White Blooms in Filoli

      I love going through the Filoli garden with people as much as I do going solo.  My favorite is on days like last Saturday when it looks like it should rain and everyone stays home leaving me to wander and daydream by myself. Here are some pictures of what inspired me while wandering around with by myself. (And of course little Baby Boo in utero).

"The Wedding Place"

   This last visit I was inspired by some magnificent white blooming trees and tulips in Filoli. I think it was the stark contrast the white blooms had against the dark gloomy sky that really made the white look spectacular. It was magical. This was the first time this year I saw the trees blooming around "The Wedding Place". It is the only area on a diagonal on the entire grounds. There was one wedding held here- and the colors were all white and green. It's not hard to imagine how simple and beautiful it was.

Blooming in White around the wedding place

 
 Seeing all these tress in bloom has me considering planting one for my own garden. However, I'm not sure where I could put it. Also the blooms would be short lived with most of the year either green or sticks (more racking). I think if anything I will purchase and plant a Camilia tree. It is my "birthday flower", has a long period of blooming, and has evergreen leaves. So, I am pretty much decided on a nice Camilia.

   Also very nice is the field of Daffodils. Usually I go to Murphy's over St. Patrick's day weekend and meet my parents for the Northern California Daffodil show. This year my parents decided and I decided not to go. But, I got a fill of Daffys to keep me happy.

Daffodil Field with blooming apple trees

It was cold!

     And to appease the masses here are some pictures of myself with my beginning of third trimester bump. I propped up the camera and took these of myself. Eek.

Birds were signing (or laughing) to me

Inside the best smelling "garden house"

Pink Camilia blooming behind me.

 I am considering making myself this t-shirt because conversations have become repetative.

1. I am 6 months pregnant
2. The Dr.s tell me it will be a girl
3. I am due the first week of June
4. Strangers asking to touch my stomach kinda weirds me out. ... But great if you are a friend or family!

Trumpets, Miniatures, and Filoli

     This past week contained more Daffodil fun. Tiny bubbles bloomed, as did Arkle, and one of my pinks Katie Heath. Unfortunately Arkle was too tall and big so they fell over as soon as it opened. So, I cut most of them and enjoy them inside now. Can some one tell me why a daffodil grows so that it can't support itself? Should I modify something for next year?

Arkle

     I went for my first time this year to Filoli. I brought a couple of friends to experience the magical place. They loved it - especially because we toured the gardens with the sound track to Pride and Prejudice playing!

Me with Annie and Mindy at Filoli's  Daffodil Daydream

Smelling the Hyacinths

  
     The Northern Califonia Daffodil Society was also at Filoli over the weekend. I mentioned the event in an earlier post.  I shook hands with the NCD president Bob Spotts and dropped my Dad's name so Bob could know who I was. We chatted a little bit before he gave his talk on the history of Daffodils. I had never really thought much about daffodils in the wild before. It turns out Daffodils are only native to areas around the Mediterranean! I found that fact really interesting.  Also funny is how they don't required any special care at all- they are just like our orange California Poppy's! Crazy. Well here are some more pictures.

 

Tiny Bubbles

Katie Heath

Daffodil Season

     Daffodil season is here in my little California yard! This is probably the most exciting time for me in the garden. Bulbs require waiting and patience. So, when they do bloom it's like a present being opened after months of being "wrapped" up. The first daffodils feel so serendipitous, hope is renewed, and spring will be here with all the buds and blooms.

    First out of the gate was Topolino. My friend Jenni's comment was that it sure was small. :) haha yes it is a mid-size trumpet. This is my second year with this bulb. It was a b-day present from my dad.

Topolino

     Jenni did not yet see the miniatures blooming. Those will definitely open up any day now because of the light rain and wonderful sun. Miniature daffodils are so sweet and lovely. It would be amazing to grow a big pot of one type. I'll put this on my wish list for next year.

     Next to open is what I thought would be containers of Paper Whites that my friend Katie gave me this year. I potted them up in these containers of grey cement.

Paper Whites?

What actually bloomed.

Surprise! It's not so white

    Sometimes things turn out different than you expect. Who would not love a this yellow buttercup flower? So, even though my pots aren't those star shaped "little stinkers" these yellow ones are delightful and smell great! Any idea what how actually name this cultivar?

Pregnant Onions

      Happy New Year! It seems appropriate for my first post of the year to be something monumental. I was planning this post for a few months now. Well actually 18 weeks as my doctor will tell me tomorrow. Like this plant I too am pregnant! It is very exciting- much more exciting than an onion creating a baby- and probably more dramatic too. I don't think Mama Onion got the wonderful experience of nausea.

     In celebration of making it to the second trimester and as a little experiment, I "birthed" one of the little baby onions then planted it in some new soil. I think these onions have a dramatic look about them. Plus they don't require much maintenance. One day I'll give one away as a present if my little guys grow big.

Mama Onion carrying her babies

The babies before planting

      Now I guess I'm part of what's growing in the garden. And I am growing very quickly this past week. I am so grateful for the maternity clothes from my friends!