Garden Endeavors

Hippeastrum 'Minerva'

2012-01-09T16:18:00.011-05:00

Just bloomed.

The Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts.
Hippeastrum 'Minerva'

Katie
born-7/2/1925-1/3/2-2012

Winter...

2011-12-17T08:06:00.003-05:00

Enjoy the season...

I know it's a mess....

2011-11-15T08:10:00.004-05:00

Just love the colors and changes in the gardens.

Blotanical...

2011-11-14T06:46:00.008-05:00

Stuart....what's happening...no awards...hiatus has been a long time...selling Blotanical?

Anyone curious?

Fall Whimsy

2011-11-01T20:37:00.000-04:00

Carpathian bellflower and Mom

2011-10-17T06:24:00.011-04:00

"Campanula carpatica is a species of the bellflower, so named as its origin is in the Carpathian Mountains of Europe. It often is called the Carpathian harebell, the Carpathian bellflower or the Tussock bellflower."

Reminds me of Mom. Her parents came from this region in the Ukraine about 1912.
Never met them...they lived in Jersey City N.J. for a few short years before they died.
So hope it's a keeper.

Not much happening

2011-10-06T16:56:00.004-04:00

Finally moved some plants and did a little fall cleaning like pruning small trees/shrubs.
The weather has been perfect with temps around 68 degrees and mostly sunny, just the way I like it.
Not much happening in the garden since many plants are finished for the year, but it's not over yet.
Here are a few that are bringing color to the yard.

Montauk Daisies are always a winner this time of year.

Sedum and Red Dragon seem to go well together.

Impatiens are still surviving.

Hydrangeas and Rozanne are starting to weather.

Still eating tomatoes and basil.

Begonias are hardy and usually last till first frost.

Well that new shady bed got pretty crowded. Why do I always do that ?
The plants...
Lanterns or Aquilegia canadensid
Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' and 'Catlin's Giant'
Helleborus 'Royal Heritage'
Sweet Woodruff
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum.
Heartleaf Bergenia-Bergenia'Rotblum'
Also a variety of Heucheras/Coral Bells
THEN

Thinking I should thin out this bed.
NOW

End of season coming up...

2011-09-20T20:29:00.002-04:00

At Home
Not too much going on at home. Some summer flowers holding up and some autumn flowers starting to bloom, though.
Temperatures are cooler so far this September...
Last year on this date it was 78 degrees today it's 64...brrr

Obedient Plant 'Vivid' or Physostegia did well this year but my Miss Manners disappeared !

Impatiens and potato plants

Still getting tomatoes !

Scarlet Runner Beans. Gives privacy and Hummers like them.

Out of control Crape Myrtle Whit VIII 'Rhapsody in Pink' -Lagerstroemia indica.
Need to shape it this fall or next spring.
Also have to move that one hosta (bottom left of picture) because it's so big that I'm getting shade where other stuff needs light.

Husbands favorite plants--Knock Out Rose Rosa 'Radrazz'.
He prunes them every couple of days. Myself, did very little pruning this year.

Just some mums.

Sedum spectabile"Brilliant" everywhere.

Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' sure does spread. One of you girls told me it can be invasive. This plant and others might have to get moved since our mostly shady area got changed to part sun.

Yellow climber still pretty but needs to get moved also.
Really don't feel like moving anything with it being so chilly today...
ok, I'm lazy too.

SKY!!!!
We now have SKY looking straight out back since 2 neighbor trees were cut down and one pruned last month.
Not sure what impact it will have on my shade plants come next year.
Sure is nice to see white clouds and birds flying by while sitting on our new deck.

Mini vacation
Ok. now just a quick view of our mini vacation.
Three days of it being 90 degrees in Florida then coming home to temps in the 60's...
well you can see why it feels chilly.

Thai Basil

2011-09-04T08:12:00.009-04:00

Everyone knows Sweet Italian Basil.
BUT have you tried these that I started from seed.
Think I found a new LOVE !!!

Sweet
Basil Sweet Thai- Anise/Licorice Basil (Bai Horapa)
Savory, spicy, has a well-endowed, clove-like licorice flavor.
Its leaves are deep green, smaller and not as round as Western sweet basil. They grow on purplish stems, topped with pretty, reddish purple flower buds. Both leaves and edible flowers are sweetly perfumed with a mix of a distinctly basil scent and that of anise or licorice.

Magic
Basil Thai Magic-Ocimum basilicum
Sweet mild with a hint of anise.
Much like our Western Basil.

Que
Basil Queenette-Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora
One of the most aromatic and flavorful of the Thai Basils.
An essential herb for Vietnamese and Thai cuisine with a complex clove/mint flavor and a distinctive anise aroma.
They grow on purplish stems, topped with very pretty purple flower buds..
It can be used as a vegetable in curries and spicy dishes, releasing its anise flavor.
Leaves are just slightly larger than Sweet Thai.
Or it can be used with Heirloom tomatoes, olive oil and garlic...My favorite !!!!

Back to normal

2011-08-31T16:54:00.009-04:00

Gotta save the half-ripe tomatoes before Irene gets here !

Get this...New deck just completed day before mandatory evacuation.
We stayed home with no problem except some roads were closed due to flooding and EVERYTHING else was closed for 2 days.
Thank goodness the power didn't go out for long.
Since we were pretty much trapped in the house there was lots of snacking, scrabble and movies I recorded.

Life is good.. everything back to normal and we have a new deck to lounge on.

Hey wait....another garden bed...WOO HOO

Last week

Last minute question.
Yes I know need to decorate with furniture/plants...maybe next spring.
English country style would be nice but I never saw any wooden decks in England.
In Europe...everything seems to be brick/stone not sticks like here.

Ok the question... my main concern is this cedar tree going to cause problems with the deck?
Needles everywhere. Sooo love this tree.

Irene

2011-08-25T17:17:00.001-04:00

Mandatory evacuation Cape May County starting Friday 8am.
We're close by, 4 miles from the ocean and close to the bay.

Hoping for the best.

Good luck to everyone.

The Other Half

2011-08-17T20:06:00.003-04:00

Good Pickin' this year ... by the Other Half !

He grows heirloom tomatoes but also has to have peppers and cucumbers.
Everyone is getting tomatoes and most people never had heirlooms
so it's been a different treat for them.

Cherokee Chocolate with dinner. This was one of 79 varieties.

Leaming's Run

2011-08-11T18:12:00.001-04:00

Leaming's Run says it's "the largest annual garden in the United States".
Having more than 30 acres and is considered "one of the top twenty gardens
in the East" by Great Gardens of America. Don't know about all that, but we still enjoy visiting there.

It was very relaxing, walking the numerous trails at Leaming's Run,
although it didn't seem to be quite as well kept since our last visit.
Today was in the 80's (yay) so a good time to get out of the house and enjoy nature.
It's a shame temperatures have been in the 90's on my days off keeping me indoors most of the time.
Do try and spend a few hours a week early mornings weeding and evaluating the garden beds, though.

Here's some of what we found:

It's not Dale but...

2011-08-05T17:51:00.001-04:00

Can you see them ?
Just got some bottles at Big Lots for $3.50 a piece. Loving glass in the garden.
I know some of you have bottle trees but I'm thinking Dale Chihuly.

Would love to have some of his art in my garden.
But since a simple bowl goes for $5,000. think I'll just have to be creative.

Linwood Arboretum

2011-07-31T18:19:00.002-04:00

Linwood Arboretum at first glance looked so tiny 'til you start walking around.
They have a large variety of plants/shrubs that would be great for home landscaping.
Many are rare woody plants that I would love to have in my yard.
It was a very hot day so I couldn't check out all the plants close up.
Here is a little tour of their arboretum.

Mellow Yellow

2011-07-23T17:15:00.000-04:00

Hot hot hot and humid here for the last few days with temps over 100 degrees.
Kinda hard to take pics when the lens keeps steaming up.
Here are some plants that don't mind the heat so far.

