Kaseys Korner

I've lost that "blogging" feeling

the computer has held absolutely no allure for me the last few days.  You would think with beautiful new blooms like 'Honeycomb' buddleia:

 

and 'Star Gazer' lily buds:

I should be itching to log on and post.  Not so.  I'm sure the feeling will pass or at least I hope it will.  I think the sogginess of my garden has somehow bogged down my enthusiasm.  My containers are not looking like they usually do without the sunshine we are used to getting.  The three collarette dahlias I purchased this spring have only produced one bloom between them:

  

much to my despair.  I think this is 'Rosita?'  If not, it's 'Bonne esperance.'  I'm hopeful August will return us to near normal temperatures and the sunshine our state is known for although I can't imagine anything but cold temperatures will quell the bumper crop of mosquitos (that we're also not used to).  Last I heard, we were at twenty days of rain in July (and counting) which is not ordinary at all.  Maybe I just need a couple hours outside to re-energize me?  and another look at my double apricot hollyhock can't hurt either:

Doesn't she almost look like 'Abraham Darby' the rose???  Incredible.  That should be enough to lift my spirits.  We'll see, won't we?!

very hungry caterpillar

Remember when I purchased Fuchsia 'Traudchen Bonstedt' this spring?

 

I ended up planting it in what I call my "Fuchsia container" with a banana, an elephant ear and a couple coleus:

 

Lately I've noticed the fuchsia foliage looking a bit ragged but I absently thought it was just all the wind, hail and rain we've had this summer.  That changed last night when I caught this guy midnight munching (while letting my dog out before bed):

 

Do you know what it is?  A white lined sphinx moth caterpillar~ their host plant is the fuchsia!  Now I need to go check my other fuchsia (planted in a different container):

 

and decide what to do about the caterpillar.  Probably nothing, is that what you'd do??  It is interesting that these caterpillars bury themselves in several inches of soil to pupate so forget looking for a dangling chrysalis.  My niece carried one of the moths around with her for several hours one morning while she was staying with me.  The Sphinx moth didn't seem to mind in the least and she only put him down because we were leaving and I refused to have him as a passenger in the car.  Mean Auntie that I am!  We did take her picture with it ~ here's one of the moth sitting on her hand:

Now I wonder if it's the same moth who laid eggs on my fuchsia?!!!  Eric Carle was wise ~ hungry caterpillars indeed....

 

Just in time

for the arrival of the hummingbirds, these plants are getting ready to open as if cued.  Agastache 'cana,' already in bloom, is always a favorite:

 

The more delicate Agastache 'tutti frutti' joining the smorgasbord:

 

and they are going to go absolutely nuts over the line of Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower) flourishing in the overspill of the pond:

Not to mention Delphinium 'Red Caroline' who happens to magnetize humans and hummingbirds alike:

 

Of course these aren't the only blooms they'll be attracted to in the garden but they are the latest to open.  Texas Betony is also a favorite as well as Scrophularia macrantha, all the monardas, the lantana, etc. etc.  I can't wait.  We only see them in our yard in late summer, as they migrate south, so we have to enjoy every moment of those couple weeks when they're here.  The garden is ready and so are we! 

where is our gardener?

My plants are whispering to each other. 

The liatris spicata (gayfeather) is blooming and she almost missed it:

 

"Why isn't she paying attention to us??"

 

"Do you think she doesn't "love" us anymore?" asked the Blue Imperial Larkspur:

 

"We hardly ever see her these days."

 

"Even a bloom on the 'Tropicanna' Canna in the pond hasn't brought her out:"

 

Sigh.  "We see her coming and going but she doesn't spend any time with us.  I hope she'll come back and hang out with us soon." 

Note from the gardener:  Me too, my friends, me too.  I miss you!

grape jelly protein supplement

Discovered quite by accident when I first dumped a heaping spoonful of grape jelly over top some yellow jackets inside the glass cups on the oriole feeder.  Ever since, I've been trying to do it on purpose.  Today, I buried the largest number yet:

 

I keep thinking if I sandwich enough of them between layers of jelly, I'll make a dent in the number visiting but it doesn't seem to work that way.  It's the only downside to feeding the jelly.  I seriously doubt any of my neighbors are having yellow jacket "troubles" this year as I feel like I'm attracting them all to my yard with this feeder.  The constant buzzing of yellow jackets doesn't seem to bother the orioles at all:

 

