Up Close and Personal: Views of Spring

The excitement of unseasonable temperatures is over - as is the warm weather.  It might have been "Summer in March", but now -- it is definitely "Spring in April".  It's windy and "brisk", but that's Ok.  Plants continue to emerge from the ground in spite of cooler temps and dandelions are still thriving.

Blooms are budding on the variegated Jacob's Ladder
(a new addition in 2011)

Spring is a great time to get an 'up close and personal' view of the garden(s).  With plants just at 'ankle' height, at least in Zone 5, you have to really get down to a grass roots level - usually on your knees or in a 'downward facing dog' position to see plant detail.  It's worth it - contorting into yoga positions to see the more intimate details of your plants.

Happily, new additions from 2011 are breaking ground in 2012.   Here are a few 'discoveries' in my travels around the yard:

Amsonia Hubrichitii - Blue Star: barely out of the ground
(Another new addition in 2011)

"May Breeze" Phlox - up and as iridescent as I remember

"Wine and Roses" Wegiela
(It cohabitates in the "Sun Garden" with Pink Guara, Moonbean Coreopsis and Cheddar Pinks"

I have taken a ton of pictures, mostly for historical purposes.  Encouraged by some really talented blog photographers, Garden Walk Garden Talk and The Whimsical Gardener, I continue to play with my DSLR to see how well I can showcase what I see... and keep it interesting.

Here are a few of the 'long timers':

Royal Purple Smoke Bush
(It's growing habit is facinating:  reminds me of a tall cactus)

A sunset view of "Crimson Pixie' Lillium Hybrid

PJM Rhododenron
(Back in action from a dicey Autumn and a pounding the last snowfall)

'Sargent' Crabapple (Malus sargentii)

I hope your gardens are doing well.  It's compost, a dandelion 'slayer' and a spade to enlarge my gardens, for me.  Wouldn't it be nice to notch out a few more hours in each day?  

Looking forward to catching up on your blogs ...
Namaste my friends !!



©  All content & photography by Shyrlene Foster at The Bunnies Buffet (unless noted)

Passive / Aggressive Gardener?

Weekends have become so precious.  The Monday through Friday routine on Life's "Habitrail" feels faster and longer, but then that could just be me?

What a GREAT photo - on the technology "habitrail"
(from the creative minds at Microsoft clip art)

I look out the window today, on a cool crisp Autumn Saturday, and it makes me smile.  The Arabian Nights Dahlia continues to bloom insanely, though the stems look more like abstract art?  Winds and storms blow the plants to & fro, and then new growth points straight to the sun...  (The stems are also very brittle, so 'note to self:  plan a better support system next year'.)

That 'baby' Shepard's Hook doesn't stand a chance
(trying to hold the dahlia up)!

Now, my question is ... why is it one minute I want to conquer the world (in my gardens), then in the next minute I look disinterestedly out the window, denying the season clean-up work that needs to be done?  Is that 'passive-aggressive'?  Is that 'burnout' from work?  ..or do I just need a few days off to recharge my batteries?  (Never mind, I think I just answered my own question.)

In the meantime, I have been appreciating the Autumn foliage!  My "$3" Garden Mums from Lowe's have come back for the 3rd season.  Their snowy-white blooms look amazing with the Royal Purple Smoke Bush as a back drop.  They also 'glow' in the night against the dark Autumn night.

Awesome contrast:
Royal Purple Smoke Bush back drop to the Snowy White Garden Mums

Up close and personal:  talk about the best 'bang for your buck'

Other Autumn 'pleasers', included a recent trip to pumpkin farm, Sonny Acres.  The entrance garden was fascinating:

Call me "Guppy" - I had to stop and check this out

Coolest plant in the garden!

And while the last of the season's blooms are out, some plants are throwing up a new growth, while others are done for the year - even without the 1st frost:

A snapshot in time ... 10/07/2011

As I toured around the gardens recently, I found a renegade Maple shoot changing colors (it was so cute I couldn't pull it).  The Center Glow Ninebark is fully recovered from last year's powdery mildew, and 'dressing' colors for Autumn.  The Cottage Garden is strategically placed near a Sunburst Locus tree, that showered all it's yellow leaves last weekend - they should mulch in the yard nicely.  The early Spring riser, Crimson Pixie Asiatic Lily went dormant early.  The new stone path in the Cottage Garden looks charming bathed in leaves, while the Dark Red Hollyhock/Malva continues to push a few new shoots.  And finally, the last dinner-plate Rose Mallow bloom faced the setting sun, one last time...

I  hope you aren't as conflicted as I have been about gardening.  I look forward to visiting your gardens this weekend!

Peace in the Garden! ...

Is it the "Buffet" or "Bed & Breakfast"?

Gardening this year as certainly been 'interesting' in the Midwest.  It's been unseasonal - continuing to be cool, cloudy and rainy (with intermittent hot & humid days interspersed).   As a matter of fact, I am starting to feel like not only do I provide a "buffet" for the local bunny population - but also 'refuge'.  Case in point:

Bunny 'Foo'
Seeking refuge under the tumble composter during a downpour.

