Chickens and Gardening

It's May Day!  Time for a new stitching theme.  I've picked this Angel Stitchin' kit, "Country Chicken" as my first May project.  You may have noticed I have a new header too.  I'll share the details tomorrow.

  

Spring waits for no woman! 

Let's see what's going on here and with the other contributors to The Garden Party over at An Oregon Cottage. 

About three years ago, my sister gave this lovely Crabapple to our Mom on Mother's Day.  It's called "Royal Raindrops" and it is loaded with buds.

Everyone one needs a Garden Helper, right?

Parvati took it upon herself to act as mine.

I spent part of Sunday and Monday emptying my little greenhouse. Now all it has are 6 small pepper plants (my sister's) and 4 hot house begonias.

First up my tender succulents.  They all over-wintered well, and are outside adjusting to spring temperatures and weather.

  

Next up a group of tender Fuchsias.  I had 24 Fuchsias, and 20 survived - 83%.  The 4 that did not make it were all on the top shelf of the greenhouse.  I don't know if that is symptomatic - a temperature or watering issue perhaps.  I do know that this winter I used a watering wand.  That was a tremendous help getting back in tight corners and making sure that everything got watered. 

These are my "Big Seven" Fuchsias . I had a much better survival rate this year than last.  I give credit to the watering wand.  Now I need to eradicate white fly on a few of the plants.  Any suggestions? 

  

Some of my Hostas have come back to full force already.

This is "June".

This is "Popcorn".

This is "Little Wonder".

This is "Winsome".

I still need to add some time release fertilizer and a bit of mulch to refresh the plants in pots. 

Here's the latest photo of Muscari "Fantasy Creation".

My pot of Muscari "Ocean Magic".  I love the light blue color.

This is the Clematis "Early Sensation". One week later it as gone from buds to blossom.  I have this growing in a large pot on a small trellis - about 4' tall in the shade of our Front Porch.  

All that tidying up required a reward.  A flat of new plants - just the ticket!  I got three Belarina Primroses (front), a couple of Fuchsias, and a striking Primula veris 'Sunset Shades' (back left) as well as 2 basic Primula veris (back center).  I well remember the first time I saw wild Primula veris along the bank of a lake in Ireland - stunning!  Nicola at Stitching by the Cornish Sea just posted pictures of her son's wedding including a lovely photo of the primrose strewn churchyard with the wedding party - take a look!  

Well, that was exhausting. It's Nap Time!