tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54997339800635033522024-03-15T20:09:23.993-05:00Garden FancyGarden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-44137585934408198442023-12-10T23:12:00.001-06:002023-12-10T23:12:27.118-06:00Three Projects<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8qZFd_-XNCwtyQwlt0fPR4UbBblda42fEaUrr_4UBOMNK7sIx7DEq3pRyQkCxpcDXOdq1sYA2yEXG1blDU3PDAo-6rSlmO5yqIV7tgYSlVyytUmivOEJzNWvIjZc8wrzIdqDstbxAQ4J5oNhpMSvm4ytQd2eGRXyvxDpIyruWJrurP4N6Tlz1uuHRhU/s1700/frontporch-2023-12-8a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8qZFd_-XNCwtyQwlt0fPR4UbBblda42fEaUrr_4UBOMNK7sIx7DEq3pRyQkCxpcDXOdq1sYA2yEXG1blDU3PDAo-6rSlmO5yqIV7tgYSlVyytUmivOEJzNWvIjZc8wrzIdqDstbxAQ4J5oNhpMSvm4ytQd2eGRXyvxDpIyruWJrurP4N6Tlz1uuHRhU/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-12-8a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new front porch!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Greetings! It's been a busy fall and I'm only now able to post about the three projects I've been working on this autumn (now that winter is pretty much here!). </p><p>But I wanted to post one last time before winter. Here's what I've been doing:</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">1. Plant Moving</h2><p>In September I did my first project: moving plants out of my long Rainbow Border, which I'm eliminating, as I mentioned in <a href="https://gardenfancy.blogspot.com/2023/05/my-new-garden-project.html" target="_blank">my post</a> earlier this year. I planted many of these in front of the addition on the west side of our house.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOAcdGtcrLA4rACmelbMpLn9qsj477Ggixi3oSFRkg4IGh_W6gf_5BhyphenhyphenAuXXf0CuEfJoIw8Is4tEIa13LfBQagWcRLuqyG-X32vgPKsD5vGxZ82l6aDrlQEBrOy6NlWqZXaJLWHLgvXbrmM1QLTHdO4X-IxOYmntG-92knGNjWgB2mYpLK418JGUz8FE/s1700/rainbowborder-2023-5-28.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1700" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOAcdGtcrLA4rACmelbMpLn9qsj477Ggixi3oSFRkg4IGh_W6gf_5BhyphenhyphenAuXXf0CuEfJoIw8Is4tEIa13LfBQagWcRLuqyG-X32vgPKsD5vGxZ82l6aDrlQEBrOy6NlWqZXaJLWHLgvXbrmM1QLTHdO4X-IxOYmntG-92knGNjWgB2mYpLK418JGUz8FE/w640-h388/rainbowborder-2023-5-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going, going.... The Rainbow Border didn't look too bad this year at the end of May, its peak moment, but it's gotten pretty weedy, and many plants don't grow very well so close to the red cedar windbreak behind it. I moved many plants to a bed in front of my house. (That bed doesn't look like much at this point, so I won't show it -- I hope it will start to look good next year.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">2. New Front Porch</h2><p>The biggest (or at least most expensive) project of this year was the new front porch that we've been hoping to have for several years now.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4kbns9iVZ8v32Iv5ug4XBUSlX3Ze0frGE6j1dX_h1me4xcOu1dbyEImd2St6A_h9Iv_Qh_yGD8vkzQpfO_DVbsHBLrvMj20h4IONKA7GPkwPdyOMHEsMWbpe_6Lw8-MP_5kcUcpENAcfAWLvDapvNY_TYhUuqDEcG7J2hEYXG5KZ6caMUqUU-EbPSFo/s1700/frontporch-2021-5-30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1700" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4kbns9iVZ8v32Iv5ug4XBUSlX3Ze0frGE6j1dX_h1me4xcOu1dbyEImd2St6A_h9Iv_Qh_yGD8vkzQpfO_DVbsHBLrvMj20h4IONKA7GPkwPdyOMHEsMWbpe_6Lw8-MP_5kcUcpENAcfAWLvDapvNY_TYhUuqDEcG7J2hEYXG5KZ6caMUqUU-EbPSFo/w640-h446/frontporch-2021-5-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it was back in 2021, when it still looked OK. But I had to paint it every year or it looked terrible because the paint wouldn't STICK to the wood. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVpvaZUSforZ25lk8hLp5ZYGtFOF0d5Zgx68BpiGywhF0Q3zM5bCy5sRtQS4GkrWIiWFOo1Zc8f0P1OrFz7ftcgUs9xVUNwUUFQxEsEso3-WcsBn6YECo0Wo3tmOqvgjLXZ9kVl23A9K3EVcaP8o6r0UOSFxY7oGh3tjED7NDT5-_6wFYtKSS5Y4hq5s/s1700/frontporch-2023-9-16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVpvaZUSforZ25lk8hLp5ZYGtFOF0d5Zgx68BpiGywhF0Q3zM5bCy5sRtQS4GkrWIiWFOo1Zc8f0P1OrFz7ftcgUs9xVUNwUUFQxEsEso3-WcsBn6YECo0Wo3tmOqvgjLXZ9kVl23A9K3EVcaP8o6r0UOSFxY7oGh3tjED7NDT5-_6wFYtKSS5Y4hq5s/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-9-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see what it looked like if I skipped a year of painting it. Plus some of the supports had become rotten, so the front steps sagged a bit when people walked up them. Not good.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzkWvVNpsXcWZ2lADZEebn7ThmO4A1U4GF0E5Io1oPUjYQyRGZpX-q8NFx2d2Ou0qL9VY3QyNHWQGNdEbJoIyZISp2Ej4Whzd9CDGdEsUaQjYuneptTfEZ5RRDYssg_IhNgo5hpEU-RZCmPcRYiXFi4h0hRRYSbZ4N_rm_tZu1cHIKM1XzHl12Ie4u_Y/s1168/frontporch-2023-4-25.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="905" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzkWvVNpsXcWZ2lADZEebn7ThmO4A1U4GF0E5Io1oPUjYQyRGZpX-q8NFx2d2Ou0qL9VY3QyNHWQGNdEbJoIyZISp2Ej4Whzd9CDGdEsUaQjYuneptTfEZ5RRDYssg_IhNgo5hpEU-RZCmPcRYiXFi4h0hRRYSbZ4N_rm_tZu1cHIKM1XzHl12Ie4u_Y/w310-h400/frontporch-2023-4-25.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And even worse was the big HOLE that I had<br />to cover with a paving stone so no one would <br />put their foot through it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuZvh5Q-psdvACj-wonnBfgF8zLMVU2RBPvz1ziT9In10yTAAJVYsrdrJwEIZMD39-GBPLsdHhq7QwnIUHYRoRSEKl5IUDrf8zT5UXBK7nExpDOeTOzQ0bu856mIWeQLGG1A9-1SMACIk8oXs9fGfPUw5i9Q6FhvlojPOVLzjcI3JblE8_CZYwETz4EE/s1700/frontporch-2023-10-9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuZvh5Q-psdvACj-wonnBfgF8zLMVU2RBPvz1ziT9In10yTAAJVYsrdrJwEIZMD39-GBPLsdHhq7QwnIUHYRoRSEKl5IUDrf8zT5UXBK7nExpDOeTOzQ0bu856mIWeQLGG1A9-1SMACIk8oXs9fGfPUw5i9Q6FhvlojPOVLzjcI3JblE8_CZYwETz4EE/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-10-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My builder and his son goofing off for the camera as they start demolition back in early October.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccoM3W4AAFEMzcmANXSmbWfQaa3qE_Yir3KDNO_WnSj7S2QwRfcwPi03WE6Oyl8B0JND5yho_7If9dPsWjc1Qt2Aa7SpP4NlTbuGkXw6BogBbsvzJnXX_vxTrsqAkG14o8ZzBs6KPnpDt_gLMtSDm9hfGQgvlgIZSM4W-n3wEobpO2FCGoV9v844HikY/s1700/frontporch-2023-10-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccoM3W4AAFEMzcmANXSmbWfQaa3qE_Yir3KDNO_WnSj7S2QwRfcwPi03WE6Oyl8B0JND5yho_7If9dPsWjc1Qt2Aa7SpP4NlTbuGkXw6BogBbsvzJnXX_vxTrsqAkG14o8ZzBs6KPnpDt_gLMtSDm9hfGQgvlgIZSM4W-n3wEobpO2FCGoV9v844HikY/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-10-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two days later: this utter demolishment wasn't really an "improvement" but it was a necessary phase. My husband remarked that every time he got home from work that week, things looked worse than when he had left in the morning. You can see that the old concrete steps under the porch had listed a lot as they settled.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccoM3W4AAFEMzcmANXSmbWfQaa3qE_Yir3KDNO_WnSj7S2QwRfcwPi03WE6Oyl8B0JND5yho_7If9dPsWjc1Qt2Aa7SpP4NlTbuGkXw6BogBbsvzJnXX_vxTrsqAkG14o8ZzBs6KPnpDt_gLMtSDm9hfGQgvlgIZSM4W-n3wEobpO2FCGoV9v844HikY/s1700/frontporch-2023-10-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdHdiW_I9wvIBICPpOixbQvs_y-1wZ-gt2ugsA6ET4NwXznfuY7H2gl7m_AktFjIpg5jTqMzvqXJ4m7iwF95dai_An-kHjkmEaG3ZFCaReXA9d9-S5aqYs1eD3m0xpfkcbxp5UVRfKp-EvDw5D-yoDGFQ5XwiTpS5mwZyEscPFpSoOqgjgSUhin_NrB0/s1700/frontporch-2023-10-28.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdHdiW_I9wvIBICPpOixbQvs_y-1wZ-gt2ugsA6ET4NwXznfuY7H2gl7m_AktFjIpg5jTqMzvqXJ4m7iwF95dai_An-kHjkmEaG3ZFCaReXA9d9-S5aqYs1eD3m0xpfkcbxp5UVRfKp-EvDw5D-yoDGFQ5XwiTpS5mwZyEscPFpSoOqgjgSUhin_NrB0/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-10-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After two weeks, we had functioning steps again, in a new layout. We had the steps moved to the right, in front of the basement door, and extended the deck out farther toward the front. Now there's more usable space for sitting on our front porch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhhmtrk1Xp7_xJyuSmBwNf6LUSmg3PidJbmTPRSxPwUhH5jZMB6F1ATj2rcqiAmdO_r7AC-Xtja5pAYpLFb2us8wiHvyMF1hvNDsav02ttFnlEEY1UWHuzdOP_Hka3F3BAJHALjrmnfhhtnIyq0OEDjc6Njov0PKFd7aN9dQViHhSZo9exvdR29KaoRI/s1700/frontporch-2023-11-8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhhmtrk1Xp7_xJyuSmBwNf6LUSmg3PidJbmTPRSxPwUhH5jZMB6F1ATj2rcqiAmdO_r7AC-Xtja5pAYpLFb2us8wiHvyMF1hvNDsav02ttFnlEEY1UWHuzdOP_Hka3F3BAJHALjrmnfhhtnIyq0OEDjc6Njov0PKFd7aN9dQViHhSZo9exvdR29KaoRI/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-11-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also replaced the cracked old sidewalk around the porch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0Huchj_tA6PyuZ_Wy_W9bOxGrA40V0c536t9JBEWHhFu4UQJ985JGojHWp1chY1qc8HvDGJ2nYuWLMpconZD0Q3umaVGn8bt0pmOmhLcVpp4HyO7acnBTb75cWiITZoGkzXvDs8GKWaGZkOUFIMJDUKSH2vPvSjC6ISOLBAF6Czf1dd1IA9Tj4oOAWY/s1700/frontporch-2023-12-8b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0Huchj_tA6PyuZ_Wy_W9bOxGrA40V0c536t9JBEWHhFu4UQJ985JGojHWp1chY1qc8HvDGJ2nYuWLMpconZD0Q3umaVGn8bt0pmOmhLcVpp4HyO7acnBTb75cWiITZoGkzXvDs8GKWaGZkOUFIMJDUKSH2vPvSjC6ISOLBAF6Czf1dd1IA9Tj4oOAWY/w640-h480/frontporch-2023-12-8b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's much nicer with a white metal railing and matching lattice, and I left a small planting bed under the deck overhang, where flowers will be set off nicely in front of the lattice.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. West Terrace</h2><div>I also did a lot of work this fall on the other end of our house. In 2011 we had an addition built onto the side of house, and because the ground sloped up so much to it, we had a retaining wall built there.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd71xqRFfRvTgm9ZfAcSGgoF3ISXrqm5mx2d7ubPLv8oOm5FzRQVhP2UOR3-lPjRdS8hjZawaVK0GEAEzSyOde2KcaIPcDDX38T0Du3cxZx48KXlB5J5sDDMavrfi1VIyTHTvDIXEYuCQh5ViPHJr963ZeDMOHfkjrSINj0Qu68e3HUy4aBxqlFko6a5A/s1700/whitegarden-13-4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd71xqRFfRvTgm9ZfAcSGgoF3ISXrqm5mx2d7ubPLv8oOm5FzRQVhP2UOR3-lPjRdS8hjZawaVK0GEAEzSyOde2KcaIPcDDX38T0Du3cxZx48KXlB5J5sDDMavrfi1VIyTHTvDIXEYuCQh5ViPHJr963ZeDMOHfkjrSINj0Qu68e3HUy4aBxqlFko6a5A/w640-h480/whitegarden-13-4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the fairly new retaining wall back in 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWinlzyQRwXqIWClZ4yCCVVoaJ3pypJ8Sg6gdxDQtqiFVHZrMiL0zp3MlrRNcRPOinK23h3urosb3I2fgAw_7YJWY3ZrDGeKV1lzmFd80EmlbO3FHFQKdlW6eWzrTYcvfOIq2vRJZ7FuvXO3KKIVl15rtOqgVjVfMLyCT7ZNfmlchsyon7gkIr8gtthE/s1140/whitegarden-13-2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1140" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWinlzyQRwXqIWClZ4yCCVVoaJ3pypJ8Sg6gdxDQtqiFVHZrMiL0zp3MlrRNcRPOinK23h3urosb3I2fgAw_7YJWY3ZrDGeKV1lzmFd80EmlbO3FHFQKdlW6eWzrTYcvfOIq2vRJZ7FuvXO3KKIVl15rtOqgVjVfMLyCT7ZNfmlchsyon7gkIr8gtthE/w640-h480/whitegarden-13-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I planted tiny boxwoods around the two beds on either side of the white pergola, and planted all-white flowers in both beds, as well as white-flowering wisteria on the pergola. On either side of the steps up to the addition (seen at far right), I planted mostly blue-flowering plants. This looked pretty orderly for about five years.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp158_a3b-TxRYaZCxwPF9xwi_76rH4qbK5txgYEfOcfvEbpI-xhesVi77SKsh0qKKADRSEIB-ruX_gvN9BDtNc77v-SAim3aqR8tdmG7y_KcE38wuLLpu0ovYu0q_QNUzkr7PMotnh-IJT_r2ICI3AXr6GTzu3DCQf94-E6ubQ2dmr2woaI1Kr4htNt0/s1700/west-terrace-2022-6-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1700" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp158_a3b-TxRYaZCxwPF9xwi_76rH4qbK5txgYEfOcfvEbpI-xhesVi77SKsh0qKKADRSEIB-ruX_gvN9BDtNc77v-SAim3aqR8tdmG7y_KcE38wuLLpu0ovYu0q_QNUzkr7PMotnh-IJT_r2ICI3AXr6GTzu3DCQf94-E6ubQ2dmr2woaI1Kr4htNt0/w640-h470/west-terrace-2022-6-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But by last year it was pretty out of control. I did trim the boxwoods, but I had planted them too closely together (like <a href="https://gardenfancy.blogspot.com/2021/" target="_blank">in my Herb Garden</a>) when they were tiny starts. Then in 2020 I became worried I might transfer the Volutella blight which afflicted the Herb Garden to these boxwoods, so I didn't trim them for a couple of years. Also, the wisteria <i>never once</i> bloomed in the ten years they grew (rampantly) there--maybe it wasn't sunny enough? But they were a lot of work to keep trimmed back, and they made the pergola area dark and creepy-looking. And the beds were getting weedy too....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQpsK24UO8ijqEuJ6L4mEBIIh9AJ_ynjpWwCBmlVRkblRmeO1mL_hnrElGyuEQTzJ_JysW4E0fjfOi_taSWESIBH2hZkB5tpPjD2OnMwqFEzyaUxLx9yk-xIvr8XvNab8LTNBKFdy1aPvQDgzFd8ExMQS1pAj6-0b8GMKgLQ7T279u_S5IOx29l48oSc/s1700/west-terrace-2023-5-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQpsK24UO8ijqEuJ6L4mEBIIh9AJ_ynjpWwCBmlVRkblRmeO1mL_hnrElGyuEQTzJ_JysW4E0fjfOi_taSWESIBH2hZkB5tpPjD2OnMwqFEzyaUxLx9yk-xIvr8XvNab8LTNBKFdy1aPvQDgzFd8ExMQS1pAj6-0b8GMKgLQ7T279u_S5IOx29l48oSc/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-5-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uggh.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1buuL7WRA7ILCgN84t04r7LcBwPvkmB8TMcuoCZFX3ohe7gyA3q_ktLhXDtew5XUZ42nE2XkddF4K2Cfwee0RrS0YwuCCJx_wsI5-lBu2h8-RAgyDQUkkthPPhBYatiJ_lxzena33SpHZZv_-GimXe06PxhBJX2h2a-8PxoMCeO_56HJSxnoTY0WkQ/s1700/west-terrace-2023-5-6a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1buuL7WRA7ILCgN84t04r7LcBwPvkmB8TMcuoCZFX3ohe7gyA3q_ktLhXDtew5XUZ42nE2XkddF4K2Cfwee0RrS0YwuCCJx_wsI5-lBu2h8-RAgyDQUkkthPPhBYatiJ_lxzena33SpHZZv_-GimXe06PxhBJX2h2a-8PxoMCeO_56HJSxnoTY0WkQ/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-5-6a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So in March I asked my son to use the weed wacker (with steel blade attachment) to saw all the boxwoods down to six inches in height. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqIoFYnzgfPAU74nndWfjB1uwHzqhvu2XsMqY1q7hVbfAMKY_m46ZCL6YMtktqETQh51_YddEnS6h2xPslNPJxeIgf-YVwjBVV0gHqw4moEPtakX1Yfd7iNRdCMmNA_Wll1AkfPCwuK_hLCJZJmOXkLMOl6bSkP3QYHrySJJABNZdPs_yiHrtk0B9z1c/s1700/west-terrace-2023-5-6b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqIoFYnzgfPAU74nndWfjB1uwHzqhvu2XsMqY1q7hVbfAMKY_m46ZCL6YMtktqETQh51_YddEnS6h2xPslNPJxeIgf-YVwjBVV0gHqw4moEPtakX1Yfd7iNRdCMmNA_Wll1AkfPCwuK_hLCJZJmOXkLMOl6bSkP3QYHrySJJABNZdPs_yiHrtk0B9z1c/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-5-6b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sheer carnage of the area was pretty impressive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaZog31PQ8At-edw-HGpx8K7hbUFvGoO7kJjmJH5R8AzelfEWglwzSKs57sZqGxpHQO755gpeSMRnTMMRy24_4xgVdmEQKKAWg0EuXyoY_W6Kdlsbk2TPYRjAsea1PtWbRw-Wy1zfN2Ng9_5bdDu_YnxRPou2Pfupr8Tw4ypmoEUM0MSUR6z0Zdt8iRE/s1700/west-terrace-2023-9-20b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaZog31PQ8At-edw-HGpx8K7hbUFvGoO7kJjmJH5R8AzelfEWglwzSKs57sZqGxpHQO755gpeSMRnTMMRy24_4xgVdmEQKKAWg0EuXyoY_W6Kdlsbk2TPYRjAsea1PtWbRw-Wy1zfN2Ng9_5bdDu_YnxRPou2Pfupr8Tw4ypmoEUM0MSUR6z0Zdt8iRE/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-9-20b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By September, only six months later, the boxwoods had regrown about eight inches of fresh, healthy-looking foliage. I was surprised how quickly they regrew, as boxwoods are slow-growing shrubs. But I've realized that they're only slow to establish and once they've established roots, they are actually quite fast-growing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qzQX0QVmZsTyi2qivYY_qUHAuv2dZxFqpIwLOYCxK25djP2b3K67rZuk0loVhmbTw6MYFpBhEoO3TUlzoEemMAJPztpx1-AWZMsbGM4Bq8sZAQLqH0bydA06CmDWTUpL2K9G0eh-Wkm2UuZM46RxcpUJ-V3-ATWfYL9ItoKC4ZUy6xki3GXgBG9VndE/s1700/west-terrace-2023-9-20a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qzQX0QVmZsTyi2qivYY_qUHAuv2dZxFqpIwLOYCxK25djP2b3K67rZuk0loVhmbTw6MYFpBhEoO3TUlzoEemMAJPztpx1-AWZMsbGM4Bq8sZAQLqH0bydA06CmDWTUpL2K9G0eh-Wkm2UuZM46RxcpUJ-V3-ATWfYL9ItoKC4ZUy6xki3GXgBG9VndE/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-9-20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-Uggh. You can see how badly the nasty runner grass has invaded this bed. I had my husband spray these weeds....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Then we got to work:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>My husband cut the wisteria off near the ground and sprayed the stumps with tree killer. Then I painstakingly cut all the twining branches off the pergola, using a hand saw and loppers, and asked my son to haul them to our burn pile</li><li>We moved the pergola to another area</li><li>My son and I dug out the front row of the boxwoods, as well as every other one in the back row. I donated these to a local group to plant in a public garden. </li><li>Then I had my husband spray the remaining weeds again, I dug over the entire area to loosen the soil, and removed some viney weeds with big root systems.</li></ol><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fMq6cfMoPh6tEcUr27s5M0Svrl9N9AczgmzoTlzZ9qiGKSVdq_aToYjuQAM4qJHL85C8P1TY6MtLxRvTKHUwsUDdk9PUsGCF8iQm8FMrftgMZS7MbakPN1hDEPcKP-0RzJUpoX6D9zmBXr8RjOfGoXBYtVWmMwT5HCplhyphenhyphen202beSjgolbZfoBprPoNU/s1700/west-terrace-2023-10-5a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fMq6cfMoPh6tEcUr27s5M0Svrl9N9AczgmzoTlzZ9qiGKSVdq_aToYjuQAM4qJHL85C8P1TY6MtLxRvTKHUwsUDdk9PUsGCF8iQm8FMrftgMZS7MbakPN1hDEPcKP-0RzJUpoX6D9zmBXr8RjOfGoXBYtVWmMwT5HCplhyphenhyphen202beSjgolbZfoBprPoNU/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-10-5a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still a bit weedy, but much better, with properly spaced boxwoods. You can see that the steps here really need to be replaced too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NgblyVX7DOkBDntcM0P-o-wg0ZLUAW2mtOAOl0kTDDxn5-dtwXiw-8Ufz1qdJklb7aSpBjkHGXeSr05MDkgTbc5PrhG4bs0gaapDggDXZ5w_0YIL0EjlRXWoswiNbKmGPEJkdGtPbK4gVW-hPz_H3laziI1jxa7m__0_paKhTZeeItbC6M4yfBYCDIc/s1700/west-terrace-2023-12-3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NgblyVX7DOkBDntcM0P-o-wg0ZLUAW2mtOAOl0kTDDxn5-dtwXiw-8Ufz1qdJklb7aSpBjkHGXeSr05MDkgTbc5PrhG4bs0gaapDggDXZ5w_0YIL0EjlRXWoswiNbKmGPEJkdGtPbK4gVW-hPz_H3laziI1jxa7m__0_paKhTZeeItbC6M4yfBYCDIc/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-12-3a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I moved about fifteen or so tree peonies and intersectional peonies from another area close by, into the two beds on either side of the central area where the pergola had been. I mulched them before winter, and I hope they'll survive....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvy638kz7lzGlWgTJGRo0A3iFZmuAmtkq8ken_0DkcQTsBLvAl4U9e82MOTeE33ed6buVDk-khLDrQw28XXWUfJ4bKBrtO0JgbKawiA0R8YPk6Z81Moq8uARH1MMzmAb73xsHev7B4QZKhCwXu3ZITOI3eIz3LJCml69sslyFyCRVlDuxnjGZEBmtUgA/s1700/northisland-2023-5-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvy638kz7lzGlWgTJGRo0A3iFZmuAmtkq8ken_0DkcQTsBLvAl4U9e82MOTeE33ed6buVDk-khLDrQw28XXWUfJ4bKBrtO0JgbKawiA0R8YPk6Z81Moq8uARH1MMzmAb73xsHev7B4QZKhCwXu3ZITOI3eIz3LJCml69sslyFyCRVlDuxnjGZEBmtUgA/w640-h480/northisland-2023-5-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree peonies were in my North Island (located to the right in the prior photo). They are very beautiful plants and were expensive, but this area is so large that it's difficult to maintain. So I moved them closer to the house so I'd be able to take better care of them and enjoy them when they bloom. I'll also plant some annuals for later interest in those terrace beds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7ln-PFM8HeaBk8xW7miO_JBCYhx9TwaQye1CHuGKA5yJT3DGmAFZtf1W8bPLnSgL5KMt-XsJlkHQq5htOlUB26VLUaG1Cpd5K_GHCvgrnb8tmf4Vob_4FL2K2DQD9e78I5wece_nM4EdB-Ws4J5LAzLBid9-9ljAApMvsrHK4DLzhRaLvJbk_WGVYdk/s1841/north-island-2021-5-7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1841" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7ln-PFM8HeaBk8xW7miO_JBCYhx9TwaQye1CHuGKA5yJT3DGmAFZtf1W8bPLnSgL5KMt-XsJlkHQq5htOlUB26VLUaG1Cpd5K_GHCvgrnb8tmf4Vob_4FL2K2DQD9e78I5wece_nM4EdB-Ws4J5LAzLBid9-9ljAApMvsrHK4DLzhRaLvJbk_WGVYdk/s320/north-island-2021-5-7b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMtQgDRgkNx6MIJdOJ_f29qEJ9BJNa-skdR2_34rbgGAMux4Kah86zWrITjCc2-GWIEUSUNt-ZUy6qamCVZm4FJLKAG2U4uJtGp33DqouVrrQBHu00wlG6v1-GfhaJkg6h9bE9kxslhe1M2J6UAA7JEHHkQ45krn82q8cJnwXREfu1OqhjSoMPISoDkU/s2048/north-island-2021-5-7c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="2048" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMtQgDRgkNx6MIJdOJ_f29qEJ9BJNa-skdR2_34rbgGAMux4Kah86zWrITjCc2-GWIEUSUNt-ZUy6qamCVZm4FJLKAG2U4uJtGp33DqouVrrQBHu00wlG6v1-GfhaJkg6h9bE9kxslhe1M2J6UAA7JEHHkQ45krn82q8cJnwXREfu1OqhjSoMPISoDkU/s320/north-island-2021-5-7c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were definitely worth saving!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZgeSv-oQmrWiq9_EX7mumuNOVAdBXIuGPlTgulyGm9-qiSGrOcapCs_Cs5uAPBkfplwvhn2BkeHnn8VkYgPI7cTErDK8MnFAKDP46EXo7OGJskD6hxrmWXAD6x6ane-5ZORoutefFVmzmqA7Zoe279AezAvq7YtRC1_eV1XqgqKIDk72Y8yLmMnEa0g/s1700/west-terrace-2023-12-3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZgeSv-oQmrWiq9_EX7mumuNOVAdBXIuGPlTgulyGm9-qiSGrOcapCs_Cs5uAPBkfplwvhn2BkeHnn8VkYgPI7cTErDK8MnFAKDP46EXo7OGJskD6hxrmWXAD6x6ane-5ZORoutefFVmzmqA7Zoe279AezAvq7YtRC1_eV1XqgqKIDk72Y8yLmMnEa0g/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-12-3b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then my very helpful son laid pavers on sand and gravel on either side of the rotting steps. Before, there had been a few more boxwoods in these two beds, but I moved them to the place where the pergola had been before in front of the steps, making an "X" shape, like a parterre. Most of these pavers and materials were leftover from my new <a href="https://gardenfancy.blogspot.com/2023/10/greetings-to-my-fellow-gardeners.html" target="_blank">Diagonal Garden</a> project of this spring, plus a few from under the pergola, so these paved areas cost hardly anything.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxH4FojDPmodXQS7H6vQppuJXZkQXJdQe59_zALnqT8qhFHHJLq1qNW3K5ITvQKyhbiUtFUWVkLSyaFdp2HWvbY73qrl1I_EQC-TPX3Ik9kuiyfrMBTULR_XKmpQ2XSkzinr4Si7shatY6Mp0rorz4hBiphYE_vbUin33DTYnnG3Dc8e734rSifi7EFc/s1700/west-terrace-2023-12-3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxH4FojDPmodXQS7H6vQppuJXZkQXJdQe59_zALnqT8qhFHHJLq1qNW3K5ITvQKyhbiUtFUWVkLSyaFdp2HWvbY73qrl1I_EQC-TPX3Ik9kuiyfrMBTULR_XKmpQ2XSkzinr4Si7shatY6Mp0rorz4hBiphYE_vbUin33DTYnnG3Dc8e734rSifi7EFc/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-12-3c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now we have a nicer place to sit on the two benches that were in a different garden area. My builder wasn't able to replace these steps before it got too cold to work, but the materials are stacked here and in my garage, for whenever we get a warm week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj4a_2wVy0c1Yx5jAKhyAIQIfRIhYvd3yZlQGJdtK-c5z-LTNnfVuTb4PJrwrhvksc5mNtgvbH-x27iI4ecrzRD2fc1ceymXLLGDxxf1JN3co1vwI1smK9zDF8Gj16jrzRdcyDVX7vFPglg3odPUrX8TwS593DbsbOkXsJGesgSkKDt-0ivXSf9LGLFM/s1700/west-terrace-2023-12-3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj4a_2wVy0c1Yx5jAKhyAIQIfRIhYvd3yZlQGJdtK-c5z-LTNnfVuTb4PJrwrhvksc5mNtgvbH-x27iI4ecrzRD2fc1ceymXLLGDxxf1JN3co1vwI1smK9zDF8Gj16jrzRdcyDVX7vFPglg3odPUrX8TwS593DbsbOkXsJGesgSkKDt-0ivXSf9LGLFM/w640-h480/west-terrace-2023-12-3d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sunny, sheltered spot, even in December.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's the changes I made this fall in my gardens and other areas -- changes I've been hoping to make for some time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I moved all my houseplants inside in early October, and I've been enjoying sitting among them on sunny days. I finally just got the last of my spring bulbs planted the other day, and now it's time for the holidays already.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for reading, and I wish you the very best for the holidays and rest of winter, until it's springtime again! -Beth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-57272684325119196272023-10-04T10:53:00.000-05:002023-10-04T10:53:30.426-05:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae7w2ptHgrYOA66YLFIwcLHKpVUxDNz6kkE7MFO-e98UyLVakkqi2CW_TwjI-Di-BBL3VD3YqoNq-WwKNRrocXu8fRYXyCmCgmedyEtTUKeHUItU70t5qklRAJqRiimBZZJzQ7lqWfhEzfG0N9-zCSapLGWHys3Be3Iq1s4FVzSd9_MMJWCSS_dqpOR8/s1700/diagonalgarden-2023-9-16a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1700" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae7w2ptHgrYOA66YLFIwcLHKpVUxDNz6kkE7MFO-e98UyLVakkqi2CW_TwjI-Di-BBL3VD3YqoNq-WwKNRrocXu8fRYXyCmCgmedyEtTUKeHUItU70t5qklRAJqRiimBZZJzQ7lqWfhEzfG0N9-zCSapLGWHys3Be3Iq1s4FVzSd9_MMJWCSS_dqpOR8/w640-h453/diagonalgarden-2023-9-16a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Greetings to my fellow gardeners. I just don't know where the summer went! Apparently the last time I posted here was back in May.... But I recently had a chance to take a few snapshots of my gardens right before dusk (which arrives much earlier now).</p><p>In May, I was working on my new garden area, which I've been calling the Triangle Garden, or sometimes the Diagonal Garden:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyrGq-06977wRdcMQcDSPT4So_DlZZAHU8l0EqKpC-8ZetHUlh_xszY3xd8HB0VrEGAedDOy1HeNOwfhB0klNT2FAOSfUTYt5TlHobTtf90LiIY_mesLVRdX_xRVCZ1gVQVqgYXWv8oU_Zetr-hYbCd9pvgRvIJhTY5W-FFMMWljV0RjlhngMIvWTN7Y/s2048/diagonalgarden-2023-5-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyrGq-06977wRdcMQcDSPT4So_DlZZAHU8l0EqKpC-8ZetHUlh_xszY3xd8HB0VrEGAedDOy1HeNOwfhB0klNT2FAOSfUTYt5TlHobTtf90LiIY_mesLVRdX_xRVCZ1gVQVqgYXWv8oU_Zetr-hYbCd9pvgRvIJhTY5W-FFMMWljV0RjlhngMIvWTN7Y/w400-h300/diagonalgarden-2023-5-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Triangle/Diagonal Garden back in May before planting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As you can see in the top photo, the new garden has come along well since then. I planted three groups of stripey cannas in each bed, as well as a couple of orange dahlias, a packet of zinnia seeds, a few marigolds along the sidewalk, and a purple celosia that became impressively large and has flowered all summer.</p><p>And I was surprised that a number of flowering tobacco and climbing petunias have already seeded themselves in the new garden. They have generally reseeded themselves in a neighboring bed, but I thought it might take longer for them to move to a new bed. Nope, by July you could hardly see the things I deliberately planted there because the "free plants" were so big -- I've had to hack them back several times!</p><p>It's really been a beautiful annual flower garden, immediately visible to people coming to our front door. (I think the mailman and the Amazon drivers have enjoyed it!)</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlH8FvBFydzNROE11-i78Gr7sk3X_lBpeoP4h0rRmxfdxvryC3oFIHaVysPNvLHHkfufxVbLqtU1pm3fFt2hOUcg358TO9M5dZQbipKc-m0AlhgNxXhZXwQlqOBMK1c_tdP_2GnnqIG7YMMECLM_fl65FxPtOsjy3WksIUEzsX2xwdiboSSFlCfzWYSU/s1700/diagonalgarden-2023-9-16b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlH8FvBFydzNROE11-i78Gr7sk3X_lBpeoP4h0rRmxfdxvryC3oFIHaVysPNvLHHkfufxVbLqtU1pm3fFt2hOUcg358TO9M5dZQbipKc-m0AlhgNxXhZXwQlqOBMK1c_tdP_2GnnqIG7YMMECLM_fl65FxPtOsjy3WksIUEzsX2xwdiboSSFlCfzWYSU/w640-h480/diagonalgarden-2023-9-16b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's another view from outside the fence. You can see the stripey cannas and zinnias here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkPIkus_Y0_0Zod3SR76QaVJRUd0iDXfQqJXHC4BoWdhHz5yuxX-EuJii6hWCsktmwYLyb9t3XEQo8FQaqmax6UqcSUA6OTU_kyBC1HOWLzFCVgFm-wuCtlyT6Ms9OQQanYPBaCj-E1jqELZZ5dnJfW2e4Nc-xxsv1r7QGUNiYlhWVL6z8zPrZq6LTN0/s1700/diagonalgarden-2023-9-16c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="1275" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkPIkus_Y0_0Zod3SR76QaVJRUd0iDXfQqJXHC4BoWdhHz5yuxX-EuJii6hWCsktmwYLyb9t3XEQo8FQaqmax6UqcSUA6OTU_kyBC1HOWLzFCVgFm-wuCtlyT6Ms9OQQanYPBaCj-E1jqELZZ5dnJfW2e4Nc-xxsv1r7QGUNiYlhWVL6z8zPrZq6LTN0/w480-h640/diagonalgarden-2023-9-16c.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving further down the fence, there's a red hardy hibiscus and one of the many <br />red dahlias that I have planted in many of my garden areas. <br />The tall corn in the fields is almost ready to harvest.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp6Cgy-yPG0zkU1BVv4q8kSBbXKTz8l1DhoNV0HsTbJKHn2HuXi7HjiSb1d2YqCv2JMLp-p5P-sYVYmKJ046vEQV6oepHQ_3LoaWGFkGsNobW0d9xsNfXW-OSgIZI28lKUMkpmKB_S2XA9O3PAImmUB8lDba7OhDNbFJBkukfq7zYn8S8NoVJlst1_ms/s3420/frontborder-2023-9-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3420" data-original-width="2569" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp6Cgy-yPG0zkU1BVv4q8kSBbXKTz8l1DhoNV0HsTbJKHn2HuXi7HjiSb1d2YqCv2JMLp-p5P-sYVYmKJ046vEQV6oepHQ_3LoaWGFkGsNobW0d9xsNfXW-OSgIZI28lKUMkpmKB_S2XA9O3PAImmUB8lDba7OhDNbFJBkukfq7zYn8S8NoVJlst1_ms/w480-h640/frontborder-2023-9-16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of those red Dahlia 'Jaipur'. I bought a tuber from <a href="https://brentandbeckysbulbs.com/product/jaipur/" target="_blank">Brent & Becky's Bulbs</a> <br />about five years ago, and it has been the most amazing plant -- I've divided them<br />numerous times and have at least 20 in several garden areas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp6Cgy-yPG0zkU1BVv4q8kSBbXKTz8l1DhoNV0HsTbJKHn2HuXi7HjiSb1d2YqCv2JMLp-p5P-sYVYmKJ046vEQV6oepHQ_3LoaWGFkGsNobW0d9xsNfXW-OSgIZI28lKUMkpmKB_S2XA9O3PAImmUB8lDba7OhDNbFJBkukfq7zYn8S8NoVJlst1_ms/s3420/frontborder-2023-9-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQIhQpd8Y6MVAw1xOFIb9g6yvKI1NIbeJEEeeq9Yzn_XyqBDoV_8CtwbPB1vo9FqqTvRXWrOYZFMPp91C3D2y290_nZlMe025de6SXEPX3BAybsEemJhQcfr2mLzrntv9pWwWVHPejge234dvgdbVLPY5xPunndwhYiptAoyABVKywY94Sg_IcO90Zw4/s1700/paradisegarden-2023-9-16b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1700" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQIhQpd8Y6MVAw1xOFIb9g6yvKI1NIbeJEEeeq9Yzn_XyqBDoV_8CtwbPB1vo9FqqTvRXWrOYZFMPp91C3D2y290_nZlMe025de6SXEPX3BAybsEemJhQcfr2mLzrntv9pWwWVHPejge234dvgdbVLPY5xPunndwhYiptAoyABVKywY94Sg_IcO90Zw4/w640-h452/paradisegarden-2023-9-16b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the Paradise Garden, in which I also have several 'Jaipur' dahlias, as well as lots of self-seeded flowering tobacco and petunias, which, unlike the dahlias, have the most heavenly scent, especially at night. This is a wonderful place to sit after dark.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq1sRctxktNItxXB8LczZLk-OjLazyPtDxDg1pslMifBC25yVsItUi8NT44OiH8Ly3CFxl-57AQEcz7G98F-DvpuyZm3LJNHX2TeifTtOuvBzkFnlqmwVlL8VMMi7W9EnAKr5fjinshvgFIFVYnRIIrmRS-7WmjsaSkvoAEG9NgdO49OUWQ90aS3JwQk/s1700/paradisegarden-2023-9-16a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1700" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq1sRctxktNItxXB8LczZLk-OjLazyPtDxDg1pslMifBC25yVsItUi8NT44OiH8Ly3CFxl-57AQEcz7G98F-DvpuyZm3LJNHX2TeifTtOuvBzkFnlqmwVlL8VMMi7W9EnAKr5fjinshvgFIFVYnRIIrmRS-7WmjsaSkvoAEG9NgdO49OUWQ90aS3JwQk/w640-h446/paradisegarden-2023-9-16a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Paradise Garden. A few roses are still blooming here -- I've been trying to fertilize them this year , and they've looked pretty nice since May (the Japanese beetles aren't as bad this year, perhaps because of the drought we had for about six weeks).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCb9eGc34AOTJz5e6hdjx_l52dOU-Ol8DUXkXngIs1y7Vh_pmKhKKTh5wJIZ6b0S64hYVum4hidc1Bhw65OFSe1ME1S6BDSkvhxRONt5gCRV9ZDCdF9vG2BcM51ahUYlwUtgARCjJRKsOpo0hkhoz75nomMpapZ4zzVZDznahsJsi727PJ6Y5h1oXw8/s1700/eastpatio-2023-9-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1700" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCb9eGc34AOTJz5e6hdjx_l52dOU-Ol8DUXkXngIs1y7Vh_pmKhKKTh5wJIZ6b0S64hYVum4hidc1Bhw65OFSe1ME1S6BDSkvhxRONt5gCRV9ZDCdF9vG2BcM51ahUYlwUtgARCjJRKsOpo0hkhoz75nomMpapZ4zzVZDznahsJsi727PJ6Y5h1oXw8/w640-h452/eastpatio-2023-9-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's another place to sit, under the pergola we built about five years ago. I grow tropical plants, in pots and in the ground around this patio next to our house. My houseplants seem to be very happy in the partial shade under the pergola. (And more self-seeded petunias and flowering tobacco.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, that's what's been happening in my gardens. I've recently been working on removing a long border, as discussed in my last post, and moving plants around on the west side of my house. I still have a number of projects that I hope to finish, moving more plants, building a couple of small patios for benches using paving stones leftover from the Triangle Garden, and others. I hope I'll be able to finish those and post one more time with some photos before winter settles in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope your own garden projects are going well for you, as we finish out another gardening season this year. Thanks for reading! -Beth</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG3nzdEoDVNo0XK2C_xKphEw5lm5jM57kRgAxKk_RWoelg-wYHjlRek4s6BNkOs2JcIdndeX9tKPS6aY2s9QWfx_LREhZgKsAA5NdqWqfKw0YYZ3B8jiQ_0d921-z2tnv4a6u09ksyyNxPm7_ouFb9oPza-f7j8SZMmcVEAB12XHcRDB7pgLDpGiWTEY/s1700/eastview-2023-9-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1700" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG3nzdEoDVNo0XK2C_xKphEw5lm5jM57kRgAxKk_RWoelg-wYHjlRek4s6BNkOs2JcIdndeX9tKPS6aY2s9QWfx_LREhZgKsAA5NdqWqfKw0YYZ3B8jiQ_0d921-z2tnv4a6u09ksyyNxPm7_ouFb9oPza-f7j8SZMmcVEAB12XHcRDB7pgLDpGiWTEY/w640-h420/eastview-2023-9-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-27350608935088011122023-05-15T22:39:00.001-05:002023-05-15T22:39:15.981-05:00My New Garden Project<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhZcgMB53Q6eVmfgkyeGksJZW44cV7tECRvvAF2826ySuxICCTQjkWZSOpl_FTzlEqAvPmsQ3q7Ittev_YlK_SFz94-Bcwes04QF-GDvXgE66qm-wX_nblpVysFlK0f1sbfcyy48qPZnot3OakoNBcSg9SmzyioJ1LN3ZAHnfeBVYcx9T5OV1X-Rk/s2048/diagonalgarden-2023-4-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhZcgMB53Q6eVmfgkyeGksJZW44cV7tECRvvAF2826ySuxICCTQjkWZSOpl_FTzlEqAvPmsQ3q7Ittev_YlK_SFz94-Bcwes04QF-GDvXgE66qm-wX_nblpVysFlK0f1sbfcyy48qPZnot3OakoNBcSg9SmzyioJ1LN3ZAHnfeBVYcx9T5OV1X-Rk/w640-h480/diagonalgarden-2023-4-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Greetings! I'd like to share with you my new garden project, which I've been thinking about doing for some time now. (I apologize for the long post.)</p><p>I've noticed for some years now that I enjoy the gardens that are closer to my house much more than those areas that are farther away or located in places where I rarely see them. This makes sense, of course, and not just because I'm able to enjoy them more often because they're closer. Also, I remember to maintain them, which is much easier when they're right outside my door, and so they are more successful garden areas -- which are much easier to enjoy than garden failures.... :-)</p><p>So, I've been thinking that I might get rid of one or two of my more distant areas, and make better use of a spot in front of my house.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek7fPisIX5aGVecmSNHKjYfPOw1PSO93rnqn7OhKmiC2a1dbNr_USovtFmB3V_lw1xQ_ANxJ3z_Zs5a0IPLBM-MQuwMgfOxWnXmgItsJz_ZtdhTvVOLfUnR41SkhBlgzhZ3S9NFWfe6N889CaAYVAanaWQra7fipBAUD6OClExEPU4s1R8KJxt01L/s1700/front-yard-2022-7-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1700" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek7fPisIX5aGVecmSNHKjYfPOw1PSO93rnqn7OhKmiC2a1dbNr_USovtFmB3V_lw1xQ_ANxJ3z_Zs5a0IPLBM-MQuwMgfOxWnXmgItsJz_ZtdhTvVOLfUnR41SkhBlgzhZ3S9NFWfe6N889CaAYVAanaWQra7fipBAUD6OClExEPU4s1R8KJxt01L/w640-h460/front-yard-2022-7-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my front yard last summer. My Paradise Garden is to the right, just out of the photo, and there were two rectangles of grass at the foot of my front steps.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS_D67hoit3b5nnAgh3w0lin9_mmPx8hTlxjJWwTsMNjX0SQcu8q22-4RUSUqS4s6_TxrDvDx5WY9v_WKvpcfuLKNqaYpjEcfCk2N4-zBHd1WDzM6ng-hR7WqzN8MTFIY9n-F2enAsHjMUa9tqG7TUyrC0O90YobOM5RNlz-QFEQVW2BC4MZ54YYL/s1700/paradise-garden-2022-7-22c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS_D67hoit3b5nnAgh3w0lin9_mmPx8hTlxjJWwTsMNjX0SQcu8q22-4RUSUqS4s6_TxrDvDx5WY9v_WKvpcfuLKNqaYpjEcfCk2N4-zBHd1WDzM6ng-hR7WqzN8MTFIY9n-F2enAsHjMUa9tqG7TUyrC0O90YobOM5RNlz-QFEQVW2BC4MZ54YYL/w640-h400/paradise-garden-2022-7-22c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's the Paradise Garden last July, with the center grass section at forefront. This garden area is pretty easy to maintain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My Paradise Garden right next to my house is so much easier to maintain than other areas, both because it is close to my house (I can pad out in bare feet and casually pull a few weeds), <i>and</i> because the garden beds are surrounded by paving stones, so nasty runner grass isn't always invading the beds like it does in beds in other parts of my property.</p><p>So in late April, I paid my teenage son to use a sod-remover (a manual one that you kick with your foot, which he was able to get the hang of using) to remove the grass in the corner section of my fenced yard (see first photo).</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGeo3u3BBUh-SpDAkdZWzLqp54VpJIXZ8gAqB4IlnmAWbzJOQd_r0B6vtp2Ueen-6hSoQYJyg5swfiY8iN_85BvOjEt8QcrA-iyCITFKAbrcA8_zX50rWr3p2cNVnV3K-Qp3EeZD37T2cbE8qnh2fE3IFY4K6Wd7gIXuYDyO4DbXdmmu1A-6ec_Zs/s2048/diagonalgarden-2023-4-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGeo3u3BBUh-SpDAkdZWzLqp54VpJIXZ8gAqB4IlnmAWbzJOQd_r0B6vtp2Ueen-6hSoQYJyg5swfiY8iN_85BvOjEt8QcrA-iyCITFKAbrcA8_zX50rWr3p2cNVnV3K-Qp3EeZD37T2cbE8qnh2fE3IFY4K6Wd7gIXuYDyO4DbXdmmu1A-6ec_Zs/w640-h480/diagonalgarden-2023-4-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then, I used a shovel to excavate several inches down, where garden paths would be laid...