Narcissus / Daffodils in the Peony Garden

What are the names of these daffodils you ask?  Well, a project I have been working on with Charles Applegate is identifying and mapping the daffodils in the Peony Garden.  It's been a fun task, and a work in progress as now that I have collected the data, I have to match it to pictures and plot it on the maps.  Below are a few basics I have learned along the way and for a more detailed account of daffodils - watch Charles Applegate on Plant Talk by clicking on this link: Kingwood Center Plant Talk 4/28

 

Daffodil Identification: 

The American Daffodil Society divides all Narcissus into 13 horticultural divisions, based partly upon flower form and partly upon genetic background.  For color coding the daffodil is divided into two regions, the perianth (petals) and corona (cup).  For example, a Division 5 Yellow-Yellow and is displayed as:   5 Y-Y.  Charles Applegate suggested I get the book Daffodils to Show and Grow, so I asked my friend Lynn H to check it out of the Kingwood library for me.  She volunteers in the library.  Well, more to follow as I learn about Daffodils.

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - Eight Days

 William H. Krekler was a native Ohioan born in 1900.  An enthusiastic hybridizer who grew peonies for pleasure, not commercial sale, his donations created Kingwood's original collection.  Shown below are pictures, taken in the garden last year, highlighting EIGHT of his varieties. 

Golly
Japanese Peony  1966

  

Illini Jubilee
Single Peony  1965









Jessie
Japanese Peony  1965

 



Karen Gray
Japanese Peony  1965

 

Orlando Roberts
Double Peony  1962



Zenith
Double Peony  1966



West Elkton
Japanese Peony  1958

Tom Eckhardt
Japanese Peony 1965

Here Lives The Lorax

This tree chair conjures up many childhood images. Located between the peony garden and the back duck pond, Shawn McClain created a great throne from a fallen tree.  Then he added a foot rest.  In the winter, I like to think a Snow King lives close to here and holds court with the wildlife.  Shown here, he would have a red cardinal as a court jester waiting in the wings.  I have seen lots of other wildlife come to see if the King is holding court as well, such as squirrels and rabbits.

One day I went to sit on the great throne and found the the center to be hollow.  Could this be another way into the mystical world of Alice?  I was never interested in that much adventure.

Also brings to mind my favorite Dr. Seuss book The Lorax. Kingwood may not have any Truffula trees, but they do have a nice variety and maybe the Lorax comes now and then to visit and make sure all is well.  As you know, he speaks for the trees.  The chipmunks seen coming and going from this hollow seat are probably taking him messages.  I have yet to see the Snow King, Alice or The Lorax, but there is always the possibility.

Dreaming of Spring

ZZZZzzzzz  ZZZZzzzzz



Dreaming of Spring Glory

The peonies are asleep under a warm blanket of snow.  Kathy M and I are working on a project to make sure that each peony will have its own label come spring.  We were out in the garden this week scoping out the tags and marking on our map while listening closely to hear if they were snoring.  Although we may not have heard them in their slumbers, I am sure they are dreaming of a colorful spring.  And so am I.