Kaseys Korner

'Black & Blue' Container

for lack of a more creative name.  It's one of my favorites this year but I think only to me for no one who walks past it, ever comments on it.  Maybe the plant/color combinations are not universally appealing?  Who knows?  I'll let you decide for yourself.  Here's an angle from the "front" of the container:

The "ingredients" include Lantana 'lemonade,' 'Black and blue' Salvia, Lime licorce plant, Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie,' & purple heart (tradescantia pallida).  The latter can best be seen from the "back" side:

There are also two succulents buried underneath the rampant growth of the annuals.  I have been stuck by the larger of them on numerous occasions, forgetting myself that they are there.

The original "star" of the container was to be Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie:'

Isn't she lovely?  I love her dark purple stems which is why I added the purple heart.  I thought they would compliment each other well.

As the container has matured, I now think it's a toss up as to which plant takes center stage.  The 'Black and Blue' Salvia and Lantana 'lemonade' combo is equally stunning:

Who gets your vote??

Wait, there are some garden visitors who find this container attractive ~ the hummingbirds!

Whew. My design skills are breathing a sigh of relief...

Amaryllis 'Elvas' ~ Summer Sensation

When is 'Elvas' not a sensation?  The answer would be NEVER but why the crazy bulb produced a bloom stalk in August is beyond me.  I "need" my Amaryllis to bloom in winter ~ that's how I make it thru those dark, dreary days.  Don't they know that?!!! However, I have to say, she seems happier blooming in the garden than she ever was indoors (remember the trouble I had last winter ~ buds withering on the stalk before opening).  None of that perplexing behavior is going on outside.  There are five perfectly healthy looking buds:

and man, oh man, she is going to be even more breath-taking in numbers.

I don't know what caused the early display but I'm certainly not going to protest such loveliness.

I briefly considered moving her inside but after what happened last winter, I decided against it.  Why mess with success?  So she'll stay right where she is, which is here, in the "Amaryllis Summer Home" with the rest of my collection:

In this spot, located behind the pink shrub roses and the verbena bonariensis, they receive filtered morning sunlight (which seems to be the perfect formula):

Can't even see them from this angle, can you?  It's a beautiful set up, that's for sure.

Right before frost, they will be re-potted in new potting soil, have their leaves cut off and brought indoors for a dormancy period (in a dark location).  Well, that's my usual routine, when they are behaving "normally."  This year, who knows?  Because you know what's even crazier?  When 'Elvas' is finished, 'Apple Blossom' will take over ~ she's has a bloom stalk now too.

What on earth is going on???

now that it's almost September

a few garden favorites better get in gear or they won't make it to (let alone thru) their bloom cycle (at least here in Colorado where nothing is certain come Fall).  I'm not talking about your standard garden variety mums either ~ I'm talking about Tibouchina 'grandiflora' (glory bush):

which is loaded with buds but not one has opened this summer.  I overwinter my Tibouchina in the basement so if it doesn't do some fast accelerating, it might be hauled down there blooms and all.

I'm also waiting on Leonotis 'leonurus' and I'm actually confused why it's being beyond slow this year:

We've certainly had plenty of heat and sunshine.  By the time these buds open, the hummingbirds will be long gone.

Helianthus 'maximiliani' is a fall bloomer but usually there are buds along the stalk by now.  It's still in the growing stage, no buds at all, so we'll see what happens:

The passion vine planted along with Sweet Autumn Clematis on the side gate arbor has nary a bloom in sight:

The picture above was taken two weeks ago ~ it's hanging down the right side of the arbor now but otherwise remains all foliage.  Darn it.

The "morning glory" container is loaded with buds as well but no signs of flowers yet either.

It's going to be spectacular if/when it ever bursts into bloom.

I know it's good to have something to look forward to ~ but I can't help worrying when we reach this point in the season.  As long as Mother Nature doesn't have any unwelcome surprises up her sleeve, maybe they'll all be able to do their thing.

Crossing my fingers...

Sweetheart Balloon Rally

It takes a lot to get my household out of bed & into the car by 6:30 AM but a hot air balloon rally is something that can definitely make that happen.  Even tho we are fortunate to see hot air balloons sail over our house throughout the year, the opportunity to see thirty in one spot was irresistible!  At least I thought there were going to be thirty ~ maybe something happened to keep the numbers down?  I know I was a bit disgruntled at first because the best viewing sites were not the optimum photography ones ~ looking east (toward the sunrise) and thru a maze of power lines.

