Around Mother's Day, we usually drive down to Federal Way and walk in the Rhododendron Species Garden. The Pacific Bonsai Museum is adjacent, and the specimens are perfection personified. My favorite is always the blooming wisteria.
Out in the large, natural botanical garden, the Himalayan Blue Poppy is one of the highlights of the year. We didn't expect to see them yesterday, but no surprise, they're blooming early so we lucked out. Also lucky that we got down there early, because by Sunday afternoon there can be as many camera tripods as poppies.
But who can resist taking pictures? They've been featured on the blog many times. I forget from year to year, but on a sunny day this color looks like little chips fell out of the blue sky.
Needless to say, their growing requirements are onerous, but they thrive in this one little patch at the bottom of the garden. Seattle's Zone 7 does not have much in common with the Himalayan meadows, but gardeners are an obstinate bunch. Last year I succumbed and purchased a $10 start. I planted it in a big pot where it soon burned to a crisp. This year I passed on the nursery gift shop temptations. I know where to see blue poppies once a year.
But there are other plant wonders and oddities. Just like our garden, everything seemed abnormally big and lush from the record winter rain and high spring temperatures. This must be the largest magnolia blossom in the world-- Magnolia hypoleuca, or Japanese big leaf magnolia.
And of course, what's a rhododendron garden without masses and masses of these?
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