Gardening With Grace

Guess What I Saw

2012-02-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

TODAY'S WEATHER turned out to be semi-cloudy and mild which made my lunch-hour errand-running all the more pleasurable. On the way back to work, along my normal route, a violet-colored object caught my eye. As I drove past, I was delighted by a hundred little crocuses blooming in an otherwise nondescript lawn. I wanted to stop to get a photo but the clock rushed me on to more important tasks.

Crocus (taken a few years ago)

You know what this means, don't you? Yep. Spring. Not officially, of course, but the plants are waking up. The days are getting longer and slightly warmer. Hooray!

Crocus (also from a previous year)

Back in my own garden, I'm watching a clump of early daffodils, predicting they'll be in bloom next week. Then I'll be even more convinced that spring is coming!

Corylopsis (also from a previous year)

The Corylopsis, pictured above isn't blooming either, yet. But when it does, I'll really be convinced that spring is coming!

How 'bout you? Any signs of spring in your neck of the woods?

As always,

I Want Summer!

2012-02-16T21:28:00.000-08:00

ONE OF MY coworkers just came back from a week in Hawaii. She swam with sea turtles, ate tropical fruit at every meal, watched one gorgeous sunset after another. Then she came back to Oregon rain and fog. Poor thing.

So in celebration of sunshine and warm temperatures and soft breezes, I'll just post a bunch of photos from sunnier days. Days when the sun was shining and the flowers were blooming and the bees were buzzing...

And now, back to reality. But spring's coming.

As always,

Fine Gardening Has A Pinterest Page!

2012-02-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

SHORT POST TODAY. If you're not familiar with Pinterest, I'm here to evangelize. I've been "pinning" to my boards for a few months now and I'm totally hooked. This morning with the daily Fine Gardening e-letter, came the announcement that Fine Gardening has a page. Talk about a gluttonous load of eye candy! If you're looking for inspiration, here's a great place to get some.

Click on the link below to see what I'm talking about. It's easy to sign up. If you need an invitation, leave me a comment with your email and I'll send you a formal invite.

Fine Gardening!

Here is a sampling of the eye candy on this site! Ooh, la, la!

One more link: if you're interested in photos of bookstore cats, click here. Totally cute!

As always,

Thanks for visiting.

Sarcococca--Say That 5 Times, Real Fast!

2012-01-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

EVERYBODY, WELL almost everybody, knows about Daphne odora, that fragrant delight that graces the February garden. But long before Madame Daphne takes the stage, my dear, sweet Sarcococca ruscifolia (or Sweet Box) is having its hay day. It starts blooming right after Christmas and continues throughout January.

The flowers are diminutive and belie the fragrance they emit. Right now I've got about 7 stems in a container of water maybe ten feet away and the fragrance is to die for.

As you can see from the above photo, my plant has grown to about 4 feet wide but only three feet tall in ten years. The plants thrive in dry shade and when they aren't blooming they make a nice structural evergreen. The only bugs I've ever seen on my plants are early honey bees!

If I'm ever forced to leave my garden, one of the first plants I'd buy for my new garden would be Sarcococca. That is unless I'm forced to move to Siberia. Great Plant Picks, (more on this in a minute) says it's hardy in Zones 7-9 so Christine in Alaska, here's another reason to get yourself a heated greenhouse!

No, my Snow Drops aren't blooming yet. It's just that I had this photo next to the Sarcococca in my files and I couldn't resist.

Great Plant Picks, for those of you who don't know, is a fabulous resource to gather information on plants you're interested in growing. Although it is a website featuring plants specifically for Pacific Northwest gardens, it can benefit gardeners everywhere since it's all about detailing the cultural requirements for the best garden plants. Lots of nice photos too. Because this is a non-commercial site, you're going to get the real deal--facts written by unbiased horticulturists instead of salespeople. You gotta love that!

As always,

BeBop Garden & Pinterest

2012-01-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

Ricki Grady, author of the entertaining book, BEBOP GARDEN has informed me that Amazon is running a two-day promotion. Today and tomorrow, January 24 and 25, 2012, you can download BEBOP GARDEN for FREE! Just click on the link. Also I recently discovered that you don't need an e-reader to download books. Amazon has a free app you can download onto your computer that works just like an e-reader! So, if you haven't read this awesome, book by a kindred northwest gardener, now's the time.

On another note, one of the authors of the blog, Writer Unboxed wrote a delightful post on ways authors can use Pinterest for book publicity. Although my book isn't published, I've been "pinning" photos of some of the haunts of my younger years which are written about in my "book." If you click on the link and look at the Hawaii and Oregon boards you'll see some of them. This is a work in progress. I'll let you know when it's finished. (If it ever is. LOL)

As always,

Wild, Wacky, Winter Weather

2012-01-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

THIS WEEK HAS been crazy weather-wise. It started with snow on Monday and then again on Tuesday morning. Tuesday night's high winds ushered in a significant warm up, followed by a steady, drenching rain. And, according to the forecasters, more rain is on the way for the remainder of the week. We're in the throes of a "Pineapple Express"--the moniker for storms that travel up from the tropics and dump copious quantities of rain. It's all about making up for lost time. December was unseasonably dry.

I think this is 'Cinco de Mayo' with Clematis 'Nellie Moser.'

I am so far behind on blog reading. If I haven't visited you lately, please bear with me. I will do my best. In the meantime, I thought I'd follow Joy's lead and post photos of flowers. You remember, those things that show up in summer on green things that come out of the ground? In case you've forgotten, like I have, here are some reminders.

Phygelius 'Cherry Ripe'

Pelargonium 'Apple Blossom'

Rosa 'Purple Tiger'

Verbascum 'Southern Charm'

Okay, that's all for now. I've got to get my scuba gear out so I can swim to work in the morning.

As always,

You Win Some, You Lose Some

2012-01-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

Looming in the back of my mind for at least a week has been the quandary, what am I going to write about? I didn't want you, my faithful friends, to think I had buried myself in the compost or some such erroneous undertaking. But for the life of me, nothing, and I repeat, nothing was coming. No newsy garden-related-events merited my, or your attention.

But wouldn't you know it? The muse can be an elusive thing but when it finally comes a callin' you've got your ah ha moment.

I was with daughter number 1. After finishing up our errands we decided to stop in at a thrift store, just to have a look around. Those of you who are thrift store addicts know what I'm talking about. Just a look around, right? Anyway, right there by the front door was this beautiful Camellia (C. sasanqua 'Yuletide') in bloom. I'll write about this sweet little camellia! I told myself.

Well, typical me. I was going to take photos on the way out but about half way home I realized I had forgotten. Thankfully I had a few I took last year that I could use on my blog.

This camellia baffles me. It grows as a foundation planting in front of a cement building, in blazing, south-facing summer sun. I don't understand why it does so well. I thought camellias liked dappled shade and cool roots.

This photo of pink-flowered Camellia 'Mrs. Tinkley' was taken several years ago before she passed away. She's a later-blooming Japonica species. Guess what. I've tried growing and killed both 'Yuletide' and the Mrs. Sometimes you have to enjoy plants from afar, conceding that they just don't like your garden, for whatever reason.

The final photo is of my Winter Sweet in bloom (Chimonanthus praecox), so named for the delicious scent of the rather diminutive flowers. It thrives in my garden, so I'm happy. You win some. You lose some, right?

I kind of like visiting the thrift store and seeing that sweet camellia defying the odds.

Have a wonderful week.

As always,

A Fresh New Year!

2012-01-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012, all my garden friends!

Are you ready for a fresh, new year? Are you dreaming about the summer garden and how fabulous it's going to look? Of course you are!

No, we didn't have a snowstorm. One of my daughters took this photo a few years ago. I thought I'd post it for fun. It beats what's out there now--untended dead leaves and mud.

I hope you are enjoying your seed and plant catalogs. Mine are still in a pile awaiting my undivided attention. I hope to get to them soon.

I'm not making any resolutions this year. They're too easy to break. Instead I'll just try to do my best everyday and be grateful for sunshine, rain and good friends.

How about you? Any resolutions you care to share?

