Continuous Bloom and Anemone Nemorosa, April 7, 2014

Welcome to my sunny Monday post.  Today I am linking with-

Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally

Macro Monday 2 hosted by Gemma Wiseman

I Heart Macro hosted by Laura

Mandarin Orange Monday hosted by Lorik

Nature's Footsteps/Catching Light meme hosted by Nature's Footsteps Inspiring Photography

Favorite Plant Pick of the Week hosted by Loree of Danger Garden, check the comments for links.  My choice, Anemone nemorosa 'Robinsoniana', below.

The next major player in my Continuous Bloom scenario is Anemone nemorosa.   Of all the plants I have planted in my yard, Wood Anemones are one of the most prolific, and mind-blowing, pulling spring into the realm of fantasy with their wonderful green carpets studded with flowers.   I have three varieties, the two blooming now are the regular white with some magenta on the reverse, fading magenta, and 'robinsoniana', which is a blue-purple, my favorite, one of those plants that really delights in spring.  Blooming later- 'Vestal' which has a button-like center of narrow stamenodes, very delightful but not as vigorous or prolific.   Anemones are perfectly adapted to the wet/dry cycle of weather in the Pacific Northwest.   Underground rhizomes start to grow in late winter because of the winter rains and warmer temperatures.   Shortly after the start of spring they begin to bloom.   After the weather has become warmer and drier, at some point they dry up and put all their energy back into the rhizomes under the ground.   They can then be dug up without harm and transplanted to new beds.   I usually space them about 1 foot (30 cm) apart.   New spring growth on first year plants-

Established clump-

'Robinsoniana' and white Anemone

I'm as happy as a spring Robin finding a worm, some of my Cowslip Primulas raised from mixed seeds are a luscious candy red-

Bulbs planted last year, Fritillaria, returning successfully, I am so enamored of the tiny checkerboard patterns, and the cute bell shapes make me want to do an Irish jig-

Another very fragrant Daffodil, a double-

Meanwhile, some of those native wildflowers are starting to bloom as well, plants that are also perfectly adapted to our climate and need no care.   Ribes sanguineum, Red-Flowering Currant, which has even self-sown in my garden-

Mahonia nervosa, native Oregon Holly Grape.

A goal of continuous bloom is fun and attainable.   Finding plants adapted your growing conditions can make at least part of gardening effortless and enjoyable!

And now for a slice of art, a copper enamel seahorse I made many years ago, both sides-

 -Hannah

or cameras are macro


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