I'm not sure what it says about me that of the first batch of bulbs and rhizomes taken up and potted for trundling along to a new garden, most have not yet bloomed in this one. I'm an incurable romantic, perhaps, always looking to the next season, but also no doubt laboring under the suspicion that some of these plants (particularly the irises) might actually thrive better in the new location. It is worth noting, though, that even plants which eventually grow strongly here often get off to a slow start.
In any case, here is an Amaryllis belladonna - hopefully a bright cherry pink version of the more familiar pale pink - purchased from Bill the Bulb Baron last year. It is coming up strongly as weather turns cooler, but it was still quite easily dug and replanted.
Also visible are fans from one of several arilbred irises. I'm afraid I have lost track, but I believe this is the little blue 'Pixie Power'. Small though it is, it had multiplied nicely, though I am still waiting for those first flowers.
What can just barely be glimpsed in a corner of the photo below is a cluster of my beloved Freesia alba. I'm not even checking to see whether Freesias like to be moved in the green as there really isn't any choice. So far they seem to have transplanted well. They have certainly become one of those bulbs I don't want to be without, climate permitting.
These had been caught in the shadow of a rapidly growing Lavandula dentata, so they really needed to be lifted in any case as they could hardly have bloomed under all that bushy lavender foliage. They may well be breathing a sigh of relief!
Lastly, a vignette of miniature rose 'Lavender' with Muhlenbergia capillaris "Regal Mist' because it's that season again...
Weather Diary: Cloudy; High: 70 F (21 C)/Low: 53 F (12 C); Humidity: 26%-56%; expecting rain tonight and/or tomorrow
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Kris P (Thursday, 29 November 2018 23:03)
Packing up a garden is never easy but my suggestion is take as much as you can of everything you love. I still kick myself over some of what I left behind when we moved nearly 8 years ago.
Diana Studer (Friday, 30 November 2018 16:37)
Yes - when in doubt - take it. You know and love and chose the plant. The next gardener maybe not so much. And strangely some plants you once found easily, you never see for sale again.
I dug up our lime tree. Put it in a pot - and it flourishes.
The Rotheca that was almost alive with a few leaves, is a shoulder high shrub wafting blue butterfly flowers at the kitchen door.
The iris, are STILL sulking!
Cathy (Saturday, 01 December 2018 06:17)
I agree with the above comments too... take as much as you can! If a plant doesn't thrive you won't have wasted money on a new one at least. ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 01 December 2018 20:30)
Kris - I'm definitely working on it! ;-) The limits will like in what I can actually pack out, besides moving from a zone 9b location to 8a. I've grown very used to not worrying about frost!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 01 December 2018 20:33)
Diana - That helps put it in perspective, Diana - thanks! I still wish I could have brought my irises from my first garden; that was impossible at the time, but it's probably why I'm prioritizing them now.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 01 December 2018 20:35)
Cathy - Yes, and a little research indicates that some of these plants may be hardier than I thought... ;-)