Pulsatilla Vulgaris-Pasque Flower

One of my favorite early Spring flowers! The pulsatilla, or Pasque flower. The name Pasque relates to the time of year that is blooms in early Spring and Easter. Though these were taken on Apil 29, much later than the holiday of Easter due to our snows. From Wikipedia: "The genus Pulsatilla contains about 33 species of herbaceous perennials native to meadows and prairies of North America, Europe, and Asia. Common names include pasque flower (or pasqueflower), wind flower, prairie crocus, Easter Flower, and meadow anemone. Several species are valued ornamentals because of their finely-dissected leaves, solitary bell-shaped flowers, and plumed seed heads. The showy part of the flower consists of sepals, not petals." My favorite part of this plant is how fuzzy and soft it is...it is as soft as it looks! And the blossoms last for a long time. Even after they are finished, these flowers leave interesting seed pods behind. A very special plant indeed. If you are hiking in the mountains and foothills here in Colorado, they cover the hillsides in the Spring as a native plant. Keep your eyes out for this unique Spring plant.

Christmas Visit

A lovely visit to Waterford, CT to see my friend Mrs. K at her house on the beach. Crystal clear day on the coast, walking down memory lane, quite literally. I worked at this estate years ago and my photo is still on the wall in the old greenhouse, filled with blooming hibiscus flowers. This is where Frank worked for

67 years!! He passed away a few weeks ago and is sorely missed.

Frank Francisconi-Rest in Peace

Another dear octogenarian friend passed away today. Frank Francisconi- a sweet Italian, WW II vet who was very proud of that! He was my garden friend from CT where I lived many years ago. We worked together for years at an amazing estate on the ocean in Waterford, CT. cutting back roses, deadheading, and eating tomatoes out of the garden; biting into them just like an apple. He took care of their glass, historical greenhouse and grew spectacular hibiscus all winter long. He worked for the same family gardening for over 65 years. His simple ways and deep appreciation for flowers and big bright blooms will surely be missed by many. He was dear to me and I am grateful for this photo taken on a recent summer visit.

Harvest

Spring Things

A variety of things Spring, early here in Boulder.
2nd grade class trip to NCAR, 8 year old girls playing dress up, sauteed brazil nuts literally picked off the Peruvian jungle floor by a visiting friend. Yum! Oh and a highlight of the week, playing apples to apples with our dear 93 year old friend Harriet on her bed. Sweetness of the season.

Tonight held a dreamy visit to Sturtz and Copeland in Boulder, Colorado filled with the heady scents of jasmine and orange blossoms and carp feasting on fish food. Divine! Preparing for planting tomorrow.

First Snow - Boulder, Colorado

There was just a tiny bit of snow yesterday and overnight to create some beautiful frost on the autumn leaves.

Henry Moore Sculpture and Family Portrait

There is an amazing sculpture exhibit of Henry Moore's work at the Denver Botanical Garden. While we enjoyed the gardens and the sculptures, I made some portraits as well for future Christmas cards!

Botanical Gardens Denver, CO

Late summer at the Denver Botanical Gardens-a family portrait and some plants, makes for a great Sunday!

Today in the Garden

Morning Glory-Ipomoea nil, Sunflower-Helianthus maximillianii, and Cosmos-Compositae.

Grape Hyacinths

An entire back yard of grape hyacinths!
These naturalize like crazy so be careful if you don't want this effect when planting.

Final Day of Fall

I managed to get through the last remnants of snow, and get 100 daffodil bulbs into the ground today, the last day of fall. See these beauties in about 100 days :)

Honey Bees again!

We were so fortunate to go to visit with Growing Gardens for some honey harvest today.
So beautiful, tasty and magical. The kids loved it and so did the grown ups!
Thank you Annie and Julie!