Am I the only one that hears "frag-gee-lay!" when they read "fragile" on the side of a cardboard box—and then pictures images of a leg-lamp?
Even though I knew what was inside I still got a little excited opening the box, and I think Gerhard has a future as a plant packer, should he desire a career change.
Plants!
There are three Lupinus albifrons, aka silver lupine... but what about those other three sections? Are they just full of soil?
Nope! They contain tiny little Bukiniczia cabulica, aka "cloudy cabbages."
I was a little taken aback my how small they were, not when I opened the box, but when Gerhard was shopping—as he sent me a photo asking if I still wanted them. I think (hope) I can grow them on in size this summer and then enjoy big plants next year before they bloom.
As for the lupine I adore that foliage...
They might bloom before they're knocked out by a cold winter, but that's not why I plant them. It's all about the foliage with this one.
A group photo...
But wait! Where did that big-leaf plant come from? Also Annie's!
It's a Telanthophora grandiflora, aka Giant Groundsel, and was a gift from my friend Linda who recently placed an Annie's order.
I love that I can still be completely blindsided by a fabulous plant I've never heard of before—and it's the perfect statement plant to work into the area I'm planting up to the north end of our patio. Thank you plant-enabling friends!
A group photo...
I finally feel like my gardening mojo is back...I hope you're feeling similarly inspired to make it happen in your little bit of paradise.
— — —
All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Hip hip hooray for gardening friends! I never get tired of lupines!
ReplyDeleteI ordered a few plants from Annie’s in March and they looked in perfect condition. Especially love beschorneria yuccoides “flamingo glow”.
Jim N. Tabor
Annie's ships out plants so well packed! And oh yes, Beschorneria yuccoides “flamingo glow” is a good one!
DeleteI'm so happy your plant babies arrived in good condition. I happened to have plenty of packing supplies on hand--including the box with "fragile" already written on it :-).
ReplyDeleteI kind of hoard packing supplies. Much to Andrew's dismay.
DeleteI've received little seedlings like that and just planted them up as they things i had never been able to find elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI think these will go in a container, otherwise they might be lost in my garden.
DeleteAn Annie's order is always exciting, even when delivered through intermediaries. I checked out the Telanthophora on Annie's site because of the large leaves but the "moist" soil requirement means it was a non-starter. I have two nursery shopping trips scheduled this month (to places other than my neighborhood garden center) but I'm also sitting on another Annie's order - all despite the ridiculously warm/hot temperatures and perpetual wind we're experiencing.
ReplyDeleteYa moist soil isn't really a thing around here in the summer either, we'll see how it fares. Have fun plant shopping!
DeleteThe Lupines had me. I do miss them from my Denver gardens, but in my Tucson gardens the cacti are flowering... even my 4" beauties with huge flowers. Color can be grand, even if it only exists for a day!
ReplyDeleteNothing like cactus flowers for cheer!
DeleteOoh, Silver Lupine! Sounds like something I might like.
ReplyDeleteThe foliage shimmers it's so silvery. I am afraid it might not like your climate however.
DeleteA day with new plants is always a good day!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed!
DeleteWishing you luck with your new plants I just love Annie's hope to go some day Shipping is almost double the cost of the plant So I really gotta have it and cat get it anywhere else to pay that much. True to nature I get weekly emails from Annie's and there is ALWAYS something I must have
ReplyDeleteIn my garden, the Texas Bluebonnet (Lupine) foliage is especially nice after a rain - a little bead of water will remain where the leaves meet the stem, looking like a diamond!
ReplyDelete