As always,

Please, Indulge My Narcissism

2011-12-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year to think about giving. A time when we open our hearts and our wallets and think of those less fortunate and do something that makes a difference in people's lives.

But, come on, let's get real. It's also the time to think about getting. If you're one of those people who doesn't like to receive gifts because you've already got everything and you feel so richly blessed and all, you might not be interested in wasting your time with the rest of my post. For those of you who like to waste time, this post is for you.

It's all about getting.

From Santa. I like to go right to The Source.

Actually, I'll be honest. The idea didn't originate from me or the TV. I stole it.

Christine of Last Frontier Garden, witty writer extraordinaire, compiled her own list for Santa with full consideration of the idiosyncrasies of an Alaskan Gardener. If you haven't read it yet, be sure to click on the link. It's very thought-provoking prose.

Because I'm toiling the soil in western Oregon's semi-balmy Zone 8, my "needs" (idiosyncrasies) are slightly different than Christine's. I'm not wont for moose or bear patrol or a hybrid tomato that ripens itself in 4 weeks, (but I'd take it). No, my list to Santa goes something like this:

Dear Santa, I've been good. All year. Mostly. I've whittled my list down to five simple requests because I know you're busy.

1. Three fast growing replacement trees that look exactly like the existing Sweet Gums but lose their leaves in three weeks instead of three months. If this is outside your budget dear Santa, I'll gladly permit a perpetual wind to send the fallen detritus into the neighbors' yards or better yet, down the hill into oblivion.

2. On the subject of "replacement," I'd like for you to replace my 50-something body with that of say, a healthy 18 year old. One who can bustle through garden chores with nary a muscle ache to be felt. One caveat though, if I may. Please, only from the neck down. I still want my head (gray hair, wrinkles and all) because going through the School of Hard Knocks twice in one lifetime is more than I care to consider.

3. A slight re-zoning (expansion) of the backyard boundaries. I need more room for all those plants you're going to bless me with in 2012.

4. And on the subject of "zones," another slight Zone-tweak, please: Zone 9 instead of 8. No problem, right?

5. And on the subject of "tweaks," a few itty-bitty improvement tweaks to the plants I love, pretty please. For example: Heucheras that don't dissolve into nothingness. Ornamental grasses that don't re-seed all over the (confounded) place. Lawn that stays green all summer. Japanese maples that hold their spring color a wee bit longer. Ivy that gets 6 inches long, then stops growing. Hostas that are the bane of slugs. Roses that are anathema to aphids....

Okay that's all for now, Santa. I'll be sure to clean the chimney and leave you your milk and cookies, a fair enough trade, right?

Kidding aside, I hope you all have

joyous

Christmas!

Encore Presentation

2011-12-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

'Twas one year ago that I crafted a Christmas centerpiece for my dining room table. Keeping with tradition, [the only tradition I've kept so far besides waiting until the last minute to start my shopping] I created another centerpiece this year. Because the weather has been an anathema to inspiration and photo-taking [fog!] I thought I'd post last year's photos in case you're thinking about trying this and you need a wee push to get you motivated. It's really quite simple.

Like any good recipe, it starts with gathering your ingredients. Most of mine came from the garden. You can vary them based on what's available or what look you're going for, as you'll see below.

Every arrangement is slightly different. The above photo is from last year's rendition. Below is this year's. I purchased noble fir and carnations for a more "professional" look since it was bound for my desk at work.

And there you have it. If you make/made a Christmas arrangement, I hope you'll post a photo. I'd love to see it.

PS I was recently alerted that Blotanical is going to release a new version in February 2012. I don't have a lot of the details but I just wanted to offer my support to administrator Stuart. If it weren't for Blotanical I wouldn't "know" so many of you my dear garden buddies. If you're a garden blogger and you're not familiar with Blotanical, please click on the link. It's easy to sign up and the rewards are worth it.

As always,

Trees, Birds & Babies

2011-11-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody, There isn't a whole lot to report in the gardening department. This week's weather is sunny but cool. Unfortunately I haven't been home to enjoy it. However, the other day while driving I captured this pretty tree.

Last Sunday a bunch of us garden gals went to our local ultra-cool nursery to see all the winter and Christmas stuff. Although I didn't buy anything, I couldn't resist grabbing a photo of this sweet mini-garden.

Below is another drive-by. Despite the fact that I live 50 miles from the ocean, sea gulls seem to like it here. Three of them had perched themselves upon these lamp posts, just begging me to take their picture. I know, I'm easily amused.

Finally I wanted to share a photo I took of my darling, sweet grand niece, Summer. She is 5 months old and was the youngest member of our Thanksgiving gathering. Check out those dimples.

My Garden Looks Like Sh***!

2011-11-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

Autumn can be so unkind to the garden. Pelting rains and strong winds have been aplenty of late and it shows. Big time. One of my daughters and I were driving home the other day and we talked about what they call, "the monsoon season" in some parts of the world. Here, in the Pacific Northwest it's just called "the rainy season." But I like "monsoon" over "rain." It's more dramatic.

Acer palmatum disectum waving goodbye.

Many of my posts now sit empty.

And others, like this birdbath, are filled with fall foliage.

But luckily some still remain green.

The geranium is alive but I hope the budworms are dead. Wouldn't it be cool if it actually bloomed?

We haven't had a frost yet so many marginally hardy plants are hanging on! Hooray!

This is a seedling Nicotiana run amok. Kinda pretty though so I'm keeping it.

Heurchera something or other. 'Plum Pudding' maybe.

I predict a very mild winter for us Pacific Northwesters this year. Yes I do.

Begonia -- cool, huh?

Even the cool-leaved Begonia Darla sent me is still green. I won't need to bring it in because we're going to have a mild winter. But I'll keep an eye out just in case. Can't be too careful.

It always amazes me that these succulents can handle the cold. But sure enough.

Now, lest you forgot the title of this post, I'll repeat it.

My garden looks like shit. There I said it. I feel better now.

This is a tiny bit better.

Hydrangea

The pretties require closeup shots.

Tired Thalictrum foliage

Cotoneaster lacteus, my most prominent "winter interest" wonder!

Trees to match the paint color

But despite my garden's less than stellar appearance, I'm enjoying the finality of fall. Just look at those trees! I took the above photo from the parking lot at the library.

I took the above photo a block from where I work. It's a tiny slice of the enormous Oregon State University campus. Check out those colors! Ooh la, la!

This tree almost burned my eyes!

And finally, (almost) back at my garden. Look at this sweet 'Cinco de Mayo' rose trying its darndest to make me happy. (Yes it's all about me.)

And finally, (for real this time) I had to show a photo of my daughter's kitten. Please excuse the blurriness. I bought some toy "mouses" at the grocery store and we were busy chasing them. Ain't she a cutie?

So much to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

PS Please pardon my groveling, but if you haven't visited my writing blog, I cordially invite you.

I'm curious as to your reaction to my current essay.

Just click on the link on the sidebar.

Thanks.

The Drama of November

2011-11-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody, Well, I'd have to say that the fall colors are at their best right now. Vibrant and glowing, they offer a dramatic contrast from the dull November skies and because we've had very little wind this fall, their show keeps on, day after day.

Euonymous elatum or Burning bush

A prairie of Japanese Blood Grass or Imperata cylindrica growing in a parking lot hell strip.

Side note: My editor recently received this interesting fact and I wanted to share it with you.

"Shortly after things started to grow in the garden this year, I found that the chipmunks and rabbits were enjoying the garden more than I was. I switched to a chicken-wire fence, and that still didn't work. I had to do something. As an avid crafter, I had many little Christmas jingle bells that I usually use as part of my gift wrap. I tied one bell every couple of inches along the bottom of the fence and voila! - no more critters in the garden. Every time I hear the bells jingle, I know I frightened another away."

So this got me to thinking. Do any of you have an unorthodox tip you've learned to deter critters? Hopefully something that hasn't hurt the little darling/devils but has kept them from eating your beloved plants? If so I'd love to hear about it. Much obliged.