Dill

Yellow Streak Heirloom tomatoes are really sweet.
I like sweet !

Coreopsis verticillata or Thread leaf Tickseed.
Danty and pretty.

Unknown Rose vine

Cucumber flowers
Three plants are producing 8-10 Kirby's a day.

False sunflower or Heliopsis 'Summer Sun' and
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta (Asteraceae)
Seem to like where I planted them and like the heat.

Sneezeweed 'Mardi Gras' or Helen's Flower Helenium
Had to relocate this year since I tend to overcrowd.
Now it's getting more sun.

Hummer and some current blooms.

2011-07-08T17:33:00.004-04:00

This is the same male Hummingbird just looking around.
He spends alot of time here keeping guard on the feeder.
We now have four visitors and just today it looks like one
of the females has taken over this perch.
I'll keep you posted.

New this year the Sunny Knockout Rose-Rosa 'RADsunny'is so pretty but
so far the blooms don't last longer than 2-3 days.

Hydrangeas are starting to take off.

Phlox panicuiata cosmopolitan David Rose seems to be a favorite
of bees and butterflies.

Someone tell me to stop changing my header and back.
Keep trying to be creative making headers and it just doesn't stick !

Things change

2011-06-29T17:29:00.007-04:00

My homemade hypertufa planter in 2009.

Today I'd say it's out of control...kinda cool !

A closer view of the plants.Loving these colors.

Just experimenting painting this old bench. hmmm who else has a blue bench?

Some current blooms.

Monarda didyma-Bee Balm

Summer time summer time...

2011-06-24T18:26:00.005-04:00

A Day at Home

Golden Ray'Ligularia Twilight'

Geranium x 'Rozanne' violet blue

Some Orchids from hubby.

Wild Poppies

Monarda fistulosa- Bee Balm

Basils

Impatiens walleriana

Petunias

Nicotiana

Begonias

Hostas

Day Lilies

Celosia or 'Cockscomb'

Salivia

Tiger Lilies

Little Rascal

Minutes away we spent a few hours with tourists.

There are some hidden parts on the coast where we like to relax.
Still was fun enjoying the great weather.

Just Thursday

2011-06-16T10:17:00.007-04:00

We finally have hummingbirds everyday. Woo Hoo !

Old and New

2011-06-04T16:38:00.006-04:00

Red Penstemon-barbatus 'Coccineus' and other plants waiting
to welcome my summer friends.
Every morning and evening I'm looking through the kitchen window
with high hopes my favorite visitors will arrive.

Still loving my Knockout Roses.

Some plants haven't found a home yet.
That's nothing new for this time of year.

These yellow roses will get moved someday.
Think I said that last year also.

'Morning Dove Cottage' A Gardener and an Artist.
My picture dose not do justice to her wonderful creations.

Backyard at the end of May

2011-05-27T18:04:00.003-04:00

Ok, left to right. Not all pretty but it's MINE all MINE !
Well except for hubbys favorite past time.

Hubbys half...
120 heirloom tomato plants and some other goodies.

Now mine...

This is not so pretty.
One of two work stations. Would make a nice patio...hmmm

REDO !

2011-05-22T14:27:00.003-04:00

Shade Bed REDO !!!
Loving this color without any flowers.
Not sure if all these plants will work in this indirect sun/shade bed but it's worth a try.

First the plants that were moved here.
Barrenwort

Christmas Fern

siberian iries

Elke Everblooming Geranium

Aucuba japonica

Now the New !!
Some of these plants were on my 'Add to the Garden ?' list.
Needed more varieties and some winter interest.
I'm feeling some of these may need to be moved further back in this bed,
the 4 hours indirect morning sun may be too much.
Did I say thank you ? These ideas weren't mine but yours.

Foamy Bells-Heucherella'Alabama Sunrise' PPAF

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum

Golden Ray'Ligularia Twilight'

Helleborus 'Royal Heritage'

Heartleaf Bergenia-Bergenia'Rotblum'

Sweet Woodruff. Hoping these plants cover the ground.
Sure is a handsome plant.

Also hoping the Ajugas will spread. Might be too much sun. We'll see !
Ajuga 'Catlin's Giant'

Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'

Also ...
Witch Hazel-Hamamelis x interm.'Arnold Promise'
Coral Bells-Heuchera x 'Mightnight Rose'
Coral Bells-Heuchera "Creme Brulee"
Coral bells-Heuchera Dolce "Key Lime Pie"
Coral bells-Heuchera Dolce'Peach Melba'

A lackadaisical week and remembering when...

2011-05-17T10:51:00.004-04:00

Cleaning up an old bed. Not sure what to do with the rest of the side yard. Like to have mulch up to the house but we're always dragging the hose around that side and that just wouldn't work.
Have 2 of those old 1950's chairs, think maybe I'll clean them up then maybe paint.
Almost threw the chairs out when cleaning a few weeks ago, glad I didn't.
Had the same lawn chairs in our backyard growing up.

This Sealtest Box is from my parents house. Remember having one?
Ok, maybe be you're not that old...:)
In the good old days they used to deliver milk (in glass bottles)to your front door and put the bottles in boxes like this one.

Ok...now a couple of pretties.
Sunny Knockout Rose-Rosa 'RADsunny' (PPAF)
New this Year. Will keep updates on this first Yellow Knockout Rose.

Winky Blue keeps coming back year after year.

The first of a few annuals in a pot.
Have time off this week and lots of pots to fill or not.
Nice taking it easy....Vacation helps.

Apology and Blooms

2011-05-13T16:06:00.007-04:00

I apologize for the last 2 days Blogger has been giving me problems.
What happened this time was a FIRST...it DELETED my last post and even on my test page. Also having problems opening other blogs.

Don't get it !

Anyway will try again !

Boursault Rhododendron''Rhododendron c. Boursault'
All my Rhododendrons in the past died because I kept insisting they can handle mostly shady areas. Think this 4 hours of full sun will make a big difference.

Weigela variegated

Unknown Red Azalea

Shady Friday

2011-05-06T18:18:00.010-04:00

Coral Bells-Heuchera x 'Mightnight Rose'
New to my collection of Coral Bells.

Arnold Promise Witch Hazel is starting to give me leaves.
Just hope it's not in too much shade.
This shrub is all new to me, so every season will be a surprise.

Was never crazy about Bleeding Hearts only because come July it looks like mush.
BUT if you put it behind a hosta then it can't be seen when it dies off for the season.

Barrenwort is turning out to be an attractive plant.

Think the Sum and Substance is getting bigger?
Have 4 of these hostas and love them !
Think I should pull out that volunteer tree that's growing behind it.
Seems we have more volunteer trees than weeds on our property.

This is part of Moms garden...Moms love... and a gift from my husbands Mother.

Mother’s Day, Joy for most, and for some: Motherless Daughters and Sons, a group forgotten on this Hallmark Holiday, a day to reflect on the most important person they have lost.

Everyday...something different.

2011-04-30T18:11:00.002-04:00

Spring is FUN!
Everyday something new pops up in the garden.

Jack Frost-Brunnera macrophylla

Forget me-nots have almost the same flowers as the Jack Frost above.
These annuals are from last year and are scattered all over.

Pink Anemone Clematis

Last of the spring flowers to bloom.

Sum and Substance Hosta starting to unfold.

New this week

2011-04-28T18:05:00.001-04:00

New from DH....yes, every year he can't help himself.
I AM the one who's supposed to pick the plants and shrubs...
BUT he won't listen to me !!!!

This Laurel is by the front door and has a strong scent that's kinda nice.
Schipkaensis Laurel-Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'
This is smaller that other Laurels.
And yes it's another evergreen!
Oh ,good pick dear :)

OK...I say pretty weed...he says flower. (Found it's way into his tomato bed).
Got an ID at gardenweb.
Some have called it a yellow rocket or Barbarea vulgaris.
The more I read tells me it's a invasive WEED ! Anyone else recognise it ?

