Roseville Rose: Moving Toward Spring

“Are you getting anxious to get out in the garden” asked a friend 

“Not yet” I answered.  “I have too many preparations for the up-coming season”.

I did get all the pots washed last fall so they are ready to go.  Bought a large sack of potting soil the other day, so that is at hand when I am ready to start planting.

But right now,  I’ m helping write flower show schedules for the Minnesota Rose Society and the Lake Owasso Garden Club and attending, planning or writing gardening workshops.  Lake Owasso is planning its garden at the Roseville Arboretum and Floralia Arrangers is preparing its flower show for the Annual Meeting of the Federated Garden Clubs of MN on April 21^st.  There is also the Mid-Winter Meeting of the ARS North Central District coming up this weekend in Wisconsin.

Besides, I’m not very proficient at growing garden plants inside from seed.  My friend is starting trays of garden flowers and vegetable seeds – under lights in her basement.  She won’t pot her dahlia bulbs until May and not put them in the ground until Memorial Day, depending on the weather.  Dahlias, Callas, Caladiums, Gladiolus bulbs and others do not like cold soil so wait planting them until the ground has warmed to the touch.

As with all bulbs, when you pot them will determine when they will bloom. For me, I want my Caladiums and Calla lilies to have their peak blooms at State Fair time and for later flower shows. I’ll be planting some bulbs inside by April 15^th to use on the deck, but most will be planted in late May and not outside until the weather has warmed the ground – usually mid-June. In fact, I continue to grow many of these bulbs in pots on my deck. 

Did you happen to drive by the Roseville Arboretum last week after the snow and freezing rain?  It was a fairy land as was most everyplace else.  What beauty, if you could get past the slippery driving and walking conditions. Just looking out my front window was a breathless experience. 

I know we are frenzied, wildly busy, but a moment or two of true beauty can slow the heart and bring a smile to the face. I hope you took advantage of those moments. 

Took a little drive Friday afternoon; went to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory for the Winter Flower Show, February 4 thru March 18.  I like going to the Conservatory but I am always blind when I walk in because of the moisture and warmth.  (If you don’t wear glasses you don’t know what I’m talking about.)  The colors are vibrant, lots of reds, pinks and variations of these hues. 

I was especially interested in the ‘Veltheimia’.  This was a plant with which I wasn’t familiar.  This one was labeled.  There was one that was not labeled and although I have looked in several books I still don’t know what it is.  The hostess didn’t know and neither did several people I asked. 

I know they change out the plants to keep everything fresh, but I do wish they would label at least one of the specimens they have in the display.  The ‘Cyclamens’ were lovely, bright red blooms with leaves of different patterns.  The ‘Amaryllis’ and ‘Oriental Lilies’ were gorgeous.  It was a feast for the eyes and senses.  If you get a chance to go, by all means do.