Birdseed Sunflower
From the time Bear was a very little girl, we played a game which we call “I love you more than . . . .” The rules of the game are very fluid, and I don’t remember how it started, but it always tickled her into belly laughs and sometimes, oohs and aahs. It goes like this:
“I love you more than sunflowers love the sun.”
“Well, I love you more than shoes love shoelaces.”
[Giggling ensues]
“Mommy, I love you more than your hands love gardening gloves.”
“Bear, I love you more than tires love asphalt” (We own a paving company after all.)
As you can see, the sillier the better. A word association game made of the animate and inanimate which need each other. We played it as I drove her to school, to tae kwon do classes, to buy groceries, or to the plant store. We still occasionally play it as a joke, although she is really too old for it now.
'Victoria Blue' Salvia, Echinacea purpurea with autumn sage behind
Our game came to me today while I bought a few bulbs. Okay, I bought a lot of bulbs. As you know, I have a little party of 30 to 40 family members each Easter. The food menu never changes, because all families have their favorites. However, each spring, outdoors, I try to outdo what I’ve done the year before, and bulbs are a large part of the decor. Starting in fall, I dream of better combinations and more unusual ones. The relatives seem to get a kick out of it, and I get a kick out of them. I stagger the bloom time buying bulbs which bloom early, mid and late because I never know what an Oklahoma spring will bring. Will it be hot and dry, causing the blooms to finish early, or will it be cool and wet, making them linger? Further, Easter is a movable feast on the calendar based upon the moon so I also take that into consideration.
Even with the blue sky behind it, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, giant ragweed is ugly and an allergy nuisance
Bulb buying has another purpose. Right now, if you live in Oklahoma, I’m guessing that unless you’re a diehard, you’re a bit tired of the gardening season. The ragweed is blooming right on schedule, and if you aren’t exhausted by the heat and humidity, you’re walking around with a permanent headache from allergies. After summer (which we are still in no matter what the schools think), there is a gradual cool down, along with some rainfall, which brings out the best in the garden. However, you may still be recuperating from the work you put into the vegetables or the flowers. I bet you even occasionally dream of the end of mowing, winter coming and the great rest.
Unknown Narcissus with 'Ogon' Spirea behind
I believe that’s why people in Oklahoma don’t always buy bulbs. Sure, hybrid tulips are expensive annuals, but daffodils and many other bulbs return year after year. After that long winter nap, you will be begging for color. There’s something essential to the human psyche about seeing new, green growth peeking its head out of the mulch and then moving rapidly on to outrageous flower. If you want drama, try something new, something you’ve never grown before like Narcissus ‘Maria’, Fritillaria persica, or Allium ‘Ambassador’.
Tulipa 'Purple Dream'
“I love you like the flowers love the rain.”
So, buy yourself some bulbs, and buy the good ones. Go to a site like Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Old House Gardens, or Southern Bulb Company where the bulbs are bigger and of better quality and get your garden something nice to wear next spring.
What a sweet game, Dee! My kids and I used to play an "animal game" to while away the time while driving, and now I'm playing it with my grandkids:) I planted so many bulbs last year I swore I wasn't going to get carried away again this fall, but now I'm feeling the urge. I love the "Purple Dream" tulips–that would definitely add something "new" and some "drama" to my spring garden!
Oh, I love that you're now playing it with your grandchildren. One of the great things about being a parent or a grandparent is that we get to be children again with them. It's one of God's subtle gifts I think.
Oh, honey-bunny, thank you for both the game and the encouragement for planting bulbs. I'm going right now to buy some. And when I saw the OK house for the last time, I pulled up more of the iris tubers growing from those you gave me and brought them down here. I'm sooo glad I did!
Curtiss Ann, darlin', I'm so glad you liked the iris. It will always be another link to our friendship. When you get the bulbs, let me know what you get.
Brent and Becky's is my favorite for hard to find bulbs. Of course, here in Hooterville, anything other than daffs and narcissus are "hard to find". I get all giddy over bulbs because they hold the promise of cooler days!
Nola, LOL! I must live in Hooterville too!
I like this post more than the spoon likes the soup. I used to play that game with my best friend and it was a lot of silly fun. Thank you for reminder on bulbs, I won't be buying yet, but it's the time to come up with a new cool flower layout. Planning the composition is almost as fun as actually enjoying the flowers.
Dominika, thanks for playing along and for stopping by. Glad you got to play it with your friend too. Sweet memories. Yes, the plan can while away the hours.
I love you more than the birds love the birdseed sunflowers. See you soon. Great post.
Love ya too Mary Ann. See you in a couple of weeks. Can’t believe Raleigh meetup is nearly here.
Oh I am so looking forward to the "great rest" but here in central Oklahoma planting is still going strong as you know. I bought too many plants at Bustani last Friday but they are planted. I never think to plant bulbs. Thank you for the links, I'll see what I can't live without!
I’m glad you got some pretties from Steve and you got them planted. 🙂 I didn’t go this fall, and I nearly let two plants from TLC die, but got them in before the rain yesterday.
