"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, February 2, 2009

What are you most looking forward to seeing bloom?

I can't help but think about what I'm waiting to see bloom.  Every time I look out our back window I'm reminded of what I'm waiting for.  I have lots of plants that I love, and can't wait to see.  But, there is one right now I am just really looking forward to.  I remember buying this shrub about 8 years ago.  At the time it was a small stick like thing.  No leaves or flowers were on it.  While I was contemplating it, another nursery shopper told me she had that very shrub.  She told me, it will grow fast, and it's beautiful.  I don't usually need much convincing, so that was enough for me.  I bought it and took it home.  For some reason I decided to plant it under a tall Ponderosa Pine.  A very dry and fairly shady spot, it has survived and flourished.  Each year it's show has been bigger.  The blooms are a beautiful pink, and last for a long time. 
Here she is.  Hard to believe these sticks and buds will produce a most beautiful display of pink, drooping flower clusters.  I wish I had a picture of her in bloom, you'll have to come back and see in about a month.  I'll be sure to post pictures.  


I of course have lost the tag, so I don't remember the exact name of this one.  I do know it's a pink flowering currant, ribes sanguineum.  It will bloom the beginning of March and hangs onto those flowers for close to a month.  This one doesn't produce berries, although some varieties will.  It is also supposed to be attractive to hummingbirds.  This is definitely a nice addition to a partially shaded area.  
So, what are you waiting for to bloom and why?  
Pin It

16 comments:

  1. Here in NC i am awaiting the rhododendrons/azaleas! But i also love the dogwoods and spring bulbs.

    Back in MI i would have to say my spring bulbs because i just planted them last fall. Huge alliums, tulips, checker lilies and lots more stuff. Then of course my precious collection of irises.
    So its more than one thing but i cant wait!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We just moved this fall, so I planted hundreds of bulbs, transplanted some favorite peonies and added some fruit trees and hydrangea. I cannot WAIT to see them all bloom!

    Not to mention watching all of the various plants from previous owners pop up all over the place...I'm so excited!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is a toss up between the irises and peonies. I am leaning toward irises but the peonies are sentimental to me. Can't wait! Maybe your mystery shrub is a flowering almond?

    ReplyDelete
  4. There are a few things I'm waiting for. One is the Snapdragon in the greenhouse- first time growing it and experimenting with winter color for the first time since putting the greenhouse up. Then there is my poor Coneflower, started from seed and being choked out by the Loosestrife. And finally, a lot of bloggers are talking about Lantana. I don't have it yet, would love to find some seeds, if available. This will be the first thing I look for in the nurseries this year :)

    I'll look forward to seeing your wonderful blooms!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I honestly can't think of ONE plant I am anxious to see bloom. I'm more curious than anxious about my Costco-sized-can't-resist-me-bag of pink tulips I bought and planted last fall. I grouped them under a shrub border for the "mass" effect. We shall see. Great question.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Right now, I'm anxiously awaiting blooms on my witch hazel. It's the first winter for it and while it's still too early for blooms, they will probably be the first ones I see. I just hope it has some this year!

    After the witch hazel, it will be the hellebores.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just added a currant to our back garden bed. It's much smaller but I'm also looking forward to it adding a touch of color along the fence line. I need to think about what else I can't wait to see. Hmmm, may just need to be another post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. flowrgirl1 - It's hard to narrow it down I know. It sounds like we have a lot of the same things getting ready to bloom here as you do in NC. Our pink flowering dogwood is really pretty. I bet your irises are pretty all in bloom. I'll be watching for pictures.

    allenaim - Wow! It sounds like you did a lot of work to get ready for the spring. It will look fabulous I'm sure. I wish I had the patience to plant hundreds of bulbs and surprises from previous owners are fun too!

    Tina - Now that everyone is reminding me of all these other plants I don't know what I'm most excited for. I just planted my first irises last year. The shrub is some type of flowering currant. I just looked up flowering almonds, and I don't know if they would be hardy here. They sure look pretty and the flowers are similar.

    Tessa - Oh I love snapdragons. I haven't had much success from seed, but I'm trying again this year. My girls like to make them talk by pinching the sides. Coneflowers, another favorite. Mine seem to grow best when I ignore them.

    Grace - I hope you have good luck with the tulips. A grouping of pink ones sounds really pretty. Can't wait to see everyone's pictures.

    Kylee - I wish I had room for witch hazel. Our hellebores started blooming a couple of weeks ago. I love them!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Melanthia - You just appeared. Mine has gotten pretty big and it really adds such a bright spot where it is. Can't wait to see what you're looking forward to, because it might be something I can grow here!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would have to say apple blossoms are my faves. Not only is the orchard lovely when they are in bloom it means apples, fresh picked later in the fall...ohhh I love a crisp new apple!

    Next would have to be tomatoes. I know not very ornamental but they bring with them the hope of my favortie veggie!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Catherine, that sounds like such a lovely shrub. I can't wait to see it in bloom. I love all the spring bulbs and flowers so much, but the most exciting has to be the first daffodil. That bright yellow amid all the brown is so cheering. And we have very very many of them, they get spread more and more each year, yes, in bloom, it doesn't hurt them and you can see where you need more.
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  12. inadvertent farmer - apple blossoms are pretty close to the top of my list too. A whole orchard though, must be gorgeous!

    Frances - You're right, that first daffodil is such a happy sight. I can never seem to get flowers on mine, only the foliage. I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Like Grace, I can't narrow the list down to just one. I planted dozens of things last year that didn't have time to bloom before winter, so of course I'm excited to see them all for the first time. Last year my siberian irises were exceptionally saturated with color - the deep royal blue and rich purple were amazing. I'm curious to see if they do the same thing this year. Last spring was unusually cool and I wonder if the flowers developed more color as they sat in the bud stage for so long. So I'll test out my theory this spring, depending on weather conditions! So exciting - VW

    ReplyDelete
  14. I planted an unusual Thalictrum last year, T. diffusiflorum, which is supposed to have flowers- with actual petals and sepals - that are quarter sized. All above blue tinted lacy foliage..... can hardly wait!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is going to be awesome! Looks like it has a ton of buds. I might want to see the Senority Rosalita Cleome by Proven Winners. It's an annual for me in NC but it is a work horse all summer long.

    ReplyDelete
  16. VW - It is exciting to see things that we haven't watched bloom in our gardens yet. Last spring was a strange one, hope this is a warmer and drier one.

    Teza -That sounds very pretty. I'm going to have to look that one up. Hope you will post pictures of it.

    Anna - I planted my first Cleome last year, they are annuals here too.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I try my very best to answer any questions you may have, but usually don't have time to respond to each comment. Please leave a link to your blog so I can visit you in return.