Turn the Page ...

The sun is setting notably earlier these days.  I'm enraptured by the way blooms look in the early evening.

I have a better appreciation for Rudibeckia this year
(They have fleshed out in sweeps of late-season color)

I don't remember Labor Day weekend feeling so much like 'the pivot point for a seasonal change', but for some reason this year, it did.  It could have to do with the fact that it was 96 degrees and humid Friday (09/02/11) and 67 degrees and breezy on Monday (09/05/11)??!  I'm in a quarterback 'fall back' position on gardening right now.  Taking a step back, walking around - looking at what has done well, what is getting established and what is struggling.  And, timing is everything...

Camping out in my 3-Season room Labor Day weekend 2011

After 7 years of 'garden' journal-ling, my "Quad-rule Mead Composition Book" is full --- to the brim, if you look at it on the left.  It's jammed with notes, sketches, plant tags, post-its - you name it (there were 'lean' years where not much was written).  This weekend, I had to break down an buy a new one.  I splurged!  Instead of spending $0.99 on the traditional black variety, I bought a glossy-finished, cosmic-colored composition book for $2.00, though I did have to sacrifice the "quad-rule" for 'wide-rule'.

A peek at the "Sun Garden" through the window
(Pink Guara is bursting everywhere - LOVE this for a cottage-style garden)

So I've 'turned the page' - quite a few actually - in my new 'Garden Journal II'.  I'm making notes for "Wishlist 2012".  On the top of this list - more 'orange' perennials, to mix in with purple and pink - big, random splashes of color.  Just because.  More gardens in 'full sun'.  Exploit the west side of the house - where there is +5 hours of sun.  'Blow out' the Cottage Garden to include larger patches of 'sunny' space.  (Jim, at Jim & Pat's Gardening Adventure, suggested making the garden bigger from the start.)

"Sweet Autumn Clematis" in bloom recently

It's time to get 'the nerve' (like Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz), and cut in more garden in the front yard - where it's sunny most of the day.  I was thinking of making an island of just Illinois natives?  Just a thought...

It's not the most crisp photo I've taken,
but I just love the slender grace of the Pink Guara bloom

In the new journal, I made a list of the plants I added to the gardens this year in 2011.  It didn't seem like a bunch, until I looked back in review.  I checked off a bunch of 'wishlist' plants:  perennial Hollyhock (Alcea Mars Magic), Bluestar (Amsonia Hubruchtii), 'Morning Light' Maiden Grass, variegated Jacob's Ladder, Bugbane (Actaea ramosa "Brunette"), "Petite Snow" Butterfly Bush, Asiatic Lily (Lillium "New Wave"), Candytuft ('Snowflake') and Japanese Anemone (Anemone sylvestris).   Spring / Summer 2012 will be an interesting 'growth' season - I'm anxious already!

Bounty from a farmers' market at a recent event
(My friend's keen sense of style & me with a camera...)

Next season, I have to make a note to appreciate local gardeners more.  A friend of mine explores local farmers' markets frequently.  Nothing says beauty like fresh cut flowers, but my gardens are small and I'm a bit selfish - wanting to see perennial blooms in the garden as long as possible.  Farmers market, ho!

So now - it's on to Garden Mums, Petunias Pansies (Thanks for the correction, Lizz: Garden Mensa) and cleaning up the gardens for next Spring.

Mums & Petunias
(Orange & purple - bold n daring from one of my garden mensas!)

Hope your gardens are all the delight you imagine.. and more, as we turn the page to a new season.

Thieves, Summer Storms and Sunshine

Garden design at the 'Bunnies Buffet' has always included the thought process, "what does the garden look like from inside the house?"  I like to think of the landscaping as a 'canvas' through the windows.  Seasonal weather often keeps us inside - so the view looking out should make me smile?

Garden views from the window...

