…Is that You Can Surprise Yourself!
This weekend I was doing some weeding and noticed some weeds that looked vaguely familiar. I have been surprised in the past by some “rogue flowers” and decided not to pull them until I had identified them. A couple hours later it dawned on me that they were hollyhock seedlings:
Then I remembered that last fall I took seeds from some of my hollyhock plants and planted them all around the yard. I can’t wait to see what colors I planted!
My mature Hollyhocks are several feet high and have developed blossoms, but have not yet bloomed. You can see some of them behind the snapdragons:
Everything I have ever read says that snapdragons are annuals, but I swear mine are perennials. They do not just reseed themselves, they grow in the exact same spot and in the spring green leaves begin to emerge at the base of the “dead” plants (I have at least 50 snapdragons that have done this) in the same manner as my Butterfly Bushes or Russian Sage. Have any of you had this experience? I am in zone 4, so I should be able to kill an annual without much trouble.
The Scotch Brooms have bloomed:
The irises finally began to open:
There really isn’t a lot of color in my yard right now as I am between spring and summer flowers, so I have been devoting myself to caring for my vegetable garden and weeding.
Tomorrow I will post an update on my vegetable garden, where I was able to surprise myself again! Most of my friends are complaining about their bad memory, but I am finding it perfectly delightful!
Do you grow your own fruits and vegetables or do you prefer to devote your time to ornamental gardens?
To view more gardens from around the world, visit Flaunt Your Flowers Friday at Tootsie Time.
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Meadowsweet Cottage says
Snapdragons that act like perennials instead of annuals were one of my favorite surprises here. My hollyhocks seedlings are big enough for blossoms this year and I can hardly wait to see what colors–I'm hoping for a rich pink!
Tootsie says
Oh wow…I wish I had some perennial snaps!!! you are very lucky …they are one of my favorites…I just got a holly hock…I had some in the past and the leave just got huge…like rhubarb…but never bloomed…
I bought just one as a try over…lol
I can't wait to see yours blooming!
thanks for joining in this week!
Sweet Bee Cottage says
I forgot to say how nice everything else looks!
Sweet Bee Cottage says
Oh I so envy you and your hollyhocks. I have somehow managed to kill them every time I've tried to grow them.
Alea says
siteseer, My hollyhocks bloomed late the first year. Each year they've gotten bigger and fuller. I hope you see flowers before the season is out.
siteseer says
this is my first year of hollyhocks and I'm hoping they bloom. So far they look real healthy, but no sign of buds or blooms. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Hocking Hills Gardener says
What a beautiful blue Iris. Your reseeded snapdragons are so pretty. They are such troopers and just keep on going. Beautiful color.
Alea says
Cass, I am so glad that you have also had this experience. I have combed the internet and could not find any reference to it. Good thing I am lazy and didn't pull them up when they died or I never would have made this discovery!
Cass @ That Old House says
OH YES I agree about snapdragons. Here in northern New Jersey, with plenty of snow and cold, mine would survive usually 3 years — and keep coming back better each year!
Yay, I thought I was the only one!
I always grew snaps when my girls were little — they loved to play "puppets" with the blossoms and make them talk.
Happy FF… Cass
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Enjoy the hollyhocks, mine is just about done blooming now.