Surprise!

Last fall, I was (again) bit by the bulb bug. You know the feeling. Days are getting shorter, it's getting cold and rainy, and thoughts turn to spring. With that delicious feeling of being slightly extravagant, I ordered about $50.00 worth of bulbs from John Scheepers. I dutifully put each bulb approximately in the right spot, at approximately the right depth or a little less deep. Then I forgot what I'd ordered and where I'd put it.

Imagine my surprise about a week ago, when I saw this:

Yes, this must be one of the 25 Fritillaria meleagris I put in the ground. I was so excited! Of course I know I'm cheating. This is a European Fritillaria. Ms. Curbstone Valley has the California native, Fritillaria affinis, growing right on her property. But I tried to grow that, and even though I bought the rather expensive native bulbs two years ago, they didn't come up. So, here I am with the European version. Because this is not an invasive plant, I very much enjoy it along with my native bulbs, in my suburban garden.

And isn't she pretty?

Just a few days later, a second bud appeared, and soon both bells started to unfold. I've since found a few plants. 

A surprise in the garden every day.