25 January 2010

"Rainbows, Pots of Gold and Moonbeams..."


Isn't it funny what a word or two will trigger in our heads? When I read Rebecca's post offering a Rainbow Invitation to fellow bloggers, I knew I would have to participate, because rainbows are one of those things that make me instantly happy. I surround myself with them, with faceted crystals that send rainbow light dancing through my office at just the hint of sunlight, (and sometimes even without), with rainbow coloured fun things...and with plants of course.

Thinking about a title for this post, the first thing that came into my head was the old song by Studebaker Hawk, 'Rainbows, Pots of Gold and Moonbeams.' Usually it's Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" that pops into my head, or possibly David Cook's Time of my Life, which we snarky Cook fans refer to as the Magic Frakkin' Rainbow song. Or possibly something from Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' album.

Okay, it's entirely I'm possibly procrastinating today because I should be writing plant profiles for a work project, not poking through my iTunes collection. Onwards with the floral rainbow.


Poppies are freerange around our place, which I should have called Poppy Hill instead of Sunflower Hill, I suppose. They are instant happy-making, whether they're red, purple, orange, yellow, white...or blue.


I've finally mastered the art of growing geums: not too much winter wet, and they'll come through and flourish nicely. And cutting the spent blossoms means they'll flower for a lot longer. This is 'Cooky'.

Yellow roses just do it for me, providing they are hardy to my garden's foibles. Of the three that I grow, this is the most fragrant, (and the thorniest), the lovely rugosa hybrid 'Topaz Jewel'.


Oh, well it can be no surprise to anyone who knows my tastes that for green, I'd have to trot out Echinacea 'Green Envy', which still continues to delight me. I have 'Coconut Lime' double echinacea as well, which also does splendidly, but of all the funky coloured cones, 'Green Envy' is still my first love.
Bet you thought I was going to torment y'all with Meconopsis (the naughty blue poppy) here, didn't you? I did an ode-to-blue flowers a few weeks back because I do adore them, and while Meconopsis is important to me, it's the china blue forget-me-nots that touch my heart most deeply, because of my Dad, who died of Alzheimer's disease almost five years ago.

For my indigo offering, I couldn't resist presenting the Perennial Plant Association's 2010 Perennial of the Year, Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis). It is an awesome perennial, but don't be in a hurry for it to bloom after you plant it, and don't move it because it will pout and sulk even longer.

We do clematis really, really well here, because of the cool dampness that keeps the roots happy, and because we work our way out of the fog in time to bathe most of the species and hybrids we have in warm sunlight. I think this is 'Jackmanii', though I can't be sure because we rescued it years ago from a house that was going to be torn down.

A note to regular readers: this next few weeks are going to be particularly hectic for me, so I may slow down in both posting and in visiting, commenting on, and 'picking' posts from other blogs. Rest assured, please, that all is well, and I will have some good news to share a little ways down the road. Maybe not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but happy news none-the-less.

26 comments:

  1. I love your rainbow of colors. They are delightful on this gloomy snowy day!

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  2. This is one rainbow I would never tire of looking at. Beautiful flowers. Now get to work. ;)

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  3. Dear Jodi, I do envy you your Echinacea 'Green Envy' - a wonderful looking flower. Why have I restricted myself to E. 'White Swan' all these years? My other favourite in your delightful Rainbow is Baptisia australis which in my experience is seldom seen in English gardens.

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  4. I love your rainbow of flowers, Jodi. I always love red poppies, but also love the false indigo as well...

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  5. Good ROYGBIV show. Your Clematis's profusive blooms makes me quite green and a little blue.

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  6. Definitely some nice colors to brighten up an otherwise dreary day here in TN. Good luck with your projects!

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  7. the poppy photo is terrific - and all of your flowers look so well cared for. There's something funny about scrolling down all the pretty flowers when some fangs appear off to the side!

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  8. Wow these are all such gorgeous pictures, the colors so rich! I have Geum 'Cooky' and am glad to learn she needs to be deadheaded, otherwise it doesn't bloom long for me.

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  9. Jodi,
    What a beautiful selection of blooms in rainbow colors. We share similar taste... poppies are near and dear to me, and I've never met a yellow rose I didn't like. I love your blue forget-me-nots, and I'm sorry to hear about your father. My father suffers from dementia, and I can appreciate the struggles for those that suffer from these illnesses, as well as their families.
    I do not believe I have seen a Clematis quite so stuffed full of blooms. Yours is beautiful!! ;)

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  10. Very pretty blooms! I loved them all and I think my favorite was the green Envy. I might have to check into getting some of those pretty flowers!

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  11. Love your flower rainbow~Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole's song always moves me to near tears! gail

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  12. Ohhh what a lovely rainbow post. The synbolic Forget-me-nots are so wonderfully blue in your photo, making me sigh.

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  13. I love everything (crystals, poppies, forget-me-nots ...) about this happy post, dear Jodi, especially the hint of good news at the end of your rainbow!

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  14. All the rainbow blooms are so pretty, and clematis is outstanding! Simple beauty of forget-me-nots is very special.

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  15. Jodi I love your rainbow of flowers. The blue For-get-me-nots and the Green Envy Echinacea. Well to tell the truth I love them all. LOL!Just not too many flowers I do not like. They are so welcome today when the winds are cold and the snow has returned.

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  16. Super gorgeous post! Lovely tribute to your dad..I loved the blue faced forget me nots!! Fabulous shots!! Gorgeous rainbow array!

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  17. Dear Jodi, I am so sorry about your dad. The forget me not is so perfect in every way. This plant reminds us of our dear mother in law, who passed away about the same time. We shared our forget me nots with her, one of the very first plants we ever placed in the ground at our first house. As we moved around the country, we could always get some seedlings of the forget me nots from her gardens to keep a connection to the past. We have them still, descendents from her, and my originals. Your rainbows brings smiles here as well. :-)
    Frances

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  18. Hello J, It looks like Jackmanii to me, also similar to 'Lasurstern', or 'H.F Young', flowering will be the key, but hay I'm in Canada and everything flowers slightly different times! Loved the colour, loved the words. Don't work too hard or be away too long!
    The Gardener x

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  19. I think those sweet little forget-me-nots have enchanted me... :)

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  20. Gasp! I was sure I had posted here a few days ago. I'm so sorry, given it was my invitation. I really appreciate your participation, and your post is beautiful. Your choice for green is GORGEOUS, I had no idea such a flower existed. The list is getting longer and longer.

    (thank you for not torturing us with the coveted poppy ;) )

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  21. Hi Jodi! Gosh I have to be careful leaving comments from blotanical... I will start always opening in different window or whatever it says... I say all this for I left a comment on this lovely post and it is not here. I had left a comment saying how taken I was with your crystal and all the rainbows within it and the lovely blue forget me nots ... I remember being touched by your connection to your father through these sweet blooms. Beautiful post and photos! Oh I recall saying something about your upcoming busy time and hoping it is a success and joy filled. ;>) Carol

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  22. Hi Jodi! What a great rainbow post. This is a wonderful idea, I'm just not feeling up to it... no, I'm not depressed. Just too busy with other life-details. Perhaps I could try it another time?? :-)

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  23. Jodi, you have a marvelous rainbow collection of flowers here. Those beautiful forget-me-nots is a touching tribute in loving memory of your dad. Glad to know that your busy schedule ahead has got to do with good news. Here's wishing you a happy and relaxing weekend before you start a busy week.

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  24. Brilliant colours! I needed them on this grey and white day.

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  25. I envy your echinacea, but the forget me not photo is such a beautiful blue and such a nice tribute.

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