A few weeks ago I was looking out from the family room and notice a big 'gap' in the Cottage garden where there should be none.  About a month ago I planted a full seed package of russet colored Sunflowers all along the back of the garden.  My hopes were a "wall of Sunflowers" as a back drop!  They had been flourishing - growing like crazy!!   The last time I really saw them, they were at least 15 inches tall.   Now - GONE.  No crumbs, no footprints, no nothing - like they were never even planted?!!  (I have my suspicions;  there are some very satisfied looking bunnies cruising around the backyard - but they aren't talking.)

Crime scene:  no plants, no remants, no incriminating foot prints ...
only the yard art that indicated the plant site

While the 'disappearing' sunflowers was a mystery, the leaning Arabian Nights Dahlias were not.

Leaning Dahlias ... from a wild thunderstorm

In spite of 'plant thieves' and storms, there has been major progress in the Cottage garden removing weeds and adding stepping stones.   Here are a few shots of what's going on...

The "Bones" of the Cottage Garden

New this year:
Monarda ("Marshall's Delight"), Hollyhock and Maiden Grass 

Arabian Nights Dahlia - raindrops in sunshine...

Hibiscus ("Fireball")

Hosta Fortunei

Hibiscus "Fireball" in bloom

Rudibeckia

Time to start investigating other late Summer bloomers.  There seems to be a prevailing "red" & "yellow" trend at the Bunnies Buffet right now.  Maybe "Sunset" Echinacea next year, for variety?  Any thoughts or recommendations for Zone 5?

I wish you a break in the heat and a gentle summer rain for those that have suffered through the +30-day "Heat Domes" (who had even heard of such a thing before this year?)!

Weeds and All...

Once again I've stepped out of the 2011 'Space - Time Continuum' - low & behold, it's July 21st.  Like many areas of the US, it is hot (really, really hot) and dry outside, and I find it so interesting to see what is growing in this oppressive weather.  I took another 'Tour De France" around the backyard to see what's going on...

"Arabian Nights" Dahlia - with a "Lemon Yellow" Daylily back drop...

Back in the 'Cottage Garden' there is actually some blooming going on!  A new annual (started from seed I might add...) - "Arabian Nights" Dahlias are large and in charge.  The (3) plants are about 3 feet tall and very sturdy, while the blooms are a bit diminutive & would fit in the palm of your hand.  The perennial Lemon Yellow Daylily is hardy and looks amazing next to that dark scarlet red - a happy location accident.

"Sun Garden" in Sunset
(Pink Guara, "Wine & Roses" Weigela, Sedum, Moonbeam Coreopsis and Paprika Yarrow)

I am willing to show the 'not so pretty' side of gardening, as I let weeds remain co-located with my perennials.  It is just too incredibly hot to pull weeds - and what the heck, they stay dark green in 'sauna hot' temps.  So if you look close (or double-click on the picture above), you'll see 'weeds among us' in the gardens - but I'm just not going to get OCD about it.  It's just ... too... hot!

Sedum Angelina, Pink Double-Knockout Rose, Sweet Autumn Clematis
Moonbeam Coreopsis, Fireball Hibiscus, Pink Guara and Rudibeckia

Many of the plants are putting on a 'pretty face' right now.  One of my garden buddies 'gifted' me the Sedum Angelina last year.  I put it in a terracotta pot this season - placed on a stand (aka upside down cube-shaped pot) for height and visual interest.  Apparently it's quite happy, as it resembles a 'Chia Pet' now?!  The Pink Knockout Rose is still recovering from 'bunny decimation' - and is happily blooming.

The Sweet Autumn Clematis continues its climb up the trellis - about 3 & 1/2 feet up.  The Hibiscus is a riot of blooms.  Those dinner plate-sized flowers are going to explode - like the plant itself, that has quadrupled in size this year (growing from a 1 stemmed plant to 4).  I am going to have to add Pink Guara down in my 'Cottage Garden'.  It has such awesome movement to it in the breeze - it just says 'cottage'.  It is so much more hardy then the "Sweet Dreams" Coreopsis rosea - which currently looks so anemic I feel bad for it.

