Kaseys Korner

'Dalmatian Peach' Foxglove

prepare to drool...

omg ~ if I could only get one foxglove to overwinter in my garden, this would have to be "IT!"

I hope it's hardy.  A Digitalis purpurea hybrid ~ should be, right??? 

"sigh"  It's almost a sin for anything to be this lovely. 

How do my other blooms stand a chance next to it???

Which, btw, there are becoming more & more of (blooms.)  The Double Pink Flowering Almond went from bud to bloom in about three days time and quickly reached its peak:

Each stem fully loaded:

I have to admit, it's pretty heavenly too. 

Something else very pretty ~ Petunia hybrid 'Marvel Beauty Raspberry:'

Looks like crushed strawberries to me!!

But call it whatever, it's all good when it looks like this.

Under the Aspen trees, Primula veris (cowslip) has definitely peaked too.

It's been cool(ish) here so maybe if it doesn't get too hot, too fast, they'll last a bit longer.

Isn't that a funny thing to say ~ when we were so cold for so long?!!!

 

Bee Skeps for Mother's Day

Buoying my spirits and hopefully yours too.

the sweetest little trio to tuck into the garden...

Mothers and non-Mothers alike rejoice ~ it's planting time in the garden.

For some of us, it's been a long haul getting here.

Does that make this moment even sweeter???  i don't know...

Above:  Lemon Cypress tree container

I only know I'm grateful it's finally here, I was barely holding on...

Now I only want to be outside, playing, planting and savoring the garden.  You knew that already tho, didn't you?? 

It's the perfect place to spend Mother's Day for this Mom. 

How many of you will be there too?? 

A happy day to us all.

Suffering from illusions of Spring

Spurred on by the occasional sighting of a seasonal wild flower:

Above:  Primula veris (aka Cowslip)

or hardy bulb:

Above:  White Muscari

Not to mention the calendar.  I get wistful notions it might actually have arrived. 

One look outside is all it takes for a swift crash back to reality.

There will be no May-Pole-twirling this May Day:

It looks more like Feb or March.  :(

I'd say it was a bit optimistic putting up the patio umbrella, wouldn't you??

This is one crazy Spring.

Every week brings a new snowstorm along with COLD temperatures.  Nothing has dared to leaf out...

High today of 33 with another record low temperature forecasted for tonight.

A little story to illustrate the severity of our weather:   Our local Home Depot received a shipment of the ever-so-lovely 'Coral Charm' peony (thank you Dana for the heads up!!):

Of course I rushed right down to purchase another one (remember mine got frozen in early April??)  and passed the info on to my other gardening buddies.

One of whom went to purchase only to discover they had already sold out.  She was told another shipment would arrive just NOT this week.  They had to turn the truck back because of our forecast!  Too many casualties already this spring.  Pretty unheard of at this date.

Thankfully this girl smartly brought Begonia 'Rose Petticoat'and all the other tender plants safely indoors to ride out the storm.

And now we wait for the sun to shine again.   And for this tiresome winter weather pattern to end ~ when, oh when, will that be????

p.s.  One positive side note about the snow ~ it allowed me to take the best photos of the handsome Spotted Towhee I've ever managed:

They aren't spectacular photos (taken thru the glass) ~ so don't get too excited ~ but this is the closest I've ever gotten.  Brought to the feeders because of the snow, made it a whole lot easier.   Usually they are found poking & scratching about the shrubbery further away from the house. 

Notice the characteristic red eye. 

Maybe the snow isn't such a bad thing afterall (since every snow event, I get a new bird capture!)

Ummmm, let's not get carried away!

Asparagus Sandwich & Velour Frosted Chocolate Violas

Thank you 'The Cottage Journal' (my new favorite magazine by Hoffman Media) for introducing us to this delectable spring treat.

French Bread, Asparagus & sliced hard-boiled eggs.  The recipe calls for a sprinkling of bacon over the egg & asparagus ~ obviously missing in our version (I didn't have any on hand) ~ but it would make it even more fantastic.

The dressing truly sends the whole concoction "over the top."  Be sure not to omit it!

Whisk together:  1/2 cup mayo, 2 Tbsps fresh dill, @ Tbsps fresh Lemon, 1/2 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp of pepper.  (I cut in half for our sandwich & still had plenty)

It would be a fabulous tea party sandwich, don't you think??

Pull out the fancy dishes & silver then slice the sandwiches into finger-size portions... Anybody in????

It would also be a perfect addition to an Easter brunch. 

Since my decorations are still up (slightly embarrassed about that), we could almost say it was!

Flowers accompanying lunch were 'Velour Frosted Chocolate' Violas:

An exciting find at the greenhouse yesterday. 

I had pinned these on my garden Pinterest board last year but forgot to track them down & order seed.

Since I'm way behind on seed starting this year, buying plants is perfect.   I'm wondering now why I thought a four-pack was enough!???!!

Another two day rain/snow event here (Mon & Tuesday) then it looks like Spring might actually find us ~ I think I can make it!!! 

 

 

November color

Aside from one October snowstorm, fall of 2012 has been exceptionally nice.

We've enjoyed very few windy days, beautiful foliage, sunny skies:

& relatively warm temperatures.

Conditions ideal for coaxing the few lingering blooms to hold on and even produce a few new buds ~ like the scabiosa below:

Sweet Alyssum began blooming in April, had a lull during the heat of summer but really came "on" with the cooler temperatures of Fall.