</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHeOh98TTf6e11xCyj2a82d72p3F_Gp_qM1ebMR298asWXGSHphWAYq_u5O_m0gTHqbyuBav1RjmlHOc91zSoQhcyiTA5UEDT2DtXOkXckmG92DdvTAzY8E7cEZEr0pn0sBJTOsEXudGV3QinInPKFZGUPIdooMFG9nyXpTndSvNlcyGSrAlOkhoI/s2048/diagonalgarden-2023-5-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHeOh98TTf6e11xCyj2a82d72p3F_Gp_qM1ebMR298asWXGSHphWAYq_u5O_m0gTHqbyuBav1RjmlHOc91zSoQhcyiTA5UEDT2DtXOkXckmG92DdvTAzY8E7cEZEr0pn0sBJTOsEXudGV3QinInPKFZGUPIdooMFG9nyXpTndSvNlcyGSrAlOkhoI/w640-h480/diagonalgarden-2023-5-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...ordered a bunch of pavers, gravel and sand to be delivered, and paid my handy son to help lay the paths. I then began to dig over the planting areas to loosen the soil that had been below the sod.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I'll plant the two triangular beds with annuals this year (probably this week), in case there's still some runner grass in the soil that needs to be eradicated. (I tried to pick out as many roots as possible when digging over the beds--that's what the bucket was for--but I probably missed some.)</p><p>I'm hoping these beds will be much easier to maintain than some of my other garden areas. I haven't yet decided what to call this new garden: the Corner Garden? the Diagonal Garden? the Triangle Garden? Hmmm... what do you think?</p><p>But I must eliminate some more difficult garden areas in exchange for this new one--that's my rule: any new garden must be offset by eliminating two old garden areas (or a much larger one).</p><p>So, I'm afraid I will be getting rid of a garden that hasn't been working so well for the past year or so: the Rainbow Border.</p><p>I made the Rainbow Border back in 2012. At first, I tried to plant it in sections with flowers in the order of the colors of the rainbow: ROYGBIV.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapwHFBtFPeytNVliuOkllVCBkh-9fs7Np8WY25zr3jlIhF3zNABvqrLou61CGK5i11e_3bt_-yulgFgOnsAa5QdEV45KPVjWE2k91P-nS6QgsD9Q6ost6LEgyALpGR5yotoPFUUljKklmskRGZbEatmPj_PPJ9ZM3uh4hG18Mlck9ofEvaH-ALtXV/s1590/rainbowborder-14-6-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapwHFBtFPeytNVliuOkllVCBkh-9fs7Np8WY25zr3jlIhF3zNABvqrLou61CGK5i11e_3bt_-yulgFgOnsAa5QdEV45KPVjWE2k91P-nS6QgsD9Q6ost6LEgyALpGR5yotoPFUUljKklmskRGZbEatmPj_PPJ9ZM3uh4hG18Mlck9ofEvaH-ALtXV/w640-h480/rainbowborder-14-6-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a long-distance view of the Rainbow Border back in 2014. The Orienpet lilies made a pretty good show in July, preceded by early June perennials and followed by zinnias and other annual flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>After a while, the Orienpet lilies I planted declined and mostly disappeared--I think it's possible that the red cedar windbreak behind the border interfered with their ability to grow in that spot. Some perennials seemed to do better, so I let go of the ROYGBIV plan and mixed up the colors, but still tried to stick with brightly colored flowers in all colors of the rainbow.</p><p>This looked pretty good for a few years. Here it was in 2019 and 2021:</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjfb8KwsHuOEKb7BrPMPYCT10L2LO8lCG4n6Eex6MoNThj5GAj7vDfpxDG75e2lEnbLzSLbSvk80vni93PmdrInB6K-_gLCFtVLtS3_0j4XsYFVaIrYqZCjbGYUibUuyOxd53lsxkydMXOzanYp_GWUOlPyjIK5z0bB3HLj9p6n4RSrE6dms7DnL_/s1500/rainbowborder-2019-6-1d.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjfb8KwsHuOEKb7BrPMPYCT10L2LO8lCG4n6Eex6MoNThj5GAj7vDfpxDG75e2lEnbLzSLbSvk80vni93PmdrInB6K-_gLCFtVLtS3_0j4XsYFVaIrYqZCjbGYUibUuyOxd53lsxkydMXOzanYp_GWUOlPyjIK5z0bB3HLj9p6n4RSrE6dms7DnL_/w640-h512/rainbowborder-2019-6-1d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_edXrhB5F9QKJGz_tPRZC_A8gBbEumgol3icNznsPt_44SW77x6FJIhIJ7V5Dvw6psQRIgJof914qnwq0raQt21xhFc3i5bjalyjfK1Zf_DbLmX4diGZjvvxIyr-Fm1HQnmou1rzzURxryD1RucHyGNT6fIj-36esKESAY2_ZEtcqn9WzUoQkgVz/s2048/rainbowborder-2021-5-31a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_edXrhB5F9QKJGz_tPRZC_A8gBbEumgol3icNznsPt_44SW77x6FJIhIJ7V5Dvw6psQRIgJof914qnwq0raQt21xhFc3i5bjalyjfK1Zf_DbLmX4diGZjvvxIyr-Fm1HQnmou1rzzURxryD1RucHyGNT6fIj-36esKESAY2_ZEtcqn9WzUoQkgVz/w640-h480/rainbowborder-2021-5-31a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very colorful in late May/early June....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPP3GZYtTWdN5V-rnRYeJK8wfkCfvvRr3Rhhg_QgQ6nIUJ93Vuq-2qRklpeUNQZBANJfwvEqQ0mqK89gB4WAVSYOh_E7rF7WYu_F9Hgc9-SiAjTJFmyvcUpQ4KMgnVuA2UR5Rx3LKSm_3sB4SnsINhpp0ndAbY6sZH9NEvWGZ4kmUnf7HjoS1izUx/s1958/rainbowborder-2021-5-31b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1958" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPP3GZYtTWdN5V-rnRYeJK8wfkCfvvRr3Rhhg_QgQ6nIUJ93Vuq-2qRklpeUNQZBANJfwvEqQ0mqK89gB4WAVSYOh_E7rF7WYu_F9Hgc9-SiAjTJFmyvcUpQ4KMgnVuA2UR5Rx3LKSm_3sB4SnsINhpp0ndAbY6sZH9NEvWGZ4kmUnf7HjoS1izUx/w640-h382/rainbowborder-2021-5-31b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a respectable perennial border, even in June of 2021.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>But there were some problems with the Rainbow Border: first, it was infested with grass that was impossible to dig out. I sprayed that grass with Ortho Grass-B-Gone, which did help, but I don't think it took care of the problem entirely. And the red cedar windbreak behind it was probably not so good for the plants.</p><p>And the border looked OK around June 1st, but looked ratty later in summer, because the annual flowers I planted there never seemed to grow very well.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2bHf6u9PkLMI6Q7FDtTr74hE3G0aZLo1U1enHftLUYv3SMBy08_cvn1CTJ96v6LXHXwV-213mzMMJlkYCq-ygMWiS0i3wpt77wy-Vwl3flHKn1jvsI0XUmHDrPVeuQokELpdEi1gtQ_on0Z0zy0xW4nz48oi6NEV3mf79K5GnmHH8If5VG91UKS9/s1622/rainbowborder-2022-7-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1622" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2bHf6u9PkLMI6Q7FDtTr74hE3G0aZLo1U1enHftLUYv3SMBy08_cvn1CTJ96v6LXHXwV-213mzMMJlkYCq-ygMWiS0i3wpt77wy-Vwl3flHKn1jvsI0XUmHDrPVeuQokELpdEi1gtQ_on0Z0zy0xW4nz48oi6NEV3mf79K5GnmHH8If5VG91UKS9/w640-h382/rainbowborder-2022-7-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In mid-July 2022, the border just looked ratty, weedy and blah. Maybe that was just a bad year, but this made me wonder why I still have this border.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The Rainbow Border is a fair amount of work to maintain--which, when it looked good, didn't bother me so much. But hard work and bad results is tremendously discouraging. </p><p>So, I've made the decision to eliminate the Rainbow Border, and move the best of the remaining plants to other areas in my gardens that need additional plants:</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3Iw-Kg0WRDm3gVByzm-7-SvuzlBZdIX081_-zylJRvKjeAJY8_i485y5IXSS93IoQwRi2Vg3oyYqKyQ0e6NRnhpVVMeUqlLEmghjmCIsJh-4v7wRSzC2rDtrCW8UOfO6SZNIKPJPi_9JEOsZqk3UEisUed1PdD4nhMzoXZzZp_srThv04QOGxWDD/s1590/additionborder-2020-3-21a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3Iw-Kg0WRDm3gVByzm-7-SvuzlBZdIX081_-zylJRvKjeAJY8_i485y5IXSS93IoQwRi2Vg3oyYqKyQ0e6NRnhpVVMeUqlLEmghjmCIsJh-4v7wRSzC2rDtrCW8UOfO6SZNIKPJPi_9JEOsZqk3UEisUed1PdD4nhMzoXZzZp_srThv04QOGxWDD/w640-h480/additionborder-2020-3-21a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This border in front of my house, shown in 2020 after I fixed the edging, still doesn't have enough planted in it. I removed the two large clumps of yarrow/Achillea and moved them to my Yellow Garden, and this fall or next March, I will move many of the Rainbow Border May/June perennials here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTaTZD9qAQV9339Jj4g3PDfsqfD1jpo9Oumz2WmjkpnRmwbhMeCqLYDVG7atLmjCX76rb3b5SjYcs76W7xmKYb32S9Eh-claF5FGKXtMx8lFk6DREeeHr7YhNufp4Wjh_7SORX243758M2jpTpKmEZtXXadRiEEIgihNeRLuKYaRA0rhB90vO33Fr/s1700/yellowgarden-2022-6-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1700" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTaTZD9qAQV9339Jj4g3PDfsqfD1jpo9Oumz2WmjkpnRmwbhMeCqLYDVG7atLmjCX76rb3b5SjYcs76W7xmKYb32S9Eh-claF5FGKXtMx8lFk6DREeeHr7YhNufp4Wjh_7SORX243758M2jpTpKmEZtXXadRiEEIgihNeRLuKYaRA0rhB90vO33Fr/w640-h428/yellowgarden-2022-6-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Yellow Garden behind my house could use some of the yellow flowering perennials from the Rainbow Border.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Nlof4l_1aH9MZSiZw3h3s4GUKTOSvYzSOBSmugZYumBzJFpn0DdtJIDem8JOHnA8TtG2b0-oVJWE7-Vkah0GoFB690ytNEyzSFOY0ji2FtyJLhUO5iZsnKDRykIuTWky80BQp1_iKj_RWwszZXm-BBAAY4X8uCNLlnOWBKy-gDC_Q_D40WIC4O1_/s1894/front-border-2021-4-21a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1894" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Nlof4l_1aH9MZSiZw3h3s4GUKTOSvYzSOBSmugZYumBzJFpn0DdtJIDem8JOHnA8TtG2b0-oVJWE7-Vkah0GoFB690ytNEyzSFOY0ji2FtyJLhUO5iZsnKDRykIuTWky80BQp1_iKj_RWwszZXm-BBAAY4X8uCNLlnOWBKy-gDC_Q_D40WIC4O1_/w640-h498/front-border-2021-4-21a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my Front Border in front of the white picket fence might look nice with a few of the Rainbow Border plants.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Anyway, that's what I've been working on, thinking about and making decisions about this spring. I'll show the results of my changes over the next year as they occur.</p><p>I hope your own gardens are easy and enjoyable to maintain, and thanks for reading about my efforts to make mine easier. -Beth</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa-3amvd2vBJArlTHwgGbOvoMdlb8Fo9gD1y1YjUaoGPjzSzQFQnK2juWFwVYpJTOih6186bT5NsO1tGswWo25p1brP29gSc01P3bJxd_EV_IOfd65CKVZS91VQVGlxGoUHD9KENoV87E8jW03F-AM0ECh_WOtYq6lSLxTwlYKyEv9tuMONgCB_My/s2048/peonies-2023-5-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa-3amvd2vBJArlTHwgGbOvoMdlb8Fo9gD1y1YjUaoGPjzSzQFQnK2juWFwVYpJTOih6186bT5NsO1tGswWo25p1brP29gSc01P3bJxd_EV_IOfd65CKVZS91VQVGlxGoUHD9KENoV87E8jW03F-AM0ECh_WOtYq6lSLxTwlYKyEv9tuMONgCB_My/w640-h480/peonies-2023-5-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-19678803392156005662023-05-04T20:35:00.000-05:002023-05-04T20:35:28.441-05:00Spring is Here!<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdWVshjiW2eoIPOya9zpG00QRpFGkLVvmC5Q3W8Yys39kVnm0POV68ecB6l3_aZ7ZQbkv0IzsoeUviEP890QK3tamP8FWZl7x-0zfY90ilwCkhbmbBE7j6Q8ORsGvmg2nL5XDEJSIP5jQQs2X1Ok9lFJREJ63HIlW0a1Ejkb_WpJ9K9uS2bI8FJ9Q/s2048/peachtree-2023-4-14.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdWVshjiW2eoIPOya9zpG00QRpFGkLVvmC5Q3W8Yys39kVnm0POV68ecB6l3_aZ7ZQbkv0IzsoeUviEP890QK3tamP8FWZl7x-0zfY90ilwCkhbmbBE7j6Q8ORsGvmg2nL5XDEJSIP5jQQs2X1Ok9lFJREJ63HIlW0a1Ejkb_WpJ9K9uS2bI8FJ9Q/w640-h480/peachtree-2023-4-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Greetings after a long winter! Somehow it's already May, and it seems like most of Spring has snuck by me.</p><p>There were some nice days in April, but also some stretches of cold, wet, windy days, so I've done very little in my gardens until recently.</p><p>But it certainly seems like I've been busy all winter -- a quick update on what I've been up to: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My retail store was destroyed in early October, and finding and remodeling a new space, re-ordering all the inventory and furnishings, and getting going again was incredibly time-consuming through February (I'm still dealing with the insurance).</li><li>Then I got terribly sick with influenza in mid-December, which took over a month to recover from; followed by two colds, one three weeks ago from which I'm only now feeling strong enough to work outside after. </li><li>My husband had hip replacement surgery several weeks ago and he's needed my help</li><li>and I published my latest garden history book last week:</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733842128/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1092" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuJu9e0E0TXQbLuhKXTrNXRm86qogNdSLTpbA-na0xKV0lLWUHUYZKJuEkNwY6Bg9Wj-WUI8b6UaOLVL2bAeVUzgOOszI8p9SCkRHjnE5GdNN0y-jNsxWPw-JIHM0ZbLcQHc1wNUmdFIn8B9UnfE7JxqMnHve_mu6fJa84rrYOTbBVyBiRFOrRB0p/w238-h320/otsuka-cover-7-front-small.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><p><br /></p>My book is about a Japanese garden builder who lived in Chicago during the early 20th century. In my earlier book, <i>Iowa Gardens of the Past</i> (2020), I included a short section about a c.1930 Japanese-style garden in Muscatine, Iowa, now part of the Muscatine Art Museum grounds. The museum director asked me to look into the history of their garden, and I discovered that it was likely built by that Chicago garden builder. But almost nothing was known about him, so I wrote a book about his life and work (he built numerous rock gardens and Japanese-style gardens throughout the Midwest). This was really quite fascinating -- I learned about Japanese samurai (his father was one), the Japanese-style gardens built at World's Fairs, classical Japanese garden manuals, Chicago history, and many other topics -- as well as the stories of the wealthy clients who hired him to build gardens for them. Perhaps obscure, but tremendously interesting work.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>But spring marches on, no matter how many other things we're doing. Here are a few pictures of some spring scenes around my gardens from the last month:</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14Xa96B-UJoXRsdqDxcKxZA-guxu_RYJe3LxjNMAg-6vTdhMj-7GPEGduXKgd7KYw8hox5nlTk9IeOTQTUJpVezUXBn4Tm9Aeqvv3456s4VK4i3WQlxD4MewOwGbwR6F9XT5T_P7GoufGqDAg9KdYkzSlJ2BFpmh4c5A583zNuLkoVaKXdP3on2lG/s1700/peachtree-2023-4-15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14Xa96B-UJoXRsdqDxcKxZA-guxu_RYJe3LxjNMAg-6vTdhMj-7GPEGduXKgd7KYw8hox5nlTk9IeOTQTUJpVezUXBn4Tm9Aeqvv3456s4VK4i3WQlxD4MewOwGbwR6F9XT5T_P7GoufGqDAg9KdYkzSlJ2BFpmh4c5A583zNuLkoVaKXdP3on2lG/w640-h480/peachtree-2023-4-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This "patio" dwarf ornamental peach tree has never bloomed more a few flowers in the decade I have had it, so I was astounded by the copious flowering this spring! I guess the weather was just right this year, plus, I did cut back some of the limbs last fall -- perhaps that further stimulated it. Whatever the cause, it's been beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGN01Hc_ktiyg0ilZoUj12gP-gSh3KwZJqhN9VLbyqxbwD5sQaOO653XhUJxJ7Q8iAwC8BYj2JFw-qQBszawIo5c5eAtRgDuoUAmEqM_v-teZ6ILxpfjXznEcHT8QPCM5D5BVVX-34_sxPqzNfxTGtyX0WDydZPvdbDfDH-vaK45mZEr1oB6eudHZ/s1700/magnolia-whiterose-2023-4-15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGN01Hc_ktiyg0ilZoUj12gP-gSh3KwZJqhN9VLbyqxbwD5sQaOO653XhUJxJ7Q8iAwC8BYj2JFw-qQBszawIo5c5eAtRgDuoUAmEqM_v-teZ6ILxpfjXznEcHT8QPCM5D5BVVX-34_sxPqzNfxTGtyX0WDydZPvdbDfDH-vaK45mZEr1oB6eudHZ/w640-h480/magnolia-whiterose-2023-4-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Magnolia 'White Rose' in my North Island flowered well this year too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbJC8oZTyuVyvx1gs1p795jIdq8b86hLi1Nr6dO8xi4PEiocq6voYgr-4_upA-c_1SktrvEItEY_te5BlyUwyODxx7Kto20y5NPQESGbydupdcx43YiuE1VaBspUW716oALGBHyoQS39t_H4KpHwVGWCs6bbgqZd1oe5lX2M3ZD2ty7pMQxqKsQsR/s1700/northborder-2023-5-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1700" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbJC8oZTyuVyvx1gs1p795jIdq8b86hLi1Nr6dO8xi4PEiocq6voYgr-4_upA-c_1SktrvEItEY_te5BlyUwyODxx7Kto20y5NPQESGbydupdcx43YiuE1VaBspUW716oALGBHyoQS39t_H4KpHwVGWCs6bbgqZd1oe5lX2M3ZD2ty7pMQxqKsQsR/w640-h388/northborder-2023-5-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Border is looking pretty good this spring. My teenage son put two loads of wood chip mulch on last fall as a birthday present for me, and it's much less weedy than usual -- I'll have to stay on top of the weeds this year...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoFpdGJvMx1cjdMuog8OQ1T_nyCsA7xMztR62LDcDHyHKaDt4SfC1lOS8aEGA2nocti1mbT20FqwNLEy547aV4z9WwS_KPY1LRIMdMsXEd8lxRDXrUW_HHeK_DudRFHYG72PTNrBbfcewlvo407fYBnIRylzTdDd9yQf7MMnL3OQUT5WAB5FceNyC/s1700/koreanspicevib-2023-5-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoFpdGJvMx1cjdMuog8OQ1T_nyCsA7xMztR62LDcDHyHKaDt4SfC1lOS8aEGA2nocti1mbT20FqwNLEy547aV4z9WwS_KPY1LRIMdMsXEd8lxRDXrUW_HHeK_DudRFHYG72PTNrBbfcewlvo407fYBnIRylzTdDd9yQf7MMnL3OQUT5WAB5FceNyC/w640-h480/koreanspicevib-2023-5-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Korean Spice Viburnum makes the whole yard smell wonderful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbSlP6dM-Gapp58OZr8nc4QjaRgHlgBK36KJECQCGw0yDxn7lAGYyOv_TYAS68B6SilMaeTkR-o_tJF9q-GyP0YUpoACfUkOgJVUdKGm7os8hXMb0Y2s-9E25vjdaRAccV6bMR28MFqE07IsNdS6dccayEE8f6JL_VOKFlb5VZGDVuHYXMnIBa8Sl/s1700/tulips-2023-4-15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbSlP6dM-Gapp58OZr8nc4QjaRgHlgBK36KJECQCGw0yDxn7lAGYyOv_TYAS68B6SilMaeTkR-o_tJF9q-GyP0YUpoACfUkOgJVUdKGm7os8hXMb0Y2s-9E25vjdaRAccV6bMR28MFqE07IsNdS6dccayEE8f6JL_VOKFlb5VZGDVuHYXMnIBa8Sl/w640-h480/tulips-2023-4-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so many tulips this year -- I planted a bunch of them two autumns ago and they made quite a show last spring, but only a few are left among the self-seeded bachelor buttons coming up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-mmVtBMrTxPCNc6ROy0u3ZnQZA4IO07BOE6rxIKOQERnKQ8EDd8hgCb5YOfZzsTPAnZvMNRWykbs3qt9C1fwi4gZzW6U1g_Wy8CUJszjHMGog6ESHk_3JsPRH_z4barxfDDRaFcmcsFvpAcfFrGSfPONzwwFnxBi9JWVUTFcClW3vLYY-_YLKrR_/s1666/fernleafpeony-2023-5-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1666" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-mmVtBMrTxPCNc6ROy0u3ZnQZA4IO07BOE6rxIKOQERnKQ8EDd8hgCb5YOfZzsTPAnZvMNRWykbs3qt9C1fwi4gZzW6U1g_Wy8CUJszjHMGog6ESHk_3JsPRH_z4barxfDDRaFcmcsFvpAcfFrGSfPONzwwFnxBi9JWVUTFcClW3vLYY-_YLKrR_/w640-h474/fernleafpeony-2023-5-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tiny fern-leaf peony is doing well in my Paradise Garden right next to my front porch, where I can see it up close and personal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXXwJXh45gA6IonriVZByZ-LnoOJ9H06Ft50SVqHtboXZE6Py5CVUC_PyHf4DaYjLK12Toy0_ikxVz1XuZhyWFgEVTDcB4-0ekqiF3rOmoTF24ph5nsFgghMT0-5Ohnqueu0Rde2xE2WIIiPWYhJAnmYjct93L61odSDtemB20GSlWa5FHbkF--qA/s1442/IMG_7060a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1442" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXXwJXh45gA6IonriVZByZ-LnoOJ9H06Ft50SVqHtboXZE6Py5CVUC_PyHf4DaYjLK12Toy0_ikxVz1XuZhyWFgEVTDcB4-0ekqiF3rOmoTF24ph5nsFgghMT0-5Ohnqueu0Rde2xE2WIIiPWYhJAnmYjct93L61odSDtemB20GSlWa5FHbkF--qA/w640-h506/IMG_7060a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is the newest addition to our household: meet Henry (1/2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, 1/2 rat terrier). He has a rather <i>bad dog</i> mischievous look on his little face, don't you think? He does still need to be trained to <i>not</i> chase our two cats, and I'm discovering that he likes to "help" me in the garden rather too much. But he'll soon pull more than his own weight in the garden, by keeping away deer, rabbits--and the coyotes that we see encroaching in the corn fields around us (I feel uneasy letting our cats out at night, where they<i> really</i> want to be on warm nights, since our last dog, Puppy, died last autumn at age 14). </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div>We have finally been enjoying a few days of nice weather this week, and it's been good to be able to get outside and start clearing out the beds I haven't been able to get to yet. And I have been working on a new garden project, which I'll show in my next post. </div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, I hope you are enjoying some beautiful warm late spring days in your own gardens. Thanks for stopping by! -Beth </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdROItZNIwdb9Prsisrdg0Lc4BZeUmUqko0cOWAww-Yigc6H7FaFMaI8I8RYC_CWC2-Ecl_ySE3gOQ8vqxqPg0BA31SzJlj1UMAYM6AgwHr1zXAF60oT4FIrs76RKMsMm46GMEBcyEDsSvxjVEMouxtSR2iZc5G7BKJhDrqWCiOO1EKLSI4VGw2ov/s2048/pondgarden-2023-5-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="2048" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdROItZNIwdb9Prsisrdg0Lc4BZeUmUqko0cOWAww-Yigc6H7FaFMaI8I8RYC_CWC2-Ecl_ySE3gOQ8vqxqPg0BA31SzJlj1UMAYM6AgwHr1zXAF60oT4FIrs76RKMsMm46GMEBcyEDsSvxjVEMouxtSR2iZc5G7BKJhDrqWCiOO1EKLSI4VGw2ov/w640-h440/pondgarden-2023-5-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-11206094144941069352022-07-24T23:54:00.001-05:002022-07-24T23:54:46.039-05:00Summertime Flowers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9HDr9YnVbsEtEtL1ctmULJFmaeevj_Oc1LWPxEtaIbdWgEQHO-LzaXPUHGHVXTOdeX8Yq8XJtn387818qd_v0We5rDMCpBckMZSPV2LtC1iGzLEwhW8fvERuK9Xgp7s0Jf10awvTCgugr0SxEoEKDE3Btt5nvZgvui6z8A1J2XbfOaYfz_04PqVp/s2048/paradise-garden-2022-7-22a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2048" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9HDr9YnVbsEtEtL1ctmULJFmaeevj_Oc1LWPxEtaIbdWgEQHO-LzaXPUHGHVXTOdeX8Yq8XJtn387818qd_v0We5rDMCpBckMZSPV2LtC1iGzLEwhW8fvERuK9Xgp7s0Jf10awvTCgugr0SxEoEKDE3Btt5nvZgvui6z8A1J2XbfOaYfz_04PqVp/w640-h470/paradise-garden-2022-7-22a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Greetings! It's been a floriferous time here in my gardens. My Paradise Garden (pictured above) has been particularly flower-filled this last month. </p><p>The Paradise Garden has been one of the most successful garden areas I've made since I started gardening more than a dozen years ago. I think that's because it's located so close to my house, which makes it easy to take care of. (I can pad out in my bare feet while I'm on the phone and pull a few weeds.) Also, it has two seating areas, and my husband and I enjoy sitting in it nearly every evening on warm nights.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bgW-RqXC1F7sueQugcu_ByJw8vblD2bCl6mU9tabwMcWfgVzqOpM49djinCvnveHO3JyEx0-2w7Ph4wmomSXDCMY-M1UV6QopLREbc3ASa_bNaxnw04I2KfAl_cX4dobTkwdMOlepxjQPcwsS4S6f8TnhXUnonYUMxwQ40QAs6BE0AUVW8Y99ZXn/s1700/paradise-garden-2022-7-22c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bgW-RqXC1F7sueQugcu_ByJw8vblD2bCl6mU9tabwMcWfgVzqOpM49djinCvnveHO3JyEx0-2w7Ph4wmomSXDCMY-M1UV6QopLREbc3ASa_bNaxnw04I2KfAl_cX4dobTkwdMOlepxjQPcwsS4S6f8TnhXUnonYUMxwQ40QAs6BE0AUVW8Y99ZXn/w640-h400/paradise-garden-2022-7-22c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Paradise Garden was bursting with color a few evenings ago.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7wT-g6NdXvPg7YSb5rgUlqkSlTGMUiR4ImcfokGN-ppI23OKmHC1fCvHzkZ4dSFq9h0N3NflLMHTbxWT02P7fJ6EvMLhbeoygC_c3nUmm_yWAfFHRrLhM3L8LgymhpF9VcHHl-ahyaCoafJhCdn51xNe7j7aDBlfblsHBHqqFqGCsnU6S62PZFcj/s1700/paradise-garden-2022-7-22d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1700" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7wT-g6NdXvPg7YSb5rgUlqkSlTGMUiR4ImcfokGN-ppI23OKmHC1fCvHzkZ4dSFq9h0N3NflLMHTbxWT02P7fJ6EvMLhbeoygC_c3nUmm_yWAfFHRrLhM3L8LgymhpF9VcHHl-ahyaCoafJhCdn51xNe7j7aDBlfblsHBHqqFqGCsnU6S62PZFcj/w640-h458/paradise-garden-2022-7-22d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a closer picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXfJ03-GM_vpcWsspQX_AnN5tDA3Hm4mIOOr2DS5zl6QxaQm6CWy4kYEkEp9vL0wGOXRS9QHkqPWCjr_3KLv0njkYq1fXiWHplXOAT1RXI0w92DrQb6ztBulc5NaeI7hw0q5cCUG5E9l4jz3Q2V-ZAgJZchsAp4e7f-FyvZcw4okGhImzUdTxPaqJ/s1700/paradise-garden-2022-7-22b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXfJ03-GM_vpcWsspQX_AnN5tDA3Hm4mIOOr2DS5zl6QxaQm6CWy4kYEkEp9vL0wGOXRS9QHkqPWCjr_3KLv0njkYq1fXiWHplXOAT1RXI0w92DrQb6ztBulc5NaeI7hw0q5cCUG5E9l4jz3Q2V-ZAgJZchsAp4e7f-FyvZcw4okGhImzUdTxPaqJ/w640-h480/paradise-garden-2022-7-22b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And from the back corner. Lots of daylilies and self-seeded flowering tobacco.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Another area that has turned out well is the east patio area, which I planted in a tropical garden theme a few years ago. I continue to do this each May and also bring out my houseplants to enjoy the dappled shade under the pergola, where they really seem happy. Along with our cats:</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDIjUg7p7M28Jpp4hro0hSnvTR_cdm1QPnDbYdIJwSrSMe1vPpACvhqrovrCUZGFJEdkzSfvftEJ-48B6BYZJ2lY3Q_MY2U3qyFxlVQXdWE38py9yJ0NgRsbI2nyebcZjQsxtXf1iMEGEUtRZQIKO1l4-Ufj-BZVmXAm2ExJUh6sbKjGDm8Y93Fja/s1700/east-patio-2022-7-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDIjUg7p7M28Jpp4hro0hSnvTR_cdm1QPnDbYdIJwSrSMe1vPpACvhqrovrCUZGFJEdkzSfvftEJ-48B6BYZJ2lY3Q_MY2U3qyFxlVQXdWE38py9yJ0NgRsbI2nyebcZjQsxtXf1iMEGEUtRZQIKO1l4-Ufj-BZVmXAm2ExJUh6sbKjGDm8Y93Fja/w640-h480/east-patio-2022-7-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those petunias, snapdragons and flowering tobacco at forefront re-seed themselves every year -- free flowers! And the view from the patio is lovely across the fields. (Both our cats like to snooze under the table.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg2fv4iX6pRSOmlYlaaabPh0oqQOnrBgr37zoewwDLItFSWXuwYIEpM9HVf1-XHCfkRNJszEKBTuzQ8rGS5inUg_2_oIpsn3BXZEKNhhTFwH9442ISRVhwFEcwORc4cE8ng6Oh2yKSki8wkDFMl4pWZiMPBk9es360Me3UT92TttPaxgyr2Fsn-FC/s1700/east-patio-2022-7-22b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1700" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg2fv4iX6pRSOmlYlaaabPh0oqQOnrBgr37zoewwDLItFSWXuwYIEpM9HVf1-XHCfkRNJszEKBTuzQ8rGS5inUg_2_oIpsn3BXZEKNhhTFwH9442ISRVhwFEcwORc4cE8ng6Oh2yKSki8wkDFMl4pWZiMPBk9es360Me3UT92TttPaxgyr2Fsn-FC/w640-h444/east-patio-2022-7-22b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what the border behind the patio table looks like, with houseplants, a coleus, more self-seeded snapdragons and a couple of hydrangea shrubs that over-winter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg2fv4iX6pRSOmlYlaaabPh0oqQOnrBgr37zoewwDLItFSWXuwYIEpM9HVf1-XHCfkRNJszEKBTuzQ8rGS5inUg_2_oIpsn3BXZEKNhhTFwH9442ISRVhwFEcwORc4cE8ng6Oh2yKSki8wkDFMl4pWZiMPBk9es360Me3UT92TttPaxgyr2Fsn-FC/s1700/east-patio-2022-7-22b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><p>The secret of these successful areas is their proximity to my house, so that it's easy for me to take care of them (and enjoy them). </p><p>So I'm planning some changes to my garden areas to eliminate larger borders that are farther away from my house, and move the plants to closer areas. I'll post more about the changes in a future post, but I'm excited to be making these plans.</p><p>I hope you're enjoying warm -- but not too hot -- days in your own gardens, and find them easy and enjoyable to maintain. Thanks for reading! -Beth</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dueHVdl4eWpzddFFSkfdB-vQf3eEwb1musOM7yyhGvVtjNDySyajmlUcdrRDhZIOiYFdp67MsMAuojKqGoiSQwADe17l3P3QCJOzRHpJMkLLbN1d8y1tdBsPi6emz9Ykhe7vi8CPtEdky18vRP-f002O1ttBGIsO_RtXQ3yJnEOvcO-B9UkTdeAD/s1700/mockorange-2022-6-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1700" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dueHVdl4eWpzddFFSkfdB-vQf3eEwb1musOM7yyhGvVtjNDySyajmlUcdrRDhZIOiYFdp67MsMAuojKqGoiSQwADe17l3P3QCJOzRHpJMkLLbN1d8y1tdBsPi6emz9Ykhe7vi8CPtEdky18vRP-f002O1ttBGIsO_RtXQ3yJnEOvcO-B9UkTdeAD/w640-h392/mockorange-2022-6-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-19018063558458637332022-05-08T13:39:00.002-05:002022-05-08T13:39:41.228-05:00Spring is Here!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR04zNxUVSyyy5shXWPsUmL0EYcNMj2WtLmU4IqQ_oANSTs2RRzyaTbtArNsacaI_LfN9uPAkGxthKVs8xMR8OQE50TnEkp6nfGJuhLzryLXlIpVGAFPZnXTbDjHhCt61BVS2dcFuPt4W7iSzpjNLlQE_B78--DpHm6KurxioL-27ggZvThd0xtAf/s1548/mint-circle-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1548" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR04zNxUVSyyy5shXWPsUmL0EYcNMj2WtLmU4IqQ_oANSTs2RRzyaTbtArNsacaI_LfN9uPAkGxthKVs8xMR8OQE50TnEkp6nfGJuhLzryLXlIpVGAFPZnXTbDjHhCt61BVS2dcFuPt4W7iSzpjNLlQE_B78--DpHm6KurxioL-27ggZvThd0xtAf/w640-h418/mint-circle-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p>Greetings everyone! After a long hiatus of nearly a year, I thought I'd come back to post a few updates about what's been going on in our gardens. </p><p>It's been an unusually cool, wet spring this year. While it seemed it might warm up in March, most of April was rainy and cold. Farmers will plant their fields very late this season because the soil has remained very cold until this week.</p><p>Here are a few pictures of what's blooming in our gardens:</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pyONILzfZ75ebK79pWAj-3wcGDwOWLFMtx50WKhchOH5iof-A35WjvAsHr9fsk06aKmS8ft5-hSDPrHckb_s8aqczSA6ZFD_iXjtx6PrsZk5dXv3eHVV9C8QYyYz68UktSY1gKBR-cTQhzQn4GQP9akXqF26QqJKFm0C65SvEmIrznQ3D-aGQ_R-/s2048/forsythia-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="2048" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pyONILzfZ75ebK79pWAj-3wcGDwOWLFMtx50WKhchOH5iof-A35WjvAsHr9fsk06aKmS8ft5-hSDPrHckb_s8aqczSA6ZFD_iXjtx6PrsZk5dXv3eHVV9C8QYyYz68UktSY1gKBR-cTQhzQn4GQP9akXqF26QqJKFm0C65SvEmIrznQ3D-aGQ_R-/w640-h446/forsythia-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our forsythia is blooming exceptionally well this year. We let a nearby farmer put a few sheep in our pasture for a few months every year -- which is nice, because we don't need to take care of them and we still get to enjoy the pastoral look of them for a while each year.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxXbbKRfIHo7XWqbf9tShZsv6Z3-lPMTUO0qSB1bXlDz8BaN0Tsc6VA6zNLKE_BePDYc61vMSFH5lE_9nfVDJPgesAZMG5PCsu7tOMqLWzvQTfJrfrJShpgtPEMmeijKMFoFqTSHSIWgWgUJFj8RAqG8Ru-4O3mMDFlY8rGTLgTSKgzedUy3bqiBQ/s2048/mint-circle-2022-5-5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxXbbKRfIHo7XWqbf9tShZsv6Z3-lPMTUO0qSB1bXlDz8BaN0Tsc6VA6zNLKE_BePDYc61vMSFH5lE_9nfVDJPgesAZMG5PCsu7tOMqLWzvQTfJrfrJShpgtPEMmeijKMFoFqTSHSIWgWgUJFj8RAqG8Ru-4O3mMDFlY8rGTLgTSKgzedUy3bqiBQ/w640-h432/mint-circle-2022-5-5a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I planted more tulips in this bed last fall and they look pretty cheerful this spring.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ2TmGgd9RvFY-P58z6sz0FCfUMWA2NB3Uug6SjStNn3PjUH6EkPZJet83LcJIP4JuVdCAc4o9o__XS7x9XNTNv8KcylrYCbolkGMQm21meDgjuA61LbAWlAWlNIK3DQf33Vpxeg1HYam_7ILLY3pFIyU8LCH22BCQLYk5QwYTQoMlo-tj3-_ABbv/s2048/west-island-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ2TmGgd9RvFY-P58z6sz0FCfUMWA2NB3Uug6SjStNn3PjUH6EkPZJet83LcJIP4JuVdCAc4o9o__XS7x9XNTNv8KcylrYCbolkGMQm21meDgjuA61LbAWlAWlNIK3DQf33Vpxeg1HYam_7ILLY3pFIyU8LCH22BCQLYk5QwYTQoMlo-tj3-_ABbv/w640-h450/west-island-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These flowering cherry and magnolia trees were looking very pretty the other day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO9gL8dh-mtztDCpnqAP-aSZW_UWxfJsQEfp8dbVHmpq2HqNgQ0rcDztA49e_H9-RhIsKMaXpcF0Dn0TOt1cCnNxzlT41VXNI455rdeULunWue9NN75DmMIX_-UYRHmoc0TEDs0G0VG9v6YE0ABQs4yTK-JUUX8KulYN11P3IunE3HADa4CwXilAh/s2048/pond-gardens-2022-5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="2048" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO9gL8dh-mtztDCpnqAP-aSZW_UWxfJsQEfp8dbVHmpq2HqNgQ0rcDztA49e_H9-RhIsKMaXpcF0Dn0TOt1cCnNxzlT41VXNI455rdeULunWue9NN75DmMIX_-UYRHmoc0TEDs0G0VG9v6YE0ABQs4yTK-JUUX8KulYN11P3IunE3HADa4CwXilAh/w640-h354/pond-gardens-2022-5-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As were the crabapples near the pond garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVOCaUV6KeuJs4Qlr299MacrR3NJYWo_toK_c__4V1gNc_cYGx-v3CaABuYIP2UIgRGDfy-VfiweBo1LUNLJeH9JnR-Ehh1XnUMlVCshQcOyveLnPD__hTzB7puJahULT2r7BQeT_GOa6jt5cOlcokuUq4GqNyuqkEHz90h3LfBtvHXPhB5zx0efj/s2048/north-border-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="2048" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVOCaUV6KeuJs4Qlr299MacrR3NJYWo_toK_c__4V1gNc_cYGx-v3CaABuYIP2UIgRGDfy-VfiweBo1LUNLJeH9JnR-Ehh1XnUMlVCshQcOyveLnPD__hTzB7puJahULT2r7BQeT_GOa6jt5cOlcokuUq4GqNyuqkEHz90h3LfBtvHXPhB5zx0efj/w640-h382/north-border-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Evergreen Border behind my house is looking very colorful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAER9yiOrpUDi1pF83d3TRclcoZcjmY4MScHNl0PTI281_SBUK7jMzIwcI5p-RwIHHL_yfd_bUGuWpkwVdQuZZhSoLmeLzWgJB7OdCMl3ZEGarkx5PcJ-TEkOdRro8LmgQzZSQ8fKJ5-0pf5I4dcIx3lqDZfpU6g53vZ6o05WUyUBNBaDYvKuGNQap/s2048/north-border-2022-5-5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="2048" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAER9yiOrpUDi1pF83d3TRclcoZcjmY4MScHNl0PTI281_SBUK7jMzIwcI5p-RwIHHL_yfd_bUGuWpkwVdQuZZhSoLmeLzWgJB7OdCMl3ZEGarkx5PcJ-TEkOdRro8LmgQzZSQ8fKJ5-0pf5I4dcIx3lqDZfpU6g53vZ6o05WUyUBNBaDYvKuGNQap/w640-h408/north-border-2022-5-5a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's a closeup of it, in its weedy glory.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Xb2hwww-eWXhY2PdDgc3P_xSSDfJWR7PCDOP281Kgn0bZVyw6aBiHeocgeY0nv9WY114atZKwuMPDoEIwRW0_rTjhOnbFlkURVhxm3PImpqBY619Rdn_oV4Uqxg0y0UZVQ6M2EqZk4wmsG-fpqM0HXolaar87Dc1kJkLIXKavY5aWjBZ7B3NAl7/s1824/herb-garden-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1824" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Xb2hwww-eWXhY2PdDgc3P_xSSDfJWR7PCDOP281Kgn0bZVyw6aBiHeocgeY0nv9WY114atZKwuMPDoEIwRW0_rTjhOnbFlkURVhxm3PImpqBY619Rdn_oV4Uqxg0y0UZVQ6M2EqZk4wmsG-fpqM0HXolaar87Dc1kJkLIXKavY5aWjBZ7B3NAl7/w640-h428/herb-garden-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Herb Garden boxwoods are beginning to grow in, after cutting down every other one last spring. I think I may cut the rest down short to let them fill in, as many of them have leaves only on the ends of the branches.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7lt5QgRU5hEPxjibDCjGXvKm31Q079grNdYepla9ve-wKeVn3mUEQzGm27lqya3DVZOGXgyZzJUIQV9JS2moKp4SVGSz5kzpAYzSndM5QnTqUZ6oWaGbttdw7y4jJd2q7EZhd6kDOV_PfQ6ioWV6we1ZRKA2wvC3EhE1RFAhP52OzW1UJ4ges_oP/s2048/patio-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7lt5QgRU5hEPxjibDCjGXvKm31Q079grNdYepla9ve-wKeVn3mUEQzGm27lqya3DVZOGXgyZzJUIQV9JS2moKp4SVGSz5kzpAYzSndM5QnTqUZ6oWaGbttdw7y4jJd2q7EZhd6kDOV_PfQ6ioWV6we1ZRKA2wvC3EhE1RFAhP52OzW1UJ4ges_oP/w640-h410/patio-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's a big change we're making: removing the back part of the white picket fence that surrounds our front and side yard. We removed the fence sections to see how it might look, and will remove the posts and gate once we decide with certainty. I think I like the openness.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3teYC9uMSsZ0LbSf4FB2ocs2bt5LO_pmVEIU-RLYfcBp9HEQLAXPi2c80yWDZWXh8Q95S8wZypJpBE93vd2bGfRgWlB7r6F7Dzg3B_AXkp4OOuUd-UwBCVUOiaq8OdH7rzdZZ65k3wF_3YloD7dT88nIFDeM9_-2iyzFo1O7OWC-D3K3FfspR8fb/s2048/patio-2022-5-5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="2048" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3teYC9uMSsZ0LbSf4FB2ocs2bt5LO_pmVEIU-RLYfcBp9HEQLAXPi2c80yWDZWXh8Q95S8wZypJpBE93vd2bGfRgWlB7r6F7Dzg3B_AXkp4OOuUd-UwBCVUOiaq8OdH7rzdZZ65k3wF_3YloD7dT88nIFDeM9_-2iyzFo1O7OWC-D3K3FfspR8fb/w640-h464/patio-2022-5-5a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it will allow us to make an opening directly into the Herb Garden from closer to our house (I'll remove a couple of the boxwoods to the right of the short white post at center). We'll leave the fence around the patio and the rest of the yard, which you can see the start of at the far right.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />We're happy that spring has finally arrived here -- for a few days anyway, as it's supposed to be almost 90°F for three hot windy days this week, and many of these flowers will burn off and blow away. <div><br /></div><div>But that's Iowa: we get to enjoy all the spring flowers compressed into one week-long "springtime." Then it's "Hello Summer!" But it will warm up the soil finally, and the farmers can get going.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you are enjoying a slightly longer springtime in your own gardens. Thanks for reading! -Beth<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZa33YXJAQnLe0wmF0ljmA8QuIdTWrGGt2NKtz-aUnYXHpaKoiJGs1ydyo-5NTkPBWEoFhhC0ESFDJIerztTQ7zsm4yax9S-DA5AV8S7WGOXKBxmbS2DHzHu1cNnGPp0Trrj2d2o5EriitK6c_9ovrokFJow3t4OMz9S7Gg3msiHt6cDa25US9j1v/s1968/front-border-2022-5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1968" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZa33YXJAQnLe0wmF0ljmA8QuIdTWrGGt2NKtz-aUnYXHpaKoiJGs1ydyo-5NTkPBWEoFhhC0ESFDJIerztTQ7zsm4yax9S-DA5AV8S7WGOXKBxmbS2DHzHu1cNnGPp0Trrj2d2o5EriitK6c_9ovrokFJow3t4OMz9S7Gg3msiHt6cDa25US9j1v/w640-h454/front-border-2022-5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-73740198227866851042021-05-31T17:59:00.000-05:002021-05-31T17:59:03.952-05:00Boxwood Butchery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings! Readers of my blog have probably noticed that I have many, many boxwood shrubs -- several hundred -- in my various garden areas. The most prominent boxwood planting is my Herb Garden, shown above in a photo taken three years ago. (This is one of my favorite pictures of my garden, because it shows my white picket fence, the formal Herb Garden, and the Iowa farm scenery beyond -- I feel the photo really captures the feeling of my gardens and their setting.)<br />