April Whimsy

2011-04-26T20:15:00.007-04:00

Nelly and Arnold

2011-04-22T18:19:00.003-04:00

From the beginning...

One shade bed is getting a makeover.
Just about everything in it like the spreading juniper, azaleas or lace cap hydrangea weren't doing very well...just getting old and less attractive every year and blocking everything in back of it.
Anyway, everything was way too tall and crowded for this small bed.
Also lost that False Cypress tree due to storms... Hey...you know what? More SUN now !

Seen a Witch Hazel on a couple of blogs I visit and loved it !
So new to this bed is (let's hear the drumroll)...
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel-Hamamelis x interm.'Arnold Promise'
Blooms Late Winter/Early Spring with fragrant yellow flowers.
In the fall the gray-green foliage becomes a bright orange.
The bed gets 2 hours full sun at the edge and 4 hours indirect to the Cypress in the back.
Some old hostas and Irises who had no real home got moved here.

Now, the question is... what else will I put there.
The Witch Hazel will be the only new shrub in this bed and want it to be the center of attention.
Thinking about adding some colorful Coralbells-Heuchera and maybe a few different hostas, also Solomon's seal might work.
In a week or two the nurseries should have all their perennials available.
Can't wait !!!

A closer view of the Witch Hazel. Sure is different from anything already in the garden.

Also moved this Barrenwort to the new bed...was in full shade.
Think it's gonna like it's new home.

Donna at Mourning Dove Cottage-NC and Fer at My little garden in Japan gave me some good ideas.
There used to be a 40 ft. tree (in the circled area)lost due to age and last years winter storms.

One of the ideas from Donna and Fer was a Holly tree...see, sometimes I listen !
Nelly Stevens Holly
This tree can grow to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Growth rate in ideal situations is 2 to 3 feet per year. Likes sun/partial shade.
I know I'm cutting it close since this time of year it gets a few hours of full sun (good)then probably will become 4 hours indirect sun when all the neighbors trees fill out.

Always wanted a holly but the American Hollies take so long to grow and I have no patience.
This large over-priced Nelly Stevens that DH just had to buy should work great.
Thanks girls for the advice ! Oh, you too honey.:)

Nelly and Arnold are my latest love!

More Spring Bliss

2011-04-18T17:35:00.004-04:00

Female Dwarf Skimmia-Skimmia Japonica Foremanii
This dense evergreen has beautiful small star-shaped white flowers in the spring.
Come autumn it has clusters of maroonish colored fruits.

Red Tip, Photinia x fraseri.
Another evergreen...love my evergreens !
One of the brightest shrubs in the backyard.
It also gets small white flowers in spring.

Spotted Dead Nettle-Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pewter'
Love my Lamium !!
Also Hosta 'Abba Dabba Do '

'Honeybells'
Getting bigger every year.
They say it gets to be 4 feet wide...maybe I'll wait and see.
This is not the prettiest hosta but if you divide it...well more hostas !!

PJM Rhododendron
Gets to be 4 feet x 4 feet in part sun to shade.
It's in a more shady than sunny area so it will never get that big.
I personally think this is one of the best little Rhododendrons to have.

Larger Pictures

2011-04-14T00:30:00.024-04:00

This post is to answer Shady's question about how to make pictures larger.
There are different ways of doing it(please share). This is my method.
Also remember the file size of the picture has to be the size you want on your blog.
Just use the highlighted red or blogger will shrink picture.
What ever size you made your photo before uoloading will stay exactly the same.
Test to make sure it's the right size for YOUR blog.They will not be clickable.

First this is the normal uploaded picture and the unseen HTML codes.
All the arrows are reversed just so you can see it.

Only what's highlighted in red will be kept.
>a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
LaRtjwzjqRM/TaXQQoF2hCI/AAAAAAAAEYE/G8108_tyM5o/s1600/31-2.jpg"<>img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaRtjwzjqRM/TaXQQoF2hCI/AAAAAAAAEYE/G8108_tyM5o/s400/31-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595107096136156194" /<>/a<

Now this is the larger picture. And here is what the code looks like.

>img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaRtjwzjqRM/TaXQQoF2hCI/AAAAAAAAEYE/G8108_tyM5o/s1600/31-2.jpg"<

How it's done is by removing the a href and replace it with img src don't forget the space between img and src.
Only keep what's highlighted in red. Delete everything else.

Hope this is helpful Shady (or anyone else who might want to give it a try).
Have fun!
Oh, by the way it's a Phalaenopsis Orchid (Moth Orchid).

Last minute info. Resize before uploading.
I use Paint.

The most wonderful time of the year

2011-04-09T09:27:00.015-04:00

An early morning view of my private and half shady backyard.
Winter may have seemed long, but now ...
here comes the most wonderful time of the year.
It's all alive again !
This may seem simple but it makes me happy.

Weigela variegated

Euonymous shrub..Micropollus,. Have to check with the nursery.

Mix of part shade plants

Barberry Shrub-Berberis thunbergii and friends

Self seeding "forget-me-nots"

Can't forget columbine.

Siberian iris

PJM

Hmmm

2011-04-07T17:21:00.001-04:00

Okame Cherry pretty but...

Tall and thin due to location. Keep wanting to make it shorter.
BUT don't think cutting the top off is a good idea.
Maybe GW tree forum can help.

Red Tip, Photinia x fraseri

Is this the same thing coming up near by.
Sure looks like it.

Thread Leaf came back...woo hoo !

One and only.
Think it's a hyacinth.

Inside and outside

2011-04-02T17:42:00.003-04:00

Scarlet Runner Beans after 17 days.
Think I started these TOO SOON ?
I know, I know, what was I thinking ?
Just direct sow them !!!

Have to thin these babies out. Seems all seeds germinated.
Yarrow and Basil looks really hardy.

Some outdoor life...

Spurge and Glory of the Snow

2011-03-30T13:44:00.002-04:00

Chionodoxas (Glory-of-the-snow)are sitting pretty in the same bed
where the Crocuses are just finishing for the year.

This bed is supposed to be all Deadnettle-Lamium maculatum "white nancy".
Yews in the back along with some spring bulbs... but this Pachysandra/Japanese Spurge wants to take over !!!
(Been pulling it out every summer but it just wants to LIVE).
Does look pretty right now, maybe I should just let it go wild.
Two good things, it's green and does hide the spent spring flowers nicely.

Dappled Japanese Willow

2011-03-26T08:25:00.008-04:00

Dappled Willow 'Salix Hakuro Nishiki'
Graceful branches move with the slightest breeze.
Love the bright yellow early in the morning this time of year.

Hakuro-nishiki’ is also commonly named ‘Dappled Japanese Willow’ or ‘Variegated Willow.

Best foliage color is in the summer, zone 7 and further north.
Pruning does encourage more colorful foliage, any advice on this is welcomed.
So far, it's been a beauty in the summer !

One year old...summer 2010

Babies

2011-03-21T18:22:00.001-04:00

Well they're HERE !!
My babies just popped-up.

Yarrow Colorado
Recommended planting is indoors, surface sow and needs light.
Hoping these are perennial for my zone...seems iffy.

There are 3 different kinds of Basil that I'm growing.
Thai Magic,Queenette and Sweet Thai.
Recommended direct sow when day temps are 60-70F/18-21C
Of course I want a head start. We won't have those temps till May.

Scarlet Runner Beans
Only started half indoors. Could have waited another month.
Of course won't be able to direct sow outdoors till May.
Hope the Hummers like them.

Forget-Me-Nots 'bobo blue'...just had to get more seeds.
No need to start indoors.
Some are popping up from last year...pretty good for annuals!
Can be sown 8-9 weeks before last frost.
Picture from last year.

