Today is winter solstice, the longest night of the year. From now on we get longer days and more light! This year's solstice also coincided with a total lunar eclipse for the first time in nearly 500 years. The full moon last night was pretty major, and it seems to have affected communications for at least two days now at this house.
In the midst of all this madness I planted 2 boxes of indoor bulbs that Jenn so generously brought us during her last visit. I planted a giant amaryllis and 5 paperwhite narcissus bulbs with the boys today. We put the pots in the dining room picture window where they will get maximum Western exposure. The boys know not to bother them and have so far been very respectful and nurturing about wanting to water them. So far the kittens haven't touched them, they are my main concern.
My basement plants continue to thrive. The foxglove and balloon flowers are huge, and the liatris "bulbs" seem to be getting large. My peppers have red bugs on them which I think are aphids. I did a natural spray of dish detergent, bleach and water and that lessened the bugs, but they never went away. I guess I have to try something else.
The growth cycle continues on Planet Earth, even in the dead of winter. Happy Winter Solstice!
12/21/10
12/12/10
Cakes
Cow - Jake's 1st birthday
Panda - Jake's 2nd Birthday
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake (3-layer chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and chocolate-peanut butter ganache) - John's 38th Birthday
Cat - Nate's 1st Birthday
Blue - Jake's 3rd Birthday
Mickey - Nate's 2nd Birthday
Clifford - Jake's 4th Birthday
10/23/10
Fall in the Garden
Even though I haven't updated much over the past month, I've been busy in the gardens. Unfortunately the patio/island project is on hold until spring, I just couldn't get around to it. I did move a bunch of stuff around and have the basic design in place, as well as an outline for the path and the patio. In addition to dividing and moving a bunch of daylilies, I moved the asiatic lilies to this bed, trimmed up the Rose of Sharon, grouped and moved all the foxglove I could find, grouped and planted the cushion spurge, and finally planted the Sedum Angelina. I bought it in spring and it's been in a pot this whole time! Everything seems happy and appears to have survived transplanting except for one phlox from Bob that didn't make it. Guess I'll have to get a new one or maybe try starting one from seed in the basement.
My main beds along the walk and in front of the house are cleaned up and everything has been transplanted that needed transplanting. I also created a "cut" in the walk to access the yard, since the boys were cutting through that part of the garden all the time anyway. New bulbs in this area are 2 kinds of anemone.
My perennial seedlings in the basement are also doing well. I've successfully started foxglove, salvia, liatris, agastache and a few other things. I also moved a couple of pepper plants from the back deck and they are filled with flowers.
Finally, the big project I worked on during my Dad's recent visit is the new bulb bed next to the garage. It was covered in creeping juniper with a low growing azalea being strangled in the middle of it. We used my car to pull out the juniper and unfortunately the azalea got yanked as well and couldn't be saved. I added top soil and peat moss (the soil was in decent condition under the layers of plastic and fabric the previous owners were SO fond of using EVERYWHERE on the property). Ripping all that up was hard work but I got the bed prepped and ready to go.
Dad and I dug up the little sand cherry in the back yard and that is now planted in the middle of the bed. It was in almost full shade in its prior location and was growing at a weird angle, reaching for sunshine. It will be in full sun now so I hope it makes it through the winter. I also moved a potentilla that needed more sun, and a Stoke's Aster from the island bed. The rest of the new bed consists of daylilies, some asiatic and tiger lilies, dwarf iris, and large cupped daffodils. I don't want to get too crazy with perennials there, so I'll probably just add some annuals next year to provide more color in the summer.
I couldn't find a good before picture of the bed, so this is the best I can do:
New bed and I've begun work on the stone wall that will match the walls on the other side of the driveway:
Red mums planted near the light post, along with some cochicum "fall crocus" that was a freebie from Blooming Bulb. I planted them and they flowered 2 days later!
I love that the coreopsis turned red, it looks so pretty. There is a huge pink mum plant in the front here that is just beginning to flower:
Sedum, mum and blanket flower are all going strong, and the gazania are ready to put out another round of flowers:
My main beds along the walk and in front of the house are cleaned up and everything has been transplanted that needed transplanting. I also created a "cut" in the walk to access the yard, since the boys were cutting through that part of the garden all the time anyway. New bulbs in this area are 2 kinds of anemone.
My perennial seedlings in the basement are also doing well. I've successfully started foxglove, salvia, liatris, agastache and a few other things. I also moved a couple of pepper plants from the back deck and they are filled with flowers.
Finally, the big project I worked on during my Dad's recent visit is the new bulb bed next to the garage. It was covered in creeping juniper with a low growing azalea being strangled in the middle of it. We used my car to pull out the juniper and unfortunately the azalea got yanked as well and couldn't be saved. I added top soil and peat moss (the soil was in decent condition under the layers of plastic and fabric the previous owners were SO fond of using EVERYWHERE on the property). Ripping all that up was hard work but I got the bed prepped and ready to go.