Single Bloomers

2011-10-29T20:31:00.000-07:00

There is a wheelbarrow situated on my north lawn brimming with a load of garden clippings, awaiting my removal. When it's emptied, I will have another, then another for that trusty one-wheeled workhorse.

Calliopsis volunteer ... a burritt plant, Linnie!

While traipsing through the garden recently, I came upon this little sport growing straight up through a jungle of leaning raspberry canes. I was surprised and somewhat stupefied to see it because it was exactly 15 years ago, (yes I had to double-check by counting on my fingers) that its parents grew in this spot--the very first summer I gardened here. So, this little flower's seed lay dormant in this spot all these years! Either that or an airplane with a leaky cargo of Calliopsis seed flew over.

Alstromeria

One last stem of blooming Alstro, backlit by afternoon sunlight, also delighted me that day.

Spiraea 'Neon Flash'

As did the single stem of bright pink Spirea. Have you noticed that it's to that point again? The season when all of the thrills of summer's plethora are condensed and funneled through the siting of a singular colorful stem?

A Change of Heart

2011-10-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are regular visitors, there is no doubt you're aware of my reluctance towards autumn. You've patiently read my incessant bemoaning; my carrying on ad nauseum; whining and bitching like life was really handing me a bitter pill.

The last cluster on my Carpet Rose

Which is absolutely ridiculous. No bitter pills here.

One of my Fuchsias. They're all still looking really swell.

It's not so much fall itself I was protesting. It was saying goodbye to summer. Witnessing the long, sun-filled days and evenings come to and end and with it, the decline of my summer garden. I know I'm not alone either because many of you have written of the same reluctance.

Another Fuchsia. I don't know the names of most of them.

Well, I confess that, finally, here in late October, my attitude has adjusted favorably. Finally.

Fuchsia

Yet another Fuchsia. See I told you they look good!

I suppose it's the allure of the blushing trees, the soft glow of the sunlight, the cooler temperatures, orange scatterings dancing across the road; russets, reds and golds illuminated by a cloudless blue. How can you not love that?

Geranium 'Patricia' leaning into the pathway

Foggy mornings, the smell of wood smoke... you get the picture.

Geranium 'Jolly Bee' making a serious attempt at defying fall.

Yes, autumn is very enjoyable right now.

Cyclamen growing in an obscure place

The temperatures have been very pleasant lately. I'm still behind on garden work but didn't let that deter me from snapping photos earlier today.

The plight of the garden...pretty things among the "ruins."

Granted, there is lots of chaos but treasures can still be found.

Gaura

Echium tuberculatum is still blooming like crazy.

Lespedeza thunbergii just finishing up

Canna 'Tropicana' still looking decent

Anemone, alive and thriving

Blushing Hydrangea blossoms

The last few raspberries

The last few blueberries

I still have a few goodies left in the garden. The berries are just finishing up. I got a nice handful of both raspberries and blueberries. Tasty!

The tomatoes were tasty too.

The last of the tomatoes

The last of the cherry tomatoes

My neighbors have a politically incorrect Ivy vine. Whether they are aware of Ivy's propensity to smother trees or not, I don't know. I'm thinking not since they're allowing it to climb the fence and basically take over.

Check out the little sputniks on the left. They are the flowers of the Ivy. This photo is but one small representation of a huge mass of blooms right now. The sound of the honeybees is what alerted me to them. Not much to look at, they sure make the bees happy. So I guess Ivy does have one redeeming quality. Who'd a thunk?

A small toadstool growing in the pathway rocks

I thought I'd leave you with one final lilliputian treasure. Cute, isn't it?

What do you think of my new header photo? This and the new one on Subplots By Grace, my other blog, are the fruit of my Saturday, sitting on my arse. I've got a new post over there too, if you've got a minute. Thanks for your kind comments!

Bouquet Fodder

2011-10-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

I took some time to wander the garden today. It wasn't rainy but everything was wet from an earlier downpour. I'm working full time for the month of October, maybe longer so my gardening has been severely limited. When I do get a block of time, boy am I going to be busy. What a freaking mess! I was surprised that among a plethora of untamed madness (and believe me that's an understatement) there were a few pretties.

Monkshood (Aconitum) and a reblooming Phlox

An aging Hydrangea blossom.

A newer Lacecap Hydrangea blossom

Fall color is still in its infant stages in these parts. Most of the trees are still green and only a few of the shrubs are turning. I was surprised to see so many blossoms on my dwarf Buddleia.

Buddleia 'Lo and Behold Blue Chip'

Most of my Sedums have turned brown. Not this one though.

Sedum 'October Daphne'

With the aforementioned Buddleia and a few nice blossoms of Honeysuckle, I'm thinking I could create a final fragrant bouquet.

Hall's Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica 'Halliana ')

'Cherry Ripe' Phygelius (Cape Fuchsia)

There are a few reblooming stems of Phygelius I could add to the mix.

Jasmine

A few fragrant stems of Jasmine are also begging to be acknowledged.

(Cercidiphyllum japonicum) or Katsura

My Katsura is one exception to the fall color delay.

A pot of tiny Sedums

Early in the spring, I poked a little snippet of Sedums in the above pot. They've filled in nicely and are now beginning their journey over the side. Yay!

Finally, I wanted to show all of you the gift I received from Chelsea. She is a fellow Oregon blogger who recently had a giveaway and I was the winner. Lookie what I got! If you haven't yet visited her delightful blog, Three on Grove just click on her name. She's a real sweetheart. Thanks again, Chelsea!!

The ABCs of Me

2011-10-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful Saturday. Earlier, I ventured outdoors and was pleasantly surprised at how warm it felt. Still, fall was evident at every turn. I don't like how it has affected my summer garden. My summer garden. Even the late-bloomers, like asters and anemones are scooting past their prime and begging to be deadheaded. And despite the efforts of the blooming stalwarts like hardy fuchsias and roses the entire scenario looks sad because of their ailing neighbors.

I tell myself I'm not a perfectionist anymore but maybe I'm delusional. All I know is, at this juncture, it all seems really futile and even punitive, reclaiming the wildness and disarray that nature has so routinely [and somewhat cruelly] doled out.

Rather than pep talking myself in to grabbing the pruners and digging in, I said to hell with it, came inside, grabbed my laptop and opted to hover over other people's happenings.

Not too far down the burgeoning Reader list is Rindy Mae's Blog. She had a cute idea she borrowed from another blogger so I thought, hell, why not?

"The ABCs of Me."

Age: 50 but who's counting?
Bed size: Queen... must have room for cats!
Chore I dislike the most: Scooping up cat vomit.
Dogs: No! Cats, 4 of them including an unruly but lovable kitten.
Essential start to my day: Coffee, computer and meds.
Favorite color: Green.
Gold or silver: Neither. Green!
Height: 5 feet.
Instrument I've played: My mouth, singing in the car or yelling at rude drivers.
Job title: Admin Assistant, Writer, Wife, Mom, Litter box changer...
Kids: 4 ranging from 28 to 19.
Live in: A house in western Oregon
Most wanted: A bigger bathtub.
Nickname: "Mom"
Oprah, yes or no: Yes until she went to cable.
Pet peeves: Rude drivers, Congress.

Quote from a movie: "Whose little girl are you?" [Villain, Jack Elam to a nervous Tim Conway in The Apple Dumpling Gang] and "Alabama, Mobile." [Sultry and sly Jodie Foster to handsome James Garner in Maverick.]

Right or left: Ambidextrous.
Shopping: Plants, rusty junk garden art bargains.
TV show: The Good Wife, Brothers & Sisters [Netflix]
Underwear: God help us if I don't!
Vegetables I hate: Frozen or canned.
What makes you late: Over-zealous cop.
X-ray: Teeth.
Yummy food I make: Mexican, tonight!
Zoo animal: monkeys.

By the way, I've been working on my writing skills. If you've got more time to waste and you're curious, click on the link to my writing blog. It's on my sidebar. I'd love to have your opinion, yay or nay.

If It's Not One Thing, It's Another

2011-10-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

Years ago, when I was a young gardener, I would have been mortified to take a walk in the garden that I found myself in today.