They gobble up the purple treat and the dead yellow jackets.  I've even seen them pick off a couple live bees that flew a little too close while they were perched at the feeder.  I wish I could just fill the cups at dusk to avoid getting swarmed but the feeder is such a popular attraction that the jelly is gone within four or five hours.  I've been filling it two to three times daily to keep up with their voracious appetites.  Look at the photo below of the male Bullocks oriole with jelly on his beak:

 

I sure am going to miss them when they migrate but I won't miss the yellow jackets who I hope will disperse as soon as the feeder is gone!

hot summer afternoons

are not much fun for me in the garden.  I prefer to be outside in the mornings and evenings although this year the mosquitos are forcing me out some during the middle part of the day (most unusual for us).  The middle part of the day is when I'm most productive in my office.  During that hot period of time, I like to work on craft projects or do computer work.  I thought I'd share a couple older projects with you today if you don't mind.  The first is a simple, easy garden frame that appeared in the June online newsletter of Crafts 'N Things magazine.  If you'd like to view the complete supply list and instructions, click here.

 

I attached the moss green burlap to the back of the frame & the gloves to the outside of the frame using Aleene’s® Platinum Bond Super Fabric Textile Adhesive.  The wooden picket fence, metal spade & chipboard letters were attached using Aleene’s Platinum Bond™ 7800™ All Purpose Adhesive.  Both of these adhesives are made by Duncan Enterprises and are excellent for many crafting purposes. 

The next project is a little garden journal that appeared in the same newsletter.  I am "infamous" for making my own journals to keep track of garden tips, plants, ideas, etc.  It's so easy to do tho and sometimes so much cuter (not to mention customized) than what can be found in stores. 

 

I simply painted two pieces of chipboard pink (what other color did you think I'd use?!!) then adhered a floral mask over the chipboard pieces (my front & back journal covers) and sprayed them again using silver metallic paint (by Krylon).  Once the metallic paint was dried, I peeled the mask away and the pink floral pattern of the mask showed thru.  Cute, huh?  Complete instructions and supply list can be found by clicking the same link used for the garden frame. 

Anytime I can combine the garden with work, it's an extra bonus for me (I may have told you this before??)  but don't you think that's a fun way to pass a hot summer afternoon?

ranch tour

Last week, while my niece & nephew were here, we received a generous invitation to visit a nearby ranch.  The kids could get a lesson in horses and riding and I could wander the grounds to my hearts content.  Knowing the owner was passionate about gardening, how could I refuse?  I think it's a complete toss up as to who had more fun.  I was in my element and they were thrilled beyond words.  To say the ranch was picturesque is probably an understatement.  There were gorgeous vignettes to delight the photographer in me at every turn.  I thought I would share some of the images because of the ideas they offer all gardeners.    The main raised bed garden is surrounded by fencing.  It's a combination of vegetables & flowers ~ in raised beds as a solution to poor soil over an old septic system.

 

I was enchanted by the owners incorporation of vintage items into the garden, but you all know how much I'm into that sort of thing.  There was this old settee covered in a past-it's-prime purple clematis:

 

Old wash tubs were brimming over with gorgeous flower combinations all around the ranch.  For some reason I only photographed this one:

 

Of course I like anything with a star so I had to photograph this sweet scene:

 

Then there was this bin with a trellis inserted in the back:

 

Not to mention little additions (that abounded) like the grapevine birdhouse & plant holders below:

 

There were thoughtful placements of seating for garden viewing all around the property, including a leather sofa in the barn!  The wooden chair below called to me, it looked so peaceful & serene against the backdrop of the old barn.  I was tempted to sit but afraid if I did, I would run out of time to explore.

 

The piece de resistance had to be the view out one of the barn windows:

 

What lucky horses to be able to gaze out at that every day!  The Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, with freshly baled hay set a perfect summer scene.  Of everything we packed into that one weeks vacation, this tour (for me) rates at the top of the list.  I was offered an invitation back, to sit in the garden with a glass of wine and I think I just may have to accept!

transitioning garden

That's what I'd call my garden at this moment in time.  It's been a year of incongruities in many ways.  Although some plants were delayed in blooming because of the cool, wet spring, now a few of the late summer bloomers are jump starting their season.  Strange.  I don't know what it means I just hope it doesn't foretell an early demise for the garden.   Monarda is one of the perennials that got a late start.  I would say it's peaking right now when it would usually be about done blooming.  Here you see a clump of 'purple stocking' in the foreground with the pink coneflowers behind:

 