Dad and I dug up the little sand cherry in the back yard and that is now planted in the middle of the bed. It was in almost full shade in its prior location and was growing at a weird angle, reaching for sunshine. It will be in full sun now so I hope it makes it through the winter. I also moved a potentilla that needed more sun, and a Stoke's Aster from the island bed. The rest of the new bed consists of daylilies, some asiatic and tiger lilies, dwarf iris, and large cupped daffodils. I don't want to get too crazy with perennials there, so I'll probably just add some annuals next year to provide more color in the summer.
I couldn't find a good before picture of the bed, so this is the best I can do:
New bed and I've begun work on the stone wall that will match the walls on the other side of the driveway:
Red mums planted near the light post, along with some cochicum "fall crocus" that was a freebie from Blooming Bulb. I planted them and they flowered 2 days later!
I love that the coreopsis turned red, it looks so pretty. There is a huge pink mum plant in the front here that is just beginning to flower:
Sedum, mum and blanket flower are all going strong, and the gazania are ready to put out another round of flowers:
9/29/10
It's Autumn Already?
Where did the end of summer go? I've been really busy and so have neglected this blog, and the gardens to an extent. I've been particularly bad about watering, but luckily we got a bit of rain over the last few days. I did get a bunch of things transplanted, although there's still some work to be done and new plants to be purchased and planted over the next month - at least before first frost.
One of the major things I did over the past couple of weeks is to divide and transplant the bulk of my daylilies. They were in desperate need of division so I'm glad I got that done. I also re-arranged the plants in the beds in front of the house for the most part, although there are still a few more things to be done. The pool bed is also in decent shape, although I need to divide and move some black eyed susans. They are still in partial bloom, so I'll get to that in a couple of weeks. The island bed and the new bulb bed on the other side of the garage are the 2 big projects that will need attention in the coming weeks, although I don't think I'm going to get as far as I had originally planned.
Here are a few things that have been blooming at the end of summer/early fall.
My front stoop. The red mums are courtesy of Willie & Terry, and I'm going to plant them out near the clematis within the next couple of weeks.
Also from Terry. She couldn't remember the name, but I wonder if this is some kind of anemone?
A gorgeous little volunteer that sprung up on the front walk. I'm amazed the boys haven't trampled it yet:
My "cottage" corner is looking pretty pathetic at this point. This is where I'll plant the red mum.
I got 2 measly flowers as part of the "second bloom" on this clematis. I'm going to give it a better structure to climb next year in the hope that it will give me one good show in early summer.
Purple aster has grown a bunch over the last couple of years, despite being moved a couple of times.
This mum is also 2 years old and is growing nicely:
Sedum autumn joy coming into full bloom:
One of the major things I did over the past couple of weeks is to divide and transplant the bulk of my daylilies. They were in desperate need of division so I'm glad I got that done. I also re-arranged the plants in the beds in front of the house for the most part, although there are still a few more things to be done. The pool bed is also in decent shape, although I need to divide and move some black eyed susans. They are still in partial bloom, so I'll get to that in a couple of weeks. The island bed and the new bulb bed on the other side of the garage are the 2 big projects that will need attention in the coming weeks, although I don't think I'm going to get as far as I had originally planned.
Here are a few things that have been blooming at the end of summer/early fall.
My front stoop. The red mums are courtesy of Willie & Terry, and I'm going to plant them out near the clematis within the next couple of weeks.
Also from Terry. She couldn't remember the name, but I wonder if this is some kind of anemone?
A gorgeous little volunteer that sprung up on the front walk. I'm amazed the boys haven't trampled it yet:
My "cottage" corner is looking pretty pathetic at this point. This is where I'll plant the red mum.
I got 2 measly flowers as part of the "second bloom" on this clematis. I'm going to give it a better structure to climb next year in the hope that it will give me one good show in early summer.
Purple aster has grown a bunch over the last couple of years, despite being moved a couple of times.
This mum is also 2 years old and is growing nicely:
Sedum autumn joy coming into full bloom:
9/1/10
End of Summer Heat
It has just been too hot over the past few weeks to work in the gardens. I've done a bare minimum of weeding and deadheading, but my annuals just keep going and going thankfully. I've even been lax about watering. I've harvested a bunch of tomatoes and peppers and have been cooking with them almost daily. Also fresh oregano, basil, mint and parsley.
The clematis and calla lilies are in the same state, so I'll have to come up with a better climbing device for the clematis next spring, and chuck the callas. I already have a good-sized order placed with Blooming Bulbs, and I'm going to pick up a few more things as well. They actually sent me an email to let me know my 5-6 cm dwarf iris bulbs were only going to be 5 cm. I told them they have the best customer service of any of the bulb companies I've dealt with. And as I discovered when I called them a few months ago, they are located in Medford, Oregon!
