Kaseys Korner

November ends

on a mellow note, capping off a week of milder than normal temperatures. 

 

It's been an absolute delight. 

Especially since it came on the heels of 20+ inches of snow (end of Oct & beginning of Nov) which brought a sudden violent and premature end to Fall.

If the weather forecast is correct, tomorrows calendar flip also marks a switch in the outdoor thermostat as well ~ 5 to 8" of new snow and highs in the twenties.  Ouch.   That's a forty degree drop.

I doubt I'll be ready.  I never am. 

It will be DECEMBER tho so I guess it's inevitable??? 

Time to move the "party" indoors.  At least we enjoyed the warmth while it lasted ~ hopefully it won't be TOO long before the mercury eeks upward.

Above:  Amaryllis 'Red Lion' ~ originally purchased as 'Prince Carnival' but who can complain?! 

I'll be back as soon as I dig out from under the Christmas decorations (and the snow)...

 

 

Hawaiian Thanksgiving Bouquet

My brother has done it again!  This time, instead of an exquisite orchid, he sent me a box of exotic blooms & foliage all the way from HAWAII!!!

Omg ~ everyone in the house was excited to open it (having received similar boxes in the past), even our cat got into the action!

The loose stems were individually packed in (still moist) shredded newspaper.  It was SO much FUN to unwrap each one and see what was inside.  I had to look some of the contents up but I "think" I now know what everything is??

The big, heart shaped leaves ~ Anthuriums, then yellow oncidium (??) orchids, a few Ginger leaves and lots of Heliconias:

We scrambled to find a worthy vase to arrange everything in and I hope we did it justice:

Wow.  What a phenomenal treat.  Thank you again Thomas.  You really know how to knock it out of the park!  and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone ~ you know it will be a good day here!!! 

P.S.  The arrangement was shipped by Bob's Tropicals, in case anyone is interested in that info.

 

Amaryllis 'Gervase'

There aren't many things I enjoy photographing as much as an Amaryllis.

The first one of the season has opened here ~ I thought it was 'Blushing Bride' but now that it's bloomed, it looks more like 'Gervase' to me?? 

How bad is that ~ to be on a first name basis with so many Amaryllis???!!

Ordered from John Scheepers in June, it didn't waste any time producing a bud scape.

When I wrote the company to inquire about a possible mix-up they very generously offered to send me another 'Blushing Bride" bulb.  I will be a bit "red-faced" if the second bulb blooms identical to this one but I thought it was terrific customer service.  Any company that responds like that, definitely has my repeat business!

Even if it isn't 'Blushing Bride,' it's SO lovely, it's impossible to be disappointed. 

Best of all, the Amaryllis season is now officially ON!!  :-)

2011 Garden Additions

I thought about titling this post "I planted what?"  or "I planted all that?"   But the more methodical side of me took over and I decided I needed a good reference point in case there was ever a reason to look back.  Something I'm trying to do less and less of but still...

The list consists only of shrubs & trees added to the garden the past spring & summer.  It was compiled out of my own curiosity ~ it seemed I planted endlessly and I wanted an accounting for my efforts.  Now that it's in black & white before me, I can't recall how I managed?  In no particular order:

(16) Boxwoods

(25) Yews

(1) Weeping Pussy Willow

(1) Columnar Serviceberry (pictured below)

(1) Double Pink Flowering Almond

(1) Dwarf Alberta Spruce

(1) Dogwood (pictured below, unknown variety ~ found without a tag, baking in the sun, on the asphalt parking lot of a big box store)

(11) Arborvitaes

(3) Endless Summer Hydrangeas

(1) Japanese Maple

(2) Rhododendrons

(1) 'Blue Girl' Holly (sporting a lone berry)

Whew.  That's it ~ maybe it's not as much as I thought?  Oh no, it's every bit of what I thought ~ my back remembers each and every one!!

All of these additions were added to create structure (and privacy) in the back garden redesign ~ maybe you remember going thru the process with me?  Countless bulbs & perennials were also planted ~ I just didn't have the patience or fortitude to create that list.

In the early days of winter (at least here) all the hard work of the past season gives me infinite hope and excitement for the 2012 gardening year ~ it's good to have something to look forward to, isn't it??!!

 

 

What to grow in November

in case you're already experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the garden (like me.)  There are many ways to "feed" the obsession and lots to

if you just switch focus from outdoors to in. 

Bulbs are the fastest, easiest means to get a bloom "fix" (aside from purchasing something already flowering)  Believe me ~ I know all the methods as I'm sure many of you do too.

