Kaseys Korner

orioles, adirondacks and a vintage wheelbarrow

The Adirondacks got spruced up last week with new chair pillows.

They really need a paint touch-up but since I don't have time for that right now, I figured pillows would be the easiest, fastest fix.

The black & red fabric really "pops" against the lime green, don't you think?

and there's the vintage wheelbarrow but before we explore that further, see the plant in the purple pot?? 

That would be Echinacea 'Supreme Cantaloupe' ~ my first foray into the world of double flowered echinaceas.

The melon color swayed me. 

I like it a lot newly blooming (as it is in the above photos), but we shall see how I feel when the top doubles and no longer has that traditional coneflower look!!! 

Okay, now we can get back to the vintage wheelbarrow.

Planted this year with Salvia, Zinnias, calibrachoa and lantana. 

I'm interested to see how the additions (Salvia & calibrachoa) look by summers end. 

The bees are sure enjoying the Salvia addition and I'm thinking when the hummingbirds show up, they will too.

Finally, as promised, the orioles!

My daughter was in the hospital when they showed up this year.  I'm glad they didn't give up on me when I wasn't here right away to feed them.

I think I have fewer pairs than normal but not by much.

In the above photos, the Bullock's oriole male is chattering/warning another male overhead, not to approach the feeder while he's there!

It worked too because this one only landed after the top male left! 

One of the interesting things I've noted while watching them come to the feeders over the past years, is that there is definitely a pecking order with the males.  But a female oriole always usurps a male.  In other words, if a male is at the feeder when a female arrives, he leaves.  Simple as that. 

How gentlemanly is that??!!!

 p.s.  In case you're interested, Adirondack pillows were ordered from Improvements Catalog and they just happen to be having a sale right now!  *wink, wink*

p.s.s.  Thanks to everyone for your kind comments toward my daughter.  She continues to have intensive therapy and things are slowly getting better. 

 

 

 

roses, roses, roses

They say everything has it's season and this is definitely theirs.

Above & Below:  David Austin 'Charles Darwin'

Opens a buttery yellow then fades to a lovely antique cream:

Fabulous fragrance too, though none in the garden are as deliciously scented as 'Lady Emma Hamilton:'

I recommend you buy them in standard form ~ that puts the blooms at the perfect height for inhaling...

which you will want to do often....

I bought two standards, one for either side of the outdoor fireplace. When they're in bloom, there's never a time I walk past that I don't stop to take a breath.  :)

My all-time favorite rose, 'Abraham Darby' hasn't opened yet but soon.

Meanwhile 'Crown Princess Margareta' was the first David Austin to open in the back border.

She was bought solely for her beautiful apricot/yellow coloring:

The same way 'Jubilee Celebration' was bought just for being 'pink:'

A popular color in the garden these days.

Everything is still so pretty.  Green and lush as it is in June before the heat of summer zaps that freshness away.

Above and Below:  Siberian Iris 'Pink Haze'

The last of the peonies this year, 'Westerner:'

and finally, someone just wanted to say "hi:"

She's decided she likes my daughters wheelchair.  Wouldn't you know, I can't wait for the day we don't need it and she's going to miss it!

 

 

 

Bearded Iris 'Expose'

thank you!

Just when I needed some inspiration/rejuvenation, there you were.

This is "no-fail-100%-fall-in-love-spirit-lifting stuff.

Seriously masterful color combo.

I had no idea how much I would need you when I planted you last fall and to tell the truth, so much happened between now and then, I forgot you were even added to the garden. 

But today you galloped in & spread profuse joy!  This girl is recharged (at least for now!) 

I love when a bloom does that...

 

finally home

after five weeks in the hospital, my daughter was finally discharged to home on May 16th.

Above:  Tulip 'Zampa Parrot'

It was, at once, a feeling of relief and overwhelming enormity at the amount of recovery that still lie before us.

Above:  Tulip 'Rai'

Capped off with an infinite amount of gratitude that she is alive and here to tackle recovery at all. 

She was hospitalized with pneumonia and septic shock, each singularly plenty to overcome.  Combined, they almost cost her life.  11 days on the ventilator left her body limp and weak as a noodle.

Above:  June back garden & birdcage container planted with Supertunia 'Bubblegum'

She left the hospital able to use her upper body but not really much else. 

Above:  David Austins 'Winchester Cathedral' Standard ~ first roses of the season.

I was warned progress would be slow after all she'd been thru and it IS...   but with her help and that of her therapists, I am doing my utmost to get her standing and walking again.

Above:  Tree Peony 'Shimadaijin'

At times, it has seemed a monumental task made all the larger by lack of sleep.   All the nights of disturbed sleep in the hospital plus anxiety left us both with a massive case of sleep deprivation.  A circumstance that unfortunately, did not improve upon arriving home.  Even now, sleep is elusive, spotty & irregular at best.  :(

We are exhausted. 

The physical work alone would cause that (emotional & mental impact aside.)  There's so much more lifting, turning, etc., to get her thru each day now.  One of my daily prayers is that my back and knees can endure the journey.  The knee injury I suffered this spring has returned & I'm pretty much back in my brace full-time.

Above & Below:  Aquilegia 'Tower Pink'

I just hope it will hold out (for treatment) until she's back on her feet.

Meanwhile the garden has carried on despite neglect.

Above:  Grackle nest

Left untended, grackles took full advantage and overran my small plot .  I am cleaning out every nest I can find but they are still here in abundance.

Above:  Foxglove 'Dalmation Rose' in a galvanized container.

Unless things change rapidly, there won't be any "exotic" or unusual additions to the garden this year.

There's no time to do the usual greenhouse "hopping" I so enjoy.  The few plants (mostly annuals) I've bought, were found at either  Lowe's or Home Depot.

Above:  Hibiscus 'Powder Puff,' blooming like crazy since moving outdoors

I missed most of the tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs but hopefully now that my daughter is on the path to recovery, I won't miss much else.... 

Above & below:  Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt'

At least now quick jaunts into the garden are possible.  The day remains unknown when I have time to really work out there but I look forward to that happening!

p.s.  Not sure what a posting schedule will look like for me?  I can't yet commit to a certain number per week or a day of the week but I will try (once again ~ how many times have you heard this?!!) to update more regularly. 

Thanks for understanding and for any and all the prayers, support you've given on our behalf.  They are, and were, very much appreciated.