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The Herb Garden was the first garden area I made when we moved out here in 2008. I had wanted to make a formal garden area for years and had been planning the type of general layout I wanted even before we moved here. We had some grading work done in other parts of our property, to make the retaining wall for our garage and to smooth some lawn areas, so I had the guy with the bulldozer level up this area a bit too when he was out here.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqgPClDKpnPi3qhEUzIgWhUofInSDUwuThUSZ5sP2HtKI79l9ATlXcyaK3HoM1_0dH0BAlmV3bn5QP8-FIX6czeqIxD30BObWZiCeqTrK4CY_AlnbnLttzERD2C-Inr2SwsbmZOJeYdA/s1038/bigyard-2007-11-14-crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1038" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqgPClDKpnPi3qhEUzIgWhUofInSDUwuThUSZ5sP2HtKI79l9ATlXcyaK3HoM1_0dH0BAlmV3bn5QP8-FIX6czeqIxD30BObWZiCeqTrK4CY_AlnbnLttzERD2C-Inr2SwsbmZOJeYdA/w640-h398/bigyard-2007-11-14-crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a photo of our house and property taken in fall 2007, before we bought the place. Our garage now stands where the trees at left stood, our driveway area is much larger, and we tore down the small leaning shed. And to the right of the house, the ground sloped down away from the house -- I had that area leveled up so I could make my formal Herb Garden there.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzEfuievjybd7tW0CCHXE_raDVxKHmUO2tCQPWRT7VgzDRcmJjj6wh0BVnylurbpmZUTiPMcLxlZVi2-IDVWX0jD4h5vzhcbQdbVxID9TMbsoOAz3fqn1JPstp4WApP-jnxmGRlvzLGY/s1600/herbgarden-2008-7-10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzEfuievjybd7tW0CCHXE_raDVxKHmUO2tCQPWRT7VgzDRcmJjj6wh0BVnylurbpmZUTiPMcLxlZVi2-IDVWX0jD4h5vzhcbQdbVxID9TMbsoOAz3fqn1JPstp4WApP-jnxmGRlvzLGY/s640/herbgarden-2008-7-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the freshly laid-out Herb Garden, the following summer in 2008. The area is quite a bit more level than it was in the last photo, and I outlined gravel paths with about 200 'Green Velvet' boxwood seedlings that I bought from a nursery in Alabama.</td></tr>
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<br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Problem</h3><div>But there was a big problem with my boxwood hedges in my Herb Garden: <b>I planted the boxwood seedlings too close together</b>. Each of the beds is 4.75 feet wide and 11 feet long, and I planted the boxwoods less than a foot-and-a-half apart, not realizing that the tiny seedlings had a mature size of <i>three feet wide</i>.<div><div>
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This didn't get to be a problem for some time, because boxwood takes years to grow to mature size. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFPNuvS8TVxw9c27kRe1Wu853p_fCzC3qGq_Z3cCzBv2k1FjOVnm_fwm9BxpplOLLDQGzVevwwRgq6rbSgnfdmOvuShTb1PnuqzQLuOhaIPaCg6lh3FyY-ULKWOlGmgdI9aX09CGJQp8/s1600/herbgarden-14-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFPNuvS8TVxw9c27kRe1Wu853p_fCzC3qGq_Z3cCzBv2k1FjOVnm_fwm9BxpplOLLDQGzVevwwRgq6rbSgnfdmOvuShTb1PnuqzQLuOhaIPaCg6lh3FyY-ULKWOlGmgdI9aX09CGJQp8/s640/herbgarden-14-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a picture from 2014: Six years after planting, the boxwoods were finally growing together nicely, and I was able to trim them into continuous hedges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLTn4aNozM0a4Eo5svVlSds-CyTJHqwmL3dm2WtYoYybzHT3yjsiijf48NxG6vWNGpnxfOnSSohyphenhypheneaKJFHWra1gpu2CwVc4VDtlIlJ-64Oslw2YEbJIm_340C_c8sbM_FpkOrJx0K254/s1600/herbgarden-2018-5-25a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLTn4aNozM0a4Eo5svVlSds-CyTJHqwmL3dm2WtYoYybzHT3yjsiijf48NxG6vWNGpnxfOnSSohyphenhypheneaKJFHWra1gpu2CwVc4VDtlIlJ-64Oslw2YEbJIm_340C_c8sbM_FpkOrJx0K254/s640/herbgarden-2018-5-25a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By 2018, the boxwood hedges had gotten quite a bit larger (you can see how much taller the hedges were compared to the solar lights at the entrance, from the previous photo). I needed to remove a lot of the growth each year, in order for there to be room in the beds for herbs to receive any light.</td></tr>
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The boxwoods continued to grow. I trimmed them every year, but found myself needing to trim more off of them each time, so that there was room to grow herbs in the beds. The design still looked good, though.<br />
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But spring of 2019 was <i>exceptionally wet</i>. The previous autumn (Fall 2018) was unusually wet, plus a lot of snow melted off in winter, and then it just wouldn't stop raining in spring 2019. Our basement actually flooded with an inch or two of water that spring (our house is on the top of a hill and our basement is tiled for drainage, so this was very unusual).<br />
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I waited until July of that year when things were finally dry to trim the boxwoods -- it's a bad idea to cut them when they're wet, because it makes them more susceptible to diseases. But apparently that precaution wasn't enough to prevent a problem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgfkcnkYuWt2ayhCyYApBLeZ75v5E8W3xz3twX6kOBNAb5iTqUiQ06WhufEDFTY76VQ9_FxkZYe-XZGtB7hLq0CIdRR56STQPYkTbtd0czRyazj8u-OZCr3Ax7D41HsMNWwj8k1tQEEM/s1600/boxwood-cody1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgfkcnkYuWt2ayhCyYApBLeZ75v5E8W3xz3twX6kOBNAb5iTqUiQ06WhufEDFTY76VQ9_FxkZYe-XZGtB7hLq0CIdRR56STQPYkTbtd0czRyazj8u-OZCr3Ax7D41HsMNWwj8k1tQEEM/s640/boxwood-cody1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo, taken in May 2020, shows that there is a problem.</td></tr>
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I didn't notice the problem until nearly a year later, last May -- although I had vaguely noted that the boxwoods hadn't grown as much during 2019 as they usually do. Looking back at photos from Fall 2019, it's obvious now that they weren't growing well.</div><div><br /></div><div>But by May 2020, the problem was all too visible: there were dead branches and whole dead areas on many of the boxwood shrubs.</div><div><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Boxwood Blight?</h3>
For years now, I have been terrified that the dreaded Boxwood Blight will infest my gardens like it has in England and, to a lesser degree, in the eastern and southern US. There is no effective treatment for it, and it would necessitate the removal of my hundreds of boxwoods -- including this entire Herb Garden area. (When we returned from our trip to England in 2019, I scrubbed the bottoms of our shoes with disinfectant before getting on the return plane. Don't laugh: we visited a garden the day before our flight home in which the boxwoods looked horribly diseased.)<br />
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When I saw this damage, my heart nearly stopped. I immediately contacted our state Extension's Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic last May, but they were closed for lab work due to the coronavirus -- although people were answering emails.<br />
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So I did some more research online myself, and I realized from the symptoms that it's likely <b><i>not</i> </b>Boxwood Blight (a fungal disease caused by <i>Calonectria pseudonaviculata</i>), which causes the boxwood leaves to fall off the plant.<br />
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Instead, it's likely <a href="http://www.tnstate.edu/extension/documents/Boxwood%20Volutella%20blight%20factsheet.pdf" target="_blank">Volutella blight</a> (caused by the fungus <i>Volutella buxi</i> / <i>Pseudonectria buxi</i>), in which the leaves die but remain on the plant. The Extension person who emailed me agreed from the photos I sent that this was likely the case (although she wasn't able to do a lab confirmation).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rCvxbMakdCdmRzlzaUJ4UFFit1IGAYVSSGYwAaRbcB3cQbiCxuWhsfu-V-FW464sE58K2K_d4GVeoxzGzBlCNwQNS3hInQ9wXGt6ErAdB_PZY4zIklPoTW1qN13gRknLz7aRZwhAW38/s1600/boxwood-cody2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rCvxbMakdCdmRzlzaUJ4UFFit1IGAYVSSGYwAaRbcB3cQbiCxuWhsfu-V-FW464sE58K2K_d4GVeoxzGzBlCNwQNS3hInQ9wXGt6ErAdB_PZY4zIklPoTW1qN13gRknLz7aRZwhAW38/s640/boxwood-cody2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what the inside of that hedge with the dead streak looks like: interior dieback, but with the dead leaves retained on the plant.</td></tr>
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Plus, I closely looked at some leaf samples, and they matched the descriptions of the symptoms described in the linked article from the Tennessee State Extension:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj8Gjhyphenhypheny8Y3NXfeVWCzttGR5FdD4pNKqc82WJblhvvgFviV-pEegEzc8wcUeIGcBKxz3yxp1mF-QBn3Qe2KxV8jp037KQJKmxspuONmFw1yHOLl_TPorOflTt6txl9BALeuwqckC5RDQ/s1600/boxwood-cody8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj8Gjhyphenhypheny8Y3NXfeVWCzttGR5FdD4pNKqc82WJblhvvgFviV-pEegEzc8wcUeIGcBKxz3yxp1mF-QBn3Qe2KxV8jp037KQJKmxspuONmFw1yHOLl_TPorOflTt6txl9BALeuwqckC5RDQ/s640/boxwood-cody8.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are some "black streaks on petioles" (where the leaves attach to the stems), but not streaking<br />all the way up the stems, like in Boxwood Blight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuvR_8WKEjVBRBc0Y6_dP4vsVch0At_1DKEsxnK6gLjWLGSZDcGwqh52TZkgqeTKGydv1x9r_MtMJS0sXquP1IIrljoZPk5yBqOxVhGdN9x9hK4BhBbpO8Ym1ZMt4qTcG-wO6EororMY/s1600/boxwood-cody7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1230" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuvR_8WKEjVBRBc0Y6_dP4vsVch0At_1DKEsxnK6gLjWLGSZDcGwqh52TZkgqeTKGydv1x9r_MtMJS0sXquP1IIrljoZPk5yBqOxVhGdN9x9hK4BhBbpO8Ym1ZMt4qTcG-wO6EororMY/s640/boxwood-cody7.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here are the "salmon pink colored fruiting bodies (sporodochia)" mentioned in the article.</td></tr>
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So the (very) good news is that my Herb Garden boxwoods are <i>not</i> the first documented case of Boxwood Blight in the state of Iowa. (Although it's still probably only a matter of time until it arrives, as it's been found in Illinois and Missouri, our neighboring states -- but not today.)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhBnXt0agQnTfic3C03GVM-pgYuWISN4VB32nZnYUbrhUA7e_-BQxgm4ErxQOrAu9jj-Ch2Sd11xNf_RYcyrMZwuhpKq3ZrhmhinabPDas4F4kyl_d4YrsyKjASMbS7uWoMHsEnSM_Vg/s1000/BoxwoodBlight-LandscapesMap2019.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1000" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhBnXt0agQnTfic3C03GVM-pgYuWISN4VB32nZnYUbrhUA7e_-BQxgm4ErxQOrAu9jj-Ch2Sd11xNf_RYcyrMZwuhpKq3ZrhmhinabPDas4F4kyl_d4YrsyKjASMbS7uWoMHsEnSM_Vg/w640-h413/BoxwoodBlight-LandscapesMap2019.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outlook seems pretty grim, as many of the states around Iowa already have spotted boxwood blight there. Only a matter of time....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br />
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But the bad news is that I still have a blight problem, albeit one that that I might, with time, be able to mitigate and, with luck, be able to save my boxwood shrubs.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Boxwood Butchery</h3>Two weeks ago I (and my 15-year-old son) began my radical project: to <b>remove every other boxwood</b> shrub in my Herb Garden and trim out the dead branches, opening up the remaining parts of the shrubs to more air circulation. With time, the remaining boxwoods <i>might</i> fill in and make a (looser) hedge again. I'll also treat the boxwoods with a copper-based fungicide over the next few years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few photos, to revel in the carnage:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo1cHlcpbMabrvw42BSPlqvqBABRRyBgvgiTdW8xHqPc8o-r1fQAYnchkPjo6MD4_YFlIOI9k9PF4dXIeNfm79r6r0iwXHib51HZydnTYyMwxbUNYO6CzacFPSvMPaphS_t40tj8EqOc/s2015/boxwoods-2021-5-22a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="2015" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo1cHlcpbMabrvw42BSPlqvqBABRRyBgvgiTdW8xHqPc8o-r1fQAYnchkPjo6MD4_YFlIOI9k9PF4dXIeNfm79r6r0iwXHib51HZydnTYyMwxbUNYO6CzacFPSvMPaphS_t40tj8EqOc/w640-h422/boxwoods-2021-5-22a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like a crenellated castle wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbY-aVARzGigDINprLOzPzGPGpVKWbDgCVOIsn9YtsTaB8VTnXhhXvHmelhFp3R28fTzKgwlruExT-m5DrVIO5C73vdghTt2oOzd-BHL70SqEOMOs64ea7urwErgNLfj6qytVz5817TA/s2048/boxwoods-2021-5-22b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbY-aVARzGigDINprLOzPzGPGpVKWbDgCVOIsn9YtsTaB8VTnXhhXvHmelhFp3R28fTzKgwlruExT-m5DrVIO5C73vdghTt2oOzd-BHL70SqEOMOs64ea7urwErgNLfj6qytVz5817TA/w640-h480/boxwoods-2021-5-22b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butchered.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSUdWI7UgYZlLVQ7V-f-VTHxUIO9tTgBz5YtR2-zicS6GJwfoIr5ud-4ITcAsFlSej6NTkrWLKbS53DLV2PFtJoDPHerKS_rQSd-PxuHDuATvNpPFnZygIphhz6OPNK5d4xjY03cLA4M/s2048/boxwoods-2021-5-22c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSUdWI7UgYZlLVQ7V-f-VTHxUIO9tTgBz5YtR2-zicS6GJwfoIr5ud-4ITcAsFlSej6NTkrWLKbS53DLV2PFtJoDPHerKS_rQSd-PxuHDuATvNpPFnZygIphhz6OPNK5d4xjY03cLA4M/w640-h480/boxwoods-2021-5-22c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After sawing off every other shrub, Step 2 is to cut out the interior dead branches and knock out all of the dead, diseased leaves trapped inside each shrub. This is pretty time-consuming, and I had to stop when it started raining two weeks ago -- but as soon as things dry out I'll resume this work.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIn2uNUZW5XNATYVmIKylFOvi1mGBobPz7iGXVnKQtPJfyOcou3JZ7EUF0Ky9nWbF5VLQDdwFELdwexhjhoFFlgJUjTNiX6GlUcGFNAhNGSG7J5gxSGW6eLw5nes6kK-tMyUsxf2Kj40/s2048/boxwoods-2021-5-22d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIn2uNUZW5XNATYVmIKylFOvi1mGBobPz7iGXVnKQtPJfyOcou3JZ7EUF0Ky9nWbF5VLQDdwFELdwexhjhoFFlgJUjTNiX6GlUcGFNAhNGSG7J5gxSGW6eLw5nes6kK-tMyUsxf2Kj40/w640-h480/boxwoods-2021-5-22d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the lower limbs of each shrub that were lying along the ground need to be trimmed off, so air will be able to circulate under the shrubs. And note all those dead, diseased leaves from years of trimmings littering the ground. Those were hidden by the lowest limbs before.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKf1PgUznk2ttE8XykkFe1Iydyn8rpDEhDPu3xNgDVdVUqfNt8LApMlGnwdwk8SsMyuApyG1exNSDgjotxqjx5BZjiL6CeqbD8rZE_EPpk3I3WFGMNAOStgpIzfsqj0K3tNmjdFBpZAY/s2048/boxwoods-2021-5-22e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKf1PgUznk2ttE8XykkFe1Iydyn8rpDEhDPu3xNgDVdVUqfNt8LApMlGnwdwk8SsMyuApyG1exNSDgjotxqjx5BZjiL6CeqbD8rZE_EPpk3I3WFGMNAOStgpIzfsqj0K3tNmjdFBpZAY/w640-h480/boxwoods-2021-5-22e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are literally <i>heaps</i> of boxwood leaves on the gravel paths. The leaves are so tiny it's difficult to rake them up effectively. But years of leaf detritus -- especially the diseased leaves covered in spores -- must be removed and burned, or disposed of in the garbage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg2ZMKtT03lS7LJ8bIAtrFAjETWJ-ktXSxqmoI5cxkUcHYAy3C4c4YrmsoKLlXCXQ3Dwwoootqmk9P3zt9OCYHO_zchd7JP8L7opgSqlgG-Wjjr7mmhDtmtw-KV-S-YLOXd221jT8Ee4/s1732/boxwoods-2021-5-22g.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1732" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg2ZMKtT03lS7LJ8bIAtrFAjETWJ-ktXSxqmoI5cxkUcHYAy3C4c4YrmsoKLlXCXQ3Dwwoootqmk9P3zt9OCYHO_zchd7JP8L7opgSqlgG-Wjjr7mmhDtmtw-KV-S-YLOXd221jT8Ee4/w640-h562/boxwoods-2021-5-22g.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This arrived today. I should have bought one of these years ago to suck up the leaves after trimming the boxwoods -- I trim them every May or June. This kind of leaf hygiene might have helped prevent the blight in the first place, and I'm planning to use it from now on each year to keep the paths and the interior of the shrubs tidy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfMDhZxGo10pphcg8uDB3RUIxLkH_3y2f0ksmveD3SW3xMbN8bMyJ6M7-qA2PSAGAz7jh5aJw59mpF_FToCcaJm_l9qSf1NqXiZ19W2AJZi-PyyFf3toetMdarZk2GAFsJnDhWa5HOfs/s2019/boxwoods-2021-5-22f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="2019" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfMDhZxGo10pphcg8uDB3RUIxLkH_3y2f0ksmveD3SW3xMbN8bMyJ6M7-qA2PSAGAz7jh5aJw59mpF_FToCcaJm_l9qSf1NqXiZ19W2AJZi-PyyFf3toetMdarZk2GAFsJnDhWa5HOfs/w640-h366/boxwoods-2021-5-22f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a view from an upstairs window, showing the butchery in all its gruesomeness. My Herb Garden hedges are going to look like a mouth with every other tooth missing for probably the next three to five years. Oh well. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br />
I had planned to open my gardens this year, but it might be a few more years until I do that now. But I really do hope that eventually the boxwoods will look good again -- and be healthier too. I'm a patient gardener and the years will pass before I know it. With some luck, this, my first garden area, will eventually be rejuvenated.<br />
<br />
I hope your own gardens are beautifully blight-free, and that you are enjoying warm spring days outdoors. And thanks for reading this long and somewhat cheerless (but still hope-filled) post. Best Regards, -Beth<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6bQPm_dugmqqmpoLFPfetMk55N_PLZjaGKXRh8Ni1YlvKzuYewdJmqW56w-ccEw78zidIVkNLXIRf4oDZi2NNFpvrHmbFOX40hrouQ2SW75naiv8HWXA0AzpwYLQejyESn0RdzFHe7U/s1590/herbgarden-17-7-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1590" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6bQPm_dugmqqmpoLFPfetMk55N_PLZjaGKXRh8Ni1YlvKzuYewdJmqW56w-ccEw78zidIVkNLXIRf4oDZi2NNFpvrHmbFOX40hrouQ2SW75naiv8HWXA0AzpwYLQejyESn0RdzFHe7U/w640-h446/herbgarden-17-7-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-37053027789550086182021-05-22T10:53:00.004-05:002021-05-23T12:31:48.569-05:00My Visit to a Beautiful Garden of Saunders Peonies<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ28r2uC303jwAymI2kvQDfUdlys4TAXvEnxGDuxMZnkbVsvP2TS0qw3v804PVQeC_pR66NILWNLx7NdKNwNhhshrSy_WydJljQ5364SiTKjyq7kaNStkE_QFbROInqKv6ixt_trmc1Q/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ28r2uC303jwAymI2kvQDfUdlys4TAXvEnxGDuxMZnkbVsvP2TS0qw3v804PVQeC_pR66NILWNLx7NdKNwNhhshrSy_WydJljQ5364SiTKjyq7kaNStkE_QFbROInqKv6ixt_trmc1Q/w640-h480/2021-5-15-girton-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Greetings! Last weekend my husband, children and I visited my mother in Ames, Iowa, seeing her for the first time in nearly a year and a half. Now that she and most of my family have been fully vaccinated, she was eager to see us again after such a lonely Covid year spent completely by herself. It was so wonderful to finally see her in person again.</p><p>While in Ames, I wanted to visit a peony collector there whom I've been corresponding with via email for the past few months, and I thought that my mother, a retired botanist, might also enjoy a visit to a beautiful garden owned by a fellow retired scientist.</p><p>Lois Girton is writing a book about the peonies hybridized by A. P. Saunders (1869-1953), a professor of chemistry at Hamilton College in upstate New York. Today he is regarded as the most prolific peony hybridizer of the 20th century and "the father of the modern hybrid peony."</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK6w0hM_8wOYUR4DtLMqkIMPNKXw6euDmrMBf7Hcku01I3Tjn2dEQT0XnPAohR8F2G8x8HP8uVuDCz-dRwjoJ9w1yC-ozAFWzuKwkki1O5LVHQnsRybwNFjVMAqmjvc_ClfE2NMTQP-8/s682/saunders-web-480x682.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK6w0hM_8wOYUR4DtLMqkIMPNKXw6euDmrMBf7Hcku01I3Tjn2dEQT0XnPAohR8F2G8x8HP8uVuDCz-dRwjoJ9w1yC-ozAFWzuKwkki1O5LVHQnsRybwNFjVMAqmjvc_ClfE2NMTQP-8/s320/saunders-web-480x682.webp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A.P. Saunders</td></tr></tbody></table>Here's an article about him and his hybridizing efforts:<br /><a href="https://www.peonysociety.eu/saunders-peonies/" target="_blank">https://www.peonysociety.eu/saunders-peonies/</a><div><br /></div><div>And this is Lois' own website in which she has photos and information about each of the hybrids she has either been able to grow in her own garden or has photographed in other gardens:<br /><a href="https://www.saunderspeonies.com/" target="_blank">https://www.saunderspeonies.com/</a><div><p>Lois has collected probably at least 170 Saunders peonies, out of the approximately 270-300 that may exist. (I can't imagine how expensive it must have been to buy some of the rarer cultivars.) And Lois also has many other herbaceous, Itoh and tree peonies -- a collection of 400 peonies in all!</p><p>My mother and I (and my husband) were able to enjoy some of the extraordinary beauty of her collection when we visited her gardens last Saturday, as many of the tree peonies were in full bloom. This is certainly a good time to visit a peony garden!</p><p>Here's a few photos of her gardens (unfortunately it rained before I was able to take these photos, so most of the peonies are closed -- but still beautiful covered in raindrops):</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdu0tut9KogCYVD7amjI3BSnUiF_qfh-TTnd1OC3GbSrQlJT4ocy0yXL-lJF5UmK1UydQCDZlpot_xdDEaPrA5JFhHOD76WhuriepbFEE1eRw1quq24KOJf4qrQ0OSyrqyKYg5pjTLk08/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdu0tut9KogCYVD7amjI3BSnUiF_qfh-TTnd1OC3GbSrQlJT4ocy0yXL-lJF5UmK1UydQCDZlpot_xdDEaPrA5JFhHOD76WhuriepbFEE1eRw1quq24KOJf4qrQ0OSyrqyKYg5pjTLk08/w640-h424/2021-5-15-girton-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the front of Lois' beautiful 1940s farmhouse. You can see her lovely peonies and conifers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GCYblrf8zR-8fQaDmFOm3Lq27j4He7F6T_nHmuVmE-7gDHb5cCYoh38rfqMY10Fe8NA4J-X2FihBy-VsXZsYE-JobqHniuM5Pk83WCnsqXYaSpLwArMPUwZxDPfiIxme9yeGNJmssDs/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GCYblrf8zR-8fQaDmFOm3Lq27j4He7F6T_nHmuVmE-7gDHb5cCYoh38rfqMY10Fe8NA4J-X2FihBy-VsXZsYE-JobqHniuM5Pk83WCnsqXYaSpLwArMPUwZxDPfiIxme9yeGNJmssDs/w640-h480/2021-5-15-girton-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a closeup of the peony in the distance in the last photo. Lois told me that this beautiful cultivar is 'Pink Tea Cup' (not a Saunders cultivar, but very pretty nevertheless).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ATsqsfRXAp0j93w0lGXoxUnsNbJCfCaj2Oy3qMggXIc_ASVauFfgAPlj9XQHaKQo1VnnouPqcbVUnm_Rk5H289oMsU3iEB5C-OT8B3dIBHhCg7PMqcqFBJszHpmgrsyywqDnGV0gYI0/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="2048" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ATsqsfRXAp0j93w0lGXoxUnsNbJCfCaj2Oy3qMggXIc_ASVauFfgAPlj9XQHaKQo1VnnouPqcbVUnm_Rk5H289oMsU3iEB5C-OT8B3dIBHhCg7PMqcqFBJszHpmgrsyywqDnGV0gYI0/w640-h454/2021-5-15-girton-6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming around the house in her large front yard -- her property is more than an acre in size, which is unusual in the middle of a college town. Here's an island bed filled with Saunders peonies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB8F265wvbrJiUv73iluVOp9ZSEYBXdWxQCvO1i6ODgNkFwYLTtclrVT9h_bX3V6_vIPJoYWq1HAffYKOmzYg4erhv5hzqKLZQn38x17sKtkRLi2F8bO8Deolb3tsgLMYBJs3VZDTfWw/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB8F265wvbrJiUv73iluVOp9ZSEYBXdWxQCvO1i6ODgNkFwYLTtclrVT9h_bX3V6_vIPJoYWq1HAffYKOmzYg4erhv5hzqKLZQn38x17sKtkRLi2F8bO8Deolb3tsgLMYBJs3VZDTfWw/w640-h480/2021-5-15-girton-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Saunders peony: 'Montezuma' (1943). It's actually a more red color than this in real life, but reds are often difficult to capture in photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSckfbsOq1UebjMNHCvLK_iW6J6-jBgagTu9eT_Aek3inxQfvQDqAKhDLC5qMrgXm3NIMUStdVjAC19D31EfvM_NXbL51j0iasvdr0Uw4AXiatzkRtrl9f4eN0tc7_fW14FYknKri5L4/s1708/2021-5-15-girton-8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1708" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSckfbsOq1UebjMNHCvLK_iW6J6-jBgagTu9eT_Aek3inxQfvQDqAKhDLC5qMrgXm3NIMUStdVjAC19D31EfvM_NXbL51j0iasvdr0Uw4AXiatzkRtrl9f4eN0tc7_fW14FYknKri5L4/w640-h462/2021-5-15-girton-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew that plant was 'Montezuma' because of the professional-grade plant labels Lois has put next to all her Saunders peonies. Very impressive. Lois' garden was one of the gardens toured during the American Peony Society's last <a href="https://americanpeonysociety.org/news-events/annual-convention/preview/" target="_blank">convention in 2019</a>, held at the <a href="https://www.reimangardens.com/" target="_blank">Reiman Gardens</a> in Ames (she gave a talk about Saunders peonies at the convention). </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpGKXvLVT2I-EMVFu3IoB0PXdZJrkcWqk2y1ZpZ14ArkVlKim48KTUpanKaNUDTdmu-w7lTcF3GglKoKn1JaRT0c5FV66CT4f0n709HwCZSvZox4HFSCTYmoE2OC_o5sMa8wzXQrNGtI/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpGKXvLVT2I-EMVFu3IoB0PXdZJrkcWqk2y1ZpZ14ArkVlKim48KTUpanKaNUDTdmu-w7lTcF3GglKoKn1JaRT0c5FV66CT4f0n709HwCZSvZox4HFSCTYmoE2OC_o5sMa8wzXQrNGtI/w640-h480/2021-5-15-girton-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning around to the back yard, this beautiful magnolia frames the view of a formal garden area behind Lois' house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4jdSXeVgI1aow6RiMrR0czVdwWdTBy7fIaZWR3j01iwTlVNoQG1TaGKU8smp-_Pd0Hg8gwGwt13YTsCQKCZqcQdu2JSc6TkFJyiDMaUHjl_CYQ-PMzkvKzny3oNw8tglCvsOyRKu6Zg/s1864/2021-5-15-girton-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1864" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4jdSXeVgI1aow6RiMrR0czVdwWdTBy7fIaZWR3j01iwTlVNoQG1TaGKU8smp-_Pd0Hg8gwGwt13YTsCQKCZqcQdu2JSc6TkFJyiDMaUHjl_CYQ-PMzkvKzny3oNw8tglCvsOyRKu6Zg/w640-h424/2021-5-15-girton-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A white fence encloses the formal area...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjWmBlybzJexq_dQbUph8uMlNdlnGrObZb9mdK3p5wD75NYDxd_XYGLI7-1jn-gApG99hFkSee2DRFu3clL2D3LqrFpZ0OKX1omgVfvBml10dAgIt2HELk0oZZ_jrXRmuTodQK6lODNk/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="2048" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjWmBlybzJexq_dQbUph8uMlNdlnGrObZb9mdK3p5wD75NYDxd_XYGLI7-1jn-gApG99hFkSee2DRFu3clL2D3LqrFpZ0OKX1omgVfvBml10dAgIt2HELk0oZZ_jrXRmuTodQK6lODNk/w640-h434/2021-5-15-girton-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...which contains long rectangular peony display beds, with other plants like alliums to set off the beautiful peonies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlbneLueHFjGI4DcyNSxaVMFFaqJfCRllyBfXa5Maz_M0rqXgHf2F8zr9QoQgBzbwNK0XyboNgIAlTPrBrsivhxYmgm_hBXgi8x0QoUck-HmFprsLm01UpGY3-_0V00hd-iQqaHGPSl4/s1917/2021-5-15-girton-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1917" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlbneLueHFjGI4DcyNSxaVMFFaqJfCRllyBfXa5Maz_M0rqXgHf2F8zr9QoQgBzbwNK0XyboNgIAlTPrBrsivhxYmgm_hBXgi8x0QoUck-HmFprsLm01UpGY3-_0V00hd-iQqaHGPSl4/w640-h464/2021-5-15-girton-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directly behind Lois' house, a path leads to a patio and more garden areas. I honestly don't know how she manages to maintain all these beautiful areas so neatly.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwF5usB_uSgaqoC_lAk7MNLvZDlICCLohahhPs-dZKedgmvUqi9y3BA2boBQaqEjlZkB3yAEz_ZDWr-6DiACGtVLuv3EpG9Av9tTEp2yCajaKO3auf4L2onKZAM0dmRcL0VD6MG6LXck/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="2048" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwF5usB_uSgaqoC_lAk7MNLvZDlICCLohahhPs-dZKedgmvUqi9y3BA2boBQaqEjlZkB3yAEz_ZDWr-6DiACGtVLuv3EpG9Av9tTEp2yCajaKO3auf4L2onKZAM0dmRcL0VD6MG6LXck/w640-h420/2021-5-15-girton-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And on the back of her house, you can see the wonderful sunroom that she built to enjoy the views of her gardens in wintertime.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Lois very generously made us a lovely tea, which the four of us enjoyed in her beautiful sunroom while a few rain showers fell outside. We were able to discuss her plans for her book about Saunders peonies, and her hope that she will eventually be able to donate her Saunders peony collection to the <a href="https://iowaarboretum.org/" target="_blank">Iowa Arboretum</a> (about 15 miles southwest of Ames), for which Lois served as a board member for several decades. </p><p>It was great to meet Lois in person after corresponding by email, and I wish her good luck in finishing and publishing her book, which is certainly an impressive project.</p><p>And a big thank you to Lois for such an enjoyable visit to her beautiful gardens! I think my mother really appreciated getting out of her house and seeing so many expertly grown plants in a garden she has driven past many times but never been able to enjoy up close. And I loved being able to spend time with my mom in such a beautiful setting, seeing her again after so long.</p><p>Thanks for reading! -Beth</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCKqaBYSGxvqr_O3DjlwfmvPmG4apJBSbaOsT8cWv-Cgu0xRol6n1cOIRBnNuPsR5vIlvi_pjOhq_TXnXDMcmlSN6DGuPWrlCglIrAB9lhEJEyapedR0EWqcR9FpTKns5UPN7rbpy14Y/s2048/2021-5-15-girton-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCKqaBYSGxvqr_O3DjlwfmvPmG4apJBSbaOsT8cWv-Cgu0xRol6n1cOIRBnNuPsR5vIlvi_pjOhq_TXnXDMcmlSN6DGuPWrlCglIrAB9lhEJEyapedR0EWqcR9FpTKns5UPN7rbpy14Y/w640-h432/2021-5-15-girton-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p></div></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-50198697138482404642021-05-08T20:27:00.000-05:002021-05-08T20:27:16.272-05:00A Beautiful May, and Another Improvement Done<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9RvDuVfIM9BG_9vcJEewBp6V3CjmKmA6xmWenKQHNnYyTsoeKyt3PjPYbXPfZ2SpQb3prYQNuy_4HLlS8e1Yz5dThzKOVZzYjvUb1n4Rc7JXt6rK8fIc9FvwLK3_3xvQ7zAbM36BmW0/s2048/paradise-garden-2021-5-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9RvDuVfIM9BG_9vcJEewBp6V3CjmKmA6xmWenKQHNnYyTsoeKyt3PjPYbXPfZ2SpQb3prYQNuy_4HLlS8e1Yz5dThzKOVZzYjvUb1n4Rc7JXt6rK8fIc9FvwLK3_3xvQ7zAbM36BmW0/w640-h480/paradise-garden-2021-5-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Greetings! It's been a beautiful May here in Iowa. Last week was quite warm, but this week the nights have been unusually cool for this time of year, dipping down into the low 40s, and even <i>frost </i>last night -- definitely not time yet to plant out the tomatoes, pepper, zinnias and dahlia starts that are becoming so large in my sunroom that I'm starting to run out of room.</p><p>But I think that might have been our last frost, and I hope that the nighttime temps will soon warm up a bit, so I can start moving things out of the sunroom for the summer and planting the Tropical Garden around my patio again.</p><p>The sunny, 60° days this week have been ideal for working outside and getting a few projects done. One is a big improvement that I've been thinking about doing for several years now: putting an edging around my Yellow Garden.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Yellow Garden</h3><div>Some background: my Yellow Garden began when we had a large ash tree removed from behind our house in 2014. Thinking it would be nice to brighten up that north side of our yard, I planted a large area behind the house with golden-leaved plants and yellow flowers. (When making new garden areas, I often tend to bite off more than I should....)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj2aPZIcOQ9kaiMWhfJUxmHyIhUpamfi_VtBDIxHQG_fraU373VehDuQZECa_qZNZ8aTaZf5B5vfoaNLpSHdznByCaRIF6_cpiBWX745S5iIiEwg1VctEIYuQUKgG6ySzAavg3Zqy_RA/s1520/yellowgarden-15-7-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1520" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj2aPZIcOQ9kaiMWhfJUxmHyIhUpamfi_VtBDIxHQG_fraU373VehDuQZECa_qZNZ8aTaZf5B5vfoaNLpSHdznByCaRIF6_cpiBWX745S5iIiEwg1VctEIYuQUKgG6ySzAavg3Zqy_RA/w640-h384/yellowgarden-15-7-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was the Yellow Garden in 2015. It was a very large space, with yellow-leaved shade plants like hostas and dogwood near the house, and yellow-flowered perennials and annual in the sunny area away from the house. It looked pretty nice as it filled in over the next year or two....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbBZYWuGK65ZTN2TGlhXoNoIw4X0525QEOKkmA_TSrSEg4Rxymg0X00BqeU0LOOPgfAE5Fplm9InRe2FIDenxXVAiZmGo-V5rMQZAvBp9dDPsBloEptcMig9fhXF4ZEO-uky0o55l7Rk/s1603/yellowgarden-2018-6-24a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1603" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbBZYWuGK65ZTN2TGlhXoNoIw4X0525QEOKkmA_TSrSEg4Rxymg0X00BqeU0LOOPgfAE5Fplm9InRe2FIDenxXVAiZmGo-V5rMQZAvBp9dDPsBloEptcMig9fhXF4ZEO-uky0o55l7Rk/w640-h482/yellowgarden-2018-6-24a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But by 2018, the Yellow Garden was a mess of weeds that I just couldn't get under control. The area was obviously far too large for me to maintain, especially in the middle section near the stepping stone path and bench, so I reduced the garden area in 2019. I made a narrow shady border against the house, and an oval sunny garden bed, seeding grass in the middle area.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fhnNuhChHlqPYaM1NR1MIutYq0npECrcqu9FhmmFW2D_uvkGd6KTw-iDlCdsLfBFbufAWnG3ZzyISH48WW4-bdYnZIAU_Thra7XqDA6llp1h6EbQnZE_CPdhvvyxlBsZPEZf5XT8GOc/s1912/yellowgarden-2020-5-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fhnNuhChHlqPYaM1NR1MIutYq0npECrcqu9FhmmFW2D_uvkGd6KTw-iDlCdsLfBFbufAWnG3ZzyISH48WW4-bdYnZIAU_Thra7XqDA6llp1h6EbQnZE_CPdhvvyxlBsZPEZf5XT8GOc/w640-h480/yellowgarden-2020-5-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By May 2020, the two new areas were much better under control, although I still had a weed and runner grass problem in the oval bed, on the left side nearer to the house. And grass and weeds kept creeping into the oval area from all sides because there were no defined edges to that area.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaK2WxwuJsCFxSTOE00K1r0cxXcBeyetGbzGcISylmEF9KDPXIWDUErNC0ZoMvX3m6JZrUgbYpS3djJO84u3JOVnmNKJgPWVV0Cpk0sK8LD3i3EgTBcdrl2_xcBPEhe4y4r6VJvIdbx0/s2048/yellowgarden-2020-6-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaK2WxwuJsCFxSTOE00K1r0cxXcBeyetGbzGcISylmEF9KDPXIWDUErNC0ZoMvX3m6JZrUgbYpS3djJO84u3JOVnmNKJgPWVV0Cpk0sK8LD3i3EgTBcdrl2_xcBPEhe4y4r6VJvIdbx0/w640-h452/yellowgarden-2020-6-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By late June last year, I had removed all the plants from the left side of the garden to try to get the weeds and runner grass under control. I planned to plant yellow annual flowers in that cleared area at left, but was still trying to keep the Creeping Charlie out of the part near the birdbath (which kept toppling over because it wasn't set on a solid base -- grrr). I obviously needed to do something.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMm-6NQEpky2r7HKTDcWPOs-n519BOhQU14SqMcFUBp-sAjbKvgVHDE1E1UIsztG7Ttv5pi8QLxMoWvP9fMW5r9sEQ456S_CFb_Kr9Hd0WlaeNKdLsdjKCjmguwLOILAQkuK1-McPQ28/s1868/yellow-garden-2021-5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1868" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMm-6NQEpky2r7HKTDcWPOs-n519BOhQU14SqMcFUBp-sAjbKvgVHDE1E1UIsztG7Ttv5pi8QLxMoWvP9fMW5r9sEQ456S_CFb_Kr9Hd0WlaeNKdLsdjKCjmguwLOILAQkuK1-McPQ28/w640-h410/yellow-garden-2021-5-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-da! Earlier this week I installed not just the steel edging I had bought for this project, but I also realized I had a bunch of leftover edging bricks lying around from another area I reduced a few years ago. So I installed the steel edging inside of the edging bricks, making a mowing strip that made the edge even better defined. My husband and I also worked on making a better gravel base on which to set the birdbath.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpabLL9InsK6-U6bHejJeVzVi6frU_fhhKc0_TEr9G6lK6UeiOoqt-QrYLv8r9vvFBkJoVn9tWvx4MtAIxQA_i-EPa4049kF14fGWxpmMV_bMV323WWnEdQOkYD6j2v_pWiHZaX60jyM/s1868/yellow-garden-2021-5-8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1868" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpabLL9InsK6-U6bHejJeVzVi6frU_fhhKc0_TEr9G6lK6UeiOoqt-QrYLv8r9vvFBkJoVn9tWvx4MtAIxQA_i-EPa4049kF14fGWxpmMV_bMV323WWnEdQOkYD6j2v_pWiHZaX60jyM/w640-h430/yellow-garden-2021-5-8b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a view showing both garden areas. I plan to plant yellow annual flowers in the left part of the oval bed and in front of the birdbath. I hope this area will much easier to maintain from now on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So it's good to finally have that planned improvement out of the way. Here's a few pictures of other things happening in my gardens:</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzolmCwtRys8yEzP8FkGNG-AlE_CAktI9nn03ttvqIGoX6zirW_VNKyy1qSHSr-QtUDikDQxjqHRw0kJ9KOVUMZ0m3Za7CMi_qH66NmMMNXO5i3fDnrhoEjvvhOLBezYyEBGhHnviDn60/s1781/big-yard-2021-4-28a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1781" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzolmCwtRys8yEzP8FkGNG-AlE_CAktI9nn03ttvqIGoX6zirW_VNKyy1qSHSr-QtUDikDQxjqHRw0kJ9KOVUMZ0m3Za7CMi_qH66NmMMNXO5i3fDnrhoEjvvhOLBezYyEBGhHnviDn60/w640-h334/big-yard-2021-4-28a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crabapples were blooming beautifully last week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNIeNKDr3S-FWTWWebhEMu-F0emtzPnG8fZYEmiYEwFqmaY9fAfTvdsNpqONopN-cu19dR_GbEuynCBz4witNiR5p6bcgbRsgwaP62d2FtRETsd_pvMo-N5iH7YPziF4Wq0os7OjqIf4/s1964/big-yard-2021-4-28b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1964" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNIeNKDr3S-FWTWWebhEMu-F0emtzPnG8fZYEmiYEwFqmaY9fAfTvdsNpqONopN-cu19dR_GbEuynCBz4witNiR5p6bcgbRsgwaP62d2FtRETsd_pvMo-N5iH7YPziF4Wq0os7OjqIf4/w640-h434/big-yard-2021-4-28b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they smelled wonderful too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa1_06dAEtF1VU_88yS1DXEGzvge2Lyv4GzgaLp3CT94JGpo5kMPB6xVuMmlG1U-Odt3vP8238dVzvguBRVb7sPKhwYx5dQXFARTEpjTg0nCqLQNj6Xw5n3biFG5JuhIM1NK7_9czAUo/s1915/paradise-garden-2021-4-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="1915" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa1_06dAEtF1VU_88yS1DXEGzvge2Lyv4GzgaLp3CT94JGpo5kMPB6xVuMmlG1U-Odt3vP8238dVzvguBRVb7sPKhwYx5dQXFARTEpjTg0nCqLQNj6Xw5n3biFG5JuhIM1NK7_9czAUo/w640-h468/paradise-garden-2021-4-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fern-leaf peony was so beautiful in my Paradise Garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_C1c2g4mCNIr5JE_rrR6NBkczS9lnb9-2Y9oUWOLQ78qrFso_-09rKycnpbYQgC12nUQQwumw3NPyIN8ge_5zaYVMPYrg2PaZtYLV1Pehh585YAQeJNghtkoH2bsNmzlV4jED5EqRSc/s1841/north-island-2021-5-7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1841" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_C1c2g4mCNIr5JE_rrR6NBkczS9lnb9-2Y9oUWOLQ78qrFso_-09rKycnpbYQgC12nUQQwumw3NPyIN8ge_5zaYVMPYrg2PaZtYLV1Pehh585YAQeJNghtkoH2bsNmzlV4jED5EqRSc/w640-h462/north-island-2021-5-7b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree peonies are now blooming too</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbijUPpWt3EZK5Wr7e7axA_RZaYcDBE-PDUe7fNik6P6QZVLDeDpgR4RNVEPFLJoaCECi-TsNkSER6x4tneJoSYonnNTFmcRAmSHMaQcEFSfkPVTu4Y85gj5yscrdZ9PS2v4DR7IdKixk/s2048/north-island-2021-5-7c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbijUPpWt3EZK5Wr7e7axA_RZaYcDBE-PDUe7fNik6P6QZVLDeDpgR4RNVEPFLJoaCECi-TsNkSER6x4tneJoSYonnNTFmcRAmSHMaQcEFSfkPVTu4Y85gj5yscrdZ9PS2v4DR7IdKixk/w640-h424/north-island-2021-5-7c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another lovely tree peony.