Adopt Me:
I am the very first flower to bloom in the new year and I am as white as the January snow. I grow in all zones. My bulb multiplies each year. My friends and I flower in bunches. I can grow indoors or outdoors.

Adopt me!

I cause a sensation in the garden, whether formal or cottage. I make myself at home anywhere. Some of my relatives are edible, but I am just pretty! I am hardy in zones 4-9b.

I look pretty in purple blooming with my friends. I'm not the earliest to bloom, but am still earlier than most. You can divide my bulbs or plant my seeds. I'm easy!

Shelly

Shelly

Ooh what great adoption posts! I'm still thinking about mine.
I hope you're also coming up with your word lists.
I just went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden annual plantsale & it was a madhouse! I kept looking at all the flowers I already have but the ones at the sale were so much farther along than my little seedlings. I did manage to stay within my budget. But I couldn't resist getting a little something for the wordgame prize.
Can't wait to see everyone's lists. One more day.
Grace

Grace, I'd like to join in too.
I have been thinking about what to offer for adoption but have not decided quite yet.
I'm thinking of some things that smell good but that covers a lot of territory. LOL
Stay tuned for details.
Bethb

Adopt me I have a pure heart and am proud to display it in early spring

Congratulations to Michelle for a whopping 247 words!!
Here's the list!
Michelle, email me with your address so I can send your prize!

1. Mayflower
2. Lower
3. Lowers
4. Law
5. Low
6. Flow
7. Lame
8. Flame
9. Flames
10. May
11. Flowers
12. Flower
13. Ow
14. Aw
15. Flaw
16. Sew
17. Mow
18. Mows
19. Foe
20. Slow
21. Row
22. Mew
23. Raw
24. Slam
25. Ma
26. Maw
27. Lay
28. Flay
29. Rose
30. Lose
31. Wear
32. Mare
33. Are
34. Roam
35. Foam
36. Lore
37. Foal
38. Loaf
39. More
40. For
41. Fore
42. Fare
43. Ware
44. Year
45. Ear
46. Slaw
47. Slay
48. Woe
49. Fear
50. Farm
51. Arm
52. Warm
53. Arms
54. Warms
55. Farms
56. Fears
57. War
58. Wore
59. Saw
60. Fame
61. Form
62. Worm
63. Loam
64. Wolf
65. Soar
66. Sore
67. Wale
68. Ale
69. Male
70. Yam
71. Way
72. Same
73. Rye
74. Arf
75. Sear
76. Sale
77. Mars
78. Rome
79. Fowl
80. Swale
81. Flew
82. Fly
83. Flyer
84. Slayer
85. Yea
86. Far
87. Sea
88. Mower
89. We
90. Sow
91. Slew
92. Sofa
93. Leaf
94. Seal
95. Meal
96. Real
97. Ram
98. Ream
99. Seam
100. Mole
101. My
102. Far
103. Also
104. Worse
105. Lease
106. Frame
107. False
108. Swarm
109. Swap
110. Fowl
111. Lye
112. Flea
113. Sly
114. Smear
115. Royal
116. Soy
117. Safe
118. Of
119. Lawyer
120. Role
121. Sole
122. Lore
123. Mower
124. So
125. Am
126. Some
127. Soar
128. Elm
129. Awe
130. Wry
131. Swam
132. Oar
133. Flare
134. Molar
135. Realm
136. Laws
137. Flows
138. Flaws
139. Rows
140. Lays
141. Flays
142. Wears
143. Roams
144. Foams
145. Fares
146. Wares
147. Years
148. Ears
149. Woes
150. Roes
151. Wars
152. Forms
153. Worms
154. Loams
155. Males
156. Yams
157. Mowers
158. Meals
159. Rams
160. Reams
161. Moles
162. Frames
163. Fleas
164. Lawyers
165. Roles
166. Elms
167. Oars
168. Relay
169. Few
170. Or
171. Owe
172. Meow
173. Yaw
174. Yaws
175. Yews
176. Yew
177. Wey
178. Yawl
179. Ye
180. Yea
181. Yearly
182. Yore
183. Ray
184. Re
185. Reflow
186. Reform
187. Rely
188. REM
189. Rom
190. Rosy
191. Rowel
192. A
193. Aero
194. Afore
195. Afro
196. Ale
197. Alfa
198. Amole
199. Amore
200. Awry
201. Awl
202. Earl
203. Early
204. El
205. Era
206. Eros
207. Fame
208. Faro
209. Fey
210. Flowery
211. Foray
212. Formal
213. Frey
214. Freya
215. Frowsy
216. Lam
217. Layer
218. Lea
219. Lo
220. Loser
221. Lose
222. Lyme
223. Lyre
224. Mar
225. Maya
226. Mayor
227. Mealy
228. Measly
229. Mesa
230. Morsel
231. Mosey
232. Ms
233. Mrs.
234. Oaf
235. Ole
236. Omer
237. Oral
238. Sawfly
239. Seafowl
240. Seamy
241. Self
242. Sera
243. Serf
244. Smeary
245. Soar
246. Sofa
247. Solar

