Kaseys Korner

patio privacy screening

Like many of my fellow bloggers, I garden on a smallish city lot.  While the small space is perfect for my current time & energy constraints, the close proximity (combined with an HOA that views fences as "unfriendly") causes some privacy issues.  I've managed to seclude most of my back garden by planting shrubs & trees along the fence line.   However, the most critical portion (the patio area where we like to sit & dine) was left exposed because the previous owners had poured concrete right to the edge of the property line.  You can see from the 2009 photo below that I've tried (unsuccessfully) to obscure the neighbors view by lining up my containers along the fence:

You can also see how close our houses were built to each other.  While I like my neighbors just fine, I've longed for some privacy screening since the day I moved in.  Initially I thought the only solution was a wall and I explored every option from stucco to rock but the cost was high and I was limited to a 4' height maximum (by HOA rules.)   While 4' is better than nothing, it wouldn't provide me with the personal sanctuary I desired so I never proceeded.  Finally this spring, the solution that should have presented itself years ago, occurred to me.  Cut the concrete and plant evergreens:

4 1/2' tall 'Emerald Green Arborvitae were placed side by side along the 25' length of open fence.  I have never felt happier or more hopeful about my patio possibilities!  In a year or two, the height and width of the Arborvitaes willI give me 100% seclusion & create the hideaway/retreat I've been seeking.  A place to read, putter, relax, plant, etc., in a world all to myself.  Where I can sip cappucino in my pajama's, if I choose.  You get the idea...

Another view from a different angle:

The Arborvitae that's leaning (in the center of the photo) is an extra that wasn't planted.  It's sitting on a section of concrete I chose not to cut out.  That space was left open for a future fireplace!  I can't wait! 

Another garden dream realized.  I feel so lucky.  Now you see what else has been keeping me so busy this spring. 

p.s.  Just so we don't have a post without flowers ~ the orchid my neighbor gave me is blooming:

When she passed it on a year & a half ago, it was not in good shape.  The roots were brittle and dried out and the leaves were soft and very pliable (when they should be much stiffer.)  I've been nursing it back to health and feel very rewarded, especially when I wasn't sure I could save it.

Tree Peony 'Shimadaijin'

Remember when I bought this perennial last fall on clearance?  It has to be amazingly hardy because I (foolishly) never got around to planting it and it survived the winter (in its container) despite my careless actions. 

This spring more buds appeared than I expected (or deserved after treating it so abominably):

About five all together.  All of them shriveled up with the exception of the one pictured above.  Very slowly, it began to unfurl:

Am I ever happy I didn't lose it.  It's the first tree peony bloom to grace any of my gardens ~ a long time overdue, wouldn't you say?!

I hope it's not the last.  I certainly don't expect it to be ~ it's safely planted now and appears to be happy in its new location.

Planted in the same bed, which you can imagine pulls me like a magnet, is this GORGEOUS double pink variety of Columbine (Aquilegia):

This one is compliments of Catherine, who so generously shared seeds with me last year.  I think I broke one of the commandments (thou shalt not covet) when I saw it pictured on her blog.  It was definitely instantaneous lust, no other way around it.  It looked then, and even more now, like an old fashioned Granny's bonnet variety???   I cannot thank you enough Catherine ~ I'm beyond thrilled to have it blooming in my garden where I can look at it to my hearts content.  :-)

In a different bed, another columbine is beginning to open that confuses me.  I thought these were 'Black Barlow' seeds that I started last summer but now it sure doesn't look like it:

I might be happier that it's not?  I'm learning I prefer the "pleated" look versus the "frilly" look of the 'Barlows.'  There are other buds waiting to open so it will be interesting to see if they're the same when they bloom.

We're still "enjoying" rainy cool weather these first two days of the Memorial Day holiday.  Tomorrow is supposed to start a sunnier, warmer, drying trend.  Now there's something else to get excited about!

 

The May garden

can't help but look full, green and lush considering all the cool, wet weather we've been experiencing.  There's hardly time to dry out between storms but guess whose not complaining?  You're right ~ the garden.  It feels like we've been mysteriously transported into the perfect growing climate for everything but the diehard sunlovers & xerics.  So different from our typical dry, sunny, humidity-free weather.  I have to admit it's been great for getting chores accomplished without perspiring to the nines! 

