My future as a professional papparazzi is in serious doubt.
After yesterday’s Northwest Horticultural Society’s Spring Ephemeral Plant sale I made a quick stop by University Village on my continuing quest for Maraschino liqueur (it’s a long story.) No luck tracking down this oh-so ellusive elixir but I did happen to see this woman casually walking 3 scotty dogs and 1 miniature pony!
Like I said, my ability to capture this quirky scene leaves something to be desired, but I had to try. Who was going to believe me when I told them that even after several stops, I still couldn’t put my hands on one of the “50 top spirits of 2007″ but did stumble across a miniature pony! Life is rich in the unexpected.
Oh, and the plant sale… I scored 2 Corydalis decipiens, a pretty little tuberous woodland plant with pale purple blooms above grey-green foliage and 1 Corydalis temulifolia ‘Chocolate Stars’, this plant emerges in late winter with bronzed colored foliage and grows to a substantial 2′ x 3′ (that’s very large for a corydalis) before blooming with pale lavender flowers in April. (The link above will take you to pictures and more cultural information collected by my friend Riz Reyes from whom I purchased this lovely.)
Primula auricula 'Two Steeples'
I also came home with 2 auricula primroses: ‘Copperking’ (show, self, copper flowers) and ‘Lincoln Chestnut’ (double brown !!! flowers.) This, I’m afraid is the beginning of yet another slippery slope of a collection…I know the signs, I’ve been here before. Auricula primroses are not for the sane. They don’t really belong in garden beds proper instead preferring their own small terracotta pots and a special very well-drained potting mix. The plants dislike getting their leaves wet and while they need good light to bloom they are adverse to direct hot sun, preferring the dappled shade of a perpetual blue sky day. Well, la-di-da!!!
My friends Greg and Gary of Old Goat Farm recently became the stewards of an enormous, extremely well-curated auricula collection some 2,000 strong!!! The old goats already maintain a menagerie that includes chickens, ducks, peacocks, guinea hens, cats and a dog – as well as the requisite goats – in addition to a lovely nursery and spectacular gardens that beautifully display the plants they have for sale. So 2,000 auriculas, which might be like adopting 200 puppies for you and me, should fit right into their busy lives down in paradise.
The good news is, I’ve found a home for the hundreds of 4-6″ terracotta pots I inherited from my neighbor; Greg is in the process of dividing the collection and needs more pots…yes, that means there will be even MORE auriculas. I seem to remember his saying that well over 100 named cultivars are represented in the collection. Plants will be available this spring and summer at the nursery – visit Old Goat Farm to find out which weekends they’ll be open.
The plants? Oh you’ll find them in their soon-to-be constructed proper auricula theatre where leaves will remain dry carfully preserving their crystalline farina coating and the astonishingly beautiful blooms will be protected from the harsh afternoon sun. Like I said – not for the sane; only the passionate.
For more information about auricula primroses visit the National Auricula & Primula Society website; don’t say you haven’t been warned! Thank you to Irene Virag’s Garden Party blog for the theatre shot; read more at Applause for Auriculas.
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I love the Primula auricula ‘Two Steeples’ – that is sweet. I’m going to have to go to the link for the old goats. A friend and I are planning a daytrip to Seattle to the Kubota Gardens and maybe a few other places.
oh how incredible ~ I didn’t know Greg and Gary inherited 2,000 ariculas. That is too cool!