Saturday, 11 April 2015

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together …

My gardening methods are pretty haphazard – but somewhere in amongst the chaos there is usually a plan of sorts.  When I buy and plant bulbs in the autumn I immediately forget what I have planted where.  So it comes as a lovely surprise when a border full of bulbs all bloom together to give the picture I had in my head at the time of planting.  I don’t know about you but at this time of year the pink part of the colour wheel seems a little out of place.  When there is lots of fresh green foliage beginning to show – there is nothing nicer in my mind than a selection of yellows and creams to go with it.

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In the front garden border I planted yellow and cream tulips together with yellow and cream narcissus.  The photos don’t do the border justice as we have had a heavy shower of rain this morning that flattened it all – nevertheless it is looking pretty and fresh and good to look at.

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So although my memory fails me (I have no ideas where I planted the dozens of tulips I bought) – it will come as another surprise when they all start to emerge – so maybe a bit of chaos is a good thing – even though at times I wish I was a little more organised!  Below is a collage of some of the other daffodils in the garden – captured on film before they all go over.

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Thank you for all your good wishes on my last post – I am happy to report I am back to full strength and anxious to put the nasty virus behind me and get on with living life to the full once more.

Have a great weekend and happy gardening!  My first walk around the village in three weeks today and noticing the hedgerows are greening up and celandine, daisy, dandelion and wild violets are gracing the verges.  Nature does it best!

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58 comments:

  1. Cheryl11 April 2015 at 14:56

    Frist Elaine, I am so pleased to read that you are back to normal..................long may it last.

    The collage of daffodils is so refreshing. I recognise many as they are similar to the ones I have in my garden.

    I do the same with bulbs, can never remember where I have planted. I keep a record to what but rarely where :)

    So exciting seeing them emerge......

    Have fun

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:04

      Hi Cheryl
      Yes, thank goodness - I feel like my old self again - although husband says I look a bit washed out (I feel like Marley's ghost)! I always keep the pictures of the bulb packets - I really must write on them where they were planted but I am usually so keen to get them planted, all that goes out of the window. Have a good week.

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  2. Cheryl11 April 2015 at 14:57

    Should of course read..........First Elaine :)

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  3. Anna @Suffolk Pebbles11 April 2015 at 15:25

    so agree that pink is just not right in the garden yet when there are lovely yellows, creams and greens ...love your collage!

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:05

      Thanks Ann.Everything in the garden looks so fresh - I always hate it when the daffodil display goes over - but then get excited when the next batch of flowers start to emerge.

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  4. Susan McShannon-Monteith11 April 2015 at 16:28

    Just look at all the happy shades of yellow although the sweet, dainty violets do make a lovely contrast.
    And I'm glad to read you are feeling much better but then with all the magnificence of your garden who would not...
    Susan x

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:06

      Unfortunately the weather over the weekend has been blustery and cold so not as much gardening has gone on as I would have liked - I guess we just get greedy for the outdoors at this time of year.

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  5. rusty duck11 April 2015 at 17:06

    A fabulous show.. love your new header shot too. That packs a punch!

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  6. charlotte11 April 2015 at 17:09

    The flowers are so beautiful, I am quite envious!

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:07

      Thanks Charlotte - nice of you to visit and leave a comment.

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  7. charlotte11 April 2015 at 17:09

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  8. Janneke 11 April 2015 at 18:23

    Wonderfull collage of different daffodils. I agree, yellow is the colour of spring!

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:08

      Thanks Janneke - the garden wouldn't be the same without daffodils at this time of year - they always put on a wonderful show.

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  9. Marguerite12 April 2015 at 03:23

    You've created a lovely palette of colours despite the troubles that bulbs possess. but isn't that just the thing about bulbs? it's impossible to tell how you've planted them exactly and if you mix up the bulbs then you can't remember what colour is what. then SURPRISE, spring comes and it's a swarm of beautiful colours in all sorts of unexpected pairings. Impossible to tell what you're doing but thank goodness, hard to go wrong with such lovely flowers.

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:09

      You're right of course - when you are planting you think you will remember and every year you forget - that's the fun of it I guess.

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  10. Susan Heather12 April 2015 at 03:26

    Love all your yellow flowers - a definite sign of spring. Sorry to hear you have been ill - I must have missed your previous post. Glad you are better now. As you say, there is nothing liking working in the garden to improve ones wellbeing.

    All the best from NZ

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:10

      Thank you Susan - you are right - being outside and seeing the wonders of nature can't help but make you feel better.

