Daffodil name arrived in the English language around the 1500's. The old name for daffodil was Affodyle, Affodyle means that which cometh early.

According to Chinese legend, the daffodil is a symbol of good fortune. The daffodil is used as a symbol of the Chinese New Year and if a daffodil blooms in your garden on Chinese New Year’s Day, your house will have good fortune for the entire year.

Daffodil's are the floral symbol from the Cancer Society, standing for love, hope through the joy of sunshine.

I wander’d lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vale and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

host of golden daffodils:

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

by William Wordsworth

For an online analysis of the poem, click here.

For example, it says: The theme of the poem 'Daffodils' is a collection of human emotions inspired by nature that we may have neglected due to our busy lives. The daffodils imply rebirth, a new beginning for human beings, blessed with the grace of nature. The arrival of daffodils in the month of March is welcome and an enjoyable time to appreciate them!

Weather today - sunny, upper 50s.

Ladybug, Ladybug

A ladybug on a hellebore or Christmas Rose / Lenten Rose. I bought the Hellebore at the Yard, Garden and Patio show. I was happy to see the ladybug!

From another website - Myths About Ladybugs In Culture

Forget about the stork! In Switzerland, children are sometimes told that they are brought to their parents by a ladybug. Good luck.

In Britain, farmers expect bountiful crops when many ladybugs are sighted in spring. In many cultures, the ladybug is seen as a symbol of good luck. Some even say that if you hold a ladybug in your hand and make a wish, the direction that the ladybug flies off to is the direction where your good fortune will come from.

In Belgium, it is believed that if a ladybug lands on a young woman’s hand, she’ll be married in a year. In Norway, there is a myth that if a man and a woman see a ladybug at the same time, they’ll fall in love.

A gift from the Gods. In Norse legend, the ladybug came to earth riding a lightning bolt. And in some Asian cultures, it is believed that the ladybug is blessed by God and understands human language.

Weather - this winter has been very mild - El Nino. In the 50s. Last 2 days beautiful, like spring, dry.

Hens & Chicks and...

At the Yard, Garden and Patio show this year, I bought some sedums, and sempervivum or hens and chicks. I thought I would try some out in a container and see how they do. At Goodwill, I bought a ceramic bowl from an old crock pot. Drilled some drainage holes; and then covered the bottom with tops from recycled plastic food containers with holes (drainage) before putting in the dirt and the plants. My inspector general Xena Warrior Princess is on the job here.

Origin of the Latin Name for Hens and Chicks:
The word for the genus, Sempervivum, is Latin for "always live," i.e., evergreen. So far, so good. But when you discover that the word for the species, tectorum, means "on roofs" in Latin, you may start scratching your head. What does this evergreen perennial have to do with roofs?
Well, it turns out that hens and chicks, which are indigenous to Europe, were traditionally planted in thatched roofs. European folklore held that they were supposed to provide protection against lightning-induced fires, due to the plants' association with two gods of lightning: Thor and Zeus (Jupiter). In this case, folklore is justified, in the sense that succulents such as hens and chicks are fire-resistant and would perhaps slow down the spread of fire through thatch.

First Daffodils

They are coming out! The first daffodil in the yard was spotted today. Others are celebrating their first ones too, all over the world. Last year, the first blooms arrived first week in March.

Weather is beautiful for February, still winter, 60 F. and sunny today. El Nino.

Spring Tease

While they have the blizzard of the century back east, we had sun and warmth. Things are emerging.

Turning the compost, I saw worms - big'ns and little wrigglers. This is good!! Last year I had to buy some live fishing bait and dump it in there. This year they showed up on their own.

My 'bamboo' is showing pink tips at ground level. By April, it will be 4 ft tall or more.

The naturalized daffodils that have been around for decades are about ready to pop.

The flowering quince is the first to bloom.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything
is accomplished.” Lao Tzu


Violets already!

Bulb Experiments 2010

Planted some daffodil bulbs in the gray containers. 2-3 levels of bulbs, but all daffodils. In one I added winter hardy pansies on top. I hope the bulbs bloom, and can move around the pansies!

Here are the red galvanized planters - I put in a black plastic liner made from garbage bag, first. These planters I did up with the crocus bulbs, and mini-tulips. Also, found the bulbs from last year's experiment, and added those to the mix too. The white planter has 4 big daffodil bulbs. I hope it's deep enough.