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9Kc6KEWtWobusIkrMD-8dy_qQgoOtS9sSQmTwm5_gIXD8CF5bqrTXq3HTFlgSSUMxu_JYBT9MIDj7neBu_9PdYWkfLxo0cFDxz289qvj1r4_E2GgIicj6SYZbEFDJokUgvjKO2smmhQ/s2048/west-island-2021-5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9Kc6KEWtWobusIkrMD-8dy_qQgoOtS9sSQmTwm5_gIXD8CF5bqrTXq3HTFlgSSUMxu_JYBT9MIDj7neBu_9PdYWkfLxo0cFDxz289qvj1r4_E2GgIicj6SYZbEFDJokUgvjKO2smmhQ/w640-h414/west-island-2021-5-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our eastern redbud looked nice this week too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvWSatedbVBBgiNq6DZiRQpiDlUdSETF5W2ajwRLsNK4At3dxIxQ8VeoH5BfqjCtcXfq2OORTEo41NipmSOCHYdB2QHB7ZmdFUWUgIlddNl8x5QrB6VSiLgzWJGY0oL78AioHCJY7KkI/s1759/north-island-2021-5-7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1759" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvWSatedbVBBgiNq6DZiRQpiDlUdSETF5W2ajwRLsNK4At3dxIxQ8VeoH5BfqjCtcXfq2OORTEo41NipmSOCHYdB2QHB7ZmdFUWUgIlddNl8x5QrB6VSiLgzWJGY0oL78AioHCJY7KkI/w640-h508/north-island-2021-5-7a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forgot to tie up the top of this Weeping Norway Spruce a few years ago, and it has flopped so badly (and the bottom was eaten off by rabbits two winters ago). I don't know if there's anything I can do about its strange shape at this point, but I noticed it looks like some fantastical creature now -- the "heffalumpagus," I think I'll call it....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>It's been wonderful to enjoy the beautiful sunny days and all the flowering trees and shrubs that have been blooming recently. I hope the days (and especially the nights) warm up before too long -- although before we know it, it'll be 95° in the shade, so I guess I shouldn't be in too much of a hurry. The heat will certainly arrive.</p><p>Hope you've been enjoying pleasant days and nights in your own gardens. Thanks for reading! -Beth</p><p><br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS7vK1-Yo-6ORaoVU364MLFQNfABW50tf4MdCTTsGOCwMgr0rbEuFD4rmdUNDI8MajBDwkqH1MLDTrOJnWQDpKzSArlD4AmwW5E2qrT1AUEoddF7FMgCcaHiK47lE1hHwONZmlStQhNs/s2048/east-patio-2021-5-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS7vK1-Yo-6ORaoVU364MLFQNfABW50tf4MdCTTsGOCwMgr0rbEuFD4rmdUNDI8MajBDwkqH1MLDTrOJnWQDpKzSArlD4AmwW5E2qrT1AUEoddF7FMgCcaHiK47lE1hHwONZmlStQhNs/w640-h424/east-patio-2021-5-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisteria in bud, like little pine cones.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-78606581286423909582021-04-30T09:37:00.000-05:002021-04-30T09:37:36.606-05:00Happy Springtime!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKxIMQUnigFJC6CSzvQwjbH6OrpQPVfaZefjQno4MtiC-1bxNaFyqah_HrbwpwkIaEtnVpvp5NGabT1hDfdIn7hyg3iL2boxXTKamwWrcl4RkAhrP9VdzfNvc4TKWEQnrcLRnmQrCe4k/s1868/front-border-2021-4-21b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1868" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKxIMQUnigFJC6CSzvQwjbH6OrpQPVfaZefjQno4MtiC-1bxNaFyqah_HrbwpwkIaEtnVpvp5NGabT1hDfdIn7hyg3iL2boxXTKamwWrcl4RkAhrP9VdzfNvc4TKWEQnrcLRnmQrCe4k/w640-h480/front-border-2021-4-21b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Happy Springtime, everyone! It's so lovely to have sunny days and springtime flowers again -- it's one of the most beautiful and cheerful times of the year. And after a cold winter spent away from loved ones over the holidays, it's doubly nice to be able to be outside again as Covid vaccination progress is allowing more Americans to venture forth from their homes again.</p><p>Here are a few pictures of what's been going on in my gardens:</p><p><br /></p><p>The big project my family and I finally tacked last weekend was scraping and painting the white picket fence around our house. We hadn't done this for <i>six years,</i> and it really does need to be done at least every 3-4 years. Some of the exposed wood had started to rot a bit in places, so it's pretty disgraceful that we waited so long. (I really wasn't aware it had been that long, but <a href="https://gardenfancy.blogspot.com/2015/05/ordeal-by-paint-sprayer.html" target="_blank">this post I did back in 2015</a> tells about the last time we painted the fence, using our paint sprayer. We dread trying to get the sprayer to work so much that we ended up painting it with brushes and rollers this time, which took all four of us more than eight hours of work to finish.) But it's finally taken care of, and it looks really nice now (in addition to protecting the wood for a few more years).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDl650rVkYRVPDr6IOaFnEQoDyVTw1rzuCo2A0V3AiNgffVnvKu7K7oT4IetPnveG63E3_UYeaKIyk-A5BlWEwr2zpfpv4ME9qCa5y3d64GXMfdl_o49EnEoJm66rft4RRs-EbWjnXo0/s2048/fence-2021-4-26a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="2048" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDl650rVkYRVPDr6IOaFnEQoDyVTw1rzuCo2A0V3AiNgffVnvKu7K7oT4IetPnveG63E3_UYeaKIyk-A5BlWEwr2zpfpv4ME9qCa5y3d64GXMfdl_o49EnEoJm66rft4RRs-EbWjnXo0/w640-h348/fence-2021-4-26a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fence really does look nice now, gleaming in the sunshine!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEKr3KeHrk0fD9CVYXRNbUrrWebX2VrlEeGwje9Yr1OjJN04vRE_hhawY1Sgk8zCpDg0uNHSUTh6f-i6c8LtHbAhIeMwgB-LlzUMBzq88cmOH1xMq28aIusrjgzyfHEkJCcRYSvDNpJY/s1894/front-border-2021-4-21a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1894" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEKr3KeHrk0fD9CVYXRNbUrrWebX2VrlEeGwje9Yr1OjJN04vRE_hhawY1Sgk8zCpDg0uNHSUTh6f-i6c8LtHbAhIeMwgB-LlzUMBzq88cmOH1xMq28aIusrjgzyfHEkJCcRYSvDNpJY/w640-h498/front-border-2021-4-21a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, much improved, setting off the bright colors of the basket-of-gold (<i>Aurinia saxtilis</i>), grape hyacinths and a few leftover tulips from a few years ago. The delphiniums and oxeye daisies in the far bed will look especially nice against the brilliant white fence next month.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZN9n4BLRN4WO7FKVwbgV-D_61E9Igzd3E47M-ENA_DRMdwu9rIzTxfCu0eMQ2xPuKYiBdig8C7nCvmThbd1NWSHgZ3A2fIjKJZ1YMXw6faUeNkBabAeOHPB1DEo8vik_FpSrP5eO9yWs/s1877/daffodils-2021-4-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1877" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZN9n4BLRN4WO7FKVwbgV-D_61E9Igzd3E47M-ENA_DRMdwu9rIzTxfCu0eMQ2xPuKYiBdig8C7nCvmThbd1NWSHgZ3A2fIjKJZ1YMXw6faUeNkBabAeOHPB1DEo8vik_FpSrP5eO9yWs/w640-h412/daffodils-2021-4-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodils a few weeks ago.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfWst9wdonzcfSCeDEKhf7P1sSxHHFaqn7zVCVkMnsnduRrn9Jy2ORKbWJsY8D7YWdaKcCbnfWVjB18TDckc7Wzvhau6L9DIUdpww9avQceYhjq2qtTQ1S9sy_vfp3Tsx6cN-oXhhJAw/s1845/phlox-2021-4-26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1845" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfWst9wdonzcfSCeDEKhf7P1sSxHHFaqn7zVCVkMnsnduRrn9Jy2ORKbWJsY8D7YWdaKcCbnfWVjB18TDckc7Wzvhau6L9DIUdpww9avQceYhjq2qtTQ1S9sy_vfp3Tsx6cN-oXhhJAw/w640-h478/phlox-2021-4-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty creeping phlox next to my house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0sHuDKZONQmBrKOdvzs8xlrquZyhik6tKUjLe-JdduHAeCxeqUqcEap_sMusaS90b4LqKKw6htDBQGLO8Vn98G5ZF7kOpDvZcxlqAoT9aKTAgz_V3ZdqR6cKaTWZtTV1p2MlKgplUi8/s1488/tulips-2021-4-21a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1488" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0sHuDKZONQmBrKOdvzs8xlrquZyhik6tKUjLe-JdduHAeCxeqUqcEap_sMusaS90b4LqKKw6htDBQGLO8Vn98G5ZF7kOpDvZcxlqAoT9aKTAgz_V3ZdqR6cKaTWZtTV1p2MlKgplUi8/w640-h458/tulips-2021-4-21a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily-flowering tulips in the Paradise Garden last week. This is the third time these have bloomed, so I'll have to find more of this kind to plant elsewhere, I think.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8IVzGvRrIEP5aLzSSsjj1-htQ7pd6pWLZZ6IEyBKRZiD_-3O0koQ73PaBfnou4TzL03fbBsDRjro_mujuph4QYnY65Dq0I58vm0oJqtjJL-DniXvxtMcH2VGvezYjtaTRV2ooznmV_c/s1440/pansy-2021-4-26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1440" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8IVzGvRrIEP5aLzSSsjj1-htQ7pd6pWLZZ6IEyBKRZiD_-3O0koQ73PaBfnou4TzL03fbBsDRjro_mujuph4QYnY65Dq0I58vm0oJqtjJL-DniXvxtMcH2VGvezYjtaTRV2ooznmV_c/w640-h504/pansy-2021-4-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some deep red pansies that seeded themselves in the Paradise Garden. Tiny, but beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV373UQlugozevMregCtn2D3xI9X3qLhzGJJfu2X07blllFOAKUgrjTX6zizISjmUYpTjM2j2cfuAzFISSF-gbqPczouAltCbZ155wHH5B78n12QKXwcZSmT-jc60CV3hISCY0inhaho/s1868/northborder-2021-4-21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1868" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV373UQlugozevMregCtn2D3xI9X3qLhzGJJfu2X07blllFOAKUgrjTX6zizISjmUYpTjM2j2cfuAzFISSF-gbqPczouAltCbZ155wHH5B78n12QKXwcZSmT-jc60CV3hISCY0inhaho/w640-h432/northborder-2021-4-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Border looks lovely in the sunshine, with bulbs, phlox (and dandelions) blooming among the evergreen trees and shrubs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Dn_Zs8tgjtagFBIMooEjW3hQPGCLgJ2V8kPoqtq2GBYwMj4bJGEkpvsKacdwxFODPZl7VSD6qrb5lltOvw_SXhlQp9xedJnKw3e0HsxNM1Ioo0AUpRYuw98mdyACiElfrHw3LmxzqiM/s1784/pansy-pot-2021-4-26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1784" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Dn_Zs8tgjtagFBIMooEjW3hQPGCLgJ2V8kPoqtq2GBYwMj4bJGEkpvsKacdwxFODPZl7VSD6qrb5lltOvw_SXhlQp9xedJnKw3e0HsxNM1Ioo0AUpRYuw98mdyACiElfrHw3LmxzqiM/w640-h412/pansy-pot-2021-4-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And some potted tricolor violas look very cute in my front steps. I love spring flowers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6_Ls0CY6tBOabtBKaR7x9ugMna-Q8oqk9Kp0q5Q8R7gcnROOnZ7Ro9Fj2yHeKFidGaTVZE6u763rvYid0JlJ7_y8-KDdAwaOGr9PuJG5FhNYDHh2xtZ-1SmIOIvuXa_jlt8F0NixoHg/s1871/sunroom-2021-4-26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1871" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6_Ls0CY6tBOabtBKaR7x9ugMna-Q8oqk9Kp0q5Q8R7gcnROOnZ7Ro9Fj2yHeKFidGaTVZE6u763rvYid0JlJ7_y8-KDdAwaOGr9PuJG5FhNYDHh2xtZ-1SmIOIvuXa_jlt8F0NixoHg/w640-h368/sunroom-2021-4-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting, waiting....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I'm greatly looking forward to being able to plant more things outside as the ground warms up, which will happen within a few weeks with any luck. And my houseplants will be very happy to go outside for the summer, in my Tropical Garden area around my patio. </p><p>Here's to the arrival of May, and after that, to summer living! </p><p>Thanks for reading, -Beth</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92y0jM4hj7d8u9Yduv-ImIya1FRphqhgv4u2IAdypWA2TrhT01NMKmLF7_m0p_NF_pfOePSwSgL0f2_xwfSK7Ep7OFALMNwfnWBQbx1Bxlo6OZmeWZSmDY11w80Aq3rtWhCHpzSopSe4/s1868/paradise-garde-2021-4-26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1868" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92y0jM4hj7d8u9Yduv-ImIya1FRphqhgv4u2IAdypWA2TrhT01NMKmLF7_m0p_NF_pfOePSwSgL0f2_xwfSK7Ep7OFALMNwfnWBQbx1Bxlo6OZmeWZSmDY11w80Aq3rtWhCHpzSopSe4/w640-h480/paradise-garde-2021-4-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-88523385790854287222020-10-16T18:58:00.003-05:002020-10-16T18:58:54.222-05:00Autumn's last flowers<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBwRu1FiYaw-m-l6F_BKSBLdGTVX9ADhpkx1GL_oxCuOgV5Kb8P096H3lCntvpI0MijgAClHnerxXEuQWI6NtPDkB8mke0MnC6xRPMn2Tx3-NsdR4N29L1TL1bA5kk7jhYb2rci7HLo8/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-9-25b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1912" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBwRu1FiYaw-m-l6F_BKSBLdGTVX9ADhpkx1GL_oxCuOgV5Kb8P096H3lCntvpI0MijgAClHnerxXEuQWI6NtPDkB8mke0MnC6xRPMn2Tx3-NsdR4N29L1TL1bA5kk7jhYb2rci7HLo8/w640-h390/paradise-garden-2020-9-25b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Hello, everyone! I'm sorry I haven't posted since August -- I meant to write a post in September, which was such a beautiful month in my gardens this month, but somehow that didn't happen. I'll show a few pictures from September and October in this post.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Tropical Garden</h3><p>First are a few images of the tropical garden I planted around my patio for the first time this year. As you might recall, this is what it looked like back in mid-May, right after I planted all the tiny annuals and tropical plants:</p><p>Before:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-GEng0WoIXG6kDLZHvOMf6JWOmLMksmRKKZYOWJtCkEoKjjP9MboykcqScmz32AH_dI298ey_4BB3Ff4MHAOQaDbgRJoRRN9pFBuAykLL1MV3Wdt3srlQQPAm34swViMc4Jjxn92tb8/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-GEng0WoIXG6kDLZHvOMf6JWOmLMksmRKKZYOWJtCkEoKjjP9MboykcqScmz32AH_dI298ey_4BB3Ff4MHAOQaDbgRJoRRN9pFBuAykLL1MV3Wdt3srlQQPAm34swViMc4Jjxn92tb8/w640-h480/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23e.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div>After:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYSzFBkuBacc1km6oJvSvn6h1B8OZ3GDDpb4WehTqWe46C7SPAW6mszh7VaFZbWRlB5h1bsCX3CphKYbETcOpHtB2Q57-cIdL2FnHzC0LzYZs-P1q0Y7Gs9ErBXKXirXC-oPEm4jJmNo/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1912" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYSzFBkuBacc1km6oJvSvn6h1B8OZ3GDDpb4WehTqWe46C7SPAW6mszh7VaFZbWRlB5h1bsCX3CphKYbETcOpHtB2Q57-cIdL2FnHzC0LzYZs-P1q0Y7Gs9ErBXKXirXC-oPEm4jJmNo/w640-h398/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If there's one thing tropical plants are known for, it's <i>fast growth</i>! The two castor oil bean plants (<i>Ricinus</i>) that I started from seed in my sunroom in March have grown into monstrously large, towering trees that are over 11 feet high (the bottom of the roof overhang at far left is 11 feet off the ground). For a sense of perspective, I'm shorter, at 5&1/2 feet tall, than the dwarf peach tree at center. The one on the left provided wonderful shade from the afternoon sun during August, when we had some friends over and ate outside at the patio table.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYSzFBkuBacc1km6oJvSvn6h1B8OZ3GDDpb4WehTqWe46C7SPAW6mszh7VaFZbWRlB5h1bsCX3CphKYbETcOpHtB2Q57-cIdL2FnHzC0LzYZs-P1q0Y7Gs9ErBXKXirXC-oPEm4jJmNo/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYO_EMw1OHevNnSbp-OrtTZX4XM0hdgHLqYQ-TW_-EA6xtHptxM53stYef5iw24XbknJ6INcDs0SwqjvDZ3M4pznf5r9tFHHNJxbFJdmvioZ_eRlvIKWt5E8oWb7dY-IgoTIDTEnrSbE/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYO_EMw1OHevNnSbp-OrtTZX4XM0hdgHLqYQ-TW_-EA6xtHptxM53stYef5iw24XbknJ6INcDs0SwqjvDZ3M4pznf5r9tFHHNJxbFJdmvioZ_eRlvIKWt5E8oWb7dY-IgoTIDTEnrSbE/w640-h480/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a closeup of the "blood" banana that I bought this year from a local nursery.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYO_EMw1OHevNnSbp-OrtTZX4XM0hdgHLqYQ-TW_-EA6xtHptxM53stYef5iw24XbknJ6INcDs0SwqjvDZ3M4pznf5r9tFHHNJxbFJdmvioZ_eRlvIKWt5E8oWb7dY-IgoTIDTEnrSbE/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuV_8MCh5hgUx2HPsqT6Y73OJhQBZ-ulE8al9uPN6Ro8G1NpIizk_TzhtJZptuvYSRUAu7GQlAeTYUtfH6fMbcI9q76FkC3-1MNrS4vpRsi98aCUS0PAezmb3Ndu1VcDs-oBU5BQOF1A/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuV_8MCh5hgUx2HPsqT6Y73OJhQBZ-ulE8al9uPN6Ro8G1NpIizk_TzhtJZptuvYSRUAu7GQlAeTYUtfH6fMbcI9q76FkC3-1MNrS4vpRsi98aCUS0PAezmb3Ndu1VcDs-oBU5BQOF1A/w640-h480/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continuing around the castor oil bean plant, you can see the huge size of its leaves. The sweet potato vine (<i>Ipomoea batatas</i>) that I planted at its base had to be hacked back several times over the summer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMan80cPjTial5Z9TK3MwIU4HJL-_ztxfNJOZQZgm5ZE2Ls7Z9TAiTZOWwWVbdwaFmprdxOZQQf4eE0rXLN5DNjo5rzVYNtGwnhbujvYGHo-mBVmUb21-v1wVDS7o3SzSoggkLwMWiiU0/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMan80cPjTial5Z9TK3MwIU4HJL-_ztxfNJOZQZgm5ZE2Ls7Z9TAiTZOWwWVbdwaFmprdxOZQQf4eE0rXLN5DNjo5rzVYNtGwnhbujvYGHo-mBVmUb21-v1wVDS7o3SzSoggkLwMWiiU0/w640-h480/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the plants on the back border of the area: coleus, elephant ear (<i>Colocasia</i> 'Sumo'), and a pink-leaved <i>Iresine</i> at bottom right.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0XfA2i3F7uspK3tzlVxUSo7r8vS_ETXn6oWOYxavF6BL5jrjVky3GjKoPIO5p7ZsjNL_8gxXxEDwJZr4y_FJ9Q6KaA3ya1jYHWnqfuUBn2SLRNMDIBo-kJaWt2V-IBATNJGJkRWCwBU/s1902/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1902" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0XfA2i3F7uspK3tzlVxUSo7r8vS_ETXn6oWOYxavF6BL5jrjVky3GjKoPIO5p7ZsjNL_8gxXxEDwJZr4y_FJ9Q6KaA3ya1jYHWnqfuUBn2SLRNMDIBo-kJaWt2V-IBATNJGJkRWCwBU/w640-h430/tropicalpatio-2020-9-29e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, the back part of the garden behind the patio table, in front of the fence. Two houseplants that I brought out for the summer are sunk in pots into the ground, interspersed with another elephant ear, a division from a papyrus plant that I had, a self-seeded tobacco plant in full flower at left, and a majesty palm at far right. This was one of the most successful, most <i>tropical-looking</i> parts of the area, and I'm very happy with how it grew up over the summer.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Paradise Garden</h3><div><br /></div><div>The other area of my gardens that has been successful this year is my Paradise Garden. In September I took down the Big Net that protected the roses from the Japanese beetle scourge all summer, and this garden has been absolutely magical to sit in and enjoy the brightly colored and wonderfully scented flowers, the butterflies and the bubbling fountain at the center.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFg-crr9wDKRqRxQqb4rAg6TtUXaVObd-4jx0SWOrcygOFWPCQZ-MixMu4VrC8wLZKVQ7GxNYM7Og6q2fpmi2Kl9An5kIDmcV3ONcY_SDmcSTWKW2stoAuh1blHouFk1-HMoQlk0HltQ/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-9-25a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1912" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFg-crr9wDKRqRxQqb4rAg6TtUXaVObd-4jx0SWOrcygOFWPCQZ-MixMu4VrC8wLZKVQ7GxNYM7Og6q2fpmi2Kl9An5kIDmcV3ONcY_SDmcSTWKW2stoAuh1blHouFk1-HMoQlk0HltQ/w640-h466/paradise-garden-2020-9-25a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filled with flowers a few weeks ago....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsB73MrLGIlhCIwIIcqEDGA8Q_f8rMneEZC7fbdhnBU2gnifFISg8bMItp47-TTy4OcD-fdekgDa71cE_db2a9AbqQAll8fYsW8L6lajG0o-P6xH_WXQiB3RekszOYzcJDSGjBFs4eUA/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-9-25c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1912" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsB73MrLGIlhCIwIIcqEDGA8Q_f8rMneEZC7fbdhnBU2gnifFISg8bMItp47-TTy4OcD-fdekgDa71cE_db2a9AbqQAll8fYsW8L6lajG0o-P6xH_WXQiB3RekszOYzcJDSGjBFs4eUA/w640-h410/paradise-garden-2020-9-25c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of roses in flower, plus marigolds and dahlias (like the red ones in the picture at the top of the page).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeEn9dER6CnEPxvoieq4FywcIYtyJrz1jGAfdz0S1DW9NGEc1plECyWFvpbLZx4W8-jugbUwJP0T72NB1y_MM1tFtnbMZCWwRtT739MJrul8qTVGrIsJX3WTUUQNbBGL2qvzLr_9YnsA/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-9-25d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1912" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeEn9dER6CnEPxvoieq4FywcIYtyJrz1jGAfdz0S1DW9NGEc1plECyWFvpbLZx4W8-jugbUwJP0T72NB1y_MM1tFtnbMZCWwRtT739MJrul8qTVGrIsJX3WTUUQNbBGL2qvzLr_9YnsA/w640-h458/paradise-garden-2020-9-25d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the bench under the small pergola -- the best place to enjoy the garden in the heat of summer days, although I've been sitting on the sunny bench against the house recently, to soak up the year's last rays. The pink flowering tobacco seeded itself there from last year, and looked very fetching with the pink roses.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Frost Threatens</h3><div><br /></div><div>Alas, summer eventually comes to an end, and the threat of frost is always present in October. We haven't gotten a frost yet, although one is possible this weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>But to be safe, I brought in all the tropical plants a couple of weeks ago, some to my basement under lights, and some into my sunroom to be enjoyed over winter:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiknUakAqqrBD0xKUZ7Cyvd5iMpk6jW8VnUIx9NklT5SovjHguKn_lejSwjFnISKKeA7A7I7CntDYZMt3o7zSJwr2k4nFDQCELaL-xj5tOKNMOnSc7INC-5Mug2NxT9G4Sq0QtU24vsuE/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-10-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiknUakAqqrBD0xKUZ7Cyvd5iMpk6jW8VnUIx9NklT5SovjHguKn_lejSwjFnISKKeA7A7I7CntDYZMt3o7zSJwr2k4nFDQCELaL-xj5tOKNMOnSc7INC-5Mug2NxT9G4Sq0QtU24vsuE/w640-h480/tropicalpatio-2020-10-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tropical Garden, minus many of the plants to be saved over winter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uImVaOi3oBciV6OLnoTI-SkM84y-l97f2qCzj6xn5LYVKWLHpIOcdc8wazJKbBuGBKIhD8eHrvc8D3hVNaWSHcY81sRw3UFpaIXDYSWiM9lshT9-znfZqHBPKpCkbbtV28f6cepQ9ig/s1807/basement-2020-10-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1807" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uImVaOi3oBciV6OLnoTI-SkM84y-l97f2qCzj6xn5LYVKWLHpIOcdc8wazJKbBuGBKIhD8eHrvc8D3hVNaWSHcY81sRw3UFpaIXDYSWiM9lshT9-znfZqHBPKpCkbbtV28f6cepQ9ig/w640-h498/basement-2020-10-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the basement went the plants that don't flower in winter, or which can't tolerate the dry air of central heating.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlH5jq_-h4_R0BQHH0iLJlbFxpPQZJBhMSamB-DlxnWgenKy9kNH7hpb7BIl8caAMPt_ni7yUCLKnTAAkzsf6mqFwUq0FFRC79_XuDUNmiRj5EdNrsoKgVDtBJe5BYtwsZVSCtxDpyuc/s1912/sunroom-2020-10-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1912" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlH5jq_-h4_R0BQHH0iLJlbFxpPQZJBhMSamB-DlxnWgenKy9kNH7hpb7BIl8caAMPt_ni7yUCLKnTAAkzsf6mqFwUq0FFRC79_XuDUNmiRj5EdNrsoKgVDtBJe5BYtwsZVSCtxDpyuc/w640-h442/sunroom-2020-10-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sunroom is once again overflowing with plants. It's been beautiful and sunny in there during the past week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD29KumDoGGpVC4fzeudry3imOGoIRnjjT6f42V92sJkj8Ul9b3iASAsr1Kn3TXY2Z2CQE_WV8juCnaAE0uNaMrWSz0YBlEOc1WNeppTeRoN-DWNuUdTjb_exKkB87TE4BodlSwHJWQhw/s1902/sunroom-2020-10-5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1902" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD29KumDoGGpVC4fzeudry3imOGoIRnjjT6f42V92sJkj8Ul9b3iASAsr1Kn3TXY2Z2CQE_WV8juCnaAE0uNaMrWSz0YBlEOc1WNeppTeRoN-DWNuUdTjb_exKkB87TE4BodlSwHJWQhw/w640-h466/sunroom-2020-10-5b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants adjusting to their new winter home.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIciFyluCUsXenRbTeUhMHd06JOE8QvLhGz4yJ1ULU9y5WqeYYlCzfrJVcDH0b8NzADZb8XG_QKtC5d52OlzVSRoSgwQ8RLEv-HNsXEH13A7cMZBWczvC0mO17dmJXoHBdG0DFI1bPY4/s1912/sunroom-2020-10-5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1912" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIciFyluCUsXenRbTeUhMHd06JOE8QvLhGz4yJ1ULU9y5WqeYYlCzfrJVcDH0b8NzADZb8XG_QKtC5d52OlzVSRoSgwQ8RLEv-HNsXEH13A7cMZBWczvC0mO17dmJXoHBdG0DFI1bPY4/w640-h440/sunroom-2020-10-5c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other end of the sunroom.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Even though we haven't had a frost quite yet, one will almost certainly come before too many more days. The weather has been beautiful over the past week: sunny and warm. But rain and cold cloudy days are forecast next week, so I'm glad much of my autumn work is done. Soon enough winter will be here, and I'll spend my time working on indoor projects (and snoozing, as shown below).</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you have been enjoying warm autumn days in your own gardens recently, and that winter will be filled with interesting projects for you too. Thanks for reading! -Beth</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0qw6qA155WQ0BXWtV7qehlM_yaWYsNhUKC_nT9DwimoC6LiTB5ukiOTp5dJ59_SMHVxtQS0IVfssX_ZunHvU7UwW0ppF6c-je2VT-cGsQmIWGln1h3flt8A3Jp_zrXoMQ-dZojKWWfI/s1912/sunroom-2020-10-5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1912" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0qw6qA155WQ0BXWtV7qehlM_yaWYsNhUKC_nT9DwimoC6LiTB5ukiOTp5dJ59_SMHVxtQS0IVfssX_ZunHvU7UwW0ppF6c-je2VT-cGsQmIWGln1h3flt8A3Jp_zrXoMQ-dZojKWWfI/w640-h438/sunroom-2020-10-5d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-8921437979036897292020-08-16T11:54:00.004-05:002020-08-16T11:54:58.924-05:00Windstorm!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggpXFyFf3iSJwqXYl51JLPcSx4-ziFLTWE-gj9qU3lhXWm09A0M3KR1MqWFcbZLwWRl1LFGYXdQiyC92LxmZFkBd3dbVa_BsiEvOG_DZaMtaZ2EAj1SyWbnBYDkM7bEBB0JptJxDJjnQ/s1912/storm-damage-2020-8-10c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggpXFyFf3iSJwqXYl51JLPcSx4-ziFLTWE-gj9qU3lhXWm09A0M3KR1MqWFcbZLwWRl1LFGYXdQiyC92LxmZFkBd3dbVa_BsiEvOG_DZaMtaZ2EAj1SyWbnBYDkM7bEBB0JptJxDJjnQ/s640/storm-damage-2020-8-10c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello everyone. I hope any of you who live in the Midwest are recovering from Monday's windstorm, and have electric power restored.<br />
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We were quite fortunate: we didn't have much wind damage, and we lost power for only half an hour or so. We're just on the south edge of where the storm damage was worst -- only 10 miles or so north of us, people lost multiple trees and were without power for days (some areas still don't have electricity).<br />
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As you can see from the picture above, part of our old pear tree split off. Here's a few more pictures of that:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like a pretty bad split -- we're not sure whether we'll leave the remaining part of the tree or not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pears littering the ground....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving around the other side of the Garden Shed, you can see a good-sized branch has fallen from the bigger tree at left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrx8POnxTftvL99wSJe7gPrt6IyEmq_0k3e4JtTbnYUC04EP_5SPdwDKUemMygqZYZH1pVcI2kbBZEmknQ73RZjt_aeFgMVDLCTWK_iON7CbHOxEaZQtqeUoq1_Wya0LE9VKEU0ZqS3s/s1600/storm-damage-2020-8-10g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrx8POnxTftvL99wSJe7gPrt6IyEmq_0k3e4JtTbnYUC04EP_5SPdwDKUemMygqZYZH1pVcI2kbBZEmknQ73RZjt_aeFgMVDLCTWK_iON7CbHOxEaZQtqeUoq1_Wya0LE9VKEU0ZqS3s/s640/storm-damage-2020-8-10g.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benches blown over....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67SN4eDnAFhyphenhyphenlB_Wq4o1a7pMlQ4O_Qtlpk1ZYO9wCuwIxdhi04zYVYNpCJ4DY18qHPkpyw5CJ1XCtWEldXbR7O269uV2PvXWojRkmEW5IxH-FgCJ7urOIrcT6v9uq7l9dUPF24JDGjhc/s1600/storm-damage-2020-8-10h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67SN4eDnAFhyphenhyphenlB_Wq4o1a7pMlQ4O_Qtlpk1ZYO9wCuwIxdhi04zYVYNpCJ4DY18qHPkpyw5CJ1XCtWEldXbR7O269uV2PvXWojRkmEW5IxH-FgCJ7urOIrcT6v9uq7l9dUPF24JDGjhc/s640/storm-damage-2020-8-10h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More branches down....</td></tr>
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But really, we lucked out compared to people north of us who had whole trees the size of the one in the last picture completely ripped out of the ground -- and often falling onto their house or car.<br />
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But onto some nicer pictures. My new redesigned area this year, the Tropical Garden around my patio, has grown as I hoped it would:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrWG0t-eWg2tXm6FniacMOeA1f5hjloCM3ZDNMWcbKCoIaG_xe39Zsh2myuOwXz8kF-qHeZv0MjjjI7orPRZVysKvIHjAjfYvnEpTj7CPj-eQ2apoFERG_qCSbx_vax4GF-iw9SWJsrM/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrWG0t-eWg2tXm6FniacMOeA1f5hjloCM3ZDNMWcbKCoIaG_xe39Zsh2myuOwXz8kF-qHeZv0MjjjI7orPRZVysKvIHjAjfYvnEpTj7CPj-eQ2apoFERG_qCSbx_vax4GF-iw9SWJsrM/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two castor oil bean plants that I started indoors in early spring have grown even more monstrously huge than I expected -- wow! They're at least eight feet in height already. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidadOySm1suYj8XonqIRzto1kWIlhPoDxMNVEKM5p7KlW8BYYZ-j-PsSQQQcyE77cQhyphenhyphenjQMKElKId11w20eYo6ZwpYCiDahK0ebt8nvONheqhjSquOaeL3a1vVIlmI4dqAJwxGSKyLQu0/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidadOySm1suYj8XonqIRzto1kWIlhPoDxMNVEKM5p7KlW8BYYZ-j-PsSQQQcyE77cQhyphenhyphenjQMKElKId11w20eYo6ZwpYCiDahK0ebt8nvONheqhjSquOaeL3a1vVIlmI4dqAJwxGSKyLQu0/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9c.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surprise lilies have emerged, and look right at home among the tropical foliage. These were here when we moved here twelve years ago.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT9Mzs6Euooxgvc71koNHWjnLJM4yn_hiYuMiJ-BgnB1QXrZnjZbrjFnwcQ2hyphenhyphene7O-qt-VUGWU-G13_HlVNqILMBz1OCeizDHfuBM7cWAIyRa4hAP0UC6LzBA-aHxJUJRJhlYRpPV25U/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT9Mzs6Euooxgvc71koNHWjnLJM4yn_hiYuMiJ-BgnB1QXrZnjZbrjFnwcQ2hyphenhyphene7O-qt-VUGWU-G13_HlVNqILMBz1OCeizDHfuBM7cWAIyRa4hAP0UC6LzBA-aHxJUJRJhlYRpPV25U/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">My variegated banana, known dramatically as a "blood banana" (Musa acuminata<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> var. zebrina) is finally growing after a slow start. It looks good behind these surprisingly big celosia that I bought as a four-pack of tiny plants from the Amish nursery near me.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsp8VuMD6j9Yf6sYxh0SzNtsXqOr-5AYpN6fFkSwXBUy-_uPKRsK2fAgdTo3o6V2h7zjw3bTT1FV7dsRG5Mid8VMxZP1EMuTBT2sRkRjYRuba9aYhmrT1SD1BZzW7AOi7z2SB_SLSAMc/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsp8VuMD6j9Yf6sYxh0SzNtsXqOr-5AYpN6fFkSwXBUy-_uPKRsK2fAgdTo3o6V2h7zjw3bTT1FV7dsRG5Mid8VMxZP1EMuTBT2sRkRjYRuba9aYhmrT1SD1BZzW7AOi7z2SB_SLSAMc/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-8-9d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The foliage on the other side of the patio is really looking pretty lush. The philodrendron is a houseplant out for the summer and sunk in a pot into the ground; the papyrus overwintered in my basement; I bought the colocasia last summer, and it's looking better than I have ever seen it, and the Majesty palm was purchased on sale this spring.<br /></span></td></tr>
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And my Paradise Garden, still under the Big Net for probably another month yet to prevent the roses and other flowers from the depredations of the Japanese beetles, is looking lush and beautiful -- and smelling wonderful in the evenings, from the scented tobacco and petunias that have sowed themselves in the beds:</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x9QVGZl0rMp-2_QnLYUgYKG-_qWXFsmHWOkjnIldGziQl0GrEt13yVmexGa86TqGmrS2t2bkvg6n6EM6fDWbf1ILbxkT651Oki0NrTxERzM8cQg8VIBbxIINycY7clEIh7rCCoMRZDc/s1600/paradise-garden-2020-8-9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x9QVGZl0rMp-2_QnLYUgYKG-_qWXFsmHWOkjnIldGziQl0GrEt13yVmexGa86TqGmrS2t2bkvg6n6EM6fDWbf1ILbxkT651Oki0NrTxERzM8cQg8VIBbxIINycY7clEIh7rCCoMRZDc/s640/paradise-garden-2020-8-9a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses, dahlias, marigolds, petunias,sweet peas -- all have been flowering away during the hot summer months.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hW5vueIPePDxftHTFowRyyXOvLVa6pJ-dKbkIxSRfeUE3kMk5J4oBJh9RRxreNq9-J8X1gSz7wcMl70Gui8XROCXIG9YSGxmdZ0q0leQCX_gzPnCAwFEytllC0dzkGoAmbAQh3EBIPY/s1600/paradise-garden-2020-8-9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hW5vueIPePDxftHTFowRyyXOvLVa6pJ-dKbkIxSRfeUE3kMk5J4oBJh9RRxreNq9-J8X1gSz7wcMl70Gui8XROCXIG9YSGxmdZ0q0leQCX_gzPnCAwFEytllC0dzkGoAmbAQh3EBIPY/s640/paradise-garden-2020-8-9c.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scented daylily, 'So Lovely' smells wonderful too, and blooms quite well even in this relatively shaded part of the Paradise Garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWKJE7WOB4IXyd7WKFuydV7610Nj3-OLCzOGHfIQYMpx962170uW9Kb8dQeS74jqeEu6YkGIjMUd4H68VZU_PQj9iZVut7Qnl_fO1QFCFBluxWLa94BLqEfI0EkXMT8NxKBWFJfBasOY/s1600/paradise-garden-2020-8-9d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWKJE7WOB4IXyd7WKFuydV7610Nj3-OLCzOGHfIQYMpx962170uW9Kb8dQeS74jqeEu6YkGIjMUd4H68VZU_PQj9iZVut7Qnl_fO1QFCFBluxWLa94BLqEfI0EkXMT8NxKBWFJfBasOY/s640/paradise-garden-2020-8-9d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Royal Palace Prince' clothed in royal purple petunias.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t8nQF1NTfQwGjwOlGGCiFX2GzL_wo95nN23N2QaiR9EGUICB8OHZtdPABu45VwtjrIEfnjtzF1usCvGeYOlF82OZB37Hd0OGitLCpX3g83SQ3bgHlGAMoPNjCpgSWL7KxovcXe5U-jw/s1600/paradise-garden-2020-8-9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t8nQF1NTfQwGjwOlGGCiFX2GzL_wo95nN23N2QaiR9EGUICB8OHZtdPABu45VwtjrIEfnjtzF1usCvGeYOlF82OZB37Hd0OGitLCpX3g83SQ3bgHlGAMoPNjCpgSWL7KxovcXe5U-jw/s640/paradise-garden-2020-8-9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlia 'Jaipur' is ablaze with red-hot flowers.</td></tr>
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My husband and I have been making a habit of sitting in the Paradise Garden most evenings, and it's been lovely to enjoy this beautiful scented flower garden after dark, looking up at the countless stars in the sky. The other night, someone nearby had a fire (likely burning tree branches downed by the storm), and the mix of wood smoke and tobacco/petunia flowers was so magical that we didn't want to go back inside and stayed out until after 11 pm. Summer nights can be wonderful....<br />
