Clicking on the photos will enlarge them :)

Friday, March 23, 2012

Fertilizer Friday

A few posts back I showed some foliage of some of the bulbs my husband has been ordering for me, none     of us recognized it.  When it started blooming my husband remembered what he ordered.  "Firecracker Bulbs" he said.  First photo is courtesy of the internet, this is what I have to look forward too!
The photo below is one of mine beginning to bloom.  Dichelostemma 'Pink Diamond' or 'Firecracker' bulbs. Zones 2 - 10, Full Sun to Partial Shade, Grows 20 - 24" Tall, Blooms from early Spring to Early Fall and prefers the soil on the dry side.  I have noticed if it is watered too much the stem with the blooms on it droops.

White Petunias with Gaillardia aka Blanket Flower (yes, I am one of those gardeners that lets the leaves naturally mulch my gardens).

Two types of Amaryllis blooming.  The second one used to be red, why it's an orange color this year is a mystery to me.


Mixed container of Pansies, Violas and Alyssum.  Pink Dianthus in front of it.

A neighbor gave me a bulb two years ago and said he didn't know what it was.  Last year it had foliage and this year a beautiful Lily.

Red Petunias and White Alyssum
Linking up with Tootsie for Fertilizer Friday for the first Friday of Spring 2012!


19 comments:

Lona said...

Hi Darla. Those Firecracker blooms are going to be so gorgeous. He done good. LOL!
Your amaryllis are so pretty. I love the red petunias with the white alyssum. That looks so pretty. Have a terrific weekend.

tina said...

So many beautiful amarylis! Gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing the firecracker plant.

P.S. I have both the plenifora and a single, as well as a white kerria. They are so pretty and easy to grow but those durned voles-they love them for some reason.

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

I've never heard of that firecracker bulb before. It's really intriguing looking!

daisy g said...

Gorgeous blooms, all!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh My.... That Firecracker Bulb/Bloom is going to be awesome --when it blooms like the one from the internet.... Awesome!!!!

Wish I had a better attitude about 'leaves'... I truly cannot stand them. I know that they would make good mulch--but I just have the 'need' to get rid of them...Oh Well--it's just WORK for me!!!

Love your Amaryllis blooms especially that first one. As to the color changing, it has to do with the makeup (acid, etc.) in your soil....

Gorgeous lily... Can't wait 'til ours bloom.
Hugs,
Betsy

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Hi Darla, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving the nice comment on my flowers. Yours are very pretty, also. I have never grown amaryllis or the firecracker plant but they are pretty. If you are interested, I host Your Cozy Home Party each Mon. at 8 pm and you are welcome to show your flowers if you like. You can get details on my blog. Hope to see you there.--------- Shannon

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I saw that Firecracker bloom when I was on a Master Gardener trip with VA Master Gardeners. No one knew what it was!! I knew I had seen it before, but it took a lot of looking to find the name. Love it!!
I am amazed your Amaryllis is blooming now!! Mine are just starting to come up.

Val said...

Wow. Darla! I LOVE those firecracker bulbs!!! Those are going to be beautiful!!!

GRACE PETERSON said...

It blooms from spring to fall? Seriously? And it's hardy in my Zone? Wow. I think I need to have that. Kudos to Rusty, once again!! How funny about that morphing Amaryllis. Love the red and white border. Nice job, girl friend!

Hair Extensions said...

So lovely garden and enjoyable also. There are different types flower in the garden and enjoy it. Different species in the garden and enjoy it.

Becky said...

Those firecrackers are cool!
You know I wouldn't complain about the orange. It's my favorite color!
I just love those surprise plants. You know, when someone give you bulbs and don't know what they are until they bloom.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Wow Darla girl you are a "Firecracker"!! .. that is one long bloom time for a plant .. but I keep forgetting that you are in a place that makes it possible?LOL
You have lots on the go there .. we are sliding back to our normal weather with some rain for the next few days and that is a good thing ! Phew !!
Joy : )

RURAL said...

Darla, I know you must get tired of me saying this all the time, lol, but to see flowers on your blog when it's practically still winter here..it's such a joooooyy.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

All your mystery plants turn out to be beautiful. The firecracker plants is great and so is the lily the neighbor gave you.
I let leaves mulch my garden too. I'm all for letting plants return to the soil.

Tømrer Odense said...

This is very beautiful and lovely garden shared on the site. There are very beautiful and enjoyable garden shared on the site. Mostly people are very like it and enjoy it in this garden.

Krista said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! My mouth dropped when I pulled up yours. The flowers you have pictured are just gorgeous! I wish I had lots of flowers...maybe this is the year for planting.

I also added a followers link to my blog. Honestly I didn't realize that I didn't have one on my main page. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!

Beth said...

Love your firecrackers, Darla! Your border of alyssum and red petunias is really stunning, as is your container. Although we had a very mild winter and early, warm spring, our last frost day is May 15...it's hard to wait to plant, when we're in the 70s and 80s! I do have peas planted and will soon plant my other cool weather crops. The perennials are up and the bulbs are blooming. I always enjoy visiting your garden, Darla!

Les said...

With zones 2-10 on that Firecraker plant, there aren't many gardeners who can't grow that.

cherry said...

look at all the pretties you got going on already! I'm loving your firecracker blubs that is going to be fun to watch..
Have a wonderful week.
hugs, Cherry