Adopt us!
We're a friendly trio who can keep you company in almost every season for many years to come. The earliest of us likes shady places & shows her pale face to each May to breathe a little perfume into the air. The second can offer lovely pink & purple hand coverings for wildlife. The last will give you a splash of color at harvest time.

Grace

Hi Michelle
Your prize went out today. I packed it up & mailed it out & then realized that I forgot to pack the card. So the random box of plants is from me. The scented geraniums should root if you stick the cuttings in soil. I labeled everything so it should be clear, but let me know if you have any questions! And congrats again!
Grace

Now, for the next game, I thought it would be nice to have something interactive - requiring a little luck from Mother Nature & a bit of your keen eye.

Post as many different flowers that you can spot. Just the different species, since it may get ridiculous if we listed each named variety of tulip we have blooming. Please post here by this Saturday May 15. Remember they have to be physically sited by you and in bloom.

Good luck!
Grace

I;m part of a group too. The four of us hang out together so much that someone wrote a song about us.
I'm biennial but my friends are perennial. They love me anyway! You will to, especially if you are a certain type of butterfly.
Adopt us and we'll liven up your kitchen or your garden.

Finding flowers here, other than the ones I just planted is a bit tricky. There is still snow all around us.
Right here in our little valley it has been raining but the rest of the nearby hills and mountains had some more snow.
Do things I see at the Garden center count?
Bethb

BB I did think of you & was going to give a hint that all flowers do not have to be in bloom "in nature".
If you have sightings at the garden center, I say it's been sited in your area. :)
Happy hunting!
Grace

Grace, it looks like your first hosting job is going well. Thank you again for taking it on for me.

It turned out to be a good decision that I pull out. Our dog Beggar ended up getting her cancer back almost immediately and it spread quickly. Our vet came out yesterday to take the pain away as she was in a bad way. She is now resting at the top of the hill overlooking our pond. It was a sad day but she was with us for over 12 years and was a good friend to all of us.

I hope everyone gets the box they are hoping for. Have fun and thanks Grace. Margo

sorry about your dog Margo.

i got my prizes in the mail today.
i got three plants:
apple scented geranium (yum smells so good)
easter lily (my mom loves these)
begonia

thanks so much for the cool prizes Grace.
michelle

Tomorrow is adoption day!!! I can't wait! I've got a selection chosen and just have to get them dug and packed. I love surprise trades!

Shelly

Oh Margo, I'm so sorry about Beggar! I don't know what I'd do without my Olive and I've only had her for a little over a year now. Sounds like she had a full life, which is most important.

I'm also excited for adoption day. Unlike you, Shelly, I can't decide. They all sounds so good. Just to recap:

mchill320 - Michelle
first to bloom & white. all zones. bulb multiplies. flower in bunches with friends. indoors or outdoors.

sred98 - Shelly
cause a sensation & at home anywhere. relatives are edible, but I am just pretty! zones 4-9b. purple blooming with my friends. not earliest, but earlier than most. bulbs or seeds. easy!

veeja11 - Carol
pure heart and proud to display in early spring

celeegra - Grace
trio in almost every season for years to come. earliest like shade, has pale face in May, perfume. second has pink & purple hand coverings. last gives color at harvest time.

beth_b_kodiak - BethB
four, someone wrote a song about us. biennial, friends are perennial. loved by a certain type of butterfly. liven up kitchen or garden.

Any last minute changes? Speak now. Adoptions begin at midnight!
Grace

OHHHHHH am I first??????
I hate to be grabby and greedy but, if I'm first, I'd love Grace's trio.
All the others sound good too but with a new garden, the idea of things for several seasons is very appealing.
Hope somebody likes my group too. They are waiting for a nice sunny spot and a new home.
bethb

I think I'm going to choose Carol's group! They all sound so good it's hard to pick!