Variegated Ribbon Grass

As Greggo so aptly noted on a past post - I really like my "halo fade" effect for photos.  In this case, it blurs the dandelions, so you can appreciate the Variegated Ribbon Grass and my little Sun chime.  I really like this garden vignette - and the stepping stones and fence keep the Ribbon Grass corralled in a small area.

Stay cool!  (I'll never complain about my shade trees ever again.)

Am I - Really Ready??

For the last two months I have been making everyone nuts with my 'Spring Fever'.  I've looked out the windows longingly, every weekend, while I compose the post of the week.  There have been mounds of snow, blizzards, freezing sunny days and icy rains - and yet nothing has dimmed my enthusiasm.  The design planning, the wishlists, the researching - it's all gone really well.  All those activities require mental exercise.... but not physical exertion.   There in lies the problem.....

Let me sleep!!
(Clip Art from Microsoft)

Now I'm not saying that I need to train for a marathon - though some of our garden blog friends do.  Yesterday I had a BIG reality check after some light furniture moving & home sprucing for a friend.  I'm not as young or as strong as I used to be!  Not an easy thing to admit!

Now don't expect me to do "power stairs"....

NO way ... that's not going to be me!
(Clip Art from Microsoft)

I do need to get into better shape if I have any chance of getting my 'action item list' complete this season!  Aching backs and sore muscles are not going to cut it!  In the meantime, I have enjoyed the new growth on our interior plants.

The Hibiscus, Meyer Lemon and Oxalis are sending up new growth

The Fuchsia opened a second bloom.
What a treat in early March!

Since I've had 'gardening on the brain' - I took a stroll through the yard today, to get an early glimpse of what might be coming up.  The inclement weather took a break today, the snow flurries melted, the icy rain had dried up (mostly) and the sun was out.

Growing - 03/06/11

My biggest thrill was seeing the PJM Rhododendron - not only growing (a miracle for me - this is my 3rd try), but with flower buds evident!  As you see, it takes center stage on my collage.  I just can't wait for the iridescent purple flower clusters to bloom!

Also up and breaking through last season's leaves and debris - from top right clockwise: Common Orange Tiger Lilies, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hybrid - Pot of Gold),  Sedum (album chloroticum 'Baby Tears), Asiatic Lily (Lilium Hybrid - 'Crimson Pixie'), Paprika Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium), and Bugleweed 'Black Scallop" (Ajuga reptans).

So I better get going - putting together my 30-day 'warm up for Spring' routine together.  Otherwise I'll be crying the blues again, with some garden injury that could have been avoided (maybe)!?!  In the meantime, back to the books!!  (I re-discovered this great book in my garden library this weekend -- "Creating Beds and Borders" by fine Gardening.)  

Happy Gardening (and garden planning) this week!!!

Saving my favorite annuals ? Should I or shouldn't I...

November 7th - HOW did we get here?

Blue skies of November 2010
(and an unconventional 60 degree day)

As we cruise into the second week of November I find myself ambivalent to the change of the seasons.  The sun shines down on barren trees while a few really, really hardy plants continue to throw out a bloom or two.

The LAST Rudibeckia bloom

Pink Guara .. just keeps on keeping

"Nothing is over until we say it is!!"
Stella D Oro won't go quietly!

I'm one of those people that embraces seasonal changes.  I'm "ok" with a dormant time of the year... BUT for some reason, right now, I feel very restless?   (I'm even cranking the "Blues" playlist on my iPod.... nothing like George Thorogood or Stevie Ray Vaughn to motivate you!!)

Going dormant...

I decided to give 'saving my favorite annuals' another go.  Last year I had this amazing Coleus that I decided to bring in.  After about a month we had an infestation of gnats in the dirt of many of our indoor plants -- the bulk of them being in the Coleus.  After a week of trying to treat them with organic bug killer, I gave up and just put the plant out in the freezing cold.  (Believe me, I felt horrible !!  .... a heartless plant killer!!!)  The rest of the plants were fine after a few treatments...

