Kaseys Korner

Miniature Rose Standard 'Salmon Sunblaze'

July 4th was a good one here considering it was chased the next day by what would have been my brother's 48th birthday.

Thankfully, I was pretty successful in putting thoughts of him aside for those 24 hours in order to participate in our neighborhood traditions ~ starting with the morning parade.  

Anyone and everything can be in it, the guidelines are loose.  The local fire station sends an engine to start it off then, if we're lucky, we have a few decorated floats.  Otherwise there are always lots of kids with their bikes/cars decorated, dogs dressed in patriotic scarves, moms pushing strollers & four wheelers zipping around, etc.

This old truck was one of my favorites & it just happened to park afterwards under my Bur Oak tree.

Our Cul-de-Sac had a barbeque later that afternoon and we lucked out with perfect skies & weather conditions.  The day ended with our own little fireworks show (emphasis on little!) 

As with any holiday, what would it be without flowers??  

'Salmon Sunblaze' miniature rose standard was the standout on this day.  Underplanted with Euphorbia 'Hip Hop' and Diascia 'Flirtation Orange.'  Remember last year I had it combined with French lavender?  I think this combo is better.

I was going for an "orange & white" theme on the front patio, inspired by the pillows on the lime green Adirondack chairs.

 

The standard is planted in an old terra cotta pot, one of several in my collection.

Unfortunately, not much of the Diascia was blooming on the 4th.  It sort of blooms in waves & at this time, was in a lull.

Another Terra Cotta pot acts as the base of my Begonia Bossa 'Nova Red' & 'Tecno Heat' White Lobelia container.   Years ago I stenciled ivy around the pot never realizing how well it would stand up to the weather & repeated use.

This combo is doing exceptionally well together.  It contains two 'Nova Red' Begonias and two 'Tecno Heat' Lobelias (along with one Gerbera Daisy which may or may not stay!) 

I'm thinking the Geraniums & Lobelia alone are enough.

July 4th also marked the first sightings of fledged baby Bullock's Orioles.

It's so poignant to watch a baby being fed by it's parent.  There is so much care & tenderness involved.  Notice how far the male Oriole has his beak inside the babies mouth.  I guess it's to ensure the food (in this case, grape jelly) stays where it's supposed to!?

Sorry for the inferior quality of these photos, I took them thru the screen window. 

Even tho the photos aren't crystal clear, I thought they were too endearing not to include.

Then, as if baby Orioles weren't blessing enough, I'm fortunate to have a pair of Western Kingbirds nest in my Bur Oak tree again this year.  

The nest is even visible this year (as opposed to last year) although it's too far up for very good photos.  Both parents are now regularly feeding the babies so it won't be long before they'll be in the garden too.  

Hope your holiday was every bit as eventful?  

The garden is so full of life now, it's hard not to be uplifted by it and I am grateful for that magic.  Next on my "watch list" ~ the arrival of hummingbirds!  Any day now....

p.s.  This is one smart toad:

He sits right under the Oriole sugar water feeder ~ where it drips, it attracts flies so he's got a "built in" feeder of sorts & is getting fat sitting under it!  :)

What a chunk!

 

Statuesque 'Elodie' lilies

on a soft summer night.

“In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them.”

-  Aldo Leopold 

Strolling thru the garden this last eve of June, it's easy to see what spurred Leopold to write those words.

Buds and new blooms abound.

Each one looking particularly fresh in the soft light of evening.

and even more so after a quenching rain shower.

Aaaah, pure refreshment!

This time of day, along with dawn, are my favorite to walk, view & photograph the garden.

Even tho there are new blooms throughout the gardening season, June always seems the most luxuriant month.

Above & below:  Bullock's Orioles inspecting the lilies for insects.

Always a delightful combination.

(forgive the quality of the Oriole photos, I took them thru my bedroom window ~ blinds & all!)

When we flip the calendar to July in the morning, 

the real heart of summer begins.

The pace will slow.  No more "mad" leaps of growth.  

A chance for both plants & gardeners to breathe and savor the luscious time of year. 

But first a celebration.

Enjoy, as I know you will.  As Leopold said, it's impossible to ignore.

 

 

 

Hyacinths 'Eros' & 'Dark Dimension'

A lovely March greeting to you all.

Very soon, the garden will look like the photo above!!!  

I know ~ hard to believe when, out the window, the landscape is still draped in white.

But we're almost there!!!  Hang on....

I think the Robins know it too. This one plumped up so much against the cold, he/she looks enormous!

With all the snow and frigid temps outdoors, I am contenting myself with indoor activities & blooms.

The hyacinth bulbs, started weeks ago in the refrigerator, are finally paying dividends with blooms at a time most needed.

Above:  Buds on 'Eros."  Even before it blooms you can tell it's a special hyacinth.