Thanks for hosting this Grace!

Shelly

Beth's sounds good. i'll take hers.

thanks, michelle

Guess I'll take Graces box. sorry about your dog Margo, kids just dumped a snoodle on us. I need the address of the person who has my box, although I am not sure she meant to choose mine as she wrote saying she liked my box of various bulbs, I think my box is a pure heart, not sure what else yet. let me know shelly if you meant to grab a different box or send me your addy ty carol

Carol-I called them surprise bulbs because they are a surprise to me!! I sent you an email with my address.

Thanks!

Shelly

Michelle, you have no plants on your wish list or anything about your garden on your home page.
Want to give me some hints at what you might like besides the herbs? I may not have it, but then again, I just might.
Thanks for picking my package,
Bethb

Hi MFNers
Carol, I'm so sorry but Beth already picked my box first.
I would love to pick Shelly's box since I'm doing a blue/purple thing this spring, so it looks like you'll get Michelle's box.
However if you want some of what is in my box, I have plenty & would be happy to arrange a separate trade with you. LMK!

Here's the recap in order of picking:

celeegra - Grace => goes to BethB
trio in almost every season for years to come. earliest like shade, has pale face in May, perfume. second has pink & purple hand coverings. last gives color at harvest time.

veeja11 - Carol => goes to Shelly
pure heart and proud to display in early spring

beth_b_kodiak - BethB => goes to Michelle
four, someone wrote a song about us. biennial, friends are perennial. loved by a certain type of butterfly. liven up kitchen or garden.

sred98 - Shelly =>goes to Grace
cause a sensation & at home anywhere. relatives are edible, but I am just pretty! zones 4-9b. purple blooming with my friends. not earliest, but earlier than most. bulbs or seeds. easy!

mchill320 - Michelle => Carol
first to bloom & white. all zones. bulb multiplies. flower in bunches with friends. indoors or outdoors.

Beth, I already got your address.
Let the boxes start flying!
Grace

Here is my list of flowers.
African violets
Alyssum
Daffodils
Dandiloin, lots and an lots and lots
Dianthus
tulips
Garder Daisy
Hydrangea
Hyacinths
Snap Dragons
Calla lilies
Crown of thorns
Pansies
Sedum, baby toes
Petunias
Coral bells
Johnny jump up
Lithodora, new to me but quickly becomming a favorite
Rosemary
Stocks
Wall flower, another favorite, smells so good
tomatoe
Quaker ladies
hellebore
Ice plant
mustard
fuschia
verbena
tiny yellow wild flower, I asked the cowboys what it is and they said "a weed" LOL

ok sorry didn't see miss beth beat me, shes a fast lil thing, should have known, oh well sure Michelle's box will be great. hugs to all carol

Sorry Carol, my day starts at 04:00 so I guess that makes me an early bird. I thought the East Coasters might be up and attem by then but you are behind me.
Well, you still have something comming from April. I waited to see if we got each other in either of the May swaps but we didn't so I'll get it out to you this week.
It's my day off and I'm wearing the Monkey Socks.
Grace the tan scarf you sent last winter is one of my favorite things I ever got. It is just perfect and I wanted to say thanks again.
I'm feeling very connected to my GW friends right now. As I look around I see so many things that come from all of you. the new garden is full of them and the house has several very special ones too. It's a nice warm fuzzy feeling.
You new gals have a lot to look foreward too.
hugs
Beth

need an address from carol so i know where to send her box.

thanks, michelle

Hi Beth�
I'm really sorry but I've been so sick with the flu that's really knocked me out. I didn't get a chance to get your plants out of the ground. I'll get them packed up & sent tomorrow.�
I'm so glad the scarf is getting good use.
I don't know a lot of the flowers you listed. I'll have to look them up. Like Quaker ladies. Although the cowboy/weed story alone deserves a prize. Love it. Will send your prize with your box.
Ok. Going back to nurse my box of Kleenex.
Grace

Grace-here is the dc# for your package:

0310 2010 0000 0505 1019

I hope you enjoy them! There are a few things out of your zone, but they will do good if you bring them in, or mulch heavily.

Enjoy!