My Crape Myrtle, finally blooming, is laden with rainwater.

Back then, I was still deluded by my own self-serving grandiosity. I believed I could weave perfection out of weeds and dirt chunks. I could design eye-candy out of waterlogged detritus. Transform the desert into an oasis. Anything less was failure.

Fuchsia, Joe Pye and Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate with the chartreuse foliage of Himalayan Honeysuckle.

As my kids got older and their play structures were relegated to Goodwill, I had my expanding blank canvas. There wasn't much that was too difficult for my designer's mind to wrap itself around.

The final show of a Hosta

Most of what I enjoy today is the result of those sore muscles and impetuosity. I'm grateful that the really heavy work is behind me.

Aging Cotinus foliage doused with rainwater.

An early October deluge has rendered my garden pretty sad looking. This, after a dry summer. Lacking measurable rainfall for about two and a half months, my plants had been forced to anchor their roots in hardpan. Leaves turned brown and shriveled into unrecognizable masses; stems that once held the prettiest of flowers were now brown and crispy.

Hydrangea 'Glowing Embers'

But then the rains came. And now many once-vertical stems are laying prostrate, encroaching on walkways and their neighbors. If it's not one thing, it's another.

Lespedeza on a good year.

Good thing I've got a sense of humor about it all. I'm older now. Grand illusions of perfection don't occupy every inch of my gray matter. The garden evolves and devolves.

The Fuchsia are still looking great.

Rather than scrutinize the entire garden, I seek out small victories. Raindrops on a dangling Fuchsia...

Shiny seeds from Lantana

Pretty seed pods or a lone spider clinging to its web, (at which point I go somewhere else).

"Poor Man's Orchid" or Impatiens balfouri seedpod.

And because I'm so easily amused by plants, sometimes I'll saunter over to my Poor Man's Orchid and grasp a long, thin seedpod and let it pop in my hand. I know, silly, right?

BeBop Garden

2011-09-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

My daughter knows how to play the piano. I mean, really knows her stuff. She took several [$$$] years of piano lessons, including music theory and recitals from a very talented teacher. Before that, hubby Steve and I noticed a lot of natural inborn talent. Where this mysterious adroitness hails from must go back several generations or perhaps it is a twist of combined DNA fate. Whatever the case, I admire this child-turned-adult who can sit down at the piano and dazzle me with her blithely fingers.

Music-making baffles me. Sometimes, when no one's around, I'll sit down at said piano, arch my fingers and attempt a series of harmonious notes. Abysmal. No talent.

Ricki Grady understands me. She admits to a similar fantasy. Hers involves lengthy be-bopping with a band of like-minded jazz musicians. Unfortunately, like me, her musical DNA isn't all that polished.

But in gardening I have found an improvisional medium better suited to my talents. Jazzy compositions are no longer beyond me; they just get worked out by startling plant juxtapositions, rhythmic color repetitions, harmonic arrangements of light and shadow. Bingo. BeBop Gardening!

Being a fellow Oregonian brought me to Ricki's blog a few years ago. Her engaging prose made me a faithful visitor. Reading her absorbing and delightful book has sealed the deal. This girl is a kindred spirit, folks! Chapters include subjects we can all relate to, such as Networking, Composting, Wildlife, Botanical Latin, Designing and Buying Things, etc. But this is not your run-of-the-mill how-to. Ricki isn't bossy. She dishes modest nuggets of advice with ample explanation, honed from years of experience. And when you combine her experience with her writer's heart, the results are stories to enjoy: the wanderings of garden cats, the peril of a goldfish, ladybugs crawling all over the inside of a refrigerator, a grandson dancing with a squirrel and so much more.

No Ricki isn't bossy. But she is rebellious, eschewing the advice-laden gurus when their practices don't suit her. Her chapter on garden record-keeping runs parallel to my own hits and misses. As you read, like me, you'll often feel the twinge of familiarity and camaraderie. Of the many, many pages I have underlined and starred, I love this:

The world is full of rules and guidelines for garden design if you care about such things. It never hurts to read up on any subject, just so you will know what rules you are breaking.

Breaking rules is, after all, how most art happens. Anarchy in the garden is a harmless form of indulgence. As you go about your liberated way, trusting your instincts, your inner artist will begin to express itself, bringing you untold gratification. Just remember: there is no one "right way." The right way is your way.

When you've finished the fall chorin' and you relegate yourself to inside tasks, might I suggest a little arm chair gardening with Ricki?

For more information, visit Ricki's blog or the publisher's website.

(Disclaimer: I am receiving much personal gratification but no monetary compensation for this post.)

September's Charms

2011-09-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Our late-summer week-long heatwave is now a thing of the past. As much as I detest extreme heat, I'm kind of sad to see it go. It's been replaced with cloudy skies and an occasional chilly breeze, a harbinger of change that I don't find welcoming at all. I'm a summer gal. I like having the windows open, breathing the freshness, hearing the birds, the trickle of the fountain just a few steps away from the door. I'm not ready to close up shop and relegate the flip flops to the back of my closet.

Anemone 'Pamina,' a luscious lavender-pink late bloomer.

The upside is that the garden is still lush with color as the fall bloomers, a banal presence in the garden since spring, have their time at center stage. You've got to love those little internal DNA clocks that alert a plant to its time to shine. Fascinating stuff.

Aster 'Alma Potschke.' It doesn't get any pinker than this!

The garden albeit a bit unkempt due to my alternate activities of late isn't ready to close up shop either.

Aster 'Woods Pink,' a bee-lover's paradise!

Unkempt can pretty much sum up my garden at any time of year and the longer I tend to it the better I'm getting at enjoying it rather than fretting over its blatant imperfections.

Cyclamen hederifolium peaks out from under the bushes.

I'd like to believe that this thinking stems from my evolving enlightenment, you know? The fact that I'm not getting any younger, that the moments really are fleeting and that all I have is now. The truth is though that some of it is just laziness. Sometimes I don't feel like removing all the brown Calla foliage from under the burgeoning Fuchsia shrub.

A Pink Dahlia... the name escapes my "evolving" mind.

To hell with those annoying Pear tree suckers invading the lawn.

Fuchsia something or other

Besides, I've already got this sweet little bouquet in my grasp. I'd have to put it down if I were going to, say, lift that annoying weed snaking through the Sedum and throw it into the bucket that has the nerve to situate itself a great distance from convenient.

Gaura blooms

The weed will wait. The spent foliage will keep. I'll be back.

The Moment I Knew

2011-09-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well, dear friends, The Moment I Knew is now a reality!

I received an email earlier in the week from my editor, Terri announcing that the books were in the mail. With so many other things going on, I put it out of my mind and sallied forth. Yesterday, when it became too hot to garden and the seemingly endless watering was sufficiently conquered, I retreated indoors to my laptop and Facebook. Donna, on the east coast, announced that she had in her hands the real McCoy. I got excited. Maybe my book would be in today's mail. Well, after what felt like an endless wait, sure enough, "patience" paid off. It was here.

My essay is in the chapter titled, "Loss," right after Donna's sweet, heartfelt poems. It chronicles meeting and getting to know my dear friend Valerie and the moments that lead up to her suicide ten years later. Then the painful aftermath, concluding with the epiphany--the moment I knew all is okay, that somehow, in the midst of tragedy, in a realm we mere humans are not privy to, love has prevailed.

This book is all about epiphanies. The "ah-ha" moment, as Oprah would say. That glimpse into deeper understanding that breaks through the chaos, confusion and emotional unrest and sheds the light of hope and peace. We all have those moments. We can all relate.

I'll have my nose buried for the next little while. I need to hurry because Ricki's new book, BeBop Garden is coming soon and I'm equally psyched about it.

For more information you can visit the website.

Keeping with the garden theme...

This isn't a very good photo, obviously, but I wanted to show you the

Seven-Son Flower in full, late-summer bloom.

You wouldn't believe the bees! They love this (now) tree as much as I do.

I Refuse to Believe It!

2011-09-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

I don't care what the calendar says. I'm not listening. I'm defiant. [Insert immature foot-stomp here.]