An assessment which rings truer & truer as the days pass & the buds unfurl.

Wow, isn't that a vision of double delightful loveliness?

Cloaked in heavenly scent. You'll have to take my word for that!

Then there's 'Dark Dimension.'

Which I photographed much better last year (click here if you'd like to see those photos again.)  It's a stunning Hyacinth with it's very unusual coloring of royal blue and indigo.  So striking, it topped my list of bulbs I *had* to repeat forcing.

Btw, last years bulbs were planted in the garden when they finished blooming so I'm hoping to see them out there soon too.  :)

Only three varieties were forced this Spring, 'Dark Dimension,' 'Eros,' and 'Hollyhock.'

'Hollyhock' in the catalog is shown as a deep pinky-red but one of my bulbs turned out to be a pale PINK!

Maybe it got mixed up in sorting or the colors sometimes vary??  Either way, you know I'm not complaining!!!

Above:  perched on the windowsill with 'Dark Dimension' in the background.

Someone who isn't bothered one iota about what's happening outdoors:

Little Ivory.

If only we could all adopt that relaxed attitude!!!!!  

Now cheers to March & the warm, sunny days that lie ahead.  May they show up soon, last long and melt the piles of snow quickly!

 

Thoughts on the 2015 Garden

As the New Year begins, my vision for the 2015 garden is undergoing evaluation.

Above:  Back garden with a fresh dusting of snow yesterday morning.

Remember 2011 was the year evergreens (yews & boxwoods) were added for winter interest?

Their addition definitely contributed a lot to shaping the look of the back garden.

Above:  Sharp shinned hawk that's been keeping the little garden birds on razor edge with his daily (frequently successful) hunting patrols.

All the plantings have not deterred him in the least.  They've simply forced a showcase of his amazing aviator & hunting skills.  It's pretty incredible to watch him swoop in, fly sideways ~ thru & around the shrubbery ~ then hone in on a prey all at breakneck speed.

But that's a side topic...

2011 was probably the last year any major changes occurred in the gardens.

2012 saw the addition of the lilac standard & completion of the bed it anchors but not much else.

The last two years, the garden basically just "maintained."  Personal issues forcing it low on the list of priorities.

First thoughts for 2015 originally leaned toward hitting it "hard" and doing some overhauling that's been put on the back burner (barring any other mishaps or setbacks, of course.)

Lately tho, new visions have been forming and creeping slowly but steadily to the forefront of all others. 

Visions of the low maintenance variety.  Where the garden fends for itself, provided it's supplied with the correct plants and irrigation.

A garden that doesn't demand as much but provides an equal amount of enjoyment.

A garden to enjoy, entertain in, that continues to sustain & benefit wildlife but isn't nearly as fussy.  One that allows me, the gardener, more freedom in the summer months.

Freedom to travel or indulge other pursuits during our favorite season. 

Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE the garden.  It's served me well and I, it.

But the scares & curve balls of 2013 & 2014, are making me rethink the energy devoted to it.  Maybe it's time to stretch our wings a bit and leave its comfortable confines? 

What does that mean?  How long will it take to achieve?  Will there be fewer containers?  More xeric plantings??  How many plants replaced?  How expensive to alter the current sprinkler system?  All questions that need further scrutiny before a plan is made to proceed.  These thoughts and others run thru my head when I look out the kitchen window at the landscape I've created.  Is it just this time of year eliciting these ideas?  Is anyone else thinking of changes??  I'd love to hear...

 

overwintering Dahlia tubers

The temperatures outside this past week have been brutal.  We shattered some records for earliest low temperatures going -14 degrees several nights. 

It's almost surreal to think just a week ago it was still in the 70's & I was out digging dahlia tubers!

Above:  Dahlia 'Honka Surprise'

I usually let the Dahlias get lightly frosted (at least once but hopefully) several times before lifting the tubers from their containers or the ground. 

If the weather cooperates, I temporarily store the freshly dug tubers in the garage while they dry out a bit.

This year, I had to bring them directly into the house because my garage is not insulated and the below zero temperatures would have killed them.

Above:  Dahlia 'Floorinoor'

Once dug, I cut off the blackened foliage an inch or two above the tubers and "tag" them so I know which tuber is which. 

After the tubers have dried, the excess soil can be shaken off & the name of the dahlia can be written directly onto the tubers. 

Some people divide the tubers at this point.  I've had better results waiting until spring so I overwinter mine as a whole.  Whichever method you prefer, I've always read (and been told) to discard the "parent" tuber and keep the new "babies." 

Now that we've dug the tubers, dried them, divided or not, we're ready to store them.  As with most things there are various methods.  I pick a box or other container, add some slightly moistened peat to the bottom, nestle the tubers into the peat then cover with more peat.  Some people prefer shredded newspaper to peat.  My Mom puts them in a paper bag in her refrigerator!