There has been area flooding, but certainly nothing like Tennessee and Louisiana.  Standing water like this typically happens in March & maybe April - not June:

Even the neighbors with dogs try to protect their lawns with orange snow fence.

In spite of it all, my gardens continue to do well.  Here is what is in bloom:

The Pink Double Knockout Rose is in bloom -
protected by bird netting & "budding" Red Twig Dogwood  branches

My classic:  Stella D Oro Daylily bloom
(they've been with me since the beginning - the first time!)

Royal Purple Smoke Bush - reaching for the sky

'Crimson Pixie' Asiatic Lily

New garden addition:   Sweet Autumn Clematis - a gift from friend Lydia's garden
(If it ever stops raining, I'll get the trellis in the ground and get this growing wild!)

Rounding out a garden 'walk about':

From top left: "Wine & Roses" Weigela, variegated  Jacob's Ladder,
Actaea Ramosa "Brunette" Bugbane, Royal Purple Smoke bush, Moonbeam Coreopsis,
Double Knockout Rose, variegated Ribbon Grass, Asiatic Lily bud

It's another cool, rainy Saturday - but there is great hope for tomorrow, sunny and 70.  Time to plant the Bugbane, Jacob's ladder and a couple of new Anemones, to be clustered with the first one.  With all the rain, it does continue to look "lush", like Spring.  Now that I've finished my post, it's time to start surfing my favorite garden blogs.... batten down the hatches my garden buddies!  Can't wait to see what you are up to!

"10 Things...." on 10/10/10 (ya, I meant to do that)

The Garden Blogging community is a generous and creative lot!  Garden Blog pal, Kimberly at Garden in Paradise (10 Things) invited me to share "10 Things" I like, on my blog.  Soooooo ... here goes, in no particular order:

Inspired by today's incredible weather, the 1st thing that comes to mind:
1) Morning coffee & a quiet read on a Sunday morning!

2005 - Sunday morning on the deck

Nothing makes me happier then starting my Sunday morning communing with the 'flora and fauna' - whether it was sitting on my deck (in the picture above) or now, in my 3-Season room with all the windows open!  Someday in the future, there will also be a paver patio just outside the door of the 3-Season room - so I have 'choices'!

(Conversely - when the neighbors get the 'power tools', like leaf blowers, out on Sunday morning - I want to say 'Have you ever heard of the "Day of Rest"?' ...and in my mind - I use a lot of colorful explicatives.)

2) Hanging out with my husband and kids - enjoying the young adults the kids have become, and listening to their perspective on things.

Back when they were little...

3)  "Girls' Night Out!" or "Girls' Road Trip"

Night on Beale Street - Memphis, TN

Nothing says "havin' a blast" like getting out for a night or a long weekend with 'The Girls'!  A few years ago, we loaded up the truck and headed down to Memphis, Tennessee - to visit Elvis at Graceland and sing the Memphis "Blues" on Beale Street.

4) Cranking the tunes on my iPod!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjornolsson/2097514869/

I L-O-V-E, love music - and have a quite diverse music library.  Depending on my mood, I listen to anything from classic rock to classic Bach!  But I am especially dangerous when I'm driving!!  I love to crank the tunes when I'm in my truck .... usually some serious rock n roll (Zepplin to POD) !!  I'm also a iPod "playlist" queen (ask my friends) -- I've become the De facto DJ for all social events, and I'm 'ok' with this.

5) Photography!  ... it never gets old...

Indian Rocks Beach, FL  2010 - "In the rain"

It started with a Minolta SLR back in 1982 (yep, that long ago!) and evolved to my current digital Canon Rebel XT (a generous anniversary gift from my hubby in 2006).  Thank goodness for inexpensive electronic file storage, because I run amok when it comes to taking pictures - then sort it out after the fact!

6) Hanging out with my extended family!

We're like 'cats n dogs' getting loud n rowdy!

Whether it's with my brothers and sister, or extended out to our cousins, etc. - we are loud n rowdy!  There is always animated conversation, laughter and an ice cold beer or two....  Sometimes we sound more like 'cats & dogs' wrestling, but it's always lively!

7) Road trip - the "Clark Griswold" drive out to Estes Park, CO

Rocky Mt National Park - Estes Park, CO

If you can't be home for Christmas, then 'Christmas in the Rockies' is an amazing alternative.  On a semi-regular basis, we pilgrimage to Estes Park, CO to meet up with extended family.  It's a driving vacation, so you can decompress from work - and after the 2nd day in the car - be eternally grateful to reach in the mountains!

8)  "Big Boy Toys" ......... 4wd trucks, motor-cycles and high-performance cars

My 1st truck - 4wd Ford Bronco (351 h.o.)