Starting Up !

2011-03-17T17:28:00.002-04:00

So it's time to start the seeds under lights.
Seem to be starting less and less each year.
Funny, always wanted more area to garden in, but now feel I have more than enough !

Am growing Thai Sage for a friend, and can't wait to try it myself.

I'm hoping the Runner beans will attract Hummingbirds, as someone suggested.
Always grew Cardinal climbers for the Hummers but they didn't bloom till September for the last two years...too late. So they're off the list.

The Colorado Yarrow is new to us.... for the butterflies !

Forget Me Nots are " blue"...love blue, they get direct sown and they reseed...that's good.

Old plants are starting to pop up every week.
Daylilies

Honeysuckle

Hostas

Chives

Crocuses are always my first bloomers.
Just have them scattered here and there.

Ogon Sweet Flag Dwarf

Another bed re-do...well it's getting there.
Those pots and things are there temporarily.

Some Shrubs just looked BAD so it was time to take them out !
Not sure what to put in this semi-shade area but I have 4 to 6 weeks to decide.

Japan

2011-03-15T07:43:00.001-04:00

This is one great charity that I support.

American Red Cross

Is it spring YET ?

2011-03-09T19:46:00.005-05:00

Was hoping I could do some cleaning outside but with temps around 45 F or 7 C and windy
...well, some pruning was all I could do.
Also wanted to get a head start starting my seeds under lights
but it was just too cold outside to fill my trays with potting soil...maybe next week.

These are looking happy.

Well sorta happy...

Just pruned all my rose bushes...think they're short enough

Then there's the annual/perennial bed.
This drove me crazy cleaning it out because I didn't label everything.
This year it will be ALL perennial.
Got to make life easier.

Old-New

2011-02-21T16:54:00.001-05:00

Everything came off the walls when we painted in December and I just don't want to put anything back.

Anyway there are 6 old wreaths I made that were taken down but don't have the heart to through them out yet.

They survived a couple of storms so far, I'll wait and see how long they'll last.
Think the plain ones work better without all the stuff glued to them.

Oh, the new....
Some small signs of life.
Not much happening in the garden but it's early.

Almost time to count

2011-02-16T14:21:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder,the GBBC is this weekend.

The volume of birds has declined immensely using the cage feeders.
Very disappointing.
Many birds I had last year just fly by.

So we picked up two $4 feeders that most like...
of course the big birds and squirrels have found them so refilling is often.
Wish me luck.

Award

2011-02-15T12:28:00.002-05:00

Amy of "Go Away I'm Gardening" had awarded me this award. Not sure if Im stylish (do try to be easy to view)or deserved to receive the award, but Im honoured to receive it.

In accepting this award these are the things you should do...
like linking back to the person who awarded you,share 7 ramdom things about yourself and award to 15 recently discovered bloggers and of course let them know.

About me ...
I love cruises.
Not crazy about sweets except maybe when we go out to eat.
I tivo all my favorite tv shows since I work nights.
Try and be creative like making bird houses and even cards.
Don't do well with house plants but keep trying.
Love the color blue.
Hope I can garden to the end of time.

Now the awards...well the best I can do at this time.
Elephant's Eye

This Grandmothers Garden

Keewee's Garden

Greenbow

MuddyBootDreams

My Little Garden in Japan

Gardener's Roost

Garden Walk Garden Talk

Pam's English Cottage Garden

Wild garden accents

2011-02-04T17:37:00.009-05:00

Today was warmer for a change and a perfect day to revisit one of my FAVORITE shops !!

Everywhere you turn you'll see something you love.
Good idea to take your time walking around this place... because it's soooo cramped with items for sale.

Wasn't planning on taking pictures but had the camera with us... so I HAD to.
Only showing about half of the accents, birdhouses and planters...this place is huge!

Forget about the weather and take a stroll with me around this fun shop.
Hope you enjoy.

If interested in seeing their own website, you can click on their logo at bottom of page.

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Now what did I get ?

Wind chimes

Click below to enjoy the sound of these chimes.

MVI_0826.AVI

Small planter and cross(think the cross is cement of some sort)

Also one of these Cobalt blue large pots

Cages ??

2011-01-30T17:44:00.001-05:00

Large birds so far can't get in the caged feeders.
Unfortunately not seeing as many small birds as last year...
Maybe they're not crazy about the cages?

Works for me !

2011-01-27T17:23:00.005-05:00

Tired of snow and it's still not over.
Not to mention....where's the sun?
So, for today fresh flowers will have to do.
Works for me !!!

Can always find a garden

2011-01-21T17:30:00.003-05:00

For the palm lovers here is my view of the tropical beauty
of Dent Smith Trail in Melbourne Florida.
Give me a vacation and somehow I always find a garden
and creative photo opts.
Discovering a new a garden is always a treat !

<

Below are a few pics of the suite and aft wrap around balcony,
also some other ship photos that we sailed on last week.
Unbelievable treat(The Multi Room Suite/Huge Private Balcony)...thanks honey.
I felt like a princess !

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Wordless Whimsy Wednesday

2011-01-05T12:31:00.005-05:00

Sunflower seeds are a keeper.

Got snow ?

2010-12-28T15:59:00.003-05:00

First snow storm for this winter hit us on the 26th.
All over the country got hammered !
One note of good news...it starting snowing here Christmas night...nice :)

Hubby the He-Man...loves having his picture taken.

Never seen these berries before

2010-12-02T16:24:00.006-05:00

Euonymous berries.
Never seen before berries...maybe my memory is just going.
Sure hope the birds like them...right now they're loving the feeders.

Another type of Euonymous shrub.
Some are 4 feet tall and others are 9 feet,depends on the sun.
Maybe Silver King or Queen ?
Had them for a long time....never recorded the type.

New to the garden this past spring.
It should get about 9 feet tall,it may take years though.
Love the cream edges of this Ilex Mes Honey Maid Holly Shrub.
I'm thinking... holiday arrangements !

Now some berries I have seen before....
Lily Turf(Liriope Muscari)
Think this is called "big blue".
Usually see tons of berries. These are in part shade and loving it !

One of many Yews on property.
These are hardy shrubs, they tolerate sun and shade.

Some kind of Holly shrub.
Had it for many years...must like it here.

Four Seasons ?

2010-11-29T17:18:00.002-05:00

First frost.
This is one of my excuses for loving the four seasons.
Ok....so cold is not much fun.
Just have to make the best of it.

A wonderful time of the year

2010-11-23T05:15:00.002-05:00

Where we live and love

2010-11-20T17:32:00.005-05:00

To us, the front yard is just for coming and going ...
you know...back and forth from work.
It's attractive, but less rewarding to the spirit.

It's the BACKYARD where we live and love,where gardening,
bird watching and a little bit of peace can be found.
This is a taste of what it looks like even in late November.

Sweetspire Itea 'Virginica Little Henry'.
Thinking about getting another one as a gift to the front or side of house.
Really love the fall colors and the unique flowers come early summer.

Toadlily /Tricrytis is wanting to bloom.
Just put it in the ground about 6 weeks ago.
Don't get it... my other Tricyrtis hirta have vanished into the earth.
These Toadlilies get more indirect sun than the others.

Only a few Cosmos are still hanging in there.
Just the common tall orange ones.
Seeds bought at K-marts many years ago.

Knock Out Rose 'Pink Radcor' keeps blooming...new to the garden about 2 years ago.
Constant Deadheading is good idea for these bushes to look spectacular.
I understand the BIG pruning takes place once a year in late winter or early spring.
Still learning about these rose bushes.

Double Knock Out Rose 'Rosa Radtko'.

Hydrangea lacecap is an old hydrangea and not pruned like it should be.
But it's a keeper because it survives in part shade/indirect sun.

Mophead is another Hydrangea for part shade/indirect sun.