Whatever you decide, now comes the trickiest part of getting them thru the winter ~ making sure they stay moist enough to survive but aren't overly wet where they'll rot.  

They also need to be in a cool (above freezing) place, preferrably between 40 - 50 degrees, which for me is my unfinished basement. 

After they're placed there, check on them about once a month to make sure they aren't drying out (shriveling up) or rotting.  If your storage material is not overly wet to start with, drying out should be more of a problem than rotting.  Spritz the surrounding peat (or other packing material) with water and you're good for another month.  If one of your tubers does happen to be rotting, you should cut the rotten part off so you can save what's left & prevent the rot from spreading.

Hopefully by March or April, they've all survived and are ready to be potted up again for another season of enjoyment. 

Meanwhile back to current reality, there was a beautiful Red Fox Squirrel frequenting the garden during the deep freeze this past week.

He/she was polite enough to pose atop the arbor.

Pretty picturesque framed amidst the rose hips.

A perfect complement to his coat!

I imagine creatures of every form will be happier this week as temperatures are supposed to moderate. 

Still below "average" but after last week, even the smallest reprieve will be greatly appreciated...

 

A fond Adieu to Fall

It's been a wonderful one.

Above:  Bur Oak towering over front garden & patio area.

Before you chastise me, I DO realize the calendar still says "fall" but our temperatures are dropping into single digits with snow this week.  That is winter territory!!!!

It will effectively finish off all the spectacular foliage and late season blooms we've enjoyed to date.

Above:  Dogwood foliage & birdhouse

With all the color gone, fall is over in my book. 

Even tho it's been a longer, warmer one than "normal" (whatever normal is anymore), it's ALWAYS TOUGH to say goodbye.

I spent the weekend dragging pots and plants into my garage plus an assortment of other winter prep chores.   I should know better than to save everything for the last minute, my body is protesting today.  It was just all so beautiful, I couldn't bear to part with any of it prematurely.

Of course I couldn't miss the opportunity to take the camera around the garden one last time. 

There are hardy plants still in bloom.

Like the monkshood above and Astrantia major 'Ruby Wedding' below:

It's not typical for Astrantia to be blooming now, especially as magnificently as it does in early summer. 

I have the rabbits to thank for that.  It's another perennial (like the toad lilies) they chewed to the ground which stimulated new growth (and the blooms you see pictured here) 

Above:  Bacopa

Every year a few annuals surprise me with their hardiness.  The white bacopa above was one of those this year.  It's blooming this morning even as the snow sets in.

Above:  'Cherry Star' Calibrachoa

I learned a few years ago how tough Calibrachoas are ~ it takes a really hard frost to knock them out.  Scaevola & Lantana are also in that category even tho I didn't photograph them. 

When you live in a harsh climate, cold hardiness is a definite consideration when spring plant selection begins.  At least it is for me.  I like the garden season to be extended for as long as possible!

Above:  Northern Flicker on birdbath

With the garden chores completed, we're moving on to one of our few enjoyable winter activities ~ bird watching.

It's an activity that interests every member of the family but most especially Ivory!

She spent the morning (with me) watching Blue Jays.

They are bold, brazen even, but very entertaining ~ not at all bothered by our presence whether we're inside or out.

I know they aren't the nicest birds in the garden but I have to love them for bringing color to what will very shortly be a drab winter landscape.

Wrapping up, I concede it was a pretty good year in the garden despite all the personal challenges my family faced.  For me, the therapeutic benefits of nature always trump the labor.  The garden imparts such peace, strength & joy, I can't imagine living life without it.  That saying "closer to God in the garden" has never had more meaning.  It was certainly difficult to accomplish projects this year or even at times "maintain" but we survived.   Some years that is feat enough.  I am grateful for all the times I was on the verge of feeling defeated and it lifted me up.  Having said that, I am fervently hoping the next gardening season is FAR less stressful.

I have a few more garden posts planned but then I guess it's full speed ahead to the holidays!  If you are lucky enough to still have fall in your area, enjoy it now for us too.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Halloween Jack o'Lantern

Anyone who has children probably has one of these lying around:

The ubiquitous plastic candy collecting vessel!!! 

My daughter hasn't used hers for years (someone gave her a super cute witch basket) so I'm not even sure why I was still hanging onto it? 

Finally this fall, I thought of a good use for it:

With a few additions:  witch hat, ribbon bow, some rocks to weigh it down & flameless candle to make it glow, it stands in nicely for a carved pumpkin.

Especially helpful when (for some reason) we never found made time to carve one!

We've lucked out again with the weather this Halloween.  So nice, even the honeybees were out earlier today:

They were working the lavender over furiously (and everything else that remains in bloom, which surprisingly is quite a lot.)

I was amazed to find a bloom on the toad lily:

Earlier this summer, the rabbits chewed every last stalk down to nubs ~ and I thought toad lilies were supposed to be something they didn't like?!!

