Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Taurus

The parade of flowers continues.

The Spirea began to bloom this morning.

I love watching the relationship
between bloom and pollinator.





I have begun to dry my Spring flowers.




This trellis idea inspired me.
Not all flowers dry very well.


Cut liliacs wilt in the vase in just a couple of days.


I have many vases of lilacs scenting the house.
Once they wilt I lay them in a flower basket to dry.
I use the flowers in my potpouri.


This is my first year to dry Dogwood blooms.


Columbine is so pretty.
I have never seen a bee or a butterfly on the bloom.
I wonder how it is pollinated.
I have never tried to dry the blooms.
 I shall conduct an experiment and see how they dry.

The soapwort is blooming.
Not only will I dry some of the blooms
but also I will press some for my herb journal.
I also want to make up a few bottles of shampoo.
Another experiment.

The chamomile is just beginning to bud.
I use lots of it in the winter for my nightly tea.
I will be air drying many bundles.


This afternoon the first Iris bloom.
I always think the iris are in bloom
for Mother's Day.
This is early for iris.



I brought the watering bell out.
I submerge the terra cotta bell in my watering can
to fill it.

I cover the thumb hole when I remove the bell.
When I water I simply move my thumb.
A gentle spray waters tender seedlings.


 I celebrate Paris in the month of April


and Liliy of the Valley.


I pick half of the blooms for drying and for small arrangements.
The scent is intoxicating to me.
I make sweet nosegays for me to enjoy.


I shall look for Aldebaran, the eye of the bull,
when I walk tonight.
We have entered the days of Taurus,
the second house of the zodiac.
The dandelion clocks
tell me Earth Day is drawing near.
April showers are once again in the forecast.


7 comments:

Randy Emmitt said...

Sherry,
Wonderful images as usual! I have taken photos of two different butterflies in Carolina Columbine, Pipevine Swallowtail and Eastern Tailed-Blue. We have hundreds of columbine blooms this year but as you noted nothing visiting at least when I was looking.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I don't know all the pollinators of columbine but Hummingbirds certainly love those blooms. Our Lily of the Valley is blooming now too as well as the early irises. It does seem early. Your photos are marvelous of the flowers.

Deb said...

Wonderful drying rack idea :-)

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry.......the watering bell is lovely, I have never seen one. What a delightful way to water seedlings.

Bumble bees pollinate our Columbine.....especially the Carder. I see them visit frequently.

My daughter is a Taurus. An earth sign....I am fond of those who are earth signs. Water does well with earth......

We need rain. Whilst it is still cold the soil is very dry. We have not had rain for weeks. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come.

BTW love the drying rack.....now that would be fun.

Amy said...

Hi Sherry, Beautiful photos as always - I never thought to dry my lilac blooms so thanks for that tip!

The water bell is so unique and I love the Paris poster too - just a great post.

We've had quite a bit of rain in the last two days - personally, I'm ready for sunshine. It sure was nice to have everything watered naturally though!

marmee said...

every time i visit you sherry, i am inspired. inspired to do better, to think differently, to try new things. thank you for that. i love your april images.
happy days of april.

Kelly said...

oh, lilly of the valley! i love those! used to grow around my house when i was a kid...tried to grow them at our old house but they never bloomed! i would love to smell them!