Se7en signs of spring

Too many fabulous signs of spring to count; but here are se7en (in a pathetic attempt to link to the theme):

1. The Giant Himalayan Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum) looks magnificent, and is developing several offsets and a stalk, so perhaps it will bloom this year. If it does, it will serve as the angel on high, towering over the devil garden (flowering stalks can reach 8-12 feet high).

2. Devil garden tulips, blooms are impending, but the variegated foliage is so fabulous, I'm already thrilled. Tulipa greigii 'Fire of Love' on the left and Tulipa acuminata 'Fire Flame' on the right.

   

3. Fritillaria persica (Persian lily), about a foot high so far, gorgeous blue-grey foliage.

 4. Spring foliage in many colors and forms. (Click on the photo for a better view of these plants.)

5. Podophyllum pleianthum (the podophyllum delavayi is MIA, I really hope it shows up)

 6. Early flowers! Clematis koreana and of course the Mt Fuji cherry, in glorious bloom.

 7. Hungry chickadees, taking turns at the feeder.

the devil may wear a hat, but his nether parts are exposed...

Behold the Devil's Hat in all its glory (aka Butterbur, aka Petasites hybridus). This plant came to me last year from Jungle Fever Exotics. The leaves were huge and magnificent last summer, 2 feet across. Since this is my first spring with this plant, I didn't know to expect these early flower stalks. Nether parts from the netherworld...ooh la la!

And Hell is in its name-o...

(to the tune of Bingo was his name-o...)
I know it's a stretch to call this a hellish plant, but this black purple Hellebore from Heronswood deserved its photo taken today. Planted in spring 2006, it gets larger and more striking each year. I think I got this plant at the last pre-"death by Burpee" plant sale, and am so very glad for the ongoing resurrection of the Heronswood gardens.

 

Bewitched

Witch hazel "Carmine Red"...still very small, but showing off the bizarre red winter flowers that earned its place in the devil garden (in addition to its name). So far its very slow-growing, less than 2 feet high. I'm hoping for a more visible show next winter.

Birthday guest

I didn't see this cute little tree frog either, until it jumped out of the way of my pruners, thankfully in time!
This is the first tree frog I've ever seen in my yard. I'll take it as a good birthday omen. Another good omen, I see at least two of my fancy new tulips beginning to emerge in the devil garden, so the squirrels didn't manage to take them all (yet)!  I'm so excited about the Tulipa acuminata "Fire Flame," they should look just like flames when they bloom.

 

 

T-Rex is moping

My T-Rex is looking none too thrilled about this early winter weather, looks like an early hibernation is in store. 20 degrees this morning, brrr.

my pet T-Rex

The T-Rex (Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Steroidal Giant') is living up to its name (and its nickname). I bought this plant on a whim last fall from Celestial Dream Gardens, at about 2-3 feet tall. It's now over 8 feet tall and its largest leaves are more than 4 feet across, fabulous! For years, I've had a dream of turning my back yard from a boring lawn into a jungle. It always felt like a pipe dream, but this one plant has made the jungle seem within reach.

 

This was the same plant 4 months ago, mid-June, when it was under 3 feet tall. If you look closely, you can see the edge of the black bamboo barrier it's planted within. We'll see how that works out. Do you think it will escape the island?

Bright spots as October darkens

Today I'm posting a few photos of plants that are brightening my garden as October darkens. In the devil garden, the Tiger Eyes sumac is catching on fire (the gargoyle doesn't seem concerned).

The Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum) is living up to its name. My favorite tree still has a few white jasmine-scented flowers, but is mostly displaying magenta and teal.

 

 

Yesterday's hard rain pushed the Eupatoriam rugosum 'Chocolate' (chocolate stems/leaves and bright white flowers) over on top of the purple vinca, happily resulting in a sloppy pile of bright color.

 
Another aster that's just covered in flowers now, Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black' (calico aster).

Aralia cachemirica

The color combination of these berries is so luscious! I hunted down this shrub after falling in love with it at the Bellevue Botanical Garden while it was in this stage. Now after one year in the ground, its already covered in berries, making me very happy. Just a twig last fall, and about 2' x 2' this year, so I expect it may take off next year. (Its not an easy plant to find, but Dancing Oaks has it.)

creep-o-rama!

Actaea pachypoda in the devil garden, aka dolls eyes, aka white baneberry. Beautiful poisonous white berries with a black "pupil" on blood-red optic stalks. Very creepy to imagine the empty sockets these eyes left behind.