A few pics of what is happening at the end of summer.
The purple variety of my dollar and change astilbe in late bloom:
This viburnum was a volunteer! It jumped from the window box on my pool shed, across the pool, and into one of my tomato pots. It had some help I think. I transplanted it to a hanging basket and this is what happened. It came from a dark red plant, interesting what happens with hybrid seeds.
New guinea impatiens are looking good with 2 clumps of surprise black-eyed susans that had been hidden under creeping juniper for years:
Limelight hydrangea turning pink. it will turn a dark pink before losing its blooms.
More annuals going strong - zinnias, cosmos and New guinea impatiens:
In front of the house - agastache, Russian Sage, coreopsis, and roses going strong:
The clematis and calla lilies are in the same state, so I'll have to come up with a better climbing device for the clematis next spring, and chuck the callas. I already have a good-sized order placed with Blooming Bulbs, and I'm going to pick up a few more things as well. They actually sent me an email to let me know my 5-6 cm dwarf iris bulbs were only going to be 5 cm. I told them they have the best customer service of any of the bulb companies I've dealt with. And as I discovered when I called them a few months ago, they are located in Medford, Oregon!
A few pics of what is happening at the end of summer.
The purple variety of my dollar and change astilbe in late bloom:
This viburnum was a volunteer! It jumped from the window box on my pool shed, across the pool, and into one of my tomato pots. It had some help I think. I transplanted it to a hanging basket and this is what happened. It came from a dark red plant, interesting what happens with hybrid seeds.
New guinea impatiens are looking good with 2 clumps of surprise black-eyed susans that had been hidden under creeping juniper for years:
Limelight hydrangea turning pink. it will turn a dark pink before losing its blooms.
More annuals going strong - zinnias, cosmos and New guinea impatiens:
In front of the house - agastache, Russian Sage, coreopsis, and roses going strong:
8/11/10
No Calla Lilies for Me
I thought the poor show my calla bulbs put on last year was due to the rainy season. But not a single one of them has produced a bud this year so I think they have just called it quits. I've had them for 8 or 9 years so I guess this is the end - oldest bulbs I have! I'm not sure whether I will replace them or just find something I don't have to dig up each autumn.
It also looks like my clematis is not going to bloom. This is a real bummer since I thought I did everything right this year. I'll have to ask some questions on my forums, I have no idea what I could have done wrong.
Here are a few other garden happenings.
Out back:
Astilbe planted in June. These were supposed to be peach but are more of a light pink. They're pretty though and their scent is growing on me. It fills the whole back yard believe it or not:
Kordana roses are reaching their peak I think. Not bad for the first year after being an indoor plant!
Salvia and that other fluffy annual still going strong:
Butterfly bush is looking pretty leggy. I cut it back to the ground the last 2 years but didn't prune much this year. Maybe it will fill in next year? It's taller this year and has a few more blooms than in previous years. And it smells incredible of course:
View of the front bed with Russian Sage in bloom next to the Agastache:
It also looks like my clematis is not going to bloom. This is a real bummer since I thought I did everything right this year. I'll have to ask some questions on my forums, I have no idea what I could have done wrong.
Here are a few other garden happenings.
Out back:
Astilbe planted in June. These were supposed to be peach but are more of a light pink. They're pretty though and their scent is growing on me. It fills the whole back yard believe it or not:
Kordana roses are reaching their peak I think. Not bad for the first year after being an indoor plant!
Salvia and that other fluffy annual still going strong:
Butterfly bush is looking pretty leggy. I cut it back to the ground the last 2 years but didn't prune much this year. Maybe it will fill in next year? It's taller this year and has a few more blooms than in previous years. And it smells incredible of course:
View of the front bed with Russian Sage in bloom next to the Agastache:
8/3/10
Early August
I have a bunch of stuff in bloom in the gardens. I've just been too busy to make an entry over the last couple of weeks! The front gardens are really looking nice, and I've already sketched plans of what I'm moving and adding in the fall. I'll be making some changes in the back as well, and I put in a big seed order with Park Seed a few weeks ago. I figured I would try to get some seedlings going now, then plant them out in October and see how they come back in the spring. If they don't return I'll sow them directly in the spring.
I planted: Salvia Blue Queen, Agastache 'Purple Pygmy, Liatris Floristan White, Liatris Floristan Violet, Coreopsis Mahogany Midget, Coreopsis tinctoria, Balloon Flower Astra Double Blue, Echinacea PowWow Wild Berry, Foxglove Pam's Choice, Pyrethrum Robinson's Mix. These were planted maybe a week ago, and I also seeded some "winter" jalapenos, ancho and marconi peppers under the lights in the basement. So far all the peppers have sprouted, as well as a handful of the perennials.
