Yes, the winter experiment continues …

Here are the additional seeds I have added to the winter family tucked away in their mini greenhouses. The original list was on my last post… here.

• Tall White Alyssum / grows to about 12″ / Baker Creek
• Blue Star Columbine /grows to 24″ / Burpee
• Kilimanjaro White Marigold / grows to 18″ / Botanical Interest
• Nicotiana Lime Green (Last year’s seed)

Next sowing will be in April when I will start warm season seeds like tomatoes, zinnias, cosmos and such.

LOOKING BACK…

This is my third year doing the winter sowing method. There have been many successes and some failures but it is still such a fun project! Below is an assessment of the previous years…

• ✔️ Some germination
• Ⅹ No Germination
• ⭐️ Outstanding Germination

2021…

• Larkspur (French Alouette) ✔️
• Delphinium (Magic Fountain) ✔️ (took an extra long time)
• Lavender (Munstead) ✔️ (took an extra long time)
• Ammi ⭐️
• Sweet William (Double Blend) ⭐️

2022

• Munstead Lavender ✔️
• Bachelor Buttons (Cyanus Double) ⭐️
• Strawflower (Tall Double Mix) ⭐️
• Candytuft (Old Seed) Ⅹ
• Delphinium (Magic Mountain) ✔️
• Verbena Bonariensis ⭐️
• Orlaya (White Lace) ✔️
• Phacelia (Lacy) ✔️
• Larkspur (White) Ⅹ
• Poppies (Buttercream) Ⅹ
• Foxgloves (Carousel Mix) ⭐️
• Celosia Pink Champagne ⭐️
• Scabiosa (Fama White) Ⅹ

SNAPDRAGONS

I have always loved snapdragons, my kids loved snapdragons and they’re not only beautiful in the garden but also a completely fabulous cut flower.

For several years I’ve found flats of little snapdragon seedlings for sale at Menards. Each year I was on pins and needles to see if that would have them again. Bonus: They were the tall “Rocket” variety I love in solid colors – both pink and white! PERFECT! It was risky to wait but I didn’t have to start from seed.

This year I have gone snapdragon crazy. Have you seen how many gorgeous ones are available from seed??? If they do well in the jugs, my cutting garden will be very happy. If they don’t — well I’ll be scampering back to Menards! Seriously, who am I kidding, I’ll head to Menards anyway for the basic white and pink ones! If you want some, you better get their early and often! They show up without warning.

Snapdragons I’ve been seduced by this year through seed catalogs and online sources:

ROSE CHAT

The lastest podcast to be released was my chat with Gaye Hammond on up-to-the-minute information on Rose Rosette Disease. Next will be Dr. David Byrne on The Research Journey of Sustainable Roses.

Coming in March there will be several released over the next few weeks as part of the SPRING FLING…

Here is a podcast player where they can be found…

FIND YOUR BLOOMATE – Rose Chat Podcast

FIND YOUR BLOOMATE: Lessons from the Philadelphia Flower Show Robin Jennings, Heirloom On this episode of the Rose Chat Podcast, host Teresa Byington chats with Robin Jennings, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Heirloom Roses. Robin recaps Heirloom’s recent experience at the Philadelphia Flower and breaks down the questions they heard from new and non-rose growers reaching for their “perfect bloomate.” From “Are roses hard to grow?” to “Which one won’t die on me?” Robin shares real conversations from the booth floor and unpacks what new gardeners are actually looking for. We’ll talk about the biggest misconceptions around roses, what traits beginners care about most, and how the industry can better guide first-time buyers. If you’ve ever wondered what new gardeners are thinking when they approach roses for the first time, this episode gives you a front-row seat.   The Rose Chat Podcast Our 15th Season MEET THE ROSE CHAT TEAM 🎙 Executive Producer & On-Air Personality Chris VanCleave – RedneckRosarian.com Chris—aka The Redneck Rosarian—is the mastermind behind the Rose Chat Podcast. He’s a nationally known rosarian, speaker, and TV personality who believes roses are for everyone, not just folks with fancy garden gloves. Whether he's talking bloom care or thorny troublemakers, Chris brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of rose wisdom to the mic. 🎙 Content Creator & On-Air Personality Teresa Byington – TheGardenDiary.com Teresa is a Master Gardener, Consulting Rosarian, and one of the kindest garden cheerleaders you’ll ever meet. She’s been growing roses for decades and still gets excited when one bursts into bloom. With stories, tips, and a dash of garden gossip, she helps make Rose Chat feel like a visit with a good friend, who just happens to be a rose expert. Wanna Keep in Touch? We’d love to pop into your inbox now and then (we promise, no spam—just roses). Click here to subscribe to Rose Chat updates!

1. FIND YOUR BLOOMATE 35:29
2. DAVID AUSTIN ROSES 54:44
3. A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON ROSES 54:37
4. A BLOOMING FUTURE FOR ARS & ARC 58:37
5. LANDSCAPING WITH ANTIQUE ROSES 41:25

INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY

Local friends, on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm the Indianapolis Rose Society will have it’s first in-person meeting of 2023. Your’s truly will be giving a program on English Cottage Gardens. Click here for details.

BLOOM THYME

There is only one bloom in my garden and it has come much earlier than previous years. Actually 3 weeks earlier than last year. The beautiful crocus. Welcome back!

BLOOMING INSIDE…

MOVING FROM BROWN TO GREEN

With the warmer temps and tons of rain, I am seeing more green than usual! Someone told me this week that we are on course for spring to arrive 3 weeks early. That is exactly how early my crocus are.

Even the evergreens are beginning to lose a bit of their bronze winter hue. Green is certainly welcome here. Yes, green is not only welcome as it speaks to the coming season — it is so peaceful and soothing. Reminds me of a favorite scripture…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.³ He restoreth my soul: 

Psalm 23

Yes, green is very soothing and such a welcome sight but we won’t forget about winter. We know just how fickle it can be.

Friends, I would love to hear about seeds you are growing this year regardless of the method. And, what about snapdragons – thumbs up or down?

Until next time…