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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Flower World Friday!

Okay, it was a couple of Saturdays ago.  It's always a joy to visit the 15 acre Flower World where they grow 95 percent of what they sell and the produce stand where one can buy fresh squeezed and non pasteurized apple cider, organic eggs, and locally grown produce.  This place combines beautiful ornamental plantings with space for livestock. (See previous posts here.)  Here's a fraction of what I saw during this visit:


This fellow almost made it into the cart but where would I put another face in my garden? 

Calathea rufibarba is a commonly-seen houseplant but I'd never seen one in bloom before. 

There were a couple of tables of these.  When Flower World has a plant, they have it in large quantities!

The head on this mid century bovine could be positioned in a variety of poses.

The love child of a garden gnome and Yoda?

Another unlikely pairing produced Goddess Ceres Cat.

 This looks very comfortable!  I've spent most of the winter in a similar position.

Gorgeous Aspidistra elatior 'variegata' works as either a houseplant or in the ground here.  I may need a pot of this in the parlor, you know, for historical authenticity and all.  ("Cast Iron Plant" was a very popular houseplant in Victorian times when I was a boy.)


Very nice to see Schlumbergera x buckleyi on the market.  Because of their more upright nature (ease of packing) one usually only sees Zygocactus, another Schlumbergera, offered commercially and buckleyi is more of a pass along plant.  Can't believe that these are still blooming.


Thankfully my bulb order a couple of autumns ago contained a lot of crocus which have reproduced nicely.  They are such cheerful harbingers of spring.

Oh, the fragrance of hyacinths is a joy, isn't it?

The variety of foliage on the unmarked artichokes made me want to bring them all home.  

So dramatic,  beautifully silver gray, and incredibly easy to grow.  


Because of it's massive size, Flower World is able to put together vignettes like this each season.

Vibrant foliage of Tri-Color Cordyline was very tempting but I'd already killed a less colorful cousin so none came home with me.


Variegated hibiscus need no flowers to make a splash!

Although the flowers are pretty swell, too!

So much to see!

Leafy goodness goes on and on in house after house!

 Spring in the garden.  Momentary blue skies lure us outside. 

This is a great area to have lunch!

New since our last visit is this seating area.  Is that a table in the middle?  Are the seats movable? Frankly, I'm stumped.



Chickens, ducks and geese parade around on the lawn and paths.  They're quite used to people and are quite friendly.  Yes, even the geese. (No, there aren't any in the picture, they were  more interested in the fresh apples being offered in the other direction.

Speaking of spring...  

How are ewe today?   Oh, not baaaad, not baaad at all.

So much cuteness!  In another life, I must have been a farmer like most of my ancestors.  

Happy weekend and happy gardening all!

The Lamb

By William Blake

Little Lamb who made thee
          Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
          Little Lamb who made thee
          Dost thou know who made thee

           Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
           Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
         Little Lamb God bless thee.
         Little Lamb God bless thee.

24 comments:

  1. I think if my local gardening centers had lambs I'd be there every day. So probably a good thing they don't.

    That mid-centrury cow sculpture is great!

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    1. It's good that they are about an hour away or I'd want to visit those cute lambs more often. There was one especially friendly goat who trotted over and wanted lots of attention. Loved being patted, scratched, etc. So much fun!

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  2. That's one proud mama in the first lamb pic. And well she should be. So cute.

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  3. I've killed a relative of that colorful Cordyline as well. Flower World is always fun!

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    1. So has Loree. Nice to know we aren't alone. You're right, Flower World always has something to make plantaholics smile.

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  4. Lambs really knock it out of the park when it comes to cuteness. The beginning of Spring must wake up your inner comedian. Ewe really cracked me up with yesterday's "signs" of spring, and again today; Thank you for the early morning laughs.
    Several attempts growing artichoke failed. So no, not so "incredibly easy..." embarrassing is more like it. I should try again.

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    1. Glad to share a chuckle! I usually kill plants the first few times I try them so must be I was just lucky with artichokes.

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  5. What a great looking place inside and out. Having been a spinner and washed raw sheep's wool, i know it's full of lanolin and an amazing variety of debris! Thanks for the musical treat as well.

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    1. If you listen to the lore (Mary had a little lamb, and all the cute children's books) you'd think that sheep were soft, fluffy, and quite clean. However, the reality is that their fleece is full of debris as you said. Still cute though.

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  6. What a perfect place! I like that they grow most of their own flowers. The head was pretty cool...I would be tempted!

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    1. While I love all of our plant stores, it is always refreshing to visit a Nursery in the true sense of the word, where they grow plants themselves.

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  7. Lambs trump (oops, I need to eliminate that word from my vocabulary) even plants.

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    1. So much cuteness with chicks, and all sorts of fowl. The peacocks are also a major attraction. So, not a fan of the Donald either?

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  8. Wow, it looks like they have some great garden decorations and containers in addition to great gardens and plants. Enjoy your weekend, too!

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    1. They sure do. It's a great place to spend a lot of time!

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  9. I always enjoy seeing pictures from your trips to Flower World, especially the houseplants.

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    1. It would be a lot of fun for you to go there sometime! Perhaps this summer we could plan a field trip.

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  10. What a brilliant idea to blend livestock with plants! I would have gotten completely lost in all the cuteness... Oh, and I LOVED the music! What a beautiful piece!

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  11. A quipping farmer...the answer to happy, laughing cows. I'm still chuckling.

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  12. Where is this place? I want a Christmas cactus sooo bad!

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    1. It's in Maltby, WA near Snohomish. If you don't live in the area, I've bought cuttings from someone on ebay. I'd also be happy to send you a cutting of mine.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.