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| My Virginia Bluebells |
One of the most beautiful signs that springtime is really here is that ephemeral beauty of the garden, Virginia bluebells. Softest spring skies seem to have alighted in the flower beds when these plants appear and bloom. 
Just want to remind those who read here that I have a garden website, and have been working on writing some new articles, mostly plant profiles right now.
The newest ones are the herbs, Marjoram and Thyme, and the landscape tree, Magnolia Stellata. Last year Ohio had spectacular bloom due to the lack of late frosts, and we were able to see what this type of tree is really capable of: a snowfall of pure white flowers. The kind of spring snowfall I like best! 😉
Not so new, but this is the season for a beautiful spring wildflower I really have grown to love, Mertensia, Virginia bluebells; which is lovely tucked among the later showing hostas in a shady place.
I’ve taken some photos this past week- so if any of them are worthwhile they’ll appear in the next post or so.
johanna_lea says
April 1, 2009 at 7:52 pmwe have several cultivars of star magnolia…the early white with the
delicate curvy petals. also later- blooming larger lush pink and deep magenta flowers.
huge old pink and rose color trees are planted all around the divided main street in downtown macon square. they are blooming in all their stately glory, now.
once in awhile a late frost nips them, but the stellata is one fine
ornamental tree….i wouldnt have thought they were very hardy in ohio, as they can be sensitive here in ga. piedmont.
Gardeness says
April 2, 2009 at 3:22 amI so want a magnolia, but I need a smaller variety. Just found your blog and Web site. I’m off to poke around.
Ilona says
April 2, 2009 at 2:09 pmI have pictures of my tree on the website article- it never grows very large.
I recall a Grandiflora in the old neighborhood on Summit St ( right across the way from G.E. Circle. They occasionally grow in Ohio- but the stellata and the soulangia are hardy up here. Their bloom is sometimes nipped, but often they put on a good show.
Gardeness – welcome! I highly recommend either the stellata or the “Jane”, slow growers that stay in bounds for even very small city spaces.
JWLW says
April 2, 2009 at 2:28 pmJust wandering around your blogs and thought I would say Good Morning.
Have a great day,
John
Ilona says
April 2, 2009 at 2:30 pmGood Morning to YOU! And if you have any suggestions for additions or improvements -please email me. I value your opinion, your comments and your friendship 🙂
Jan (Thanks For 2 Day) says
April 3, 2009 at 5:05 pmIlona, I could just spend my whole day here and not get anything else done! Also, I could browse and not read everything here…there is just SO much that you offer:-) I know I haven’t spent enough time exploring your blog and your other pages. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do as much as I’d like (especially since I’ll be outside more) but I realize this is a GEM of a site that you have here!! I don’t think there’s a gardening topic you haven’t covered! Wow!
As for this current post, I have ONE Va.Bluebell plant starting to pop up right now. I don’t know why I haven’t put more in??!! I live in VA, for crying out loud!!
I’ve also been watching some thyme grow inside, which I planted from seed and had to put into a larger container until I can get it outside. It’s doing pretty well–I say ‘it’ but each seedling is doing well…there are about 10 of them. I had a lot more but I pulled a bunch because I thought it was overcrowded…I probably could have allowed them to stay.
Hope you have a wonderful Spring. Thanks for visiting my blog a few days ago:-)
Ilona says
April 3, 2009 at 9:10 pmJan- I was simply bowled over by your kind words! You are so kind and encouraging…and you know what that means! It means I will be inspired to write more, more, more 🙂
Virginia bluebells are very easy to start from little divisions taken from a mother plant. After bloom, before the leaves disappear.
By all means go and garden- everything will still be here on a coming rainy day.