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Hope you are enjoying some magical summer nights in your own gardens, and that you did not suffer from the storm. Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAzB0wY0izNn-3n6OmkUoDqBUXyscRfDaXwswmovfPnmDlxdlF-a5xD5f5w2e08g8l4_uBS-hoIRdnMJ2DxGWVQM-fnKri5pl60e-fgta4ZYQ7uYHk7pqKz9RlxIxckorhiwyElilVgQ/s1600/pondgardens-2020-8-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAzB0wY0izNn-3n6OmkUoDqBUXyscRfDaXwswmovfPnmDlxdlF-a5xD5f5w2e08g8l4_uBS-hoIRdnMJ2DxGWVQM-fnKri5pl60e-fgta4ZYQ7uYHk7pqKz9RlxIxckorhiwyElilVgQ/s640/pondgardens-2020-8-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-78762537647493863872020-07-02T21:37:00.001-05:002021-02-27T13:36:09.862-06:00Lily Time!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QPJFxVOozSGyNeJnKpbbx4G9_2h_tYS-nmehNrwA4rmR4ARGTxv9_YkRaGyjRlYfbc0xioUpCAOhy6gqLr0hTWYOejhR2llg3iDKbX7js0KArkxysfviiFll0Pah3efJUxUp9cD9QF8/s1858/paradise-garden-2020-6-26d.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1858" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QPJFxVOozSGyNeJnKpbbx4G9_2h_tYS-nmehNrwA4rmR4ARGTxv9_YkRaGyjRlYfbc0xioUpCAOhy6gqLr0hTWYOejhR2llg3iDKbX7js0KArkxysfviiFll0Pah3efJUxUp9cD9QF8/w625-h455/paradise-garden-2020-6-26d.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying some beautiful summer days in your gardens -- I have been pretty busy in mine recently.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The weather is starting to get a bit hot and humid again, which shouldn't be a surprise, since it's summer in Iowa -- but it's time to turn the air conditioner back on again after a few weeks of cooler, rainy days.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I've been using the cooler days (and a few hot ones too) to work outside to maintain and improve my garden areas -- some of which were looking pretty weedy and overgrown with grass in the last year or two. I've cleared a few areas entirely, and replanted other areas that I cleared last year (and the year before). Things are now starting to look a bit more under control.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPODH8iUW0x6cZzmW7RpTJzWTAAMHOP9wXgqNwSxJ_3GYWdTrvGkY972Kt7JuxrbqGrEnZW45IFCeKBmyiLQbMlnGJdMCsxv4ORQyRlb0vfQjXuLrVRfGL47xYPDL8T0GkoCNLQoT2A/s1912/pondgardens-2020-6-26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1912" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPODH8iUW0x6cZzmW7RpTJzWTAAMHOP9wXgqNwSxJ_3GYWdTrvGkY972Kt7JuxrbqGrEnZW45IFCeKBmyiLQbMlnGJdMCsxv4ORQyRlb0vfQjXuLrVRfGL47xYPDL8T0GkoCNLQoT2A/w625-h408/pondgardens-2020-6-26.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pond Gardens are looking much improved this year, for the first time in several years. Two years ago I cleared them of the grass that had invaded them, installed a metal edging around the paving stones last year, and replanted them this year with annual petunias and dahlias, in addition to the roses and boxwoods that remained. This area has a well-kept, park-like feeling now (the two new benches helped with that too).</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwfOxudhMhbKyDUyqYbYFd5v0SlowPu5gvWpup-j68VhArIOKhFV1ZJMSxT5FwxcLZ74mBgLSERgrKdnQgoJNtOLZjsW9Zp0QNiWSFBgAOVc8CN8Flc5aLF6N9Vf_xNbS0g2i_VrWhbI/s2512/garage-west-2020-6-25.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2512" data-original-width="1884" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwfOxudhMhbKyDUyqYbYFd5v0SlowPu5gvWpup-j68VhArIOKhFV1ZJMSxT5FwxcLZ74mBgLSERgrKdnQgoJNtOLZjsW9Zp0QNiWSFBgAOVc8CN8Flc5aLF6N9Vf_xNbS0g2i_VrWhbI/w469-h625/garage-west-2020-6-25.jpg" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's another area that looks much better this year: behind my garage. This very long bed was completely infested with grass and weeds two years ago, so I cleared it and last year I planted a bunch of hostas that I moved and divided from another area (mostly from the Yellow Garden, so many of them are golden in color). This bed looks SO much better and is easier to maintain, now that the hostas have filled in to crowd out weeds.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDELhkT_-Opk4Oa1Q_XXm34mD1JGBGu_s7D371Mcwodr7DK8ttYgXqH7k5wZnG71N7EY8-qZdodwQsFtvujKtVBbxmH3lOvjQr_7seTdBeP-VQhUuKbShcC1JAElmST4F5yxuCTGRlks/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-6-29a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDELhkT_-Opk4Oa1Q_XXm34mD1JGBGu_s7D371Mcwodr7DK8ttYgXqH7k5wZnG71N7EY8-qZdodwQsFtvujKtVBbxmH3lOvjQr_7seTdBeP-VQhUuKbShcC1JAElmST4F5yxuCTGRlks/w625-h469/tropicalpatio-2020-6-29a.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another area that is much improved this year is my new Tropical Garden around my patio. The plants have started to grow a bit since I planted them about a month ago. It won't look truly jungle-y for at least another month, but I'm pretty happy with it, and I've managed to keep it weeded and well maintained so far. (Please ignore the "project" waiting on the sidewalk at right....)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjzAoPo7NgOwpqXVQK41_YJtV8-hz41b9hzNUfa2yNEGOmihDsXSoHoR7fJxqA5305gF_pf92l0OR3omhognRX5ekBlu67WUjDTCbhn0jMn2FZ8VxneEyY5S46DIyZICZ_m0e8ztf5tw/s1912/tropicalpatio-2020-6-29b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjzAoPo7NgOwpqXVQK41_YJtV8-hz41b9hzNUfa2yNEGOmihDsXSoHoR7fJxqA5305gF_pf92l0OR3omhognRX5ekBlu67WUjDTCbhn0jMn2FZ8VxneEyY5S46DIyZICZ_m0e8ztf5tw/w625-h469/tropicalpatio-2020-6-29b.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of the shady front border in the Tropical Garden -- complete with Jungle Cat snoozing among the tropical foliage. :-)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gtmEMYNsyBXUrAkUgNPCwcyQLw-WO-83I8hS19m7RR5no9RX1GBFqmF7bDKcbkG7BAXCQS_CVwCmjn9Hd9kpkoBWNTJ92_lVZ8r5J2XO_vzdwk0vauWxRIQwH6F7TeIHOmAs22pd814/s1779/mockorange-hedge-2020-6-18.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1779" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gtmEMYNsyBXUrAkUgNPCwcyQLw-WO-83I8hS19m7RR5no9RX1GBFqmF7bDKcbkG7BAXCQS_CVwCmjn9Hd9kpkoBWNTJ92_lVZ8r5J2XO_vzdwk0vauWxRIQwH6F7TeIHOmAs22pd814/w625-h463/mockorange-hedge-2020-6-18.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this mock orange (<i>Philadelphus</i>) hedge is looking (and smelling) better than it ever has. I cut it down to half its height two years ago, and that has made the shrubs grow back much more thickly, and bloom heavier than the ever have before. The scent can be smelled across the yard.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font size="5">Lily Show</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPMEybIAnJWo6AXYkNAQln6nmYWmT0DJZpaLMagAqY3a5dK5joe7Gb4T-MOIf81sMOrs3Rlvnx3lNOEmiWkGitn_KglrHek1F8XWIfCb1Np2_uAIdKbc4oIHytJ6LmAe3vVFfRaxzIe4/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-6-26c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPMEybIAnJWo6AXYkNAQln6nmYWmT0DJZpaLMagAqY3a5dK5joe7Gb4T-MOIf81sMOrs3Rlvnx3lNOEmiWkGitn_KglrHek1F8XWIfCb1Np2_uAIdKbc4oIHytJ6LmAe3vVFfRaxzIe4/w625-h469/paradise-garden-2020-6-26c.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big current story is the lilies, though. The Asiatic lilies have been blooming for the past couple of weeks, and now the orien-pet lilies are are coming online too.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKg4LRpz-yk19JEGaqeoYQSTPzbdjlJqPTzPrFFyRl6x0LW4z5MK8DWBNx0TikcRYu6ahdl6fY-y62NAMItdwtUtwF2Lm_Byry4HtN2ASy0aPYeGRrToIRPiwcN_hyphenhyphenrlWgPkYSy1cEA4/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-6-29a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKg4LRpz-yk19JEGaqeoYQSTPzbdjlJqPTzPrFFyRl6x0LW4z5MK8DWBNx0TikcRYu6ahdl6fY-y62NAMItdwtUtwF2Lm_Byry4HtN2ASy0aPYeGRrToIRPiwcN_hyphenhyphenrlWgPkYSy1cEA4/w625-h469/paradise-garden-2020-6-29a.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Asiatics in the Paradise Garden look lovely in this pink shade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfWpFp-tulMrAO3qrCc3f5Wh-cHHKOY1BCeZGcICU2gNfHPfRoEegjFusec-54HnvkG1B5SfOq9gAFMHIAMWUZ4805ANgG3Zn0H2-JGFczC6PDvsY2vhgHR1r79NBt1zoyIhr3sQZR7o/s1815/paradise-garden-2020-6-29b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1815" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfWpFp-tulMrAO3qrCc3f5Wh-cHHKOY1BCeZGcICU2gNfHPfRoEegjFusec-54HnvkG1B5SfOq9gAFMHIAMWUZ4805ANgG3Zn0H2-JGFczC6PDvsY2vhgHR1r79NBt1zoyIhr3sQZR7o/w625-h451/paradise-garden-2020-6-29b.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These trumpet lilies (whose name I have lost) are blooming in the Paradise Garden too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdM44Bvg3hoOPfJthf9sJcCpv7hgJbg8fWckJ6DpixGXLVYTIk5mK2nxfHSLmeke4dyEzBGT_SQv7l9AcWHikqu3uukQQVQqTEZAyo4RKdk3sRMlN3UdTOOSwZMmgzDMOTuHCS0ieVXY/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-6-29c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1912" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdM44Bvg3hoOPfJthf9sJcCpv7hgJbg8fWckJ6DpixGXLVYTIk5mK2nxfHSLmeke4dyEzBGT_SQv7l9AcWHikqu3uukQQVQqTEZAyo4RKdk3sRMlN3UdTOOSwZMmgzDMOTuHCS0ieVXY/w625-h385/paradise-garden-2020-6-29c.jpg" width="625" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And these orien-pet lilies just opened today and have a wonderfully strong scent. They perfume the entire Paradise Garden -- and what should a Paradise Garden be, if not a scented garden? This evening was magical outside after dusk.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><font size="5">Invasion!</font><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyud7i-yQThlhrjS-RK_6RVbX7Hake4eYTGQbYHtYnCTlpNq91e07fKY07THa2kXjgxHb2HrpCd4y-th_ESp8zpxBBWAQAqcQRjz2MffzvnyQeBocVl79VRfAoNq2cf3ZhBPM1sOtHz4/s1960/japbeetle-2020-6-29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1960" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyud7i-yQThlhrjS-RK_6RVbX7Hake4eYTGQbYHtYnCTlpNq91e07fKY07THa2kXjgxHb2HrpCd4y-th_ESp8zpxBBWAQAqcQRjz2MffzvnyQeBocVl79VRfAoNq2cf3ZhBPM1sOtHz4/w500-h375/japbeetle-2020-6-29.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But it's that time of year again: the cursed Japanese beetles have again invaded our gardens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKbKtlGY8w6u2mJSZG9eG1NY6vAjsPsVtQ6uSh-FITvolfj2aJePs7b9jjsh3M4yehzN0LEUbD3pgubU_N8idxb76suB2pfGv5Ae_z2cTouFq1r9aq3Fh5ns6CLeQqQkjrSCmU3aS-T4/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-6-29d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKbKtlGY8w6u2mJSZG9eG1NY6vAjsPsVtQ6uSh-FITvolfj2aJePs7b9jjsh3M4yehzN0LEUbD3pgubU_N8idxb76suB2pfGv5Ae_z2cTouFq1r9aq3Fh5ns6CLeQqQkjrSCmU3aS-T4/w625-h469/paradise-garden-2020-6-29d.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So up went The Big Net. This is the third year I've put it up, and I feel safer under it now that the buggers won't be able to chaw on my roses and mate to create even more of their horribleness. I wish I didn't have to put it up (it prevents the butterflies from flapping about in my garden -- at least until September, when they again have glorious free rein) but it's much better than the alternative:<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ho05XcNLU_5DIP_PE3hNC8eKjfRRkpNozscsarAGcGn-eXDSXBtMRcmORPsiDDHfRf9QcjbHNz2pBKUg-4-6tB6yJqZDIpoo8CLAfC7eABSRp6s7VZ0GXdqFQJ6DNe7GUfTw_v0OJ_E/s1329/japanesebeetles-2018-8-5b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ho05XcNLU_5DIP_PE3hNC8eKjfRRkpNozscsarAGcGn-eXDSXBtMRcmORPsiDDHfRf9QcjbHNz2pBKUg-4-6tB6yJqZDIpoo8CLAfC7eABSRp6s7VZ0GXdqFQJ6DNe7GUfTw_v0OJ_E/w321-h400/japanesebeetles-2018-8-5b.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry to show you this hideousness, but it's important to realize just how horrible <br />the alternative is. This was two years ago in early August, BBN (Before the <br />Big Net). Uggh.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGl0ks8wt0E19HbVPKcqBaIlUuGZNAEeGXWjA2m55JH9LIwU4CNHr5w5L2-H9wBRXMA6WBIXxbZrzEDdP-fnsPakgLrkMUntcXxNMraH96hcqgrJpgxbrQlsg80o04PmpEkKeEWtux8M/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-6-29e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGl0ks8wt0E19HbVPKcqBaIlUuGZNAEeGXWjA2m55JH9LIwU4CNHr5w5L2-H9wBRXMA6WBIXxbZrzEDdP-fnsPakgLrkMUntcXxNMraH96hcqgrJpgxbrQlsg80o04PmpEkKeEWtux8M/w625-h469/paradise-garden-2020-6-29e.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering my Bedouin tent -- where roses can flourish freely all summer. Much better....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you are able to enjoy magical evenings in your own gardens now that summer is truly here -- I can't believe that the 4th of July is already upon us. (I think this every year; the holiday always makes me feel a bit sad, as it marks the peak of summer, after which it's a long slide downward to the trough of January. </div><div><br /></div><div>But there are still many nice evenings ahead this summer and autumn for us to enjoy. Thanks for reading! -Beth</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37b3EqBOF00IR_sk8_dCDRGRNcIOGe3IL6bk4gskcO1vz3J7xgUOZKD0UHkXpT-3RmBoBupuUGDEKk2YM9na_IyAx6i3lmtaweTp5soPabXscLHM2v12vfn784I6akTVU5ue2iBCddaE/s1912/pondgardens-2020-6-18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37b3EqBOF00IR_sk8_dCDRGRNcIOGe3IL6bk4gskcO1vz3J7xgUOZKD0UHkXpT-3RmBoBupuUGDEKk2YM9na_IyAx6i3lmtaweTp5soPabXscLHM2v12vfn784I6akTVU5ue2iBCddaE/w625-h469/pondgardens-2020-6-18.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-53006552676647861182020-06-08T18:23:00.000-05:002020-06-08T18:23:22.735-05:00June Flowers<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqphNOqpiwTxXqTUWoqj3_MyT9wk0rcvLxBUGDis-NxeJDuLdV2xhHQ8Fn7JYGygTiD-JPBP4SX7kzcs93d5GNNdNOD-D3xPJmR7by6Q7LjBb6A-p_gjSJ59Y_56bqr1ceS04-ZuUzq3E/s1839/peonies-2020-6-4b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1839" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqphNOqpiwTxXqTUWoqj3_MyT9wk0rcvLxBUGDis-NxeJDuLdV2xhHQ8Fn7JYGygTiD-JPBP4SX7kzcs93d5GNNdNOD-D3xPJmR7by6Q7LjBb6A-p_gjSJ59Y_56bqr1ceS04-ZuUzq3E/w640-h526/peonies-2020-6-4b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Greetings! June is always such a floriferous time of year, from the irises and peonies that are now fading to the roses that are in full bloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a few scenes from around my gardens during the past couple of weeks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhNxSX3cBS6iMJZr07exHKDs6hDCQpU4YS1-OCS1v9J7e7q1L19Wp5P245BY0vktMVemB3GhQ1gPOOd1KShBgtacRZM-ttZOjWJSjn6PEnFZ-gpbMr4UlPpT6ckl3RddZt47ualUQNI0/s1912/paradise-garden-2020-5-30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1912" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhNxSX3cBS6iMJZr07exHKDs6hDCQpU4YS1-OCS1v9J7e7q1L19Wp5P245BY0vktMVemB3GhQ1gPOOd1KShBgtacRZM-ttZOjWJSjn6PEnFZ-gpbMr4UlPpT6ckl3RddZt47ualUQNI0/w640-h434/paradise-garden-2020-5-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, here's my Paradise Garden, filled with poppies and pinks and pansies.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzwNxg6mbCd8W_lduTJgMLIJig8rSWsOkj8kzWLQpgtJwuIAA9bo_Zkymfa10ccK7NeHWDmypQoGYCVn11Q2IQf8ElRZs1wFWmm6z83_Qvrkr3Bah_sX8ZmYexuFY_gEV50Rrl5gLQoQ/s1948/paradise-garden-2020-6-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1948" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzwNxg6mbCd8W_lduTJgMLIJig8rSWsOkj8kzWLQpgtJwuIAA9bo_Zkymfa10ccK7NeHWDmypQoGYCVn11Q2IQf8ElRZs1wFWmm6z83_Qvrkr3Bah_sX8ZmYexuFY_gEV50Rrl5gLQoQ/w640-h444/paradise-garden-2020-6-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of the eye-watering clashing going on between the pelargoniums in pots and the poppies behind them -- it was much more strident in person, I can assure you! :-)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NoMx_KZ8OWx7SeNuloev4qyMD98aXifUDSKDoLqZvGVSV92Yjyf8yQ9_uYGJyMwui4AA-nMdNz-gasXu8cDplyCD78RObq1g1Rijv1olRQ6ZQ6zQ-gJn6zVaHWs57H_X8fZOfTdNei0/s1912/delphiniums-2020-6-4a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1912" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NoMx_KZ8OWx7SeNuloev4qyMD98aXifUDSKDoLqZvGVSV92Yjyf8yQ9_uYGJyMwui4AA-nMdNz-gasXu8cDplyCD78RObq1g1Rijv1olRQ6ZQ6zQ-gJn6zVaHWs57H_X8fZOfTdNei0/w640-h454/delphiniums-2020-6-4a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving on to my delphiniums: This is the first time in 3-4 years that I have had delphiniums flowering here. The bed became overgrown with grass and I had to clear it out three years ago and leave it empty until last year, when I planted more delphs that I raised from seeds. Finally they're blooming!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9L2jdJhL7QAzEp2lRvS7OcATeOP2OXiB17BBJyY5blVmu6lB0IT6BfZqyIxkMDKpPivTj3yvqfDlVWwz2H4cEfVu0aEvu3HgggY0vFpGnhfhPkv3dL19yCiWq3bjZxvZtTSg4UlGCqc/s1912/delphiniums-2020-6-4b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9L2jdJhL7QAzEp2lRvS7OcATeOP2OXiB17BBJyY5blVmu6lB0IT6BfZqyIxkMDKpPivTj3yvqfDlVWwz2H4cEfVu0aEvu3HgggY0vFpGnhfhPkv3dL19yCiWq3bjZxvZtTSg4UlGCqc/w640-h480/delphiniums-2020-6-4b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the delphinium bed from the front -- I always love how these look with daisies!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW7j44o5nikRwvMxfI5KPt6mUCG6CDtn6trZbIIfz-YUe4kT9nxjPy7-2pFPH4slmV1sQhRrKOpsaBOltNXYXkn4AOdMM10J8lUFMsapP6mhQ6DRd24xhy5T4K1zrLyFuluos4eNKNy8/s1912/peonies-2020-6-4c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW7j44o5nikRwvMxfI5KPt6mUCG6CDtn6trZbIIfz-YUe4kT9nxjPy7-2pFPH4slmV1sQhRrKOpsaBOltNXYXkn4AOdMM10J8lUFMsapP6mhQ6DRd24xhy5T4K1zrLyFuluos4eNKNy8/w640-h480/peonies-2020-6-4c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbaceous peony 'Sarah Bernhardt' -- these flowers are so huge....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3liYwjfEnHVxwn20Ufg-jL4U0Jp5xyR_eIwNiONfHa1xj2yxXlIf7QbudRa2P3i-QGEVqbKBNczAgT97facSrKhVaoUHBCShtxgXOzBmJ-gP7TOMw1_0Ys5XVGSMJ60NLf503JFrb6uU/s1912/peonies-2020-6-4a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3liYwjfEnHVxwn20Ufg-jL4U0Jp5xyR_eIwNiONfHa1xj2yxXlIf7QbudRa2P3i-QGEVqbKBNczAgT97facSrKhVaoUHBCShtxgXOzBmJ-gP7TOMw1_0Ys5XVGSMJ60NLf503JFrb6uU/w640-h480/peonies-2020-6-4a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intersectional peony 'Bartzella' in my Yellow Garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx2FapyeFw2qMFJnd5Gsd-DeViWB8179s5dUTfxvN-dWtOm7275Rh24YdGTLmfGVxXaK65tutOQBkB9jXUS9lKDnhT50-UFPnXxDN8HaUIjHmYpVJangh1vDhSDEKa_S9LQiWB5vPkWI/s1912/eastpatio-2020-6-4a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="1434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx2FapyeFw2qMFJnd5Gsd-DeViWB8179s5dUTfxvN-dWtOm7275Rh24YdGTLmfGVxXaK65tutOQBkB9jXUS9lKDnhT50-UFPnXxDN8HaUIjHmYpVJangh1vDhSDEKa_S9LQiWB5vPkWI/w480-h640/eastpatio-2020-6-4a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally painted the posts of our pergola white, after nearly two years. (They are treated lumber, so they did need to cure a bit -- but not really for quite so long....) The wisteria 'Amythyst Falls' that I planted two years ago is now blooming better than it ever has, and looks very pretty with the Dame's Rocket that self-seeded here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMLjaqf9Sb5WJFcsl1FJaAVn-WsDsGxDBu-3HsftF_FQvNfqT0uC9lntArMvo_l9bQvmWgKMoD73ij-xKfv_bHwOkMcf1B1MmH4EqY22CzNXGByYqJsp99QpApHQpxRs_c5HbRllamGo/s1912/eastpatio-2020-6-4b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="1434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMLjaqf9Sb5WJFcsl1FJaAVn-WsDsGxDBu-3HsftF_FQvNfqT0uC9lntArMvo_l9bQvmWgKMoD73ij-xKfv_bHwOkMcf1B1MmH4EqY22CzNXGByYqJsp99QpApHQpxRs_c5HbRllamGo/w480-h640/eastpatio-2020-6-4b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Here's our favorite view -- which looks even more beautiful with the addition of the wisteria.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></td><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJe6SB3FN6VcgiFHeoLMpOxDUc6fKBsmwqjuwDJYgcIHw-Rvr1b1tqf4nvrVKwsw8yhyphenhyphenGcIqNLhmeWy3WpKwvyJRuzVR323aFRU6LJPhaZaup5BJcAmWxKGIaq5kZUZJDsPJtnNo5wgQ/s1912/eremurus-2020-6-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="1434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJe6SB3FN6VcgiFHeoLMpOxDUc6fKBsmwqjuwDJYgcIHw-Rvr1b1tqf4nvrVKwsw8yhyphenhyphenGcIqNLhmeWy3WpKwvyJRuzVR323aFRU6LJPhaZaup5BJcAmWxKGIaq5kZUZJDsPJtnNo5wgQ/w480-h640/eremurus-2020-6-4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And look what I spotted in this border: an eremurus or foxtail lily! I think I spent $100 to plant a dozen of these in this border -- five years ago -- and never saw any trace of any of them. I guess one of them decided it could emerge and bloom now.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you are enjoying many flowers in your own gardens during June flower time. Thanks for stopping by! -Beth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMScZWeUXF6c1aTbmMhz6GioQhek3mbZTgNzomxP_FNJqrZCwg-3NrGDuqFnhVupy-Q9d4ziL9Q0ff8TuSowZTToW7UsQm0LHDM5YBxDT25hdJYevNP_MnDMs3PJ9RsNRs29HsUO18kQ/s1912/pondgardens-2020-6-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1912" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMScZWeUXF6c1aTbmMhz6GioQhek3mbZTgNzomxP_FNJqrZCwg-3NrGDuqFnhVupy-Q9d4ziL9Q0ff8TuSowZTToW7UsQm0LHDM5YBxDT25hdJYevNP_MnDMs3PJ9RsNRs29HsUO18kQ/w640-h480/pondgardens-2020-6-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-8894608617470210822020-05-23T18:53:00.003-05:002020-05-23T18:53:50.536-05:00Tropical Madness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlbpn6TwJbOGq0PZPSWWDn51RhQVzv7uQJ_3HQblq5mEL0ztaOwbUtSOPjdnVcxe_I8EiJRnWKhTnVUTYlhaQ6724gfu-SIKEU5RUDGwv01zt510R7k4YaJr4tbOqmbzVmqoQymmWdVw/s1600/paradisegarden-2020-5-22a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1600" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlbpn6TwJbOGq0PZPSWWDn51RhQVzv7uQJ_3HQblq5mEL0ztaOwbUtSOPjdnVcxe_I8EiJRnWKhTnVUTYlhaQ6724gfu-SIKEU5RUDGwv01zt510R7k4YaJr4tbOqmbzVmqoQymmWdVw/s640/paradisegarden-2020-5-22a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup from my Paradise Garden: pansies and finally one bloom from the <i>Ranunculus</i> or Persian buttercups that I started in my basement. They sure are beautiful flowers, but I might need to buy plants in spring instead of starting a couple dozen from corms I buy in the fall, because mine never look anywhere as good as the greenhouse-raised plants.</td></tr>
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Greetings! It's been a cloudy week here in Iowa, and it looks like it will be followed by a rainy one this coming week. But it's a warm rain, and it's starting to feel almost tropical here -- humid with highs in the mid-70s and lows around 60°F.<br />
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I've been moving some of my houseplants outside in anticipation of making a new tropical garden around my east patio. Temperatures have been warm enough for nearly every plant to come outside now, with the exception of the banana plant that I bought a few weeks ago -- apparently if the nighttime temperature drops below 57°F, the plant's growth is stunted. Who knew?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstk3Uu_VsrUO2O26gJ3pMEqL36GRS3pdVZ85Pya5kzfrFiOIJIm0HqfXBIIatnrYTbQCLj41L4B-xs4Mg8UjRau9LWhKecMs-fxd-7kCGv9vE2bYkotC1NT5NxHflCInfjCXI4mGl5FU/s1600/banana-2020-5-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstk3Uu_VsrUO2O26gJ3pMEqL36GRS3pdVZ85Pya5kzfrFiOIJIm0HqfXBIIatnrYTbQCLj41L4B-xs4Mg8UjRau9LWhKecMs-fxd-7kCGv9vE2bYkotC1NT5NxHflCInfjCXI4mGl5FU/s400/banana-2020-5-23.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">My new banana plant: it's called a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_banana" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">blood banana</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(</span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Musa acuminata</i></div>
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;"> var. zebrina) </i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">because of the dark red variegated pattern on the leaves.</span></td></tr>
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Yesterday, the soil was finally just dry enough to work over (just in time before last night's rain). So I could plant my tropical garden, and many of the plants are now in the ground. Here's a few pictures of the process:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVUzZMk_8F1qqaZYsM20oR3M_v2i8_H6u-esRICXN6Mz-O8ycde3iQLpmkL3JRPyL0HAd5fvq4lTxrDpzniO6lfcrNv5-dMjWsRPRm_OjHqrKzIMTWA67sc1EEC1rEHbtAy92YwyTbfc/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-22a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVUzZMk_8F1qqaZYsM20oR3M_v2i8_H6u-esRICXN6Mz-O8ycde3iQLpmkL3JRPyL0HAd5fvq4lTxrDpzniO6lfcrNv5-dMjWsRPRm_OjHqrKzIMTWA67sc1EEC1rEHbtAy92YwyTbfc/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-5-22a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: I had moved several shrubs from the four beds around the patio back in March, so I just needed to weed -- especially those invasive star-of-Bethlehem (<i>Ornithogalium umbellatum</i>) at front! -- and then prepare the soil for planting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP8wwe-gRaCf2oSg9JQKyYHPe9vPOB5LwGaeiRee23Md3Sp7-lYmUvB6XcSvm-6LbIb_Gd3COx8VQzZ2Ag5KxFhLDzKkBDGQUjBCE2zmIsJXVM_xxhs7KlRNatpJO4Ni9L9vwQB4nFLo/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-22b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP8wwe-gRaCf2oSg9JQKyYHPe9vPOB5LwGaeiRee23Md3Sp7-lYmUvB6XcSvm-6LbIb_Gd3COx8VQzZ2Ag5KxFhLDzKkBDGQUjBCE2zmIsJXVM_xxhs7KlRNatpJO4Ni9L9vwQB4nFLo/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-5-22b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a light weeding to remove large weeds, I used a garden fork to turn over and chop up the soil. Then I added a garden fertilizer -- you can see it sprinkled on top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next I put a 4" layer of compost on top of the soil and fertilizer. Our local landfill finally opened to residential traffic after being closed for two months due to the coronavirus. It re-opened Monday morning -- and I was there in the long line of pickup trucks when it opened at 7 a.m. to get the leaf compost I needed for this project.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good, thick, rich, dark compost -- this and the fertilizer should make the soil good for fast growing tropical plants. I'll use a liquid fertilizer later in the season. </td></tr>
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Then, I finally got to plant the many annuals and houseplants that have been sitting on my front porch, acclimating themselves to outdoor temperatures. I planted several dozen plants and then watered them in just before dusk last night.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWU3441eEHvJyxMdJ06a9c5sAACyYL-UsXwwc2JyUXiKA3H2XNiraqx4b6qmsQRaCa3vLG7n3XhxltIjymIHVHlQOUXV32ygan3kk4sBv-otFaZmG86lDvgEEFNrS9RJHn2zxGOqCFU4/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWU3441eEHvJyxMdJ06a9c5sAACyYL-UsXwwc2JyUXiKA3H2XNiraqx4b6qmsQRaCa3vLG7n3XhxltIjymIHVHlQOUXV32ygan3kk4sBv-otFaZmG86lDvgEEFNrS9RJHn2zxGOqCFU4/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It rained this morning, and the air was soft and warm -- just right for tropical plants. Everything looks pretty small right now, but in six weeks, this should be looking a lot more tropical -- especially the castor oil plant that's flopping over from the rain at front left, which will become ginormous by summer's end. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jI6uFMKpX4Ub8928Zu7w1uS4xYmJYiR2hLgBw-mm5jApxCZKsUkSDHTx2O_d6opXAiYRpqtc92pe6tHIru6s_v6WM0F-wK_IgbW6uFrz3KtkWxqTBm2AUYIWI-6xPe03lU7riCazPII/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jI6uFMKpX4Ub8928Zu7w1uS4xYmJYiR2hLgBw-mm5jApxCZKsUkSDHTx2O_d6opXAiYRpqtc92pe6tHIru6s_v6WM0F-wK_IgbW6uFrz3KtkWxqTBm2AUYIWI-6xPe03lU7riCazPII/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back bed is looking the most developed, as it contains several large houseplants, including a <i>Ctenanthe lubbersiana</i>, at left, a couple of small leftover poinsettias, a <i>Philodendron bipinnatifidum </i>in the center of the bed,<i> </i>a small <i>Colocasia</i> that I bought on closeout last fall, two cat palms (<i>Chamaedorea cataractarum</i>) that I found a deal on back in February, and a Chinese fan palm (<i>Livistona chinensis</i>). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7PiaApybiTiZAWEAYfbkO4P03nsOnr-e6Vu5mh4GGTOy1nJX1yeeog29DQGiaf2bXd5LMcvv1-HHLL-xFdgtKtWSjG3ndIHMDRo_lniOoEFmQi-DM0VjZagrnqY4Mg4jFxmSZ46EC2k/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7PiaApybiTiZAWEAYfbkO4P03nsOnr-e6Vu5mh4GGTOy1nJX1yeeog29DQGiaf2bXd5LMcvv1-HHLL-xFdgtKtWSjG3ndIHMDRo_lniOoEFmQi-DM0VjZagrnqY4Mg4jFxmSZ46EC2k/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of the <i>Philodendron</i>, the <i>Colocasia</i> and the three palms. There are also a few coleus plants spotted about for color, which should get bigger.</td></tr>
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There are still a few plants that I ordered and are taking longer to receive because of the slowdowns, which I've left room for: a <i>Colocasia</i> 'Sumo' (I'm looking forward to seeing how big something named 'Sumo' will get), a variegated ginger and three stripey cannas 'Pretoria', as well as the aforementioned banana plant waiting in my sunroom.<br />
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The other beds have coleus, tropical hibiscus, castor oil plants I started from seed, and various orange flowered annuals such as begonias, snapdragons, impatiens and celosia.<br />
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And there were already clematis and a wisteria planted near the posts (which I still haven't gotten around to painting to match the white top of the pergola), plus the two boxwoods and a patio-sized peach tree that I like the look of -- those leaves look pretty tropical to me<br />
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And I'll put a few potted plants on the patio too, especially when they're blooming -- there's nothing like a gardenia, star jasmine or <i>Stephanotis floribunda</i> in bloom, all of which I have in pots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynA98HVma7X05MBEOMtIIqavFWMCQ5csRypSquXKMh_TgComTIYCCGG-hiL1VEwLFr-4p4XRo_Wtgc-kQwyRCdgHXEZtP9BqcdH3sxDKjSCkmnETJpmRKECtQ1FRimoPpLfKen0boLlc/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynA98HVma7X05MBEOMtIIqavFWMCQ5csRypSquXKMh_TgComTIYCCGG-hiL1VEwLFr-4p4XRo_Wtgc-kQwyRCdgHXEZtP9BqcdH3sxDKjSCkmnETJpmRKECtQ1FRimoPpLfKen0boLlc/s640/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dwarf-size peach tree at right looks tropical enough to someone in Iowa....</td></tr>
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Now it's just a matter of waiting until the plants put on some size. Plus, I'm looking forward to finding a few fun tropical decorative accessories, like a tablecloth for meals out here, and maybe some patio cushions. I already found a fun tropical cushion at Walmart the other day:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6tMNa2x3GBp0wkRKxWJp4vSYus7VHhyphenhyphenRaWBG5voLs5xbpgjms-fUJaafkaUC8v79tv13h3IZt7XRB839BVCpz02EXd3bpTLNLqGCoEhoH8ekasNxhQWumcRcmOl2z01StAScZ4M_p0U/s1600/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1480" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6tMNa2x3GBp0wkRKxWJp4vSYus7VHhyphenhyphenRaWBG5voLs5xbpgjms-fUJaafkaUC8v79tv13h3IZt7XRB839BVCpz02EXd3bpTLNLqGCoEhoH8ekasNxhQWumcRcmOl2z01StAScZ4M_p0U/s400/tropicalpatio-2020-5-23f.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This new patio cushion in my sunroom will definitely be moving out to my<br />new tropical garden soon!</td></tr>
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I hope you are all enjoying warmer days and nights in your gardens too -- or will be soon, if not already. Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
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<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-4775943171944433602020-05-08T19:27:00.000-05:002020-05-09T10:19:38.956-05:00Tulip Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ1cnThLOHbK9R4Tj_6FfvJVJswne6TKsV-JbFvAhfSBIBhk-vzMovQhPcNbyJg55hnN791I_dV-J3M56QerEprp180hihMOM_6gZ5Yq_p-2f2bX_SZxqqcP4FC9dHb8OFB9S_81jSvI/s1600/tulips-2020-4-25b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ1cnThLOHbK9R4Tj_6FfvJVJswne6TKsV-JbFvAhfSBIBhk-vzMovQhPcNbyJg55hnN791I_dV-J3M56QerEprp180hihMOM_6gZ5Yq_p-2f2bX_SZxqqcP4FC9dHb8OFB9S_81jSvI/s640/tulips-2020-4-25b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Greetings! We've enjoyed some beautiful days here recently: last week was warm, with temperatures in the 70s, although this week has been chillier, and there's a chance of frost tonight. But I had a chance to work outside most days the week before, so I've been able to do a few things that I've been hoping to do, and the gardens are starting to look a bit more orderly.<br />
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But I won't show any projects, just some beautiful moments -- because the beginning of May is one of the most beautiful times of the year:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rAoItFmr0NPrm_JFEmlGIUNXaqedD6p04eD1cfl51iXoK9OEUmD91LuzZrumBVbmxbaE4YUGDanjqTec2qXxrT0dSbg_ug13TeoQrdUn0Yd6Y8l0LWtA_u0DsbqVyJSBmPslFkxueUA/s1600/tulips%253D2020-4-25a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rAoItFmr0NPrm_JFEmlGIUNXaqedD6p04eD1cfl51iXoK9OEUmD91LuzZrumBVbmxbaE4YUGDanjqTec2qXxrT0dSbg_ug13TeoQrdUn0Yd6Y8l0LWtA_u0DsbqVyJSBmPslFkxueUA/s640/tulips%253D2020-4-25a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lily-flowering tulips 'Purple Dream' have bloomed for two years now -- the other lily-flowering tulips I planted in Fall 2018 have not come back. I'll have to remember the name of this variety when I'm buying bulbs this fall. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD76OQqCDVRpdjR2JjfMKPunHDiDeHbI0E-tdO6D83u_02CULpVd63ees8oLov3KpISDQqJwZ5KxQCPfgL-KK7SN7V7i4rYDfoX9xswox44-iL_oDSmG8lxjltYGVaawCyeJLSfOI4Ec/s1600/tulips-2020-5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD76OQqCDVRpdjR2JjfMKPunHDiDeHbI0E-tdO6D83u_02CULpVd63ees8oLov3KpISDQqJwZ5KxQCPfgL-KK7SN7V7i4rYDfoX9xswox44-iL_oDSmG8lxjltYGVaawCyeJLSfOI4Ec/s640/tulips-2020-5-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tulip 'Carnival de Nice' tulips are flowering in all their stripey glory next to a 'Red Charm' peony that I moved here this spring. These are pretty fabulous.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 'Tete a Tete' narcissus are pretty tiny -- they started blooming a couple of weeks ago when they were barely out of the ground, looking ridiculously stunted in growth. But they've continued to get taller over the past week, and now they're a normal 6-8 inches in height (still miniature, but very cute).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog4DO3giqkAGt2S8F8xNwCE3YSXDPPx1UwgJHkmPb0VHOIp7JngpIsRjNS18UVlfjrxcp5vMoZ7en0wZHQzhRXOiBC4-f4CiMVMvNfLdEjiB8Nsl3Sy-ZXfirGas42HtbmcnBE24uMt8/s1600/tulips-2020-4-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog4DO3giqkAGt2S8F8xNwCE3YSXDPPx1UwgJHkmPb0VHOIp7JngpIsRjNS18UVlfjrxcp5vMoZ7en0wZHQzhRXOiBC4-f4CiMVMvNfLdEjiB8Nsl3Sy-ZXfirGas42HtbmcnBE24uMt8/s640/tulips-2020-4-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pink Darwin hybrid tulips are leftover from last year -- only a few left this year -- but they still look beautiful with the grape hyacinths in my front border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBFyv8knHsQWP7y2TssqaC_sL38fLn7ewOsUZD46_A55tyZkwmqJiwlBk70jzjoI1rPSrMJX8qe5sfMpnT2DmSoK3GYWz_75D4yKTtVbfkUnGz43ghOe54izpRLaDRs29UfT4YsJ5jbA/s1600/pondgardens-2020-4-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBFyv8knHsQWP7y2TssqaC_sL38fLn7ewOsUZD46_A55tyZkwmqJiwlBk70jzjoI1rPSrMJX8qe5sfMpnT2DmSoK3GYWz_75D4yKTtVbfkUnGz43ghOe54izpRLaDRs29UfT4YsJ5jbA/s640/pondgardens-2020-4-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line of six crabapples planted across our yard have never flowered so beautifully as they're doing this year -- the scent can be smelled from yards away! And the four L-shaped flower beds around the pond are better-maintained this year, after I cleared them of all but the boxwoods and the roses in the corners. The back right boxwood shrub (the small one) has finally been put back after I removed it a couple years ago to get the nasty runner grass infesting that bed under control, and it has some catching up to do with its brother boxwoods. I intend to plant annual dahlias and petunias in the four beds this year, as the perennial <i>dianthus</i> and garden phlox that I had here before didn't work too well, due to the invasive grass problem. I hope annuals will be easier to maintain in these beds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm hoping there won't actually be real frost tonight, but I've brought in all the numerous potted shrubs and plants that I re-potted and took outside from the basement last week when it was so warm, and I'll cover some of the annual flowers I planted out with sheets, just to be safe.<br />
<br />
I hope you have been enjoying some warm spring days in your gardens recently -- there is <i>snow</i> forecast in the eastern United States this weekend, so I don't feel so bad about our possible light frost... we'll see what happens.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SdZ47ttxrLtsg2WC8fF_lftWbUvIwtINHsc8QPTvZ2URW7VDiGL8noLAvf-slXb1M0LynUhliV0jw4xkNtU34T2NlhVp1w-iNOcb0qPra2m1qiLkzAu8mUuv-aa2xMFO25KZOtKNTW8/s1600/pondgardens-2020-4-29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SdZ47ttxrLtsg2WC8fF_lftWbUvIwtINHsc8QPTvZ2URW7VDiGL8noLAvf-slXb1M0LynUhliV0jw4xkNtU34T2NlhVp1w-iNOcb0qPra2m1qiLkzAu8mUuv-aa2xMFO25KZOtKNTW8/s640/pondgardens-2020-4-29b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-87180633754560201282020-04-20T10:11:00.001-05:002020-04-20T10:11:44.285-05:00The warmth returns<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcXVuv3RoZ7J3citxkzm4AMGNgen0jDL_1JUDKhS_AbZ0PVjLb9E4qE7eX5PjG03wM4v5_eevUmKL50PYAV-sD7Rr2ZjwI-SWHlATdLytIvSKt69e2C-Dp94R5f3QNXvL0GjE5VGD_Eg/s1600/northisland-2020-4-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcXVuv3RoZ7J3citxkzm4AMGNgen0jDL_1JUDKhS_AbZ0PVjLb9E4qE7eX5PjG03wM4v5_eevUmKL50PYAV-sD7Rr2ZjwI-SWHlATdLytIvSKt69e2C-Dp94R5f3QNXvL0GjE5VGD_Eg/s640/northisland-2020-4-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This magnolia has a wonderful scent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hi Everyone -- I hope you have been enjoying warm days in your gardens so far this spring. It was quite nice here until this past week. We had enjoyed temperatures as warm as 80°F in previous weeks, but this past week has been terribly cold, with frost nearly every evening until now, blustery cold days of high winds, and even snow.<br />
<br />
Easter morning was beautifully warm and sunny, and our teenage children enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs that they dyed and my husband hid in our yard -- something they have been "too old" to do for many years now, but which during our stay-at-home time seemed like a good activity, in between watching the local church service online and eating Easter dinner together. Familiar things bring comfort.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnkcGW-88WBsEQM8oRRFbsottIERNf6D3TuJRalo4bpb7dNwTOCa7_GAxfLJ2q5PU8OWeddAw8u-_tgWXMEgssZc3rqZiqwF5Meyctr-rZYG_lesO_EslVNg-ylUkkJ-bGHFq05oGL3E/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnkcGW-88WBsEQM8oRRFbsottIERNf6D3TuJRalo4bpb7dNwTOCa7_GAxfLJ2q5PU8OWeddAw8u-_tgWXMEgssZc3rqZiqwF5Meyctr-rZYG_lesO_EslVNg-ylUkkJ-bGHFq05oGL3E/s640/bulbs-2020-4-10a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a hidden Easter egg peeking out behind these tulips on Easter morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I had been bringing plants outside to my front porch for the past several weeks to harden off and get better light during the many sunny days we had in prior weeks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNljn8T3FtLAVf9esp-GVdFcKe_GyXqOb_S_HyE5_88jIxlY00AtBaoIvAKsXeHaJsq5t2qxa41FtgNfMdRJxCdXZZlpMUCMJbBd97jjGbYgDB2k-vPYm4cm5LcrnuuMRXhpkRts4jzUw/s1600/frontporch-2020-4-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNljn8T3FtLAVf9esp-GVdFcKe_GyXqOb_S_HyE5_88jIxlY00AtBaoIvAKsXeHaJsq5t2qxa41FtgNfMdRJxCdXZZlpMUCMJbBd97jjGbYgDB2k-vPYm4cm5LcrnuuMRXhpkRts4jzUw/s640/frontporch-2020-4-10.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My potted exotic fruit trees (olive, pomegranate and fig) that had spent the winter <br />
in the basement were outside acclimating themselves to the outdoors again, as were the<br />
snapdragons, sweet peas and ranunculus plants I started inside, together with the<br />
store-bought snapdragons and pansies at left. (I have to cover the seed flat with<br />
chicken wire to prevent cats and dogs from regarding the tray as a soft bed and <br />
totally smashing the seedlings, in case you were wondering...).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Needless to say, this past week my husband and I have needed to haul all these big pots and trays inside every evening before frost settles in, and I've put them all back out the following day. This has been rather a lot of work.<br />
<br />
