Tales from the Microbial Laboratory

~a few hours spent with camellias~

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I spent a few hours this afternoon with Skip, my 90-something year old obsessed camellia-growing friend.  It was cold this afternoon - and the sun was shining as I started out to his place, but by the time I got there clouds had rolled in and it was windy and quite a bit colder.  We first wandered an area he calls 'the hideaway' where he has camellias in pots that he uses for propagation - there's always a mix of new and old in there, and always something in bloom that I've never seen.   Camellia japonica 'General Coletti' and 'Powderpuff' were two new ones from today.  I hope to get back to his place in two weeks, during my spring break from teaching my undergraduate course.

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~a sweet azalea flower~

I've got the name of this azalea somewhere - it's a sweet one, with flowers that are smaller than formosas, but not as small as the older varieties (which I love).   Each year, when it first starts to bloom (and unfortunately it's a bit hidden) - I'm reminded of how beautiful it is, and that I should propagate it so that I can plant a few more in the garden.  Last year I missed it (while living in northern Virginia) - so it has been extra special to see it this year.

Star Magnolia, Unfurling.

This year things have been a bit strange in the garden - early, yes - but also a bit unpredictable.  My spring-flowering magnolia 'Jane' always blooms after my star magnolia - which is often the first to brave the still-chilly weather (often when there is still a risk of freezing temperatures).  But this year 'Jane' popped out first, followed by my star magnolia.  To add to the strangeness:  a few hydrangeas never lost their leaves, and my fall-blooming salvia, Salvia puberula "Hidalgo" is still blooming away, a bit crazily.

I missed spring in my garden last year - I was here for about six days in March but that was all.  It is so nice being here again, and watching it wake up.