The first bloom from my early winter planting!
There's something special about growing a new-to-you plant for the first time. When last I bought seeds I added a packet I'd never heard of before - "Livingstone Daisy" Mesembryanthemum, Dorotheanthus bellidiflorus.
"Versatile and easy to grow" said the packet - suits my gardening style! They are a small succulent, native to South Africa, plants growing only 3" or 8cm high and wide.
"Seedlings emerge 14-21 days" the packet stated. Miss E was quite excited to discover her first green tips this morning, just 6 days after planting!!! Sowing in late winter isn't ideal but I'm hopeful they will grow well anyway.
Another of my little Livingstone Daisies is about to burst into flower, a pink one this time. I look forward to seeing which colours Miss E's will be.
Do you enjoy growing something new and different in your garden or do you prefer to stay with your favourites? I like to do a little of both but definitely enjoy the element of surprise which comes with cultivating the previously unknown.
Sharing at Flower Art Friday (first photo), Weekend Flowers.
Beautiful soft flowers. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteWow! Photo-gardening)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful daisies!
xoxo, Juliana
[pjhappies.blogspot.com]
I looooove all Daisies. It's like the flower anyone would draw as a child, simple but always so happy looking. Come to think of it, I do love all flowers that are not too sofisticated, small and simple, but they're my favourites. Could that maybe be why I just started growing roses this year and not years ago, they're beautiful as well, but much more sophisticated I think. I didn't have Daisies this year. Too late now.... I'll have to wait until next spring. Or not! I'll enjoy yours over here ;-) So thanks for sharing again. I love the pictures. Don't know how you get that soft 'wave' (can't find the word to describe it even...) in them but I do like it.
ReplyDeleteHow great to see the first green leaves appear already!!!! The kids must be so thrilled. And you! ;-)
Bye,
Marian
It's interesting to think about how we choose our plants and why. There are so many different daisies alone. These, like some other daisies, close at night and open best/only on sunny days. I'm looking forward to seeing how long they flower for too.
ReplyDeleteI think the "wave" you are referring to is achieved by varying the aperture/depth of field. This is something I didn't have as much control over with my previous camera but my DSLR lets me adjust the aperture (f-stop) very well.
Beautiful capture, so whispery soft.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you and the family have a green thumb and take care of your plantings.
Happy Spring to you guys!
Lindíssimas e bem mostradas!!beijos,chica
ReplyDeleteYou captured them beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteI really love your garden!!! :))
Greetings
Mesembryanthemums are an ideal way to bring the joys of the flower world to little ones. I love the way they open up wide in the sunshine and then close up tight like a little parasol.
ReplyDeleteBuds of daisies are often pink ((always, maybe?).
ReplyDeleteNow I will not be fooled:))
Super Foto!
Hugs from Poland
Wow, gorgeous! Especially that Livingstone Daisy. The detail is amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so excited to see all of your flowers this Spring. I really love that pink bud. The details you captured are just phenomenal.
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty shots! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely flowers as always, Karen! I do miss my garden, but I do have yours to enjoy! Thank you for sharing! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteFoto limpide e perfette!
ReplyDeleteCinzia
cant wait for Spring...your post made me even more excited...love the first image...
ReplyDeletewow! gorgeous shots! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat surprises !
ReplyDeleteI love the tenderness of your shots.
Just superb...
Thank for sharing.
So gorgeous . Oh how I would love to start again. Our growing season is over and the harvest begun.
ReplyDeleteLovely softness. Just a delight.
Que bom acompanhar o crescimento da planta e ver florescer.
ReplyDeleteBeijos.
your last photo is a whisp of heaven breath... love this post. The seeds I was given from my daughter on Mother's day are now in full bloom and gracing many a friend's home ... the gift that goes on...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Did you use your Raynox? Love to try new items in the garden! Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteYes I did Rosemary, except for the seed planting collage and packet. It's a very handy little tool.
ReplyDeletethe daisy is gorgeous . You did a great job nursing them and you took great shots. :)
ReplyDeleteKwiaty są śliczne i będzie w ogrodzie kolorowo. Ja też lubię sadzić coś nowego w ogrodzie, aby patrzeć a kwiaty inne niż mam co roku. Pierwsze, drugie i ostatnie zdjęcia są cudowne. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are beautiful and will be in the garden colorful. I also like to plant something new in the garden to look at the flowers other than I have every year. The first, second and last pictures are wonderful. Yours.
These are just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI especially love those daisies.
Such a wonderfully dreamy feel to them.
xo.
beautiful, love the new shots emerging and then the little bud ready to burst into flower.
ReplyDeleteWOW~ That was fast.. They are so pretty..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
...been wandering a little here...
ReplyDeleteyou have some gorgeous flowers...so dreamy...and magical.
your little songbird is the sweetest of all!
your bokeh shots are gorgeous! the pink bud is beautiful, the textures are awesome!
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful - have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beauty the little flowers and they adore Sunsine... ;-))
ReplyDeleteNice weekend and greetings,
Anna
Deine Fotos, wie immer....wunderschön ♥ ♥
ReplyDeleteLovely surprises.
ReplyDeletePretty Weeds
These are all so pretty.
ReplyDeletePretty Weeds
WOW!!! That's light, gorgeous, amazing!!! Thank you for this interesting series. Wish you booth hands full of you own flowers! :-) ♥
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Germany
moni
A very nice, little surprise! These shots are wonderful. I love the soft, dreamy effect of the last one.
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful soft & lovely flower. How fun that you planted and watched it grow.
ReplyDeleteWOW... Lucky you ... from Seed to Flower - it is so awesome and your photos? Splendid!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch magnificent capture, so soft and wonderful...great...
ReplyDeleteBest regards, Karin
Calling by from flower art friday today Karen. I love these flowers and have often grown them I think you will want to do so every year now you have discovered them!
ReplyDeleteOh these are lovely. How fun and exciting to see your new flowers sprouting and growing and then blooming.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful and lovely pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI love the little flowers too. In spring when the sun is warmer I throw some seeds between my Sempervivum. The little daisies look very nice.
these are SO wonderful! They really remind me of how blessed we are. love your blog!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blossoms.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! My favorite is the pink bud against the green leaves.
ReplyDelete