Patience, Perseverance, Pleasure

The days move forward, the years march on, and children grow up.  I can't put these precious moments into a time capsule, and the clock can never be turned back, but the lesson that gardening teaches is that tomorrow comes again, and each day or season brings the gifts of our past efforts to fruition.  With patience, and love, all the hard work and perseverance of the past turns into the pleasures of the future, and history lives on.

Garden Flashback #1:  The Sun Perennial Border has been tweaked many times, with different plants being swapped in/out, and the 1st photo is a bland sea of green.  Fast-forward three years, and the color, texture and contrast of the border is a big step ahead.  The border has now been expanded to allow for 3 full rows of plants, and the chartreuse Sedum 'Angelina' makes all the difference in the world.

July 2010

May 2013

Garden Flashback #2:  The Mailbox Garden was planted 2 years ago to replace a weedy neglected section of the garden, and to take advantage of the limited amount of sunny spots on our property.  I wanted butterflies and a joyful trip to check the mail each day, and definitely I got that with this new garden addition.  The bare earth has flourished.

April 2011

May 2013

As I walk through my garden, I'm coming to terms with the fact that my garden is maturing, and that the days of thrilling shopping adventures at local Nurseries may be coming to a close.  I am running out of space, the garden will be all growed up at some point in the not-so-distant future.  Alas, when one chapter ends, a new chapter can then begin.  It just may be time to start another garden, and somehow a seed has been planted in my head, and I'm exploring the possibility of purchasing a vacation getaway (with land) in the rural Shenandoah Valley.  Oh what I could do, to start anew...

Tulip Time? Hello Spring!

It has been a slow climb towards the arrival of Spring this year, with unusually cold chilly days here in the Mid-Atlantic, however the side benefit of this miserly weather is that the bloom period of my Tulips have been extended. The garden looks as good as ever, and I am especially delighted to see the Candytuft "White Purity" doing so stunningly well, smothered in snow white blooms. As the garden matures, I am now in assessment mode, watching and judging and tinkering, assuring that everything fits together and sings to my soul like a great symphony. I am as passionate about gardening as ever, and it's a thrill to kick-off the 2013 Garden Season.

 

Tricks and Treats

My October garden is as much of a pleasure as my May garden, namely thanks to the amazing Sedum 'Autumn Joy' which adds so much pizzazz to the Sun Perennial Border at the front of our property. The cranberry red color mirrors the crimson foliage of the Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood', and it's a true statement plant. The chartreuse Sedum 'Angelina' also makes quite an impact, serving as edging for the border while contributing vibrancy and breaking up all the green-ness. What would an October Garden be without Sedums? They are such a treat.

Today I took corrective action and re-designed the Front Entry Border. The Astilbes (mixed) and Geranium 'Biokovo' have now all been transplanted from the sunny right side to the shadier left, and in their place I have planted Japanese Anemone 'September Charm' (5), 'Pamina' (3) and Verbena which can take a lot of sun. I added 5 Creeping Jenny to ring the root of the tree, and then directly front-center I've planted a patch of pansies and will add some Tulips in-between. On the trellis next to the garage, I've now planted Clematis 'Henryi' and Clematis 'Miss Bateman'. I think the trick to dealing with this tricky garden spot, is to forget about symmetry. It will be a real treat if this installation is my final and permanent solution to the sunny/shady conundrum I have faced in the past.

As I close-out the gardening season, it's always a nice treat to put out some seasonal displays, and these containers work like a charm to put a smile on my face

Brilliant Blooms of May

Definition of SUPERB : marked to the highest degree by grandeur, excellence, brilliance, or competence

My garden hit peak bloom about a week ago, the perennials and shrubs metamorphosing into a blooming machine, and I am savoring every moment that I am present to behold the magnificent glory of Spring. This year marks the fourth season in which I have gardened on this property, and I am truly reaping the rewards of all the metaphorical seeds that I have sown. The borders are lush and full and diverse, and my plantings are now well-established and thriving.

I had the great fortune of inheriting a very lovely collection of Trees & Shrubs when we bought our home, and the Kousa Dogwood looks especially spectacular this time of year. It is covered with blooms of the purest white.

While the Dianthus 'Bath's Pink' have now faded, this side of the border will ratchet up soon with the blooms of Lavender and the trio of David Austin 'Harlow Carr' roses that I planted behind the Pinks.