And then we even got 3+ inches of snow -- twice! This is pretty unusual for this late in April for us.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1dCbfQUMt8cn2Iqaxwz9huJ6jpEMfY90Y7CuJu75u0Rbg9MzABaHpoPepDfknW8uMlGnATC6OR3bH4oFXDt6psmrj5frnFmdAwNW4ZQs42bt5sF2qXLyXxCcQ90Or6FurGixkAAq3yA/s1600/snow-2020-4-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1dCbfQUMt8cn2Iqaxwz9huJ6jpEMfY90Y7CuJu75u0Rbg9MzABaHpoPepDfknW8uMlGnATC6OR3bH4oFXDt6psmrj5frnFmdAwNW4ZQs42bt5sF2qXLyXxCcQ90Or6FurGixkAAq3yA/s640/snow-2020-4-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white stuff, just when you're thinking it's done for the year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But the warmth has returned again and it doesn't look like the lows should be much below 40°F during the next ten nights, with highs in the 50s and 60s.<br />
<br />
So yesterday I worked outside for the first time in a whole week: I was able to cut back, rake out and weed the herb garden, which is shown in the snowy picture above.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkLCWXiIDiX2dtk1z71fKxJb-9yZGI3Y_GuVHH3hrC-ndVgGHJLwiwYawl5CXINyQFy8QLJF91YnWJ5QedxGN6l9cR5m8vET0o7-TI72yyLSs51lF6Om39F1YwQqh9sFnTIGgErIbtas/s1600/herbgarden-2020-3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1590" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkLCWXiIDiX2dtk1z71fKxJb-9yZGI3Y_GuVHH3hrC-ndVgGHJLwiwYawl5CXINyQFy8QLJF91YnWJ5QedxGN6l9cR5m8vET0o7-TI72yyLSs51lF6Om39F1YwQqh9sFnTIGgErIbtas/s640/herbgarden-2020-3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Herb Garden last month.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkLbvO3qdnJia2UqiKGLdouEq71x07M3MLcIEI547IqIwT8mlSmp3NLHl6GOmeJBUl6EQAyaL7bJqkTxNT40ardKPGvAywLCMYMcg8McPhV-hxYp7Semzn7HMl6Ap-Bi34AKKGpu4sdM/s1600/herbgarden-2020-4-19a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkLbvO3qdnJia2UqiKGLdouEq71x07M3MLcIEI547IqIwT8mlSmp3NLHl6GOmeJBUl6EQAyaL7bJqkTxNT40ardKPGvAywLCMYMcg8McPhV-hxYp7Semzn7HMl6Ap-Bi34AKKGpu4sdM/s640/herbgarden-2020-4-19a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yesterday after tidying it up -- it was a beautiful time to take a little break on the bench at back. It made me wonder why I don't sit there more often (a common thought among gardeners, I believe).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More bulbs are blooming:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwhMXWNkRsa0XUHY0hnrDbxl-p750DjqKSRHVvxGigH_DzVgXpNvFafJmMqltwni0R5R2JAgc1DNzmh-ohHaOrywu0qJxQrEZ9_atwtQkXDK76kBBIxMSVLGE1GSHivnpgRBJDKgiiek/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwhMXWNkRsa0XUHY0hnrDbxl-p750DjqKSRHVvxGigH_DzVgXpNvFafJmMqltwni0R5R2JAgc1DNzmh-ohHaOrywu0qJxQrEZ9_atwtQkXDK76kBBIxMSVLGE1GSHivnpgRBJDKgiiek/s640/bulbs-2020-4-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape hyacinths and basket-of-gold (<i>Aurinia saxatilis</i>) in my front border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The bulbs always look so beautiful in spring, although I didn't plant very many last year and I can see that I will need to add more this fall. It seems like I always make this note to myself in April, but my intentions often fade by October.<br />
<br />
I hope you are able to enjoy sunny, warmer days as spring unfolds in your gardens this year, and that you and your families are well as we slowly return to normal over the next months.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIIIAciLzxhu0_Rzs8eGhetAoHiZFkMey9Vxyz6alzlJFx6I5LO4-YV6jp3nhWeG5bniW45DbvNZ9sQEkROOKwY0Wneorn_BFVLTJ2EStkwN1Yfotv0orC3sirvP9F9XTCN_rt1Vyvu4/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-10b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIIIAciLzxhu0_Rzs8eGhetAoHiZFkMey9Vxyz6alzlJFx6I5LO4-YV6jp3nhWeG5bniW45DbvNZ9sQEkROOKwY0Wneorn_BFVLTJ2EStkwN1Yfotv0orC3sirvP9F9XTCN_rt1Vyvu4/s640/bulbs-2020-4-10b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-17784395594749327242020-04-05T14:22:00.000-05:002020-04-05T14:22:10.324-05:00April Sunshine<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNqeHsGzgMOtqhou4-Da97w58Ub64olKpjxBgR68T804GvQN2JMwUWInCMsNAZyT4JSg2d7Swpe6xf-bAjXTgzhc_Xnd3koTvrHX1XG2O-EMwK7yKpf_amrnwZezIOjT7gpEqod50JuI/s1600/northborder2020-4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNqeHsGzgMOtqhou4-Da97w58Ub64olKpjxBgR68T804GvQN2JMwUWInCMsNAZyT4JSg2d7Swpe6xf-bAjXTgzhc_Xnd3koTvrHX1XG2O-EMwK7yKpf_amrnwZezIOjT7gpEqod50JuI/s640/northborder2020-4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that golden foliage gleaming in the sunshine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Greetings! Finally... some wonderfully warm, sunny days to enjoy outside. :-) It makes everything seem happier. I've been able to do a few things outside during the past week, and some days I've just been able to sit outside in the sunshine and soak it in. In these days of stressful news and economic shutdown, this makes everything seem... much better.<br />
<br />
I realize that while sunshine makes people feel good, it results in photographs that aren't so good -- but that's what we have, so I apologize if the pictures in this post are a bit glare-y.<br />
<br />
First, a few things I've gotten done:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBLPGWInZBJBDGt3h2r1B4Nr8Zj35BZAN7U-Y5GSjvVJp3o2cqRaIFB-tN6K6EnWOLtjCC3q8_al4mnhjjXI9igh1pYfWPwLrnFzQ0SDCSt87xsuenLdElAn_MqyIl-fWld5LZydBifs/s1600/rainbowborder-2020-3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBLPGWInZBJBDGt3h2r1B4Nr8Zj35BZAN7U-Y5GSjvVJp3o2cqRaIFB-tN6K6EnWOLtjCC3q8_al4mnhjjXI9igh1pYfWPwLrnFzQ0SDCSt87xsuenLdElAn_MqyIl-fWld5LZydBifs/s640/rainbowborder-2020-3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: My Rainbow Border a month ago still needed to be cut back and raked out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79Y5jCGt-W63h1jOMjIz51eVEMDXfVJhg4tQMrXftGEIL558RC-0Ad5N6jdnNSV5KkakxCMPpYSN1ZNFqvDkOoZRomSaccG04-eoM1gI4Dze7qiv-wLtqx2NJBcYzhOCmmK1e5KZt2uY/s1600/rainbowborder-2020-4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79Y5jCGt-W63h1jOMjIz51eVEMDXfVJhg4tQMrXftGEIL558RC-0Ad5N6jdnNSV5KkakxCMPpYSN1ZNFqvDkOoZRomSaccG04-eoM1gI4Dze7qiv-wLtqx2NJBcYzhOCmmK1e5KZt2uY/s640/rainbowborder-2020-4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Cut back and raked out (with the massive amount of brush hauled off by wheelbarrow by my teenage son, who's really becoming useful around here...), the border is ready to soak up the sunshine. I still need to dig out some winter weeds, but clearing out the brush will hasten the emerging perennials, now that we've had some sunny days to warm the soil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7oPQwDlHReI04U47UyhBmpBiGizRAOEQyvpig7MLMwLGVKESdHNjeTJm5Fb_rt_G-REIjllXzhyzGNMvYqyfNuCLDOt6BOe3ay6gAAhUiucJdH8P1-dBfIqvQgl_zp83D9DM3iRW47Q/s1600/eastpatio-2020-3-1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7oPQwDlHReI04U47UyhBmpBiGizRAOEQyvpig7MLMwLGVKESdHNjeTJm5Fb_rt_G-REIjllXzhyzGNMvYqyfNuCLDOt6BOe3ay6gAAhUiucJdH8P1-dBfIqvQgl_zp83D9DM3iRW47Q/s640/eastpatio-2020-3-1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: My East Patio garden area a month ago</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEKjnMVUOQYOi0Kk4TDrdmDnaPCk6fY_bViOUO1GRSpZ4xrdBhtuZnfFjta5rv8zhZPGYUjfsaBMcMVQFuWmKOAu4HNEbTd7_A_-ehovk5O6tcPA3MUjG2_5MyIPhenxV5P1ccryIksg/s1600/eastpatio-2020-4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEKjnMVUOQYOi0Kk4TDrdmDnaPCk6fY_bViOUO1GRSpZ4xrdBhtuZnfFjta5rv8zhZPGYUjfsaBMcMVQFuWmKOAu4HNEbTd7_A_-ehovk5O6tcPA3MUjG2_5MyIPhenxV5P1ccryIksg/s640/eastpatio-2020-4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: The same area after I dug out and moved several shrubs. A mock orange, a reblooming lilac (next to the two back posts in the previous photo) and a peony were no longer blooming much because the new pergola blocks too much of the sun for them. I have plans to make a tropical garden around this area, with tropical annuals and potted houseplants that I'll put here in May, so I needed to make room for the new plants. The shrubs have been moved to sunnier areas, where they'll be happier.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3>
Greenhouse Woes:</h3>
And I have some sadly disappointing news: I finally decided that the greenhouse I got several years ago was just too utterly useless to go on as the eyesore it was. I had such high hopes for it when I ordered it and put it together back in 2017:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuexiXLuM-_yTJ8WSgJ-Qs3L7c9s0K74PGjsHbUy6Weqzpt-t8StyM0OiafKcww1uuzYZIU6OUqd5lty6rIo8MxBG4_SX9aAXs4Ul-bjnd25QiZeCD8x7CExxAKlU9BFviHFLCH5kHTg/s1600/greenhouse-17-8-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1193" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuexiXLuM-_yTJ8WSgJ-Qs3L7c9s0K74PGjsHbUy6Weqzpt-t8StyM0OiafKcww1uuzYZIU6OUqd5lty6rIo8MxBG4_SX9aAXs4Ul-bjnd25QiZeCD8x7CExxAKlU9BFviHFLCH5kHTg/s400/greenhouse-17-8-31.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it was in all its hope-filled glory back in summer 2017.<br />I was so looking forward to using it the next spring.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G9KY9YpuPcstfAyMH7bkwPJ70A8GerJZYVktcg_BnWU6-01wZ40a8v4aU0qR1BbdwpnnlcKY5X2XN-wSimOooQuV8GtBYOGH5ipvkyqLATjdeSyTi9AMadNxiBIxZYNeNhbHSaskaJo/s1600/greenhouse-17-10-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G9KY9YpuPcstfAyMH7bkwPJ70A8GerJZYVktcg_BnWU6-01wZ40a8v4aU0qR1BbdwpnnlcKY5X2XN-wSimOooQuV8GtBYOGH5ipvkyqLATjdeSyTi9AMadNxiBIxZYNeNhbHSaskaJo/s640/greenhouse-17-10-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it was only two months later, after a few windy days, with nearly every polycarbon panel blown out. The whole blasted thing probably would have blown away if I hadn't gotten our handyman to make a sturdy wooden base attached to our garage. And that wasn't even an unusually windy day. This happened repeatedly. I got seriously tired of looking for panels in the fields around our house. Grrr.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aLiTkj3L8CRjpzcSoKFEZZdLiEE5NO-4biqym7erCv-qPNkHF_MW2T4HKKQHFl-qksy-6J4KcQO7cQnPokv2SE4I6KhJ5SC5fMIYFza0Fm0IxB0hgXtrOAuJ5tPxzR3m_UNbJWw95DY/s1600/greenhouse-2020-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1593" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aLiTkj3L8CRjpzcSoKFEZZdLiEE5NO-4biqym7erCv-qPNkHF_MW2T4HKKQHFl-qksy-6J4KcQO7cQnPokv2SE4I6KhJ5SC5fMIYFza0Fm0IxB0hgXtrOAuJ5tPxzR3m_UNbJWw95DY/s640/greenhouse-2020-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the intervening two years, I tried e<i>verything</i> to keep the panels in: extra clips (utterly useless); running packing tape around all sides; wrapping the whole thing in clear plastic and taping it in multiple places; riveting wood strips to the metal frame supports to physically hold the panels in place (which did work to some extent). But the panels themselves turned yellow in our intense sunshine, particularly on the ceiling, the sunniest exposure, and some of them broke in pieces last year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My husband and son finally undertook the sad work of putting it out of <i>our</i> misery.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh9HbP6RipSGqaoUY5hJmVdFuFdHy3Omer8VddNghEgrkVTQ7QoFXf0WTazChdR-LIdwj_8yaM1vQFgUvk0HkXnFsrsKKtBjWWcDq-hDIUKA2tGo7ptbQVgK4_833gkXRgDrusNRdwXs/s1600/greenhouse-2020-3-30b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh9HbP6RipSGqaoUY5hJmVdFuFdHy3Omer8VddNghEgrkVTQ7QoFXf0WTazChdR-LIdwj_8yaM1vQFgUvk0HkXnFsrsKKtBjWWcDq-hDIUKA2tGo7ptbQVgK4_833gkXRgDrusNRdwXs/s400/greenhouse-2020-3-30b.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7LZJ-kdC7EDQdqfd3Sb4ZwuM8TakArXAB4t8ce-FKuIixXDNdrGq7dieSNmcQmaLm0-7oyJFq4GdDQaZYEtqQ918JIUTZ2dNQMVDDUsDEVM2OSbPLC0oH6CwzE6atZOGMzdmsgoqpgk/s1600/greenhouse-2020-3-30a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7LZJ-kdC7EDQdqfd3Sb4ZwuM8TakArXAB4t8ce-FKuIixXDNdrGq7dieSNmcQmaLm0-7oyJFq4GdDQaZYEtqQ918JIUTZ2dNQMVDDUsDEVM2OSbPLC0oH6CwzE6atZOGMzdmsgoqpgk/s640/greenhouse-2020-3-30a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...going....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbc-PXoUyc07uCRQdf7ZUXxLz9XdS6cL7w9CNE2JeK2omtbRG6t081_r6n2irC3cd8O8FZverxruIOu3HqYIBiRtqzYXeXUTSzchD2s52Sojh-xcqsYTtdYTfqr8OOUfleINgIsi4d0k/s1600/greenhouse-2020-3-30c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbc-PXoUyc07uCRQdf7ZUXxLz9XdS6cL7w9CNE2JeK2omtbRG6t081_r6n2irC3cd8O8FZverxruIOu3HqYIBiRtqzYXeXUTSzchD2s52Sojh-xcqsYTtdYTfqr8OOUfleINgIsi4d0k/s640/greenhouse-2020-3-30c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I guess I didn't actually need a greenhouse, like most American gardeners don't need them -- they're quite rare here, even among serious gardeners. I was swayed into thinking I needed one by the British gardening culture, which makes extensive use of them to start seeds and grow things like tomatoes, which which England doesn't have enough sun and heat to grow outside.<br />
<br />
But our climate makes them both utterly impractical (way too cold to heat in winter, way too hot to use in summer), and largely unnecessary (we can grow tomatoes <i>outside</i> here). As far as seed starting, a light fixture inside an already-heated house is far more practical and <i>much</i> cheaper too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgiFj1qA4_N5wV_LRIzU3YjcuHcZNjuwCPj7261gC7ptVUKc8yR8N3HDqFtJC7om_fPeJFCM2Pe4UFSw4tF1SW8BZh_fWq78iG8P3K04imhQo1_F_Cc4lYmwu2jea7IZtkiCqfVF4Zsw/s1600/seed-starting-2020-4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgiFj1qA4_N5wV_LRIzU3YjcuHcZNjuwCPj7261gC7ptVUKc8yR8N3HDqFtJC7om_fPeJFCM2Pe4UFSw4tF1SW8BZh_fWq78iG8P3K04imhQo1_F_Cc4lYmwu2jea7IZtkiCqfVF4Zsw/s640/seed-starting-2020-4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This florescent light fixture (on a timer) and heat mat in my sunroom work so much better to start seeds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I suppose if I had masses of obscure seeds to start every year, I would need more than this, but many of the annuals I plant each year are those I just buy as starts at local greenhouses, which do a much better job of growing them on than I'd be able to. For unusual plants, I can start those myself here.<br />
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But it's still a disappointment that my greenhouse effort was such a dismal failure. Sigh....<br />
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But on a happier note, here's a few pictures of bulbs blooming in sunshine:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLle9RGQw1saM_sovYi6QLMyfckonGyc8LhtKx_IAB9IRilkcC3L7r6a649O5aYvIxOnUDt-qQDtVOCxtbjqrFwlIT5Ntq81vKJ7W8JF2tCrIUZGvYjIhUTY5x297dWoYqfzh-EoCaGqw/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLle9RGQw1saM_sovYi6QLMyfckonGyc8LhtKx_IAB9IRilkcC3L7r6a649O5aYvIxOnUDt-qQDtVOCxtbjqrFwlIT5Ntq81vKJ7W8JF2tCrIUZGvYjIhUTY5x297dWoYqfzh-EoCaGqw/s640/bulbs-2020-4-1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It sure is good to see these little guys about this time!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheRYBVxCxu3r0fR7Kdj8_odEcUL04f-HWmIM5I8LofbsEUDCaqrm1sBTbkosazFj4r7zdN7adwe-p0NhWjeoBZHzTQStELy2Tv0E8eCyPxum4xwRF8lCZfBvHY8Z4sR6D6aRf6HSrFvE/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheRYBVxCxu3r0fR7Kdj8_odEcUL04f-HWmIM5I8LofbsEUDCaqrm1sBTbkosazFj4r7zdN7adwe-p0NhWjeoBZHzTQStELy2Tv0E8eCyPxum4xwRF8lCZfBvHY8Z4sR6D6aRf6HSrFvE/s640/bulbs-2020-4-5b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These hyacinths smell so good with the sunshine warming them, perfuming the whole area.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYRnkA3j5C2xxWNId-6GcE0E2sGXFyAsb7CPY109l3_RS2rIYPME2jezXiO-TSpt73ggcfYI4BUs3F0JwaShfGrXIcO98n_sQuuRgmR3gVbuEWABSQjjnoCOrokYIU18jAgkRz62gh94/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYRnkA3j5C2xxWNId-6GcE0E2sGXFyAsb7CPY109l3_RS2rIYPME2jezXiO-TSpt73ggcfYI4BUs3F0JwaShfGrXIcO98n_sQuuRgmR3gVbuEWABSQjjnoCOrokYIU18jAgkRz62gh94/s640/bulbs-2020-4-5c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These white hyacinths in my Paradise Garden gleamed almost intolerably brightly in the sun, and were covered by bees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yKT9aZjB5jbuBaBepQ1KVUVS7L1RI2yDr3JWESNNm_SQoJ2GQWZwFC2iVSvM5YxrkDHyyI8ZLveKIHpNW5HfyqDJ2QU5BmpjBl3-sCAaolFPwi9et4vnGQbj7chwLcUZqXgKQYhpA3k/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1226" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yKT9aZjB5jbuBaBepQ1KVUVS7L1RI2yDr3JWESNNm_SQoJ2GQWZwFC2iVSvM5YxrkDHyyI8ZLveKIHpNW5HfyqDJ2QU5BmpjBl3-sCAaolFPwi9et4vnGQbj7chwLcUZqXgKQYhpA3k/s400/bulbs-2020-4-1b.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These squill are always such a welcome sight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjR8skdSQRzvts_NmBT72jWMLIG5hE1vsZo5C5Ag8bWOdYaN5G1c3oxag9kZFlB4eR2xtMJK23m9ISlvv4OsG2-M-REXoZvuP8CSQCk7hEe_bHp45M637Db1Xvxyp9P8jFN9K29HD9fM/s1600/pussywillow-2020-4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjR8skdSQRzvts_NmBT72jWMLIG5hE1vsZo5C5Ag8bWOdYaN5G1c3oxag9kZFlB4eR2xtMJK23m9ISlvv4OsG2-M-REXoZvuP8CSQCk7hEe_bHp45M637Db1Xvxyp9P8jFN9K29HD9fM/s640/pussywillow-2020-4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pussy willow (<i>Salix</i>) next to our LP tank is absolutely <i>covered</i> with bees in the sunshine -- it sounded like the inside of a hive when I walked past it this afternoon. Busy, busy....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Anyway, I hope you have been able to enjoy some sunny days in your own gardens this spring. It's more important than ever that we're able to get outside and enjoy our gardens in these stay-at-home times. I realize that I'm very lucky to be able to live out in the country amid such beautiful scenes -- and no problem social distancing here!<br />
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Hope you and your families are well, and that everything is soon back to normal, in whatever way we each need "normal" to be. Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYgiaeXUWnE3qHMlyTNgOPZSPPWZV_GbQR1RplTynf_tBwSIpBtTbZhN6QOSaChkHUtsA6A_hGEN7saFm0RgWQC6_sm2_NMnglczHdsU4ivuT_kE6WopwRCWa7MV1E7qdxJmC-oO851A/s1600/bulbs-2020-4-5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYgiaeXUWnE3qHMlyTNgOPZSPPWZV_GbQR1RplTynf_tBwSIpBtTbZhN6QOSaChkHUtsA6A_hGEN7saFm0RgWQC6_sm2_NMnglczHdsU4ivuT_kE6WopwRCWa7MV1E7qdxJmC-oO851A/s640/bulbs-2020-4-5a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-17415244772082151192020-03-22T14:33:00.000-05:002020-03-22T14:38:38.554-05:00Late March hopes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjypuQf3O438MSwlqcsIPr8ZTCuQaGeKBBjfT6lHyZrrOo9gvEC2nfN-n-IlvZ9-Ezo6BIAeZZgIbOpe5iZNkyxNSbjvRzABhs_H_GvdZ_GqzcgODy4r9oyXhW1t-pJyiMeqkoP6js0kk/s1600/crocus-2020-3-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjypuQf3O438MSwlqcsIPr8ZTCuQaGeKBBjfT6lHyZrrOo9gvEC2nfN-n-IlvZ9-Ezo6BIAeZZgIbOpe5iZNkyxNSbjvRzABhs_H_GvdZ_GqzcgODy4r9oyXhW1t-pJyiMeqkoP6js0kk/s640/crocus-2020-3-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny crocus bloomed last week, open when the sun was shining -- which sadly hasn't happened again since then.</td></tr>
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Greetings from the land of cloudy, cold days! After a few warm, sunny days earlier this month, the weather has been rainy, cold and/or windy (usually all three) nearly every day -- and the forecast for the next eight days looks no better. Worse still, it just now started snowing and we're predicted to get an inch and a half. :-(<br />
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A cold, overcast spring would get me down in any year, but in this month of social distancing, life would seem so much more cheery if it were sunny. Even if the temperature were unusually cold, some sunny days would make even just reading in my sunroom seem like a tropical vacation. But we gardeners know better than anyone that we don't get to choose our weather -- especially in springtime.<br />
<br />
But we did have several sunny days earlier this month, and I was able to make the most of them: I have managed to get out a few times to start cutting back and raking out my garden beds. And I did even manage to get one small project done (see photos below). But because I am an avowed fair-weather gardener, all progress has since come to a halt and shows no promise of resuming any time soon. Maybe next weekend will be nicer....<br />
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<h4>
A Project Completed:</h4>
The good news is that I did manage to get one small project done: fixing the edge of a border against my house. We built a library addition onto our house in 2011, and I made a border against the south wall of the addition. It's a great place for spring bulbs, south-facing with good drainage, so bulbs bloom earlier there than in many other parts of my gardens:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaZIwA_izifBpvkaziPdFjm9RZXFiCHKby3x2Y5DziuPARRZRYibWYBEtj7RnFRiheSaV575mD7htEybsWOt_D65vE-WlIvytdsagvsdj5D0Al_e7cWC0Qze_xUd9TflIHaQX-LsOHRg/s1600/additionfront-16-4-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaZIwA_izifBpvkaziPdFjm9RZXFiCHKby3x2Y5DziuPARRZRYibWYBEtj7RnFRiheSaV575mD7htEybsWOt_D65vE-WlIvytdsagvsdj5D0Al_e7cWC0Qze_xUd9TflIHaQX-LsOHRg/s640/additionfront-16-4-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a picture of the Addition Front Border a few years ago in April: the bulbs made a pretty good show there.</td></tr>
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But the edging bricks that I laid back in 2012 had begun to sink down in one area to the left of the window, so grass was able to grow over the lowered bricks into the bed. For the past several years, I've had to dig out a lot of grass from this border every spring when I rake out the bed, and by autumn it's always grown back again. I finally decided to raise the level of the bricks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o6dV57lW8bQqao-iPcpaiNr3bgQiM_wKMhhhcx0ICKbZ-Xaijw7t9X_SbSIILC4wU7Z1EOMD25hHDvmZRIeyyX29SXRp-SBcgb9jMvE0gwYu8oLvruSYsM3Jdhyphenhyphen3tM8-GyIKfJl4iuE/s1600/additionfront-2018-4-24b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o6dV57lW8bQqao-iPcpaiNr3bgQiM_wKMhhhcx0ICKbZ-Xaijw7t9X_SbSIILC4wU7Z1EOMD25hHDvmZRIeyyX29SXRp-SBcgb9jMvE0gwYu8oLvruSYsM3Jdhyphenhyphen3tM8-GyIKfJl4iuE/s640/additionfront-2018-4-24b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a photo of the area showing the extent to which the bricks had sunken down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbadyzmBR6y80XskHHfSxnIGsoIDWrdqrrImlqc0oqhanBvIehW2x0pKC8lci0SRoBiDC1WBqWNX1q58rA-3u5UFWbsJCJ2at2vZnrzsn8wOvI1pI7bkKy0kqiy0KkWHL7uAe5Rvs_NY/s1600/additionfront-17-4-16a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbadyzmBR6y80XskHHfSxnIGsoIDWrdqrrImlqc0oqhanBvIehW2x0pKC8lci0SRoBiDC1WBqWNX1q58rA-3u5UFWbsJCJ2at2vZnrzsn8wOvI1pI7bkKy0kqiy0KkWHL7uAe5Rvs_NY/s640/additionfront-17-4-16a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass invading! (And beautiful spring color.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Last week, I decided to raise the edging bricks, but after I started to dig them out, I thought it might be even better to install a metal edging strip inside the brick edging as well, to more effectively keep the grass out. So I drove to our local improvement store and bought ten 8-foot steel edging strips, unloaded them at home, and installed everything.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKo4VWNg5SlhqLGEDC6qqlkomyGpjSmYbLPXpgdzdE0MSNCtniCCtro-O_H29f7UGesuW0WPwVMVnntxQ_-sK3AnmhGKD3Y1q5MnP6uT0caZLiS_6qnQAYpc14FrZQCNsM_ROzfC8NH4/s1600/additionborder-2020-3-21a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKo4VWNg5SlhqLGEDC6qqlkomyGpjSmYbLPXpgdzdE0MSNCtniCCtro-O_H29f7UGesuW0WPwVMVnntxQ_-sK3AnmhGKD3Y1q5MnP6uT0caZLiS_6qnQAYpc14FrZQCNsM_ROzfC8NH4/s640/additionborder-2020-3-21a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks much better, and I hope it will keep the grass out. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOVYoamcmxFptYO1K37DJk_QgTsj_dx5SCgJRoEova_B0p1HOsorTsisomzXeEdNWkL_jCIWy5NIkedD6cJ95YjOOzpEjixLpB2WDHmOFUfab0oV6DIWAu9FH6VSzCTk1ITHpZbjq_c4/s1600/additionborder-2020-3-21b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOVYoamcmxFptYO1K37DJk_QgTsj_dx5SCgJRoEova_B0p1HOsorTsisomzXeEdNWkL_jCIWy5NIkedD6cJ95YjOOzpEjixLpB2WDHmOFUfab0oV6DIWAu9FH6VSzCTk1ITHpZbjq_c4/s640/additionborder-2020-3-21b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I installed the metal edging all the way along the edge of the lawn, against the bottom of the fence (inside of which is my Paradise Garden), and along the outside of the bricks outlining the end of my delphinium bed, which is part of my front border, shown at right. My delphinium bed was taken over by runner grass several years ago, so this will be a good improvement, I hope. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'll need to replace some of the soil that I repeatedly dug out from the Addition Front Border when I was removing the grass -- the soil level is now lower than it ought to be. But I'll be able to plant some more bulbs this fall, as well as other plants. Many of the old plants and bulbs were casualties of my war on grass over the past few years. With any luck, this area will now be easier to maintain and look better too.<br />
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It's good to get at least one project done before the rush of spring planting and other projects that always takes place in April.<br />
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I hope you have managed to spend some time outside in your own gardens, enjoying warm sunny days during this stressful time of self-isolating -- and, of course, that you and your families remain healthy. Best Regards, and thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4S9ADYGk5y8waO7v3Rvu918acziLTWMiBFnzWTX26ccDXILF7VtjNicWBkAHgkwglVHEZD990QLfSr1Sh6CYhGsxda_J5Uv74T6rPi1n3jcEgZ4xXw3y-irPOTSAwcB83Znd-CYMXJA/s1600/additionborder-2020-3-21c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4S9ADYGk5y8waO7v3Rvu918acziLTWMiBFnzWTX26ccDXILF7VtjNicWBkAHgkwglVHEZD990QLfSr1Sh6CYhGsxda_J5Uv74T6rPi1n3jcEgZ4xXw3y-irPOTSAwcB83Znd-CYMXJA/s640/additionborder-2020-3-21c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon....</td></tr>
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<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-2899203378378588012020-03-07T08:56:00.001-06:002021-02-27T15:02:59.724-06:00March is here!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp3WZgW3gyqKxZxh1vGfEZyLQycKQ1kWABDJk2VMh4xUlv9I96VPSXia7RL_4M62ayrdr-0ldna4k__CgybT7AiU9iiCYJNeR_6t847eSX08lOd-go3h1HiU_ZC2eqSQO2jCB1rFStAM/s1600/winter-aconite-2020-3-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1590" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp3WZgW3gyqKxZxh1vGfEZyLQycKQ1kWABDJk2VMh4xUlv9I96VPSXia7RL_4M62ayrdr-0ldna4k__CgybT7AiU9iiCYJNeR_6t847eSX08lOd-go3h1HiU_ZC2eqSQO2jCB1rFStAM/s640/winter-aconite-2020-3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter aconites (<i>Eranthus hyemalis</i>) are blooming -- the first flowers of the year!</td></tr>
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Greetings! It's now finally March, which marks the beginning of meteorological spring (as opposed to astronomical spring, which begins March 21st or so -- it's on March 20th this year). But any sort of spring sounds good enough for Midwesterners after another winter.<br />
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Although I really can't complain -- this past winter has been pretty mild, as far as Iowa winters go.<br />
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We got two snows in October, which was unusually early and made me worry about the severity of the winter ahead. But the temperatures have not been nearly as cold as they often are: we got down to -7°F or so several times, but not much colder than that. (Compared to last year's particularly cold low of -27°F, this year has seemed like a balmy walk on a Florida beach!)<br />
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But now we're into March, which really does feel better -- especially since the snow is gone. Last weekend we enjoyed temps in the 50s and even up to around 60°F, and it was lovely to be able to walk around our garden areas again and look at things after the winter (and see all the work that should be done this month).<br />
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Here's a few shots of things in the first week of March:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoXfT-1hiNf7IkbZtg53LKW8JzA8ePYd4gjCNm2MGZ5s_Y7kWu6ulp11T9a2ipXiHnoq6CWWAMAHtCBJJiuFn9YO8O_DGZrjcLn1m61NJi0skbnxqXosZLBOeH9L_p5hIGD7HjHIRC-s/s1600/paradise-garden-2020-3-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1590" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoXfT-1hiNf7IkbZtg53LKW8JzA8ePYd4gjCNm2MGZ5s_Y7kWu6ulp11T9a2ipXiHnoq6CWWAMAHtCBJJiuFn9YO8O_DGZrjcLn1m61NJi0skbnxqXosZLBOeH9L_p5hIGD7HjHIRC-s/s640/paradise-garden-2020-3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've been able to sit on the bench at right in the Paradise Garden already 2-3 times this winter on sunny warmer days, which has been very enjoyable. A few things need to be cut back and raked out before bulbs come up. And the paving stones at far right have settled down, so that soil from the bed next to the house keeps washing out over them when it rains. We'll need to re-lay that row of them so they're higher and slope away from the house, so that doesn't happen any more. But it won't be long until bulbs start coming up and it's time to plant a few cool-season annuals like pansies and snapdragons in this garden!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JQbpILAaflvXqQl8VNGfK1aEed-ZdqwWF9stjIH62L-wJi1ApWN6ZUMyLV29_Cc3hbnVbdFDY1-WmbnalmNtl3eh-mu703eiTucilfM9i0sVxyjru47xwXZMvbXPjkasrm-K1fync6k/s1600/eastpatio-2020-3-1a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1590" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JQbpILAaflvXqQl8VNGfK1aEed-ZdqwWF9stjIH62L-wJi1ApWN6ZUMyLV29_Cc3hbnVbdFDY1-WmbnalmNtl3eh-mu703eiTucilfM9i0sVxyjru47xwXZMvbXPjkasrm-K1fync6k/s640/eastpatio-2020-3-1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never got around to pulling out all the dead annuals around our patio last fall, so that's pretty high on my list of things to do when we get a nice day. I also need to paint the posts of this new pergola we made two summers ago (they're treated lumber, so they needed to age a bit before painting them -- but they were damp during most of last year, which was exceptionally rainy, so I haven't gotten around to doing it yet). But I have plans for this area:</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30slqzDctKKP1qsqLP5iqpEzM6O8P6ho_dPOdUMHZnr98B3Xhx56ScDRMdJPZJkGI9HOrrSisUdSLjN9D1T1CHkHXhyphenhyphenjxAeqv6Sh5iwz8gsFLNFyT-wNrOTTrrP2rqw01VgiQ6fAhNYM/s1600/eastpatio-2020-3-1b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30slqzDctKKP1qsqLP5iqpEzM6O8P6ho_dPOdUMHZnr98B3Xhx56ScDRMdJPZJkGI9HOrrSisUdSLjN9D1T1CHkHXhyphenhyphenjxAeqv6Sh5iwz8gsFLNFyT-wNrOTTrrP2rqw01VgiQ6fAhNYM/s640/eastpatio-2020-3-1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the same patio area. I'm planning to make a <b>tropical garden</b> around this area this year. I'll move the large mock orange shrub by the back left post (it no longer blooms, now that the pergola is shading it), as well as the reblooming lilac next to the back right post, and few other things too. Then I'll plant fast-growing tropical annuals as well as houseplants out for the summer around this area. It's hard to imagine a tropical garden here right now at the end of winter, but it will be fun to see how it works out by July and August, when we're experiencing tropical temperatures.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFgcR7-CIaisfRYh-s4luxLDJXIaP6NmleNuVJRKDvqAA59qBYgUwXVk_uecJ0ecR7dcKWr_9FxSIqgFmTR76KRKmujWiIZbMAneO8BsfVjWcxSoLcHzNdPxCGeh04-CBHW_MG8ULgLA/s1600/Tropical-Garden-Ideas-24.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFgcR7-CIaisfRYh-s4luxLDJXIaP6NmleNuVJRKDvqAA59qBYgUwXVk_uecJ0ecR7dcKWr_9FxSIqgFmTR76KRKmujWiIZbMAneO8BsfVjWcxSoLcHzNdPxCGeh04-CBHW_MG8ULgLA/s400/Tropical-Garden-Ideas-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the sort of look that I'm aiming for around my patio:<br />
foliage in shady areas, plus a few flowers in the sunnier areas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimynUotWFSy5x0wx2r1sLZVp7fGIu436MmvHrZXDWNEzIFDiiTc4a8PiH8QaLRcf8DKi5k-I-a2gqvwrTl-u5qE6YzeWMzVBVHxGtvSaqjWsgMVcjh3SPY6oeX4VVWQbcELhyx4nBXSJI/s1600/rainbowborder-2020-3-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimynUotWFSy5x0wx2r1sLZVp7fGIu436MmvHrZXDWNEzIFDiiTc4a8PiH8QaLRcf8DKi5k-I-a2gqvwrTl-u5qE6YzeWMzVBVHxGtvSaqjWsgMVcjh3SPY6oeX4VVWQbcELhyx4nBXSJI/s640/rainbowborder-2020-3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to reality. My largest border (the border formerly known as the Rainbow Border, which I might just as well keep calling by that name) obviously needs to be cut back and raked out after winter. I've been working to improve the planting in this border for the past several years, and I'll continue to improve it this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMGEmijNlCQHhgwihGJ76UkiRI0lWvMvJywm2cmmz61oAFYFshLnNElXJWUcEfss9ALDkoJ0EIVpNCopai4hEELLxnPvhBmqBdrV_TjFX1it2a4N4j_UCjpgrVNZUk__HdCCVfzH8qrs/s1600/rainbowborder-2019-6-1d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMGEmijNlCQHhgwihGJ76UkiRI0lWvMvJywm2cmmz61oAFYFshLnNElXJWUcEfss9ALDkoJ0EIVpNCopai4hEELLxnPvhBmqBdrV_TjFX1it2a4N4j_UCjpgrVNZUk__HdCCVfzH8qrs/s640/rainbowborder-2019-6-1d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rainbow Border looked better last year than it had before. Little by little....</td></tr>
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I haven't posted since early November, but I've kept myself very busy over the winter finishing up my book, <i>Iowa Gardens of the Past: Lost & Historic Gardens of Iowa, 1850-1980</i> (<a href="https://iowagardens.com/">iowagardens.com</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Iowa-Gardens-of-the-Past-305102836872095/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>), which I hope to publish in early May. I can't be definite about the date, because I had it printed in China, and while it's done and has left the factory, the coronavirus has caused a snafu in the transpacific shipping schedules, and I have no idea if the 1,000 copies I ordered are on a ship yet or if they're still sitting in a container on the docks. Nothing to be done about it: <i>Force Majeure</i> and all that. They'll arrive when they arrive (before May, I hope...). And when they do arrive, I'll be pretty busy promoting and selling them for at least a couple of months.<br />
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On that note, <b>if anyone is interested in receiving a free review copy, I'd love to send you one </b>if you'll write a couple sentences about it on Amazon.com. Just drop me a note in the comments.<br />
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But I'm also planning to make time to do a few small projects and improvements in my gardens this year too. I've never opened my garden to the public before, and I'm thinking that I might try to do so <i>next year</i> (not this year). I'll try to get things in order this year, and then spruce things up with new paint, etc. next spring. Because I live in a rural area about 15 minutes from town, I'll try to find 2-3 other gardens in my part of the county to open on the same day, and make it an "Open Gardens" event to draw more visitors from town.<br />
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I'll need to do an assessment of the areas in my gardens and make a few improvements, and then I'll feel good about opening it to the public for the first time. I know that gardeners open their gardens all the time (and in fact I encourage gardeners in town to share their gardens for our local Open Gardens Weekend, of which I'm the chair, so I have no excuse not to do this myself), but I'm still a bit nerve-racked when thinking about opening <i>my own gardens</i>. I guess I need to live a bit more dangerously....<br />
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Anyway, I hope that spring is arriving pleasantly for you in your own gardens, and that many warm, sunny days are just around the corner for you. Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTluB__6MbDKi00VdMdj-GcGqbFEZKVYVa255-rgGtV61ZodY0bRCuNhYd9GxoWJTCixZXwMW1T4a8VqjN6mbM_3tnkj7nRd2FzdXM_3U1ACb2q_YQNAB7M4FsxWm_xqkD_SdC5YtRwY/s1600/additionborder-2020-3-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1590" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTluB__6MbDKi00VdMdj-GcGqbFEZKVYVa255-rgGtV61ZodY0bRCuNhYd9GxoWJTCixZXwMW1T4a8VqjN6mbM_3tnkj7nRd2FzdXM_3U1ACb2q_YQNAB7M4FsxWm_xqkD_SdC5YtRwY/s640/additionborder-2020-3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These daffodils are up and they show that things are starting.</td></tr>
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<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-15678903398916175182019-11-02T12:03:00.001-05:002019-11-02T12:03:17.332-05:00Autumn, then Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT2Rx4GjjhprSbF6HyJwE4GjBWOfkibo34gsdIdMa3LSwyivE46Z70U9iXz7RYzf0BlP0KnvS27Z8ckta1tBR8-OVvKx64_RuvDJ5Gqb6vCVzGadlOg0S4lOh7ttHKkb1AwFHKfPsIeA/s1600/herbgarden-2019-10-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT2Rx4GjjhprSbF6HyJwE4GjBWOfkibo34gsdIdMa3LSwyivE46Z70U9iXz7RYzf0BlP0KnvS27Z8ckta1tBR8-OVvKx64_RuvDJ5Gqb6vCVzGadlOg0S4lOh7ttHKkb1AwFHKfPsIeA/s640/herbgarden-2019-10-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view across autumnal cornfields. Just about time to harvest....</td></tr>
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Greetings! I don't know where the weeks went, but we're deep into autumn already. We've been enjoying some warm sunny days though, so it's mostly been pleasant so far.<br />
