Saturday, April 17, 2021

Four Flowers


Just a few photos today of some activity in our still-chilly garden! This wallflower (above) is happily blooming. It was a gift from my gardening co-worker, who also gave us some foxglove seedlings last year.


A couple of years ago, one of our neighbors dug some plants out of their front flower bed and put them out at the street in a yard waste bag. There was a damaged bulb among them, so I grabbed it and planted it in one of our pots. Last year it produced leaves but no flower, but this year, we're getting a blossom. A yellow tulip!


This euphorbia, also known as spurge, is all over our garden. It's quite invasive, but it's also pretty and it works well in some areas where other plants don't readily grow.


And finally, remember the budding primrose I photographed in the frost a little more than a week ago? Well, here it is, now blooming happily.

Our landlord's property managers contacted us because they want to visit and reassess the condition of our garden fence. It seems that once again, Mrs. Kravitz has been complaining about it. (She's also embarked on some kind of garden renovation project, which is no doubt why she's refocused her laser beams on the fence. She wants everything to be perfect.) They're supposed to visit on the 20th. I'll tell them what I've told them all along -- that as far as we're concerned, the fence is fine. But if they want to replace it, that's OK too. It's no skin off our backs, except for whatever damage workmen will undoubtedly cause by stepping on our flower beds.

23 comments:

Ursula said...

On the whole I don't like having "favourites". It's, obviously, unavoidable in contact with humans. Though not plants. Each plant has something different to bring to the table - like humans. Beauty, thorns, wit - you name it. Even boorish oafs (ivy) are welcome round my table. Shake it up I say.

Those four flowers of yours: The wallflower best at what wallflowers do - blending in, waiting to be discovered by someone who appreciates the unassuming. The tulip the twinset and pearls of flowers - not a petal out of place. The Euphorbia (what a lovely contrast between the yellow and black) is like me. Invasive. To be found in a comment box near you. And few efforts at cutting me back will succeed :). Your budding primrose has my admiration. Oh to be resilient when the chips are down and frost bites! The survivor.

U

PS What's with Mrs Kravitz? She wants "perfection"? I always had Russians down as largely laid back, even when not drunk. A bit like the Irish.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Your photos are stunning. Nice to see sunshine on those gorgeous flowers. I love all your rescues, too. You are the patron saint of discarded flora.

Steve Reed said...

LOL -- I don't blame you for being confused by my references to my neighbors, but the Russians and Mrs. Kravitz are two different households. The Russians are upstairs; Mrs. Kravitz is next door. (And her real name, just FYI, is not Mrs. Kravitz.)

Steve Reed said...

They don't all survive. I just don't mention the dead ones. :)

Yorkshire Pudding said...

What Kravitz wants Kravitz gets. The rest of us are just pawns in Kravitzworld. As you were once a reporter could you please interview Mrs Kravitz for a new blogpost and include pictures too - preferably fully-clothed. Tell her you are doing it for "The Daily Kravitz".

Ursula said...

Apologies to both Mrs Kravitz who is definitely not Russian, and Mrs Russian who isn't Kravitz. On account of her name I dare not hazard a guess where she originally stems from. One can't be too careful.

U

Ms. Moon said...

The lighting in these photos is perfection! Beautiful photos.
How does any neighborhood survive and thrive without a Mrs. Kravitz? The unsung heroes of endless energy with no where to spend it? They are the keepers of civilization. They are the minders of everyone's business.

ellen abbott said...

squeaky wheel and all that. I have a euphorbia but it's a succulent. I wonder if they're related.

Linda Sue said...

Your garden! So photogenic- gorgeous shots! The little primrose is just bursting with pride isn't she? Hearty little things!

Anonymous said...

If a tulip can feel gratitude this yellow one must be just beaming with it! Lovely flowers there.

Sharon said...

I love the fact that you rescued that tulip bulb and now it's blooming once again. It has a new lease on life. Beautiful flowers one and all.

Bob said...

Gorgeous pictures! How can you not feel spring is coming with those.

Catalyst said...

"Don't fence me in." - Roy Rogers et al

Angelicastar said...

Hi Steve,Dave and Olga. I think all neighborhoods all over the world have Mr. and Mrs Kravitz. We have a Mr. Kravitz across the street. Not and old one either. (lol) Just a non-working one. I have this note on my door for anyone to mask up before entering. So a few days later during trash day my trash can walked up and sit by my garage door. (laughing hard) I said he had to come over and read my note on my door. Nothing is new he see he need to know about so I have to bring my own trash can in now. I am seldom seen on the front of my house and my car is always in the garage. You can look over and see his blinds are partial open. They never know when I am home or how long I am gone unless they see me leaving or coming. A wonderful way to live. (lol)

Ellen D. said...

Ooh, whenever you do need a home improvement, you can have "Mrs. Kravitz" call the property managers for you. She sure seems to get results!
Another set of lovely photos, Steve! Those signs of Spring do lift my spirits! Thank you!

Allison said...

Around here there is a lot of the gopher euphorbia. It's hardy. Drought or snow, it's a happy camper.

Margaret said...

Beautiful! My late husband disliked primroses so we never had any. He claimed the leaves looked like weeds. The flowers are pretty though!

My life so far said...

Lovely flowers, harbingers of spring. I've notice green things in the ground in my yard and I am hopeful as always.

jenny_o said...

You are the Plant Whisperer, Steve.
My primroses were doing well a couple of years ago. Last year, not very, and this year I see only a couple of plants. I don't know what happened.

Penelope said...

Mrs. Kravitz is from Bewitched, the television show. The neighbor who noticed a lot but was always gaslighted.

Janie Junebug said...

Poor Mrs. Kravitz. Always unhappy. I wonder if Mrs. Kravitz on Bewitched had a first name. I don't remember a Mr. Kravitz.

Love,
Janie

Debby said...

I never knew that a wall flower was an actual flower! Off to Google more!

Elizabeth said...

So, so pretty. And I love hearing about Mrs. Kravitz' shenanigans. Bless her heart.