Bloomin’ Update 27: Let’s Go For A Walk

June 20, 2012June 20, 2012 / Kevin / 32 Comments

I read somewhere – and I apologize to whoever said it because I cannot credit you – it’s a shame that so many gardeners keep their gardens locked up in their backyards. How nice it would be if the garden could be in the front yard for everyone and anyone to enjoy as they walk by.

That was my thought as Joe and I walked around the neighborhood on this first day of summer, strolling by our neighbors’ homes to get a peek and to be inspired by what was blooming. This is what we found.

To start the walk, we had to pass our Lace Cap Hydrangea. The flowers remind me of speckled Easter eggs.

This would be a close-up of the “lace” in the Lace Cap.

Across the street, we spotted a small bouquet of Dianthus.

Just up the street, another neighbor had Daylilies blooming everywhere.

Another neighbor had cluster upon cluster of Roses spilling over a rock retaining wall.

I couldn’t resist a closer look at the ruffled petals.

This Daylily seemed to scream, “Look into my eye.” So I did.

Around the corner, there were beds of Astilbe in full bloom.

Up close, the pink clouds reminded me of cotton candy.

Around another corner, we discovered a bed of Yarrow growing around a curbside mailbox.

Imagine our surprise when we spotted a bed of Cactus — in flower — a few houses away. The owner, Helen, came running out and offered us a clipping, and then showed us the rest of her front yard garden. We made a promise to return again for a tour of the backyard — a new neighborly friend.

When we returned home, there was time to stop and smell the Lavender.

Happy Summer!

Bloomin’ Update 26: You’re Making Me Blush

June 6, 2012June 22, 2012 / Kevin / 24 Comments

It’s difficult for me to say at which point that I most enjoy Hydrangeas. Is it when they’re at their peak bloom time? Or as they fade into their antique colors? Or, perhaps, it’s now — when the first blush of color touches each petal?

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Bloomin’ Update 25: A Weekend To Remember

May 27, 2012May 31, 2012 / Kevin / 29 Comments

Welcome to the holiday weekend. For many, it’s a time for sales and sand, barbecues and beaches. For me, it’s a time of marathon gardening. I still have so many plants that have to get into the ground — and I’m never quite sure how I end up in this position each year. I try to pace myself, but inevitably, I fall behind.

So, here is my whirlwind.

First, there is the issue of the May curse — better known as Oak pollen. It assaults me as soon as I step outside. When the wind blows, it looks like it’s raining worms — and when enough of it gathers on the ground, it looks like tumbleweeds. Actually, I’m okay with pollen when it’s on the ground. It’s when it’s in the air, in my throat, and in my eyes that I have an issue that requires a tissue. Ahhhhchooooo!

Then the Liriope needs a haircut. Last year’s growth is a little worn from the winter, but emerging in the nest are fresh green spears. With my grandmother’s scissors, which are small enough to maneuver so I don’t cut the new growth, I snip a little here and snip a little there.

Voila!

Time to plant the Dahlias. If you have Dahlias that will grow tall enough to require staking, here’s a quick tip. Plant the stake at the same time that you plant the Dahlia. This will prevent any accidental spearing of the Dahlia tuber if you place the stake later on in the season.

Joe calls me to the front yard. We have a robin’s nest in the tree, and there is a clear view of the three hatchlings. So I pulled out a ladder, climbed up, and snapped a few photos — all the while staying alert for any adult robins that might attack me. I’m a little jumpy when it comes to birds since my head has been targeted three times. But the baby robins are cute, and we are both hoping that they survive.

At last, it’s time to take a look at the reds . . .

Rose.

Gerbera Daisy.

the whites . . .

Peony.

Rhodendron.

and the blues . . .

Spiderwort.

Dive in.

and to remember that this holiday isn’t about sales and sand, barbecues and beaches, nor plantings and pollen.

Happy Memorial Day.

Bloomin’ Update 24: May Day And Night

May 19, 2012May 23, 2012 / Kevin / 26 Comments

May days are a wonder in the garden. It seems that each day there is something else budding, blooming, or fading away.

