Kaseys Korner

what's a gardener to do

when temperatures hover around 100 day after day after day?? 

There is work to be done but only if the "gardener" is not adverse to major perspiration. 

The seating areas are appealing but the most pleasant time to enjoy them are early in the morning:

and late in the evening:

The sun won't be scalding then but those are prime times for the bumper crop of mosquitoes inhabiting the garden this year.  It's almost impossible to win.

Sometimes the best bet is to observe the garden from indoors and run out like a mad woman when something flits by to photograph ~ like this butterfly:

I think it's a Fritillary but I couldn't positively identify which one?  The best side view I was able to capture is the one below:

Perhaps there will be other opportunities as it seemed to be really interested in Clematis texensis 'Duchess of Albany:'

It's one of two "texensis" varieties grown here.  The other, 'gravetye beauty,' you've seen many times:

I had butterflies on the brain this spring when I planted two new Asclepias Incarnata but I have yet to see any light upon them ~ there's 'Princess:'

and 'Ice Ballet:'

It's too early to give up tho ~ I usually see the most butterflies in August and we are (too) quickly approaching that month. 

Something else occupying (worrying) me during this heat wave is an injured Robin:

He's been hanging around the garden for over a week now trying to recover from what looks like a narrow predator escape.  His left leg has to be broken (I never see him put it down), he's missing feathers including most of the tail ones (which you can tell better in the photo below:)

I'm also uncertain about his left wing (whether it's broken or not.)  I know the odds are stacked against his survival but I'm pulling for him.  I've done an online search for a rehabilitation place in my area but can't locate one ~ what would you do??? 

 

 

echinaceas by daybreak

There's something magical about traipsing thru the garden at dawn. 

Ordinary perennials take on an ethereal look, refreshed from the cooling balm of night. 

The enchantment perseveres into daybreak and the first rays of sun.

It doesn't take long tho (on a mid-July morning) for those early rays to gain strength, sending all but the hardiest souls scurrying for shade.

Near triple digits have that effect. 

Choose to linger in the sun for just a bit longer tho and a reward is at hand.

It makes the early riser happy to have rolled out of bed.

and starts another summer day off on a high note....

 

 

Bullock's orioles ~ garden gems

I'm pretty sure I've written many times about the beautiful Bullock's orioles that frequent my garden during the summer months.  They are especially entertaining this time of year when the young have fledged (and the parents seem to have a teeny bit more time on their hands).  This year I'm fairly certain I have at least four or five nesting pairs that visit the feeders off & on throughout the day.  You might be wondering how I could possibly know that (aside from having them line up for an organized head count).  I know because I've spent more hours than I'll ever admit, staring out the window familiarizing myself with the males.   I am not sexist at all, it's just easier to make observations when you use the sharply contrasting black & orange patterns on the males for a barometer.  Like the subtle variations of stripes on zebras, there are distinguishing differences to a careful observer.  Let me demonstrate ~ below are two males whose different plumage patterns are readily apparent.   The first image features a brilliant male with a (primarily) orange head, black "cap" but minus a strong black eye line (that is usually an obvious identifier for this bird):

The next male has a much blacker head (I'm even wondering if it's a hybrid ~ cross between a Baltimore & Bullock's??)

Now you see how I tell them apart, right?  You'll have to trust me about the remaining males ~ for although I watch them vigilantly, I don't usually have my camera at hand.  There is a reason ~ the orioles that visit my yard are pretty "furtive," the slightest movement will send them flying off so I prefer not to stress them.  Most of the photos I have were taken as inconspicuously as possible, thru the dining room window.

In the last week, this years young have begun to show up around the garden with their parents.  They are particularly fun to watch because they are so curious (as babies are) about the new big world around them.  They pay rapt attention to whatever Mom or Dad is doing:

But they also spend long intervals investigating objects adults would never pay any attention to ~ like the vintage orange trowel mounted on the arbor in the photo below:

This little one conducted an exhaustive examination before deciding there was nothing nutritional about it.  He (she) was sure cute doing it tho!

I always find their tiny tail feathers so endearing:

 

but simultaneously terrifying since they are so vulnerable at this stage.  I don't know why I feel so proprietorial/protective about the baby birds born in and around my garden ~ I'm just glad when they fly off and no fatalities have occurred on my watch. 

It won't be long before that happens either.  The enjoyment derived from having them flit about the garden is almost over for another season.  The males will leave first (very soon now) followed by the females and finally the young.  By mid-August (at the latest), it will be as tho they were never here.  I'm feeling a twinge of sadness just thinking about it and next May (when they return) seems eons away....