Asclepias is sandwiched in-between making for an interesting color combination, wouldn't you say?  Whoever designed that?!!!   Hmmmm, let's forget that question, shall we?!!  Beyond the same clump of pink coneflowers, the Bronze fennel is just beginning to flower (also a little behind schedule).  For this photo, I simply moved forward a bit with the camera so you could see further along the front garden bed:

 

The fennel flowers are mixed among the past-their-peak filipendula blooms.  I planted the fennel, probably like many of you, in hopes of getting Swallowtail caterpillars.  Unfortunately for me, that's only happened one year and I'm not sure why.  It's a large enough clump to sustain quite a few cats, maybe not as large this year as in previous years but still, it would suffice.  I'll keep hoping.  Look what I found waiting for a meal on top of one bloom:

 

I also found a jagged ambush bug but instead of photographing him, I grabbed my daughters old insect collecting jar and tapped him right inside.  I'm still traumatized by watching one of those nab the monarch butterfly last summer.  I guess it's time to step up patrols for them, although their two favorite hang outs (Joe Pye Weed & Buddleia) are neither one blooming yet.  Changing the subject to a more pleasant sight, is a self sown nicotiana sylvestris opening next to the front walk:

 

I love this annual and it situated itself perfectly (next to the step) for passersby to catch its fragrance.  I only had to plant it one year in my garden and its shown up ever since.  I don't mind at all.  It can sow itself about to its hearts content.  I would say these blooms are right on schedule unlike some others (to be featured soon) that are earlier than normal.  I know other gardeners are having unique weather seasons as well so I'm guessing you are noticing this phenomenon as well??

first timers

in my garden.  Those are always much anticipated blooms, aren't they?  It seems like I wait the most impatiently for them to open.  Like I've been doing for Cerinthe major purpurascens.  I started seeds in early May and was delighted they germinated so easily & quickly.  Yesterday I noticed the first buds on the young plants:

 

I can't wait for the tubular flowers to appear.  They are supposed to be very attractive to bees which is why I ordered the seeds.  The next new flower appeared in my little pond.  I inspect the pond daily, in hopes of finding a water lily bud.  Nothing yet ~ I hope, hope, hope I get at least one bloom this year.  However today I was pleasantly surprised with a lone pink pickerelweed bloom:

I hadn't even noticed a bud so that was truly an unexpected discovery.  I'm glad I'm getting a few blooms on the water plants but I think it would be a lot more if the pond weren't so shady?  I underestimated the amount of shade it would receive under the outer limbs of the Bur Oak when I selected that site.  A mistake I would remedy should I ever have another.  The last new bloom for today is Campanula 'pink octopus:'

 

The buds don't look so much like an "octopus" with the petals connected together at the tips of the blooms, do they?   When the petals separate tho, you can really see how this campanula acquired its name:

Interesting, aren't they?  I'm still making my way around the garden, trimming and finding new buds as time allows.  I'll be sure to share more in the next few days.

returning to the garden

after seven full days off is a fun & daunting proposition at the same time, isn't it?  Kind of like my office in-basket.  I wonder how I'll ever get back on top of it all.  My yard desperately needs mowing, there are weeds & pruning calling my name and I'm still coming down from the niece & nephew vacation.  It was fun.  Fun and tiring!  Running full speed ahead every day with a thirteen & eight year old is enough to put me in my place.  I've been water-parking, butterfly pavilion gazing, aquarium viewing, amusement park riding, to the pool, etc., etc.  Now it's time to return to the "real world."  I promise I'll get around to answering any questions and blog visiting as soon as I can.  I just wanted to pop in this morning, say "hello" and share a few photos from the latest blooms in my garden.  The most stunning of which is the double apricot hollyhock I purchased last year:

 

It's taken the place of centranthus and the salmon poppies against the vintage gate in the front bed.  I don't think it could have found a lovelier position, don't you agree?  I was delighted to discover it blooming, so much so, I photographed it from every angle. 

 

Don't worry, I won't show all the angles, just a few.  I think it's an unusually pretty color which is why I bought it.  For some reason I prefer the doubles to the single flowered old fashioned variety??

 

I have light pink, tangerine, this apricot shade & a few rose pink:

 

These two (the apricot & rose) are the only ones open so far.  

 

I loved the above photo with the morning sun just touching the top of the blossoms.  Maybe I favor the doubles because they remind me of peonies or roses which I like so much?  Hard to say.  Anyway, I have lots to share over the next few days, just bear with me while I get myself back together!  My head is still spinning from the tilt-a-whirl and I'm wondering how one week managed to sneak by at the speed of light?