nigella 'African Bride' and the Canterbury Bells?
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ReplyDeleteBecca - I'll wait to thin them for awhile. Then you just take a scoop of dirt and seeds and plant them in the ground.
ReplyDeleteSince these are mostly all perennials or annuals that need cold to germinate they will all stay outside. You can winter sow no matter how much snow you have, that's the fun part. I start sowing the annuals such as Cosmos in mid March since they germinate quickly and don't take the cold weather very well.
ReplyDeleteI do have holes poked in the bottom. I just use a knife and poke holes in the tops and bottoms. I also keep the lids on until closer to Spring, although I think most of these would be just fine without them once the seedlings are a little bigger. Last year on sunny days I would leave the lids off on the bigger seedlings.
I planted most of the winter sowing in the ground in late March last year and everything did fine.
I wish you all lived closer so I could share!
Brenda - The Hellebores buds can take weeks. I have some that are still taking their sweet time that started in buds the same time as the rest. I can't wait to see yours in bloom.
While blown out of the lazyboy by the hellebore, it was the winter sowing flats that got my heart to racing! I moved mine out of the sun, afraid they would germinate too soon and then be frozen. I know nigella can take anything though. You must be closer to spring than we are, and is that the sun I notice on the deck? Thanks to telling when you plant the babies in the ground too. This is our first year and it sure is nice to not have space taken up in the greenhouse by stuff started too early. Apparently the plants know the right time to pop up. Your garden is going to be fabulous with all those flowers! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Catherine, What a beautiful hellebore! I'm trying very hard not to order anything prior to this Spring. There are hardscape projects that MUST be finished this year! (However, that does not stop me from ordering seeds and visiting nurseries!) ha. I hope I see one of those double hellebores somewhere. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are way ahead of me - I haven't planted anything yet!
ReplyDeleteWow... I can't wait to see this all in full bloom. You are truly so far ahead of us. I don't even think I've seen a seed pack yet. Just snow blowers in that aisle.
ReplyDeleteKate - The Garden Bell - <3
How nice to be able to keep the seedlings on your deck instead of cluttering up the kitchen or bathtub (like I do!). I've got a while until seed planting time, good luck with yours though.
ReplyDeleteOh isn't she pretty Catherine - I did wonder whether she would be freckly all over and she is :)
ReplyDeleteWow, your new hellebore is gorgeous Catherine. And look at all of those babies.Some of the Blue Shades Larkspurs are sprouting. I am so excited. LOL!
ReplyDeleteSure is looking great!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see all your seeds coming up. Makes me yearn for Spring even more. Your yard is going to be so pretty Catherine.
ReplyDeleteThat's huge, Catherine! Way to go! Exciting too!
ReplyDeleteYou must be so excited each time you go outside and see all of your seedlings. Your Hellebore is just beautiful...I love the speckles on the petals.
ReplyDeleteOkay, It looks like I better catch on to this winter sowing thing. I am usually miserible during the winter. The idea with the containers is awesome I will try this it is much cheaper then biodomes and things like that.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could start some seeds but it is still too early here. we got about 7 inches of snow today and it's cold. another month before I can start. I can't wait! Yours look great.
ReplyDeleteThe Hellebore is glorious. I think it's so exciting waiting for Spring by way of your garden. I'm enjoying your blog so much.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, that's a gorgeous hellebore! Today, I brought home a pile of takeout containers from work for more winter sowing! Last time I checked, I didn't see where any I planted had come up yet, but I've got high hopes.
ReplyDeleteCatherine~~ That hellebore!!! Absolutely dazzling. You've been busy, haven't you? Your seed trays and babies are so impressive. I bet your little gardeners are enjoying this early start on spring as much as us big gardeners.
ReplyDeleteThe hellebore is so translucent! Gorgeous! I'm starting my indoor seed sowing under the grow lights for the veggie garden this weekend I hope. And, I'm finally going to try 2 milk jugs for some winter sowing. We are in the midst of getting a snow storm right now (12 inches are expected) so I kinda lost my enthusiasm for the winter sowing but I'm going to push on and do at least 2 jugs as an experiment.
ReplyDeletelovely flower.. I like the color mixture!
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular hellebore!! And your seedlings look very happy. :)
ReplyDeleteThose are lots of seeds that we will wait for to bloom. Happy gardening and...waiting.
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine, Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteYours has truly inspired me. So much so I mentioned your lovely blog in today's post, with a link back to you.
Happy planting!
Laura
Love that hellebore and the winter sowing efforts are impressive! More white stuff here yesterday.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be planting for days!
ReplyDeleteMardi Gras is a stunner! Beautiful!!! What a great array of seedlings you have. You will have tons of plants come spring to plant. Can't wait to see the full garden!
ReplyDeleteps- my word verification today is-'gotcha' pretty funny
Looks like a fun spring coming!
ReplyDeleteI threw out poppies and larkspur yesterday, and sweet william and cornflower, too.
I start scattering them in November and continue as long as there's a place that just cries out for more seeds, until the seeds are gone.
You certainly have a green thumb! Mardi Gras, a true beauty.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh......that hellebore is just stunning! I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteGood for you with all your winter sowing. Mine didn't work out well and I gave up.
You will be busy repotting for the next little while. But what a great idea. Wish I had more room to do this.
ReplyDeleteLove your Hellebore. Stunning little lady.
Jen
You are WAY ahead of me ... I am just trying to get the little buggers to pop up thru the soil so I can get excited about spring.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's
Have a great weekend.
Hugs, TTFN ~Marydon
Wow, the hellebore is gorgeous. I put in some hellebores into a new garden last year and can't wait to see them this Spring. But we are still covered with snow so it will be a little while I'm sure. I started hollyhocks from seed for the first time last year, and am still amazed at how those little seeds became such stunning, tall, flowering plants by August. I'm impressed with all you've started, can't wait to see them progress.
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteYour Hellebore is just beautiful. You have such an impressive jump start on spring. I so look forward to seeing all of these beauties in bloom! Your garden is going to be just beautiful. :)
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! I was itching to get into my garden, and looking at yours only makes me wish to more. Thank you for that added inspiration. I look forward to reading more of your posts and visiting your garden through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteFaith, trust, and faerie dust,
~Angelique
Catherine - thanks for picking my post on blotanical! I'm so happy to have found your site - and so happy for you that you can put your seedlings out on the deck. Hurrah. We've got LOTS and LOTS of snow here...it will be a while before I even see my deck again. I think we might be kindred spirits - I too love loud hip hop/rock music (also the occasional broadway musical) when alone in the car and teaching my daughter to be an individual. I've also been trying to come up with a blogging name for my husband - so jealous that you've already claimed "the muscle." Take care! Kelly
ReplyDeleteOne of these years, I want to try winter sowing. I hope the seeds I spread out in the fall come up, especially the nigellas. Some of them sprouted in the fall.
ReplyDeleteThat hellebore is awesome, by the way!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that hellebore!! It's the most beautiful one I've ever seen. I don't have any doubles, but will sure be seeking one out soon.
ReplyDelete