Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A hopeful addiction

Okay. I admit it. I’m a flower-aholic.

I have an addiction to all things growing. Sometimes controllable. Sometimes not. If a flower is pretty, sweet, colorful, new, funky or any number of other qualities, I can’t resist.

I worry that the affliction could be akin to hoarding. But I don’t have 49 cats. Or rooms full of newspapers stacked up to the ceiling. So it could be worse. It could be illegal. Or I could be hanging out in dark, smoked-filled rooms gambling with thugs named Ace and Manny. Or drinking Thunderbird from a paper bag.

Good news: I work part-time at a nursery so I get to see all the lovely flowers as they come from the grower. Bad news: I work part-time at a nursery so I get to see all the lovely flowers as they come from the grower.

I love planting tried-and-true flowers that I grow every year and know will perform well. I also love mixing in new varieties to see if they’ll make the latest list of favorites. Every spring I say I’m going to pace myself so I won’t over indulge and be broke by the time the heat lovers come in. You guessed it. That never works. But I buy the heat lovers anyway.

This year, even though it’s been wet and cool, I have some pretties growing in my garden. Here are a few:


This new variety of begonia is called “Big Bronze”. Begonias have come a long way in the past few years and this beauty is proving to be a WOW. The flowers are profuse and enormous.


Thankfully dahlias are now available already growing, and in a small pot with an affordable price. This “Mystic Illusion” is not your grandma’s dahlia. I love the dark, dramatic foliage, especially as it’s growing here against the bright creeping jenny and paired with the striking “Splash” coleus.


I am partial to old fashioned flowers like these zinnias. This year I’m growing them in pots placed on my back steps. That way I get to look down on the colorful flower heads.


How cool is this? This remarkable allium is about the size of a soccer ball. It’s fun to watch it grow to its full glory and when done blooming it’s a wonderful dried specimen.


In the past few years I’ve become quite enamored with small succulents. I don’t know the name of this one, but you can see how charming it is.


This corner of the patio is my peaceful area...a nice place to sit surrounded by overflowing pots. One of my favorite shade plants is the “Perilla”, which is the tall dark foliage plant behind the impatients. The bright pops of purple belong to the often over looked browalia which is a reliable shade bloomer.

Well, that’s a slice of my heaven. Remind me I said that when I’m bitching about slugs or fungus or some other ailment. Until then, I remain a hopeful gardener.


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14 comments:

Cynthia L. H. said...

Oh! Oh! And Oh! ;^)
I am soooo jealous....your job and your yard.
BEE-YOO-TI-FULLLLL!
:^)

Kathleen said...

Why, Pyzahn, I believe you positively paint with your flowers! Do you know about the flower arrangement event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I can't remember the name, but it happens in April. Floral artists are invited to create arrangements inspired by works of art. I think you just might need to see it--or perhaps enter it! Very cool! (And a fine addiction to boot!)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I can almost smell them. :)

The Old Silly From Free Spirit Blog

Rudee said...

I've tried to get into gardening, but there isn't any leftover time. I like to look at it all, I just don't like the work of it.

I am going to hunt down those begonias though- I'll bet they'll look great in pots on my porch.

Anonymous said...

Ack. I'm jealous. Because I have a black thumb when it comes to any variety of flowers or plants.

I try, but they don't like me.

Yep. Plants and flowers, they hate me. *smile*

Gail said...

Beautiful!

drollgirl said...

forget about HEAVEN! i am coming to your place!

you have green fingers, thumbs, hands and wrists!!! absolutely stunning!!!

if you are ever in la i will tell you of a few places to go with amazing gardens. or i can just tell you now. huntington gardens and descanso gardens. either of these places should hire you!

Dumdad said...

I know nothing about flowers (I can identify roses, daffodils, tulips and, um, that's about it!)but I like them about the house and in the garden.

imac said...

Hi Pyzahn, Your garden is so beautiful and your life seems beautiful too.

Many thanks for your visit to my lil ol blog and your most kind comments on the blue Poppy.
Its the only 1 I have seen myself, and there was a lot of people jostling positions to get a shot of it.Took me about 10 minutes to get all of mine, with a few peeps muttering under their breath, oops, oh well we photographers have to take our time (as we get older)(thats my story anyway) to get the shots we want.You are most welcome
to visit anytime.

Jayne said...

Just beautiful! It looks like a little slice of heaven.

Makes me want to go and buy some flowering plants for my fire escape.

xxx said...

ooh I'm loving your flowers :-)

best wishes
Ribbon

Andrea said...

Man do you have a green thumb! I wish I did. Your flowers are beautiful!

laurie said...

i would like you to come spend some time in my yard. my dad used to grow begonias, but i am not as talented.

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

Your garden is amazing and inspiring!