{Our Narcissus Cassata}

On February 17, I was so pleased to find two of our Narcissus Cassata blooming again. They did survive the hot and dry summer of 2011! These beauties don't naturalize, their bulbs stay almost the same number from the beginning on. But at least we kept them alive!

Narcissus Cassata belong to the Amaryllidaceae and you can find them here: Amaryllidaceae. 

Do you have any special fragrant narcissus?

{Salix Caprea Pendula - Weeping Pussy Willow}

FINALLY after all those years we got a Salix Caprea Pendula - Weeping Pussy Willow! We were in Atlanta and of all places, Trader Joe's had them! Sure enough we grabbed one and it came home with us. It is in the greenhouse still till spring is really there, but it is blooming already. These photos are from February 17. Don't you love such a Weeping Pussy Willow? We grew up in an area where Pussy Willows were really thriving. In late winter we did cut off its branches and had them in a vase till they would open up at the stage shown in these photos. So again, fond childhood memories for both of us...

The pot with Pussy Willow I've put in front of the greenhouse on a teak chair on the patio.

The Tree of Enchantment

Weeping Pussy Willow...

The Story of Salix Caprea Pendula

The weeping pussy willow is among the most graceful of trees.

It is connected with all that is feminine-dreaming, intuition, emotion, enchantment, healing and revitalization. 

The willow has long since been recognized as a sacred tree by poets, philosophers and religious leaders because of the flexibility of its twigs.

The willow's flexibility symbolizes resilience and inspires us to move with life rather than resist what we are feeling.

Magic has it that willow is bestowed with magical power capable of fulfilling wishes. 

For a wish to be granted, ask permission of the willow explaining your desire. 

Select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it expressing your wish. 

When your wish is fulfilled, return and untie the knot.

Remember to thank the willow for your gift.

{Our New 3rd Bridge}

Before Valentine's Day my worker bee, husband Pieter, did finish his 3rd bridge across the creek. That way we cross the water for going into our wood garden. So proudly I want to show you his labor. A very sturdy one and high enough for when we get heavy rains and the creek over flows.

Husband Pieter is planting our new shrub roses that we purchased at Costco the other day. 

With our Toyota RAV4 Pieter hauled potting soil and spent mushroom compost from Home Depot.

Also step by step Pieter has been working on the new trail and lining it with Mondo grasses.

Pieter did pre-treat the wood very well before working with it.

He also used high quality galvanized and lacquered deck screws, so they will not rust.

Do you see the many daffodils blooming in our wood garden?

The pump (near the tree above) is still covered in protective plastic for insulation against the frost.

Great job and this bridge will hold many footsteps and lots of wheelbarrow runs...

Interesting links:

{Walk Our Wood Trail With Me + Helen Curtis Azalea} | previous post by me