Kaseys Korner

June in the garden

is easily the greenest, most luxuriant, brimming with potential-new life-blooms month of the year (at least in Colorado).  Every day contains the makings of a new adventure ~ no wonder it's my favorite month.  Warm enough to know it's summer but early enough in the season to think fall is far away along with school schedules and everything else structured. 

This June I'm the happiest I've been with my garden in a very long time.  Even tho it's a long way from finished, undertaking the back yard makeover has made all the difference.  When I look out the kitchen window at the new beds and yew pathway, I never fail to smile.  That's when you know you're on the right track, right? 

Last night we experienced a torrential thunderstorm with swirling clouds, lightening, thunder, the whole nine yards.  We were under a severe storm threat for most of the night which was pretty scary as many of you have experienced first hand.  This morning tho, all the rain plus lingering overcast skies made for great conditions to take some updated garden photos.  Among the changes you'll notice ~ the raised bed has been stained "Shipmate Blue:"

I'm still deciding whether I like it or not???  The other option is to go back for the "periwinkle" color??  It was stained a week ago and it's still not sitting totally well with me so I think I know my answer...  One minor detail adding to the confusion is the fact I applied the stain a bit heavy-handedly (oops) so maybe I'm to blame for the indecisiveness? 

Moving along & adjusting positions to stand on the patio & look thru the arbor, you can see a lot more growth since a month ago (when I first shared the makeover).  The honeysuckle vine on the left side of the arbor is covered with blooms now and the pink shrub roses are beginning to bloom on the right:

In the back of the photo, to the right of the green tuteur, I've started an oval shaped bed.  There are yews planted in the front but the taller shrub is a columnar Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia 'Obelisk').  Not very visible, in front of the Serviceberry, is a double pink flowering almond (Prunus glandulosa 'Rosea Plena'.)  I'm very happy to have found both shrubs ~ I think they're going to be great additions to the garden especially when they're blooming next spring.

Before we view another area of the garden, another angle of the arbor, this time from inside the house ~ taken while standing at the kitchen window:

It looks so "thick" from this angle ~ exactly the look I want!  I have white & purple cup & saucer vine seeds (Cobaea scandens) started to climb the bare side of the arbor.  If all goes well, by the end of summer, the wood won't even be visible!  It's amazing how hidden the antique bird feeder is already (at the very bottom of the photo), so different from during the winter months.

Turning in the opposite direction of the arbor, the bed along the back of the house is undergoing a small makeover as well.  Why not tackle the whole yard at once, right?!!   I've been on such a roll and even tho my body complains incessantly, I can't seem to stop myself.  I think it's the awareness that next year I may not feel motivated at all ~ so my philosophy has been to "attack while the getting is good!" 

This area has been covered with low growing evergreens since I moved in ten years ago.  As you can see, last winter they suffered significant dieback ~ I'm blaming the dry winter with some extreme cold temperatures.  My dreams for the garden include french doors (where the window is) leading into a glass conservatory.  I don't know when that dream can be realized so in the meantime, in order to improve its appearance, I've been slowly removing the evergreens.  I'll replant with small shrubs that can be moved along the sides of the conservatory if/when funds allow for that to happen.

In another part of the garden entirely (one I don't think I've shared recently) a couple of the original "Endless Summer" hydrangeas have been planted:

We'll see how they fare there.  I'm a little skeptical but optimistic at the same time (if that's possible).

Finally, just because it's pretty ~ a little section of the front bed:

Who knew such a compilation of colors, forms & plants could be so attractive?   My style is to plant and hope for the best.  I can't claim any gardening design skills so it's always a bonus when it looks good! 

Spring garden photos

Most of my regular readers know how obsessed I am with the macro lens on my camera.  It's really difficult for me to disengage it (personal preference not the actual process) but if you've been hungry for some longer views, the latest posts should help quench that appetite. 

The view from my patio ~ the back garden is looking decidedly more interesting:

Aahhh.  Why did I ever leave it as "grass only" for so long?  I wish I had the financial and physical fortitude to implement all my ideas right now ~ I'm SO eager to keep the progress moving.  Instead, I have been contenting myself by tweaking the new bed:

I plan to eventually plant the hydrangeas in the bed (hopefully Aug/Sept) but since I only turned the grass over last month, I need to wait longer for it to decompose.  Another chance to work on that "patience" attribute I am sorely lacking...

I am happy with the bee skep in this position ~ I think it looks good snuggled up next to the boxwoods?

An experiment has also begun with the addition of two Rhododendron's to the "fairy garden" bed ('Henry's Red & Hellikki).  See them in the lower right corner?