I had the fleeting thought I should have stayed in bed ~ the impatient side of my nature showing thru.

But ever so slowly, conditions began to improve.  The balloons lifted:

and drifted across the sky ~ sometimes even stair-stepping up:

The clouds eventually gave way and that famous blue Colorado sky provided the incredible backdrop I had pictured in my mind:

A lot of these balloons are ones we've seen individually above our house over the years.  I know I've shared this one with you before:

Easy to see why it's a favorite of mine with the floral design.  My daughter, however, loved this one:

There has to be a great story behind its inception!  I wish I knew what it was.

We only saw twelve balloons but by the time we left, we were glad we'd made the choice to give up some sleep.

There's just something so ebullient about seeing those vibrantly colored, gigantic balloons floating peacefully in the serene morning sky.

Starts the day on a happy note every time.  :-)

 

garden postcards, part two

Because it was so fun the first time around (for me, I hope for you too??), a few more photo vignettes from around the garden. 

A strong wind blew the birdhouse off the post in the "birdhouse container" (it was not very well attached) giving me the opportunity to move it around the garden a bit.  It's seated beside lantana 'lemonade' in the photo below:

I'm planning to reattach it to the post but not until I have a little more fun with it!

On the front patio, a vintage bottle carrier makes a perfect, portable, mini-herb garden:

The contents are lemon thyme, lemon verbena and 'boysenberry ruffles' French Lavender.  One more pot, containing basil is not pictured.

Also on the front patio, a pair of old shears, some garden twine and orange nasturtiums combine to make a sweet scene:

The same worn, weathered yellow, wooden work-box was relocated to the back patio for a photo with the "croton container:'

I love the little "fleurs" pot seen above (and below) that I came across while shopping at JoAnn's this week.  I am thinking you will see many upcoming photos featuring it.  :-)

Maybe not a postcard but I can't help including him ~ a little Rufous hummingbird seated on a verbena bonariensis stalk (his new favorite perch):

Please excuse the photo quality, it was taken thru the picture window glass and thru a sea of verbena blooms (note the clouds of purple around his head).

It's the perfect perch because of the honeysuckle vine (on the arbor) located just above and to the left of the verbena.  Anytime a hunger attack comes on ~ it's just a zip away:

Now that's a pretty postcard!

I don't think I could ever tire of taking these types of photos ~ do you sense another wave coming on??!! 

the garden hasn't quit

even if the gardener has slacked up.  (I've decided the longer the blog is ignored, the harder it is to return.)  Let me assure you that despite a posting hiatus, the camera is still on "active duty" so as not to miss a bloom.  Whew.  You were worried, weren't you?!!  Since the last entry, one of my best late-summer bloomers, Agastache, has picked up steam.  Pictured below, a lone 'tutti frutii' bloom with the vintage wheel barrow as a backdrop:

I have several varieties scattered around the garden which the hummingbirds have gotten quite territorial over.  Luckily, they have many other choice nectaring spots ~ like the lantana & zinnia container:

 

and 'Lady in Red' Salvia to name a few:

Not a hummingbird favorite but very desirable to other winged garden friends, sunflowers are also in full glorious bloom now:

Seeds were started from several packets this year and right now this gardener can't remember which packet the above specimen is from ~ shame on her!  Every year the birds barely wait for the blooms to finish before they begin plucking seeds from the spent heads.  This year is no exception.  A side benefit to their enthusiasm has been fewer Ambush bugs ~ I'm guessing they're plucking some of those as well?  Hooray on that!

Lastly, Buddleia 'honeycomb' has finally commenced blooming.  I don't think it gets as much sun as it would like because this is a pretty late date to start the show.

 

The coloring is so fantastic, it really should be moved to a better location so as to enjoy the blooms for a longer period of time.  No promises on that happening this fall.  Instead I'm counting on getting another solid month (and hopefully more) before a killing frost brings everything to a halt.  

Hopefully, the gardener will also get back in a blogging groove.  We shall see...

the sign said

"let's make a deal" ~ it was not an advertising ploy ~ they were serious.  One Armillary sphere trellis priced at $29.00 ~ sold for $10.00 ~ did I score or what??

