It will cost you sweat and tears,
and perhaps... a little blood.
~Nosferatu
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| my photo taken from today's walk around town |
Yesterday was a somewhat dreary weather day so it was the perfect time to set up my gothic garden sprouting station. You see, a few weeks ago I went crazy and bought a bunch of seeds from Seedsgalore147, an Etsy shop. I don’t typically grow plants from seeds but considering my total purchase was $16.22, I wasn’t breaking the bank. Why not!?!, I figured.
While I’ve never had a problem filling my garden with deep purple and dark scarlet flowers, my favorite color combination, it has taken years for me to find exactly what I want. The greenhouses around here don’t exactly post signs, “Get Your Gothic Plants Here” (that would be super nice). I poke around looking for the right colors of plants that are also suited for my yard, which in the summer is mostly full sun... so all those amazing shade plants with deeper hues just will not work. 
Fortunately, I have been able to find some gothic flowers that, like this gothy girl, love the sun; but again, it isn’t like I go and find exactly what I want in one shopping trip. So, a few weeks ago when I was putzing around online, I stumbled upon an Etsy page where I could easily buy way too many seeds that I didn’t exactly need. Yay!
From Seedsgalore147, I purchased Hollyock Nigra The Watchman; Nemophilia Penny Black; Scabiosa Black Knight Pin Cushions (my fella loved the blue pin cushions he had at his old place); Columbine Black Barlow (I already have Columbine but I’m excited about this color); Cornflower, Bacheler's Button Black Ball, Carnation King Of Blacks, and Viola Pansy Clear Crystal Black. I already have some pretty dark purple pansies but I’m hoping these seeds grow.
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| Seedsgalore147 |
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| Seedsgalore147 |
Fingers crossed that everything will sprout in the next several weeks (or for the Bat Flower, months!).
Absolutely gorgeous. I need to get my ass in gear in my own yards and get sorting. Trouble is, I have several pairs of nesting birds (sparrows and blackbirds) in the clematis / honeysuckle that get quite angry at me being in their space! I'm looking out for a cute bird bath for them as the blackbirds love a good splash.
ReplyDeleteLove the velvety pansys / violas. May have to get some of them :)
OMG you have nesting blackbirds?!? Gweee! I *think* I have wren in my birdhouse. I don't want to go poking around so I'm not sure who's in there. I completely understand about sharing space. My first year in my house I had to give in to the mockingbirds who weren't so happy that I moved in. Good luck!
DeleteThese all look gorgeous. I really need to get planting, otherwise it will be too late! Thank you for the inspiration ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for being encouraged. I started gardening in pots on a tiny balcony so even if the season passes you by you can always bring some plants indoors.
DeleteA very inspirational collection of gothy flowers. Till now I only got a red basil black pepper and black beans. I wish you good luck with the bat flower I sat my eye on one too but I have more a blck thumb than a green one XD
ReplyDeleteI've discovered that I'm *pretty* growing things... Plus, what's 9 months anyway?!? it isn't like I'm going to have to pay for the Bat Flower's college so... ;p
DeleteThese are perfectly wonderful flowers!!! I've had the black pansies in the past, and loved them. I REALLY have to get my @$$ in gear as well. I literally haven't been in my garden in months, and I know it's horribly overgrown. But for some reason, I'm now actually afraid to go out there... NO idea why. I think perhaps it has become the focus point for my grief, which is weird, but there is NO other reason for me to be avoiding it so assiduously.
ReplyDeleteOh, HUG, Lucretia. I once moved three times with one box I couldn't make myself unpack because it was symbolic of my emotional baggage. I can completely relate. Encouragement, love and support for small steps. And even if you let it go, in all seriousness you could appreciate how the weeds take over. I mean, their perseverance is inspirational. The fact that a dandelion an grow in a crack in a sidewalk; geez, I wish I were more like that.
DeleteThanks! And it's true, plants ARE amazing considering all the places they find to grow, especially in a world where so much of the ground is covered up with asphalt, concrete, etc. "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Something like that... ;-)
DeleteSomething like that indeed.
DeleteI love all the shades of black, the purple black, red black, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI like that you wrote, "shades of black" because yes there are! Some folks don't get it at all. ;p
DeleteI love all the shades of black, the purple black, red black, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI bought several kinds of gothy black flower seeds last year, and just ordered more for this year. Most did well, though my black lily didn't come up; but I will try, try again. The pansies are especially wonderful, so velvety! I look forward to seeing how all your gothy seeds grow! They should be gorgeous! (I haven't tried a bat flower.)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a ton of hope for the bat flower BUT I'm going to give it the best environment I possibly can and cross my fingers and toes.
DeleteI almost *almost* bought some Queen of the Night tulip bulbs online but for about a dozen they were $65 and that just seems high. A black lily would be amazing but I think I might put too much pressure on myself by buying plants that aren't for my zone.
I can finally comment on this post, woohooo! I have been trying 4 times...
ReplyDeleteSo, I wanted to say how beautiful your garden will look, and how I look forward to seeing your posts at the end of summer.
Also... If you happen to find yourself with some seeds leftover, I hereby volunteer to take them off your hands :)
Yay! There you are :) I'm sorry it has taken me a few days to comment back. Thank you. I post a ton of pictures on Facebook because of the time stamp... So when I'm impatient I can look back over the years to see the first blooms of varies plants. I'm also wondering what surprises are in store this year. Another year of pumpkins or... What next?!? :D
DeleteIs it working now..?
ReplyDelete