 

 

 

birdhouse tuteur

Today a little update on the re-designed back garden.  Remember the tuteur that was placed in the new oval bed?  (it originally had a pointed top)  I recently replaced the "point" with a birdhouse:

You'll have to tell me what you think ~ I like it better but perhaps everyone does not?  I think it's my weakness for garden ornamentation that makes it more appealing??  It's practical too ~ with the birdhouse on top it's like getting two for the price of one ~ a birdhouse & a tuteur!!  Here's a slightly longer look:

Mostly included because of the robin in the center of the photo (the gray/black blob) and the first year male Bullocks oriole on top of the arbor.  The summer garden is never without either so they absolutely deserve a place on this blog.

Both the grape jelly feeder (conspicuous by its copper top in the previous photo) and the sugar water feeder above are used almost continuously.  It keeps me busy ensuring they never run empty but I don't mind the extra effort.  It's worth it , most especially to have the orioles in such abundance.

Swiveling to the right, a shot of the red/yellow container:

The contents include one each of Lysimachia congestiflora 'Outback Sunset,' Fuchsia 'Autumnale,' Geranium 'Mrs. Pollock' and 4 tomato red petunias.   I'm really liking the combination because of how it brightens the partly shaded area where it's placed.  

Out front, Filipendula rubra 'venusta' is in full bloom. 

I was out at sunset the other evening trying to capture the tall, airy blooms when I accidentally captured this:

The gold circles were a result of the setting sun thru the oak leaf openings.  Isn't it dramatic?

I raised up slightly which switched the circles to a position above the Filipendula blooms:

Still pretty fantastic, wouldn't you agree?  and most completely a fortuitous stroke of luck. 

I've been staying busy pruning.  I feel like that's all I've done for several weeks now.  Over the weekend tho, I vowed to be done (at least for now.)  It's time to relax a little and enjoy all the efforts that have been put into the new design.  Think I can do it????

delphinium spires

I sure feel like my posting this summer is not keeping pace with the garden.  Whether it shows or not, I honestly HAVE been using my camera (almost) every single day but just don't go the extra step of uploading & blogging.  Today I thought I'd pick a handful of recent images in an attempt to bring you abreast of current happenings. 

As the post title indicates, delphiniums are the latest perennial to bloom.  They are planted in the same protected area as the foxgloves:

Towering giants, wouldn't you say ~ much taller than in summers past ~ I'm guessing almost six foot??  As a precaution (against the wind we've been receiving all too frequently) I've staked the tallest stalks.  Hopefully they can retain their impressive stature for a longer period of time that way... 

I am a little worried about my pink specimen since it hasn't made an appearance yet?  I hope it's not lost....  For now there is only the white with green bee (eye):

and the gorgeous pale lavender plant:

I'm not giving up tho. 

Something else beginning to come on strong are the Monardas. 

I thought I had only planted 'Blue Stocking' and 'Jacob Cline' in this new back bed, imagine what a nice surprise to find pink mingled in!

It must have been a tag mix-up at the nursery but now that it's here, I'm happy.  The Monardas generally begin blooming about the time hummingbirds show up.  That works out pretty much perfectly, doesn't it?   I would say we are right on schedule too, despite a cooler than usual spring.  I wouldn't be surprised to see one anyday.

Something new to my garden ~ or at least I haven't ever observed them before ~ is a Mourning Cloak Butterfly:

I happened to notice him while doing some late planting.  Lucky for me, he stayed put while I ran and got the camera!  I think I would have walked on by if his wings were closed ~ he's fairly "non-descript" in that position but once they flutter open, those iridescent blue spots are very eye-catching. 

I had just sprayed the new plantings so I think he was sipping up moisture drops from the fallen rose petal (that light colored blob in front of him)?  Now that I know he's here,  I hope I will spot him again in the garden.

I've selected Penstemon 'whippleanus' for the last image in this post:

Isn't that a gorgeous tubular bloom?  This penstemon is unique in that it's quite tolerant of shade, not their normal "M.O."  My clump has been growing (and spreading) nicely for several years now receiving only morning sun.  It's a good option if your garden has limited full sun but you still want to grow these beauties.

Now I better get scooting.  I hope your garden is growing well and not as infested with mosquito's as mine.  We are having the biggest outbreak in years due to a very wet May followed by warm weather in June.  ugh.  Where are the bats??!!!

 

There will be roses

on the 4th.  Lots of roses. 

'Abraham Darby' arrived in my garden two years ago to the day:

We're never flying solo again....

I don't think I have to explain "why??"

'Teasing Georgia' falls in the "keeper-for-life" category as well:

 

No need to explain that one either.

Not a rose, but just as pretty, a pink peony poppy in early morning light:

and Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' touched by the first rays of sun:

Oh my, oh my.  What a beautiful way to commence celebrating our nations birthday.  I don't usually express myself about specific holidays but I'm feeling pretty patriotic today.  Feeling blessed to be American, to enjoy the many freedoms our brave soldiers have bequeathed me.  Also feeling fortunate I can claim a little piece of our magnificent country to grow my garden and cultivate my own personal paradise.  As always, thank you for allowing me to share the bounty of that privilege with you.  Happy 4th of July my fellow Americans.  I hope it's a fun, safe holiday for all.