Early Risers

It has only been a week, but Lupine "Sunrise," Acroclinium Paper Daisy, and Salvia farinacea "Fairy Queen" are the first to arrive to the spring party:

Lupine "Sunrise" and Paper Daisy

Salvia farinacea "Fair Queen"

Amaryllis Red Lion's stem has now been cut down and leaves are appearing and Amaryllis "Apple Blossom" is hanging in a bit longer. I'm still trying to control the aphid problem on the Hellebore. I can't wait to get this one outside. Hopefully the aphid problem with then go away... but then again, it may not...

6 Weeks to Go!

It is approximately 6 weeks before the last frost date, so I put aside my sewing projects in order to get some of the seeds started:

Lupine Sunrise, Penstemon Strictus (Rocky Mountain Penstemon), Acroclinium Best Mixed (Paper Daisy), Petunia Double Cascade, Evening Primrose, Salvia Farinacea (Fairy Queen), Shasta Daisy (Crazy Daisy), Shasta Daisy (White Knight) and Foxglove (Excelsior Hybrid Mix).

Also finally managed to pot the Hawaiian plumeria:

Stephanotis jasmine is managing to stay alive...

Amaryllis is still going strong...

Amaryllis Apple Blossom

Some time in November, my mother-in-law thoughtfully brought an amaryllis for me. We both enjoy gardening and love to share our successes, as well as commiserate over plants that are struggling or just didn't make it.

Amaryllis Apple Blossom is my first amaryllis and I thought it would be nice to record its progress here. I didn't think anything was going to happen for a long time and I was worried that I might have done something wrong but, once it decided to wake up, the growth was just explosive!

December 18

December 21

December 25

January 3

I am just astonished at how quickly the stem seems to have come out of nowhere. I believe it is an extra large bulb, but still... it is hard to imagine how that thick and tall stem came out of such a short bulb. Nature never ceases to amaze me! Thanks mom! :)