No joke!  I love driving stick-shift ... motor-cycles ... and big ol' trucks.  I have had quite a variety of vehicles in 'my youth' and enjoyed them all.  I'm a little more reserved these days, but I still get whiplash looking at a brand new, tricked out pick-up (like a F-150 SVT Raptor) or a hot bike (like a 2011 Harley Fat Boy LO).

9)  The change of seasons!  (really!!)

Sunburst Locus - on a Sunny Sunday in October 2010

A warm breath of wind & sun in October 2010

Mums & Smoke Bush in the front garden - October 2010

As the leaves on the Sunburst Locus rain down on us right now,  I have to say I just love the change of seasons in Zone 5!  Even the snow in winter is picturesque - though I will be the first to admit the month of February seems about 90 days long (for the shortest month of the year)!

10)  Garden Blogging!  Reading (fellow garden bloggers) and writing....

What a difference a year or two can make....

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Blogosphere and garden blogging has been very, very good to me!  I have learned more and met some of the most amazing people in the garden blog community than I could have ever imagined.  I am forever amazed, impressed and amused by the talent out in the virtual world!  I hope anyone that stops by my humble little corner of the world enjoys the visit(s) and takes advantage of the garden talent that is linked on my home page.

Now, for the final task of this meme - inviting 10 garden bloggers to participate (in random order).  As my friend Kimberly so eloquently put it - I hope the invitees participate, but I certainly understand if you already have or choose not to.  There are fascinating gardeners out there, and I look forward to what is on their list..... I love that this list is 'global' !!!!

Wall Flower Studio (CAN)
Crystal Coast Gardener  (US - NC)
My Dry Tropics Garden  (AUS)
Gippsland Gardener (AUS)
The Idiot Gardener (UK)
Dung Hoe (US - CO)
Dakota Garden (US - ND)
The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener (US - NJ)
Elephant's Eye (AFR)
This Grandmother's Garden (US - UT)

The 'rules' are very basic:
1) Post the person that invited you
2) List the "10 Things" you like/like to do
3) Invite 10 bloggers to participate

Best Seat in the House

It was an amazing 'weather' day in the Midwest today - actually, it's been an amazing weather week.  When not outside, I spent time in 'the best seat in the house' - the 3-Season room.  (BTW - your eyes don't deceive you - there are maple saplings, in pots, inside.  Don't ask - they aren't mine.)

It IS the best seat in the house - at least from my perspective!

When I'm not gardening (or weeding), this is where I pour through books, magazines and my garden journal - scheming plans to add more.  More plants - new gardens - enlarging gardens.  With windows cranked wide open, a great breeze blowing through the room - you can't help but get wistful with "The 2011 Wishlist".  Some of the plants I'm thinking about include:

I saw this little treasure (Husker Red Penstemon) in my garden buddy's garden this summer - it's a 'must have' (Thanks 'Eunice'!).  Other sun/part sun plants that I've been thinking about:

Bee Balm - a butterfly magnet, I hope

Switchgrass - it's native to Illinois and has great 'visual screening' potential

Back in my yard - another year of sad performance by annuals -
the 'Champaign' Wax Begonias looked anemic all summer

After a second season of a few 'weak performers' in the front garden, I'm thinking of putting a little chutzpah by the Royal Purple Smoke Bush (that's looking very green right now).  This little darling (Candytuft) looks pretty sweet:

A little sample of 'Candytuft' off of Google

For the shady/part shade areas, I'm contemplating:

Astilbe's been on my list for a while
Time to make it happen...

Some of you have featured the following plant, so when it showed up in my "Perennials of Illinois" reference book - I was drawn to it's fascinating structure:

Shooting Star - incredible

It's quite a bit to look forward to - especially since spring 2011 is 6-7 months away!  Maybe I'll just take a little trip to find some garden Mums!  ...  Happy Gardening ...

Garden Ramblings on a Rainy Sunday Afternoon....

It's a windy rainy Sunday afternoon which seems perfect to appreciate the gardens from the 'inside out'.  One of my OCD garden habits has been to make sure my gardens look just as interesting when standing inside the house - looking out a window.  Even my son, a 19 year old, appreciates his new window view - and sent me this shot this summer (while I was at work):

"Nice view out my window, huh?"  (his quote!)

My daughter's view ... she hasn't provided any feedback!  ;-)

In my travels of late - I have seen great residential landscaping and I've seen homes with *no* landscaping.  Of course I can appreciate two things:  (1) "interest" in gardening, and (2) "financial resources" for gardening.  I remember our yard, in the beginning - when there was a small cement stoop at the sliding glass door and the Sugar Maple was a sapling.

I've captured a few photos in "drive-by's" and visits....  they inspire me:

I appreciate the clean lines of this front yard...

This yard stopped me in my tracks.  What fantastic boldness in gardening - not afraid to make a statement!

Your eyes aren't fuzzy - just the picture!  But I love how the stepping stones lead a person around..

I also like 'blank space'... it has a big impact, while you are being led around outside space.

...and I am forever looking for patio ideas - though this scale is too big for my future seating...(unless I win the Lotto!)

So, I continue to dream big and remember that 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'