So THIS year, after a recommendation from a friend, I tried something else:

"Bag it and tag it!"  (Sorry, just a "CSI:NY" reference!)

Now maybe my friend is yanking my chain, but she suggested that this would isolate any vermin in the pots.  I 'Googled' the idea and didn't find much - other than suggesting using mothballs while having the plant 'bagged'.  So it's been a week, and I just unbagged the two New Guinea Impatiens that thrived in the 'Front Garden' this summer.  They will be in 'holding' in the 3-Season room until they show 'clean' for vermin....  They DO look great so far!

FREED!

We'll see how it goes!  If you have any other suggestions on 'de-bugging' annuals, I'd LOVE to know your thoughts.  I am in uncharted territory here!  ....and Happy Gardening or garden planning!!

FIELD TRIP! (Really - outstanding in a field!)

(BTW - pun intended!)

As I always say, inspiration is where you find it....  Yesterday my daughter, budding photographer, wanted to go out to a new 'Forest Preserve' in our area to take pictures.  She asked to use my 'fancy' camera (Canon Rebel XT) - so I opted to escort her and my camera to this new point of interest.

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve

For those of you not familiar to the Midwest, and in particular the Chicago-land area - the local counties have donated areas through-out the city (Chicago) and suburbs (40 miles in all directions but east - which is Lake Michigan!) where large chunks of land are left in or converted to natural habitat.  They are maintained and protected by 'Forest Preserve Districts'. It allows everyone an opportunity to step away from the traffic and noise, then enjoy open fields, small lakes and even wetland areas.  While I'm not a big fan of mucking around in wetlands, it is a critical environment for sustainability (I don't pretend to be an expert on ecology - but I appreciate that wetlands are protected.)

What a segue... you just have to know where it goes!

While 'fields' and 'ponds' might not be too Gucci or glamorous, you can get a artistic shot or turn a corner and find a surprise (like a native plant that you also just happen to have in your own garden)!  Here are a few shots I took in my travels.  The photos are taken with my cell phone camera (since MY camera was commandeered by 'Budding Photographer') - so the digital resolution isn't the clearest, but they aren't too shabby?

Rudibeckia!  LOVE it! 

Amateur fishing enthusiasts were in every nook and cranny...

Most native plants along the path towered over me!

"Classic" Native Illinois

Provisions for you to feel like you are "on Golden Pond"

There were fields and fields of these 'Sunflowers'
(I'm sure 'native' enthusiasts could name this variety...)

A final view, before the rains came.... and we had to beat cheeks to the truck!

I have to 'brag' just a bit.... here are a few of 'Budding Photographer's' photos from our 'field trip'...

Pink Guara ?  In the fields of Mallard Lake

I would never have thought of something so thorny being so interesting?
(NOT that I want it in my backyard - this is where I draw the line.)

And if native plantings in a preserve setting isn't enough inspiration, then there is gardening in the city - and when NE Illinoisans say 'city', there is only ONE:  Chicago.  Even urban dwellers like a little 'green' close to home.  I know there is a whole sub-culture of urban gardeners that have converted loft roofs to landscape oasis, but something as simple as a few potted plants can make a difference....

My brother's loft balcony - I love the urban backdrop!

The 'Money Shot'

I've also recently been inspired by Jim Groble - on his latest garden blog post:  http://theresnohorsetoodeadtobeat.blogspot.com/2010/09/wordless-wednesday.html   Jim is preparing a new area for a Spring 2011 garden.  After all my sketches, reading, cutting out articles and garden journaling -- I love the idea of being more proactive for next season!  There are at least 2 areas I want to create new gardens or extend others.  Check out Jim's garden 'jump-start' and the feedback he received...

Have a great week... Happy September!
---Shyrlene