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Up until the past few days, we'd had a few light frosts and even a couple of harder ones, although many flowers still had their blooms, so it's been lovely to sit outside on sunny days to enjoy the garden. Here are a few photos of my Paradise Garden, where I like to sit, from the past two weeks:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaptN4r0nRvmB_P-ENKF2wRGUiyWm6IPxtBeILjUZINpA9Ba-_Vh7W6Yc1UTocOoSx__d5ma7LmYQk6gzRjnZEOXm0pZtcBpZtRyTM5hxqBB-OsVtzKLOWH_nWNzUem726j2pe5ZHN0dk/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaptN4r0nRvmB_P-ENKF2wRGUiyWm6IPxtBeILjUZINpA9Ba-_Vh7W6Yc1UTocOoSx__d5ma7LmYQk6gzRjnZEOXm0pZtcBpZtRyTM5hxqBB-OsVtzKLOWH_nWNzUem726j2pe5ZHN0dk/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden was still looking pretty nice a couple weeks ago. Whenever the sun came out, I sat on the bench at far right against the house. That south-facing position takes full advantage of the sun, and the brick pavers it sits on absorb the heat and feel great on bare feet in autumn and early spring. (I just added that bench this spring.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0gIKWfsagiJYvN2zaD5YI7x9GjtZYc8A3jAKyhJD34NQBFfeBIuiMX_g77AEeGY_GlQPKqgOmRrxMjdwT9pIzx5to8wIkcn8HPq3fyTrlhTrhsu49wcu2eOZYgJt5U67-9VokGju370/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0gIKWfsagiJYvN2zaD5YI7x9GjtZYc8A3jAKyhJD34NQBFfeBIuiMX_g77AEeGY_GlQPKqgOmRrxMjdwT9pIzx5to8wIkcn8HPq3fyTrlhTrhsu49wcu2eOZYgJt5U67-9VokGju370/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still lovely and flower-filled....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TvtIAkHzCxxNfgH7YLXsvS1ab0-aVWZRDyKhBR9_2eWEpcF4SOBjngt7fiPZGxOsm4JQzwqR2VfTamFTwWDB9lXhAOFTkltoGIFUVrXt9vuWSyOqmcvHB3E6kdomyJo8VGbIhM1nNlQ/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TvtIAkHzCxxNfgH7YLXsvS1ab0-aVWZRDyKhBR9_2eWEpcF4SOBjngt7fiPZGxOsm4JQzwqR2VfTamFTwWDB9lXhAOFTkltoGIFUVrXt9vuWSyOqmcvHB3E6kdomyJo8VGbIhM1nNlQ/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15g.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and beautifully scented from the the flowering tobacco and the especially from the tuberoses, shown here with the olive tree in a pot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7qes3OaERmnQFzwPQPsP_Cy2QRWmQoManqB-QjMFX25WFsJ43nkdGPk2byqrI_uGZ1aqbfEQXT_LDn30g1pBOLQYcK3-piKjyTYzQWcKy-6jzYgGKSp6XTUlK-QXUgftlnXKSq4rcm4/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7qes3OaERmnQFzwPQPsP_Cy2QRWmQoManqB-QjMFX25WFsJ43nkdGPk2byqrI_uGZ1aqbfEQXT_LDn30g1pBOLQYcK3-piKjyTYzQWcKy-6jzYgGKSp6XTUlK-QXUgftlnXKSq4rcm4/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the best part has been sharing my garden with our two new cats, that we got as kittens this past summer. When we got them in July and August, they were still too little to go outside safely, but now that they're larger, they love it, especially on warm sunny days. (Our house is 200 yards from a sparsely traveled gravel road and surrounded by corn fields, and they never wander very far away from our house, often staying inside the little picket fence.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9kazNrsRfwP6QbArH1byqFfj0guFDe6unjPd9ylzQNPYVm6LuQ6ucCO5eZG7wRWcT3tJae4nvuBGAJVOo-NuV3IXA-XDktRA4cYt8gJJaa-g7KQURi6RIl_hCOuVS5dQZlT-_uE3MO0/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9kazNrsRfwP6QbArH1byqFfj0guFDe6unjPd9ylzQNPYVm6LuQ6ucCO5eZG7wRWcT3tJae4nvuBGAJVOo-NuV3IXA-XDktRA4cYt8gJJaa-g7KQURi6RIl_hCOuVS5dQZlT-_uE3MO0/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Oreo, who looks very photogenic among the flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgoKw-S7a0JeFZpDyeid20P0FbZf6256C1hYu8qhjFlvwinOaHAfNLlCbxYI0W2NZTk-v65GFLCSB1aQlyXXBaCtjoKfxgGvyBMv5N8F_kqMqCyYNknlUXdA7Kc8UrX01h1x2pk2exa0/s1600/noodle-2019-10-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgoKw-S7a0JeFZpDyeid20P0FbZf6256C1hYu8qhjFlvwinOaHAfNLlCbxYI0W2NZTk-v65GFLCSB1aQlyXXBaCtjoKfxgGvyBMv5N8F_kqMqCyYNknlUXdA7Kc8UrX01h1x2pk2exa0/s640/noodle-2019-10-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Noodle, who is the sweetest, friendliest kitten ever, and purrs more than any other cat I've ever met.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwU1r72R2btGLdTCP1kRriWqmDXkHC1gFRBHg0eL6mm9YRWRny01ZYJUf-J-yK6ehwMpzR2hzekW8dSLXOpFyFetK0YgyfA3m2-7uXtTpDHOjR_iqlBSGYuqH2-g0zPskHQ5c7ftvJX8/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwU1r72R2btGLdTCP1kRriWqmDXkHC1gFRBHg0eL6mm9YRWRny01ZYJUf-J-yK6ehwMpzR2hzekW8dSLXOpFyFetK0YgyfA3m2-7uXtTpDHOjR_iqlBSGYuqH2-g0zPskHQ5c7ftvJX8/s400/paradisegarden-2019-10-15f.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun times!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsFmIMR8o3t5Ci44rBjc2OLGbHqzD3hWuU9Z-VFRIOs7V6VNnkY98XbUz9tG2yRHbaAcjwwMrCgSXzqGj9VK06OROLuyNvAnZSfeArF927Qh5NMTn1QyIqHYuUFsSZkFtVPW8eghYqB8/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsFmIMR8o3t5Ci44rBjc2OLGbHqzD3hWuU9Z-VFRIOs7V6VNnkY98XbUz9tG2yRHbaAcjwwMrCgSXzqGj9VK06OROLuyNvAnZSfeArF927Qh5NMTn1QyIqHYuUFsSZkFtVPW8eghYqB8/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses still blooming a couple of weeks ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_kNFEFb-1Ho9tdYYJFftFb1JvBmW_MO1BVbhCDA1isQ9nn5R2I1JowxC6ToEdySopcc1bGV9MhLjPrm314ds0cwVtmIgitrqB7Bo1_C6XVjWlPybuiJAqokeSUPCG61WYZueJnWffWQ/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-15h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_kNFEFb-1Ho9tdYYJFftFb1JvBmW_MO1BVbhCDA1isQ9nn5R2I1JowxC6ToEdySopcc1bGV9MhLjPrm314ds0cwVtmIgitrqB7Bo1_C6XVjWlPybuiJAqokeSUPCG61WYZueJnWffWQ/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-15h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, sunny and flower-filled: a lovely view from my bench in the sunshine.</td></tr>
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<h3>
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<h3>
Winter comes early</h3>
But this past week, the weather got worse: the temps dropped down to 20°F or even lower -- and it even <i>snowed</i> twice midweek:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sVY4Wy928ZkSVn_H6vOzBENWcq9buEY46f-gdGeWSknje6U0cWuL68WyH9dPTnd2bYtFI-M6rFdZfKRyBqlVCeioz8enkYwO7XfnNLxyCpD0mKq0U6OH-_Cq0yeiEtn36LXQkROs2Fc/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-29a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sVY4Wy928ZkSVn_H6vOzBENWcq9buEY46f-gdGeWSknje6U0cWuL68WyH9dPTnd2bYtFI-M6rFdZfKRyBqlVCeioz8enkYwO7XfnNLxyCpD0mKq0U6OH-_Cq0yeiEtn36LXQkROs2Fc/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-29a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I looked outside Tuesday morning, and this is what I saw.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHBoKqGxGPEe7WBh8nge6dxTwYLppm75eeDTZT9fhYtSVnFc0ftbK9xwqtVs2CzXOe3O2xZNPL3WCrj3EyeMgLdO5tZIU0looQnCgpYhHQ9AIL-NaHERqofe9c-qEop5EFKX5zyyJygg/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHBoKqGxGPEe7WBh8nge6dxTwYLppm75eeDTZT9fhYtSVnFc0ftbK9xwqtVs2CzXOe3O2xZNPL3WCrj3EyeMgLdO5tZIU0looQnCgpYhHQ9AIL-NaHERqofe9c-qEop5EFKX5zyyJygg/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-29b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the sun started coming out...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxAftxgdk17PrHTrHZBrK3fLUlPB7hOmJ3_mxNs8u6QvZWi9HnkpoRwfJB_kCG-cBrhcSVXNNC3sHirjJjYso5s5zA2XvEfKLTPS4lhtxtRz4eAtCcbQeENjuBdVa-fP-YQ40PsQePBA/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-29c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxAftxgdk17PrHTrHZBrK3fLUlPB7hOmJ3_mxNs8u6QvZWi9HnkpoRwfJB_kCG-cBrhcSVXNNC3sHirjJjYso5s5zA2XvEfKLTPS4lhtxtRz4eAtCcbQeENjuBdVa-fP-YQ40PsQePBA/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-29c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and pretty soon the snow started to melt.</td></tr>
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<h3>
And we get hit again...</h3>
Unfortunately, we got <i>another</i>, even bigger snow only two days later. It's very unusual for us to have snow in October here in Iowa -- usually it's December before we get a whole inch of snow, let alone that much<i> twice</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hLveeSVxLyRX1Cy22rtoz-X01dsRmlgJXbbvwWbOhQ6nqUNZCf10F_wXK5ejubXZbkt2s9Lf_tIwkHFe-ORjSTjvFnDn5oGLBDsvLtxjUlNs9oOuRkoVGhV_ivzLu3F4lkx-mSPdW1Y/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-10-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hLveeSVxLyRX1Cy22rtoz-X01dsRmlgJXbbvwWbOhQ6nqUNZCf10F_wXK5ejubXZbkt2s9Lf_tIwkHFe-ORjSTjvFnDn5oGLBDsvLtxjUlNs9oOuRkoVGhV_ivzLu3F4lkx-mSPdW1Y/s640/paradisegarden-2019-10-31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween! After the first snow was gone, we got this much heavier amount of snow only two days later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
But I'm OK with winter coming -- we've really enjoyed a pretty nice autumn thus far, and I can't plant my spring bulbs until the flowers are done. (We're into November now -- time to plant those bulbs that have been sitting in my study since early September).<br />
<br />
Plus, I've been busy with other projects besides my gardens: I've spent a great deal of time since August (when I last posted -- good grief!) working on getting my book about the history of ornamental gardening in Iowa ready to print. I sent off to a digital printing company for a proof copy in September, and unfortunately, the the print quality of digital printing presses isn't quite up to what I'm looking for, especially for color images. So now I'm planning to have it printed by an offset printer in China (despite the tariffs). It will have a full-color interior, and I've been working to make the pages as colorful and beautiful as possible these past six weeks. I'm looking at a publishing date in May now.<br />
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The colder days ahead will give me plenty of time to put the finishing touches on my book and get it printed after January 1st. It's hard to think of the year being almost over already - but there it is.<br />
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I hope you have been enjoying lovely warm autumn days in your own gardens, and that you have plenty of indoor projects and hobbies to occupy you during the non-gardening season this winter.<br />
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Thanks for reading! -Beth<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjkUylrXqpVQhUbIbsNkrerEXzQGI5HRXveI3S74VZTkZIf1KU3w_RQyKo3X-8s25Vp3KlSqCHf4sFAa-_xW-BmCINrBJmj0Y3MGBsmNlSS3ec1VEXpu_rnWN7paCSM2pZ0z9zdMVB18/s1600/herbgarden-2019-10-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjkUylrXqpVQhUbIbsNkrerEXzQGI5HRXveI3S74VZTkZIf1KU3w_RQyKo3X-8s25Vp3KlSqCHf4sFAa-_xW-BmCINrBJmj0Y3MGBsmNlSS3ec1VEXpu_rnWN7paCSM2pZ0z9zdMVB18/s640/herbgarden-2019-10-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-1687365878431290082019-08-11T14:41:00.001-05:002019-08-11T19:44:43.750-05:00The Big Net 2.0<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi2WIyqdRoxen6caTMppJJ3crby4QyifiVWg33Ygt5me9EO765ozvOOYV7e1utc8o3b5fn2y0J89hKxF8u6n8FFFuThgf7ziP-VGpU32twg8KgBlqBiFoqmGJ6JAmSQT-xlnjWkF0y9k/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-7-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi2WIyqdRoxen6caTMppJJ3crby4QyifiVWg33Ygt5me9EO765ozvOOYV7e1utc8o3b5fn2y0J89hKxF8u6n8FFFuThgf7ziP-VGpU32twg8KgBlqBiFoqmGJ6JAmSQT-xlnjWkF0y9k/s640/paradisegarden-2019-7-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Greetings! Those of you who read <a href="https://gardenfancy.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-latest-crazy-defense-against.html" target="_blank">my blog post last August</a> may remember my idea last year to defend my roses and other vulnerable plants from the Japanese beetle scourge: The Big Net.<br />
<br />
As I wrote then, the JBs have gotten worse every year since I've been gardening (they were hardly seen in Iowa when I moved to my current house and started gardening seriously a decade ago). They've really made gardening a lot less enjoyable during the period from late June to early September (although there may be fewer of them this year, or at least they may be less active, due to the cooler weather we've been having, compared to last year).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrsr3xkivS53uJ7gzZGqpA8jFkDltVx0kUt4U5KB4Bln6AsfImx667m_Uvh7R0rjll83Ff3tcUTmiBcTk5ezU3sTBF-jhfWlW9QNDau_AaC1dxU-bBvffGD00p8b6NjtyHnnVUTm4MOk/s1600/japanesebeetles-2018-8-5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrsr3xkivS53uJ7gzZGqpA8jFkDltVx0kUt4U5KB4Bln6AsfImx667m_Uvh7R0rjll83Ff3tcUTmiBcTk5ezU3sTBF-jhfWlW9QNDau_AaC1dxU-bBvffGD00p8b6NjtyHnnVUTm4MOk/s320/japanesebeetles-2018-8-5b.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uggh!</td></tr>
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Last year, I tried just about everything I read about: insecticides, deterrent sprays, milky spore, knocking them off into a cup of soapy water each evening. But nothing really worked. I didn't want to put nets over each and every flowering plant, so I bought a temporary metal structure over which I draped a big net to cover one whole flower garden area, my Paradise Garden, in which most of my roses are located.<br />
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As you may recall, the net worked pretty well last summer to keep the JBs off the roses and other flowers in my Paradise Garden -- until a storm with gale force winds of 70 mph tore the net in several places. I was able to clip the pieces together enough to hold up until the end of summer, but I vowed to try again, with several modifications:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVHqompCYAX7QDCA428gnPEA5wqSeJ2AwjojtwTs5eRpX0u1vMPFLY8AQ2Em8cnDX9X8e6kCpff7yTXMWwiwt1uzhWCwMKMmA6JbH98BU6EKaSbKlTRzb1w3-sAOzqZkMkMF3zKbIJz8/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-7-24b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVHqompCYAX7QDCA428gnPEA5wqSeJ2AwjojtwTs5eRpX0u1vMPFLY8AQ2Em8cnDX9X8e6kCpff7yTXMWwiwt1uzhWCwMKMmA6JbH98BU6EKaSbKlTRzb1w3-sAOzqZkMkMF3zKbIJz8/s640/paradisegarden-2019-7-24b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year, I attached the grommets (that tethered the net to wires on each side) directly into the netting, but the wind tore the grommets right out of the net. This year, I reinforced the lines of grommets by inserting them through strips of back-to-back weather-resistant Gorilla tape on both sides of the net. We'll see if this helps....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAP_dDJMxZOtLMO97Jw8YSBH9D-o_QWVT-iknZBNyInj43uDwUGyomfaTdKoD6qANLIDwfkFoSg1pzUMVxR6tXqz47cM_ge0hgeU4KNAt87qC8mCiftP_IFIcRXZrZ6MkHs7FP9B5WOo/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-7-24a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAP_dDJMxZOtLMO97Jw8YSBH9D-o_QWVT-iknZBNyInj43uDwUGyomfaTdKoD6qANLIDwfkFoSg1pzUMVxR6tXqz47cM_ge0hgeU4KNAt87qC8mCiftP_IFIcRXZrZ6MkHs7FP9B5WOo/s640/paradisegarden-2019-7-24a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other major tearing of the net last year occurred where it was draped over the wood pergola at the end of the garden: the sharp ends of the wood tore into the net and the wind pulled the net so hard that it continued the tear nearly clear through the entire width of the net. This year, I covered the ends of the wood with hollow golf balls and a couple of small plastic pots stuck on the ends of the wood. Again, we'll see....</td></tr>
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I moved most of my remaining roses into the Paradise Garden this spring, and gave away my climbing roses, which, unlike rose shrubs, can't be simply cut back after their first flush of flowers, as it defeats the whole purpose of <i>climbing</i> roses. Marigolds and daylilies are also attractive to the JBs, so most of those are planted in this area too. And I can move any potted plants that are targeted by them under the net as well.<br />
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<h4>
The Result:</h4>
<div>
Since I put the net up several weeks ago, the number of JBs in my Paradise Garden has been greatly reduced (somehow a few still seem to be getting in, but not very many). My roses are starting to look healthier and less eaten than they were after the arrival of the JBs at the beginning of July until I got the net up several weeks later.<br />
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It's been nice to simply sit and enjoy my garden, smelling the flowers, and lightly puttering around deadheading and pulling a few small weeds like usual, instead of being aggravated by the bugs ruining my flowers. We'll hope that this continues for as long as the JBs are around.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Here are few scenes of the Japanese beetle-free beauty under the tent:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0hnAxeDjU039crvS-p-PKkmaNx-ET4qBo9dLYbvGqzYGkNfd58dmVic6T3ikygitXvpMWCw7dGRGKzuhxU9DOX5iqxPCoM1UnhdfxqTmCFpyJ-oHbDL2QrFgR6XhHSpWZxZoDZBfVtU/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-8-6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1595" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0hnAxeDjU039crvS-p-PKkmaNx-ET4qBo9dLYbvGqzYGkNfd58dmVic6T3ikygitXvpMWCw7dGRGKzuhxU9DOX5iqxPCoM1UnhdfxqTmCFpyJ-oHbDL2QrFgR6XhHSpWZxZoDZBfVtU/s640/paradisegarden-2019-8-6a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buisson (bush-type) dahlia 'Jaipur,' starting to bloom in front of self-seeded tobacco and petunias. I can't believe how well these new French dahlia hybrids from <a href="https://www.ernest-turc.com/catalogue/23-dahlias-buissons-et-buissons-nains-ernest-turc" target="_blank">Ernest Turc</a> bloom, 3-5 feet tall and no need for staking. I really wish that more of them were available here in the United States (<a href="http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/Dahlia/Jaipur" target="_blank">Brent & Becky's Bulbs </a>has a few varieties, but I want more kinds!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9qrLLimvGOMWTsoCwnJXL5jhabMrZ19yd2TaG3VIrzjAxv-EeGd82lFBA130KaCa564HsVIrs8Po_2EIIbgTdhUioUJhli8oFNnhaV-lMWnLD98GV8Qb69ZuGOD67xQ1tL8XTUKrt2M/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-8-6c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1131" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9qrLLimvGOMWTsoCwnJXL5jhabMrZ19yd2TaG3VIrzjAxv-EeGd82lFBA130KaCa564HsVIrs8Po_2EIIbgTdhUioUJhli8oFNnhaV-lMWnLD98GV8Qb69ZuGOD67xQ1tL8XTUKrt2M/s640/paradisegarden-2019-8-6c.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink flowering tobacco, lavender, petunias and 'Rooguchi' clematis, top.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj3fQGvvXIRG2n0DSRGUuv_LyJDvm7tyUpHhu8U0cGe_Kyaj-9T0Hj2GAgLQC56rYJ1dfMtBxUz6Z55EG-BbfDVCgsLSHqH3B2i2rf6CoQf8OEefcU9_W96XAYeQEmKl-LEEKnn7tOBU/s1600/daylilies-2019-7-28a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1590" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj3fQGvvXIRG2n0DSRGUuv_LyJDvm7tyUpHhu8U0cGe_Kyaj-9T0Hj2GAgLQC56rYJ1dfMtBxUz6Z55EG-BbfDVCgsLSHqH3B2i2rf6CoQf8OEefcU9_W96XAYeQEmKl-LEEKnn7tOBU/s640/daylilies-2019-7-28a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylily 'Pardon Me' and petunias.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyFP69Cn39qH-_wj6305_jhkHVSiLJCyHc_CFoWgmyVea5p1rJMijDAquwBjEc5wcq5pB_uTepubcC6m2QfnuYbJX83KSFKWbYOt8T_wcVstF80cgPPBdBBVm8uGXnA1m4YUCOvIffF4/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-8-6b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1503" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyFP69Cn39qH-_wj6305_jhkHVSiLJCyHc_CFoWgmyVea5p1rJMijDAquwBjEc5wcq5pB_uTepubcC6m2QfnuYbJX83KSFKWbYOt8T_wcVstF80cgPPBdBBVm8uGXnA1m4YUCOvIffF4/s640/paradisegarden-2019-8-6b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses (I think this might be the Buck rose, 'Hi Neighbor,' but I can't be certain) and lavender.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RIUs7c2-5HfzLj5rmjDf6mFi5krD8uHd15NWkV0MN157EXJsGbMqv2ePbqVorjnclLJYZY51KVriHQKSAloJtBnb68DvRp8Q0ei9Edo99TcjL2M4jLmLHEy1vCXkqoXEwh30PZTcsdQ/s1600/daylilies-2019-7-23b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RIUs7c2-5HfzLj5rmjDf6mFi5krD8uHd15NWkV0MN157EXJsGbMqv2ePbqVorjnclLJYZY51KVriHQKSAloJtBnb68DvRp8Q0ei9Edo99TcjL2M4jLmLHEy1vCXkqoXEwh30PZTcsdQ/s640/daylilies-2019-7-23b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental lilies and 'Persian Market' daylily.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0uwjkQo3xH-oydC0lnfr2sxuyM34dD06vrmEqVcU_0p6C0ExZg0oXvKw5TyZmcFIAwTZRj8t_mswjw2U8ktxZt3XrssgnipPqaGuJmCbN4PQKiwJGDIdM3PYKeGjpKnn7tRcK0BINic/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-7-28b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0uwjkQo3xH-oydC0lnfr2sxuyM34dD06vrmEqVcU_0p6C0ExZg0oXvKw5TyZmcFIAwTZRj8t_mswjw2U8ktxZt3XrssgnipPqaGuJmCbN4PQKiwJGDIdM3PYKeGjpKnn7tRcK0BINic/s640/paradisegarden-2019-7-28b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall pink 'Ruby' snapdragons and other flowers.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuNSrfJkuZjbvMmPFOwW81J7ZX80QpVojzaMwFGAyNYdi1inIDj7cJq-scT8RXEUIzm2qPcq3JVSJpKQzeEac78qkJsBYy29jpTQTNfjuPbk7F9l6rsx1fI9r2cpIKy1qiYlRnYaqKRM/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-7-10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuNSrfJkuZjbvMmPFOwW81J7ZX80QpVojzaMwFGAyNYdi1inIDj7cJq-scT8RXEUIzm2qPcq3JVSJpKQzeEac78qkJsBYy29jpTQTNfjuPbk7F9l6rsx1fI9r2cpIKy1qiYlRnYaqKRM/s640/paradisegarden-2019-7-10a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most enjoyable time in this garden is in the cool of evening and nighttime. I found this solar-powered LED lamp at Theisen's farm store this spring, and the cut-outs in the metal cast a beautiful pattern that fits in well in my Islamic-style Paradise Garden. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvvXzSG7IOtT41kB8uwhN6xOi1XPVsHLXIAAMt8C1ed7bEak129CJodWwrFZU7K9bbmavs_9_eXYwKHDpP86muxvxP3jH0me0gqc1BGUP9KrFKq40f6G1Z7xeKDn4pMlthGbEaZCetCw/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-7-10b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvvXzSG7IOtT41kB8uwhN6xOi1XPVsHLXIAAMt8C1ed7bEak129CJodWwrFZU7K9bbmavs_9_eXYwKHDpP86muxvxP3jH0me0gqc1BGUP9KrFKq40f6G1Z7xeKDn4pMlthGbEaZCetCw/s640/paradisegarden-2019-7-10b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what the lantern pattern looks like when I set the lantern on the paving stones in the garden. It's really pretty magical at night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHIMU4UaWEUpnEj6-__CpwH9Onaoa8wJUOro3VgNpruRjRKKfGKvgqfJ6OCQmkPopUJAhxGxKqwOP22QXoxbEQbogZdBUA9rsA8tO_J9HC1sckhB89BFnKhOMy8axzoE6LoVnC9Lt7e8/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-8-11e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHIMU4UaWEUpnEj6-__CpwH9Onaoa8wJUOro3VgNpruRjRKKfGKvgqfJ6OCQmkPopUJAhxGxKqwOP22QXoxbEQbogZdBUA9rsA8tO_J9HC1sckhB89BFnKhOMy8axzoE6LoVnC9Lt7e8/s640/paradisegarden-2019-8-11e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylily 'Red Volunteer'.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6WT-9MJSDzmwmqpWQY9FRzDTbG58KUohibh5wbjpTY8wRsV7H5zdqEpJGMCD7Jm5tOCYJDKLt6baCxFlivjS5G7Qf4zKtdUOQmw3Czko7dgMgx6wJPpb48Whr2cRq9NssVmSkpEh85Y/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-8-11d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6WT-9MJSDzmwmqpWQY9FRzDTbG58KUohibh5wbjpTY8wRsV7H5zdqEpJGMCD7Jm5tOCYJDKLt6baCxFlivjS5G7Qf4zKtdUOQmw3Czko7dgMgx6wJPpb48Whr2cRq9NssVmSkpEh85Y/s640/paradisegarden-2019-8-11d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This garden truly is my paradise. I've enjoyed making other garden areas, but never derived so much joy from maintaining and <i>inhabiting</i> a garden area as I have with this one. (And look at those roses, beautifully free from munching beetles!)</td></tr>
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My revised Big Net seems to be doing the job. I hope the information about my trials and errors with it will be helpful to others trying to deal with the Japanese beetle scourge. Midwesterners <i>can</i> still grow and enjoy roses!<br />
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I hope you are enjoying your own gardens, filled with blooming flowers, and free from insect damage, as we reach the height of summer. Thanks for reading! -BethGarden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-61691150652503300652019-07-20T09:03:00.000-05:002019-07-20T09:03:35.340-05:00My English garden visits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyD-D9way4IM-xlHdixKXEnSjhyKe2GNlcUtK1Fz4P4WS5kKVf3Nm_upz4W0L_sJBX6PrhhDyULRj72N5sgL8eEvsVTwROtYOQBYzGUKu5WJ3pY54jf6lgk6w_uVox6CQthFZmHzyg0F8/s1600/2019-sissinghurst1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1590" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyD-D9way4IM-xlHdixKXEnSjhyKe2GNlcUtK1Fz4P4WS5kKVf3Nm_upz4W0L_sJBX6PrhhDyULRj72N5sgL8eEvsVTwROtYOQBYzGUKu5WJ3pY54jf6lgk6w_uVox6CQthFZmHzyg0F8/s640/2019-sissinghurst1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Greetings! Last month my family and I spent 2&1/2 weeks in England, and I thought I'd share a few moments from the beautiful English gardens I visited while there.<br />
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My trip wasn't all gardens: we traveled with another family we know, and it rained nearly every day we were there (apparently, it was the wettest June on record, with flooding in parts of the country). Both factors meant that I wasn't able to see every garden that I wanted to. But I did manage to make it to some of the most well-known of England's famous gardens.<br />
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Please forgive the length of this post, as I'd like to simply share a few photos from each garden in this one post and not write a series of more detailed posts over multiple weeks.<br />
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<h3>
Sissinghurst</h3>
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My family flew to London two days before the other family we traveled with, so that we could spend a couple days in Kent before returning to London to meet up with them. We took a train to Maidstone, where we rented a car and drove south to the tiny village of Sissinghurst, where we stayed in an ancient cottage listed on Airbnb.<br />
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Driving on the WRONG side of the road was terrifying -- my husband did the driving, but we were all terrified, all the time. And the cottage was picturesque, although the doorways were so low that my poor husband still has scars on his scalp. But it was a great adventure to spend time there, and that's how we were able to visit the first of the gardens on my list (shown in the first photo), the most famous of England's countless gardens, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden" target="_blank">Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYOHDW5K0MDxNgdLRDZ6HNEbBAQZiu9xbGwR2Bpf9wnP8h0sbehF8SOIvZMh6yOhKgIyV6PjfuuXsZ4x0X5-nPGCnDtqViLntsI-Pb1AxlCbWcSREa4OvuYmeyI6tojLwnSf2pfNpx7E/s1600/2019-sissinghurst2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="894" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYOHDW5K0MDxNgdLRDZ6HNEbBAQZiu9xbGwR2Bpf9wnP8h0sbehF8SOIvZMh6yOhKgIyV6PjfuuXsZ4x0X5-nPGCnDtqViLntsI-Pb1AxlCbWcSREa4OvuYmeyI6tojLwnSf2pfNpx7E/s640/2019-sissinghurst2.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am standing in the Rondel, the round space shown in the first <br />
photo. The iconic Sissinghurst tower is in the background.</td></tr>
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I've read about Sissinghurst and Vita Sackville-West for nearly two decades now, and it was wonderful to finally set foot in this most famous of gardens. This first day of our trip (June 6, my husband's and my 21st anniversary!) was the sunniest, warmest day of our entire two-and-a-half weeks in England, which made our visit to Sissinghurst truly lovely (although it was difficult to get good photos in the bright sunshine).</div>
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The rose gardens were at their peak and were the most beautiful flower gardens I've ever seen.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltfdIlNExBKKNZkZUHDDKfA_CuEuaNWxR6JF3MXclXjP6WuZjdTSalsiJmGDWluMm9ZvipwMeWo8rZkwd0ERFVxFV5fHGR4Tinj1wiXlJA5olFK352ilgSWdZRTtNqXPbs9tIpLtKkKI/s1600/2019-sissinghurst4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltfdIlNExBKKNZkZUHDDKfA_CuEuaNWxR6JF3MXclXjP6WuZjdTSalsiJmGDWluMm9ZvipwMeWo8rZkwd0ERFVxFV5fHGR4Tinj1wiXlJA5olFK352ilgSWdZRTtNqXPbs9tIpLtKkKI/s640/2019-sissinghurst4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small corner of the incredibly lush rose gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8xaqJKSQFapppwGFPrsCDr1pKoD_SofFRMQURuCz0TNyYbU3XKlGznJTvnwDKhnnZYTm61hc5Hjbg3P91HZTI709jqCOl6P8agHHUV8HcVbQ-xyd-0IbHmzrgpAN_nI4GarlvPmvn04/s1600/2019-sissinghurst3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8xaqJKSQFapppwGFPrsCDr1pKoD_SofFRMQURuCz0TNyYbU3XKlGznJTvnwDKhnnZYTm61hc5Hjbg3P91HZTI709jqCOl6P8agHHUV8HcVbQ-xyd-0IbHmzrgpAN_nI4GarlvPmvn04/s640/2019-sissinghurst3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pictures don't do the rose gardens justice -- every ancient brick wall was covered with climbing roses heavy with bloom; every bed was stuffed full of roses, peonies, delphiniums and other perennials in flower. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ujGqxKuzkTohzxHvyW-U5CvxMtZ8Yyxo00xZBrp4fdIg7g-JPg6R3ZtoSJq4ANWAElJKqC5FnM3I5TSBEaSM1mxbyszhO1Lrh0YwCdWam04gz3Pu0eMo1LfMLCgbObAaxam_0KL8Kr4/s1600/2019-sissinghurst5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ujGqxKuzkTohzxHvyW-U5CvxMtZ8Yyxo00xZBrp4fdIg7g-JPg6R3ZtoSJq4ANWAElJKqC5FnM3I5TSBEaSM1mxbyszhO1Lrh0YwCdWam04gz3Pu0eMo1LfMLCgbObAaxam_0KL8Kr4/s640/2019-sissinghurst5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am in a corner of the famous White Garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5zdi0uaBXOZIbUQC3NAf_hOh_HWYPf_eTdY7ucH59HsHlW-Z90Z0RbQc9nzdUf7kjZlkJGYjxlKUzo0tX2gJqg18nr2hukP7cJOjRfClEwl8fQIo18unfw6ToLL9ZnFcc623LXYPA1A/s1600/2019-sissinghurst6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="894" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5zdi0uaBXOZIbUQC3NAf_hOh_HWYPf_eTdY7ucH59HsHlW-Z90Z0RbQc9nzdUf7kjZlkJGYjxlKUzo0tX2gJqg18nr2hukP7cJOjRfClEwl8fQIo18unfw6ToLL9ZnFcc623LXYPA1A/s640/2019-sissinghurst6.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissinghurst wasn't as crowded as I had feared it would be on such a beautiful day. There was a coachload <br />
of German <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">tourists and many other visitors, but most had left by mid-afternoon, and by four o'clock, we had</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the entire </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">garden nearly to ourselves. It was a magical day, the nicest anniversary we've ever had.</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
Great Dixter</h3>
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Because England's 2nd-most famous garden is only 20 miles from Sissinghurst, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit <a href="https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/" target="_blank">Great Dixter</a> while down in Kent. Unfortunately, it rained heavily for nearly our entire visit there, so I didn't enjoy my visit there nearly as much, or appreciate the design and planting of the garden areas as much as I might have, had they been less sodden.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iFfmpGfE1ZGUhJkjIG7Np56T3irtFhhOkqD8eI6gRZBNNlx6fRK3GWmDhyphenhyphenNlRga0gCWocOklsMQjTrIXRtKYjwVxdjqeOwFzqmjDD2VTKl5SagOC7YiKTa_2cV230A8AemOXJhBUucQ/s1600/2019-greatdixter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1590" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iFfmpGfE1ZGUhJkjIG7Np56T3irtFhhOkqD8eI6gRZBNNlx6fRK3GWmDhyphenhyphenNlRga0gCWocOklsMQjTrIXRtKYjwVxdjqeOwFzqmjDD2VTKl5SagOC7YiKTa_2cV230A8AemOXJhBUucQ/s640/2019-greatdixter1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am after the rain briefly stopped, in front of Christopher Lloyd's medieval house (now a museum), with the collection of potted plants that this doorway area is known for.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SB9biOlgUqIdCBKQFVMnQDE46E7kdjOZyGpTGcIP5GJYQPaxvjhq8ZHoA0Vn0xM-QxXjBK0GJYTApm3QEpWA7IgFj9R0xSuI5mlNDFGDHxJ2Tqmdpb8KVSi8LdtOGI-cBrx7bwobwVY/s1600/2019-greatdixter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SB9biOlgUqIdCBKQFVMnQDE46E7kdjOZyGpTGcIP5GJYQPaxvjhq8ZHoA0Vn0xM-QxXjBK0GJYTApm3QEpWA7IgFj9R0xSuI5mlNDFGDHxJ2Tqmdpb8KVSi8LdtOGI-cBrx7bwobwVY/s640/2019-greatdixter3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain on the pond in the Sunk Garden, designed by Lloyd's father in 1921.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnhar5ZAF4bMhD0-fKisRDLE4qC4DpPZoj6kRytPoD1jgwJrQ6W7BhmJ8q3Uc1ZX0CQN83skWUnKwMcy_o4vbcOsUu5f2ApZyKBwvT28pQFBJj5zx3OXMnG-aMzZbVIhEAfDwtCBAoT4/s1600/2019-greatdixter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnhar5ZAF4bMhD0-fKisRDLE4qC4DpPZoj6kRytPoD1jgwJrQ6W7BhmJ8q3Uc1ZX0CQN83skWUnKwMcy_o4vbcOsUu5f2ApZyKBwvT28pQFBJj5zx3OXMnG-aMzZbVIhEAfDwtCBAoT4/s640/2019-greatdixter2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Long Border, 330 feet long and 15 feet deep: succession planting on a heroic scale.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew</h3>
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After returning to London, we met up with our friends at our hotel in the Bloomsbury area of the city and did some sightseeing for the next five days. My husband and I skipped the Tower of London and instead hopped on a train to <a href="https://www.kew.org/" target="_blank">Kew Gardens</a>, and enjoyed the afternoon's excursion to one of England's largest gardens (330 acres of gardens, glasshouses, and a research herbarium that houses the "largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world"). We couldn't see all 330 acres, but were able to take in most of the highlights of the gardens. Several of those:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc4UzbpaV8Ts9zSV5KBfN3vrmEfbPVL7xNZixVoGzx5OcOiR0TMO4lAxYJsr52Q1RD9HK4sj3tiL3bYH1sTvzkQM93m6jm0iDw6AYXtWVpXu0lBhRX1KinEjqhaxR2yyYARXCTDELwdM/s1600/2019-kew1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1590" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc4UzbpaV8Ts9zSV5KBfN3vrmEfbPVL7xNZixVoGzx5OcOiR0TMO4lAxYJsr52Q1RD9HK4sj3tiL3bYH1sTvzkQM93m6jm0iDw6AYXtWVpXu0lBhRX1KinEjqhaxR2yyYARXCTDELwdM/s640/2019-kew1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the magnificent Palm House, built in the 1840s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP9OJWmhD13158eJzKD_YrB9L1Kq8Cw67dQPADSLk8Ov3JZU6PTddf0ov3ISJbvNHgKUg1bvrRSYXpPSUYIMUMMOVULOcCloJHrIL6NFx3vUoy_cO5ONZUJo6Mn8r1s8nDaonIfSfQeI/s1600/2019-kew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1193" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP9OJWmhD13158eJzKD_YrB9L1Kq8Cw67dQPADSLk8Ov3JZU6PTddf0ov3ISJbvNHgKUg1bvrRSYXpPSUYIMUMMOVULOcCloJHrIL6NFx3vUoy_cO5ONZUJo6Mn8r1s8nDaonIfSfQeI/s640/2019-kew2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of the Palm House is filled with exotic plants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWKnMvqudlmzLNk-bVraEnF-RarC-eFsCY6N4SO_g-3-7UJzZBDIoZokc3IOS9I_yJr4_OTUdkRhna18A0jW0RBf5WFqlNC1R-y9vJMDxn-PA9x59MTKcDtp91rGoakr50I91wzE8iA0/s1600/2019-kew3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWKnMvqudlmzLNk-bVraEnF-RarC-eFsCY6N4SO_g-3-7UJzZBDIoZokc3IOS9I_yJr4_OTUdkRhna18A0jW0RBf5WFqlNC1R-y9vJMDxn-PA9x59MTKcDtp91rGoakr50I91wzE8iA0/s640/2019-kew3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the Palm House, the rose garden was in full bloom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13n_hGoKtZ6Ud3JohZQPVIoV8tQYlKbpVP-u1MnBdBT39vr3uG87oC5H2ndp5zgF6lAAYfqYEetSlielRBtVGFXXM4gBVdbMnTrGpM3TmK1hyphenhyphenvhzCUW5vuI4rO48Q0hmugFbH6cUKJS0/s1600/2019-kew4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1193" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13n_hGoKtZ6Ud3JohZQPVIoV8tQYlKbpVP-u1MnBdBT39vr3uG87oC5H2ndp5zgF6lAAYfqYEetSlielRBtVGFXXM4gBVdbMnTrGpM3TmK1hyphenhyphenvhzCUW5vuI4rO48Q0hmugFbH6cUKJS0/s640/2019-kew4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband was dwarfed beneath this colossal chestnut-leaved oak. Planted in 1846 by Kew's <br />
first Director, Sir William Hooker, from an acorn collected from the Caucasus region, it stands<br />
over 120 feet tall and is the largest of this species in the British Isles. Kew's arboretum areas<br />
are among the most magnificent in the world.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Regent's Park</h3>
<div>