I'm uncertain how they will perform in our climate but because of their evergreen neighbor, I'm hoping the soil conditions will be more agreeable than in other areas of the garden??

Since I've been working so hard on the back garden, I'm afraid the front garden is feeling a bit neglected.  Maybe we can correct that just a bit by sharing a few photos:

A section of the large bed that runs along the terraced patio shows how everything is thickening and greening, especially the area around the little pre-formed pond:

It's finally (supposed to be) safe enough to add some floating plants ~ my favorite new addition is the Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia x 'Judith Hindle'):

Isn't it cool?  I've never had one before so hopefully I can get it to flourish. 

I'm still a bit slow getting around the web but bear with me ~ if you've left me a comment, I'll definitely get there!  Hope you enjoyed the long shots ~ I fear the macro will be back on in a blink!

spring is giving way

to summer here or so it seems.  A lush fullness has appeared on the trees & shrubbery with green now the predominant color (instead of that drab winter brown).  How does that seem to happen almost overnight?  I have to say, the transformation is making me incredibly happy!  :-)  I love seeing patio umbrellas and garden furniture sprinkled around the neighborhood again, including in my own garden.  Our container water feature has been reassembled and serenades us now in the mornings and evenings ~ another sign of the season.  That soothing sound is intensely welcome as well as warm enough temperatures to leave the screen door open (all the better to enjoy the splashing symphony from indoors.)

In view of the changes, I thought I should post more spring photos before summer is officially "on" and spring officially "over."   You might remember the photo I posted of my back fence corner last fall (with the nannyberry ~ Viburnum lentago ~ and aspen tree:)

I thought it would be fun to show you the same view in spring:

Photo above was snapped a week or so ago when the perfume was at it's height.   Beautiful in every season, right?

Under the lilac bushes, more 'Tsar Peter' Greggi tulips are blooming in the "fairy garden:"

As well as my little clump of Virginia bluebells (thanks again to Shady Gardener for sharing them.)  The Greggi tulips are later opening here then in the front bed (where they get more sun).  I hadn't thought how the varied amount of sunlight would prolong their blooming period when I planted them in scattered locations.  Now I'm glad about that happy accident!

Fritillaria 'persica' is in full bloom under the Nannyberry bush ~ it's been difficult for me to take a really fabulous photo it it for some reason??

Maybe because it's so tall, the blooms intermingling enough with the shrub blossoms, it distracts the eye??  I will try harder because it's certainly an imposing bulb, deserving to be showcased much better than I've done here.

Around front, I have to share another photo of Primula japonica "Miller's crimson' blooming by the pond. 

It's been just spectacular this year.  I might just have to add more...

I love the lighter pink shade (you may have guessed!)

The Koi in the pond are getting some size to them finally.

I only added my little pond two years ago and they were purchased at that time measuring only about two inches long.  A couple are now about seven inches (I'm guessing).  I'm happy the herons haven't discovered them yet and that I've been able to overwinter them successfully.  Now I'm hoping for babies!  How far fetched would that be?? 

Now I'm off to do a bit of planting  ~ my Mother's Day present to myself!  I hope all the mother's reading my blog will enjoy a wonderful day too.  We deserve it, right?!!

 

basking in the Dec sun

I've been away from the blog for a while now.  I hate to tell everyone, who might be freezing in the cold temperatures elsewhere, that it's been hard to stay inside because of our unusually warm December days (in the 60's!!!)  I'm sure it will all come crashing down on us soon but for now, I'm enjoying every second we get.  This time last year we had been buried in snow for two months!  Anyway, I've been outside, in my capri's, watering the garden, raking, planting some last minute bulbs, etc.  The pond was put to bed (covered with the solar panels) a month ago:

But it still looks very much like this photo today (no snow cover!)  Yay.  I'm the happiest girl on the planet right now.  Yesterday I checked the water temperature and it was nearly 50 degrees!  Those panels may not be attractive but they sure work. 

While I was bent down retrieving the thermometer, I saw some bulbs poking up:

I think this one might be a spanish bluebell?  Whatever, I don't know what they are doing up now???  Maybe the warm weather has tricked them?

The other thing that has kept me away (and busy) is preparing for my annual cookie exchange.  This tower of "Buck-eyes" was duplicated again last night:

and totally gone today!  Now that the party is over, I need to get serious about some shopping and cards (if I indeed send any). 

At least the house is decorated and temperatures are supposed to return to seasonal by Thursday ~ maybe that will get me back indoors!

glass pond floats

have been entertaining me quite a bit lately.  Yes, I know, it doesn't take much....

I can't resist tho.  I cleaned them when I was cleaning out the pond filter and became enthralled all over again.  Who can resist a sparkle in the sunshine? 