Now that I've set the stage (so to speak) you're going to be expecting nothing short of awesomeness.  Yikes!  I'll try not to disappoint, but ultimately you'll have to determine for yourself. 

Below ~ a section of the front bed as seen standing in the grass looking toward the house:

Siberian iris 'Caesars Brother' blooming in the foreground while the first bearded iris blooms (pink) can be seen in the background.  Below a closer look at 'Caesars Brother' during a brief spot of thin sunshine:

Walking a short distance toward the driveway then pivoting 180 degrees, another section of the front bed comes into focus (notice the same clump of 'Caesars Brother' iris at the bottom left of the photo):

This view gives you a good look at the 'Camassia cusickii' bulbs in full glorious bloom right now ~ they are such ethereal beauties.  (The bright spots of pink & fuchsia are Primula japonica, which I've blogged about previously). 

Zooming in to highlight the Camassia blooms:

Closer still to illuminate a single bloom:

I "had" to take the macro so you could admire the delicacy of each individual blossom.  The word "ethereal" seemed a befitting description ~ considering the delicate "starry" appearance of each flower ~ wouldn't you agree?  Or has my imagination gotten carried away with me again??

Also in the front garden, loaded with buds & not very visible in any of the above photos, is Clematis integrefolia:

I believe I've relayed (in previous posts) what a continual favorite this perennial has been over the last fifteen or so odd years.  I cannot imagine gardening without it. 

As you can also tell, I abide by no color scheme ~ reds are planted with purples, pinks, yellow, etc.  There are even orange blooms in this very bed!  Somehow it all seems to work?  It's my belief that after six months of bleakness the wild riot is appealing in any format.  Bring on the color explosion...

 

A garden without alliums

would be like a year without summer.  Can't believe I went so many (of my early gardening years) without planting them.  Now I add more and more every fall but it still doesn't feel like I have enough!

Today I re-attached my macro lens (& the world aligned again) before heading into the garden to give 'Globemaster' some singular appreciation. 

I think we should title the photo below "nothing but buds" ~ what do you think?

Backing up and turning slightly, a "barely blooming" bulb comes into focus:

Are we ready for "full on fabulousity?"  Oh yeah.

I love the out of focus blooms in the background.  In fact, I loved them so much I kept snapping!

In the photo above, I changed direction again so that the antique birdfeeder would be included in the background  (out of focus, but still, I like seeing the familiar silhouette).

Today 'Globemaster' is my favorite flower to photograph.

Tomorrow, who knows?  There are so many alternates waiting in the wings....

 

 

 

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!

back garden makeover begins

It's been a long time coming.  I've procrastinated.  I've debated.  I've mulled over various possibilities.  Then this winter, while staring out the kitchen window ~ wishing I could see anything but brown, it hit me.  The makeover had to include more evergreens.  There HAD to be winter color.  And more "hardscape."  Something to provide interest to keep the gardener motivated throughout the long winter months.

Finally, with that vision in mind, this spring phase one began.  Here's a peek of the progress from several weeks ago:

The work is being done in phases because I'm doing it alone and my back needs resting. 

To date, grass has been dug out, more flagstone pavers were brought in (to outline the half moon bed), a yew "allee" was dug and planted.  So far, the renovations have garnered instant approval from Butterball, the gardens resident overseer:

For now the half moon bed contains only boxwoods, the weeping pussy willow (purchased earlier this spring), a rose pillar and four solar lights (thank you again Dana).  I am trying to be very thoughtful about future additions.

The raised container in the background will be stained ~ I'm thinking blue????

I'm tired.  but happy.  and I'm excited for part two to begin.  My back not so much.  We'll see how long it takes to recuperate.  One other project is underway in the back garden as well.  That one should be completed very soon and I'll absolutely share the results with you.  Today has been a great day to rest ~ rainy and cool (39 degrees). 

Now you know one reason I've been absent from the blog so much this spring....

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?!!

 

'mocha latte' cordyline & 'phantom' petunia

may just be my favorite combo of 2011.  See what I mean:

I'm not planning to plant as many containers this year as I have in years past but these two "ingredients" were impossible to pass up!  It's going to be fun finishing it off....