Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A beautiful morning here on the mountain with an encouraging look about it suggesting that the sun may come and stay all day. That is unusual this year as rain and cold weather have prevailed.
For years now, Gail has predicted weather. Now she references the Farmer's Almanac but for years when she worked as a florist she simply predicted based on year upon year of wedding work. Even now, people will stop and ask her "What do you think about July 30? August 7th? September 11? She is quite accurate and the real "bad" days are obvious.
As I was reading daylily listservs last night, it became apparent that everyone is sharing the same problems. Cold weather and rain have postponed daylilies from flowering by more than a week and many flowers appear smaller this year. The good part is there are many, many scapes on very strong plants. At our fields the yellows, golds and oranges are obvious first bloomers but by now there is usually a variety of strong reds and velvety purples, some off whites and some big flowered oranges and dark purples with strong eyezones. Just today with very limited "don't go swimming yet" warmth, the buds are beginning to open.
At the same time we welcome daylilies, we have about said goodbye to the iris. Iris pseudacorus, the Yellow Flag Iris, has only a week left and the Siberian's had a very short bloom time to begin with because of constant, heavy rains. The tall bearded iris were very nice but again quite short on flowering time. When I saw the last petal on Beverly Sills begin to brown last week, I knew I wouldn't see any more until next year.
A beautiful morning here on the mountain with an encouraging look about it suggesting that the sun may come and stay all day. That is unusual this year as rain and cold weather have prevailed.
For years now, Gail has predicted weather. Now she references the Farmer's Almanac but for years when she worked as a florist she simply predicted based on year upon year of wedding work. Even now, people will stop and ask her "What do you think about July 30? August 7th? September 11? She is quite accurate and the real "bad" days are obvious.
As I was reading daylily listservs last night, it became apparent that everyone is sharing the same problems. Cold weather and rain have postponed daylilies from flowering by more than a week and many flowers appear smaller this year. The good part is there are many, many scapes on very strong plants. At our fields the yellows, golds and oranges are obvious first bloomers but by now there is usually a variety of strong reds and velvety purples, some off whites and some big flowered oranges and dark purples with strong eyezones. Just today with very limited "don't go swimming yet" warmth, the buds are beginning to open.
At the same time we welcome daylilies, we have about said goodbye to the iris. Iris pseudacorus, the Yellow Flag Iris, has only a week left and the Siberian's had a very short bloom time to begin with because of constant, heavy rains. The tall bearded iris were very nice but again quite short on flowering time. When I saw the last petal on Beverly Sills begin to brown last week, I knew I wouldn't see any more until next year.
For those of you who have not grown iris yet and have questions or need some courage, try the American Iris Society. The journal is a wonderful source of suppliers and growing info and there's always a calendar of events and addresses of people who can help get you going.Another perennial I hate to see go is the primrose. The candelabra style Japanese primroses with four or five tiers of flowers have been gone for well over a week. This new blue one name "Salvana" tickled Gail's fancy this past winter during the time she was putting orders together. It's a great looking primrose and has an interesting presentation. Try the
American Primrose Society if you have questions.
I'm getting ready to head to work now. I can see a little wind starting but I don't care as it will dry the vast wetness and freshen the smell in the gardens. If you get a chance today, get out and about and enjoy the sunshine. Vitamin D is important!!
Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where I have misplaced summer but I'm not alone.
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
http://thevermontgardener.blogspot.com
Vermont Flower Farm
http://vermontflowerfarm.com A great place to visit, in person or on the net
1 comment:
I forgot about my daylilies. I better get over to my gardens see the blooms while they last.
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