A Collection Of Succulents

My collection of succulents is getting larger. I'm trying to get a variety of smaller to medium ones so I can make some living wreaths. I did a living basket but I think it was much harder to start learning with so will be letting my baskets sit until I do a few of the others first.

This Poppy Blew Me Away . . .

For years I have tried to start Poppies. I'd bring home seeds or plants from my Mothers gardens and they just would not live. But I kept trying - I don't know how many years I've been doing this. But last year for some odd reason they lived. I had quite a few and planted them in 2 different places. And miracle of all miracles they even reseeded and came back this year. Only in 1 place though which was rather a happy accident because they clashed with all of the flowers in the one spot I put them. They were just to orangie for all of my pinks. My Phlox looked horrible with that Poppy next to them. For some reason I didn't take a picture of all of these little miracle babies blooming but I did get a single one after a rain.

But that Poppy wasn't the one that really blew me away. I know nothing about Poppies, how could I? They never would grow here. But last summer I also got another one from a neighbor and I guess it's a Peony Poppy. It bloomed, a little sickly looking and it wouldn't hold its head up but it did bloom. And it even reseeded too. Must of been my lucky Poppy year! So you can imagine how excited I was to find out that not only did Moms Poppies come up this year but here comes this other one up from the ground. The plant looked pretty good but the bud was hanging over and I thought well, looks like it won't be holding it's head up again.

Then one morning I get up, look out the window and see this plant standing straight up with a big bud standing at attention. I couldn't believe it. I immediately went marching out with my camera to take pictures. My word that thing is a foot above the foliage. Straight up!
But no sign of anything to come yet. Just a big old bud.
I just kept watching it and took a picture when it showed signs of opening. This all happened in a matter of about 3 or 4 days I think.
Then yesterday I looked out and here was this gorgeous Poppy in my garden.

I am so thrilled to death with the little beauty and hope I have a kazillion of them next year. And look how the petals are all crinkled after unfolding. I had to touch it because it really looked like paper that had been all wadded up. Ok I knew it wasn't paper but . . .
Is this just absolutely gorgeous or what? And it has a couple more buds that are going to bloom. I think it's my new favorite flower - well for a minute anyway.