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  11. Amanda Peters12 April 2015 at 07:40

    Glad you are feeling better, and your Daff's look lovely, I too have planted some bulbs last year, one or two that are coming through I don't remember planting. I like to have a gardening plan then I go to the garden center and it all goes out of the window as I am swayed by all the other lovely plants that are out in flower. Spotted some Sweet Violets yesterday and lots of Primrose.
    Amanda xx

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:12

      Thank you Amanda - every year I say I am not going to buy so many plants from the garden centre - but that just goes out of the window once I am surrounded by all the lovely plants!

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  12. Anna12 April 2015 at 12:09

    Glad to read that you are well and truly on the mend Elaine. Fabulous daffodils! You are not alone - I often forget where I plant bulbs sometimes with interesting consequences.

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:14

      Thanks Anna - I hate being out of sorts but you just have to let it take its course however frustrating it may be.
      I am looking forward to seeing how my tulip display will come up to expectations next.

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  13. Britta12 April 2015 at 13:48

    Dear Elaine, I'm glad to hear you're well again (didn't knew it till now that you were sick, sorry). Bulbs are the surprises we bestow on ourself - and your multitude of daffodils reminds me of my visit in the 100 year Chelsea Flower Show - they had daffodils of different kinds in abundance too.

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:15

      Thanks Britta - some of my daffodils have been in the garden for thirty years or more since we moved in - they are certainly good value for money that's for sure.

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  14. Sue Garrett12 April 2015 at 14:43

    It's definitely yellow, cream and maybe some blue time of year.

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:16

      Yes, the blue of muscari goes well with the daffs - it's the pink flowers that don't seem to blend in.

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  15. Flighty12 April 2015 at 14:48

    Lovely post and pictures. Yellow and cream look, and sound, good to me. Good to see that you're fully recovered, and happily gardening again. Flighty xx

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:17

      Thanks Flighty - I am relieved to be back to normal - I hate being out of action - especially at this time of year.

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  16. artistfriend12 April 2015 at 15:17

    I agree about the pink (camellias always look out of place to me - too like roses at the wrong time of year). Your collage is a delight. But so are the verges in their tapestry of greens.

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:18

      I have a pink camellia that I wish I hadn't planted - it is in a very large pot that I move out of sight till it has finished flowering - I suppose I should really get rid of it but haven't the heart.

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  17. Jacqueline @ HOME12 April 2015 at 17:43

    Your photographs show Spring in all it's glory Elaine ……. wonderful fresh green mixed with yellow and cream. Yellow grabs our attention and makes us happy. I love this time of year in the garden.
    So pleased to hear that you are feeling better Elaine. Happy Spring. XXXX

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:21

      Thanks Jackie - I am so pleased with the front border it looks good enough to eat! Yellow is such a lovely spring colour but looks not quite right at other times of the year - do you know what I mean. Happy Spring to you too.

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  18. Anonymous12 April 2015 at 21:03

    Spring has certainly arrived at Rosebank! I'm soaking in all these glorious images of narcissus blooms. Mine have had a dismal turn out so it's just so lovely to see fresh colors in your and Flighty's photos. Glad you've gotten beyond the virus and enjoying the surprises of your garden.

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    1. elaine 12 April 2015 at 21:22

      I love this time of year in the garden when everything is looking fresh and clean - but I guess each season has its merits - at least before the weeds take over!

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  19. Snowbird12 April 2015 at 21:48

    Oh....those wild violets are just gorgeous, as is your delightful selection of daffs.....they are always so welcome aren't they? I think it's great when bulbs pop up and you've forgotten where they were planted, I'm exactly the same. I'm always surprised to find bulbs when I dig a hole to plant something else. I always plant summer bulbs when the spring ones are up, that's the only way I know where the gaps are! So glad to hear you're back to your good self! Long viruses are horrible!xxx

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:05

      I just wish they would last a little longer than they do don't you. And I agree I always seem to be digging bulbs up when I'm planting something else - maybe they should be planted a bit deeper so that doesn't happen.

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    2. Snowbird14 April 2015 at 23:32

      Ah yes! If only they lasted longer, but they are so welcome when they pop up out of the blue.....planting deeper may be the way to go!xxx

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    3. Snowbird14 April 2015 at 23:32

      Ah yes! If only they lasted longer, but they are so welcome when they pop up out of the blue.....planting deeper may be the way to go!xxx

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  20. Share my Garden12 April 2015 at 22:25

    How fresh and attractive your collage looks. Yellows and creams are definitely the colours of spring, it's the same in my garden. Once summer has arrived I'm not at all interested in seeing yellow. I like white no matter what time of year and am always trying to build up more blue flowers.
    So pleased that you have made a good recovery from the troublesome virus.