Canna 'Pixie'has a few blooms still,kinda crazy for a tropical plant.

Deadnettle/Lamium. If you have part shade...this is a must!
Foliage all year and small flowers are from spring to winter.

Okame Cherry is not really pretty in the fall but considering it's one of only two deciduous trees that we have...it'll do.

The other is Redbud.

Hosta 'Big Daddy'.
I know all the hostas will soon look rotten and mushy but right now
I'm enjoying the yellow that is starting to turn brown.

Sum and Substance.

Peppers are still hanging in there.

A view from the window. Leaves are still falling...early morning.
This is Heaven to me.

Surprises

2010-11-17T20:40:00.005-05:00

Yes, I still have to clean up the yard....
but look closer.
There are a few volunteer Nicotiana sylvestris plants from 2 years ago.

Nature sure is surprising.

Hazy Day-another view

2010-11-16T15:52:00.005-05:00

Maybe it needs nothing to the right of the Leyland Cypress.
But it looks soooo empty.
Just not crazy about looking at a blank fence.
Also I do like a evergreen border around the property.
I'll give it about 2 years and the Cypress will block my neighbors window.
...privacy in my backyard is important to me.

It's autumn now so neighbors trees are losing their leaves and it does get sun.
Plus we did have some of the neighbors tree limbs removed that where
hanging in our yard.
Still this bed is SHADE. Rosemary gave me some good ideas which Fer and Donna
agreed with, that I didn't consider.
Like Dogwood or Holly, I think now with this bed NOT being deep shade
any more these may work.
I'm leaning towards Holly.
Love the idea of climbing hydrangea for the fence but it would have to compete
with the ivy...maybe by the birdhouse where there is a small trellis.

Oh...What to do ?

2010-11-12T18:04:00.008-05:00

This picture is about two/three years ago before the one tall tree on left came down because of a storm.
Things change.

Below is what it looks like now.
The bird bath is on top where the tree stump stood.
Area to the right of Sum and Substance hosta needs a face lift.

Area's about 10 feet deep and neighbor's tress hang over the entire bed.
It's overgrown with Vinca and English Ivy that keep climbing the fence.
Every Rhododendron put in there for the last 10 years has died.
There is one Barrenwort, Bugbane, Acuba and two yews which I'd like to keep.
Also an unknown tree near the corner which I kept trying to kill..
but it insists to live... sooo it stays. Only fair.
The bed gets full shade/dappled sun in the back and about
4 hours indirect morning sun 3 feet at the front.
Now the question is what to do?
Would like something tall but what will survive in dappled sun...
maybe a big boulder ! Hehe.

Rhododendron

Variety of Hostas

Barronwort (can't find the Bugbane)

Acuba

There are plenty of roots which should be taken out as much as possible,
and the soil should also be built up with compost and top soil...
that's where he-man hubby gets a real good workout.
All the English ivy was removed years ago and we even asked our neighbor
if we could remove it from her yard...we thought the problem was over.
Guess I'll be pulling out the English ivy and Vinca for the rest of my life.

But then still is the question....
WHAT SHRUB/SMALL TREE WILL GROW HERE ?

Go Green...from my garden

2010-11-09T07:52:00.004-05:00

Sunny and Chilly

2010-11-07T08:42:00.003-05:00

Captures of a sunny and chilly morning.

Just a walk through the woods

2010-11-04T19:40:00.004-04:00

Small things I can't live without

2010-10-31T17:49:00.004-04:00

Usually these pretty gloves(ok, not so pretty now) are gifts since I wouldn't buy them for myself.
Luckily they make them larger now for women. Years ago it was a joke...what, made for tiny hands ?
They can be washed more often than the "one size fits all" cheap gloves.

There are times when I need heavy duty gloves like pruning rose bushes or just cheap ones
for everyday use and when working in wet soil.
Anyway can't beat the price of the dotted ones (less than a buck apiece)at Ollie's and
you can wash them a few times, but not forever !

Had these metal copper garden tags about 8 years after picking 'em up at a garden show.
Nice thing about them is that once you use permanent markers to label them for a
new plant you can always spray over with white paint and reuse for different plants.
I've seen them as cheap as 10 for 7 dollars...not bad. Think maybe I paid too much .

These have to be my favorite tags. Can you guess where I got them ?
Ok, it's not a hard question...$5 mini blinds cut by scissor to size needed.
Can't beat the price and they last much longer than the ones that come with potted plants.

Most of the time I seem to have to buy new pruners every year,
think maybe it has to do with SHAME... not taking care of them !
Sometimes they last a few years.
This is a tool a gardener can't live without.
The pretty one is a gift and not as good as you might expect.
Just give me the $10 pruners from HD or Lowes and I'm happy.

Scissors are used for so many projects as well as in the garden.
Because Hubby always and I mean ALWAYS loses them the best buy is at the dollar store.
That's right...only ONE dollar for one pair !
Use them for deadheading flowers,cutting ground cover back...just about everything.
Also for cutting jute when tying up plants to a stake.
We started with 8 pairs this year...now we're down to 3.

Go through a lot of jute, tying plants to trellises or stakes.
Also used for trying to straighten out floppy arborvitaes and shrubs due to winter storms.
Just leave them on and let them rot or clip off later for a clean look.
Mostly used for hubby's tomato plants.

Sometimes used in the garden but mostly used for a variety of projects.
Can't live with out these knives.
By the way... they go missing also!

Not ugly to me

2010-10-27T18:44:00.004-04:00

Someday I'll get a few pretty bushes or trees that have wonderful autumn colors.
Today this is the best we can do !
Some may call it UGLY... but this gardener cherishes the change of season,
even if it doesn't appear heavenly.

So glad there are still fresh flowers to bring inside. Won't last forever.
By the way, the vase is from a thrift store, 2 bucks.. Nice find, don't you think ?

Season for Seeds

2010-10-24T06:15:00.005-04:00

The garden is getting a little weathered with the change of season
but there's one good thing that it brings me...SEEDS !!!!!
Not sure what the heck I'll do with the ones collected,
but I can't help myself from saving them anyway.
Of course some seeds are stolen from plants outside a restaurant
or where ever I may be...just can't stop myself.

Tall orange cosmos

Black-eyed susans

Butterfly bush

Coneflowers

Hibiscus

Cardinal climbers

Seeds are in there somewhere.

Blotanical

2010-10-18T17:21:00.006-04:00

Personally, I could not live without my computer,and all the endless amount of information it provides.

For the gardener... you can find out just about everything you need to know about plants of interest.

We all like to take pictures of our favorite flowers, new beds we designed, as well as record what we've learned year to year.

Blogging brings more excitement to our home garden,and it's fun to share with others.
Many other gardeners doing the same has opened up a great source of pertinent information and entertainment.

But how do you find these other Bloggers?

A man named Stuart Robinson from Busselton, Western Australia developed a web site for garden bloggers which people from all over have joined to discover a whole new world of gardening.

I personally consider this the best way to find other gardeners and garden friends.
For any of you who haven't been at Stuart's web site please visit.
You'll never know what you're missing until you visit the greatness of BLOTANICAL !!

Now if I could only get my garden friends who rarely go online to visit Blotanical.
They've seen some of my posts and enjoyed them but don't yet seem to fully
recognize the value of using their computers regularly.
C'mon people ! You can't find everything in a book.
Look at this garden website. Discover what other gardens in your Zone have learned.
It will bring so much enjoyment to your life.
Discover the world of gardening !

Pots

2010-10-13T16:18:00.007-04:00

These two potted plants plus a Clematis have been sitting in this same spot for about 6 weeks.
Hubby got them for me.... I just couldn't figure out where to plant them so they sat there until today.
Well the Clematis found a home(pic at bottom of page)and the Jacob's Ladder is dead (or maybe not!).
There were a few Jacob's Ladders two feet behind where this pot sits and well
...they lived two years with no flowers.
The Samurai Spiderwort has been doing well just where it's been sitting,
so it will get planted in the bed right behind it.

