Pianolady's Gardens at GardenStew.com

My Latest Garden Angel

Pianolady — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:01:56 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:01 pm (GMT 0)

I haven't purchased any garden decor in a very long time, but I just couldn't pass her up (at 66% off).

Red, White & Blue

Pianolady — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:30:34 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:30 am (GMT 0)

My July 4th Gardening Tribute...

Scentimental

Mr. Lincoln

Sweet Autumn (from last fall)

Salvia

Deck View - shady area

Pianolady — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:17:29 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:17 am (GMT 0)

In the never-ending attempt to get a decent photo of the dappled shade garden, a deck view is about all I can get. Ferns, Daylilies (which desperately need division, a few roses, peonies (which are done now), coneflowers that seem to do ok anywhere, and bee balm fill the area (along with endless trees that give me my exercise in pulling). The edges near the pond get more sun, and the fern areas get less.

( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

Deep Blue

Pianolady — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:52:04 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:52 pm (GMT 0)

These blue tinged Delphiniums are my favorite. I don't recall the variety, but they are definitely the deepest blue flower I have in my gardens. From a distance they actually look blue, you don't see the purple until you get up close.

Lilies & Rudbeckia

Pianolady — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:04:36 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:04 am (GMT 0)

Cherries, and more cherries, and more cherries.....

Pianolady — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:29:06 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:29 pm (GMT 0)

So where did I disappear off to now? Picking cherries. This is the week we do nothing but pick cherries. We have a beautiful crop this year due to no late frost and consistent rain.

Then we pit cherries. As labor intensive the whole process is, it is still worth it. The Norpro Deluxe Cherry Stoner does a pretty good job, it can be found on places like Amazon or eBay. So far, I have 16 pounds of pitted cherries, with a long way to go...

The Big Picture 2009 - Part 1

Pianolady — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:51:33 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:51 am (GMT 0)

It's always a lot of fun to take close-up and macro shots, but sometimes I like to see the "big picture" of how a garden grows. Here's Part I of the big picture of my gardens. These are the shadiest areas, much gets no more than dappled sun throughout the day. I've managed to get peonies to bloom at the outer edges of the garden, where there is enough sun. Other plants that are successful are hostas, shasta daisies, roses at the sunnier edges, penstemon, grasses, iris, daylilies, clematis, trillium, mock orange, ferns, astilbe, bellflower, ajuga, and my favorite groundcover--sweet woodruff.

The Making of a YouTube Video

Pianolady — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:43:52 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:43 pm (GMT 0)

Since I watch so many videos of others' gardens, I just had to give it a try myself. Windows Movie Maker makes it easy, just make sure to save it to your computer when you are done so it's a .wmv file compatible with YouTube. The music is part of a Haydn sonata, played by me of course! Adding mp3 audio is easy to do, just make sure you have copyright or permission to use the music.

Be sure to click on HQ after pressing play to view in high quality.

Link to YouTube Video

Weigela in Bloom

Pianolady — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:40:51 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:40 am (GMT 0)

This weigela came with the house in 1972. It has gone through it's rough years where it looked half dead, but with some yearly early spring pruning, it bounced right back, looking better each year.

Everyone Needs a Good Place to Hide

Pianolady — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:44:57 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 8:44 pm (GMT 0)

My wonderful husband graciously came up with the idea to build an arbor in my back garden years back. Seven years later, my wisteria still has not bloomed....but I don't really care. It still provides a wonderful wall of privacy giving me a great place to sit. One of these years I hope to be surprised with massive purple blooms, but in the meantime, I'll enjoy hiding out in my secret room.

So Many Cherries, So Little Time

Pianolady — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:51:45 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:51 am (GMT 0)

It's going to be a bumper crop of cherries this year from our two cherry trees, thanks to no late frosts, and plenty of rain. Only problem....last year was also a bumper crop and I've got at least 20 pounds of cherries left over! Hopefully the family won't tire of cherries, as we'll be eating a lot of them. Cherry cobbler, cherry brownies, cherry jam, cherry pork chops, cherry pineapple juice, cherry chocolate malts, and of course my favorite....cherry pie!

Cherry Cobbler ( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

Cherry Cobbler from allrecipes.com
I liked this recipe, is very easy. Use less butter, more cherries on this one.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fresh-Cherry-Cobbler/Detail.aspx

A bit off topic....but it's raining outside.

