MAGNOLIAS AND MINIATURES

It was gloriously warm and sunny for a few days this week:  Nature helping to cheer us up after three months of lock down.  We had lunch outside and even sat in wicker chairs to watch the sun go down (with drink in hand obviously).  

1. Narcissus Minnow

After a long  winter, suddenly there is so much happening in the garden, it's been hard to choose what to include this week.  I'm starting with yet another narcissus.  This is a miniature one planted in a pot and it is so sweet in smell and looks.  I'll be growing this one again.


2. Trough of Dwarf Bulbs

This particular combination was suggested by Sarah Raven.  It has that casual 'I just grew like this' meadow look that is very au courant.  That's partly down to the leaves though, and the flowers will no doubt become more dominant in a few days time.  



3. Magnificent Magnolia

I'm rather proud of this Magnolia Soulangeana.  I have no reason to feel personally proud about its fine floriferous state, as it was not me who cut down the trees which had shaded it out and forced it into a lop sided mess.  





But a big thankyou from me (and the Magnolia) to those who wielded ropes and chainsaw.


That is the magnolia in flower on the left in case you were wondering.

4. Cherry Blossom

Blue sky and blossom.  There's nothing more to say - just beautiful.
  


5. Pieris and Narcissus Actaea

Cascades of white flowers seem to attract the bumble bees though I'm not sure whether they manage to get the nectar out of those tiny bells.  




6. Tulips and Daffodils

In the beds at the back of the Rose Garden there is a river of daffodils - doubles, trumpets, white ones, yellow ones and ones with little orange cups.  They must have been planted in the lawn by a gardener long ago.  I moved them out of the grass paths but otherwise left them to do their thing. Creamy white tulips fill the central bed.  

I'm training the Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere, which grows over the arbour, along chains to either side.  Mr B has put in two new posts so she can extend her domain still further.






That's all from my garden for this week, but if you would like to see more from other gardens around the world then visit The Propagator who kindly hosts Six on Saturday.

Comments

  1. I like the idea of a trough of miniature bulbs. Might do that myself one day.

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    1. I think such short bulbs need to be raised a little so they can be seen better. I think I might leave them in there and see if they come back next year.

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  2. All looking wonderful and you should quite rightly be proud of your magnificent magnolia. And the cherry blossom is of course fabulous. I must confess that I had to look up au courant which probably makes me not very au courant :D Have a great Easter.

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  3. That's the second time this morning I've seen 'Minnow' (the other sighting was over at https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com). I think it must be a sign!

    I think you can be justly proud of the magnolia, you might not have done the grunt work, but these things take vision and guidance!

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    1. I noticed the Minnow on One Man too. It was Jude's posts on daffodils last year that got me buying a few of these smaller ones for pots instead of tulips. It's been a worthwhile experiment.

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  4. Great magnolia, worth the effort to clear the other tree out of the way, allow light in etc

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    1. It continued to look oddly lopsided for a few years, but it now looks much more 'normal'.

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  5. Snap with the Minnow. Blue sky and blossom can't be beaten. Having said, that those creamy white tulips and daffodils... beautiful.

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    1. I spotted your Minnow too. It's a lovely one.

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  6. You are the second to present the narcissus Minnow and as I told you this morning to Graeme, I think I have the same at home: I will have to look for the label to be sure. The size is really small and cute.

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    1. I don't know whether it's going to be too small and cute to plant in the garden. I might just keep it in the pot.

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  7. That magnolia is very lovely.

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    1. Thanks Megan. They seem to grow well round here. I used to love taking a bus ride (sitting upstairs) and see garden after garden with these fantastic magnolias.

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  8. I grew 'Minnow' in a pot last year and was pleased to have it come back pretty well this spring. It has a beautiful scent. Might have to give it a go in the garden next year. I'm bothered by that man pulling the rope, he looks too close and he's looking the wrong way. The Magnolia is showing its gratitude for sure.

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    1. He lived to fight another day.
      (Although it's difficult to see in the photo I think they are just working on taking down one of the lower branches and the rope is to stop it landing on the Magnolia.)

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  9. I am returning to comment further: the planting suggestion from Sarah Raven - the "lasagne" planting of layers of bulbs etc. She uses a similar approach on some of the beds in the garden, layers of bulbs with dahlias as the top layer! It seems to work well.

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    1. That's very interesting Paddy. I presume she leaves her Dahlias in the ground over Winter. I've had mixed results with that, but the idea of combining them with the tulips is very tempting.

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  10. The miniatures are so fresh looking, lovely in the spring light.

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  11. I love Minnow and grow it too, but sad news: all my narcissi in pots got badly frost scorched, so have yellow-tipped leaves and they are also way behind in flowering. Am so disappointed. Those tulips look perfect surrounded by the circular hedge with the roses growing in between, and they catch the light beautifully. Magnolia and cherry blossom make this a beautiful post!

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about your narcissi. I hope the set back is just temporary.

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  12. Spring is blooming beautifully in your garden. The magnolia must be so happy now it has room to show off! I've grown minnow before and I think it's a splendid narcissus. Sadly it failed to come back the next year so it may be one of those that needs buying every year in my garden.

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    1. I'm beginning to worry about just how big it might get! These miniature daffodils are new to me. I hope they do come back OK.

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