Sunday, February 21, 2016

Flower Dreams

As you may have deduced, I have big time spring fever. 

It's too early, I know. 

But I can't help it. 

I can't do much yet but dream....and order supplies.
Yesterday I was researching starting vegetables from seed. Which is exciting, because I love harvesting vegetables I've grown myself....especially when I've started them from an itty bitty seed!

Today I'm looking into flowers that I want to start from seed. But how on earth will I narrow it down? There are a billion awesome varieties out there and I want to try them all!

But let's be sensible here....that would cost me a fortune. And I don't have room.....or time.....to grow 18 million types of seeds. 

Perhaps I'll narrow it down to just 10 types...that seems reasonable!

Here's what I'm considering at this point:

1. Hyacinth Bean

Via
The flowers are simply lovely and the seed pods and beautiful foliage add an extra pop of purple in the garden. Bonus - all parts of the plant are edible! It's a win-win for me!

2. Nasturtium

Via
Always. I just love this old fashioned flower. I have been peppering my garden with Nasturtium seeds for as long as I can remember. I plant them in my veggie garden and not only do they brighten up the garden but of course the flowers and leaves are wonderful in a salad!

3. Morning Glory


Morning Glory is another flowering vine I always and forever will have in my garden. This simple, old fashioned climber just makes my heart sing when I see it scrambling up and around the fences and trellises of my gardens and blooming away. I know Morning Glory is invasive in certain areas so do your homework before introducing this climber to your garden. Here in the Northeast we don't have that issue....and I bless and nurture each and every 'volunteer' that pops up from the previous year's vines. They are all welcome!

4. Sunflower

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Since our growing season is relatively short up here on the mountain top I am going to start my sunflowers indoors this year. However, they do tend to suffer from transplant shock so I'll put them in peat pots to be planted right into the ground when the time is right. 

There's not another flower out there that shouts "country garden" more than a sunflower! How can you help but smile when you see that sunny yellow head bobbing in a summer breeze?

5. Zinnia


I'm embarrassed to say that I believe last year may have been my first year successfully growing zinnias. Or perhaps growing them at all! I'm not sure why....perhaps they never caught my eye at the garden nursery. Last season, however, I picked up a couple of brightly colored varieties and I am now hooked! Those babies bloomed....and bloomed....and then bloomed some more! I had readers tell me how simple they are to grow from seed....and I can't wait to try!

6. Cleome


I adore Cleome in my garden every year. I've been buying starts from the garden center but this year perhaps I'll go back to starting my own from seed. I seem to remember them being quite easy to start indoors, although it has been ages since I've tried. And they are prolific self seeders so once you get a bed of these beauties going strong, there's a good possibility you'll have lots of volunteers for years to come. 

7. Nicotiana

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Nicotiana is a fabulous plant to include in your summer garden! The plant can get quite tall but mixes well in a mixed border as it's quite airy. The biggest bonus of this plant is the fact that it releases the most heavenly fragrance in the evenings....so plant it near the place you like to relax at night, such as a favorite swing, patio, or under a bedroom window. 

8. Stock

Via
Ahhhh, heavenly Stock! One of the best flowers to include in a spring container - this plant thrives in the early spring coolness but does not do well in summer's heat. It's worth including it if even for a short time simply to enjoy that sweet, spicy fragrance. This is another plant to include near a favorite evening spot to enjoy the heady fragrance. 

9. Larkspur

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No cottage garden would be complete without Larkspur! Another prolific self seeder, plant Larkspur in an area that you won't mind volunteers popping up for years to come. I'm good with that!

10. Lavatera

Via
This one is new to me but I've read about it and I'm intrigued! I always try out at least one new flower each season....although generally more than one....and this year I believe it will be Lavatera. 

I've already started compiling a seed order at Johnny's Selected Seeds.









