| Author |
Garden Gate:  Lilac Season  |
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 12 2005 : 11:32:35 AM
|
Have the lilacs started blooming yet for you all? Do you have some bushes planted in your yards, and what varieties do you like? I planted 2 bushes 13 years ago near my drive and they are the common persian variety, purple and very fragrant. Five years ago my small herd of Dexters got loose and trampled my lilacs almost to the ground. They recovered but are half the size they should be. I also have a white variety called "Nancy Lemoine" that has done well and is a sweet soft scent and big full blossoms. My persians are starting to bloom and their scent is so nostalgic for some reason. I have heard that lilacs are the scent of memory. Hope you all can enjoy them this spring.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2005 : 2:17:44 PM
|
oooo! I love lilacs!My husband's grandmother had loved them too. She planted about 20 different plants around the yard in various shades and cultivars. They were twice as tall as me and many had poison ivy twining it's way through them so my husband topped them (more like halved them!) and dealt with the poison ivy. They have come back but my favorites are the old fashioned greyish purple with that overpowering scent that leaves you dizzy! Ours are just budding now , our night temp last night was 34! The weekend was in the 60's so alot of plants popped (forsythia, bradford pears,weeping cherries,redbuds and some bulbs) but the temp dropped back to the 50's at day so alot of things are going to last for a bit...YEAH!
We have alot of Springs that go from freezing to the 70's and it seems like Spring lasts only a little while. If we have a long cool spring, summer is usually not too bad (hot and humid). I have little white violets all through my front lawn, I'll have to pick some to sugar for cakes before we mow! Can you believe my neighbor asked me yesterday was weed killer against my religion?!!!
with a happy heart |
 |
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2005 : 3:06:30 PM
|
White Violets Bramble, how beautiful! I always associate violets and lilacs with our grandmothers for some reason. How did you respond to your neighbors comment about the weed killer? Just curious...I know how I would have respnded!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2005 : 6:22:34 PM
|
These violets and lilacs I associate with my husband's grandmother who I was lucky enough to know. She was the only great grandparent alive when my son was born and he remembers her too. She was not your warm fuzzy, homey type, but stylish, and fun and loved to laugh and work in her yard. We spent time in this yard together so I always think of her when I plant something new. She, like me preferred outside to doing housework, so we understood each other from the start! Her violets will run rampant as long as I live here that is for sure!
As for the neighbor... there is no hope for insipidly stupid people
so I just answered "why actually, yes Jim, we druids worship all of nature and would prefer not to poison it". He just mumbled something and went away! He is so dumb that it didn't dawn on him his company did some work recently at our (church) meeting house! See what I mean ?!!! That was a tad naughty on my part but, he's such a twit!
And I refuse to sit on the "naughty mat"!
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2005 : 8:24:59 PM
|
You handled it very well Bramble I must say...You are sooo right about SOME people! Depending where I am at in my monthly cycle it could get ugly with remarks like that...and I can be true to my Aries nature and want to butt some heads at times But why bother right? Live and let live...count to ten...deep breaths and so on But to bring religion in to it...hmmmm.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2005 : 11:42:15 AM
|
I have a big row of old old lilacs on the west side of my front yard and back yard..they are at least 15 feet tall and there are several varities. I figure someone's grandma planted them and I love them...they usually bloom in early May and I LOVE it! the little wild violets that bloom under them are an extra treat!! Did I ever tell you gals that I did candied violets and pansies and johnny jump ups on my wedding cake spilling out of a small basket down one side..it was so cool..I loved that. Fun to make it myself too. Fun project for my neice and I, doing the candying. I should do that with my daughters this year and we can make a spring celebration cake or something!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
|
|
|
terese
True Blue Farmgirl
63 Posts
terese
chagrinfalls
ohio
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2005 : 12:49:23 PM
|
Lily of the Valley...as a florist in the spring they are a joy to have
Our field overflows with them and it is my first gift of spring on
my land.
beginnings |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2005 : 1:15:37 PM
|
Jenny if you can ever post pics of your cake, I'd love to see it!
It sounds great! I'll be sugaring violets tomorrow!
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2005 : 2:19:50 PM
|
Terese, I am green with envy! A field of Lily of the Valley! Bet it smells wonderful in your field! My mother carried a bouquet of Lily of the Valley for her wedding 50 years ago...So delicate and feminine!I planted my first sprigs a few weeks ago in a shade garden I am developing...can hardly wait for the blooms to appear! Jenny, I also would love to see your cakes!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2005 : 06:07:38 AM
|
Like the violets and lilacs, there was a patch of lily of the valley
when we got here. I have divided it and replanted the pips in areas
where we can enjoy that delightful scent. I can only imagine what a field must look and smell like...heaven?!!! Ours don't bloom until late May/early June. Honeysuckle, lily of the valley, jasmine and orange blossom have got to be some of my favorite naturally occuring scents.
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2005 : 08:02:19 AM
|
My lily of the valley is just beginning to bloom and the fragrance takes over where the evergreen clematis "Montana" leaves off. I have patches of it all over the place. It takes over where ever it is planted even into the gravel of the driveway. I think of it a sort of a welcome weed. The violets are the same. I have white, purple and even a patch of yellow dog tooth violets. They have been blooming most of the past two months amidst the patches of green we call grass.
My tulips are full blown now and the daffodils and narcissus are finished. Rhododendrons are opening up and apple blossoms will be open before the end of the week. Love the smell of apple blossoms!
Happy Happy Spring everyone!
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2005 : 3:19:42 PM
|
bramble,
thank you for the best giggle I've had all day today!!! He must be related to my old boss. I had a bumper sticker that said "No farms, No food" and he actually inquired if I thought the manufactured stuff(? maybe he meant gentically repoduced) was enough to not need as many farmers in this day and age. If anyone makes you sit on the "naughty mat" I'll join you!
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
|
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2005 : 4:02:31 PM
|
Count me in on the naughty mat too.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: Lilac Season |
|
Lilac Season
