Gardening in the North

This blog is about gardening in the north.

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  • Hungarian Yellow Wax

    chili

    For the first time I managed to keep all my three chilies alive over the winter. Usually the long period of darkness and the cruel central heating is too much for them.

    It means that I get an early harvest this year. The first chilies are already ready for picking.

    And as I already learned last year the Hungarian yellow wax turns red when ripe. I guess I need to find another variety if I want other colors. Sadly do not have much space for wintering them. Need to figure out a solution for this limitation.

     

  • Waterlily

    Waterlily

    Sometimes it is just fun to enjoy nature’s own creations. Waterlilies are blooming beautifully and all you need to do is to enjoy the show.

    Nothing you need to do. No planting or watering just an easy part of the garden that takes care of itself.

    Waterlilies are a natural part of the nature here like in so many other places.

  • Snowball

    Snowball1

    About ten years ago I bought my father a snowball tree. One of the most successful purchases I have made.

    Ever since the tree has produced beautiful snowballs each year. Growing larger and larger each summer and producing hundreds and hundreds of white flowers.

    Now I am considering to buy another since the tree has survived the winters and it simply looks stunning when blooming.

    Snowball2

     

  • Columbine

    Columbine1

    I do not know why but I have always loved columbines. I used to have only one pink variety which my grandmother had had for many years. I started to calculate that the variety must have been here more than seventy years.

    As a child I used to like collecting the aquilegia seeds. That must have started my enthusiasm for columbines.

    Currently I have several different colors and shapes growing. Not as many as I would like to have but I guess there is no limit to my greed.

    All of them have been grown from a seed. Up here in the north it always takes at least two years to see the first blooms. Well, I guess waiting just makes it more worth while.

    Columbine2

     

  • Snowdrop Windflower

    Snowdrop1

    One of the early bloomers is snowdrop windflower. Six were planted last year and only two made it through the winter. Not sure that I will have any next summer.

    It is nice to try new flowers but you do not always succeed.

    Snowdrop windflower has beautiful white flowers and when they are gone decorative seedcases remain.

    It would be nice addition to the garden. Just need to wait and see if it decides to remain here.

    Snowdrop

     

  • Purple Prince

    Purple Prince

    Spring came early this year. Normally we can enjoy tulips early June. Purple Prince started to bloom few days ago and it is just mid May!

    It is a new variety I bought last year and one of the few survivors!

    I can now see that I have lost most of my tulips. The winter was hard on tulips and only a handful of them could take minus 33 degree Celsius we had in January. The thin layer of snow could not give them the protection desperately needed.

    Well a good reason to me to shop more in the autumn.

    Purple Prince2

  • Spring

    Seeds1

    The lake is now free. Liberated from ice and ready for the spring.

    The cats are happy. The fishing season has started and they are ready for the fresh fish.

    I am thrilled. Finally I can start to plant and grow flowers. My pockets are full of seed packs and I am running around wildly.

    The spring came early this year. I have never ever been able to plant anything at this time of the year. It still tries to snow a bit but I do not care.

    Only the early Siberian squills are blooming but they are so beautiful and the first promise that others will soon follow.

    Seeds2

  • Narcissus

    Narcissus2

    This spring seems to be all about the daffodils. Each time I go to a store or shop I manage to buy one pot more.

    I have been trying to collect different varieties and there are so many available this year.

    My plan is to take them all to the summer cottage after the snow is gone. This way I can enjoy them during the forth coming years as well.

    Still two more months to go before the spring flowers start to bloom outside. Cannot wait that long! I am getting impatient!

    Narcissus1

     

  • Daffodil

    Daffodil1

    Indoors the firs daffodils are starting to bloom. They brighten my mood and bring me joy.

    The weather up here in the north has been grey with plenty of rain. Not something we are used to at this time of the year. Usually we have snow and sunshine but no such luck this time.

    Well hope this means that spring will come early! Or am I just wishing this to be true?

    PS. Daffodils last over a month if you have the possibility to keep them outside in the cool temperature.

    Daffodil2

     

  • White Hyacinth

    Hyacinth1

    This is now becoming a habit – a spring hyacinth in a pot.

    I used to have hyacinths only during the Christmas time. Here in the north it has always been considered a flower for the holiday season.

    Now that they have become available also during the spring I always end up buying one.

    I know that the strong scent of the flower is too much for most of the people but for some reason I enjoy it. It really fills the apartment with sweet smell of a spring.

    Still nearly three more months to go before the first flowers outside start to bloom. I even planted few hyacinths to the summer cottage. Not quite sure if they are going to make it through the winter. Lower than minus 30 Celsius temperatures we had during January might have been too much for them.

    PS. Keep hyacinth outside if it is not too cold. It lasts much longer if you do this.

    hyacinth2