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:06

      Thanks Rosemary - later on I do love blue in the garden and I definitely don't have enough white which I think looks great on a summer evening.

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  21. Jennifer13 April 2015 at 04:24

    I am so sorry to hear that you have been ill with a nasty virus. Good to hear that you are back to your old self. You have such a lovely array of daffodils and narcissus in your garden this spring. Such surprises are always welcome.
    Our weather here has finally warmed up after a really long, long winter. I was thrilled to see snowdrops today. Hopefully my daffodils are not far away.

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:09

      Thanks Jennifer - I am slowly getting back into the swing of things - I shall be out and about in the garden regularly now- the next job will be planting up the dahlias I think - always looking forward. Once your winter is over it seems that you soon catch up - enjoy your snowdrops.

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  22. My Garden Diaries13 April 2015 at 04:56

    Stunning blooms Elaine! I think that garden methods are what make each garden so rich in its own way!!! It is funny but I have helped draw out plans for folks who want more plants in their garden but I never draw a plan for my own space....I'm with you on happy surprises and the magic of it all! Wishing you a beautiful week ahead! Nicole xoxo

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:11

      Thanks Nicole - I have to say that the garden is looking lovely right now - easily my favourite time of year. I don't do much planning I must admit but somehow everything usually turns out alright anyway. Have a good week my friend.

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  23. valerietilsten59.blogspot.com13 April 2015 at 10:30

    Hello dear Elaine,
    you have worked hard in your garden. I love to see it when your blooms are coming up. Your borders look so beautiful. I wish we had a little more rain here in Alentejo.. it would be nice.. as its really a warmer region, even though we get some cold.
    I have only started with bulbs these last couple of years..and i only have a few. Now that i know more about them, I am going to plant many more.. they give such a lovely show.
    Nature is wonderful
    lovely post.
    Wishing you a happy week.
    val xx

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:12

      Hello Val, The spring garden wouldn't be the same without all the bulbs - I don't know how successful they would be in your warmer climate - and yes, you are right - they do put on a lovely show. Wishing you a happy week too.

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  24. Jane13 April 2015 at 17:48

    Glad to see you back Elaine, there have some nasty bugs around... happy to see you in recovery ☺
    Sometimes I forget where I've planted bulbs. In fact I've noticed pink tulips have appeared in pots outside our front door. No idea where they came from...I'm your orange, purple kinda gal. But I guess they do stand out. Keep well x

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:16

      Thanks Jane - it was a nasty virus and I say good riddance to it! Last year I planted bright pink, orange and purple together and they looked amazing - can't remember if I have done that combination for this year - I really should make more notes - hey ho.

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  25. Down by the sea13 April 2015 at 20:35

    What a beautiful selection of daffodils you have grown. Glad to hear you are feeling so much better. Sarah x

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    1. elaine 13 April 2015 at 22:14

      Thanks Sarah - I'm glad I'm feeling better too - I hate being ill! Most of the daffodils I planted when we first moved in here - lovely that they are still going strong.

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  26. Lowcarb team member14 April 2015 at 13:53

    Good to hear you are feeling much better.

    What a great selection of yellow - a true Spring colour.

    Have a good week

    All the best Jan

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  27. Lowcarb team member14 April 2015 at 13:54

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  28. Jane16 April 2015 at 00:36

    Hello Elaine, it seems you and I have both been off colour this last month. I didn't realise as I too have been pretty quiet. Great that you are back on track and these daffs are just a delight!

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  29. Debbie Nolan16 April 2015 at 14:37

    Dear Elaine- I think your flowers are lovely. It looks like all that wonderful planning and work paid off. Such a super variety of daffodils too. I read your previous post. Sorry I am running behind on your posts. So glad you got over the nasty virus. Hope you did have a good vacation. Great collection of seashells and feathers. You are a woman after my own heart. Love to collect all those things as well. Please take care and enjoy the gorgeous garden. Hugs

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    1. elaine 17 April 2015 at 13:22

      Dear Debbie
      The vacation was somewhat spoiled due to being ill as soon as we returned - oh well - there's always the next time. Glad you liked my collections - such fun to see what you can find on the beach. I'm afraid I have missed your posts too - but I look forward to your next one.
      Elaine

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  30. Annie Cholewa17 April 2015 at 15:08

    All those daffs and narcissi look marvellous Elaine, spring at full tilt :o)

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