Echinacea

This is how I feel about September. Well, not really September, per se, just when September chooses to happen.

Sedum 'Vera Jameson'

It's not even so much the now-ness of September. It's the impending-ness.

Echinacea 'White Swan'

I don't want summer to go bye, bye.

Sedum 'Variegata'

I know this is really stupid. Irrational. I mean just because it's September doesn't mean that summer is over.

Honeysuckle

I know we're supposed to enjoy the moment. This is all we have, yada yada.

Autumn Fern

Yet, like I said, it's just the impending-ness of it.

Canna 'Pretoria'

Remember when you were a kid on Christmas morning? You tiptoed out to the tree and saw the pile of presents. The anticipation of something grand awaited you. Then awhile later, after almost all the presents were opened and there was a huge mess of torn wrapping paper and ribbons and detritus, there was this indefinable moment when the let-down hovered over you. It's almost over.

Bingo!

Horseradish

I know lots of you love fall. Especially my sweet garden buddies in the southern portion of the continent. For you, fall means relief from the unrelenting heat. I get that.

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

And, admittedly there are still bits of anticipation right here on my own home turf.

Scabiosa 'Beaujolais Bonnets'

The buzzers and hummers are oblivious. Maybe I should take the hint.

Enjoy the fruits of the season.

'SunSugar'

Believe me, I have been!

Ground Cherry

I guess I should stop whining.

Persicaria 'Firetail'

But I'm so good at it.

Summer Reading

2011-08-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

When I saw Sandra Knauf’s “status” on the Facebook “gardenchat” page, I was intrigued. Sandra was announcing her labor of love. Publication of her brainchild Greenwoman magazine was forthcoming and she was inviting publicity. Read the magazine and write a review.

When the magazine arrived I was torn. It was peak gardening time and I was in the throes of obsession. Garden chores were scrambling my gray matter and now I had this additional obligation. Luckily Sandra understood. This is the very thing, the real life that is captured so well within the pages of her magazine.

Greenwoman is not written strictly by women, nor is it strictly written for women. This is the first thing I noticed. As I began reading Dan Murphy’s invitational essay titled, “Informed Simplicity,” followed by Bruce Holland Rogers’ relatable fiction, “A Human Birth,” I realized this wasn’t going to be a gardening how-to. In fact, neither piece was specifically about gardening at all.

Ah but a look at the following drawing by Rachel Kloster, titled “Worm” made me smile and I was back on customary ground. It was followed by Sandra’s own inspiring chronicle of community gardening. But then the magazine veered off again and I realized that this was a periodical loathe to box itself in or stoop to cliché. The topics would be familiar but the twists and turns would be unique because the human experience is unique. Garden thievery would be confessed along with a voyeuristic take on the praying mantis. We’d get a chance to hover over the history of seed saving; delve into the workings of a mysterious marijuana dispensary and peak over the fence of a backyard full of chickens and children. And much more.

To finish it off, “Top Dressing” vied to invite us into Sandra’s world and heart. “Like flowers and pollinators, gardening and community go together. It matters not whether you are fortunate enough to have a vacant plot to donate for a community garden or just an extra pass-along plant to give to a friend. Sharing is what it’s about, making those connections that feed us all.” This is the impetus for Sandra’s endeavor. If you are of a similar mind, Greenwoman is for you. You can learn more by going to:

www.greenwomanmagazine.com.

* * *

I learned this week that there has been a delay in the release date for The Moment I Knew. [See sidebar.] Ah, welcome to the world of publishing. In the meantime, my heart and prayers go out to all of you east coasters living along Irene's path.

The Wide View

2011-08-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Monday morning and clouds. After a weekend of 90+ degree weather, [our first all summer] I'm happy for a break. [I know. All of you southerners are thinking, "wuss!" and you're right.] If gardens could talk, I think mine would also utter its relief. This is the time of year when hauling the hose around to water my thirsty babies begins to wear on me. Mainly because it seems like no matter how much water they get, some plants just don't want to look nice any longer. But there are areas that still look decent. I thought I'd share some of the wide views of these areas. I took these photos last evening.

Under the pear tree, this hydrangea is 'Cityline Paris.'

These white things are the handles to my vintage wheelbarrow. The big-leaved plant is Tetrapanax. 'Heidi' Achillea is just starting to fade and the center green plant is 'Alma Potschke' Aster, just starting to form buds.

The tall, big-leaved plant in the back to the right is Catalpa. It's only a few years old. I cut it down each year so it won't decide to become a tree.

This is my outer pond, although with all of the foliage the water is impossible to see. My Spacial Denial is evident in all the photos. I never leave enough room for the plants to mature and then everything sort of melds together into an amorphous blob.

Case in point... It's a jungle out there.

The fuchsia on the left is hardy here, blooms all summer and beckons hummers. Easy to root and grow, it is one of three offspring from its mother planted elsewhere in the garden.

Every year I do something different with this area. I didn't buy very many annuals this years so the colors aren't as bold as they've been in years past.

Verbena rigida is sort of taking over this area. Who's complaining? It is a perennial and I am hoping to have seed to share. I'll let you know. The purple foliage jutting up from the middle of it is a juvenile Cotinus.

This bench is looking its age. It's got a bunch of dead fuchsia blossoms on it. My oops.

A peak at the north lawn looking worse for the wear. I'm standing on the patio, looking east to take this photo. To the left is the patio pond.

I'm standing on the patio for this shot too but I'm looking north instead of east.

The tawny, wispy foliage on the upper left are the seed heads from my Stipa gigantea. They get probably seven to eight feet tall. Love that plant! To the right of the pathway you can see the aforementioned vintage wheelbarrow just behind the rusty obelisk.

Stipa gigantea again, sneaking out from behind my towering Heptacodium or Seven-Son Flower, just starting to bloom.

In the center of this photo is Daphne 'Summer Ice.' It's been blooming [fragrant, tiny, white blossoms] off and on since early spring! Another must-have for any garden within its Zone range.

This is taken on one of the minor paths looking out at the north lawn. To the left is the ubiquitous 'Autumn Joy' Sedum just about ready to host a bee party.

Hydrangea 'Glowing Embers.' It's not quite as red as I'd like. In front of it is H. q. 'Sike's Dwarf' sporting one amazing flower head and a bunch of amazing leaves.

And finally, looking towards the patio. On the left, finishing up are lavender, native Bachelor Buttons and Phlox.

Sorry. I've just got to brag a wee bit more about The Moment I Knew. This Friday [August 26th] is the day! I'm psyched. See my sidebar for more information and thank you to all of you for your kindness. You're awesome.

The Middle of August

2011-08-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

I guess it's time for another post. Sheesh. It's been almost a week. The time just flies by anymore, doesn't it? We've continued to have superb summer weather here in western Oregon. I think it's hit 90 degrees twice all summer, here in my neck of the woods; even cooler up north in Portland and in Washington. You got to love that.

I took a few photos yesterday and this morning that I thought I'd boast about for a minute, if you'll indulge me.

My Clemmy 'Polish Spirit' is more purple than is depicted in this rather blue rendition. Funny, two years ago, I dug this plant up and moved it to the other side of the garden but apparently there was just enough root left behind and now this one is just as big as the moved one. Anyway, it has tangling itself around my deck railing and into containers and a nearby rosebush and Rose of Sharon and... you get the idea.

Happy Hollyhocks.

Now I've seen some of your butterfly photographs so I know my photo is far from being award-worthy but I thought I'd post it anyway. You see it's a miracle I got it at all, considering my impatience coupled with the fact that there are so few butterflies in my neck of the woods to begin with. Well, when I saw this guy and just happened to have my camera, I homed in on it and voila. It's a miracle especially since the little guy kept flapping his wings like he was on a serious sap-gathering mission, which I'm sure he was and wasn't at all interested in modeling or becoming famous.

It's time for one of my favorite plants to strut his stuff. Say hello to Joe...Pye that is.

I'm laughing because this is supposed to be the cultivar, 'LITTLE Joe' but, somebody forgot to tell him.