A few posts ago, I featured the gradual blooming of the first peony.

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Bloomin’ Update 23: Peony Power

May 9, 2012May 13, 2012 / Kevin / 38 Comments

Call me a geek, but when I look at a peony, I can’t help but think that I’m watching the garden equivalent of the Big Bang. It’s stellar. It’s creation. It’s a miracle.

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Bloomin’ Update 22: Making Love To The Camera

April 29, 2012May 5, 2012 / Kevin / 32 Comments

There are days when I no longer feel like a gardener. There are days when I feel more like a fashion photographer, coordinating colors, waiting for the perfect light, and soothing the tender egos. As I take out the camera, they’re on — strutting and seductive as they all aim to get the cover of Vogue or Elle or Better Homes and Gardens.

“Yes. That’s the shot.”

Bleeding Heart

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I Canna Believe It’s You!

April 21, 2012April 26, 2012 / Kevin / 18 Comments

Once the Elephant Ears were cleaned and planted, it was time to turn my attention to Canna. Like their large-leaved companions, Canna are also over-wintered in brown paper bags filled with peat moss and then stored in the cement bunker at a steady, cool temperature. (One year, I stored them in the garage, which was too cold and too moist. The result was a smelly, mushy mess.)

For this demonstration, I’ll use my absolute most favorite Canna, “Black Knight.” The leaves are big and bold and bronzy red, with hot red blooms. And the rhizomes, well, they’re meaty. That’s right. Meaty.

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Bloomin’ Update 20: Bulbalicious!

March 28, 2012 / Kevin / 36 Comments

The other day when I pulled into the driveway and stepped from my car, I was overcome by the sweet perfume scent of Hyacinths. It’s a smell that I call intoxicating. In fact, I’ve referred to this scent as intoxicating so often and for so many years that it has become a sort of running joke between myself and Joe.

“Can you smell that?” I begin. “It’s . . . “

“I know, I know,” answers Joe. “It’s intoxicating.”

Now I’m thinking of breaking out of predictability with a new description for Hyacinth — and I’m going with Bulbalicious. I figure if the vernacular can work for Beyonce, why not Hyacinth?

While Hyacinth may be the headliner on the Spring stage, we mustn’t overlook the supporting bloomers. Afterall, we all know what happened to Diana Ross & the Supremes. Besides, these back-up harmonizers are all Bulbalicious in their own right.

Tulip — a little shy now, but emerging slowly.

What’s her name again? I’m not sure what to call this dainty flower, but she’s reliable.

Watch out for Muscari. With a name like that, she’s the vixen of the bunch, and she just might push Hyacinth out of the spotlight. In fact, I believe she’s exploring a film role as a tree in a Dr. Seuss movie.

At this time of year, I have all the drama and diva attitudes I can handle right in the garden. What’s that I hear? “And I am telling you, I’m not going. . . You’re gonna love me . . .”

Bulbalicious all the way.

Spring, “The Secret Garden,” and You

March 21, 2012March 24, 2012 / Kevin / 25 Comments

I cannot think of a better way to celebrate spring than with a visit to The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic piece of children’s literature about a willful girl, pain and loss, and the healing power of gardening. By the way, do not be turned off by the “children’s literature” label — it’s a story that knows no age.

I must admit that although this book was first published in 1911, I never got around to reading it – and that was a huge mistake. Yes, I am familiar with the various film interpretations, but I never treated myself to the beauty of Burnett’s written words.

My second mistake was downloading the free Kindle version. With each “page,” I found myself nodding along as Burnett captured in language all of my thoughts about gardening. And with each nod, I craved an illustration. Fortunately, the strength of the prose allowed me to paint the images in my mind.

Before The Secret Garden was published in book format, it ran as a serial – sort of like posts on a blog. To correct my mistakes, I would like to invite Frances Hodgson Burnett to be today’s guest blogger via a few spring-like passages.

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