Yellow Flag Iris pseudacorus |
For me, the best part was adding some new water plants. I chose just half-a-dozen perennials to start with, and we will add water lilies and water hyacinth after the last frost date.
Here is a list of my new aquatic plants:
Iris (see lead picture above |
Varigated Pennnywort Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes |
Parrots Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum |
Floating Heart Nymphoides pelta |
Annacharis Elodea canadensis |
Blue Sedge Carex glaucescens |
Chi-chi Ruellia |
Variegated Sweet Flag Acorus calamus |
Of the small number of plants that we over-wintered in the crate at the bottom of the bond, only the two blue sedges seem to have survived. When they were pulled up, we were fascinated to see that they had been used by toads to anchor their eggs. This shows the importance of aquatic plants -- not only do they oxygenate, provide food and protection for the fish, but are used to anchor eggs.
Strings of toads' eggs attached to a blue sedge water plant. |
My thanks to Ryan and Rocco for their hard work with the pond ...
... and a special thanks to Ryan for giving me the descriptions of the water plants.
Spring has sprung in several parts of my garden. The blue of the grape hyacinths in the shade garden is stunning! Many of the daffodils are past their peak, but this morning I photographed one of the double daffodils - gorgeous! I planted pansies and Johnny-jump-ups in the window boxes. A vary large rabbit visits often and I need to spray a deterrent, but we are still having frequent rain showers. I was delighted to see the humming birds on the feeders. I put the feeders out on Monday and the first hummer was there on Tuesday. You can see these spring joys in the collage below.
In addition, the catbirds are back. I saw one on Monday collecting hair from my mini horse to line its nest. And H.H. saw a bat last night flying around the pond -- searching for insects.
How I love the spring! I have started my early-morning routine of walking through my gardens, coffee cup in hand, looking for newly arrived blooms and shoots, and planning the days work out there. This morning, I startled some deer in the lower field.
Look closely; there are two deer in the picture. |
The good news was the royal wedding. I got up at 4:45 am and I loved every minute of it! I think the best review is by Crystal Coast Gardener. Kyna is so very witty. Do read her post about William and Kate.
Have a safe and happy week, dear gardening friends!
Pamela x
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