Must Love Livestock... ?

I just wasted $3.99 on that romantic chic flick, 'Nights in Rodanthe' and I want my money back.

Love In a Mist: Crazy little heirloom.

Like everyone else in the U.S. of A, I was at a Superbowl party a few Sundays ago. Mine was extra interesting because it was hosted by a man I've had a crush on for far too long. [He's tall and handsome so, naturally, he doesn't even know I'm alive.]

I don't watch Superbowl for the commercials. Nor do I care for the game. I'm in it for the food! I've been a tenacious little calorie counter all year long. The only time I get to misbehave is when I'm at somebody else's house!

To my dismay, there wasn't much food. And, the other guests seemed genuinely interested in watching the game, though that gave me ample opportunity to snoop around his house ~ unsupervised!

My first big observation was that his place was spotless. [I fondly recall the last time my house was spotless. It was the day before we moved in.]

Then I noticed he didn't have any pets. No cats, no dogs, not even a goofy, little hamster. I am DYING to know how you can raise kids and not get suckered into owning pets. I blame my current menagerie on my daughter's persuasive powers.


Pet people are easily understood:

• Dog lovers are messy, loyal and loud.
• Cat lovers are tidy, smart and a little more independent.
• Horse lovers are absolutely wonderful. Perfect in every way.

And, me? As usual I cannot be labeled. Or squeezed into a specific category. I love all animals (hamsters, not so much.)

Nigella damascena 'Love in a Mist' is a pretty heirloom perennial masquerading as an annual. She has this weird foliage that tries to out-do the true blue flowers. After bloom, she produces insane seed pods that add great texture to the garden. She'll also reseed until you throw in the towel. But, that's a story for another day...

Heirloom Hyacinths

Delft Blue Hyacinths
(Not an Heirloom)
This hybridized Hyacinth is available just about everywhere.

I wish my friends could be a little more thoughtful (and be born in various months during the year.) Six of them are celebrating birthdays, this month, right about the time I would selfishly like to spend all of my money on fall-planted bulbs. :) According to the stars, Librans (that would be me) aren't even supposed to get along with worry-wart Virgos so I've no idea how I've accumulated so many!

Of course, there's lots of things I don't know. Like the fact that bright-blooming Hyacinths are being hybridized to extinction. I discovered that while I was roaming around Google this morning, trying to find some birthday presents.

At one time, Hyacinths were more popular than Tulips. And, for good reason. They bloom longer, are much hardier, and fill your spring garden with an intoxicating, sweet perfume.

Rare Hyacinth Bulbs:
* I'm buying mine from Old House Gardens. They specialize in heirloom bulbs. It's my first purchase, so I can't recommend them. But, I do admire their love of odd bulbs.

General Kohler: Born 1878
The oldest, surviving double Hyacinth.












Marie: Born 1860.
One of the rarest. Now considered 'commercially extinct.'











Gypsy Queen: Born 1927.
Naturalizes 'effortlessly' in dry, southwest gardens.










Hollyhock Hyacinth: Born 1936
Blooms later in spring than most commercial Hyacinths.

Curing the Winter Blues..
At about $1.00 a bulb (for commercially available Hyacinths) there's no reason to short change yourself. Buy an extra dozen and store them in the 'frig. Hyacinth bulbs are easily 'forced.' Meaning we trick them into thinking it's spring by keeping them in a cool dark place. Come January, after 12 weeks of cold storage, forced Hyacinth bulbs will happily bloom in a sunny window.