On Wednesday I spent the early morning working on the plant notes. My friend was picking me up at 9:30AM to go to the bulb show. As I got in the car, I looked at the magnolia and found it had lost a huge branch. There are a ton of buds on the branch, I think the tree lost about a third of its buds.
Later in the evening when I went out to do chores, I saw there was a second big branch down also. Nearly half of the buds will be missing this year.
We got there right at 10AM and discovered a class of small children in the entry. We also could smell that delightful smell of spring bulbs. I pushed the door open and was greeted with a waft of scent.
This was the display in front of the door.
My friend and I headed off to the right, attracted by the scent and bright colors of this display.
In some places they had groups of like colors of many types of plants.
There were so many different kinds of narcissus.
These had huge trumpets.
A couple of photos trying to capture the size.
These farther down the right side had even bigger trumpets. They are the variety ‘Las Vegas’.
Again, trying to capture the size of the trumpets.
At the far end of the center display, there was a grouping of all colors of Cineraria. I liked this pink the best this year.
We started up the left side of the house and I found these freesias in the center display area.
There was also a kumquat tree with lots of fruit.
Another color grouping along the left side.
Just so many wonderful daffodils throughout.
Pretty edged daffodils previewing a color grouping.
There were many stunning tulips too. They made excellent use of the different varieties. We saw lily flowering, parrots, and these brilliant orange streak tulips.
I found it hard to believe that in the past tulip growers discarded these because the color was caused by viruses. Now they are in demand!
The grouping on the left side of the entry.
Looking from the far end on the right side towards the entry.
The right side towards the back.
The left side towards the entry.
Forced apple buds in the center display.
Many types of flowers in the center display.
It was a beautiful day sunny and warmish, with a slight breeze. We’d gotten there just as it opened, there were very few people, and we finished just as the children wanted to come in.
We were really glad we’d come when they were setting it up about 2 weeks ago. It was nice to see the dramatic change from that day to this. Plus the smell is so heavenly now!
Just as we’d finished going around all we wanted, the children were preparing to enter, so we quickly left. It’s a very small greenhouse and the noise from the kids would have spoiled it for us. There’s also not a lot of room on the walkways.
We had a lovely drive down and then back, checking out all the storm havoc as we went.
It will take me quite a while to process all the photos and get the post written. I may work on the plant info some more, or maybe take a nap. We’ll see…
Tom came back with the truck and announced the charging system is failing. It may need an alternator. The battery was new last summer. He thinks that it’s the headlights, especially when plowing and having the 2 sets on. So the battery is on the charger, again.
Thursday I have both my general helper and my helper friend. We are running behind because of a missed day during the storm. First we have to get the shelf liners tacked down, then carry all the stuff down from the kitchen and put it away. Then put away as many of the boxes as we can in the cellar.
Once that’s done, then we have to carry up the equipment for the next seed starting and start setting it up. Hopefully we will get it all done so we can start seeds on Friday.