Perfect weather for bulb planting, compost spreading, leaf raking & plant inspection. 

Buds on the tree peonies were found during the latter, a happy day indeed...

This weekend brought a second snowstorm with lows in the teens and a high today of 30.  Cruel reminders that winter is impatiently waiting.

I've been fretting over the Oranda's added to the pond (on impulse) this summer.  Concerned they are not hardy enough to survive the cold like their counterpart koi & common goldfish.  A decision is imperative...

The weather is forecasted to warm again this week.  Enough to rake a final round of oak leaves & finish up remaining garden tasks. With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away & the holidays closely following it will be time to move the gardening indoors.

which, as you can see, has already begun...

Fall garden treasures

The garden is still giving up some unexpected (& a few expected) gifts. 

A newly emerged Monarch butterfly:

was a complete October surprise.  We usually don't see them here this late in the season.  Thank goodness there are still some blooms left to provide a little sustenance.

In a year of strange bloom times (most earlier than normal) Monkshood is running behind, the buds just now preparing to open:

Excuse the spots on the image (my camera is long overdue for a cleaning, hopefully to be accomplished once the weather turns inclement.)

Meanwhile, (it feels like) Brugmansia 'Ecuador Pink' has been competing with Monkshood to see who could bloom last. 

A risky move...

The only way these little buds will reach blooming stage is by moving indoors!

Foxglove 'Camelot Cream' is reblooming:

the pop of white in stark contrast to the rest of the garden, cloaked in autumnal colors.

Canterbury bells are proving extremely hardy, persisting thru the chilly nights to eek out a few more buds & blooms:

Sadly, despite the continuation of blooms, our fall foliage is now past its peak.  :(

More bare branches are visible every day.  The leafless trees already dredging up feelings of melancholy (what's new?) about the upcoming winter.

Trying to stay in the moment tho, with small changes to reflect the season:

Like a 'Cinderella' pumpkin in place of the birdcage planter.

And a pumpkin filled lantern (instead of an umbrella) on the patio table.

I hope there are a few more nice days because my fall bulb order only arrived last week. 

I prefer not to plant in freezing temps!

Crossing my fingers....

frost proof annuals

Maybe I should qualify that ~ not "frost proof" but rather ~ able to withstand a light frost.

All the more important to those who've already experienced their first one (like me) & are seeking "leftover" color in the garden.

Borage officinalis (aka Starflower) pulled thru with no problem:

Calibrachoa's always surprise me with their hardiness.  This one is 'Double Lemon:'

Snapdragons pop up early and leave late ~ perfect annual traits.  Below 'Twinny Peach' totally unfazed by cooler temperatures:

Verbenas are workhorses all summer long so it shouldn't be surprising that cold doesn't bother them.  'Lanai Peach:'

The bees are happy Malva sylvestris isn't afraid of a little chill:

Finally, Phygelius aequalis 'Yellow Trumpet' (aka Cape Fuchsia) has proved a survivor too.

so much so, I'm considering wintering it over.  Better hurry & decide ~ the warm up is most likely temporary... 

p.s.  Feel free to add your "frost resistant" annuals to my list ~ I'm always on the lookout for blooms that extend the growing season!

 

 

forecast for frost

The garden faced its first frost of the fall last Saturday (October 6th). 

About average for us (as far as the date) but bittersweet as always....

Occurring just as many perennials were producing a few new buds (above Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid')

and Phlomis 'Russeliana'.

'Sweet Autumn' Clematis had almost finished blooming (above photo taken earlier) but forecasts with predicted lows of 23 (!!) mean work for the gardener had just begun.

Pots of tender tropicals made the journey indoors, pouting all the way.

Remaining vegetables were harvested with sighs at all the lost potential left on the vine.

It sounds morbid but final rounds were made throughout the garden to say goodbye for another year.  Does anyone else do that?

Particularly sad for blooms like anemones which had only just begun to open. 

Lavish bouquets were cut & gathered.

'Abraham Darby'

Only to wake & see the garden was spared.  Wonder of wonders.  A light frost, taking out only the tenderest of annuals. 

Thank you Mother Nature ~ however prolonged it may be...

 

 

bees+collarette dahlias=♥

There's a reason I ♥ collarette dahlias & it's not just because they're stunning:

Above:  Collarette Dahlia 'Giggles'

Although that cannot be contested.

The reason is simple.  They're BELOVED by bees.

and anything they love, I love...

This time of year every bloom has at least one bee working it over. 

Although "standing room only" is more the norm...

Don't be too quick to deadhead past-their-prime blooms either.  As you see, they are still an important resource.

Reason to love right???

BTW:  Collarette dahlias are so named because of the extra "collar" of petals around the disk.  The collar is perfect because it's not too much to interfere with pollen & nectar collection but enough to provide an extra bit of frill.  You know how I adore some frill!!!   :)

Sept slipping softly away

Helianthus 'maximiliani' cloaking the birdhouse



one of the last summer bloomers 

Made even better by a pop of 'Brazillian Purple' Salvia

Dahlia 'Apple Blossom' glorious at a towering height of 6'

Don't even want to think about letting it go....

or Hollyhock 'Peaches 'N Dreams'

Holding on to these perfect fall days for dear life

Kirengeshoma palmata (aka yellow waxbells)

Toad lily

Zinnia 'Queen Red Lime' & Verbena bonariensis

The stuff of dreams....

September.   Linger long.