It is mid May, a wonderful time for gardeners in northern Illinois. It's finally time for planting.
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| at Ozzie's Greenhouse, north of Hinckley |
These geraniums exerted their siren song and drew me into the greenhouse at Ozzie's where I couldn't resist the dark red Calliope geraniums. Their deep red was so luscious, and geraniums are a particular favorite of ours. For many years, I had one geranium that I moved from one house to another and it grew in a large pot, most recently in our dining room. I finally had to let it go a few years ago, which kind of broke our daughter's heart. She is too sensitive. I think we let her read too much poetry as an impressionable youngster. She may have even read my favorite flower poem, "The Geranium" by Theodore Roethke. I just hope my new geraniums meet a happier fate.
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| Calliope dark red with Diamond Frost Euphorbia |
"The Geranium"
When I put her out, once, by the garbage pail,
She looked so limp and bedraggled,
So foolish and trusting, like a sick poodle,
Or a wizened aster in late September,
I brought her back in again
. . .
Near the end, she seemed almost to hear me--
And that was scary--
So when that snuffling cretin of a maid
Threw her, pot and all, into the trash-can,
I said nothing.
But I sacked the presumptuous hag the next week,
I was that lonely.
I also planted a couple of tomato plants (in pots so they can try to find the minimal sun in the yard), basil, parsley, nasturtiums, and rosemary. Window boxes are still to come.
Hope things are blooming where you are!
Linking to:
God's Growing Garden
Mercantile Muse
I love that poem...sacked the old hag, lol. We just put in a few more rows of corn and peas, my herbs are exploding...and my rose garden? needs deadheading right now. heehee. I love spring.
ReplyDeleteDebbi
-yankeeburrowcreations
honestly, what a hoot that poem is! Ah geraniums. One of my favorites. Always plant them in the window box on my shed - with red, white and blue color scheme. Then I get others that tickle my fancy for the pot by the front and back doors. I just love 'em and they're pretty hardy. I've even brought them in and had them last till next Spring.
ReplyDeleteOh, geraniums! I grew up with lots of those, as my mother used to plant them! :) Memories...xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt's at this time of year that I miss my garden - until I remember that doing it on a slope is the reason I gave it up! Where we are now, everything is done for us so that we can look out of our windows and see the Site Supervisor doing all the hard work. Think that there's a lot to be said for it! However, I do wish all of you so active gardeners the best of fortune in your growing endeavours!
ReplyDeleteGeraniums are lovely. That's quite a poem, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy parents had them growing in their flowers beds, when I was a child.
It's always nice to have tomatoes, basil growing nearby. Thanks for visiting and leaving me sweet thoughts. have a great week!
I love Geraniums. Sadly, I have killed many. Me and my big ole black thumb. My sweet MIL bought me one for the front of my house. She would come and water it when it needed it. I wasn't allowed to touch it (because of my black thumb), but it sure was pretty while it lasted. I love rosemary too! YUM!
ReplyDeleteHi! Stopping by to see YOU too from God's Growing Garden blog hop. I love geraniums, especially red ones, which is the name of that pizza place. I once ordered a pizza from Red Geranium Pizza. The delivery driver could not find our apartment, and was 2 1/2 hours late. Of course they gave us the pizza, which was worth the near starvation experience of me and my 9-yo son (35 now).
ReplyDeleteYour images are beautiful, as is your header. See you around.
Your greenhouse picture is stunningly beautiful! Thank you for linking this post to my blog hop!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in California, even though my Mom was not a gardener, she always had red geraniums growing by our porch. Since the weather out there was wonderful most of the year, they grew huge! They are my favorites, especially the red and the white ones! That nursery looks fabulous, what a great selection!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Those geraniums looks beautiful. I've got to find another plant to go alongside my front steps, but that look good when they're not in season (or look great in every season). Suggestions?
ReplyDeleteLove the container gardening. I need to get started on my herb container garden. I do love basil.
I'm always itching to grow herbs. I wish I had a green thumb. Good luck with your new plants. Hope you get some big juicy tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always! Good luck with your gardening this year.
ReplyDeleteMy knockouts are blooming but your basil looks better than mine. :o) Lovely photos as always. We have a nursery similar to Ozzie's called DeHaven's. Home grown is always better. Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a lovely time of year when spring arrives and is evidenced by the wonderful blooms. Your photos certainly tell us you are in the middle of spring xx
ReplyDeleteI just love spring. You reminded me, I told the kids we would plant some herbs on the deck. We don't have a garden and I have to be careful about what I put in the yard because the deer around here eat everything!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
Those remind me so much of Mexico!
ReplyDeleteThe smell of geranium brings me back to my childhood and I love it! And the ones you photographed are so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh I love the smell of basil and rosemary a definate must every year in our garden and I need to get a geranium or two....in pink!
ReplyDeletefyi! I blogged about your lovely greenhouse post today. Enjoy.
ReplyDeletePam
Things I Found After The Party
http://batesmercantileco.blogspot.com/2012/05/things-i-found-after-party.html
Very lovely greenhouse indeed, and that last picture is beautiful! I can't wait to see the window boxes!
ReplyDelete