 

I LOVE a bargain.  Especially when I know exactly where to put it.  Like:

nestled among the zinnia and lantana blooms.  

Oh my.  That kind of shopping makes me swoon. 

crazee days

I can't believe what a whirlwind the last few days have been.  On Saturday I found out my dearest neighbors husband had passed away.  He was 85 years old and lived an incredible life but it still seems like it was too soon.  When I think about the cycle of life, I think about how much my own garden has taught me  ~ watching the birth/death/rebirth sequence occur over and over again right before my eyes.  It's comforting and yet harsh at the same time.    A tangible reality check that nothing lasts forever yet life always goes on.  Still, when someone you know passes, it gives you pause.  Makes you think about their life, your life, what's important, what's missing, what's left to do, etc.  I was doing that last night ~ yes, I know, deep, huh?  But reflection is good and necessary and often the kick needed to get in gear and do something (before it's too late) that's on our own lists.   The trick is to act on it before complacency lulls us in again...  I hope I can do that.

I also thought about how photography, like life, is often a "one shot" deal ~ maybe you only get one chance to capture a Monarch on Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway' (Joe Pye):

or maybe you notice how quickly time passes because only "yesterday" you were planting pumpkin seeds and today they have reached maturation ~ how did that happen?

 

Summer, the season of "life," is winding down.  I dread it as many of you know all too well.  The signs are irrefutable tho ~ the birds have started harvesting gorging themselves on berry-laden Viburnums:

and today ~ the start of another school year. *sigh* 

No way to stop it. 

Any of it. 

Must learn to move gracefully with it....

neighbor appreciation day

Recently I was gifted with an Oriole feeder and several jars of grape jelly compliments of my newest neighbor.  She said she'd decided feeding them was not her thing.  I applaud the fact she recognized she didn't have the time, inclination, energy, whatever, to feed them.  It sometimes feels like a part-time job even to me ~ and I enjoy it.   During peak oriole season you'd never believe how many jars of grape jelly they go thru ~ I should keep track next year!  They eat so much the feeder has to be refilled three or four times a day ~ that takes dedication.  If you aren't ready for that kind of commitment, it's probably best to do nothing then to feed sporadically/randomly.  At least that's how I feel ~ what about you??

Anyway, back to the gift, because I benefited from her realization, I wanted to do something nice in return.  I thought a card with one of my oriole photos was appropriate:

It's very simple and so was the message inside:

Accompanying the card were a couple of Rhubarb Walnut muffins, made from homegrown rhubarb:

The very same recipe was whipped up & served last Friday (the 13th ~ which was not unlucky at all) to Gail of Clay and Limestone.   That's the day I had the privilege of hosting her in my garden.  She truly is the warm, kind, gracious person you perceive her to be when you read her blog postings.  As you can imagine, it was a very pleasant way to spend a couple hours and something I never expected when I started blogging (meeting people thru the Internet).

I'd say it's been my lucky week. 

My thanks to both of you ~ Gail for taking the time to stop by and Dora for the Oriole gifts and being such a nice neighbor.

the latest

in the summer line-up of blooms.  'Black Beauty' lilies have finally come on strong:

They are intermingled in the north garden with Double Rose Chater's hollyhocks & the violet tubeflowers. 

After several years of wondering where I could find room, I finally bought two Agastache 'Blue Fortune' plants and set them in a container.  The bees are thanking me for it!

A new purchase, also blue, is Nepeta yunnanensis 'Blue Dragon' ~ I thought it was a penstemon at first glance (can you see why?), the blooms are so large:

The tag listed the hardiness zones as 6-9,  we're one zone lower (5), so we'll see what happens next spring.  The greenhouse guarantees it for one year tho so I thought it was worth a try.  

Welcoming visitors into the backyard, via the side gate, yellow calibrachoa, red petunias and flame flower could not be performing better:

The bee skep looks nice keeping the container company, don't you think?  I keep moving it around trying to find just the perfect spot for it but I think (for now) this is it.

Not a bloom but something equally beloved, my cat on his brief morning interlude outside (before he is scooped up and relegated to his usual indoor-only status):

Oh, something I forgot to show you that just finished blooming, Amaryllis 'Sumatra:'

It was absolutely spectacular although I much prefer it to bloom during the winter months when there isn't nearly so much else to enjoy.  Having said that, a bloom is a bloom and we'll take one anytime, right?!!!