The flowers look exquisitely beautiful, but ragweed causes allergy that makes it important to be cautious about it. The season is also right for ragweed nuisance and it is important to know theragweed and other allergy alerts from different websites that provide these informations.
Cliff
Cliff, I agree, ragweed is a scourge. I wasn’t promoting its flowers. I was identifying it for my readers. Thanks for the link.
What a sweet game…that is one of those memories that will come back to warm your heart the rest of your life.
I have been trying to resist buying bulbs yet–it is so hot, I don't even want to think about it…but after your post, I am more inspired–thanks!
Thanks Jenny. Yes, memories of the small things are the best. I hope you do plant a few bulbs. They brighten spring.
My daughter and I played that game too, Dee! It all started after reading the book "Guess How Much I Love You." Very sweet, and lots of fun too.
Hi Pam, I saw on the radar that Austin may be getting some rain. Here's hoping so. I think a lot of us played that game because of that wonderful book. I read it to all my children. I'm glad you all played it too.
What a sweet game, it made me smile! And thank you for the reminder on the bulbs, I have not really gone in for them before, but I will get on with it now.
Oh and Happy Birthday to you 🙂
Thanks Sarah for the birthday wishes. I hope you plant some bulbs. Having children meant I got to be a child again for awhile. For that, I am truly grateful.
Such happy memories for you and Bear both! It's funny how things like that stick with you. The little moments are the ones you remember, just as sometimes the little bulbs are the ones that make the most impact!
Yes, Cindy, it is the little moments we remember, and for them I am truly grateful.
Love those daffodils, Dee. They are my favorites and since the deer don’t eat them, I keep adding more each year. But it’s still too hot for me to think about them yet…soon, though, soon. And I will check out your recommended bulb companies, I’ve never ordered from them before. Bigger, better bulbs sound good to me!
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Happy Labor Day! =-.
Yes, Diana, you have a way to go before fall starts nipping at your heels. Hope you're getting rain. The radar says you are.
I am also excited about planning for next spring – but I am having trouble picking out a climbing rose. I live just north of the Red River, and have an arbor on the west side of my yard. Is there any climbing rose that could survive that exposure? New Dawn loves it on the southeast side of the house. Should I give up and try some other vine? I have dreams of a beautiful entry to my garden.
Hi Patty Lee, gee, west exposure is hot, hot, hot. However, call the folks at Chamblee's Roses (you can search for them on google) and ask them about 'Cl. Old Blush' or 'Cl. Pinkie'. Mine both grow in full sun, but they aren't against a house. They may have some other suggestions too. Good luck.
Good idea to get those bulbs now. I usually wait until it is almost too late. achoooo. Oh excuse me, the rag weed ya know.
Lisa, LOL! God Bless You. Blasted ragweed.
Dee, Tulipa 'Purple Dream' is a dream! Love the color and shape. You know I haven't finished ordering bulbs….besides, it looks like the squirrels dined on the tulips from last year….I am going to visit Southern Bulb. What did you order? gail
Hi Gail, I did love 'Purple Dream' and her pointed petals. Let's see, I ordered from all three companies. I love them all, but from Southern Bulb I will receive red resurrection lilies (naked ladies), 'Lady Jane' tulip (a species type), pink rain lilies and a couple of daffodils. I'm sorry about the blasted squirrels. Hate them at times.~~Dee
Good advice on bulbs for anyone, not just those in Oklahoma. It makes spring so much nicer to have the bulbs all flowering at Easter time. And I love the tie in to your game with Bear. May a little piece of her never be too old to play that game with you!
Thanks Carol. You're right, everyone gets tired and needs that spring boost don't they?~~Dee
Yes, I need to get those catalogs out. Find it funny that you call your winter "the great rest." I guess I should call our summer, "the brief intermission."
Kathy, I am truly laughing. Your summer could be called a "respite from winter snows" or something like that.~~Dee
What a sweet game you & Bear played. It is hard to thing about spring bulbs when you’re still wearing shorts, but it is a good idea to order early, order often. I like your mystery Daffodils, reverse yellow bicolors are my favorite.
.-= Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog ..The Best Laid Plans =-.
Thanks MMD. I loved that game, and it kept my brain young because I kept having to think of things which went with each other. Bear giggled today when I told her I was writing about it. I love those daffs too, and the reverse is one of my faves.~~Dee
My birdseed Sunflower looks a lot like yours, Dee – and maybe your post will inspire me to get some Spanish bluebells like MSS grows – think they are classified as Hyacinthoides now? It's been a crummy year here (don't even see ragweed!), but there are a few oxblood lilies pushing up, reminding me that bulbs can be pretty tough!
You and your daughter have a cool game – "I love you like the flowers love the rain.”
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Oh, Annie, I know, you Austinites have had a miserable summer. I am so sorry. Yes, bulbs are tough like you gardeners. You both persevere when not much else can. I'm sending rain blessings to you right now.~~Dee