Kaseys Korner

Brugmansia 'Daydreams'

 A profusion of blooms.

in double (frilly, no less!) salmon pink.

The only "teensy" drawback ~

this bountiful, spectacular display is all happening in the garage!

Every time I get a Brugmansia, I swear it's the LAST time because they bloom SO darn late.

At least for me.

'Daydreams' was my "one last time" ~ enticed by the prospect of double trumpets.

*sigh*  It would have been spectacular in the garden, don't you agree??

Oh well, I will definitely overwinter it in the garage and try again next year (with this one ~ no more new purchases!)  

Oh, btw, it's blooming in the garage because the day before Thanksgiving, daytime highs went from 60 to the teen's.

On top of the temperature drop, Fall took a decided plunge into Winter with the first snowfall of the season.

Thankfully, not much snow.  Just enough to cover everything in a blanket of white.

Accompanying the snow, something else making the garden a little less friendly!

That seals the season, it's officially over.  

I didn't even have time to stress about it tho since I was too busy preparing for Thanksgiving.  

Above:  the only photo of took of our table/the holiday.  Although the next morning, I snapped one of the turkey centerpiece (with better lighting):

Now on to Christmas...  

Is it just me, or are the months passing especially swift this year???




 

 

Angelica gigas

Every time I try a new plant in the garden, that I end up loving, I wonder what took me so long...

Angelica gigas is one such plant.

I love the architectural structure it adds to the back garden.

Beautiful, bold foliage.

Gorgeous, multi-branching, sphere-shaped blooms.

Interesting buds.

Bee magnet.

So many reasons to love this plant.  

It's sold as a biennial which is how it grew in my garden.  Planted last year, blooming this summer. Needless to say, I am letting it seed itself around....

Meanwhile, I'm struggling a bit with the placement of my vintage iron urn.

I had wanted it as a focal point in the same bed as the tuteur, so that it was framed when looking thru the arbor down the garden pathway.  However, surrounded by tall growing milkweed and vines on the tuteur behind it, the contents of the urn (and the urn itself) are somewhat lost and blend too much (for my liking) with their surroundings.

See what I mean??

Some thought will have to go into moving it (or possibly the tuteur?) this winter.  If not moving it, then perhaps the plants around it??  Right now it all looks a "weedy" mess....(but maybe that could be because I haven't spent a lot of time out there this summer)

The contents of the urn are as follows:

(4) 'Queen Red Lime' Zinnias, (1) 'Electric Star' Cordyline, (1) Talinum 'Limon', (1) Crazytunia Mandeville, (1) Phygelius 'Passionate Pink' and (1) Helichrysum petiolare 'Lemon Licorice.'

Photos above & below taken earlier in the season.

Being lucky enough to own an old urn as incredible as this one, I really want it to be showcased.  

I am open to any & all suggestions if you care to share them....

 

 

a warm September evening

= the perfect time to sit outside,

bring out a refreshment tray,

with our current favorite summer dinner ~ tomato, corn tart.  Recipe here, fabulous, fabulous cooking website!!!

serve up a Limoncello Creme

sit back, relax and simply "be" while the action of the garden whirls all around.

Because, as many of you know, where there's a garden, there's definitely action!

The vintage wheelbarrow literally hums with activity.

Sources:  hummingbirds,

 

wasps (eek!)

spiders

Bees,

bees

more bees

and even bunnies...

Sitting amidst the cadence of nature, lulls the soul to peace.  

The perfect way to end a stressful day.

I even finally caught a Moonflower opening!

Beautiful!  

I wish my allergies weren't fully kicked in so that I could actually smell it.  

I'm hoping for many more evenings like this before the season is over.  It's the reason I created the garden, for the "magical" way it brings life to our doorstep....

 

 

2015 Vintage Wheelbarrow

I never thought I would beat the zinnia/lantana plant combo for my vintage wheelbarrow but I may have just done it this year!

Last Spring, long before planting ever began, I decided upon a color palette of purples, pinks, blues & chartreuse green.

After that, the fun began.  Assembling colors, habits, shapes, etc.... 

Following is a complete list of all plantings in the container: (1) 'Electric Star' Cordyline, (2) Nicotiana langsdorfii, (2) Persian Shield, (1) gal container 'Black & Blue' Salvia, (1) gal container unknown purple Salvia, (1) Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' & (3) Petunias 'Cascadias Rim Magenta.'

