Meanwhile... Indoors...

A peek at photos I've just taken.

:-)

It's windy today.  I should be out there raking... 

but my neighbor would probably be on the receiving end of a LOT of leaves!

And yes.  The "Christmas Cactus."

Enjoy your day!

SG

Can't Keep Up With Memes Right Now!

A few "fun things" that happened outdoors today!

Checkered Lily

 

 PJM Rhododendron  

(An especially slow-grower in the shade)

PMJ Rhododendron by the Driveway!
Nice Evening Sky

Hope you enjoyed your day!
SG

I took time to compare

 . . . just a few photos from 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Yep!  Things are definitely Very Early this Spring,

especially experiencing temperatures in the 80's at this time of year...

Sunny Corner Bed

  March 30, 2010

March 25, 2011

April 3, 2011

 March 18, 2012

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

March 30, 2010

April 10, 2011

 March 18, 2012

Helleborus 'Orientalis'

March 30, 2010

 April 10, 2011

March 16, 2012

(before pruning)

 (after pruning)

 March 18, 2012

'Orientalis' 

 (2nd plant) - this is it's first flower in 5 years!

and 'Brushstrokes'

For Your Information... little things happening around here in SE Iowa.
:-)  SG

Flower-y Friday

A Friendly Friday post.  ;-)

Spring has sprung,

the grass has riz,

and I'm aware

of How Early it is!

Iris 'Sheila Ann Germany' is a desirable hybrid between Iris histrioides and Iris winogradowii.  While I don't really understand the botanical names, this iris is an early bloomer and grows from a bulb.

I purchased the iris below as "dwarf iris" several years ago.  They are both in the iris reticulata family.  They increase return every year and increase in number.  At least, these two varieties do.  The yellows gave up after a couple of years. 

Information taken from BBC Plant Finder:  "Iris reticulata is an early flowering iris, usually appearing from late winter to early spring. The blooms vary from pale blue to deep violet with central yellow splashes down the middle of each petal. In recognition of its outstanding excellence, the Royal Horticultural Society have given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Plant the bulbs 5-10cm (2-4in) apart at twice their own depth in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. To propagate, divide bulbs from mid-summer to early autumn to increase stocks."

These also grow from bulbs.

These are Bitty little crocus that are increasing in number.

I'm thinking I need to dig them up after a bit and spread them around.

Somehow there are even a couple in the backyard!

 Dutch Crocus - larger flowers.

I purchased the hardy Cyclamen below as 'Cyclamen neapolitanum.'  Wikipedia's description:  "The species name hederifolium comes from hedera "ivy" and folium "leaf", because of the shape and patterning of the leaves. The older species name, neapolitanum, refers to Naples, where the species grows."

There are several leaf shapes.  The flowers are as sweet as can be.  :-)

Ode to Spring

“Spring has sprung,

The Grass has riz,

I wonder where the birdies is?

The little bird is on the wing,

But that’s absurd! 

Because the wing is on the bird!”

 'Tete-a-tete' daffodils are as "cute" as can be!  They increase in number - a welcome addition to the early garden.

Another cute little crocus.

Just a little sample of the fun!

(The real fun comes with the raking of the leaves... once all danger of frost has passed!)  :-)

Come on over!  I've extra rakes!  lol.
SG

ABC Wednesday - I

A chance to learn about two more Iowa Public Gardens,

beginning with the Letter ...

Iowa Arboretum  

(click title for link to website)

"A Library of Living Plants"

(photo from website)

This arboretum holds 26 "collections," including:

Alpine garden, Grasses, herbs, hostas, irises, daylilies, conifers, nut trees, and wetland trees

in over 300 ares of forest, prairie, and meadow.

Located in Central Iowa at 1875 Peach Avenue, Madrid, Iowa 50156,

the Iowa Arboretum is open daily, dawn to dusk - free admission.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, closed holidays.

The arboretum is a busy place with many scheduled activities.

This is Definitely on my "to visit" list!

and also, another

Did you say you wanted to see some more ABC Wednesday posts?
Or perhaps you'd like to participate, too?
Click the link above for information and to view other participants' posts.
 
Iowa State Fair Discovery Garden

(click the link to view more information)

The Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fairgrounds is a cooperative effort between the Polk County Extension District Master Gardeners and the Iowa State Fair.

(photo from website)

You can tour the gardens anytime during the growing season, however the gardens are planned

to "peak" during the Iowa State Fair.

And I'm not sure I realized this was AT the fair!  Next time!

Another couple of reasons to visit Iowa! ;-)

SG

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

... Brings us five new words... if you'd like to see posts by other participants 
or to participate yourself, click this link.

Water

Deluge at a picnic in Atlanta, GA - Summer 2009

and during a family hike today

Light

(or light years?)

Chocolate
Homemade candy being made at Piper's Candies, using the same recipe since 1947.  
The store has been family owned since 1905.  (link here)

Animal
"Somebody" lives here... there's clearly a trail to the doorway...

Crowded
Helleborus seedlings (photo taken yesterday)

ABC Wednesday - H

Another very interesting place to visit in the state of Iowa!

Hitchcock Nature Center

is part of the Pottwattamie County Park System,

and it looks like a Wonderful Place to Visit!

This is in Southwest Iowa, east of I-29 and south of I 680.  

North of Council Bluffs, IA.

Click on the name of the park to link to their website.

The information below was taken from their website:

Mission: The Hitchcock Nature Center exists to develop and foster appreciation and understanding of the Loess Hills as a globally significant landform through land management, environmental education and low-impact recreation. 

Acquired by Pottawattamie County in 1991, Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1274 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills. The Loess Hills harbor some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa and provide refuge for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Hitchcock is open every day of the year for hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, snow sledding, star gazing, or simply enjoying nature. 

The park itself has many amenities and offers a variety of activities!  You'll just have to visit their site to read all about it.  It's definitely on "the list" now, as a place we should visit!

ABC Wednesday -

Click here to see posts by others.

Enjoy!  (And make a trip to Iowa this summer!)

SG

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

 is where we get five new words...


Routine
Routine management means cleaning and weeding... ;-)

Music 
I think this is musical...

Technology
(Some of the most important technology ever used, in rebuilding a house in Louisiana, after Katrina.)

Show Me Your Style

 (taken outside the new rest stop on I-80, eastern Iowa, west of the Quad Cities)

Mismatch

Anticipating Spring, but this looks a little odd - don't you think?

An interesting challenge - best wishes to you during this upcoming week!

SG