Once upon a time, I didn't care for white daffodils. That's before I met 'Thalia'. I planted 100 last fall and wish I'd planted 500. Thalia makes a great combination with 'Hillstar' and Woodland Phlox. I love the combination of yellow, white and blue, usually seen this time of year painted with a pallette of tulips and pansies. That would be not at practical here; I can just see the doe and last year's fawn that are frequenting our farm now: "Oh you planted these for us... how lovely, thank you."
I think I have the plans for the big bed more smoothed out now. More Campernelles for early bloom and fragrance, and more 'Thalia' for later bloom along with more divisions of Woodland Phlox and some Spanish Bluebells. There are other daffodils and ephemerals I'm thinking of adding too but it doesn't take long before my cheapometer kicks in. Mercilessly whack back the rugosa suckers so that the iris and young Baptisia can get more light. Move Four o'clocks and Brazilian Blue Sage to the new gardens around the house so they can more easily be watered. They do not take kindly to drought. Plus, they smother the baptisia and iris. Ultimately I just want ephemerals, woody plants and Baptisia in the big bed. The iris will probably have their own raised bed near the house, since as much as I love them in mixed plantings and will continue to try to use them that way, they do like their elbow room. Even the Bidens need to be elsewhere, around the gardens rather than in them, so that I can just mow down the stalks in March with the tractor.
I already have many young R. palustris scandens in the big bed and the bed next to the neighbor's pasture, and I can't wait until they size up like this one.
All good stuff. I agree, the woodland phlox is a first choice plant.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder about the origin of the word 'Thalia'.
I've seen Fuchsia 'Thalia' and a type of water canna called Thalia dealbata. Both different colours.
Thalia is a lovely addition to your wonderful gardens. I always look forward to and enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend and a wonderful Easter.
FlowerLady
Your woodland garden looks like something in a fairy tale. So beautiful. I just planted Thalia last year, too (not 100, though!), and I fell in love also. I need to plant more next fall. Love the white, yellow and blue combination.
ReplyDelete... and Thalia has a sweet fragrance.
ReplyDeleteI have some white daffodils that have two flowers per stalk. They are a wonderful contrast to all the yellow. Phlox is such a great plant, it's hard to resist the temptation not to always find room for more. :o)
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice combination! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the combination of Thalia and Phlox and Iris. You have me thinking about adding some of the Spanish Bluebells to my daffodils in the septic field, would be a nice color combo. Love woodland Phlox, our Learning Garden had some and it was great blooming late April early May...though this year, probably blooming now!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures:)
ReplyDeleteThanks to blogs like yours, I have become a huge fan of white daffodils. I had a small clump of woodland phlox last year and after seeing yours beautiful flowers, I have my fingers crossed that mine made it through the winter.
ReplyDeleteThalia is one of those daffodils that looks at home anywhere--formal or informal, woodland or meadow. Your yellow, white and blue combination is lovely, especially in those soft shades. I've been working on my bulb list, too--it keeps getting longer, to the point of insanity.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is really looking beautiful! I feel totally immersed in springtime just looking at them.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate the spring blooms, especially after a long winter.
Happy Easter!
The pure white of 'Thalia' makes a nice variation in your plantings. I know what you mean about wishing you had planted 500--when you're digging and working hard to plant all those bulbs in the fall, their numbers seem a lot greater than they do in the spring!
ReplyDeleteLove the purple woodland phlox!
I love "Thalia" and use to have it but I don't recall seeing it this year. I may need to replant some.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above that your garden looks like it's straight out of a fairytale. I'm always amazed.
ReplyDelete