The information available on Rudbeckias is confusing. Are the perennials or annuals, and will the bloom the first year from seeds.
I started all of these from seeds, mid-winter.
The Ratibida is also blooming. I grew it the same way as the Rudbeckias. Only one, of six, survived. Moles and feral cats got the others.
If I remember, I'll add the Gallardias which were the first of the seed - started perennials to start blooming.
The Four O'clocks are coming into bloom. I wanted something along the fence that would be vigorous, colorful, cheerful, and low maintenance. These bloom from seeds the first year, then come op from the roots the following years and bloom again.
I noticed the several-years-old four o'clock plant by the house just came up a couple of weeks ago It seems to be growing rapidly and I think it will also be blooming soon.
I think this red one is the nicest.
These are the ones that Fedco in Maine describes as the earliest of the early. They are the first good crop of in-ground grown potatoes for me.
The ones I grew using the container method were a week or two earlier. They roast fine, but in potato salad are a little too chewy for my taste, despite cooking longer. Now to see how these work out.
I think this yield was from about three plants. Not a lot different from container method. These do seem bigger.
Here are the main twelve stars. Each is different. There is one more to complete.
I'm happy with this pattern. When completed, the stars will be surrounded by larger stars that connect, or by diamond shapes. I think I'll use a light blue checker pattern for the surrounding star blocks and a light grey or different light blue for the diamonds. Also, there will be a slightly different center star. In some, the white background shows a bit of the floor color. When completed, it will have white batting and I hope that doesn't show.
What looks like black is actually dark blue. There are three shades of grey.
This pattern is based on a homespun type quilt published in Today's Quilter by UK quilt designer Lynn Goldsworthy. My biggest changes from that are the colors and fabric choices, and it looks quite different.
More flowers. I couldn't help myself LOL.
Crocosmia
