paperwhites

Pb300035.jpgNow that we've had a freeze and its warmed back up, the paperwhites have started to bloom. This usually happens later like in January, but the weather in Texas tends to trick flowers in this way.

Narcissus tagetes 'Papyraceus' is one of the earliest bulbs to bloom. These are naturalized in a woody border near the garden shed. So far this bunch are the only ones to bloom. They have a really strong fragrance like candy.

We have lantana and echinacea still too, as well as all of the ever-blooming roses. There was even a lone blossom on the morning glory vine today, though all of the foliage has shriveled up. It is still not really winter here yet. The leaves have not all fallen from the cedar elms nor from the big oaks on the other side of the road.

No pecans are falling either. Usually they make their aerial bombardment the last couple weeks of November, but this year we had practically no crop. It's okay, they are native pecans - very small and hard to open - so they are mostly just a nuisance. The squirrels are disappointed though.

Posted by Bill Hopkins on November 30, 2003 09:11 PM
Comments

we have to do paperwhites Inside up here. and no pecans, just hazelnuts and walnuts.

My daughters' father sends her pecans from Alabama each year. Good stuff!!

Posted by: Mary Lou at November 30, 2003 09:50 PM

Hey! I just read where you have a Ragdoll!! What color is she? I Babysit a Ragdoll every few months, and I want one so bad! I call him Puddle, because when he gets relaxed the only thing that keeps him from spilling all over the floor is his skin! I swear he has no bones, he can get so FLAT!

Posted by: Mary Lou at December 1, 2003 11:26 AM

Naturally I have written about Sapphire in the blog, although she is overdue for more attention. Here is a picture and a little story about her:

http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/archives/000007.html

Posted by: bill at December 1, 2003 11:41 AM

so, your paperwhites are up and blooming. that makes me feel slightly less confused about the three tulips i have sprouting -- but not blooming -- here. silly plants.

Posted by: erica at December 1, 2003 02:24 PM

Thanks Bill, WHat a sweetie. I want a ragdoll, but I have 4 cats and a puppy and a bunny so I need to wait until some of these critters transition out...

Posted by: Mary Lou at December 2, 2003 12:22 AM

My paperwhites are blooming here in Austin, too. But I don't think it's unusual here as I find that they usually bloom any time after Thankgsgiving. The amount of water they get seems to trigger them blooming more than temperature.

The 'Grand Primo' type (at least I think that's what they are) which have larger greener (as opposed to silvery-grey) leaves bloom about a month later for me. I always look for them around New Year's.

Posted by: M Stevens at December 7, 2003 09:53 AM