This is Verbena hastata a less-popular cousin of the famed Verbena bonariensis or "Verbena-on-a-stick."

Mid-August is also time for the Sedums to start blushing. I've got bunches of them but I don't know all of their names because I mix them up and move them and forget who I put where.

My Phlox paniculata are happy. This one is 'Starfire.' I like it juxtaposed with the spiky Persicaria 'Firetail' and foliage from Thalictrum delaveyi.

And speaking of which, this is my Thalictrum d. in flower. Such a sweet little thang...

And speaking of sweet little thangs, here is my youngest daughter's kitten who came to visit us last weekend. Don't you just love kittens?

By the way, if you're interested you can see a short, YouTube promo video for the book, The Moment I Knew, of which I am proud to say I'm a part of, due out on August 26th. (See sidebar for more information.)

Nature's Classroom

2011-08-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

The recent trip to Silver Falls was supposed to be about exercise and breathing fresh air, getting "FIT" or at least working towards it. It didn't take long though for our revved-up hike to devolve into a lengthy photo shoot. Two of my three daughters, each equipped with their own [much fancier] camera, me with my point-and-shoot and a very patient hubby, trudged along and snapped away.

I got to thinking about how we design our gardens.

We want clearly defined pathways with lush borders.

We'll install a nice water feature.

With several vantage points.

With a diverse riparian planting scheme.

We'll plan for focal points, both large...

And small.

We'll be aware of our microclimate and take advantage of our sense of place and growing conditions...

And use plants that thrive in these conditions.

Never discounting the luster of GREEN...

The beauty of foliage...

And the quiet allure of serendipity.

We'll celebrate the garden's own symbiosis...

And the small part we play in its many seasons of success.

If we're feeling particularly adventurous, we'll take on a particular theme. Such as growing large-leaved plants.

Or plants with juxtaposing architectures.

We'll relegate a certain area to one specific type of plant and call it a "fernery," for example.

Make good use of succulents.

Grow spiky, dangerous plants.

And perhaps if we've read up on the subject, we'll create a living wall.

I want to thank you all for being so generous with your accolades on my publishing success. It is so much appreciated. To each of you, a big hug!

The Tiniest Flower On the Internet

2011-08-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

This post is for everyone who uses Blogger and especially those indoor-bound gardeners still suffering from extreme heat who might need something to do. Take a seat by the AC and read on...

I wonder, have you clicked on your blog's Design tab lately? Recently I did because I wanted to add something to my sidebar. I was pleasantly surprised to see a new feature. Right at the top of the page is an option to add your own Favicon. What's a Favicon, you might ask. Well it's that little icon next to your blog title. All Internet sites have them. For Blogger it's that rather ugly looking orange B. Know what I'm talking about? But now, thanks to the intrepid programmers at Blogger, you can say goodbye to that orange blob and make your own unique Favicon. Why would I want to do that, you're probably asking. No reason. It's just fun and a great waste time, a way to learn a little more about the workings of the Internet and maybe, here's the best part: allow your blog to stand out in the crowd. The Favicon, albeit a tiny thing, shows up nicely, among other places, on blog rolls around the Internet and I'm so proud of mine it makes me giddy! [Thank you to all of you who have me on your blog roll!]

So, I'll try to make the instructions as easy as possible to understand given that I'm not good with all the Internet lingo and procedures and all that. Okay? First, you need to choose a photo. Here is the one I chose.

Once I decided this was the photo I wanted, I went into my photo editing software [I use Microsoft] and cropped it so it would be basically a square. It's best to have a close up of an object [or face] and to make it square. You'll see why when it's done. Then I moved the photo to an easily accessible folder in my computer for easy upload retrieval, if that makes sense. Okay, with me so far? Then I found a site that formats this photo into a Favicon file. There are hundreds of these sites on the Internet. All you have to do is Google "Favicon Generator Free". Here is one such site. On the site it will instruct you to upload the image/photo you want to format into a Favicon. Click on that, find your photo and upload it. Allow the site to make the Favicon then download and save it on your computer. Again save it in an easily retrievable folder because then you'll want to go into Blogger and click on the Design tab. At the top of the page where it shows the Favicon option, click on that and upload your finished Favicon. Voila! You may have to restart your computer or close all your Blogger tabs first but it works. The reason I'm so thrilled with this is because a year ago I was fooling with HTML and all kinds of weird coding to get a unique Favicon for my blog. Now it's easy as pie.

If you do this, let me know. I'd love to hear from you. If you have questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them. Wouldn't it be fun if we all had our own unique Favicon?

Since this is a garden blog, I'll confess that my Oriental lilies are beginning to bloom in the garden. I just swoon over the luscious scent.

One more thing before I go. I wanted to direct you to my sidebar where it shows the book, The Moment I Knew. I'm proud to announce that a short story I wrote about my best friend's suicide in 2005 has been chosen for inclusion. The book is slated for release on August 26th. You can read more about the book by going to the Reflections for Women Facebook page. I'm psyched!

Does This Look Familiar?

2011-07-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

Look at all that stuff! Are you, like me, clipping and pruning and deadheading and tossing?

I can still detect the scent of Catmint on my hands. And you can see below that my cat was very um, well, "happy" with all of the trimmings.

Can you believe it's August already? I thought I'd share a little of what's blooming right now.

This is an Origanum 'Bristol Cross' I think. I've got 4 different varieties of ornamental Oregano and I can't keep them straight.

Persicaria 'Firetail' is finally blooming.

Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes'

Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty'

Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy'

Teucrium 'Purple Tails'

And finally I wanted to show you the foliage on my Columbine. [Aquilegia vulgaris 'Woodside Strain.'] I have a lot of seed I'd like to give away to my beloved readers. If you want to email me [grace@gracepete.com] with your address I will get it to you. By the way, this seed can be sown immediately and will come true, meaning the plants will have this fabulous foliage from early spring until frost. Hardy to Zone 3.

Permission to Brag

2011-07-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

This time of year is all about enjoying the fruits of our labors, don't you think? I mean, what's not to love about a garden brimming with blossoms and buzzing bees? It seems like around the middle of August [at least here in the Pacific Northwest] things start on a downward turn so right now, at the end of July, things just beg to be enjoyed [and photographed].

I'm psyched about my 'Morello Cherry' Lupine from Annie's Annuals. Purchased in May, this is its first spiky blossom. It's supposed to be a repeat, summer-long bloomer.

This plant always makes me think of Sue, the Milkweed Queen. It just started blooming after a slow start. What do you think, Sue?

Stachys monnieri 'Hummelo' Purple Betony is a veritable bee-magnet right now.

Spiraea japonica 'Neon Flash' is flashing up a floriforous storm right now.

All of my 'Jolly Bee' hardy Geraniums are multi-bloominous!

This Clemmy, 'Multi-Blue' has been in bloom pretty much non-stop since May.

Veronica 'Eveline' or 'Sonja' I'm not sure which--is another bee-magnet.

Finally, I thought I'd share a photo I took on Sunday of Silver Falls, Oregon. I hope those of you affected by this heatwave are finally seeing some relief. Cheers.

No Shortage of Blooms!

2011-07-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

The sun is supposed to return later this week. This, after something like two weeks of clouds and downpours--so unusual for this time of year. The garden, other than several water-weary plants leaning horizontally, is managing fine.

The first of my Echinaceas is starting to bloom.

And the Daylilies... This is 'Rose Petticoats'

An Asiatic lily...

An unnamed red...

This is Daylily 'Strawberry Candy'

The Fuchsias are looking good too.

I don't know the names of any of them.

This is Clematis 'Julia Correvon'

And Clemmie 'Polish Spirit'

I think this is Hydrangea 'Tellar Red'

I'm psyched about my Gardenia. (Gardenia 'August Beauty') The photo above shows it at the absolute best it has ever looked. This might be a fluke but after losing several plants over the years, I finally learned, quite by accident, that if I want it to overwinter successfully, I've got to completely STOP watering it during the winter months. I left this plant, in its pot, under my (Zone 8) covered patio. In spring I began gradually watering it with a little water-soluble fertilizer and, voila! Three lusciously fragrant blossoms with many more in the works, and no spider mites!