Paperwhites will flower in just two or three short weeks:

I enjoy the growing process more than the actual blooms so I plant them in tall, clear, cylindrical vases for the best visual effect. 

There are always Amaryllis.  Oh the Amaryllis.  The more the better I say.  One of the few reasons I look forward to winter.  They really are the showiest (IMHO) of the winter bloomers and fairly quick to reach the flowering stage as well. 

'Blushing Bride' arrived the middle of October (with my outdoor bulb order) and is already about to open:

That's pretty fast but I think normal since most Amaryllis bulbs say "bloom in 4 to 6 weeks."

Orchids are another way to beat the winter gardening blues.  The shorter days must spur them to bloom because I have a number sporting buds and/or spikes right now including this Paphiopedilum:

and of course there's the Oncidium orchid I've shared with you in the previous post.  It's reached full flower mode since I posted:

Wow!  Why was I having withdrawals??  I can't remember, looking at it!

There are always houseplants too ~ or pond plants ~ like the pitcher plant I saved from freezing:

I don't know if it will bloom for me but I hope to at least keep it alive for next spring.

If none of these interest you, how about planting some cat grass?

It's pretty to look at (once again thru a clear planter) and your cat will love you immensely for it!!! 

What's not to like about that?!

 

oncidium orchid revival

Back from the dead:

The oncidium orchid shipped from Hawaii (this January) by my most thoughtful brother.  You might remember I wasn't home when it was delivered so it was left (rather carelessly) by the front door in below freezing weather and died.  or so I thought.

Lucky for me, I thought WRONG and luckier still, I didn't toss it!

Now it's loaded with buds.  Buds rimmed in sunshine yellow.  A color I failed to notice when they were drooped over, withered by cold. 

It could have something to do with how distraught I was too...

I think it's the ultimate garden/life lesson of never giving up.  Because, like many things, you just never know... 

p.s.  Thanks again Thomas ~ it's even more beautiful than I imagined and all the more treasured because of the journey!

Blue Jay

alarm clock.  Never needs winding, never needs a new battery, never needs to be reset when the power goes out. 

Almost the same time each morning ~ rain, snow or shine ~ they fly in, wanting their peanuts (I know ~ who started that habit??!!)

Now they're addicted and refuse to let me forget.  They don't take days off either!

Screech, screech, screech until "someone" gets up and takes them out their treat. 

I guess there could be worse ways to wake up, right??!!! 

What are the chances of teaching them to let me sleep in??!!  Afterall, they are very smart! 

after the snow

Last week I was so busy knocking snow off tree branches I never took the time to take any photos.  Our snow last night came with wind meaning there was less accumulation on the trees.   Feeling a sense of relief about that, I took my camera out (instead of the broom) this morning.  Most of you know (all too well) that I'm not a fan of snow, but even I couldn't help but appreciate these snowy scenes from the garden.  

Rose Pillar:

Rooster post topper:

Topiary Tree:

Birdcage:

Vintage watering can:

Birdhouse tuteur:

Armillary sphere:

and another vintage watering can:

Okay, now MELT already!!! 

here we go again

a second round of snow.  Exactly one week after the first.  ugh.  Should I be scared of what winter has in store for us???!!!  I'm inclined to think so considering we aren't even halfway thru fall yet.  Scared for my trees too.  They took a huge hit last week because they were still fully leafed out.  Nothing's changed in that department.  Fingers, toes (and everything else) crossed, hoping for the best but preparing for worse.  I know a lot of you can relate since we're not the only part of the country experiencing powerful early storms.

On a positive note, I've gotten a big lift from this little bouquet I cut myself before the first snowflake flew:

I've never taken the time to save blooms before but now that I have, I'm thinking it's worth the effort.  Nothing like a fresh flower in the middle of a snowstorm!  The roses even still have a hint of fragrance.

I think I mentioned in the previous post that I finished planting bulbs before it started snowing?  Planting at ground level is good for inspecting beds and making discoveries.  Like toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta 'variegata') that I thought I'd lost:

Hope I find it earlier next year so I can enjoy the exotic blooms longer.

My favorite kind of pumpkin ~ 'Cinderella:'

I keep bringing it in the house each time we have a hard freeze ~ wonder what I'm saving it for??  I sure can't tell you ~ I just know I'm not ready to let it go to mush yet.

Finally, in honor of Halloween, Butterball the fire dog!

Here's what he really thought of the costume:

NOT happy!  Next year I better clear the selection with him before expecting him to wear it.  Who knew he'd be so picky?!!  Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween?  Now I'm signing off before I lose power again.  Hopefully there won't be a lot of damage to clean up outside in the morning....