Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Flight Delayed

This is a common flash on the screen at the airport, but no one lets us know this in regard to the seasons.  In my part of the country, the flight into spring has been delayed by approximately two weeks.  How do I know this?  Well, as bloggers we have photos throughout the year that are dated so it is a great way to keep track of blooming times throughout the seasons.


PJM Rhododendrons
Bloomed at least two weeks earlier last year

Believe me, I am not happy about this delay and everything is on hold in regard to planting annuals, even the garden centers are a hold this year with barely anything that would entice us to believe that summer is coming.

Front Concrete Containers
Not a good year for pansies with the rain and cold weather.  I will be putting in summer plantings before these even take off.  Pansies do not hold up in our summer heat, if we ever get summer heat!


Even my daughter-in-law's planter would look better if the pansies would fill out.


The Star Magnolia looks great this year even after quite a clipping last spring and fall to keep the branches off the adjoining path.  Only the bottom branches were trimmed in the fall, next year blooms will be lost if trimmed too late after blooming.

Kathy's Garden (my daughter-in-law)
Orange Emperor and Albert Heijn Emperor Tulips
Her Orange Emperors came back, mine did not - don't know if the squirrels found mine.

Gatsby planned an eclectic look for a house that has children and pets, not so formal!


I have Ice Follies in the back garden, last a long time and definitely pop being mostly white.


Monte Carlo is a great double tulip and the squirrels seem to leave it alone in the fall, even the rabbits avoid this one.  They are planted on the parkway around the Accolade Elm.  We had to have the parkway dug up by the gas company to repair a very old pipe.  They were very careful about the tulips, but I am concerned about the root loss of the tree.

21 comments:

Sissy said...

I love your eclectic looking bulb bed! So dynamic! So colorful!

Avis said...

Wow, your garden is amazing already! The rhododendron is so nice, later or not! Cheers!

Karen said...

Eileen, I completely agree with you, Spring seems as if it will never arrive; maybe we're going to go straight into summer? Your gardens are so colorful, delightful eye candy for us. Love the magnolias, tulips and daffodils. Splendid!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

My post had a similar theme, we are behind here too. I just read we've had the coldest April on record and the plants definitely seem to be waiting for it to warm up. The tulips there are looking so pretty! They seem to be looking especially nice here to right now.

mary anne said...

OMG! I am with you! The most frustrating season I have witnessed in a long time. Have faith..........spring WILL come again! As for the pansies, they haven't even moved.....
Your spring flowers do look beautiful! ox

Diana LaMarre said...

That Star Magnolia is beautiful! It's too bad about the pansies, but I still think your DIL's container looks pretty good.

The eclectic planting is such a happy spot--it sings spring, even if the weather is not cooperating.

BernieH said...

Despite the late arrival of your usual Spring conditions, there are lots of patches of brilliant colour in your garden. I just love that eclectic daffodil bed and your Star Magnolia.

Here's hoping Spring ... the real Spring ... arrives sooner rather than later.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Sissy,

I do love the mix of colors in the spring.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Avis,

The Rhodies do add a lot by the front door, only wished they bloomed all season.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

As I look out my window it is raining again, but at least it looks pretty.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Catherine,

The one advantage is that the flowers seem to be preserved in this rainy cold weather.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Mary Anne,

I know, isn't it interesting that the pansies do not like the cool weather and they also don't like the heat!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Zoey,

I am afraid I am getting itchy to plant some summer flowers since I have had the pansies in since March.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

The Star Magnolia does look great this year and I kind of went crazy with the pruning last year because it is getting too big for where it is.

Eileen

Lona said...

Hi Eileen. This nasty cool rainy weather is getting to be exasperating. When it warms up it rains and then it is cool again. My Rhododendron buds are not even fattening out good yet. Usually pansies come up from seed in my window boxes but they are too full of water this year. Your Star Magnolia is just beautiful. Mine never blooms. I think it and my wisteria have a non-blooming pact with one another.LOL! I think all of your tulips and daffodils are just beautiful in the beds. The planter is beautiful with the pansies and daffodils. Have a wonderful week.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Same think here Lona, rained all day and more tomorrow. I have never had luck with Wisteria and my pansies are just standing still this year.

Eileen

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

I love your title-it's perfect!! I think I could aptly write a post titled "Garden in a stuck in a holding pattern"! I am still waiting for my bulbs. We have had days and days of rain. As soon as the sun comes out I am sure the flowers will finally emerge.
Your azalea's are amazing! I love that shade of purple. Your bulbs are looking great too!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Just had a good catch up with what's been happening in your garden Eileen. I have to say it looks fabulous, even though spring has been delayed. Your garden has always got so much interest and colour. I love the eclectic border especially!

Hope some warmer conditions arrive soon for you.

Jeanne
x

LifeBelowZero said...

Following via Flaunt Your Flowers
Thanks for the inspiration!
Life Below Zero
http://casinofreebies3.blogspot.com/

Patrice said...

I'm visiting from Flaunt your Flowers. I just followed your blog. You have lovely gardens. I wish I could get out there and beautify our yard, but I'm 24/7 with our farm business. We have 4-5 acres of vegetables and I run our greenhouse. Please drop by my blog when you get a chance.
Patrice
www.everydayruralty.com

Jean Campbell said...

Everything looks grand. Spring was two weeks early here. Summer arrived but is set back today with cool wind from the north.