Tag Archives: Helleborus ’Black Diamond’

Sights and Sounds At Easter

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Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

It is a beautiful Easter weekend in Chapel Hill. We will wait to see how the hydrangeas do but otherwise the garden survived a couple nights of below freezing temperatures. Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ is the second iris to appear this spring. It opened just before the cold snap but looked cheerful afterwards.

Soon gracefully nodding columbine flowers will be open everywhere in the garden, as well as in  many places beyond where it decided to wander. This first one to open is homesteading in a south-facing position next to the drive.

Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)

This past week I have watched peonies rising with amazing speed. Peony ‘Coral Charm’ is always the most eager to bloom.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)

I counted a dozen buds.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)

Here are a few flowers and a video with birdsong from yesterday’s Instagram post.

 

My husband and I went retro yesterday and colored eggs for the first time in many years. If you are looking for a creative way to be in the present moment, I recommend dye. Watching its transformation brings on a true sense of awe and wonder.  Wishing you all a wonderful Spring day on this Easter Sunday.

Easter Eggs

Approaching Mid-March 2021

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More hellebores are in flower. These, planted along the north side of the house in 2016, came from Pine Knot Farms (PKF) in southern Virginia. They have not bulked up much in all these years but I am happy to see them again.

Helleborus ’Black Diamond’ (Winter Jewels® Black Diamond)

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Apricot Blush’ (seedlings)

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Apricot Blush’ (seedlings)

Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)

Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)

Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)

Also in the northern side garden this camellia is looking fine today. Just a few days ago its buds barely revealed color so I was surprised it opened so suddenly.  Last year it bloomed 10 days earlier.

Camellia ‘Coral Delight’

Camellia ‘Coral Delight’

Camellia ‘Coral Delight’

Camellia ‘Coral Delight’

The weather has been delightful all week, spirit-lifting really. On several days I managed to spend a few hours weeding and performing general clean-up. It is taking longer than expected but far from being a chore this year I am finding the tasks to be immensely satisfying.

Unknown Narcissus (Daffodil)

I showed these cerinthe flowers recently but am compelled by their rich colors to share them again.  I planted seeds last May in two locations. There is no sign of them in the back garden location, but this spot beside the house and next to the driveway is where they found happiness.

‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe

‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe

‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe

Early March Black Diamond and Coral

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Helleborus ’Black Diamond’ (Winter Jewels® Black Diamond)

After the rain stopped this afternoon I went outside for a quick perusal of the garden. Hellebores on the north side of the house are still quite beautiful, including ‘Black Diamond’ which finally has opened one flower completely. There are several more buds.

When last week I had checked the nearby camellia it was covered in buds but did not seem anxious to bloom. It was a surprise today to find it so far along. This is my only spring blooming camellia, synomym Camellia japonica x Camellia saluenensis.  Curiously the coloration used to be lighter and definitely more coral than it appears now.

Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’

Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’

Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’