Again, my thoughts are with those of you struggling with this horrid heatwave.

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

2011-07-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

I awoke during the middle of last night to the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops. It's been at least a month since even a smidgen of rain has occurred so this was indeed a welcome sound. Today I took some photos.

I'm not a huge Daylily fan but I've got five plants in my garden. 'Purple D'Oro' is my newest, although it's not all that new. Just new to me. I was attracted to the idea of a repeat bloomer.

This is one of my newest Fuchsias. I buy them by the dozen [not really, well almost] at Fry Road Nursery.

Campanula punctata 'Cherry Bells' really wants to take over.

I should have located this plant in a better place. I say this a lot.

Speaking of "Cherry," my Nasturtium container is going to town.

I kind of like the unkempt look. Am I nuts?

Penstemon 'Sunburst Amethyst' is a stalwart.

This dwarf Gaura is just coming on.

Lookie my Yucca, Loree. It's going to bloom!

The Dahlias [above and below] I bought at Costco last spring are blooming!

I really love these Alstromerias.

My Verbena rigida are in full array.

Several years ago I purchased a six-pack of this little annual Baby's Breath.

Since then it has reliably reseeded in various pots.

My new white Abutilon [Flowering Maple] is small but a prolific bloomer.

Geranium 'Elke' I love this pink!

This is a freebie Monkey Flower. I love this color too!

My Cordyline has doubled in size since last year.

And finally, my blueberries are starting to ripen. Hooray! I need all the brain food I can get.

To all of you in the midst of the heatwave, I'm sending you cool thoughts.

When the Seeds Don't Germinate

2011-07-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

It was back in 2008, while visiting a nearby nursery that I found this cute little old fashioned flower. Without even a hint at botanical nomenclature, the salesman blurted, "Poor Man's Orchid." [Impatiens balfouri] At $2.25 for a four-inch pot, I thought, why not? It required shade, check. It would get tall, check. It would bloom 'til frost, check. What I didn't realize at the time was that it would also reseed! 2009 was a bumper year, with Orchid offspring filling my courtyard. Ditto for 2010. Then at the dawn of 2011, with an unseasonably warm January, baby Orchids did their thing, sprouting up all over the place, full of promise. Until February when frost made mush out of them. And that, my dear friends, was the end of the saga. Not one seedling in spring. Nothing. Nada.

A few days ago, Carol and I went back to said nursery and I scored another four-incher for my courtyard, [above]. Barring another fluke in the weather [I'm not holding my breath], I'll have a courtyard full again next year.

Don't you just love this time of year in the garden? Every day it's something new. Above is my Galega officinalis 'Lady Wilson.' Looks an awful lot like a Lupine, doesn't it?

My Abutilon 'Nabob' overwintered successfully and is about to bloom. This photo is from last year.

This is Agastache 'Red Fortune.'

My tall Alstromeria is blooming.

Carpenteria 'Elizabeth' just finished up its blossoming.

This sweet little Dahlia has overwintered again. Every year I worry that I'll lose it but don't have the nerve to dig it up and overwinter it inside. I think it's proven itself. I think I can relax now. Maybe. Actually it's all a big crap shoot and I scored with this one.

Hits and Misses

2011-06-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

It's like Christmas every day. Better even!

Walking into the garden, new flowers are popping every day

and foliage is expanding to fill in what little room is left in the border.

Here are a selection of plants that I've been waiting to see bloom, some of them almost a year.

Hit or miss?

I'll tell you what I think and you can tell me if you agree or not.

I bought this Cistus last year. Unfortunately I lost the tag for so I can't identify it beyond the genus.

I love the soft, pink crepe paper-like flowers. It has been worth the wait.

HIT.

I recently purchased this plant from Annie's Annuals. Geranium 'Bill Wallis' has pretty purple flowers but

they're about half the size of the typical hardy Geranium clan.

It's supposed to bloom until frost so I'll call it a HIT.

This honeysuckle vine is so filled with blossoms, the delicious scent will actually waft into the house!

Definitely a HIT!

Last year I posted two photos of mystery plants with a call for help in identifying them.

Several of us thought the above plant, not in bloom, looked like a weed.

Turns out it's a yellow-flowering Verbascum.

Although it's sweet, I'm not a fan of yellow.

MISS.

The other plant is Lysimachia atropurpurea 'Beaujolais.'

Someone did identify it correctly but I can't recall who now. Whoever you are, thank you.

The bees love it, Gail!

HIT.

Speaking of 'Beaujolais' This is the first blossom [not yet completely open]

on the newly-purchased Scabiosa 'Beaujolais Bonnets.'

I still have it in a container as I try to figure out

where to plant it.

HIT.

Check out my hardy Banana. It's about a foot tall with several offshoots.

Not very big yet but at least it survived the winter.

HIT.

My smoky-pink bread seed poppy makes a nice color-echo with the adjacent

'Knock Out' rose.

HIT.

This is a Japanese Iris that I keep in one of my ponds. It is the last of the irises to bloom

and worth the wait.

HIT.

And finally, a rosy-pink colored Nasturtium. I planted an entire packet of seed in

a large container. Half of them have looked like this

but unfortunately the other half are blooming an orangy-scarlet.

Clash! What an awful disappointment.

MISS.

So, what do you think?

From Slump to Jump

2011-06-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

I guess you could call it "growing pains." My bi-polar garden, just a few short weeks ago, slumbering in apparent bliss, is now fully awake and going gang busters. I'm constantly running for the pruners. Then for the wheelbarrow. Certain plants, that shall remain nameless for the sake of brevity, are bullying their neighbors and I'm cutting and trimming and deadheading. I'm not complaining though. Pruning brings instant gratification and after such a long slump, I'm happy to be at the "Jump" stage. Here are a few photos I took this morning.

My PINK California poppies are looking great albeit a bit on the wild side.

[I purchased my seed from this site.]

'Gertie' [Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'] is happy with the fertilizer I gave her. :)

Rosa 'Knock Out' is knocking my socks off.

In the center of the photo is the first of my Breadseed poppy flowers--a nice matching pink!

All of our spring rain has been a boost for the Calla Lilies. They look better than they ever have.

Rosa 'Rhapsody in Blue' is a happy camper.

Rosa 'William Baffin' is blooming but the rain has really done a number on its foliage. Oh well...

Santa Barbara Daisies, Phygelius 'Cherry Ripe' and a Veronica. Ordered chaos!

Persicaria 'Red Dragon' with Geranium 'Jolly Bee'

Rosa 'Grotendorst' with Geranium 'Patricia'

Garden Tour!

2011-06-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

I recently had the privilege of peeking behind several garden gates.

Here are the highlights.

Cute or creepy?

If mine gets half this big, I'll be happy.

Bee heaven.

Typically I'm not a fan of orange but this border works.

How's about some eye candy?

This entire backyard was almost completely devoted to pond life.

A creative take on the hanging basket.

A pristine Hosta.

So pretty...

Don't you just love this fence with the trellis work?

I didn't notice the bird poo until I uploaded this photo.

How totally Zen is this?

I captured my friend Tom in the mirror. Tee hee.

For those of us who adore pink, the bicycle...

...And the pretty pot holder...

...And the tea cups.

Another profoundly gorgeous hanging basket.

I really loved this combo.

A touch of Asia.

Perfection!

I love how this Japanese Forest Grass lights up this spot.

Complementary orbs.

My photo doesn't do this water feature justice.

Succulents, anyone?

My Plume Poppies are nowhere near this size yet.

Pretty Verbascums demand an overseer.

Doesn't this just beg for a sniff?

More Japanese Forest Grass.

I love how the pots are plopped right down within the ground cover.

A sweet little side yard oasis.

This vignette makes the most of a narrow side yard.

Couldn't resist the pink Dianthus.

Love these Nasturtiums

Pretty Lettuces, don't you think?

I love this sweet sculpture.

A lust for rust!

