Since writing about Pinks in my blog entry yesterday, I have been thinking about how happy I will be when they are in bloom again.
This afternoon, I pulled out my purple wicker box and had fun sorting through the many coloured seed packets. It was as if they were all calling, ‘pick me, pick me, plant me first’.
There were four packets of Dianthus superbus ‘Rainbow Loveliness’ (pictured here in pink) which I had ordered from Thompson & Morgan. As I talked about in an earlier blog entry, I have found it difficult to locate plants or seeds of this particular variety of Pinks. They are so worth growing though. Thus decided these would be the first seeds sown.
Then I came upon four packets of Nigella damescena ‘Miss Jekyll’ (pictured below) another of my flower favourites, and individual packets of different varieties of Morning Glories, and other flowering vines.
Next in line were seeds for Mina lobata vines, since I am fascinated with watching the flowers gradually change from pale yellow to red. This year I shall remember to plant them where they will not clash with other flowering plants.
Digging deeper, I found many seeds from Dolichos lablab (aka Hyacinth Bean) which grows to be such a beautiful vine. The pinkish/white flowers are pretty and later give way to deep purple-coloured shiny seed pods.
At the bottom of my wicker seed box, I happened upon several varieties of Scabiosa seeds. Often I think it is a toss-up between Pinks and Scabiosa flowers when it comes to picking my favourite flower family.
For when Scabiosa caucausica ‘Fama’ begins to bloom, the pale lavender-blue blooms are simply stunning. The only downside is that they are lacking in scent and I suppose that is what I most love about Pinks.
There were several other smaller seed packets including, Amaranthus ‘Velvet Curtains’, Orlaya grandiflora, Commelina dianthifolia, Dicentra ‘Golden Tears’, Callistephus ‘Blue Ribbon’ and Lapageria rosea.
After I finally finished my seed sorting, I gathered my seed trays and little pots and proceeded to play in the dirt. It was great fun planting, especially deciding if seeds had actually ended up in every pot. Sometimes I get distracted and then cannot figure out if I have already planted seeds or not.
If I had my way, I would make all seeds large enough that they can be poked into the ground, thereby resulting in dirt under my fingernails. Now that’s a good feeling for a garden-starved woman.
After sowing my seeds, I figured that the bulk of my work was finished. What I had not counted on though, was having to go on a quest for a missing electrical cord for my grow-lights. Now that took ages.
As I told a friend tonight, I managed to disconnect both the television and the internet connections while rummaging around for the missing electrical cord. This did not sit well with my son who was watching the dying minutes on a NHL hockey game (that’s what happens when one lives in Saskatchewan – well, in most places in Canada – with the NHL playoffs starting soon, many people spend their evenings watching hockey games on television. This seems to go on well into June, which I find mostly incomprehensible when a person could be sitting outside).
In the end, my seeds were all planted and happily placed under the lights. Now commences my favourite part of all – watching seedlings as they emerge from the ground.
in the autumn light 
Please do post a picture of the seedlings popping out, I love watching them too. The flowers you got seem very unusual, the names are even stranger! Wish you a happy Easter
I’m going to try Dianthus ‘Rainbow Loveliness’ this year for the first time after reading someone somewhere singing its praises. The annual Dianthus don’t seem to appreciate our hot humid summers, but I’ll give it a shot. I probably should have started the seeds before now – I wonder if it would work as a summer-sown annual for the fall?My ‘Bath’s Pink’ Dianthus are just getting ready to bloom – I hope the flowers survive our spring freeze.
A purple wicker box! Shades of Yolanda Elizabet! You are another stylish gardener!! Lol! And, that gorgeous arrangement on your table…yet another talent comes to public view! Okay, I am shamed…lol..I will dig through my seed packet mess and really try to get some started…how long have I been meaning to do this??!We are getting some payback for our recent good weather…a freezing weekend…which means I spent last evening hauling things into the garage…which means (I have just realized) I will spend this morning hauling them out! What fun!Oh, and I agree…seeds should be bigger! I have the same issue…did I get any in there?? Usually, the answer is yes…I planted something like 50 in a tiny spot…or so it seems when they come up!
Cold weekend here in Scotts Bay, Kate, which means that it feels like it might be a good day to plant a little spring indoors here, too. I have a few to-dos to get finished (like finding the top of my desk–critical because the seeds I bought this spring are SOMEWHERE in the clutter!). I too adore nigella, especially for its free range tendencies. Got a deep rose one this year from Renee’s Garden, and hopefully it will be as lovely as the packet. I’ll save seeds if it is.
This makes me want to start little seedlings with my children! Their rooms are the only ones in the house with deep windowsills, too! =)
Hi Kate,Pinks are wonderful plants and these look very interesting. Hopefully they will germinate and your other seeds as well. I like oldfashioned flowers and they don’t come more old fashioned then pinks, I think. That scent is absolute bliss! ;-)Have a lovely Easter!
You have given me a few more flowers seed to try. I have been planting seeds this week, too. Nothing fancy, just white marigolds andpurple hollycocks.Have you noticed that some seed packets are almost works of art? I hate to open them.We are cold here again, in the east. Had a bad storm yesterday, and got 12 inches of heavy wet snow. Sure will be glad when the real spring gets here.
Hi Kate, first of all thanks for IDing the androsace. I thought I posted a reply to your comment but it didn’t show up. Don’t know what happened.The Dianthus is wonderful. We just plant the ordinary colorful ones offered by the nurseries and haven’t sought out the more unsual forms.The ‘love in the mists’ are a favorite. I believe we bought a packet of seed this year and will be happy to see them again.We planted some hyacinth beans one year but the plant didn’t do much at all and produced only a few pods. I saw one in a garden in Annapolis that covered a fence and a trellis next to the gateway. It made a nice backdrop for the other flowers planted in its proximity. Great choices of seed.
Hi Kate, I just love how your lavendar blog page sets off the photos of your flowers! Beautiful!I’ve got a frilly variety of pink, but it is a pale purple and it smelled wonderful. I will be trying nigella again on your recommendation – had no luck with it many years ago. I sometimes think watching the seedlings push up and grow is as much fun as seeing them bloom. What kind of plant is the “orlaya” – I’ve never heard of it. Have a wonderful Easter, Alyssa
Thanks for lovely comments! The photos are gorgeous – you’ve chosen some of our favourite flower seeds – nigella, scabious and morning glory – woonderful! Have a good Easter!
Beautiful flowers, Kate. Happy Easter to you and your family…and a special Easter hug to Lytton.:)
Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed Easter
Happy Easter, C.:)S
Hello Kate, The purple wicker box has me intrigued, too – it sounds both organized and pretty. I hope your pinks work out. Down here the old standard ‘Telstar’ types make it through our hot & humid summers, but only if they’re in hanging baskets and containers rather than in the ground. I’ve grown Hyacinth vines off and on for years, but have only seen the Mina lobata in my daughter’s photos from the Pacific Northwest.Thank you for letting us have a peek at your day. Even if it’s only potting soil, at least you were in contact with some earth!Annie at the Transplantable Rose
rainbow loveliness pinks are one of my all time favorites! I love everything in the dianthus genus but these are a particular favorite. Great image of them!
We love the same flowers! I have grown some but not all of these. Oh, won’t they be beautiful. You will be surrounded by loveliness soon.
Wow… thanks for introducing me to ‘Miss Jekyll,” Kate! I haven’t liked most of the usual nigella, but that one somehow struck me. I just may have to grow some this year. 🙂
Hello! I just found your blog today when I joined Green Thumb Sunday! I *adore* the table setting picture! Just lovely! 🙂