My family had a good time at Winston Churchill's war bunker, but since I don't like crowded or underground places, I spent that morning stopping by the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street, and then walking next door to <a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park" target="_blank">Regent's Park</a>. I had no idea what the park would be like -- and I found that it's 400 acres of the usual lawns and trees, with Queen Mary's Garden (opened in 1935) at its center. I quite enjoyed walking through the parkland and gardens.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG18zcldNp6k336T5FGRd-YWb23qDd6zCyYX4_nQfiHfBaVcm38cNvYWknYv5jj4ZTkGYY-jNPsdjoBq3zwvg_M3vrb_25O03OTsaVEuf1VFUOmwengYcBit-EEw7G1vmZ-C2yB_EDME/s1600/2019-regentspark4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1590" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG18zcldNp6k336T5FGRd-YWb23qDd6zCyYX4_nQfiHfBaVcm38cNvYWknYv5jj4ZTkGYY-jNPsdjoBq3zwvg_M3vrb_25O03OTsaVEuf1VFUOmwengYcBit-EEw7G1vmZ-C2yB_EDME/s640/2019-regentspark4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully landscaped municipal park settings....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGtEYNzjv92_WuFHASyXWsZZ1T-fSHa-bYPWNvSI92TtiNXKAtM8flEuvT_Jg4FBPKnxzQV4sLCcG68TQB1kEHjBJepg1SvheyKcn9Hw6Qy81MMax1ZSFqFKvPMg0mTmBeys6i81egJE/s1600/2019-regentspark1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGtEYNzjv92_WuFHASyXWsZZ1T-fSHa-bYPWNvSI92TtiNXKAtM8flEuvT_Jg4FBPKnxzQV4sLCcG68TQB1kEHjBJepg1SvheyKcn9Hw6Qy81MMax1ZSFqFKvPMg0mTmBeys6i81egJE/s640/2019-regentspark1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families enjoying the lovely morning....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP23BSNujmHTaN-4radQcykJYPp49BHneTaEP4T-SzAc1J7z1NBbjXhA06oF9nyEVhCoXJNOsAvLGrEzftZOKi9gInPROoa2w1hVjGLGoYlD7SPHexKTbNM21KLMzamLRCvjyvARDOA0/s1600/2019-regentspark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP23BSNujmHTaN-4radQcykJYPp49BHneTaEP4T-SzAc1J7z1NBbjXhA06oF9nyEVhCoXJNOsAvLGrEzftZOKi9gInPROoa2w1hVjGLGoYlD7SPHexKTbNM21KLMzamLRCvjyvARDOA0/s640/2019-regentspark2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But then I stumbled on <i>this</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B0X1rY6OVPN12QgL0siibj6yurrYke-XR_jvsv98koTJwJAdBylOuQiXhPXDjtUDiDczA89SDbMO2EsbNZCMVGkkw8RoeBICzh27rw_5cTHOYaUfQGgH9lSu-fJl7QYeeZS62KUmIgQ/s1600/2019-regentspark3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B0X1rY6OVPN12QgL0siibj6yurrYke-XR_jvsv98koTJwJAdBylOuQiXhPXDjtUDiDczA89SDbMO2EsbNZCMVGkkw8RoeBICzh27rw_5cTHOYaUfQGgH9lSu-fJl7QYeeZS62KUmIgQ/s640/2019-regentspark3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The English sure don't do roses on any sort of <i>small scale</i>, do they? The huge, be-swagged, Rose Garden apparently holds London's largest collection of roses -- <i>12,000 of them</i>, planted in 85 single-variety beds. And that's in addition to the other 18,000 roses planted in other parts of Queen Mary's Garden. And they were nearly all in full bloom when I stumbled on this display. I had no idea that Regent's Park is famous for its roses, so this really was quite a surprise to come upon so unexpectedly. A wonderful surprise!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Thornbury Castle Gardens</h3>
After London, we traveled by train to Oxford, then rented a car and drove south to Bath, then west to stay for two nights in <a href="https://www.thornburycastle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Thornbury Castle</a> (now a hotel) near Bristol. The Castle has beautiful gardens -- perhaps not commensurate with National Trust-level gardens, but lovely nonetheless -- and we had the gardens nearly to ourselves, which I think greatly adds to the enjoyment of a garden.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkmILmzCrUBXvcht0XOvkZT0FYuNPcEeBhiEUqL00uM6m8eBrRZlczigIARj3s40Gky4wojqhBiUEhPzA01e9JjybaFJtQwDu7I4EI2eoJXbFkmVmuefWkOSyv2OhySzbtrnP5kzBRj8/s1600/2019-thornbury1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkmILmzCrUBXvcht0XOvkZT0FYuNPcEeBhiEUqL00uM6m8eBrRZlczigIARj3s40Gky4wojqhBiUEhPzA01e9JjybaFJtQwDu7I4EI2eoJXbFkmVmuefWkOSyv2OhySzbtrnP5kzBRj8/s640/2019-thornbury1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tower of Thornbury Castle (built in the early 1500s) can be glimpsed beyond this part of the garden, and the ancient walls enclose the entire garden. (I don't think geraniums look this blue in the Midwest -- I don't know if it's the different quality of the light or the moist conditions, but they never look this vibrant in my gardens.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenuljGxU3ieWvrW3k_aOapfrki_U1ukAa9FI3k4ElhSD7scE9upVOI_YtMw_L6KmG75Ul2Cs2SErrk2pBNcnkbpAa1GCp-ECPPpmbh25AHKffKTHfwQf4COIIEx2uK_o-N-U2WE4Uk0Q/s1600/2019-thornbury2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenuljGxU3ieWvrW3k_aOapfrki_U1ukAa9FI3k4ElhSD7scE9upVOI_YtMw_L6KmG75Ul2Cs2SErrk2pBNcnkbpAa1GCp-ECPPpmbh25AHKffKTHfwQf4COIIEx2uK_o-N-U2WE4Uk0Q/s640/2019-thornbury2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bee hive set into one of the ancient garden walls and surrounded by lovely roses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDg1uobVwVDAL6gObJ-LmgY0E8Ewn_xBQq9K0Akf3TbQu07G_xee9KXwsSPWU0DWLTGCfsLzVj3cjjtrpeJ_p0miXP6OzRACwMFJe8vj1ZmduIgV01mRzeNS5Hre8R7zo8ePpN4eF_06M/s1600/2019-thornbury3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1482" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDg1uobVwVDAL6gObJ-LmgY0E8Ewn_xBQq9K0Akf3TbQu07G_xee9KXwsSPWU0DWLTGCfsLzVj3cjjtrpeJ_p0miXP6OzRACwMFJe8vj1ZmduIgV01mRzeNS5Hre8R7zo8ePpN4eF_06M/s640/2019-thornbury3.jpg" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matilda, the Castle cat, liked to follow us around to keep an eye on us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We really enjoyed our stay at Thornbury Castle.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<h3>
Hidcote</h3>
<div>
After leaving Thornbury, we drove east to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotswolds" target="_blank">Cotswolds</a> area, and stayed at an Airbnb in the small village of Bourton-on-the-Hill. I wasn't sure if I'd get a chance to visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidcote_Manor_Garden" target="_blank">Hidcote Gardens</a>, despite staying only 20 minutes away from England's #3-most-famous garden (no accident, that!). But the weather looked to be nice enough, and one morning my husband suggested that the two us drive there while the rest of our traveling companions slept in. I'm <i>so </i>glad we did!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1MP6XaqauQ3UzNGcjf7LBzeVkwCzYb6YgMeO8ToeXpg8FC4tGeGHGoznzed4MFgS2hTrwCbUeby9i6hHvvWp_Vowtavq0TqRRgt4m8x5G2nABn2Iax5Ory9WxqMGBFt4DHpZ4gjAC-s/s1600/2019-hidcote3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1MP6XaqauQ3UzNGcjf7LBzeVkwCzYb6YgMeO8ToeXpg8FC4tGeGHGoznzed4MFgS2hTrwCbUeby9i6hHvvWp_Vowtavq0TqRRgt4m8x5G2nABn2Iax5Ory9WxqMGBFt4DHpZ4gjAC-s/s640/2019-hidcote3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Garden at Hidcote.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TkpJmL2_CjRYqrWZR3d5ALF1bnOhBXWjgYvWN6pTwiN0e662VlCJ4aB4KkdkVYrqLN6kdERHewWWDzGVZvH6lqthvlkNWXtjA9blaLQY-fXIiGbUNtMzbyClUwXflMwf8mZiSEafrEs/s1600/2019-hidcote1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1590" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TkpJmL2_CjRYqrWZR3d5ALF1bnOhBXWjgYvWN6pTwiN0e662VlCJ4aB4KkdkVYrqLN6kdERHewWWDzGVZvH6lqthvlkNWXtjA9blaLQY-fXIiGbUNtMzbyClUwXflMwf8mZiSEafrEs/s640/2019-hidcote1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Red Borders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK4S3PnRMB_DKAd2r0RgiLCtO5fFrKZJoNQbU7iTbFtL0iYESM9V5Kx9Y_McKcyst42sdTe2OKJ3wTHWYmeCrM1CB17iJNas9u8FSSjQ45GJqbiHJaIBcYanVbFrNgxtwLPXS6TFPra4/s1600/2019-hidcote2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK4S3PnRMB_DKAd2r0RgiLCtO5fFrKZJoNQbU7iTbFtL0iYESM9V5Kx9Y_McKcyst42sdTe2OKJ3wTHWYmeCrM1CB17iJNas9u8FSSjQ45GJqbiHJaIBcYanVbFrNgxtwLPXS6TFPra4/s640/2019-hidcote2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidcote's Long Borders. Stunningly lovely!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGswZgsXoDoqhNI0iXLqWjyguVS5gcpTNYTn6fZuXYjPchm7eGmgYruQwC-KymDf4-WLtlojU__0RPTJp7jwv-kKDb2KFQ6pU9osttz8RDiZZNg4mevBJeSTl0OOfLfR3tSfc6DvwHoQ/s1600/2019-hidcote4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGswZgsXoDoqhNI0iXLqWjyguVS5gcpTNYTn6fZuXYjPchm7eGmgYruQwC-KymDf4-WLtlojU__0RPTJp7jwv-kKDb2KFQ6pU9osttz8RDiZZNg4mevBJeSTl0OOfLfR3tSfc6DvwHoQ/s640/2019-hidcote4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband in the area named "Mrs. Winthrop's Garden" by garden creator Lawrence Johnston for his mother.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hidcote felt like the largest of all the gardens I visited, despite being only 10 acres in size -- but they are 10 mostly intensely-gardened areas and garden rooms, more than 30 in all. The gardens just went on and on, and we actually didn't have time to see all the areas. (It made me tired just thinking about maintaining it all!) But each room was an incredibly beautiful garden in itself, and the whole constitutes a truly great work of art. After Sissinghurst, this was my favorite English garden.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
A Few Other Gardens</h3>
<div>
Being a garden-lover, and in England, I managed to find many other garden spots to enjoy while there, but this blog post is long enough already, so here are just a few last highlights:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd5G3xLHJnQdkkowr5a_poU564OQzYz0EEft-wsQr12ATdz9dhEPaDmiU3L9xRwLM6BTyyvNXMcEPNvjZrruteX0012V96qA_en-rsgRg5AvEsjPnwIOFoKWSZBf7xcePQk1XHm8bo2k/s1600/2019-bourtonhouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd5G3xLHJnQdkkowr5a_poU564OQzYz0EEft-wsQr12ATdz9dhEPaDmiU3L9xRwLM6BTyyvNXMcEPNvjZrruteX0012V96qA_en-rsgRg5AvEsjPnwIOFoKWSZBf7xcePQk1XHm8bo2k/s640/2019-bourtonhouse1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bourtonhouse.com/" target="_blank">Bourton House Garden</a> was literally two blocks away from our Cotswolds cottage, so we all walked over on the last morning before our trip back to London to fly home. It was a wonderful garden, a hidden gem filled with topiary, garden rooms, exotic plants and a high outlook over the Cotswolds. Very enjoyable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPhmzfFlJk7ddXME7ghmwmchphGbyZqGSvKePzsS3d0-tNlmviwtiOlHZFO0gzxscWyLMZQyJuDeSiHbX5HrefFVTt3d87YDq43wUTobGPa-SS-5mie0BS5_JfdfdtzcuD4WCHlZ33hM/s1600/2019-chastleton1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPhmzfFlJk7ddXME7ghmwmchphGbyZqGSvKePzsS3d0-tNlmviwtiOlHZFO0gzxscWyLMZQyJuDeSiHbX5HrefFVTt3d87YDq43wUTobGPa-SS-5mie0BS5_JfdfdtzcuD4WCHlZ33hM/s640/2019-chastleton1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chastleton_House" target="_blank">Chastleton House</a> is a fascinating country house that was built in the early 1600s, which successive owners never had the money to completely remodel or update, so, unusually, most of the rooms still reflect their original design. In 1991 it was given to the National Trust, which made the controversial decision to leave it in pretty much "as-is" condition, reflecting how people lived in it during the 19th and 20th centuries. The gardens, however, have recently been restored to their 1830s layout and 1920s planting design (while the topiary in the area above is at least a century old, the flower beds had been turfed over in the mid-20th century, and were only re-planted in the concentric beds this spring).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpgAo5CSTGhB528WBxI0uhqmTPSs-UfHD8PihofQzmU5-WvRWfqX0tCoyeGLJNGTnSa3WRkJ9LmBqAtwSLikhsVhxpXpiyhNJqUk4LncKFPL6ce6etH61UkshgdQAEUB0DC2LnJLuLsA/s1600/2019-bath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1193" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpgAo5CSTGhB528WBxI0uhqmTPSs-UfHD8PihofQzmU5-WvRWfqX0tCoyeGLJNGTnSa3WRkJ9LmBqAtwSLikhsVhxpXpiyhNJqUk4LncKFPL6ce6etH61UkshgdQAEUB0DC2LnJLuLsA/s400/2019-bath1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The transportation center in Bath had this imaginative display...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nvEQV-hJWU7IOyA3DM2kJHOpN_1_vCPgJNGt9c6Z8kscmYpYTabxON7zFedmJ-QTsF4hAXO1ucocvmY8iLQ0Tn9v7ydnjfA0wUGi1eecgt38Okr7k762UR838vOebfHhbFIOCb872eI/s1600/2019-bath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nvEQV-hJWU7IOyA3DM2kJHOpN_1_vCPgJNGt9c6Z8kscmYpYTabxON7zFedmJ-QTsF4hAXO1ucocvmY8iLQ0Tn9v7ydnjfA0wUGi1eecgt38Okr7k762UR838vOebfHhbFIOCb872eI/s400/2019-bath2.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as well as this jasmine-woven wicker chair. Heavenly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2O4EcknjPP-FjU7u3a6TTVCr9LxFuv9TD9Tm8bySYGZ8Uxw3nu8mGZwZdKpQJOw4VMznrWXA-fv6m3tcdn3kmMSZ76ISS5clyiW3lL9T6m-mMVWlJKh2nlp8VuxxFW0igPyf331VkeA/s1600/2019-bourtonmodelvillage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2O4EcknjPP-FjU7u3a6TTVCr9LxFuv9TD9Tm8bySYGZ8Uxw3nu8mGZwZdKpQJOw4VMznrWXA-fv6m3tcdn3kmMSZ76ISS5clyiW3lL9T6m-mMVWlJKh2nlp8VuxxFW0igPyf331VkeA/s640/2019-bourtonmodelvillage1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, this garden is actually a one-ninth-scale replica of the tourist village of Bourton-on-the-Water (not to be confused with the village where we stayed, Bourton-on-the-Hill). We were excited to see a model village after watching the movie "Hot Fuzz," in which a model village featured prominently in the film's sinister village. (This model village wasn't sinister at all, and was actually pretty fun to see!)</td></tr>
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My family and I had a good time seeing places in England that we've been reading about or watching on television. As a garden enthusiast, I was so happy to finally visit a few lovely English gardens, and despite the rain, I greatly enjoyed every garden I saw.<br />
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But it's good to be back home (and the weeds certainly didn't wait for me!). It seemed strange that it was almost July already and 90°F, when it was barely June and rainy when we left. Since it was rainy with temperatures in the 60s most of the time we were in England, I've only slowly become acclimated to our Midwestern heat (hot & windy, with temps near 100°F this weekend!)<br />
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I've been incredibly busy since our return getting ready for last weekend's Open Gardens Weekend, a new event for our local public beautification charity, <a href="https://projectgreen.org/" target="_blank">Project GREEN</a>. My garden wasn't open, but I was chair of the event, and since we haven't done it this way before (any garden can open, and attending the event is free, sponsored by local businesses), we're still figuring things out. But now that it's over for this year, I can relax a bit and rest up from traveling and everything else.<br />
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It's truly good to be back home, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing a few of the gardens I was lucky enough to visit in England. Thanks for reading! -Beth</div>
Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-58582020378848758032019-06-03T09:48:00.001-05:002019-06-03T09:48:34.316-05:00Why do my gardens look so good just as I'm leaving?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgWLZxqx_42zDgwQsM9pkZDmeMVpIqxXwkX9MlE6vjLxLG3UMkXE7P769jaG99WDdjdYeu3x1jA_qRMjaQiSW-pyO3_fjm4I9xzS18RfMGk2oI_ayIduAba7bnYQIO8svuWMBPmuCsA0/s1600/northborder-2019-5-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1193" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgWLZxqx_42zDgwQsM9pkZDmeMVpIqxXwkX9MlE6vjLxLG3UMkXE7P769jaG99WDdjdYeu3x1jA_qRMjaQiSW-pyO3_fjm4I9xzS18RfMGk2oI_ayIduAba7bnYQIO8svuWMBPmuCsA0/s400/northborder-2019-5-25.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Greetings! I've been getting ready for my Big Trip to the UK with my family, and things are looking better than ever in my gardens -- just as I'm about to leave to go see some of England's most famous gardens....</div>
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I've been furiously trying to weed, mow and plant everything before I go, but I can't help but notice that many of my garden areas look much better than they have for years. Part of that's the relatively cool, rainy weather we've been having for the past month -- things are blooming longer because it hasn't been hot yet -- like those Japanese tree peony flowers above; part is that I've been working for the past year or two to downsize and improve my garden areas; and much of it's probably because this is the first week of June, when most people's gardens look their best. But it still makes me a bit sad to leave my beautiful gardens, even if I know the gardens I see in England will be truly magnificent.</div>
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Here are a few highlights from the past week or two:</div>
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The Long Border</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsiZ4bfjYwaYtB4cGcSmxX0n9oz0dEI-zftpT7IiV9rWHTIYPrSnAKS7Mrjqj5Os5QGt85W7g_Oupzw4fPaPoAcLbW1nLMdMq5sTvFunlfTaFmIzsdtDG768IUFGNytt9Wopt9Mf17q8/s1600/rainbowborder-2019-6-1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1501" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsiZ4bfjYwaYtB4cGcSmxX0n9oz0dEI-zftpT7IiV9rWHTIYPrSnAKS7Mrjqj5Os5QGt85W7g_Oupzw4fPaPoAcLbW1nLMdMq5sTvFunlfTaFmIzsdtDG768IUFGNytt9Wopt9Mf17q8/s640/rainbowborder-2019-6-1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Long Border (formerly known as the Rainbow Border) is looking pretty good. I originally deigned it to be a May-June-peaking border, and even though I've added many plants for later blooming, this border still has a good show for this time of year. This is looking down the entire length of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIqi7ge2j6NZe1nyXcctUUh60RPqdwLjrqU-hta996rP4Bfkzyv8fI0n2PTBXccSkcis678XI11R49scEkN1LXbNfsLpv5z4346RVwPQ24yHggb5f1BdfZ5ao7eQMKKtbGAb6ND5yOH0/s1600/rainbowborder-2019-6-1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1545" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIqi7ge2j6NZe1nyXcctUUh60RPqdwLjrqU-hta996rP4Bfkzyv8fI0n2PTBXccSkcis678XI11R49scEkN1LXbNfsLpv5z4346RVwPQ24yHggb5f1BdfZ5ao7eQMKKtbGAb6ND5yOH0/s640/rainbowborder-2019-6-1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The near end of the Long Border (which is actually not as long as it used to be before I shortened it to make it more manageable a couple of years ago). The 'Red Charm' peony looks fabulous with the dark red irises, lightened up with ox-eye daisies and alliums.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xAGde9wV0iU3tl7AMciTkDS13RKyPyEc88HOLu3_lLlbX607BWjIdOtnJIAZzyVLkCDVWPWjTadfFgPUx42xkNFKUNtimlSzGnVtKqEN7yTrkKuvTfNppDUIhYDua0bmx94YZ4DIUBQ/s1600/rainbowborder-2019-6-1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xAGde9wV0iU3tl7AMciTkDS13RKyPyEc88HOLu3_lLlbX607BWjIdOtnJIAZzyVLkCDVWPWjTadfFgPUx42xkNFKUNtimlSzGnVtKqEN7yTrkKuvTfNppDUIhYDua0bmx94YZ4DIUBQ/s640/rainbowborder-2019-6-1c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit further down that border, alliums, a single-flowered peony, Siberian irises and white salvia surround a hardy geranium that isn't quite flowering yet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X1o7Kz2oU4sq12BM4Tbo_rMxh57HAcuLuH9JgOAt92SXRZ_zCcMRQ4TRVhbrFVnxqZyi6caR3uEjxeN9LsP58qLSX7UIYjtYn4DNbLJiHqOIvo__8mACGmgRValSXgT5IGc24LRGQf8/s1600/rainbowborder-2019-6-1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X1o7Kz2oU4sq12BM4Tbo_rMxh57HAcuLuH9JgOAt92SXRZ_zCcMRQ4TRVhbrFVnxqZyi6caR3uEjxeN9LsP58qLSX7UIYjtYn4DNbLJiHqOIvo__8mACGmgRValSXgT5IGc24LRGQf8/s640/rainbowborder-2019-6-1d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Siberian irises look sharp with the orange of the very early-flowering daylily.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3Fd6p9-c-dC55nDd9Y2VS4OzjAt2sjFqvu0yzSfbOTv-f56wdcH3OktXtmObSS3vGh1l6d-OQv-X0vOIlAr2MbWk0SSX6qR-m_Whneejo25cDsnUblVikRpganR2pGmJQfeD-g86lJ0/s1600/rainbowborder-2019-6-1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1553" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3Fd6p9-c-dC55nDd9Y2VS4OzjAt2sjFqvu0yzSfbOTv-f56wdcH3OktXtmObSS3vGh1l6d-OQv-X0vOIlAr2MbWk0SSX6qR-m_Whneejo25cDsnUblVikRpganR2pGmJQfeD-g86lJ0/s640/rainbowborder-2019-6-1e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the Long Border, with alliums, Siberian irises, Baptisia and Dame's rocket. A study in purple.</td></tr>
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The North Border:</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51s-4Y4b70CLTYP5X3GyaoVynG5jdWG5wpXvgWrjzylUfe57JH3e7wldLquDxEClGxd28P420u6-HQ81HDtzWaFCYyXoJDMmBEkq_KLzNkGSrRsQep5H9Q3ybAtTSDm9Lsky_v4u8BcE/s1600/northborder-2019-5-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51s-4Y4b70CLTYP5X3GyaoVynG5jdWG5wpXvgWrjzylUfe57JH3e7wldLquDxEClGxd28P420u6-HQ81HDtzWaFCYyXoJDMmBEkq_KLzNkGSrRsQep5H9Q3ybAtTSDm9Lsky_v4u8BcE/s640/northborder-2019-5-31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking along the length of the evergreen North Border. This border is starting to look OK, as the trees and shrubs are beginning to grow in size.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb2Q1YD_zbWUwTUltih9tjrr0mP5-wwwJIq9zhB4_DYfINGUDmjNMEmvW05l0aOvun2OQluKbcXj8DwcVuYkEEJTC4VB_9p5GE8_4r8-bkPCw1FR_jlI8OpTZ-E1qNvKTZHISwQvymkA/s1600/northborder-2019-5-31b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1590" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb2Q1YD_zbWUwTUltih9tjrr0mP5-wwwJIq9zhB4_DYfINGUDmjNMEmvW05l0aOvun2OQluKbcXj8DwcVuYkEEJTC4VB_9p5GE8_4r8-bkPCw1FR_jlI8OpTZ-E1qNvKTZHISwQvymkA/s640/northborder-2019-5-31b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the North Border that I always see out of my kitchen sink window.</td></tr>
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Paradise Garden</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IiYffmoG9-aUQmkh5oayV6rS2EKY242aOMD9BW8Dj67Nq2D8fovo8XTbiwRNIF8894V988W3dH1Lq3vHlfaZ3PL7FYMIRMMhdMHYxI4qrW5NyTg9LQMrxmxFP35yt_9VKsVFuVuBxF4/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-6-3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1593" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IiYffmoG9-aUQmkh5oayV6rS2EKY242aOMD9BW8Dj67Nq2D8fovo8XTbiwRNIF8894V988W3dH1Lq3vHlfaZ3PL7FYMIRMMhdMHYxI4qrW5NyTg9LQMrxmxFP35yt_9VKsVFuVuBxF4/s640/paradisegarden-2019-6-3a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roses are starting to bloom in my Paradise Garden. I have moved nearly all of the shrub roses into this area, so they can be protected from the Japanese beetles that will arrive later this month. I'll put up the Big Net (2.0) when I return.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3wruYKVsJMNrZICfO3LEYcDNJyrxIPpWOC_o0bCmRY5xpWFzjquqyPL4tiGUBazWAApopuYmvH414Mqi-vN0lppySYUWJAKtxtkvCr7SlisCUzJtAqoz8q0pvdFeQyedQYEubsBq2Dc/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-6-3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3wruYKVsJMNrZICfO3LEYcDNJyrxIPpWOC_o0bCmRY5xpWFzjquqyPL4tiGUBazWAApopuYmvH414Mqi-vN0lppySYUWJAKtxtkvCr7SlisCUzJtAqoz8q0pvdFeQyedQYEubsBq2Dc/s640/paradisegarden-2019-6-3c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These clematis 'Rouguchi' have small bell-shaped flowers with a light scent, and the plant has really taken off in its 2nd year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm76FV5WJDCdeff6mwPioIH-xR01IKApsO-BSz74kSUAS5MaWsabvyoB0lX6ztFht7xLPvfbIZNLPOzZ5gIp4zJ2_cOyl5RywQCG-RSbLX2QcxPMyJ2rxBgXel0mlsepguFTJSUwxqvM/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-6-3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm76FV5WJDCdeff6mwPioIH-xR01IKApsO-BSz74kSUAS5MaWsabvyoB0lX6ztFht7xLPvfbIZNLPOzZ5gIp4zJ2_cOyl5RywQCG-RSbLX2QcxPMyJ2rxBgXel0mlsepguFTJSUwxqvM/s640/paradisegarden-2019-6-3b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so happy these poppies opened up before I left -- I couldn't remember what color they were and wanted to buy more for this area (but I didn't want to mix colors) so I had been hoping I could see their color this spring -- and they obliged! Their papery flowers are glowingly beautiful in the sunshine.</td></tr>
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Recent Projects</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmhXG65ICGBIM71Q7ZAEWfOd4VTtTNCZYhFt9JOZsJz_UADN-62RkEnfP4wRO1BM2NWz6bADqX0aP5bhg714THZEuL228h-jphRik0HMUrbzqTvEuEUW5T03YDwBp8UhVCXquSugVyWs/s1600/kitchengarden-2019-6-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1525" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmhXG65ICGBIM71Q7ZAEWfOd4VTtTNCZYhFt9JOZsJz_UADN-62RkEnfP4wRO1BM2NWz6bADqX0aP5bhg714THZEuL228h-jphRik0HMUrbzqTvEuEUW5T03YDwBp8UhVCXquSugVyWs/s640/kitchengarden-2019-6-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, my handyman, my teenage children (under compulsion) and I built a 5-foot-tall fence around our vegetable garden -- I don't know why we didn't do this when we first made this garden. The rabbits (and some deer) have gotten worse each year, and it really took the fun out of gardening to have to fence each individual bed with stakes and wire fencing in this garden with so many beds. It was starting to look ridiculous with all the stakes -- not to mention making it hard to weed the beds too. I think my husband has gotten back his enthusiasm for vegetable gardening since we built this fence. Rabbits begone!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg688BEZhd1lN49qOKvSbA2Wf8MoKDmpY1K7TtGGcYfgusw3u8Dun6dGjOhY_QbmSZHuMS_Nr7MZDo5KctYiz195E4639PEBV-ENs6t3vRKINVY4fAqlMxWfe4K4s_HBvd393sJ-FqBhEk/s1600/eastpatio-2019-6-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg688BEZhd1lN49qOKvSbA2Wf8MoKDmpY1K7TtGGcYfgusw3u8Dun6dGjOhY_QbmSZHuMS_Nr7MZDo5KctYiz195E4639PEBV-ENs6t3vRKINVY4fAqlMxWfe4K4s_HBvd393sJ-FqBhEk/s640/eastpatio-2019-6-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the past few days, I've been working on putting most of my potted plants in one place, so it will be easy for the pet-sitter to water them all at once when I'm gone. I've been putting wooden tongue-depressor markers in some of them with sayings like "purified water only" (for plants that hate my limey well water) and "needs less watering" (in the case of my new olive plant). There are also many indoor plants still inside. I have to say that I'm pretty worried about going away and leaving all my plants and gardens....</td></tr>
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We're leaving tomorrow evening, flying from Chicago to London Heathrow airport overnight. I'm excited to see things I've been wanting to see in England (Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, etc.), but also worried about many things: will it rain heavily <i>every single day</i> we're there? will my own gardens and potted plants be OK? will we miss our plane or get lost? (Don't even get me started about my fear and dread of flying...).</div>
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But I'm sure we'll have a nice time -- rain or no -- and I'm so happy to see some English gardens after reading about them for so many years. Time to finish packing!</div>
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But I can't end this blog post without mentioning the sad recent event we've experienced -- my husband's mother passed away a week and a half ago -- she was 89 years old. We visited her several days before she died, and she was very weak and couldn't walk, but she was still in her home -- the farm house she had lived in during her entire adult life as a farm wife -- with her family caring for her. </div>
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When we visited, I brought her a small bouquet of the earliest Japanese tree peony blooms, iris, columbine and lily-of-the-valley. I had to hold it for her, and she brought it to her face and for nearly a full minute she breathed deeply of the scent of the lily-of-the-valley flowers with her eyes closed, like she couldn't enjoy them enough. I'm so glad my gardens were able to provide a small moment of enjoyment in her last days. It's hard to believe the matriarch of our family -- 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild -- isn't with us any more.</div>
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<br />Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499733980063503352.post-72821101269793002692019-05-09T13:35:00.001-05:002019-05-09T13:35:10.687-05:00Spring Garden Improvements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQgxXnshH3teugcFmivPdd6C25zGd16DXqJtqcpEvzh37CMwfPQ9XEUw76yGDphw_ekvuRNusNWwA-iBnf_yp0uPuSgcyNuByCT9dk-dSMQTCR8m6OOCASi3UQk2E-yESrdlCtFqcTPA/s1600/frontborder-20019-4-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQgxXnshH3teugcFmivPdd6C25zGd16DXqJtqcpEvzh37CMwfPQ9XEUw76yGDphw_ekvuRNusNWwA-iBnf_yp0uPuSgcyNuByCT9dk-dSMQTCR8m6OOCASi3UQk2E-yESrdlCtFqcTPA/s640/frontborder-20019-4-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Greetings! Hard to believe we're in May now, after waiting for spring for so long -- we've had a few warmer days, but this has been a relatively cool spring overall, and I now understand why our British gardening friends love tulips and spring ephemerals so much -- they are wonderful when they can be enjoyed for more than two days before hot blasts of wind shrivel them up and blow them away!<br />
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This English weather is preparing me for the trip to England that my family and I are taking next month -- I'm excited to finally be able to see a few famous gardens like Sissinghurst and Great Dixter that I have read about for so many years. Our 2&1/2-week trip to London, Kent, Bath, Oxford and the Cotswolds won't be all gardens (sadly), as my family wants to see the historical sights too -- but I'll do my best to sneak away to sit in a few local gardens when I get the chance.<br />
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But before I leave, I've been working on a few small improvements in my garden areas:<br />
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Delphinium Bed</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs3j1CakVaDuJyqlT7R4eQUjkXKDINd-PqbDwVRNluCIBQzgCfTXhJzT8uDgJBIX9Si27j3Hsii35SbKhCCUHp_zUD19V6mBGoggw54_RayD8wQToxaXWvbxx_d5v8da6Vde33iHUlQg/s1600/delphiniums-15-6-9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1563" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs3j1CakVaDuJyqlT7R4eQUjkXKDINd-PqbDwVRNluCIBQzgCfTXhJzT8uDgJBIX9Si27j3Hsii35SbKhCCUHp_zUD19V6mBGoggw54_RayD8wQToxaXWvbxx_d5v8da6Vde33iHUlQg/s640/delphiniums-15-6-9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The delphinium bed back in 2016. The nasty runner grass that infested this bed can be spotted. :-(</td></tr>
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In the past I had a lovely display of delphiniums that looked great for nearly five years. But the bed was slowly taken over by nasty runner grass that I just couldn't dig out, no matter how many times I tried. I not only had to clear the entire bed itself, but it wasn't until I made the Paradise Garden right behind this bed last year, eliminating the lawn that was the continuing source of the runner grass, that I have been able to get things under control.</div>
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I've kept the bed clear for two years now, and finally I judged that it was safe to start a packet of delphinium seeds this spring. But first I had some repair work to do:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MU4tjgHQlH7GfyGoA39yJ2_WJG_w8m4Oqu0xrjAWWJoQ9qC01-5qRGcuhjm1m_oYX9doRhHuR5PYgcAFQ3w_dHF-kt4E2vn8eclFyhK2pK1jisF-dnfaumzFh0XIvVFyHlGSrbe_peQ/s1600/frontborder-20019-4-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MU4tjgHQlH7GfyGoA39yJ2_WJG_w8m4Oqu0xrjAWWJoQ9qC01-5qRGcuhjm1m_oYX9doRhHuR5PYgcAFQ3w_dHF-kt4E2vn8eclFyhK2pK1jisF-dnfaumzFh0XIvVFyHlGSrbe_peQ/s640/frontborder-20019-4-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had so much snow this past winter that we had to call a neighbor with a snow plow to clear our driveway several times. He must have backed into the edge of the border and I needed to fix it before I could plant anything here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz0mE-zFP36eSGneSXTCkmyZ_9lD4O42p3iAXJV8aV3yV6Z50ERo2XBzIx6txyhvzE3XfbHvLIepM5hrDTbaps1AemTI1TwuPlBQBbqZsfa5cJ6MMNnn3NKs2yzAzV7iodgKRlz32pws/s1600/frontborder-20019-4-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz0mE-zFP36eSGneSXTCkmyZ_9lD4O42p3iAXJV8aV3yV6Z50ERo2XBzIx6txyhvzE3XfbHvLIepM5hrDTbaps1AemTI1TwuPlBQBbqZsfa5cJ6MMNnn3NKs2yzAzV7iodgKRlz32pws/s640/frontborder-20019-4-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the edging restored to an orderly state, I planted the delphinium seedlings under white metal mesh baskets that I found at the dollar store for $1 apiece. I planted a couple seedlings <i>not</i> under baskets and they went MIA by the next morning.... Grrr. Rabbits!</td></tr>
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I also planted three Veronica 'Royal Candles' there, as I think they will look nice with the spikes of blue delphiniums. I really hope that I will be able to enjoy delphiniums again, as I really miss their impressive display. I hope to be able to remove the baskets when the plants get a bit larger (and when there is more for rabbits to eat elsewhere -- delphiniums are listed as deer- and rabbit-resistant plants, but perhaps the tiny seedlings are irresistible).</div>
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<h4>
New Bench Area in Paradise Garden</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczYQ3K3cxjeq3UMDa2j0pr8vZ51sxuENclfr5Tg7Hl1lJJfOyAdb94JCEWmF9vKmtgsBzx6isU-pvGLi8gjTxUidDQ_NUOfT07qo4Mpn-USzQ78bfQ3JD6uofntLJh6VRqxM2zaaH5oo/s1600/snow-2019-3-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczYQ3K3cxjeq3UMDa2j0pr8vZ51sxuENclfr5Tg7Hl1lJJfOyAdb94JCEWmF9vKmtgsBzx6isU-pvGLi8gjTxUidDQ_NUOfT07qo4Mpn-USzQ78bfQ3JD6uofntLJh6VRqxM2zaaH5oo/s640/snow-2019-3-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Stairway to Nowhere" could be seen at right, back in March.</td></tr>
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In my last post, I discussed how last month I removed the stairs that had formerly led to my front porch before we had it enclosed into a sunroom two years ago. I wanted to put a bench in that sunny, south-facing location, for enjoying the garden on sunny, cool days.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI8L2q4496evBvGwPstIOCgOhSovwqj4e5D8FlcqtcN-ONLR9olpkeDnbpjoxwAv8pCxHir33DtudS0njvZWCXcvR3l1PBOSeb1zjSCWD7hSQ6AH_yXSc-5NG5EZxF-FXwI6fYl-eMNo/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-4-7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI8L2q4496evBvGwPstIOCgOhSovwqj4e5D8FlcqtcN-ONLR9olpkeDnbpjoxwAv8pCxHir33DtudS0njvZWCXcvR3l1PBOSeb1zjSCWD7hSQ6AH_yXSc-5NG5EZxF-FXwI6fYl-eMNo/s640/paradisegarden-2019-4-7b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I found under the wooden steps: one concrete step that was probably original to my 1924 house. Rather than try to remove such a huge piece of concrete, I decided to cover it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8UwVqVWHEyVQ2RfRYWNG2d2_ualuV3I5Brr_ZpPwT9eQJL8IqIjfYriKgTlDok3RtAXRAuQFkdpetzREHSBeN2OJIAS8iCvisVqY128pxozuFKmszp-vdzYyEfY-ehJAFadkBzbTJVw/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-5-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8UwVqVWHEyVQ2RfRYWNG2d2_ualuV3I5Brr_ZpPwT9eQJL8IqIjfYriKgTlDok3RtAXRAuQFkdpetzREHSBeN2OJIAS8iCvisVqY128pxozuFKmszp-vdzYyEfY-ehJAFadkBzbTJVw/s640/paradisegarden-2019-5-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I filled the area behind the step with gravel, added leveling sand on top, and laid pavers on the sand.</td></tr>
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I still need to have my handyman cut a piece of siding board to match the white pieces above the lattice panels on each side. I might paint the concrete behind the bench too, I haven't decided yet. But it's nice to have a sunny spot to sit in on cooler days -- the bench is much more comfortable than sitting on the decaying steps.</div>
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<h4>
A Few Flowers</h4>
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There have been a few things flowering recently, such as the bulbs I planted last fall in the Paradise Garden. I planted mostly things that had associations with Turkish gardens, such as lily-flowering tulips, hyacinths and narcissus.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Purple Dream' Lily-flowering tulips, mixed hyacinths, grape hyacinths and 'Tete-a-Tete' narcissus made a brilliant display.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsLXfzP0XmIW5Tuj36MO40FVOS9MTPeUZH3Glwdk4QW_bMAbqUQ72lOUT6jq_F0xr_c-o9eDx3unJfgcwwEmN6VpvEI0e1wUJtdnu6Wv88DnAFzHM9ygDYEN6rtAHO4tz4CW5c-guAN8/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-4-25b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1572" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsLXfzP0XmIW5Tuj36MO40FVOS9MTPeUZH3Glwdk4QW_bMAbqUQ72lOUT6jq_F0xr_c-o9eDx3unJfgcwwEmN6VpvEI0e1wUJtdnu6Wv88DnAFzHM9ygDYEN6rtAHO4tz4CW5c-guAN8/s640/paradisegarden-2019-4-25b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Purple Dream' tulips from above, showing their interesting star pattern.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3T92apKoMAz4_kyj7_smJmcFD7m-mXYe5Glrp3gus2VfLPsyrsZmAfpi0QEwK66VPhmk-n249rv7j57FM3Uv6HqV-P1W7wZqAjswKf9bu_PVOn5fqu1TiUW3mdz0j_hPJjEjcpa32To/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-4-25c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3T92apKoMAz4_kyj7_smJmcFD7m-mXYe5Glrp3gus2VfLPsyrsZmAfpi0QEwK66VPhmk-n249rv7j57FM3Uv6HqV-P1W7wZqAjswKf9bu_PVOn5fqu1TiUW3mdz0j_hPJjEjcpa32To/s400/paradisegarden-2019-4-25c.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Woodstock' purple hyacinths with orange wallflowers. Zowie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4117Id1qND79dTIRKHIZcXvaUKq3L5O8cYPs-Q0Y1HcJVECHg4FVF1WSdvpv5ewIbIZyyDuN0h06_XMdbhrTzz2r-OsioWplr2YwQNTCNsVKg8BDUtQAIdCEu49U4LlvguHB3ZbaARw/s1600/paradisegarden-2019-5-9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1590" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4117Id1qND79dTIRKHIZcXvaUKq3L5O8cYPs-Q0Y1HcJVECHg4FVF1WSdvpv5ewIbIZyyDuN0h06_XMdbhrTzz2r-OsioWplr2YwQNTCNsVKg8BDUtQAIdCEu49U4LlvguHB3ZbaARw/s640/paradisegarden-2019-5-9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripey 'Marilyn' lily-flowering tulips. The dianthus on the right edge of the bed mostly survived the winter, but the 12 lavender 'Ellagance Blue' plants that I planted last spring have not made it. Time to dig out my receipts....</td></tr>
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Anyway, I'm finishing a few last improvements, moving plants around before it gets hot and before I leave for 2&1/2 weeks in June -- does the thought of leaving your gardens for such a long stretch make you nervous? It sure makes me feel that way! I probably need to get out more....</div>
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I hope you are enjoying lovely warm days in your gardens, with many flowers to brighten your days and good weather for finishing garden projects. Thanks for reading! -Beth</div>
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Garden Fancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.com8