spring flowers #3

More spring flowers. I like both of these as much for the habit of the seed head as for the flower itself.

It took me several days to correctly identify Centaura montana, commonly called Mountain bluet though in the Midwest it is sometimes referred to as Perennial cornflower. One of the problems was that I couldn't remember where I obtained the original specimen. Erroneously, I believed the plant to have come from a native plant sale and indeed it may have. However, I could never locate it in any of a number of native guide books. The reason? It is native to the mountains of Southern Europe but has been introduced into the US where is has established a fairly wide distribution. Although typically found in higher elevations than the great plains, it has acclimated itself very well to a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden. It's seed head always reminds me of a reptile because of its scalar appearance. Despite the flower's fragile appearance it is actually a decent cut flower and the profusion of blooms and length of the bloom period (as long a month) are a double bonus.


One of the real gems of the late spring garden are red poppies. The color on these poppies stops neighborhood walkers in their tracks; it's fun to watch them go in for a closer look like they're an insect searching for pollen. There are few other flowers with this vibrant of a red and when these blooms open they're about 6 inches across. When they close up (clouds or rain will shut them up) they form an almost perfect triangle. Their seed heads are so interesting they send some folks soaring.

This version corrects an earlier post.

spring flowers #2

Irises. Totally dig them. Not just for the sexiness of the flower but for the aroma. Right now my yard is loaded with irises and the lilac is blooming so one can stand in the yard and get heady with spring.

spring flowers #1

What do you do when you can't give your mom flowers? Give them to someone else. So this week we are sending out spring flowers to my friend Kim who loves to grow flowers and lost her mom this past year. Damn moms. Can't live forever.

I've always liked columbine and until a few years ago could never really figure out how to cultivate it. The trick that I learned, which seems to be true of many native plants, is to not disturb them. For years I monkeyed with my flower beds almost year round. Adding compost, covering them up, uncovering them, loosening the soil the first sign of spring. All of that can be well and good but many native plants don't like being disturbed before it's time to rise in the spring. For the columbine, I've set aside an area at the edge of a large fir tree. After the flowers bloom, I take the seed heads and scatter them about in the pine straw. Then I wait until I see little sprouts popping up and those I carefully transplant as I expand the area that contains the columbine. It's a lot less painful than trying to raise them in flats indoors. And once you get a few plants established you can begin to generate lots of seeds.

the flower project

Everyone should have at least 2 projects designed to change the world. Here's one called The Flower Project. The Flower Project has three very simple rules. They must be followed. There are no exceptions. If you don't like the rules, then get your own project and stay away from moi's.

The Flower Project.

Rule 1. Give someone flowers. Anyone. There can be no gender, race, or ethnicity restrictions to the gifting. The rule only states that you have to give the flowers IN PERSON to someone who is either a friend, or that you wish to be friends with. That's it. Ok. Let's review the very important rule number 1.

There are NO strings attached to the flower giving. NONE. So if you're hoping to give flowers in exchange for example, sex, or the promise of sex, well then that's a different project altogether called courting. You can still do that, and it can be part of the flower project, and moi definitely encourages you to do that, it just can't be the ONLY part of the flower project. Since there are no strings attached to the flower giving then when you give the flowers to someone other than your mate, spouse, or lover then they have no reason to be jealous. Unless you're hiding the fact that you're doing it and then that's a whole different project altogether and it's called deceit. The Flower Project is transparent. Also, you can't limit the flower giving to members of the opposite sex. You have to give to both sexes. Nor can you limit the gifting to any particular race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Yes, this is going to be difficult for some of you, but remember, there are no strings attached to the giving so this can help prevent confusion. Remember there is a simple goal in mind with the Flower Project and that is TO CHANGE THE WORLD. Anything less is a different project.

Rule 2. You have to grow the flowers yourself. Anyone can buy flowers and buying and giving flowers is a very nice sentiment, but altogether a different project. In order to grow flowers you have to go into the world and be part of it and thus you are extending the project beyond the bounds of the act of giving and The Flower Project strives to be extensive and far-reaching. Don't worry about what kind of flowers to grow and give away because there are thousands of varieties and you can grow flowers anwhere, in a shoebox if need be. Once you grow some flowers and give them away you will find that it absolutely DOES NOT MATTER what kind they are. People love getting flowers. So grow on now.

Rule 3. Considered by some the most important rule. You cannot use any inorganic pesticides and/or synthetic fertilizers in growing your flowers. They have to be grown organicaly which is really, really simple. Put all that shit designed to kill the world in the hazardous waste disposal bin and start loving the world again.

That's it. 3 rules. Lot's of flowers. Change the world.

Example Application. These flowers, mostly native prairie plants with a few hybrid versions of them, were grown on the grounds of the World Wide Anthill Headquarters in Kansas City. Although sometimes difficult to intially establish, once established, prairie plants -- unlike their more domesticated, hybrid cousins -- are incredibly drought resistant and tolerant to all sorts of misery like late frosts. I picked these flowers for my friend Deb, who lives in California, which is a long way from Kansas City. Close readers of the rules will immediately note that this a violation of rule 1 - you have to give them in person. However, note this. It's moi's project, and moi, unlike you, can change the rules at any time. If YOU want to change the rules, then you should get your own damn project.