23 comments:

  1. I have only been lucky with one of those: Hyacinth Bean Vine. I recall I ordered it long ago from Renee's Heirloom Seeds, I think it was called. I'll look it up to make sure.
    Brenda

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    1. I've never tried it, or if I did I don't recall - that will be a new one for me this year.

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  2. I have never seen the bean vine before...but oh I love it. I really like all the flower you have thought about. Zinnias are some of the hardiest with so many pretty colors. The bees will love your garden and you will be helping them. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. That's a very good thing! We certainly need to help the bees!! Hopefully the hummingbirds and butterflies will love my garden, too! I can do without the wasps and hornets, though - they scare the heck out of me!

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  3. You've included many of my favorite flowers in this post! Our growing season is so short that morning glories barely have time to bloom before they're hit by frost, but my fave Heavenly Blue variety is well worth the wait. Have you seen the lime green zinnias? Love them! Spring is a long way off for us, but it doesn't hurt to start planning early!

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    1. Oh, that's sad about the Morning Glories - perhaps if you start them indoors? I don't think I've seen the lime green zinnias but now I'm going to have to look for them! Spring is a long way off for us also....but I start early (by April 1 usually) with pots of pansies and violas as well as a few other hardy annuals!

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  4. Mountain Mama, I recently came across your blog and really enjoy reading it each day. I also enjoy everything about home and gardening. Thank you for doing the research about planets for us, plan to try some of these this summer. Also interested in how you do the composting for plants. You have inspired me to start planting seed for a jump start on Spring. I like how you give details on any project you are doing. I learn so much useful information from all the blogs. You ladies accomplish so much each day so all the how to information helps me. Thanks for sharing your home, garden and daily life with us.

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    1. Theresa, thank you so much for that very sweet comment! I really love 'meeting' new readers and hearing their thoughts - welcome to my little mountain top life! Big hugs to you, Theresa!

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  5. Oh my! I know the feeling! I've been carrying around a seed catalog with an order made out for two weeks now. I love your picks! You're right about the Cleome dropping seeds and coming back...I love them!

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    1. Oh, me, too! I did plant some last year in a mixed perennial bed....perhaps I'll get some babies from the seeds!

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  6. I p,ant morning glory every year on my mailbox. Heavenly Blue

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    1. Aren't they just gorgeous? I love seeing a pretty flowering vine growing up a mailbox....it just says "country garden" to me! Thanks for visiting, Cookie!

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  7. We are growing now, as we have to beat the heat. You know, you and I have opposite weather dilemmas. Just planted some of the veggie garden this weekend:) We have to hurry, hurry!
    Jemma

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    1. So what do you do in the heat of the summer? I'm sure you have native plants that survive if not thrive, no? I'm envious of you right now....but I'm sure I won't be in August - ha ha!!

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  8. I wish I had your ambition for gardening. I tried sunflowers one year and the bunnies kept eating them. Finally we put little fencing around them and they grew. I did not try again but its exciting to see what you are planning. Have fun...spring is on its way :)

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    1. Perhaps this year you should just try a few containers, Karen - that's a great way to start!

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  9. You've inspired me to start thinking about what I want to do this year in my garden and flower beds! I could say yes to just about every flower you mentioned! I always plant nasturtiums in my garden because they are amazing pest deterrents too, along with marigolds. I love to plant herbs in with my tomatoes, simply divine. Really, any kind of flowers, I'd probably take them all! :)

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    1. I didn't know Nasturtiums were a pest deterrent, that's a huge bonus! I always put marigolds in with my veggies to keep away the pests....and I love how happy they make me with their sunny colors!

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  10. I'm going to let you in on a little secret about hyacinth bean....it's gorgeous in my garden and all the neighbors ask about it every year. I just pluck the seeds and save them. When it's time to plant, I push them down in the dirt. No planting indoors because the seeds are so sturdy that it just isn't necessary. Here anyway...maybe it's different in New York?

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    1. Our growing season is so short I may want to start them indoors....but I can't wait to try them out!! Thanks, Stacey!

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