My entry in the Garden Olympics.

– Posted in: Miscellaneous
15 comments

Here is my entry in Idaho Gardener’s Garden Olympics. I have to say, there didn’t seem much time to mull things over and pick my three entries. Here’s what I came up with under pressure.

The Secret Garden Path

narcissus_path.jpgThe path to the Secret Garden fulfills its job of luring you in by looking attractive throughout the year.

My Mosaic Birdbath

Image of mosaic birdbath surrounded by plants
Acquiring this birdbath was a triumph of aesthetic appreciation over miserly practicality. It was an agonizing decision, but the right one. It’s beautiful, and it inspires me.

No one entering these Olympics has more kinds of Colchicums

Colchicum_Harlequin_9_19_2006_3_12_33_PM.JPGAnd then there is my colchicum collection. I have over two dozen kinds. How many kinds do you have?

Have fun judging, Mary Ann. You’ve got some tough choices ahead of you.

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

Now, the digging and dividing of perennials, the general autumn cleanup and the planting of spring bulbs are all an act of faith. One carries on before the altar of delayed gratification, until the ground freezes and you can’t do any more other than refill the bird feeder and gaze through the window, waiting for the snow. . . . Meanwhile, it helps to think of yourself as a pear tree or a tulip. You will blossom spectacularly in the spring, but only after the required period of chilling.

~Adrian Higgins in The Washington Post, November 6, 2013

Comments on this entry are closed.

Philip August 30, 2008, 1:10 pm

I love that you have a path to the secret garden!The mosaic birdbath is wonderful. The plants which surround it must give the birds a place to perch and hop around when they drink. I have enjoyed your blog.
Best regards,
Philip

Kathy Purdy August 31, 2008, 12:07 pm

Thank you, Philip, for stopping by with your kind comments.

TC August 19, 2008, 5:37 pm

I love the old secret “path.” I bet there’s a tractor or two that’s worn it down a bit. Do you happen to know what kind of tree the stump is from?

I can barely see the birdbath but I detect a hint of its beauty.

I’m afraid to have naked ladies, for obvious reasons. ;~)

Mr. McGregor's Daughter August 19, 2008, 3:17 pm

Every fall, when it’s too late, I see all the places where I could use more Colchicums. I have only 1 type. (Lame!) Your mosaic birdbath is really beautiful, even if impractical.

CurtissAnn August 19, 2008, 12:16 pm

Kathy– I enjoyed very much seeing the pics of your garden. The path to the secret garden does invite– so natural, warm, and pleasant.

Annie in Austin August 18, 2008, 5:02 pm

Congratulations, Kath – looks like being the Queen of Colchicums got you the silver.

You’ve already got Colchicum autumnale Alboplenum which looks pretty silvery in photos.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Daisy August 18, 2008, 12:42 pm

I’ve never heard of colchicums before. They’re so uniquely beautiful! Everytime I see a bloom on someone’s blog, I hate having to ask myself, can I grow that here with our colder climate and short season? The title of your blog answers that for me. I really like checking things out here. Thanks!

Gail August 18, 2008, 12:17 pm

Love colchicums ! Yours are medal worthy….there is certainly no one in your category that comes close to this lavender bloom!

Nancy August 18, 2008, 11:25 am

I’d say you hold up under pressure very well indeed!

Kathy Purdy August 18, 2008, 11:20 am

Lynn, the colchicums do not bloom throughout the year. They only bloom in autumn. You can get them from any reputable bulb company, but Odyssey Bulbs has a much greater selection.

Good luck with your mosaic making. My birdbath was purchased and I’ve never done mosaics myself.

Lynn August 18, 2008, 11:08 am

Hi Kathy,
I saw autumn crocuses blooming on campus last year and they stopped me dead in my tracks! Bam! Wow! Your place must be amazing with them throughout the year. Maybe I can start now for next year at our house. Where do you recommend I find them? p.s. I’ve wanted to make a mosaic-something for years. maybe now I’ll try 🙂 Good luck in the comp!

Cinj August 18, 2008, 10:02 am

I love the garden path and mosaic bird bath. WOW. Of course the flowers are beautiful too, but everyone seems to have told you that already anyway.

Rose August 18, 2008, 8:34 am

Stunning entries; I’m getting worried about the competition now, though we’ve entered different categories. Your colchicums are beautiful, but I must admit I’ve never heard of them before.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens August 18, 2008, 6:13 am

I have as many colchicums as you sent me last fall, so fortuantely I didn’t enter that competition. I still think I have a shot at the gold medal for hoeing!

Anna August 18, 2008, 2:38 am

I just heard a report tonight on the olympics and they said—-most of the glory is in the unseen and uncrowded moments of preparation. It shows and you you deserve a medal by my book.