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The Nut doesn't fall far from the Tree

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:48 pm

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This classic self portrait was on my camera as a surprise.


This is my daughter SB and her cat Zeus. (I call him Seuss because he's such a sweetie)
SB is 20 and is a very smart, fun loving, outspoken young lady.
Zeus has been on every horizontal surface in my house, some I believe he must have levitated to in order to accomplish the task.
My kids are just as strange as their Mother...and now I have proof.

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I'm being Stalked

Category: The animals that allow us to live with them | Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:26 pm

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You might remember this guy from the other day?



The 6ft wide growling Spider?

He has sent in the reinforcements to take over the Hydrangeas.





They are seem to be of the same ilk, so I suppose they are relatives. This one was trying to fake me into thinking he was the center of a hydrangea fleurette.


This one was grooving on the Hydrangea that seems to have a tye-died-Hippie-kinda-vibe going on this year.


This one is enjoying the Lady in Red Hydrangea.


While the Spiders seem to keep the Hydrangea areas under surveillance. They've sent other troops
to the rest of the gardens.



Can you see the little Lady in the center?


Enjoying the Lavender.

I suppose if they are gonna keep check on the garden for me, it's OK. I can use all the help I can get.



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The Wildlife in My Garden

Category: The animals that allow us to live with them | Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:01 am

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I look at my garden flowers so much I sometimes don't notice other things. Sometimes I do notice other things, but not quick enough to catch them with the camera.

Today was just a little different. I noticed some 'wild' things, and I caught them with the camera.



These guys actually hang out and watch me garden often. The wild thing I found while looking at them was the 'zoom' feature on my camera. They were patient and posed. Then they continued on with their conversation about the weird lady in the garden with her camera.





This guy has been hanging out in the Hydrangeas for 2 days now. It is 6ft wide and growls.
(...maybe that is my spider-phobia talking?)





This 'wild' little beauty landed in the pots on the porch as I walked out the door. It doesn't show, but she is a metallic green. I've been following her (or one of her relatives) with the camera for about a week now, and never got a clear picture 'til today.





These 'wild' gardening clogs were found in my closet. They forced themselves onto my feet and made me accidently take a picture of them by the Nicotiana.

All in all, a wild day in the garden.



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I forgot about this little bit of Magic

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:23 am

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Can you see her?
Way down in there?
The bit of pink?


This is Gillyweed

I got this plant 3 years ago, in honor of Harry Potter. Its a big part of the book 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. This Gillyweed variety will not help me grow gills and fins and swim underwater for great amounts of time...but I like it nonetheless.

I forgot all about the Gillyweed. The Stella D'Oro Daylilies didn't get divided, and neither did the 'Moonbeam' Coreopsis. They both magically grew to proportions big enough to cover my poor little Gillyweed.

I found the little gal today while weeding, taking some pictures, and running from H while he was watering his Mom...I mean watering for his Mom.

She had no care. No trimming. Practically no light. But there she was...just like magic.

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Day Lily, The story begins

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:07 pm

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Believe it or not there ARE flowers in my garden that aren't Hydrangeas. There are quite a few Day Lily varieties starting to come on.

At my previous home I had more Lilies than I have now, but they were left behind in a wintertime move. I guess it just means I get to collect all over again (sigh, the chore of having to pick out flowers...well, if someone has to do it...).

I've been adding a few to the garden every year. There are always such new and interesting varieties and colors every year its hard to choose. I tend toward the reds when it comes to Day Lilies, but lots of colors end up in the garden.

It starts for me with the Stella D'Oro (gold), but I've already shared those with you. Here is what opened today


Orangutan is actually oranger than this photo shows.


Black Eyed Stella


Purple D'Oro
Lots of buds coming on this baby...


Siloam Cooper's Chantilly



Another Purple D'Oro

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The First Step is Admitting You have a Problem

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:28 am

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Hi.
My name is Chitweed,
and I'm a Hydrangea-holic.



I know because when I start with Hydrangeas, I can't stop at just one.



I keep going...



and going...





and going.



I have a problem. Yesiree. When I came in from taking Hydrangea pictures today, and I had 35, and most of them were from separate bushes. It hit me. "Chitweed, you need help."



Is there a 12 step program for Hydrangea-holics? Is it cold turkey for stopping?



Is there a patch?



Will I go through a withdrawal period?



