Planting Hope
Happy New Year! It's a gorgeous day here at VP Gardens, so I've been out planting hope in one of the large pots in my front garden. It currently has some deep red Alstromeria, which more than takes care of the summer, but I reckon these daffodil and tulip bulbs are just the thing for spring.
You may think these are rather late to plant, but I've checked the bulbs and they're still sound. Fingers crossed for some frosts and they'll still perform magnificently, though probably a couple of weeks later than if I'd planted them last autumn.
I've also looked around the garden this morning and there are plenty of signs of other bulbs pushing their noses through the soil. It's always a good time to do this when the nights are at their longest because it all adds to that feeling of hope. Let's face it we all need as much of that as we can get these days.
More floral hope can be found by taking part in this year's New Year Plant Hunt, which ends tomorrow (3rd January). Take part and you'll be surprised at how many flowers are currently in bloom, though the hope here is a double edged sword as the long term purpose of this project is to see how our flora is responding to climate change.
And if you ever get the chance to visit Austin, Texas, one of the highlights of your trip will be to go to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It's a wonderful place and together with the many verges stuffed full of wildflowers around the city, it showcases the legacy and hope she left for her home state.
What are your garden plans for the New Year?