They had never bothered them before so I wasn't sure what to expect. 

I'm glad it didn't kill the plants but even happier they had enough reserves to produce more buds.

Both their and my good fortune the warm Fall gave them a chance to recoup & bloom before frosting.  There's one day in our five day forecast where low temps are projected to be 30.  I'm pretty sure they can survive that and carry on. 

November blooms here we come!!!

Even tho the days have been nice, the nights are cool.  Maybe that's what's elevating bird activity in the garden?

I'm seeing almost all my winter birds again including hawks:

No fair, the poor birds hardly stand a chance with him camouflaged so well!!!

Happy Halloween everyone.  Hope it's a safe, fun one.

 

 

 

Garden ornamentation

definition of ornamentation:  "the action of decorating something or making it more elaborate."

Otherwise put, an activity dear to my heart!  :)

There's a fine art to ornamentation tho and I'm sure there are times I ride the line between "tasteful" and "too much."

Easy to do when you find the hunt for "gardenalia" as enjoyable a hobby as gardening itself!

"Close the gate" plaque & zinc thermometer by Terrain.

I'm partial to vintage items and like to tuck them in and around the plants.

Never subscribing to a philosophy of "less is more" but rather

adhering to a careful (believe it or not even strict) placement of pieces....

Above: vintage steam grate acting as a plant support to Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant.'

No longer visible by mid summer!

All designed to enhance the garden, not detract from it.

Many of these pieces are rotated in and out as the seasons or blooms change.

Obviously, the garden can hold more during the verdant lushness of summer.

Whereas the bare "bones" of winter expose an altogether less picturesque appearance (dare I say bordering on "junky??!!)  That's when much of the ornamentation here is pulled & stored for the following season.

Birds; a most beautiful & sought after ornamentation.   Above:  Yellow warbler.

Now I'm wondering where you fall in the scope of garden ornamentation??  "Never enough" or "not for me????"

photographing hummingbirds

Sunday afternoon pastime. 

Place garden chair in strategic position:

Today, near garden staple Crocosmia 'Lucifer' ~ an irresistible attractant.

One of many favorite food sources. 

Grown yearly, it's just that powerful.

A better lure than any feeder I own.

Use automatic setting on camera and adjust to "sports" mode.

Ensue snapping....

Beautiful!

Turn, turn, turn, now hold right there! 

No??  Okay, carry on then, just act "natural."

Snap, snap, snap. 

Wait!  You landed!  PERFECT!

NO.  Don't give me "back!" 

Turn around again.  Pleeeaaasssseee.....

A half turn??  I'll take it and thank you!!!!

My day is complete! 

Patience (and preparation) have paid off.   :)

 

 

wildlife in the garden

I was thinking (rather mistakenly) that the garden was in a lull.

Oh there are a few things blooming, like Monarda 'Coral Reef:'

A stunning, almost inflorescent pink Bee Balm, much loved by bumblebees.

But, as I touched on in the Western Kingbird post, the garden is so much more than the blooms it flaunts. 

There is bird life.  Above:  Male Bullock's Oriole on sugar water feeder.

the fluttering of butterflies (Western Tiger Swallowtail on Lantana)

Quick and agile Amphibians, like the baby toad pictured above.  This year the garden has been inundated by toads. More specifically, baby toads.

They are everywhere ~ even in the window wells (like the four pictured above.)  It's impossible to tell scale from my photos but these toads are all only dime or nickel size!! 

Their population explosion has attracted another visitor:

 

A Western Hognose Snake! 

Excuse the bad photo, I was lucky to get it at all.  Apparently they feed predominantly on amphibians!  A virtual smorgasbord awaits in my garden....  But hold up.  Let's backtrack. 

Before photographing the snake, I had noticed the smallest baby bunny I'd ever seen, quivering near the house:

He barely seemed able to move around.  I wondered if he was too small to be out of the nest; which I believed to be under the overhang of my dining room bay window. 

Exactly the spot the snake's head is emerging from!!!!! 

Look closely at the photo above & notice the top of the bunnies head at the very bottom of the photo with the hognose snake about a foot above.  I don't know what happened to this baby bunny.  He was gone in the morning & I haven't seen the snake since either.  I have a theory the snake could still be digesting a whole nest of bunnies...

On a happier note, the garden is again home to hummingbirds!

We wait all year for the two short months they liven up the landscape in and around our garden.

Photo below is of note because it shows the small spot of orange on the juvenile hummingbirds throat:

Over the next year, this spot will spread until it covers his whole throat in a blaze of color.

A fiery sight to behold.

I strung garden lights this year mostly for their benefit:

They love to perch, preen, view & defend their territory from the suspended strings.

Oh no, the garden is definitely NOT in a "lull." 

Far from it....