~~Samurai Spiderwort(tradescantia samurai)~~ has tiny but very sweet little flowers.
Reminds me of toad lilies or blackberry lilies.
It seems they marked the pot wrong...this is a Toadlily or Tricrytis.
Thanks Shady.
Now what kind ?... I have no idea.

The Pink Anemone Clematis found a home on this new trellis that hopefully will hide the air conditioner.
Not sure what to grow on the other side. Something compatible and tall.

Then there are my potted plants which will just have to stay on the steps.
Some are annuals and will die off but also there are chives,foxgloves,rosemary and deadnettle.

A Touch of Autumn

2010-10-08T18:06:00.006-04:00

Did a little fall decorating.
No mums this year...do like them but they only last one month.
Who knows...maybe next week.

Husband loves these knockout rose bushes(3). He even deadheads them!
Think maybe it needs pruning. Just not sure when to do it.
He also has to have a near perfect lawn...it's some sort of man thing.
Just did the fall seeding last week.
Looking good !!!!

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

2010-10-01T01:57:00.005-04:00

This little guy managed to get in but couldn't get out.
He was quite content just eating the sunflower seeds but eventually got frantic
and couldn't figure how to escape from the crime scene.
So I put my husband's heavy duty gloves on and opened the top so he could run away.

Hopefully he learned his lesson, but then again he may be a repeat offender !

Don't get it !

2010-09-29T13:06:00.004-04:00

Our resident Hummers have left us for the season.
Now they BLOOM ?
Cardinal Climbers...second year in a row these vines bloomed too late.
The only reason I grow them is for the Hummers !!

Pineapple Sage is still good for cooking....smells great.
I guess since the feeders are down these flowers are a good thing
for those travelers going south.

Another late bloomer.
Tiger Eyes

Someone told me you could grow flowering vines at the base of shrubs....
so I tried it. More green than flowers.

To Dry or not to Dry

2010-09-27T17:10:00.005-04:00

What to do with a lot of tomatoes.
Well we'll try dehydrating them like a few years ago....the flavor is intense.
Can be frozen for winter.
Or eat them every night with cheese and crackers like I've been doing !

Doing some herbs also.
No reason to just let all of them die.
I just clean and lay on paper towels for a few weeks to dry.
Didn't time this right....Basil can be dried and still be a little green.

Glad I didn't throw them out

2010-09-24T17:58:00.004-04:00

Almost pulled these cosmos out.
They found their way into my cardinal climbers I started from seed.
Glad I didn't do it !
Add much color to the yard and the butterflies love them.

Having trouble IDing this guy. Any help?

Dale Chihuly

2010-09-23T03:10:00.004-04:00

Too Pretty !

This last week of Summer

2010-09-20T17:50:00.006-04:00

To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.
Anatole France
French novelist (1844 - 1924)

This last week of summer is filled with memories.
Anniversaries were lived again, but not all to celebrate.

Also what has been accomplished and some that haven't.
Yet, this still was a good year and I am happy for that even though
I haven't posted much...

...think the heat took some energy out of me.
Sure hope my creativity isn't creepin' away !

There's always tomorrow for dreams.

Favorite Heirlooms so far This Year

2010-09-10T08:11:00.006-04:00

Very Good to Excellent in taste and good production.

Carmello
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Orange Oxheart

Cherokee Purple
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Tyrell County

Jersey Giant

Shuntukski Velican

Old Fashioned Ridge

Purple

Granny Cantrel German

Light

2010-09-05T08:34:00.009-04:00

Light no matter how simple
and even in our darkest moments
can bring comfort.

Dawn to Dusk-things that make me happy

2010-08-31T17:24:00.011-04:00

( added for you Fer-My garden in JapanHelens Flower)below.
Flowers etc. that are still hanging in there...

Helens flower

The last day of August and the garden still has plenty to offer.
Dawn...what a pretty start to the day.

All kinds of butterflies

Flowers that won't stop blooming...
False Sunflower

Cosmos

Roses-knock outs

More knock outs and Hubby's Toy

Roxanne

Phlox

Butterfly bush

Walkers low

Verbena

Colorful veggies

Black-eyed Susan

My home made Hypertufa planter

Vivid just started blooming

Part shade plants
Coleus

Caladium
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Lily turf

Lace cap

Mophead

Dusk
The end of the day brings a different light to the garden.
All is good.

Plenty to Eat...

2010-08-25T21:01:00.004-04:00

...Hubby keeps pickin' 'em.

Crape Myrtle Blooms

2010-08-23T16:38:00.003-04:00

Funny, spent little time and thought designing a bed for this portion of the house front because everything kept dieing.

Now that the soil has been corrected (a few years ago),it doesn't seem to matter WHAT I plant there...it all seems to do well !!

Still know little about design and know nothing about Crape Myrtle.
Hope I can shape this "Rhapsody in Pink Crape Myrtle-Lagerstroemia indica"... to fit in a little better.
Any suggestions are welcomed.

Can't believe the continuous blooms, just love this shrub !

Wanted

2010-08-15T18:01:00.003-04:00

No Blooms !

2010-08-11T11:08:00.005-04:00

Cardinal Climbers gave me only FOUR flowers this year so far...c'mon !!!
Last year they didn't bloom 'til September which is kinda late for the humming birds.
(the only reason I grow 'em).
Maybe will try something different next year. Grrrrrr !!

Obedient Plant or Physostegia 'Vivid' 2nd year. Nada !
Just don't get it.

Had this Mophead for 5-6 years.
It bloomed the first year very well, while in same location less the second year. Then stopped all together.
Since then even with moving it .....it just won't bloom.

Had to show at less one flower....
Gotta get real close to see this little Blackberry lily flower.
But I do like the foliage so it's a keeper...started from seed maybe 5 years ago.

Gifts To and From

2010-08-03T20:44:00.008-04:00

DH grows many different varieties of heirloom tomatoes.
Think he has about 120 plants.
Thick black plastic raised bed cover is a winner this year... the thinner red plastic in 2009 was an eye sore and weeds still grew under it.
Now with the thick black plastic... there are NO WEEDS !

We are getting lots of tomatoes,peppers and herbs for meals and gifts.

Decorated 50 cent paper gift bags for goodies.
Not so great in my craftiness like Rosemary with the beautiful cards she makes...
but at least I gave it a quick try with left over ribbons,wooden hearts etc.
Have always loved crafts...maybe it's time to start again.

What to do with a plastic bottle...

More than gifts...

Being new to sun plants...I've learned you can deadhead
these Phlox panicuiata cosmopolitan David Rose and they come back.
Not as full as the first blooms but still pretty good.

Cosmos are annual keepers... bees crossed them a little...good bees !

Hibiscus palustris is still hanging in there but needed to be tied-up after heavy rains.
Even though we dug out the old Trumpet Vine 'Madam Galen' ...you can see at bottom...they won't die!
Keep pulling them out but don't seem to be too successful.

Needed help to ID a few of the new visitors this year.
Thank you gardenweb !
This one is hard to ID....
Northern Broken Dash, Crossline Skipper butterfly or Broadwinged Skipper

Monarch

Silver-spotted Skipper

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail-male

My husband and I enjoy watching the birds in our garden...most of which are year round.

BUT this one is special...only a few months during the summer.
She and her juvenile came late this year at first I was so sad not to have her resting every morning during the month of June on this crazy home made perch.
But then came the first week of July and they zip in every morning at the break of dawn. Life is good again !