Here is my new solar fountain. I set it up next to the front porch until I have my patio/island area ready. I guess it will stay put until next spring. It's so relaxing to sit and listen in the middle of a hectic day.
I discovered the Casa Blanca lilies I posted a couple of weeks ago were something else. They were supposed to be Starfighter lilies in a pink color, but they turned out white with pink dots. They're pretty nonetheless. The true Casa Blancas bloomed a week or so ago. Here they are with Agastache Blue Fortune, which is going strong:
Impatiens on the front porch:
Gazania have been going strong all summer. I had to wait a while for the orange variety in front, but it was worth it:
Bob's pink phlox is just starting to bloom:
More blooms from the Kordana roses. The other plant has 3 buds on it:
Limelight Hydrangea. I am planning to add 2 or 3 hardy hydrangea arborescens to the side of the house where I ripped out the macrophyllias. Yes, I ripped out a whole row of established mopheads that just aren't hardy in Zone 5 and will always put on a weak show. I want to replace them with long-blooming varieties that won't require frost cover in the winter and will put on a much better show...
Some impatiens I threw into a hanging planter near the pool:
Window box going strong (with window repaired and in place now). I will be trying lots more petunia/verbena combos next year, possibly from seed. They bloom from spring til autumn from what I can see! Oh, and this picture would have been framed and focused better if a beautiful yellow and green garter snake hadn't slithered past my feet while I was shooting. I tried to capture it but it went into the pool shed to hide. (Note: capture it on camera. I would never try to capture a snake or any other animal out in the wild! Mom, do you actually think I would try to handle a live snake? I'm no Ruthie ;)
Pool bed staples: rudbeckia, echinacea and monarda. That's mugwort or wormwood behind it that's probably going to get ripped out. It hasn't flowered yet and is getting enormous - I anticipate trouble. The monarda has powdery mildew and looks pretty poor at this point, but I don't spray with chemicals. So I let it go.
Astilbe in the pool bed! It's blooming late, but that's because I planted it in June from bare root plants ordered on clearance. I have a darker colored group as well that's also starting to bloom. Unexpected surprise for a $1.50 investment.
I planted: Salvia Blue Queen, Agastache 'Purple Pygmy, Liatris Floristan White, Liatris Floristan Violet, Coreopsis Mahogany Midget, Coreopsis tinctoria, Balloon Flower Astra Double Blue, Echinacea PowWow Wild Berry, Foxglove Pam's Choice, Pyrethrum Robinson's Mix. These were planted maybe a week ago, and I also seeded some "winter" jalapenos, ancho and marconi peppers under the lights in the basement. So far all the peppers have sprouted, as well as a handful of the perennials.
Here is my new solar fountain. I set it up next to the front porch until I have my patio/island area ready. I guess it will stay put until next spring. It's so relaxing to sit and listen in the middle of a hectic day.
I discovered the Casa Blanca lilies I posted a couple of weeks ago were something else. They were supposed to be Starfighter lilies in a pink color, but they turned out white with pink dots. They're pretty nonetheless. The true Casa Blancas bloomed a week or so ago. Here they are with Agastache Blue Fortune, which is going strong:
Impatiens on the front porch:
Gazania have been going strong all summer. I had to wait a while for the orange variety in front, but it was worth it:
Bob's pink phlox is just starting to bloom:
More blooms from the Kordana roses. The other plant has 3 buds on it:
Limelight Hydrangea. I am planning to add 2 or 3 hardy hydrangea arborescens to the side of the house where I ripped out the macrophyllias. Yes, I ripped out a whole row of established mopheads that just aren't hardy in Zone 5 and will always put on a weak show. I want to replace them with long-blooming varieties that won't require frost cover in the winter and will put on a much better show...
Some impatiens I threw into a hanging planter near the pool:
Window box going strong (with window repaired and in place now). I will be trying lots more petunia/verbena combos next year, possibly from seed. They bloom from spring til autumn from what I can see! Oh, and this picture would have been framed and focused better if a beautiful yellow and green garter snake hadn't slithered past my feet while I was shooting. I tried to capture it but it went into the pool shed to hide. (Note: capture it on camera. I would never try to capture a snake or any other animal out in the wild! Mom, do you actually think I would try to handle a live snake? I'm no Ruthie ;)
Pool bed staples: rudbeckia, echinacea and monarda. That's mugwort or wormwood behind it that's probably going to get ripped out. It hasn't flowered yet and is getting enormous - I anticipate trouble. The monarda has powdery mildew and looks pretty poor at this point, but I don't spray with chemicals. So I let it go.
Astilbe in the pool bed! It's blooming late, but that's because I planted it in June from bare root plants ordered on clearance. I have a darker colored group as well that's also starting to bloom. Unexpected surprise for a $1.50 investment.
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