Holiday Work

Sorry, I haven't been a good garden charm blogger this summer. But do let me tell you what I'm working on. Holiday Front Doors! Doesn't everyone want to decorate your front door for the holidays and winter? I love it. As we grow wiser, we try to put up the Christmas lights before "winter" hits. We usually outline our roof with the classic C9 multi-colored strands. The past few years we put up garland and a wreath from the Boy Scouts. Then I'd dilly-dally with some grapevine & non-breakable ornaments. I throw greens in my window boxes and add some berries, ornaments, etc. Then I'll get out the wooden sleds and add a pot or two of spruce tips and greenery, some lights and a little of this and that.

It's Oct. 21st and the to-do list entails getting the Christmas Lights and outdoor decorations out of the attic. I have a presentation to give the week before Thanksgiving, so I'm ready to start on the display (pictures to come!). Here's what I have on my list for this year:
Big Metal Star
lanterns with chunky candles
basket with big ornaments
birdbath with berries
sleds
ice skates
old snow skies
battery operated candles on inside of window
brass bucket with Styrofoam balls sprayed with faux snow & birch branches

What do you traditionally decorate with outdoors in the winter?

Early June Bloomers- 2009

As I publish this post I wonder what time these perennials will bloom next year. With the cool spring we've had I believe everything is blooming a bit later. What are your thoughts?


Will my neighbors ever get to enjoy the peonies blooming outside? I love to cut them and enjoy them inside.



A rose is a rose... well, just because I'm not sure of the name of this dark pink shrub rose.


Ernest Markham Clematis- I made the mistake of not cutting this clematis back this Spring due to a tiny little bird nest I found in it. Now I've got an overgrown clematis! Hopefully the awesome flower show will be worth it!



Duchess of Edinburgh Clematis


La Bourboule Pinks (Dianthus) Did you know pinks get their name not because they are pink but because of the jagged edge of the flower looks as though it's been cut with a pinking sheers!?


Blue dogbane is an excellent choice for a shrubby, native perennial. It will thrive in full to partial sun, growing up to 3 feet tall. It blooms beautiful light blue flower heads in early summer. It is hardy to Zone 3.

Siberian Iris

Red Maiden Pinks (Dianthus)

2009 Pot Creations

Here are the recipes for my personal pots for 2009. Drummer's Garden Center has a spring make and take in March and then they grow them in their greenhouse until you would like to pick them up. Result- full pots in May!


Here's my personal favorite of the bunch. 3 Bandana Pink Lantana in the middle of the pot with 3 Variegated Setcreasea near the outer edge. I have this on our deck which gets sun all day.

This one has 3 Plaza Black Jack Begonias planted in a circle. I have it in shade, but is supposed to be able to take sun as well!

This pot I have set out on the east patio, it gets lots of morning sun. In the middle is a Magic Pink Canna and around it is Orange Symphone Osteospermum and Royal Velvet Supertunia planted alternately. Will post another picture when the Canna blooms!

Early Blooming Perrenials

The first to bloom in my garden. This year it bloomed around May 5 (a little earlier on the south side of the house). It's a short little Iris named Taurica I believe.

Tulips--- do they count as perennials? They are bulbs... but they come back every year, until they get tired I guess. I was a little disappointed in our daffodils. They maybe bloomed the first year. Suppose I can put some bulb food for them and see if they can put on a show next year?

Reg. Purple Iris


Euphorbia Polychroma


Creeping Phlox (Sherwood Purple)


Blue Flax (Linum)