Treats for the Senses

I went on a walk around campus the other day to capitalize on the beautiful weather (which is still persisting here, by the way). On my journey I encountered fresh waves of brilliant blooms, and I knew I had to share them. I only wish that I could somehow document and share how they all smell, because that's one of the best parts about spring.

First is one of the many kinds of magnolia trees around here. This one is not blooming as prolifically as others I've seen, but it had marvelous color.

Yes, it rained about fifteen minutes after this photo was taken.

Here's a closer shot.

I also love the buds on this tree. Flower buds like this (irises, for example) always remind me of lipstick.

When I took this picture, my camera's viewfinder told me, "Bravo! It's perfectly focused on the flower, creating a depth-of-field effect." However, what it really meant was, "That was a great shot of the mulch below that flower. That's as in-focus as mulch gets." It's the thought that counts.

The other fantastic flowers I saw on this trip were on this bush. I didn't even see them at first--I was walking about five feet away from them when a wall of scent hit me. Then I looked. These look gorgeous (whatever they are), and they smell even better. And I actually got them in focus.

Scott was with me on my walk, and he can barely smell anything, but even he noticed the powerful aroma on these bountiful blossoms.

Have you ever smelled a plant before you saw it? Do you have any idea what that white-flowering bush is?

Next time: a brief spring favorite.

Hot Hyacinths

I was walking around the other day when I saw hyacinths like I've never seen before. I extol the virtues of edible plants more than just about anybody, but these flowers expanded my horizons. Maybe part of it is that I measure the value of plants as a ratio of necessary effort to reward, and I find edible plants more tangibly rewarding than ornamentals. However, since hyacinths are bulbs, they require very little work. I could certainly deal with a few of these, I'm sure...

I apologize for the subpar quality of these photos. I had my camera with me when I passed this display, but I guess I forgot that, so I took these with my phone. At any rate, I loved the combination of violet and white here. It just looks classy. And I had never seen hyacinths this bluish before, so the school is opening my eyes to new experiences.

Hyacinths, or Hyacinthus orientalis, are apparently very easy to grow since they need cold temperatures to bloom in the spring. This means the bulbs can be planted in fall and basically left alone. Here are some that are still working on putting out blooms.

Hyacinth blooms can get fuller than the ones shown here, and low-nitrogen fertilizers will help encourage this. I still appreciate this bunch. They're just plain cute. Like this! (Ignore the cigarette butt.)

Doesn't the feast of flora that comes with spring bring you joy? It sure does for me. The world is coming alive again.

Next post: free food.

Campus Smells Spring's Approach

As the weather slowly improves, lots of plants on campus are beginning to realize that spring is upon us. In fact, I saw my first daffodil bloom on campus today (alas, I was caught without my camera). However, I have been fortunate enough to capture a few plants in bloom throughout my walks around the school.

First: Helleborus purpurescens. These hellebores, or Lenten roses, are as sweet as can be. I always personify them as being shy because their blooms face the ground, as though they're bashful. I imagine I'm not the first to make that connection, though.

There were also purple ones! I enjoy the color on these.

This was the most photogenic little group of all of them. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing really hard, so the foremost bloom is out of focus. I guess that makes this a more interesting shot, though, since your eye is drawn to an unexpected flower.

The next plant that stuck out to me was Magnolia x loebneri, or a Loebner magnolia. I'm sure this tree will be white with blooms in a few days, but I liked seeing it just poking out a few cautious buds.

Red brick on blue sky always look good together, and it provides a lively backdrop for this tender moment in this tree's life.

In yoga the other day we were supposed to think of something for which we were thankful, like loved ones, the sunny day, or taking time for ourselves by coming to the class. While I was thankful for all of those things, I thought that I was thankful for the magnolias and the hellebores.

This shot's background is slightly less distracting, though.

This next tree was what prompted me to start taking pictures in the first place. Monday morning was a gray one, and as I was walking to class, the neon yellow of the buds on this tree were eye-catching, to say the least. I couldn't tear my eyes away. Sadly, I didn't have time to photograph it in that lighting, but even in the middle of the afternoon you can see it's ready for the warm season. Let's approach it, shall we?

 Closer...

Closer...

Okay, this is close enough! I think you get the point. This fine tree is a Cornelian cherry dogwood, or Cornus mas, according to the signage below it. As you can see, these flowers are almost as bright as street signs!

I gave the dogwood a little more space here. Yellow and blue is one of my favorite color combinations. Even if it wasn't before, this tree has convinced me.

That's about all I've got as far as springy foliage and flowers go. However...

Next post: Chard-related news.

Surprise! Magnolias, Future Spaces, and More

I lied. Yesterday I said I would post more greenhouse pictures, including Theobroma cacao. I say a lot of things.

I'm actually going to discuss an unusual campus landscaping choice, examine my future in claustrophobic gardening, and make good on a promise I made quite a while ago. I'll actually get back to the tropical greenhouse haven tomorrow--I mean it this time.

So let's get into today's first topic: magnolia trees. Trees in the Magnolia genus are common in the southern United States, making it somewhat of an odd choice for a midwestern university (and I mean we are in the middle of the midwest). This is the biggest one I've seen. I pass these on my way home from work.

Sugar magnolia, blossoms bloomin', head's all empty and I don't care...
Grateful Dead, anyone?

This one looks a bit greener.

I think magnolias are a questionable choice because they don't seem to fare too well in our cold, oddball winters. Love that glossy foliage, though.

Magnolias produce beautiful, sweet-smelling white flowers during the warmer seasons. I hope these will flower this year!

See why these aren't an obvious choice for temperate climates? They get to looking puny, like this.





These have daffodils coming up at their bases. That's nice and springy. Daffodils are some of my favorite spring flowers. If only this pair bloomed simultaneously.

 



Next order of business: I'm going to be moving into successively larger spaces this summer and fall. Not by much, but I'll take whatever space I can get for growing things. This picture gives you an idea of the kind of space I'm going to have for growing plants outdoors over the summer. There is a grassy strip between the sidewalk and the building, so that will be available, and then the grass between the building and the car will be available, though that's on the north side of the house.

My gardening this summer is going to be a work in progress, but it will get better in the fall. The best part about my fall apartment is that it has a deck. That means that even though I have no southern windows, my phytofriends will get southern exposure and fresh air!

On the other hand (as you can see), there's no front yard space at all. There may or may not be grass behind this building. If there is, I'll find a way to capitalize on it. If not, at least those windows are nice and big. They're much bigger than they look.

Finally, about a week ago I said I would find a picture of my desert rose in bloom. I now have that picture. First, though, here's a picture of a desert rose in winter for comparison:

Not exceptional.

And here's mine in full flower:

Exceptionally phenomenal. I only bought this plant for its interesting foliage and trunk shape. Boy was I surprised.

There you have it. Have you ever encountered strange landscaping decisions? Do you grow plants in or around tiny apartments? Have you ever been surprised by a plant?

And last but not least, I promise this time:

Next post: Greenhouse Pictures, Part VI: Tropical Oasis II: Theobroma Boogaloo.