Newbies Plus

2010-07-21T21:57:00.010-04:00

Swamp Rose Mallow or Hibiscus palustris is considered a hardy Hibiscus.
Hybridized from wildflowers having 12 inch wide flowers white or pink with red center.
Winter-hardy as far north as Zone 4.
Never knew about these non-tropical Hibiscus until last year.
While at a fall garden tour I pinched seeds from an unknown 5 foot shrub
and at the time had no clue what they were till I started the seeds indoors last year.
Now look at them with lots of blooms to come !

Yesterday

Today

My DH went shopping again and just had to buy me these plants.
New- Hot Papaya Coneflower or Echinacea purpurea 'Hot Papaya' PPAF

New- Golden Jubilee Hyssop or Agastache 'Golden Jubilee'
Hope they come back next year...my Hyssop from last year didn't survive.

New- Helichrysum Siempreviva'Icicles' Annual (can't beat the price 3 for $1.95)
Wonder if I'll get flowers....July is not the best time to plant anything.

New shrub for this once all shady yard.
Not crazy about the shape...will wait 'till fall to prune.
Rhapsody in Pink Crape Myrtle-Lagerstroemia indica

From my own seeds started indoors are these pretty Dahlberg Yellow Daisies.

Coleus 'Red Head'...good filler.

Some kind of Wax Begonia

The last of the hosta flowers...Sum and Substance

Some Critters

Chickadee -feeder is not good for pictures BUT love watching the Grackles and Starlings try and get in it....THEY CAN'T !

Some July Blooms

2010-07-13T21:25:00.008-04:00

First canna bloom from seed.

New to my garden...didn't realize poppies are short lived.

Volunteer Nicotiana 'Hummingbird II Appleblossom' from last year.

These are False Sunflowers, our Golden Finch like to pull the pedals off.

One of my favorite Deadnettles "golden anniversary".

Tons of green tomatoes on the vines...can't wait!

Some Friends

2010-07-03T18:19:00.006-04:00

Never seen in garden before. Believe it's called a Red Admiral Butterfly.

Today's Outlook

2010-06-24T17:06:00.007-04:00

After reading Tina's post about making a light box for her landscape designs and seeing what a plan looks like, the idea popped into my head to do it myself ! Thanks Tina.
No, I'm not a landscape designer but did a "plan" of what is ALREADY in the yard.

Most of my garden beds are done but realized this year I didn't know where the heck everything was planted in my shade beds. And now there's a new sun bed (oddly shaped)which was a gift from Hubby last year with only certain plants labeled (go figure),so I just had to wait till' they bloomed to figure 'em out !
Of course, knowing myself, this is all subject to change. If only I knew then what I know now my placement and selections would have been different. Regardless, my side of the yard looks pretty darn good, IMHO.

This diagram outlining what's growing took about 2 weeks to do and can be changed if needed.
It's not a professional design but the information is helpful for this gardener.
By the way... it's been in the low 90's/33 c for a week now, so working outside has been nearly out of the question.

Click twice to read.

Now a look at some of those pretties !

Coreopsis verticillata or Thread leaf Tickseed

Stella Dora Daylilies

Red Fox Speedwell or Veronica spicata 'Red Fox'

False Sunflower

Rudbeckia hirta Indian Summer David Rose

Catmint or Nepeta 'Walker's Low' and unknown grass

Coleus 'Red Head' and Geranium x 'Rozanne'

Tiger Lily

Creme Brulee Coral Bell

Aucuba japonica or Japanese laurel

Double Knock Out Rose'Rosa Radtko'

Hummingbirds Gold tm Honeysuckle-Lonicarax x brownii 'Kristins Gold'

Phlox panicuiata cosmopolitan David Rose

Obedient Plant or Physostegia 'Virginiana Miss Manners'

Daylily 'Lily Grapeete'

Dwarf Cosmos

Sneezeweed 'Mardi Gras' or Helen's Flower

Astilbe

Temp. Bed

Mophead Hydrangea

Beebalm

The Other Half

2010-06-14T17:10:00.004-04:00

All Heirloom Tomatoes !!

The 2010 List
AC Red
Aker's Oxheart
Aventunia
Azoychka
Bangladesh Heart
Black Aisberg
Black Ethiopian
Carmello
Caspian Pink
Cherokee Purple
Costa Rica
Costoluto Genovese
Debbie
DePinto Family Heirloom
Depp's Pink Firefly
De Sandes
Earl's Polish
Eckert's Polish
1884
1884 Purple
Farmer's Market Bi-Color
George's Greek Beefsteak
Gerig
German Red
Giant Italian Paste
Granny Cantrell German
Idaho Moscow
Indian Moon
Iraqi
Jerry's German Giant
Jersey Devil
Jersey Giant
Joffre
John Baker
John Losasso
JTD
Jumbo Jim Orange
Jutland
Kornesvescue
Lenny & Grace
Lillian's Yellow
Lucky Cross Pink
Mandarin Cross
Marzapan Gold
Mexico Midget
Mexican Yellow
Momotaro
Mortgage Lifter (Estler's)
Nyagous
Old-Fashioned Ridge
Old German
Old Timey Looney
Old Yellow Candy Stripe
Olirose
Opal Essence
Opalka
Orange Oxheart
Orange Russian #117
Orange Strawberry
Orange, The
Polish
Ponderosa Red
Powers Heirloom
Pumpkin
Purple
Ramapo
Red Zebra
Rose
Russian Giant
Seattle Best-Of-All
Shuntukski Velican
Sochulak
Tanana
Texas Star
Tropic
Trucker's Favorite
Tuxhorn Roy
Tyrell County
Ukrainian Vining
Uncle Ike's Red
Uncle Steve
Verna Orange
Vintage Wine
Virginia Sweets
Wins All
Wisconsin 55
Yellow w/red stripes
Zapotec Pleated

Almost Morning

2010-06-11T06:45:00.002-04:00

Getting There

2010-06-06T17:24:00.007-04:00

Very hot lately with temps in the high 80's or around 31 c.

The year is starting out strong...just hope the temps return to normal, too much heat might hurt some of our plants !
Funny.. we THOUGHT we were ahead of schedule but are still trying to finish up !!!

Geranium x 'Rozanne' violet blue
Sure are getting tall.

Willow, Dappled 'On Standard' Salix 'Hakuro Nishiki'
Looks like a light in the backyard, always catches my eye.

White Nancy Deadnettle
Will spread and spread in loamy soil with part sun.

Tickseed 'Rising Sun' Coreopsis grandiflora

Wax Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
Very hardy shrub, love the flowers this time of year and berries in the fall.

Pot1

Pot2

Red Penstemon-barbatus 'Coccineus'
Good for hummimgbirds,if we only had some.

Believe... Asiatic Lily

Think this is a Mophead Hydrangea
One of many past non bloomers due to too much shade.

Catmint or Nepeta 'Walker's Low'
Wonder if I should stake them,half wants to lay on ground.

Swan Red and White Columbine

Unknown Yellow Climbing Rose

Dwarf Cosmo

Can't forget DH's Sweet Peas

Just Some Shade

2010-05-31T17:40:00.008-04:00

Need to move some plants....too crowded !

New Addition....if you can see it. Gotta pull out all that vinca !
Aucuba japonica or Japanese laurel

Not So Nice

2010-05-25T06:29:00.004-04:00

So nice to know I'm not alone with the "no-shows" in my garden.
Thanks everyone.

THIS BELOW IS NOT SO NICE TO SEE !

Had to get the binoculars to see what kind of bird was at the Carolina Wrens nest.
Never witnessed this before.
The House Sparrow won't let the Wrens get to their eggs.

Reluctant

2010-05-23T11:27:00.008-04:00

Am a little reluctant to add any new Annuals or Perennials since so far there is a no-show of some perennials...Homestead Purple Verbena, Gaura lindheimeri 'Karalee Petite Pink', Dianthus hybrid 'Rosish One'(never had these come back), Agastache 'Purple Pygmy'(from seed) and Agastache 'Rupestris'or Sunset Hyssop (from seed).
The Agastache may be my own fault since I didn't let them harden off long enough last year)plus these plants didn't get enough sun.