Not even the fish apparently.  They came up to investigate the newly shined ball.  Just in case you're saying "what fish" ~ they are the blurs of orange in the water! 

The "up" side of being easily entertained is that you never get bored.   (I can thank my Mother for this ~ all those times in childhood when she told me to go find something to do ~ have really paid off!)  I have no trouble at all "whiling away" hours arranging little scenes like these:

Hopefully you find these creative sessions as enjoyable as I do?

The blue float in the birdbath was a temporary arrangement.  It was returned to the safety of the pond right after photographing.  I knew you'd want to know that...

It sure makes for a pretty picture tho, doesn't it?

Completely off subject, but nonetheless captivating, Amaryllis 'Apple Blossom' has opened.

With this streak of summer blooming, I sure hope a few of them "save themselves for winter."  Otherwise you'll be subjected to a lot of whining (months without blooms do that to a girl). 

We can't have that now, can we?!

 

Touring day

The month of June is treasured by gardeners around the country for many reasons, not the least of which is "touring season."  In Colorado, the Garden Tours kick off the first weekend of the month and span every weekend till the last, all within easy driving distance.  What's not to love about that?   I mean, have you ever met a gardener who didn't jump at the chance of an intimate peek around another garden?  I haven't.  There is inspiration to be found no matter the style, type, etc., and it absolutely abounded in the private gardens I was fortunate to tour yesterday.

A small disclaimer before we begin tho ~ once again, I charged my camera battery and armed myself with good intentions but failed you, just as I did last year, on taking photos of what I viewed.  I should just consider abandoning the idea of photographing while touring ~ it seems beyond my abilities.  Too much to look at, too much talking going on, etc., etc.  Please accept my humble apologies and meager offerings of the sights I did capture.

Gorgeous Tree peony greeted us at the starting point (I would really, really, really love to try one of these again):

The only long shot of a garden I took ~ this backyard was situated on a slope, not a stitch of grass but rather a very tasteful mix of flowers, vegetables and this enchanting fountain. 

The cooling sounds of water were very welcome as you can see from the photo, the sun was blazing in a cloudless sky.  Temperatures were in the low 90's, a very warm day to be strolling about a hillside.  I definitely got my exercise but enjoyed every minute of it.

A wonderful little garden shop visited at the end of the tour:

I could have spent a small fortune inside.  My, oh my. Since I don't have a small fortune, I came away instead with two small but nonetheless thrilling purchases ~ glass pond floats!

Aren't they cute?  You can be sure these will be photographed many times over in the future.  I am thinking the fish & tadpoles will enjoy them too, what do you think?

After a refreshing lunch, the day ended with stops at two greenhouses.  A more perfect day cannot be found...

One of my purchases, nothing exotic, I just couldn't resist.  They looked like white roses instead of begonias.  Today, they'll be planted along with the few other purchases that were made ~ among which are a pot of Siberian Iris.  We saw groups of these everywhere on the tour and they were fabulous.  Another thing tours are good for ~ making you wonder why you don't have this or that in your own garden??  and then stimulating the economy by running out to buy said item(s)!!!  ha.  I did my part, are you doing yours??!!!  ;-)

where has the gardener gone?

Poppies

Iris

Alliums (Mont Blanc)

Oh my.

Add in Lupine



and Water Calla,



and what have you got? 
Enough to make the garden so much more enticing than my computer. 

What's a girl to do with all these great blooms?!  Ignore her blog, that's what! 

Be back soon...

springing along

There's so much to talk about these days in the garden, isn't it grand?  What we've all been waiting such a long time to do.  It doesn't get much better for a gardener than discovering a new bloom each day.  Here's a couple photos I thought you might enjoy from my garden this evening:

A view of the spring pond surrounded by (l to r) Silene, Camassia, pink columbine & pink Spanish bluebells.  A lone Water Calla bloom towers above the water (excuse me for pointing out the obvious.)

The blue Spanish bluebells are fully open now (barely visible at the bottom of the above photo).  They deserve much more than the little snippet shown so here's the shot they're worthy of:

Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Excelsior'

Not to be repetitious, but I can't seem to get enough of the Camassia 'cusickii' bulbs ~ starting to come into their own now.  More and more buds open every day and believe me, I've photographed them from every angle.  Below is a pond-side view (pond would be in the foreground if you could see it) ~ notice one pink Spanish bluebell at the very bottom of the photo, with an unknown pink columbine between it & the "current object of my affections:"

A street-side view, then I promise I'll stop with the Camassia!

Two new blooms making their debut in my garden are Anemone Coronaria 'harmony orchid:'

I purchased three gallon sized containers for $4.00 each (on the clearance rack) at Lowes!  The leaves were a touch burnt but that's it.  I hope they overwinter well here ~ I figured at that price it was worth a shot.