I hope it doesn't take too long to get through it all...



...Because after I'm cured of the Hydrangea-holism, I need to work on my Day Lily-itis. I might be suffering from Hosta-fever, I get a little warm when I'm around them. I know I have Chronic Garden Fatigue.

Well, at least I've made the first step in admitting there is a problem. I'll get the phone book out tomorrow, to look for help groups after I plant the new Limelight Hydrangea I bought today.

Oops.

Last edited: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:38 am

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Bloomin' Awesome

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:39 am

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The Endless Summer Hydrangeas are probably at their peak.



I love bringing flowers into the house.

I cut everything. Trees. Flowers. Shrubs. Ground Covers.



Of course I especially love the hydrangeas. This vase was my Grandmother's.



This is the best of the pictures.



I put this one in so you could see Jane in the window.
I have been shooing her away from the vase all day. She thinks they might be delicious.
So far she hasn't gotten a taste.
(so far...)



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Plant-Slaughter Up-Date

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:15 am

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The plant I was very 'if-y' about was this Astilbe.

It seems to be doing better after a deep watering, and being planted in the shade.



Its called 'White Gloria'

My fingers are still crossed.
(so are my toes)
(my knees)
(my eyes)

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It's Easy being Green

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:06 am

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I LOVE Hosta.
So hardy and so low maintainance. They are a great 'Neighbor Plant': they multiply, and are easy to divide for giving away.
They look great spring to fall. They even get a nice papery flower that is great for cutting.

If I ever invent my own Hosta I want to name it "Kermit", because Hosta's make it 'Easy being Green'. (hopefully its not taken, maybe I should copyright it?) :)




This is 'Guacamole'
It's my favorite. The green is wonderful. Bright green center, with darker green edges. When the moon is out, I can see this hosta in the garden at night.



Blue Umbrellas
This is my largest variety (for now). It looks like dinosaur food. The leaves are huge. The plants are about 3 ft tall, and 4ft wide.




This is 'Paul's Glory'
It has a green center with a blue green edge. This is a hosta I can let have a bit more sun, and it gets more colorful.




This hosta is 'Frances Williams'.
It's another hosta on the larger side. She is about 2.5 ft tall, and maybe 3 ft wide. A nice green/blue color center, and golden edges. This hosta has filled out quite nicely in no time at all.



Its funny how my taste for Hostas has changed over the years. When I was younger Hostas all seemed green with the white edge. I thought they were beautiful. Then there were the Blue Hostas. Love em. Then the Mini's started coming in...great to mix for height contrast and for the borders of a garden. Got them. Then the wavy or curly varieties, then the lime greens, then the quilted looking leaves, etc. For gosh sakes will it ever end? I hope not!

Now I just want...them all. With that being said...you can imagine I have quite a few. My garden has lots of shady spots, perfect for hosta. I have room in my garden for many more, too. (more beds can always be dug, right?) I will have to take a few more pictures to show them all. This might take some time.





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Your Honor...it was Plant-slaughter

Category: Work in the garden | Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:05 pm

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I go away for 2 days.
TWO measly days.
Really only 2 days and a night.
Actually only a day and a half, with a night in the middle.
A pittance in time.

It was enough.
If you have a weak stomach...turn away.
It's grisly, horrific, ghastly.
The plant-manity of it all...is almost more than I can take.





ME: "Please make sure to water while I'm gone".

HUBBY: "No Problem".

ME: "It's gonna be really hot..please don't forget".

HUBBY: "I know, I know. You're only gonna be gone 2 days. Everything will be fine".




ME: "Watch the flats especially. If you only watch one thing...".

HUBBY: "No problem".



No Problem? I have a big problem. Fine? This is not fine.

It was only 2 days, or whatever, but OMGosh! This stuff fried. I hope/think the zinnias will come back. They are pretty tough. I'm not sure about the used-to-be-beautiful Astilbe. I'm gonna plant it and cross my fingers. Surprisingly the coleus did just fine...

My poor babies. :(
So it's plant-slaughter if it's un-intentional, plant-ocide if its intentional?

I am glad to say only the plants suffered. The kids and animals did live thru the time I was gone with no problems. (You were gone?) (I didn't know you were going away...) (You're where?) (Meow?)

I'm gonna go water again. The first time mostly ran right thru. (sigh)

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