Pianolady — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:19:58 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:19 am (GMT 0)

It was raining outside, so I was in need of an indoor project for the day. My parents' 50th wedding anniversary is coming up, so I decided to re-do my mom's veil with new tule as it had yellowed badly over the years. $2 and one hour later, it's like new! She will be pleased. Now, if I could just get those wrinkles out of her dress. That is a challenge with frail fabric.

( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

My New DIY Fountain

Pianolady — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:33:54 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 10:33 pm (GMT 0)

( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

After shopping for a fountain and only finding one I liked for $499, I decided to take a trip to Harbor Freight and spend $12 to purchase a pump to DIY a fountain with items I already had at home.

The general idea is ....
1. Dig a hole, put a black liner in it (I use a barrel liner or stock feed container).
2. Level the liner! A leaning pot=water running down only one side of the pot and frustration when you have to tear everything back apart to fix it.
3. Drill 1/2" hole in bottom of a pot (or a hole the size of the tubing needed for your pump).
4. Set pot on heavy duty cast iron pot stand (to accommodate the tubing entering from underneath pot)
5. Run the tubing up through the hole, attach tubing to your pump & plug it in. It has to fit snugly into the hole, or you will need to seal it with silicone (you may want to anyway).
6. Use rocks to cover up the edge of your black liner, or let it show and plant right up to the liner, once the plants fill in the liner will not show.

I'd recommend rigging up a tray to the top of your pot if it is large, water weighs a lot. You could also add a small fountain at the top, but I like subtle things, so I do not. Now you've got an effective water feature for ~$60.....even less if you find things you already have to use.

I've created variants of DIY fountains enough times that I can put one of these together in a few hours. If you have never tried it, plan on making a day of it. Oh...and plug it into a GFCI outlet please.

My Favorite Rose

Pianolady — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:38:11 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 4:38 am (GMT 0)

I believe it to be a 'Therese Bugnet' Rugosa. If you live in a northern climate, it's a must have! Probably the most prolific and least disease-prone rose I have. It's just beautiful year after year, and survives the harshest winters. It gets 6' tall with a 5' spread.

Bring Back the Pond and Garden Tours

Pianolady — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:47 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 4:37 am (GMT 0)

Five years ago, pond and garden tours seemed to be all the rage. Not a week would pass where I couldn't find a tour of some kind to fill my weekends with entertainment and inspiration. Perhaps people have become too busy, are too nervous people won't attend due to the economy, or just don't have the volunteers to host the event. Whatever the reason, bring them back! I'm ready for some first-hand inspiration, seeing photos on the internet just isn't the same.

In the meantime, I'll have to travel if I want to attend an event. Keep an eye out for a tour in your area, and go see some gardens in person. I did find one organization hosting an event this summer that I've attended in the past, check it out if you live near Kansas City.

Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City

KC Pond Tour 2003 ( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

Cardinals Everywhere!

Pianolady — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:56:21 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 5:56 pm (GMT 0)

I don't recall seeing many cardinals here until recently (the last few years). Now, it seems we have an abundance!

Time to get busy again!

Pianolady — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:19:46 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 2:19 am (GMT 0)

After a long winter, I'm finally getting back into the gardens! I'm actually way behind, but am slowly catching up with the necessary upkeep.

Here's a few photos from the past week....

Reiman Gardens, Part 2

Pianolady — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:54:12 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:54 pm (GMT 0)

Here's the pond area at the botanical gardens. My panoramic came out fair, although a bit blurry.

Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa Part 1

Pianolady — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:45:45 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:45 am (GMT 0)

Reiman Gardens is located on the Iowa State University campus. The gardens cover 14 acres just south of Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

A few photos from our visit Sept. 6th.

Early Autumn Photographs

Pianolady — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:46:49 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:46 am (GMT 0)

It seems like autumn appeared overnight, as we had been in the 90's until yesterday. Then, we barely got out of the 60's today! Overcast skies encouraged a day of photo taking, and I managed to snap a few shots after work before it got too dark.

This cardinal was way up high, but I was determined to get him captured.

The hostas underneath the walnut tree are putting on quite the show right now. I'm not usually a hosta flower fan, but the mass bloom is very nice.