Now that it's typed out, what a LOT of plants!  No wonder it's overflowing to the max. (but in the best possible kind of way!)

Above:  A better view of Nicotiana langsdorfii

I love those dainty green bells but unfortunately they get "lost" in many of the views.

Above:  Nicotiana langsdorfii just beginning to bloom with Clematis 'Betty Corning' in the background.  This photo was taken earlier in the season.

The wonderful thing about this combination, besides its abundance, is how attractive it is to bees & hummingbirds.   It is always loaded with winged visitors.  :) 

 

 

Since we're already on the front patio, we might as well take a peek at few other containers there.

Aeonium 'Kiwi' Container

Begonia "lantern" hanging under the Bur Oak.

One afternoon, I looked outside and was very sorry I hadn't filled the birdbath (like I usually do every single morning)

Of all the days, a baby Blue Jay was trying hard to take a bath in just a tiny bit of water.  

You know I trotted right out after they were finished & filled it up.  I have not forgotten that job again either!

Lately, I've also been seeing Monarch butterflies more abundantly than I have the past few years.  Even more exciting, I've noticed them fluttering about the milkweed foliage (blooms long spent.)  I sure hope to find some caterpillars soon!

Earlier in the summer, Western Tiger Swallowtails enjoyed the blooms from that same plant.

I can't believe there's only five days left in August ~ where did the month go?  I'm feeling almost a little desperate about clinging onto what's left of summer.  As always, I wish for a gentle, graceful transition to fall as we close out this month & get ever closer to that new season...

 

 

 

Dahlia 'Cafe au Lait'

as July slips away.

How did that happen??

With the toes of August peeping under the door, thoughts of summers end start creeping in.

Wishing for a way to put time on "pause" and fling those thoughts far out into the universe.  

THESE are the days I want to "rest" in for awhile as long as possible.

Learning to live in the moment:  a constant work in progress.

Validating the direction of my thoughts tho ~ Mature Bullock's Orioles departed from the garden this week and started their long journey south.

This years young remain but even they will soon follow the path of their parents.  

Their three month residency, once again, over in the blink of an eye.

Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans'

Tiny sweet blooms.

Majorly big impact.

Dahlia 'Big Brother'

Notice a theme??  

Salmony/yellow bloomers were on the brain when orders were placed this spring.  :)

 

Favorite Zinnia:  'Queen Red Lime'

Lilium 'Black Beauty'

Happy moment finding them blooming again.  

Last year, a late, late frost killed the new growth.  There was never any additional sign of life so obviously, no blooms.  I thought they were gone.  

Here's proof that one bad year does not mean the end....

Lemon Cypress & 'Cherry Star' Calibrachoa.  Another favorite combo.

Little Myrtle topiary

Lovely new annual:  Crazytunia 'Mandeville'

Water hyacinth ~ first year to bloom in my pond.  Not sure why but not asking questions!

The garden has changed since I last posted.

One of the Pinyon Pines (planted by the previous owner) along the driveway had to be cut down.  I knew the loss was inevitable ~ they are desert plants, not at all suited to the constant irrigation they receive from the neighbors sprinklers ~ consequently they've struggled the past several years.  At some point the other will have to go as well.  Their demise opens an opportunity for new landscaping.  Considerable thought will go into a plan during the upcoming months.

In the kitchen, I've been overcome by a cooking spree.  Fell in love with the above chicken/blueberry salad.  Recipe found here.  

Not necessarily the healthiest (i.e. dressing), but I'm making adaptations.  The flavors however, are fabulous.

I think the taste was enhanced because the salad was accompanied by my new April Cornell table napkins!!!  What do you think??!

Here's hoping August crawls by at a snails pace & that we remember to seize & savor every moment before the season truly is over...

 

 

Plectranthus 'Troy's Gold' basket

my favorite container this year, although I cannot seem to photograph it properly to do it justice.

'Troy's Gold' Plectranthus is the star ~ it's absolutely smashing anyway but in shade, you could not ask for anything "brighter.'

I have about a hundred photos of it, I like it so much I can't keep myself from pointing the camera in its direction.