The last blooms, compliments of Shady Gardener, are Virginia bluebells:

 

I wasn't sure if the plant would even make it, let alone bloom (it went dormant shortly after SG swapped with me).  The above photo is one of three bloom stalks I was lucky enough to get this year and that's good enough for me. 

Now I'm off to watch my secret, guilty, obsession 'Real Housewives of New Jersey!'

more of the spring garden

I finally made it out to the garden yesterday evening to snap a few photos like I promised you.  Things are progressing even tho I continue to complain about the less than ideal weather conditions.  Looking thru the camera lens it seems as tho the garden has filled in more than I've actually noticed in real life.  Maybe I'm on to something ~ during challenging gardening years it might help to view the garden thru photos instead of depending on our sight!  ha.  I think you can see what I mean tho from the slightly (or more than slightly) blurred photo below:

 
Hidden in the center of this photo is my small pond ~ I know ~ can't even see it anymore.  Crazy, right?  See how everything has filled in and grown?  I don't know when that happened?!  In the foreground are Primulas 'polyantha gold laced' and 'veris.'  The gorgeous spike in the center, right side of the photo is the first Camassia 'cusickii' bloom (remember I showed you the bud the other day??)  Here's a macro of that same bloom:

and one more from a different angle ~ looking straight down on the bloom ~ I thought it was a fun angle.

I am so glad I found and planted these bulbs two years ago.  There are quite a few massed around the pond area so in a week or two, it should be quite pretty. 

Other bulbs starting to bloom are the Spanish Bluebells.  I added both pink & blue varieties to the garden last fall.  Pictured below is a pink ~ Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Dainty Maid:'

You, yes you, garden bloggers are responsible for them being in my garden!  I saw them all over garden blogland last spring and fell hard for them.  On the list they went and now I'm so happy to have them blooming here as well.

Here's a blue ~ H. hispanica 'Excelsior' just starting to open:

What's really exciting to me about the above photo (even more than the bluebells) is the maroon foliage of Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria.'   All three plants from last season survived the winter which is a first for me!  I think I've finally discovered the secret to growing (and overwintering) them in Colorado ~ plant where they get lots of moisture ~ like they do here from the pond overflow and where they get extra warmth ~ like they do sandwiched next to the terraced wall.  Now that these have survived, I am encouraged about mixing in a pink or purple variety and hoping for the same success.  :-)

One final photo, a glimpse of the pond, showing the gorgeous Camassia bloom yet again:

 

The pink bloom in the foreground is Silene but most importantly (a bit to the right of the Camassia) is the first Water Calla bloom (Zanthedeschia aethiopica) ~ see that blur of white?  It took me completely by surprise since I hadn't even noticed a bud.

Photos don't lie, do they?  Spring marches on, cool temperatures and all.  Forecast calls for a possibility of snow tonight and highs in the 40's tomorrow.  Definitely not "normal" but hopefully one day soon, it will heat up and stay that way.
 

junking up the place

That's what I've been teased about doing in my front yard lately.  All because of an experiment I'm conducting with my little pond.  This year has been a real learning experience for me as you all know.  In early spring it was all fun (after the hole was dug and the leveling was done).  Picking out water plants then later small koi and goldfish was nothing but joy.  Even during the summer months there wasn't much work involved ~ mostly we just enjoyed the benefits the pond brought to our garden.  Then came fall.  Something had to be devised to keep the oak leaves out of the water.  That's when I tied the plastic netting you see below to the two long plastic stakes and fitted it over the pond.

Those are half frosted water hyacinths you see in the middle of the picture, that have long since been removed & discarded.  The netting wasn't exactly pretty but it did the job I needed it to do.  Once all the leaves had fallen, I removed the netting and moved onto my next idea.  That's when the teasing started.  Do you see why?

Yes, those are greenhouse panels, cut to roughly fit the size of the pond then secured in place by some large rocks.  I had thought of screwing the panels to the edges of the pond but then decided I might need to remove them and I didn't want to be bothered with going to the trouble of unscrewing everything.  Hence the rocks.   I guess it's not curb appeal 101.  But hey, the water temperature in my pond yesterday was still 48 degrees!  I'd say my idea for capturing solar energy is working.  Why not take advantage of our reported 300 days of sunshine?  I do have a de-icer installed in the pond but so far I haven't even had to plug it in.  (There is an air stone submerged & operating underneath the panels to provide oxygen.)  What do you think?  I'm hoping this contraption will help my fish survive the winter a little more comfortably.  As long as the neighbors don't get mad at me for junking up my front yard....