Kaseys Korner

Cobaea scandens

Oh how you break my heart.

All summer your vines grew and grew.  

Covering the black tuteur & providing great cover for the pupating Monarch caterpillars.

As fast as you were to produce foliage, the opposite was true when it came to producing buds.  

Until September rolled around.

But even after your buds appeared, they were excruciatingly slow to develop.  

Did I "site" you wrong??  Not enough sun??  Too much??

Finally, in late Oct, a bloom emerged from a solitary bud (and maybe only then because I "helped" open the bud??)

However, once the calendar tipped into November, things progressed quickly:

Each day, a little more color.

Until today, the day before our first frost.

Sweet sorrow.  

You see why you break my heart??  

All that gorgeous loveliness, waiting ever so long to show itself....

Crushing to last only one day.

I was reading online that someone overwintered their vine in the garage.  

I think I may need to try that, if the frost doesn't get it first!  I want another chance for a better display....

Meanwhile, in the rest of the back garden, things are looking tranquil and amazingly green (for November) prior to our predicted freeze.

Notice Nicotiana 'Sylvestris' boldly glorious in bloom.

Sorry for the photo overload.  I can't seem to help myself when it comes to late season bloomers.

Above three photos included solely because they contain my cute little Butterball ~ thanks for indulging me!  

He's been my garden companion almost from the day the garden became mine.  14 years later, he's aging, with a plethora of problems, so every time I capture him (especially in the garden) it's all the more precious.

Below:  random Fall photos

If it truly does frost, I promise I won't "whine" like I usually do about the garden season being over.  I'm more than ready for a break.  It's been a decent gardening year with a lot of overdue landscape maintenance accomplished.   There's more in the works.  So although I have not had an "about face" regarding snow and cold, I'm ready for a "rest" before carrying on.  

or could it be I'm mellowing with age....appreciating each season for what it offers???

 

 

 

September ebbs away

There is no denying the change in seasons now.

Sunny days are warm but as soon as the sun goes down, 

it cools off very quickly.

I'm still watching my Monarch chrysalis' for any signs of change but so far, no butterflies.

While waiting, I thought we should take a look-see around the garden.

The Arabella table revamped for Fall.

Then tweaked.

 

Japanese Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' beginning to bloom,

 

with 'Rhumba' Chrysanthemums in tow.

Love that the bees love these too.

 

A lone bloom on Clematis 'Jackmanii' ~ infinitely more exciting now than during the peak of its bloom period.

The change in seasons means it's also time to take stock of what will be saved from frost and what will be given up.

Above:  Caryopteris 'Blue Mist'

Below:  Supertunia 'Pretty Much Picasso'

I dread dragging everything into the garage or basement but next Spring (like every Spring), I'll be glad I did.

So full steam ahead with the fall chores, starting with digging the Amaryllis bulbs.....

Plus a little more "playing" with the pumpkins.

What are you up to in the garden???

 

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....

 

 

Dahlia 'Big Brother'

Several days ago, I finally got a chance to sit on my back patio, first thing in the morning, with my coffee, and take in the garden ~ starting the day the way I wish I could start every single one.

It shouldn't be that difficult but somehow it just is!

You probably noticed, I didn't just SIT while I was out there (I don't know why that's so impossible??)  

I did a little pruning & deadheading too.

Mostly on the 'Lady Emma Hamilton' rose standards.

I do everything I can to keep them looking fabulous.

Wouldn't you??

A few days prior, I had noticed buds on the "Surprise Lilies" (Lycoris squamigera.)

True to their name, they always just seem to pop up out of nowhere & suddenly be there & in bloom ~ just as they were this morning.

One thing I can't seem to catch in bloom, no matter how early I get up:

Moonflowers...

I think I need to try late evening instead.  I find them in bud:

but next thing I know, the bloom is wilting.  

It will be my new personal challenge to find a perfectly open flower....

Dahlia 'Big Brother' is spectacular any time of day.

But that brilliant color is the perfect "wake up" for even the most non-morning person.

(Unknown name) Fuchsia standard recently began blooming;  the flowers especially charming dangling in the first rays of sun.

Before going in, a quick peek by the front step:

Gladiolus 'Coral Seas'

How happy am I to have planted these??!!

Already I "need" another morning to begin this way....  I better make it happen soon because August is zipping right along and we all know what follows.

 

 

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...

 

 

Passiflora incarnata 'Maypop'

and a flood update. 