Shelly

No hurry here!!!!! The AM temp was 27 degrees with heavy frost and ,more snow on the mountains.
Most of my plants are tolerating it as they are right against the house. Tender stuff I'm still taking in and out every day.
That is about the same routine I had in AK... It's and adventure.
Hope you get feeling better soon.
BB

Beth, your DC# is 0309 1830 0001 5558 8833
No chocolate or fuzzy accessories this time, but things that could remind you of both.

That is some cold weather you've got there. If it makes you feel better, this is the 6th straight day of rain & it's not supposed to let up until Sunday for one day & then back to rain.

So, here's the update for boxes:

celeegra - Grace => goes to BethB /sent
sred98 - Shelly =>goes to Grace / sent

pending....
veeja11 - Carol => goes to Shelly
beth_b_kodiak - BethB => goes to Michelle
mchill320 - Michelle => goes to Carol

Does everyone have addresses?

My scented geraniums are flowering & it's amazing to see how different the flowers are for each variety.
Happy May Flowers everyone!
Grace

no i still need carol's address.

thanks, michelle

Shelly, your box went out today conf # 03110240000103693173
hope you like it.

I know it's not a flower but I got fresh cuttings of sweet potato vines for the year! Margarita & Blackie. On the flower side, creeping phlox & a couple salvias are in full bloom. Very exciting!

Box status is:
celeegra - Grace => goes to BethB /sent
sred98 - Shelly =>goes to Grace / sent
veeja11 - Carol => goes to Shelly / sent

waiting for....
beth_b_kodiak - BethB => goes to Michelle
mchill320 - Michelle => goes to Carol

Grace

Woohoo! Am I the first to receive?
I came home today to an amazing box from Shelly!
I adopted Sensation Allium (I was sure it was going to be something in the mint family -- boy was I off the mark!)
Plus many friends - Purple Liatris (i'd been eyeing this lately)
Acidanthea - I love scented & evening!!
White fairy lily - I was just thinking I need more white to break up all the blues & purples
2 different agapanthus
purple spiderwort
vinca vine
and a bamboo windchime & sun garden ornament!
It's like you were reading my mind & knew exactly what I needed. And a sweet note to boot!
I think the only thing that would've made it more perfect is if you added a winning lotto ticket.
Thank you thank you!
A very happy Grace

Grace,

So glad you liked your box! So funny you thought it was mint! I was afraid I'd made the clue too easy! I love the Allium. People always stop and ask what it is. It's great for your purple and blue bed! I'm glad you didn't have any liatris. I love it, and it multiplies well for me. It is common here, and even grows wild in some places, but I always have several spots in my gardens for it. I cannot live without Acidanthera in my yard! It smells sooo good, and the eye is a purply-maroon so it will go in your bed and has nice gladiolus-type foliage. I don't know if you've grown the spiderwort before, but it is really pretty. Just be sure in the Spring not to weed it out! It looks just like grass coming up! It will do just as well in heavy shade as full sun, so I like it's versatility. The vinca is really nice for either edging or mounding. I use it both ways. You can trim it to form round mounds in the bed, or let it fill in the front. Glad you liked the windchimes and sun plaque. I love little "garden jewelry", as I call them.

Sorry, I kept the winning lottery ticket. The temptation was just too much! I'll be headed to Italy as soon as I get Carol's box. I'll send you a postcard! ;-9

This was a really great swap! I love surprises and can't wait til mine gets here! Thanks for hosting it!

Shelly

I GOT MY BOX!!!

Carol sent me:

"I have a pure heart" - this was white bleeding heart! I was hoping for this or snow drops, something white. So YAY! I have the regular pink and love it.

A hosta with mostly white leaves and thin green margins. I needed this!!

Heuchera-I had this at my old house and loved it! Has pinkish-red leaves.

Shasta daisy!! I have needed some of this and haven't found any where I'm at, so WooHoo!

Two huge clumps of mystery daylilies! I love daylilies and have a big bed I'm trying to fill in. These will be perfect!

One unknown plant with no tag, that might be a pulmonaria?? It has oblong, fuzzy leaves with polka-dots!

Also, it looks like an astilbe is in with the hosta. Extra bonus!

I also got an adorable little pink feather flamingo and a pretty pink windchime!

Thanks so much Carol! The box was packed!!

Shelly

Oh! And I forgot the sedum! My 12 year old ran off with that. He loves sedums! Lol! Like I said, the box was PACKED!!!

Thanks again!