It was luck that brought it into my garden this year.  The greenhouses do not always carry it (for some unknown CRAZY reason??) but shopping with a friend, we came upon a huge mass of it sprawling around a water feature at a greenhouse that was going out of business.  Because they were closing, they dug us each up a generous piece.

I am hoping to take cuttings come fall so I won't be without it next summer.  The texture, the color, the burgundy stems, etc., etc. all make it a knockout container plant.  You would think such a plant would be a nursery "staple," wouldn't you??!!

 

It's combined in the basket with (1) 'Cherry' Double Impatien, (1) 'Lucky Strike' Begonia and Coleus 'Marrakesh.'  

'Marrakesh' had been planted in it's own pot until 'Troy's Gold' came along:

I bet you can see why I thought they'd be good together?  

However, despite it's striking coloring, it's been an underwhelming companion ~ everything else is out-competing it.  

Notice how it's almost "buried" under the growth of the other contents.  

I think I will remove it & let it go back to shining alone.

The same friend I was shopping with when we found 'Troy's Gold,' brought me  'Lucky Strike' Begonia.

Thank you Dana ~ I LOVE everything about it but especially the color!!!

I've been calling it my "garden candy."

Each bloom a little piece of yumminess.

Okay, maybe that's enough??!!!  I get carried away with myself sometimes...

In case you thought I'd abandoned my blog, I've been immersed in a whole house "purge."   I had to go with it so that I didn't lose motivation.  I hope you understand how that goes???  Hopefully it won't be so long before my next post now that I'm making a dent in the clutter.

 

 

 

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!

 

Fuchsia 'Hidcote Beauty'

and other scenes from the June garden.

Above:  Fuchsia 'Hidcote Beauty'

I thought I was beginning to move forward but recently, a slide backwards.

It's been hard to maintain any type of concentration which means a struggle when it comes to composing a smoothly flowing blog post.  Believe me, I've started (and trashed) more than a few...

So, as promised, instead of abandoning you, photos with sparing words.

Above & Below:  Back garden sporting more green than any other color.

Bloom cycles are slightly off, compliments of our strange, wet Spring.

Above:  'Kiwi' Aeonium

Colorado will definitely not be making it's quota "300+ days of sunshine" this year!

That bright ball of happiness will have to be found in other forms.

Certainly Pelargonium 'Apple Blossom Rosebud' will help make up the deficit.

Talk about instant lust!  When I saw it featured on Grace's blog last year, I immediately ordered two plants from an online site only to have them arrive as 2" sticks.  

Refusing to be deterred, I babied them all winter and now, at last, sweet success. 

Around back, the Arabella Table is crammed with goodness.

From top to bottom...

Including a surprise appearance by Double Amaryllis 'First Love.'

At least I *think* it's 'First Love?'

In typical fashion, the tags have *somehow* separated from the bulbs.

How does that always happen???

Vintage silverplate salt & pepper birds.

Begonia 'Rose Petticoat' container.

Begonias (of all sorts and in larger-than-normal-quantities) have found their way into my garden this year.  

 

I really need to work on saying "no."  It's two little letters.  

N.O.  

Why oh why do they disappear from my alphabet when faced with blooms like this??!!!

 

No self control!!!

Anyone else amazed that the 4th of July is next week?  

It's hardly felt like summer here.  I hope the next two months improve ~ the season seems short enough without losing part of it....

 

 

 

 

 

Antique 'Horse Ear' Urn

A new antique urn is gracing the garden.

I was "watching" it earlier this Spring on Ebay then forgot about it after losing my brother.

Last week, I finally went back to my "watch list" & couldn't believe it was still there.

I think because of the price?  I thought it was too expensive at first too but then, after what happened, I decided who cares??  

Life is short ~ if it makes you happy, do it.  I thought I might have "buyer's remorse"  after I purchased it but I didn't/don't.  It's just WAY too spectacular for regrets.

I know nothing of it's history other than it's numbered, very heavy (Iron???) and exquisitely detailed.  I think the "ears" are horses (or possibly dogs???)  

I did some quick research and found two companies (Mott & Fiske) that manufactured cast iron items around the turn of the century.  I will have to examine it closely when I remove the plantings this fall to see if I can find any other marks (besides the number.)  I didn't see anything when it arrived but I was so excited to plant it, I didn't take time to examine it thoroughly.

