More Of What's Happening In My Garden Proof that there is hope for the Sweetgum tree I learned that I can't judge a winter's toll until June, and even then it remains to be seen what a tough summer may inflict on the garden in general and shrubs and trees in particular. Here is what I have observed about my Central Ohio garden so far. > I thought two of the Sweet Gum … [Read more...] about June Garden Report
June
Where Should I Plant This Rose?
I know many of you have done this, too, so I don't feel quite so guilty. So many times I know better, but I can't resist nature, not of plants or my own at times. We are past the season of planting roses... the heat of summer is coming, but a beautiful rose plant was on sale. Forget the fact that you have no real place prepared for it, or even a vague idea of where to put it, it was a beautiful … [Read more...] about Where Should I Plant This Rose?
June Flowers
A sampling of some flowers that bloom in June, here in my Central Ohio garden. I had plenty of deep blue larkspur and mammoth-sized dill that came up in the vegetable garden. The heat caused most things to go by all too quickly, and we have now entered a seasonal lull in which the container plantings fill in with their annuals. The heavy storm last night blew over the top heavy Annabelle … [Read more...] about June Flowers
Winding up the Month of June
The GGW contest for rose photos has announced the winners, and they are truly beautiful shots of a flower that is so beloved that there are millions of photographs taken of it, in all its glory and variation. Sample a few. No, I didn't win anything... but I gained more than enough from the inspiration provided. Thanks to Debra Lee Baldwin for all her hard work. As June ends so does the rose … [Read more...] about Winding up the Month of June
Roses in June
Thank you, whoever ordered A Year of Roses! It reminded me to take time soon to visit Whetstone Park of Roses, soon. Last year I went at a time when the heirloom roses were over and I would really like some pictures of them. I grow a few here, but I have them scattered about and would rather create more of a feature of them. Each year I try to grow them from cuttings like my mother did so … [Read more...] about Roses in June
Memories of June
A few pictures before I go on a short July Fourth hiatus. My overgrown pond area. I let feverfew bloom unhindered and the iris made it through the winter and bloomed beautifully- it surprised me. The waterlilies need division, you can't really see the water. These pictures show my present attraction to purple cream and gold combinations. The purple leaf tree is Prairie fire … [Read more...] about Memories of June
Garden Photos
Here are some pictures from the garden lately. A clematis which is supposed to be on a lattice, but I didn't get to painting it yet... it clambers among the mugho pine.Dortmund rose is finally settling in and blooms with deep cherry single flowers.Peony, Dames Rocket, and Hansa rose blooming together in neglected experimental bed.Thérèse Bugnet blooms her heart out in late May and early June. … [Read more...] about Garden Photos
Perfect Day in an Unpredictiable Season
Today has been what I consider a perfect day: blue skies, puffy clouds, gentle breezes, happy plants. Warm, quiet, with the scent of roses and mock orange wafting through the air... with no discernible demands. I did a little weeding this morning and that was it.Unlike yesterday, where I worked myself into painful oblivion all day in sweltering heat. Dragged myself, like Igor, along with unending … [Read more...] about Perfect Day in an Unpredictiable Season
Garden Update -June 08
Beginning of June- all roses in bloom. Too much RL life garden work to record it all, but worth it. I got a pat on the back from my husband for the huge advance in garden renovation. I couldn't have done it without him and the kids. Still a long way to go, but several garden spaces look like gardens again.Failure with half of the broccoli. I don't know what went wrong- plants looked good … [Read more...] about Garden Update -June 08
Siberian Iris, Hardy Elegance
Siberian irises are one of my favorite garden plants, and they hold a sentimental value as well. Growing up, we had an impressive stand of a deep purple variety that I believe was "Caesar's Brother" that old centurion of perennial gardens. Beware "Hand-Me-Down" Names For me, they were something out of the Japanese prints my father was partial to, and my mother mistakenly called them … [Read more...] about Siberian Iris, Hardy Elegance
Garden Renovations
My body screams at me, "You're killing me!", I retort, "Oh shut up- look how much more needs to be done. I promise I'll soak you in a hot tub when todays work is all over". I drag it to the waiting shovels and trowel - seeming instruments of torture, but actually the tools of reclamation and revival.That could be the scenario of this past week. Weeded, dug, hilled up - the replacement of the … [Read more...] about Garden Renovations
The Bless-ed Rain
It cooled things off and turned everything green, now it seems early summer "normal".You will be glad to hear I found my hanging basket liners :) I found them at the Anderson's store. I was so grateful I bought twice the amount intended. I have both the sphagnum liners and the coir. Happy, happy day. ( it doesn't take much to cheer me, does it?)The ground is saturated enough to be good for … [Read more...] about The Bless-ed Rain