My son enjoys romping about in the garden, and he's growing into a wonderful little helper. He has quite the imagination too, and I love to watch him get lost in play.

The Butterfly Garden is especially favored by my son, and by me too. I started this bed from a barren patch of grass just one year ago, and as I watch it flourishing with every passing month, I feel a flush of joy that I now have this happy stretch of Sun Perennials to greet me each day, upon my arrival to my home.

Spring 2012 New Designs

As winter sets in, I am dreaming up grand new plans for my 2012 Garden. I will expand the Sun Perennial Border at the face of my house, to allow for 3 full rows of shrubs/perennials/annuals, and I will incorporate more plants that will create 3-season interest and a long bloom season.

Back Row: Satsuki Azaleas, Rose 'Harlow Carr', Itea 'Little Henry'
Middle Row: Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Lavender 'Munstead', Euphorbia 'Blackbird'
Front Row: Zinna Pinwheel 'Raspberry Lemondade', Garden Mums, Dianthus 'Baths Pink'


On the opposite end of this border, I will also widen it by about a foot and add a few additional plants.

Mid-Back: Baptisia Australis
Front: Fountain Grass 'Hameln'
Front Edging (left): Centaurea "Gold Bullion"



It will all be so AMAZING!!

Autumn Glory

Today was another wonderfully sweet Autumn weekend, and I went apple-picking with my family at Stribling Orchard which was quite the fun adventure. Upon arriving home, we all headed back outside and spent the afternoon puttering around the deck and working on yard projects, and I managed to do a walk-around the property to take some snapshots of the garden in its Fall Glory.

Front Entry Garden
The Japanese Maple is now blazing red, and I've set up a Fall Harvest Scene in front. The Sedum 'Autumn Joy' has now turned brick red, perfectly complementing the Maple.





Sun Perennial Border
Last year, I planted Garden Mums as annuals, but they overwintered so well that I went ahead and kept them, and now this year they've come back bigger and badder than I could have expected. I wish I had more sunny spots in my garden for more Mums.




Kousa Dogwood
The bright orange leaves of the Kousa make a real impact, and this is one of the most high performing trees in my garden. I adore this tree.



Rock Garden
The Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' has officially been in my garden for one year. It was a perfect addition and the leaves are coloring up nicely, and I couldn't be more pleased with this all-star understory tree.



Assorted Woodland
The trees at the back of my property are lit up with color, and the birdhouse that my husband built fits in so perfectly among this backdrop. The Redbud 'Forest Pansy' trio is golden yellow now, and a favorite shrub of mine, Bottlebrush Buckeye is also aglow with golden leaves.




I am so grateful to be the caretaker of this great garden, and I look forward to watching it continue to grow and thrive and flourish.

What's In Bloom?

All across the U.S.A., gardeners are rejoicing at the beauty of JUNE BLOOMS. To catch a peak of at least 150 gardens for this month's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, go check out Carol's blog "May Dream Gardens"! In my own garden there are sun-perennials blooming, as well as hydrangeas and a few roses, and I love how fresh everything is looking.

Front Entry Container
This container was planted up in late-April with Cordyline Australis 'Red Star', Marguerite Daisy, and Mandevilla Dipladenia. After shearing the daisies in May, they've just pushed out a fresh crop of new blooms.


Daylily
I wish these were the re-blooming type of Daylily, but alas I enjoy them when I can, and they add so much cheer to the entry garden.


Lavender
This fragrant herb is a hit with the bees, and I'm so happy I chose to plant it.


Astilbe 'Maggie Daley'
I am very impressed with this lovely magenta-hued Astilbe, it is a true knock-out and so richly pigmented.


Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
A great blooming shrub for shade, I am wowed with how long the cut flowers last in a vase. However I am not pleased with the droopiness and all the wilting during the heat of the day. I plan to install Peony hoops to give these two a lift.



Rose 'Sunsprite'
This is a new addition that I recently found at the grocery store, and it is being grown in a Container on the Deck. The fragrance is really spectacular.


Asiatic Lily 'Vermeer'
This is a gorgeous lily, the pink-white color really pops.


Mailbox Butterfly Garden
Considering there was nothing here at all just three months ago, I am completely thrilled with my new Butterfly Garden. It has filled in so well and looks great! The color theme has now transitioned from being predominately purple (Clematis, Irises, Salvia), to mostly white and yellow (Yarrow, Daylilies, Shasta Daisies and Zinnia).