We have many varieties of daffodil and they bloom at different times, so we have them for many weeks. One of my favorites just started blooming – I don’t know the real name, but I call it the sunburst daffodil. It’s so dense with petals that the taller ones tip over from the weight.
I was on a business trip in Arizona over the weekend, and took a nice walk with a friend who was there for the same meeting. We ran across this very large plant, which she aptly described as a “giant asparagus”. We don’t know what it is, but it was fascinating – especially when we came across another that was starting the blooming phase… (if you know what this is, please educate us in the comments!)
EDITED 8 April 2014: turns out this is a “century plant” (Agave americana) but they don’t take 100 years to bloom. They do take 10 or more years to bloom, and they only do it once – and then they die! So we were quite fortunate to have seen two at one time.
I swear this is a real succulent – and it was super tall (that’s why it takes two photos to show it).
Here’s the base.
And here’s one that has opened up to start blooming…
I’ve been running all over for meetings at work today – but it’s at least nice to see the new flowers on the next round of trees to bloom!
One of my favorite things about walking around work in spring is all the flowering trees. So beautiful!
On this, the first day of spring 2014, I thought I’d share what difference a few days can make – this is the same section of daffodils that I posted earlier this week:
On Saturday I spent time clearing out the last of the daylily detritus from last year. We have a long narrow planting bed with literally thousands of daffodils and daylilies – the daffodils come up first and then the daylilies get large and cover the final vestiges of the daffodils. After that, in the fall/winter, I clean up the daylilies and then it’s all ready to start again. The problem is that I waited rather long to get to it so the daffodils had already started popping up, and I spent quite a bit of time apologizing to the little leaves I accidentally stepped on.
Cleaned up just in time though – because on Sunday we had our first bloom! And no doubt there are new ones that I will see today…
While out for a walk in Barcelona, we ran across these lovely flowers. I don’t know what they are, but they brightened the already pleasant day.
I’ve been very neglectful. Sorry about that! To make up for it here are a ton of photos from the botanical gardens in Madrid. Turns out they have a massive bonsai collection that is super impressive. There are a couple of random flowers and some future tequila thrown in for good measure. It was a lovely place. Unfortunately the bonsai are against a green-ivy fence which makes it difficult to get good photos. I did my best!
Where I live roses grow very easily – in fact they can easily get overgrown and are frankly hard to kill… But fortunately they’re usually really pretty, like these.
My apologies for the unexpected delay since my last post. If I’d known I wasn’t going to post for a bit I’d’ve said something. But it was nothing more than work and life and in the meantime I’ve been taking photos and have gotten a few good ones to share with you. I’m even going to share some not good ones just because it’s fun. In any case, today is a seven lily day! Enjoy.
@KellyOSullivan 