A Drawer-full of sweet Impatiens, perfectly placed under a shady tree.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Isabella's

2011-06-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

Right around the corner from my garden is Isabella's. Owner and curator Paula named this slice of paradise after her beloved [and adorable] lop-eared bunny, [see photo below]. Carol and I had the pleasure of perusing the garden and shop today. I took about a gazillion photos but narrowed it down to, okay still a lot. Enjoy.

This is a chandelier with fresh picked flowers. Awesome!

Isabella's is mainly a rose garden but there is always room for whimsy!

The plants weren't tagged so I'm not sure what Clemmy this is, but ain't she a beaut?

Stunning combo, don't you think?

More whimsy!

The entrance to the rose garden is irresistible.

Paula is a designer-extraordinaire.

Around every corner was a sweet surprise.

My photo doesn't do this justice.

This arbor was completely smothered in dangling wisteria

and a deep pink rose. Stunning!

Check out the vegetable garden.

Just in Time

2011-06-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Today I had a little block of time to work in the garden--uninterrupted. Bliss! The agenda consisted of playing musical plants with several contenders. Try not to get confused [like I am]. First an Erysimum needed to go beside my Buddleia so it could get more sun. Then a Phlox where the Erysimum was. A Daylily and a Verbascum were moved to make way for a Spirea that wasn't getting enough sun and had mildew all over it. Ick. A hosta went where the Spirea was. And after I did all this, guess what. It started raining. Pouring! I couldn't have planned it better if I'd tried.

Here are a few random photos.

Foxglove with pollinator

Hosta 'Great Expectations' and native Sword Fern

Sedum 'October Daphne'

Darmera peltata is the large-leaf plant on the left.

I attended a garden tour this past Saturday and will be posting photos soon!

June's Joys

2011-06-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

It's a gorgeous, party-cloudy June day. The temp reads 60 degrees F at this 11th hour of the morning.

Here are a few of the highlights making me happy this fine morning.

A pink-flowering strawberry

Clematis 'Little Duckling'

Anisodontea, a tender from the Hibiscus family. It's PINK.

Clematis 'Liberation' surrounded by Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'

Variegated Comfrey blossom.

Rosa 'Double Knock Out' blossoms with Clematis 'Josephine'

Zip the cat snoozing among the goodies.

Dark pink California poppies

Clematis 'Earnest Markham'

Sambucus nigra 'Southerland Gold' is on the left. 'Knock Out' on the right.

Rosa 'Sophie's Rose' with Lonicera nitida 'Lemon Beauty'

Clematis 'Josephine' clamoring up the arbor

Volunteer Achillea and Santa Barbara Daisy

I'm kind of liking this little section of the garden right now. Can you tell?

Campanula portenschilagiana volunteer.

Blooms A-Plenty

2011-06-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

The plants are responding to the recent bout of nice weather. And so is their tender! Today it's back to clouds and the possibility of rain but the weekend was really nice.

As I've stated before I don't buy very many summer annuals but I found two different types of annual Nemesia at a local grower--a yellow and a pink. When the temps rise, these emit the sweetest fragrance and I am a fragrance whore. :)

My hardy geranium 'Jolly Bee' is beginning to bloom.

The hardy gladiolus are doing their best.

Heuchera 'Paris' has pretty leaves AND season-long pink flowers. What's not to love?

The early honeysuckles are about to burst. I think I love the buds as much as the flowers.

'Sweet Dreams' Catmint is blooming.

Nicotiana 'Twinkle' overwintered AND reseeded and is beginning to bloom already.

[This photo is from last year to remind me how much I love this plant.]

The Oxalis have been blooming for a few weeks now.

Phuopsis stylosa is blooming.

The Verbascums are a happy bunch.

And lastly, the Vinca are still abloom.

Now THIS is Variegation!

2011-06-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

While running errands today I found this Euonymous growing near a parking lot. Talk about variegated!

Here's a closeup.

Here are some end of the month [May] photos of my garden.

Thank you to all of you who've found me and have become regular visitors. It sure means a lot.

Is It Almost June?

2011-05-29T21:54:00.000-07:00

Despite the increasingly pervasive chill in the air, my plants seem impervious and happy. I could learn a thing or two from them, couldn't I?

The Jupiter's Beard is beginning to bloom.

Clematis 'Multi-Blue' is putting on a nice show.

Clematis 'Nellie Moser' is putting out her first blooms.

Clemmy 'Josephine' looks mighty fine.

I'm doing a cheer for Erysimum 'Constant Cheer.'

Silene has a sunny disposition.

Silene and Allium make a nice duo.

Astrantia and Anthriscus, also a handsome duo, if I do say so myself.

Spring Bloomers

2011-05-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

The rain is back today after a nice stretch of sunny, warm weather so I can't really complain. Besides I'm not suffering from tornadoes as so many are. My sympathies to those who are affected. I thought I'd share a few of my May bloomers.

Phlox asurgens 'Wagon Wheel' is a creeping phlox. I keep it in a container.

It puts out its main bloom in May and then sporadic bloom throughout the summer.

Thalictrum aquilegifolium is a spring bloomer with great foliage.

I like how it reseeds.

Syringa x 'Tinkerbell' is just finishing up. I was blessed by its sweet fragrance.

I photographed this a few posts ago but couldn't resist a repeat photo.

I just love this Jacob's Ladder. No fragrance, Catherine but it's got everything else.

Heucherella 'Sun Spot'

Native Bleeding Heart [Dicentra sp.]

A native iris blossom.

My very first rose of the season, 'Therese Bugnet'

Solomon's Seal

My first blossom of pink California Poppy.

Verbascum. Ooh I love these!

More Verbascum.

Variegated Weigela. Btw, this plant makes a splendid, fragrant cut flower.

I've got some next to me right now. Yum!

Lewisia cotyledon

Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' is a Zone 8 perennial and blooms nonstop.

These are just some overwintered snaps that were in a pot I purchased at a garage sale.

Geranium 'Samobar'

And finally, Argyranthemum

Before and After

2011-05-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

If a person [me] is going to show an improved island bed, she must first swallow her pride, [mine] and show the icky "before" photos. She must allow people to see her imperfections. Her warts. Her foibles...

Here's what this bed looked like last August.

This bed is a mess. No definition, no purpose. Just a mass of plants, true?

In case you're not convinced, here's another angle.

Don't you just want to grab a trowel and start digging?

Blah, blah, blah...

This is the opposite side of the island bed. It's a tiny bit better. Maybe.

And one more angle. I'm just mortified. But you know how it goes?

Sometimes the inspiration just isn't there. Until now.

I dug out the weeds and many of the overgrown plants. Added a few elements.

I planted up a vintage wooden army ammo case that I got at a garage sale for $5 a year ago.

I dug the ornamental grass out from this round container and added it to the ammo case.

I left the Spiraea, on the left, and the creeping Dianthus, right.

Added an ornamental Oregano, a Heuchera and a hardy Fuchsia.

Look at all the space between the plants. Maybe I'm cured of my spacial denial. :)

Finally, I had to share this photo. Isn't he cute?

Bloomers

2011-05-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Finally the weather is improving and it feels like spring. With everyone sharing what's blooming in their wonderful gardens I thought I'd share a few bloomers with you.

Most of the bulbs are done but this one is still going strong. I forget what it's called. Below is a group shot and a single below that.

The Pacific Coast Iris are abloom and looking fabulous.

Tulips with Bronze Fennel behind them, backlit by the morning sun.

Pulmonaria or Lungwort is going to town.

Phlox divaricata is a shy bloomer but I was still able to get a photo.

Gail's PPPP is doing beautifully. This is last year's photo but it looks equally enchanting this year.

Polemonium caeruleum 'Apricot Delight' [Jacob's Ladder] is going strong.

The Alliums are taking off.

I buy very few summer-blooming annuals but I couldn't resist this pink flowering Bacopa.

Although they've taken up residence in my garden, the Camas look even better in the wild.

And finally, the lovely little bells of Lily of the Valley.

Chartreuse and Pink

2011-05-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

I've had problems with my blog. I won't go into the why's and where-to-fores. Suffice it to say that I'm working on getting it up and running again. Thank you for those who continue to visit.