It’s a magnificent spring here in New England, with daytime temps above freezing, and night temperatures near freezing, which has allowed native trees and plants, as well as spring bulbs and garden plants to extend their display to their maximum potential, a rare event as it is far more common for weather to swing into extremes of warm, wet , or cold. Across New England, even though we are dryer than normal, we are all appreciating the bright blue sky and stunning display of flora.
This weekend, as many of you know, we hosted the National Primrose Show members at our home for a party, and, we have been participating in the actual national show being held nearby at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts. If you live near to Boston, this Sunday may be the day you make a day trip to Tower Hill, for you can get two shows for the price of one, as the Seven States Daffodil Show, as National Daffodil Society sponsored show, a show that was cancelled last year due to hot weather ( no Daff’s), but this year, the benches are full, as well as the National Primrose Show sponsored by the New England Chapter of the American Primrose Society.
Enjoy the spring pics. as I need to run back up to Tower Hill for a lecture!
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| Neat rows of award winning daffodils at the Seven States Daffodil Show at Tower Hill Botanic Garden |
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| Drama ensues as judging commences as entrants check their status. |
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| There were so many entries this year, that beer bottles were recruited to help |
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| Technology is beginning to emerge in some of these plant societies. |
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The National Primrose Show had fewer entries than in the past, but there were far more unusual species. Here,
early blooming Primula denticulata from Tibet, the ‘Drumstick’ primrose. |
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| A beautiful fire-colored Primula x polyanthus |
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| Primula veris and related species, sub-alpine meadow primroses, which are ideal garden candidates if you can find them. |
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| Judith Sellars’ award winning Hose-in-Hose form ( which means two-flowers stacked on top of each other). |
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| A rarely seen species here, Primula rosea, small and sweet. |
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| I entered only one plant, and I did win a ribbon in my class, ( a class of 3, but still!). |
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| Some other highlights from the show, these auricula entries – always an audience favorite. |
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| Tower Hill Botanic Garden looks great at any time of the year, but in early spring, it really puts on a show. One can walk in the woodland, meadows of daffodils, or simple stay on the many paved paths, strolling in the warm, spring, sunshine. |
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| I really struggled last fall when picking out my Color-Blends tulip collection, I wanted this one, but decided on another ( which I will post soon), but next year……this might be it. |
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| Rarely seen here in New England, a primula relative, Soldanella. A common high-elevation plant in the Alps, but challenging in a container, let alone in an American garden. There is a class for any plant included in the Family Primulaceae. |
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| Tower Hill Botanic Garden is located on a hill overlooking a resoirvoir, and on a nice May day like this, the view is amazing. |
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| The new winter garden at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, the glass house beyond, is the Orangerie. |
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| The Stoddard Visitor center at Tower Hill ( I was Mrs. Stoddard’s summer gardener years ago, when I was in high school and college, so I remember her every time I visit here. She would be pleased that her endowment created such a grand gift to the Worcester area. |
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Looks like a fabulous weekend. It truly has been an amazing year for daffodils!