Shelly

Running a bit behind here but got Michelle's package mailed yesterday
Here is the DC #
9405 5036 9930 0108 0051 59
Hope for Monday arrival.
BB

earning so money to pay for postage. will send out carol's box on monday. so sorry for the delay.

thanks, michelle

My wonderful package from Grace arrived Saturday.
Just full of delightful goodies.......
Spring was lillies of the Valley. Somewthing I have never had and had not guessed. Summer was Foxgloves which I had guessed and wanted badly. They remind me of Kodiak which i still miss a lot.
Fall is Mums. I did not guess this either. I sorta thought aster or Black eyed Susan. I have not had mums in years but I do like them and think they will do well here. I think I'll make them the front row across the front porch.
irish moss....new to me too
Abekia, new and exciting. I've wanted this
A really beautiful huchera, "obsidian", love this.
Clary sage....mmmmm I have gone crazy over sages this year and planted most every kind I could find so this fits right in.
A yellow spreader.... could it be marguerite? I never had that either.
And, two delightful scented geraniums. Nutmeg and lime.....I love these. I had a collection of them about 40 years ago and am so pleased to have some more.
A cute little sticker book for a kids garden. I put it together on Sunday while it was raining. cute and fun.
A card with seeds in it and some fun, temp tattoos. I might shock the cowboys with those. LOL
Grace, you did fantastic. many many thanks
Beth

got mine yesterday.
my adopted box included:
2 pink lily bulbs
greek oregano
sage
cilantro
parsely
german thyme

now i have fresh herbs to cook with.
thank so much Beth.

michelle

Hello fellow MNFers!
Spring has definitely sprung to summer today in NYC. People are in shorts & sandals with 81'F & sunshine! Begonias are out. Marigolds out. Peonies in all colors out. My jasmine bloomed its first bloom this morning - like heaven.

Glad to see there were a lot of surprises in the boxes. I also thought my box would be obvious, but I guess that's what makes the world interesting, is that we all live in different gardens around the world. Beth I'm sorry I had to cut a lot of the foxgloves down to fit in the box. They weren't so big when I was planning the box, but they grew gigantuan in the weeks of steady rain we've had & I couldn't find a bigger box to send.

Here's the updated status:
celeegra - Grace => goes to BethB /sent & received
sred98 - Shelly =>goes to Grace / sent & received
veeja11 - Carol => goes to Shelly / sent & received
beth_b_kodiak - BethB => goes to Michelle / sent & received

just waiting for....
mchill320 - Michelle => goes to Carol

We have one week left in May, which means one more game.
Go to this website & there's a game for making flower arrangements. Name as many of the flowers & foliages as you can & post them here by end of Saturday May 28th.

http://www.meddybemps.com/shops/arrangingflowers.html

The person who can name the most will win a prize. If there is a tie in the number of flowers & foliage listed, then ties will be broken by creativity in the actual flower arrangements. You can take screen shot or print & scan the flower arrangements you make on the site & post them here.
Good luck!
Grace

finally mailed. so sorry for the delay.
DC# 0310 3490 0002 3811 3996

michelle

lookin forward to my box

received a packed box from mchill today my adoption item was paper whites, with them were white glad bulbs, a jade that she warned might be invasive, don't feel there is any chance of that in this rain soaked place, house plant here along with other house plants shampoo ginger and sanserveria, 2 noid iris can't wait to see them bloom. 2 bell pepper starts great cause slugs just got mine, so needed more, a cute note with planting instructions. 2 pkgs of starbucks via, instant coffee homemade gardeners soap. bath salts which I hear are a hot drug now. thankyou Michelle I love my box. hugs

Hurrah!
All may flowers have arrived in their new adoptive homes.
There were definitely some surprises, & all the boxes sound awesome. I would've been so thrilled with any one of them.
Thanks for playing everyone & remember there's one last game so post your answers here this weekend so I can wrap up the prize on Monday.
Grace

Grace you did I great job on hostessing!
Loved your theme and my package.
The foxglove are in a vase on the serving counter of the cook house. They look excellent after their long trip.
thanks again
Bethb

I agree! I would have loved any of them!! I can't wait til the bleeding heart blooms next year. :-)

Thanks so much for hosting!

Shelly

Congratulations Grace, on your successful exchange!
Alana

Hi everyone! I got an email from Kim that she's unable to host June. So I told her I'd host. I'm posting it now :0)

Have a super weekend!
vina