NPR: Bloom and Bust

Bloom and Bust

First, the bust. Progress of the side yard project, What Would Eve Do?, would thus far indicate that Eve wouldn't do a damn thing, at least not this week. Except perhaps obsess over the budget, or and whether or not her home was worth putting more money into, in which case I'm definitely channeling her energy.

Now the bloom. I only noticed this first one yesterday when I took out the short-tine rubber rake (my favorite tool) and started scraping off winter's brick-thick layer of leaves. Many of you will recognize this flower immediately, but let's give the more easily amused among us a chance to guess.

The plant in question have dozens of such wonderful dangling double flowers on long fleshy stems. One thing it ain't (hint hint): a bore.

photo credit: Ketzel Levine, NPR

This lovely plant's complete invisibility in my garden, hiding as it does behind a variegated yellow phormium, is proof enough that it's time to get out the drainage spade and rearrange the perennials. Remind me, somebody, when I replace that beloved, misplaced spade...

And for delicacy #2, I've been watching this upright flower cluster burst open over the last few days. If you love the straight species in this genus as I do, you could i.d. this big-leaved girl from across the block. But that doesn't mean she isn't still a revelation when it comes to flowering shrubs.

I wish I could say I stood outside and waited for just the right raindrops and just the right overcast light, but today everyone's a winner -- particularly if you're a frog or a plant.

photo credit: Ketzel Levine, NPR

4:32 PM ET | 03-13-2008 | permalink

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Is it a hellebore?

Sent by Nadine | 5:42 PM ET | 03-13-2008

What's the name of this plant? I want it! Oh Yes! I do!

Sent by Jake | 2:53 AM ET | 03-14-2008

You made that too easy. Yes, looks like a hele-bore-ous to me...
Such a lovely color.
The other I don't know. Probably something we never see here in Montana

Sent by Sondra | 12:29 PM ET | 03-14-2008

1st Helleborus
2nd Daphne odora?

Sent by April | 3:49 PM ET | 03-14-2008

Hellebore and early rhododendron?

Sent by cam | 4:26 PM ET | 03-14-2008

The first one is a hellebore. Varities live wild in the woods in the Northwest. I have a couple of them given by the mother of one of my son's friends back in the early 90's. It's always a pleasant surprise when they pop up in late February.

Sent by Jack Aldrich | 6:28 PM ET | 03-14-2008

How unusual is it for a philodendron to bloom? I've had this plant for nearly 20 yrs & it's the first time it's bloomed & it even has a second bloom coming on.

Laurel Lewis

Sent by Laurel Lewis | 7:45 PM ET | 03-15-2008

A lovely double hellebore(already aged past the pollination stage, unless it "came" without stamens) would be my guess. And what's this about leaving them buried?eh? I'm a gardenkeeper fortunate enough to be tasked with caring for hundreds of hellebores from many collections and all the plants must be liberated from piles of big ol' maple leaves dumped on them in time for H.Niger to bloom for Christmas. Of course, not all hellebores must live under a mature Big-Leaf Maple canopy! I am inordinately fond and quite in awe of these tough little beauties. Might I send some photos from the brag book?
#2: Somehow I can't get past the early Rhodie or other member of the family. Your comment about leaves this time of year says evergreen up here on Whidbey, and the bit about species paoints again at rhodies. Could be wrong as I can't find any scale in the photo.... you clever gal. Thanks for the fun.

Sent by Ginnylee | 3:02 AM ET | 03-16-2008

OK! OK! Yes, it's a double hellebore (one of the Heronswood doubles from many years back) and yes, yes, it's a species rhododendron! Hurray for you!!!

Laurel, sadly, I don't have the resources to answer gardening q's on this blog. I'm confident you're a google search away from your philodendron puzzle...

Unless anyone here has an answer, such as Ms. Smartypants Ginnylee????

Who is indeed QUITE welcome to send all her hellebores for posting at our flickr group, http://www.flickr.com/groups/ketzel/

Sent by Ketzel Levine | 3:13 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Hey...#2 looks like R. sinogrande but it seems a little early yet. Ours are swelling but have not popped. Nice picture!

Sent by Dennis | 7:44 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Which species Rhododendron? I looked in your book hoping to find it - but it was Lutescens you profiled, which is also blooming now.

Sent by Kailla in Portland | 12:31 PM ET | 03-17-2008

Which species, which species...I know it's not R. sinogrande and you're right, Kailla, it's definitely not in my book (didn't think it was hardy enough to include; it is hardy, but I wouldn't say it's thriving). Now I see the wisdom of a lasting garden diary!
Hoping to key it out...

Sent by Ketzel Levine | 4:09 PM ET | 03-17-2008

I might be a smartypants about my awesome hellebores but I surely can't claim that title re rhodies. I love them dearly,but am still quite mystified by many of the family's intricacies; consequently I love seeing others' comments concerning them. I now know that pretty little early yellow bloomer is R. Lutescens.... thanks,people!
About Laura's philodendron... I grew up in the tropics and saw many of them bloom often. I am assuming l is referring to an indoor plant and guessing blooms would depend greatly on cultural specs. Anyone else?

Sent by Ginny-lee | 8:59 PM ET | 03-20-2008

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