I hope you won't get tired of seeing it, because just as with my other antique urn, I'm thinking this one will be featured often!!  

I planted it with Begonia 'Cherry Bon Bon' and a Yellow fan-tailed Scaevola.

Once it fills in a bit, I will share a new photo of the whole container.

Meanwhile my house is filled with peonies because it's raining so much they are doing nothing but flopping over.  I had just cut some more & set them on the Trader Joe's Nectarine crate when I realized what a pretty combo that made.

Roses are starting to come on now too.  A little later than usual.  The pink (unknown name ~ already here when I moved in) are blooming.

Above:  Framing the zinc thermometer.

Over the years, many people have asked me the name, I wish I knew so I could share it.  

Whatever variety they are, they're dependably hardy even in our volatile climate which makes them a valuable anchor plant in the garden. 

The rain I mentioned earlier has forced me indoors much more than usual for June.  Today we received 1.8" in 55 minutes!!!!  A lot for us!  

As a way for me to be "in the garden" when I actually can't, I put together this quick card with one of my old rose photos.  

So simple, just a beautiful patterned paper, leaf ribbon (Martha Stewart) and bow.  

Hope you and your gardens are doing well.  I want to get back on a more regular posting schedule.  Earlier this year I was publishing a new post every Sunday.  I don't know if I'll try to get back to that day or not but once I figure out what works for the summer, I will let you know so I don't leave you hanging.  As always, thanks for all your support.

 

'Frizzle Sizzle' Pansy Basket

If you've been looking for my usual Sunday post, my apologies ~ 

because of Easter, I'm running a day late.

Yesterday slipped away from me & by the time I caught my breath, I was too tired to blog ~ imagine that!

Above:  Easter tree

We were blessed with a beautiful Easter day & I hosted a small brunch (which could have been served outdoors) that lasted from 12 - 5:30!  I think that means it was successful??!

With all the entertaining I've been doing lately, I knew I had to keep this holiday simple.  So I served a cheesy Potato casserole that I have to say was pretty tasty, plus mimosa's, a homemade apple pastry & fresh fruit.  I found the casserole recipe on Pinterest (of course!) along with my table favors:

I love, love, love the colored Ball canning jars ~ green is my favorite although the blue is pretty awesome too!!  I thought it was such a darling idea & easy too ~ just my style!  A little pink Easter grass in the bottom with a 3.5 oz Lindt bunny nestled into that.  On Pinterest, the bunny was unwrapped but I thought my guests might appreciate it if I didn't handle their chocolate!!

Above:  A second version with a hazelnut chocolate carrot & 1.5 oz bunny.

Before the holiday, I managed to fit in a quick trip to the greenhouse, hoping to find some 'Frizzle Sizzle' pansies and guess what?  Luck was on my side!

These are my absolute favorite pansies and exactly the pop of Spring color I was looking for...

I know I've raved on and on about them in previous posts so I promise not to go into all their virtues now.

Not that it would be necessary anyway, they pretty much speak for themselves.  :)

'Frizzle Sizzle' pansies come in a variety of colors but the yellow/blue mix is hands-down the one I always gravitate toward.

In the garden, I've done a bit more clean up but mostly I've been moving things around, trying to give it & my containers a fresh "look" this season.  Keeping in mind the new motto "easy but different," of course!

I found a little Arabella table to put where I usually use an antique ladder.  I think it's perfect for this spot and I know I will enjoy arranging many seasonal vignettes on its top.

I also figured out the heavy antique iron planter, that usually holds my orchids, is exactly the right fit for three black urns (found on clearance a few years ago from Home Depot.)

I normally use the urns randomly around the garden but I am liking this arrangement ~ what do you think??  The only decision now, what to use as fillers....

In the garden, Primula 'veris' (cowslip) is blooming:

Hyacinth 'Firelights' (in bud the last post) has opened:

Along with more and more daffodil varieties ~ below is 'Dreamlight:'

A truly stunning variety.

As is 'Lemon Glow' ~ in a more subtle way.

Above:  unknown variety.  

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and just think (happy thought of the day) even if we get a little cold or snow now (shudder), the garden will continue coming to life.  There's no turning back now ~ the season is "ON!"