Heartfelt thanks to those of you who have sent your messages of concern for my family and me during this catastrophic Colorado flood event.  I am happy to report we were lucky not to suffer any damage.  A feat that seems even more incredible upon viewing the aerial photos and news reports...

Seventeen years of living in this state and I've never seen so much rain ~ a normal years total in less than a week.

I guess that's why they're calling it a "100 year flood event."

Nine days of rain might not be unusual in other parts of the country, but it sure is devastating and highly abnormal for here.

It will take a while for things to dry out and return to "normal."

I'm itching to get back in the garden and outside for a change.  This cooped up feeling belongs more to winter months than September!

Passiflora incarnata (most commonly known as 'Maypop' and supposedly hardy to zone 5) surprised me with some late season blooms.

Joy, of CanadianGardenJoy blog and I planted this vine several years ago and neither of us had much luck.  I know it's invasive in some areas of the country but I am skeptical (if it actually overwinters) that it will be that way in our harsher climate.  I will certainly keep an eye out but for now, I'm thrilled with the exotic blossoms!! They are making me happy when everything else is soggy...

 

Mandevilla 'Tango Twirl'

Monrovia does it again.

~ a Mandevilla worth "sighing" over.

I know it's a non-native...

I don't care. 

Allowances have to be made and 'Tango Twirl' is one to be allowed for!

Besides, it's PINK.  Soft luscious pink no less ~ the best kind!

and fully double.

Ooh la la.

That makes it twice as delectable, right?!!!!

forecast for frost

The garden faced its first frost of the fall last Saturday (October 6th). 

About average for us (as far as the date) but bittersweet as always....

Occurring just as many perennials were producing a few new buds (above Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid')

and Phlomis 'Russeliana'.

'Sweet Autumn' Clematis had almost finished blooming (above photo taken earlier) but forecasts with predicted lows of 23 (!!) mean work for the gardener had just begun.

Pots of tender tropicals made the journey indoors, pouting all the way.

Remaining vegetables were harvested with sighs at all the lost potential left on the vine.

It sounds morbid but final rounds were made throughout the garden to say goodbye for another year.  Does anyone else do that?

Particularly sad for blooms like anemones which had only just begun to open. 

Lavish bouquets were cut & gathered.

'Abraham Darby'

Only to wake & see the garden was spared.  Wonder of wonders.  A light frost, taking out only the tenderest of annuals. 

Thank you Mother Nature ~ however prolonged it may be...

 

 

what I know for sure

I love self seeders.

especially Morning Glory 'Pink Feathers.'

My favorite petunia is 'Pretty Much Picasso'

My favorite zinnia is 'Queen Red Lime:'

I can't get enough Stachys hummelo:

and I love, love, love my vintage iron birdcage. 

I love it so much, I want it to be perfect this summer ~ which has me torn between growing Thunbergia 'Arizona Dark Red:'

or Calibrachoa 'Cherry Star' inside it:

Can you help me decide???

I also love this shot of Echinacea purpurea buds (with Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' & Pink Fleabane in the background:

I'm happy beyond belief that I have a pond, even if it is a small pre-formed version.

Watching fish is more relaxing than I ever knew & learning about water plants has added another dimension to my gardening experience:

Most of all, I love photographing my garden.  It's second only to creating it.

There's one more thing tho ~ I love sharing it with you. 

It beats the heck out of keeping it all to myself!

 

 

garden scenes

Pretty pictures only.

I realized last night what's been stopping me from blogging (as much) ~ no time to write. 

Since taking photos is never a problem, I thought I shouldn't let that hold up the blog...

My coffee cup and a sprig of roses ~ a common sight during the summer ~

I set my cup down to do one little thing then come back many minutes later to cold coffee. 

Sound familiar??

Lately, roses accompany the cup since I've been cutting them to bring indoors.

or to stick on my nose while I'm reading a book!

Clematis texensis 'Duchess of Albany:'

in full (might I add ~ spectacular) bloom.  A favorite clematis shape & color...

Clematis texensis 'Gravetye Beauty' is also in bloom but not photographed (you've seen it so many times before anyway, right??  It's a red version of 'Duchess of Albany')

A small collection of containers on my back patio:

and one on my front patio:

the one above is a new favorite being made of stacked flagstone rectangles. 

Very cool (and heavy!)

ooooh, that was easy ~ short & sweet ~ maybe I could do this more often??