Think I've given everything enough time to pop up ?

Anyway been busy this week pruning all the floppy overgrowth of Yews, Hollies and Wax Privets. Also redoing our front bed due to storm damage.
There are a few new additions to the back garden like Honeysuckle and Coral Bells below. Also got one flat of Waxed Begonias.
Think it's time to rest !!!

Pink Lemonade Honeysuckle-Lonicera heckrotti 'Gold Flame'

Beauty of Color Coral Bells

Some current blooms.
Rhododendron-Chionoides White

Double Knock Out Rose'Rosa Radtko'

Rainbow Knock Out Rose 'Pink Radcor'

Siberian Irises

Geranium x 'Rozanne'

Winky Blue and White Columbine

Knock Out Rose Rosa 'Radrazz'

New Feeder and Stand

2010-05-16T18:23:00.002-04:00

While trying to be creative last year I came up with an idea of a stand that would support more than one bird feeder.
The base had to be bottom heavy (didn't want it to fall over)and take some plants in the top half to make it more attractive.
So I had an old Pot(Urn) that served the purpose for the base. Metal pipes,plastic drainage pipes and shepherds hooks completed this creation. Plus this can be moved anywhere in the yard.
Nothing will tip this stand over !

The stand I built works great...a little heavy though.
But there's one problem with our new $49.00 Duncraft Squirrel Proof Feeder...
It's NOT Squirrel Proof !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The center of the bottom just below the seeds is all plastic and our friendly Squirrels chewed half way through it in 2 days to get at the seeds ASAP.
We figured in about 2 more days the bottom would be gone, and they'd get their reward !
So I found a small round piece of metal to cover it, to keep those dastardly squirrels from destroying this new feeder.
Maybe I should contact DUNCRAFT !!

Almost ready to plant

2010-05-10T15:57:00.002-04:00

Why do I start so many plants with no clue as to where they're going ?
Organization is not my strong point.
Oh well...I've got plants to give away !

Cardinal Climbers
Firebrand Sweet Pea
Canna Pixie and unknown Cannas
Black-eyed Susan Vine Tiger Eyes vine
Poppies Red Mellon(gift)
Foxgloves(gift)
Ladybird Dwarf Red Cosmos
Tall Orange Cosmos
Dahlberg Yellow Daisies
Black-eyed Susan Vine

Great gloves for some of those messy jobs...like transferring plants.

When will these pods and all the other mess stop dropping ? !!!

Aah... May...sweet !

2010-05-06T04:15:00.007-04:00

Even though Verizon has been down for a week (no computer)and we still have damaged shrubs to remove not to mention the high pollen count which is slowing everyone down. ...everything is moving forward and bringing this gardener that "Happy Garden Feeling".
We have birds making nests in the trees and bird houses plus perky perennials showing off and some touches of color that catch the eye.
Here's a little taste of the yard at it's prettiest currently. Sorry some pics are 10 days old.

Double Knock Out Rose 'Pink Radtko'

Chives

Weigela variegated

Coral bells Heuchera Dolce"Peach Melba"

Unknown Azalea

Forget Me Nots

Columbine or Aquilegia 'Swan Red and White'

Redbud

Princess/little beauty tulips

Fern

This I didn't know !

"Native plants existed on American soil (commonly known back then as the
New World) before the arrival of Christopher Columbus--about 517 years ago! Since
then, new plants brought into the New World after Columbus's arrival are referred to as "non-native."
So much to learn...

Hodgepodge of Designs

2010-04-25T17:58:00.006-04:00

Designs,designs,designs...

How do you figure out what kind of garden design you'd like for your yard ?

Personally I enjoy viewing other gardens as a great guidline.
So I sorted through some magazine pictures (and others I took myself)
to put together what might be interesting to try.
Surprisingly, I couldn't come up with that many !! Darn !

My Local Tours

Phil. Flower Show 2009

Garden Gate Magazine

Oh,What to do

2010-04-18T07:45:00.011-04:00

Hmmm... Cleaning up the beds would help. Moving a few plants and of course buying new ones is a given. Considering it's still mid April all is well with plenty of time to sort everything out. I'd say all is good !

PJM Rhododendron starting to lose flowers...gotta get another one, maybe for front of house.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’

Sum and Substance Hosta

Eastern Red Bud tree

Rosemary getting old but still smelling great. Maybe I'll propagated from stem cuttings.

Bleeding hearts mostly gone due to fallen spruce tree...by the way that same tree fell on a smaller tree that had to be cut down.

Red Tip, Photinia x fraseri

Arborvitaves weren't tied up too good,hope I can save all of them. There are other shrubs that might have to go, I'm avoiding that as long as possible.

Deadnettle-Lamium"Pink Pewter"...love my dead nettles

Some goodies from hubby.He can't help himself,he does it every year!

By the way do you keep records ?
Here's my incomplete record keeping that Ive been working on.
Hope to get better at it sooner or later.
It can be found at "My Links" Just click on each year.
Suggestions are welcome.
Year to Year List

The Beginning

2010-04-08T09:31:00.008-04:00

For some reason don't seem to have my heart into gardening this year at least so far.
I'm going through the motions and little by little the thrill is coming back.
Had to start some seedlings no matter what !!!
The Foxgloves and Poppy seeds were sent to me by T.S.,
what a great surprise on the germination...100%...many thanks.
Again this year I'll have a new "Unknown" plant...now that can be fun !

Cardinal Climbers and Firebrand Sweet Pea.

Canna Pixie, Bee Balm,Phlox(didn't germinate)Unknown something,
Tiger Eyes Black-eyed Susan Vine.

Poppies Red Mellon(lots),Unknown Cannas,Foxgloves,Dwarf Red Cosmos
and Dahlberg Yellow Daisies.

Woo Hoo...

2010-04-05T01:37:00.011-04:00

And so the season begins...nice to return from vacation to warm weather and spring blooms. Like the rest of you the first thing I do is examine the garden.
Happy to see the Hostas,Tiger lilies and Sedums popping up plus some new blooms etc.
All my seedlings were started a week before we went on vacation...wasn't sure if I watered them to survive for 10 days but it looks like I did it just right, in fact many need to be divided.
Unfortunately the tree man did not come and remove the fallen tree on our fence...he'll hear from me tomorrow.
Here's a sample of some spring color and even more color from the Caribbean.

Eating,shows,tanning,shopping,bingo,the amazing blue sea and the gardens !!
Forgot to mention...NO work !

Winter Storms

2010-03-14T18:13:00.006-04:00

Winter snow/rain storms will change the garden this season.
But maybe that's a good thing !

Poor Spruce tree...think it bit the dust. Gusts up to 67 mph yesterday.

Thank goodness it only broke a few inches off the top of the fence.

Arborvitaes again have to be tied together.

Douglas-fir keeps losing branches.

I'll try and tie this False Cypress together again(did last year).

Guess Leyland Cypress can be tied up? Afraid to get a closer look...hope it's not broken.

Hoping for better conditions soon !

The Philadelphia 2010 Flower Show

2010-03-04T01:00:00.025-05:00

My view of the current 2010 Philadelphia Flower Show.
A few pictures can be enlarged, just look for the x.
I've edited and edited but still have alot of pics.
This page may be slow loading. You also can sit back and view a Slide Show
Hope you have a few minutes and enjoy.

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Click below for floor plan.

GBBC

2010-02-13T17:51:00.006-05:00

I knew the GBBC was soon but didn't realize it's NOW.
Link below is just a reminder for anyone else who is forgetful like me.
*Past Post addition of survey results at bottom of page.

A few of my favorite friends.

By the way....Snow won't melt...
still have 20 inches plus the mountains from shoveling and there's more on the way.
Think I'm getting cabin fever !

Species Count
Mourning Dove 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 9