A Surprise in the Garden

A while ago we started getting the beginnings of a vine growing next to the front door. We had no idea what it was, and assumed it was a self-seed from bird activities next door (our neighbors have a full-on garden, remember). As with all unknowns, I let it be so that it could show us what it was.



It grew, got blooms, nothing happened. I watched the blooms to see if any of them turned to fruit. They didn't.
Then one day, I noticed that there was a squash-like thing growing under one bloom, and then I noticed another. I kept an eye on those fruits. Once they got a little bigger, it became very clear what this vine is.

Every year, I put pumpkins on the porch. This is from a couple years ago.

Last year we didn't carve the pumpkins,
and yes, one rotted,
on that corner,
and now we have this:


and this


I think it's kinda cute that there are only two.

Since I was outside, I captured some other garden status shots.

Chives blooming.

I spent a couple hours removing weeds at the end of this border.

(In the middle of this shot is Caladium White Christmas. I am very happy with how well this is growing.)

I have plans for this end.


This spot on the corner is ready for planting (looking down from the deck).


On the other side of the deck we have this:

It's mostly a forgotten part of the yard, and seems to be ok with that.
The daisies, ferns, and Buddleia were all there already.
This year I added the Cleome (hassleriana Rose Queen) and Verbena (bonariensis).

A closer look:

Garden - end of August

Wow, I can't believe a month has gone by since I took photos!
Things have not been popping up as often as they did through the spring and early summer. In fact, some things look the same.
I am happy to find that they hibiscus has bloomed for a month! yay!

Here are some photos of the front in its overgrown, weird self seeds kinda way.

Side Garden Cleanup

With my training season winding down, and summer kicking my garden in the butt, I took some time Friday to clean up the side bed.
I just moved down the alley and cut down everything that wasn't grass or sesame plant (the neighbors will harvest those later).

Here are some photos of the alley mess...

And then a few of the cut-down hydrangea and daisies.

Both plants have new shoots, so I hope I didn't do the wrong thing by cutting them now.
As with all things gardening, time will tell...

Garden - End of July Status

The heat does not stop!
I have been gone pretty much every weekend, but one, in June and July.
These things added together mean that my garden looks like it belongs to an abandoned house that had a fire! Things are black, long tendrils of grass are shooting up everywhere, and weeds are moving in.
I don't have a big block of time to dedicate to clean-up until the weekend so I just pull up grass when I notice it.

Here's my action list for cleanup:
1. cut down the hydrangea to about 1' high. I've wanted to cut it back significantly, and since the whole thing is brown and dead looking, I figure this is a good time. There are new shoots on the stems, and I will let them grow from lower down.

2. cut down the sunflowers. They were magnificent! but now they are falling over. I will keep the heads to dry out and see if I can harvest seeds for next year.

3. the amazing buddleia in the back has fallen over. I need to replant it. Will probably do that asap!

4. trim all the dead stuff everywhere!

this is going to produce more than a bag of stuff! Every time I gather up yard waste and put it out for the "yard waste" pick-up, I wish I had space for a compost pile (canister would be too small).

In the meantime...
I got a hibiscus bloom!

Captured in the Act

When we went to South Africa in 2010 for my cousin's wedding, we took some time to travel around the country. While in the Kruger National Park, we got passed by the Google Car. I have been waiting a long time, checking Google periodically to see when those photos would show up.
When I checked on June 14, there they were!

A Visitor to the Garden

(I'm trying, Karin!)

Homage to Sunflowers!

An early bloomer:


As intended, they are peeking above the living room window.




Looking up from outside.


A sunflower forest.

Growing Season of 2012, you confuse me!

Here we are at the end of June and all the fall flowers are blooming. This has been a very strange year, and as we drive around PA, NY, and through all states between here and WI, I wonder about all the farmers. How are they getting crops through this crazy summer?

I don't know what these are called. They have amazing red flowers. After they bloom, they dry out and turn brown. They usually bloom in August, I believe. Here you can see that it is late June, blooming and dying all in one. :-(


The hanging basket.
I took this photo before we went away over the weekend. I knew 100 degrees was coming, and I wanted one last photo before it died.


and the inhabitants of the basket were hungry...


They had fledged by the time we got back.

Sweet peas blooming and dying.


The rose is losing all its leaves, and the second bloom is not as grand as it usually is.

Still Life

I made these a long time ago. I just found them on my computer, and decided to "store" them here. I find them very peaceful.











(that is a beautiful granite, and my favorite backsplash. Too bad you can't move architecture with you)

Garden - mid June

It got hot.

I don't like watching things burn.
I know I have been overwatering, and so I'm trying to avoid wetting everything every night. I need to accept the life-cycle.

So here are some new things - 25 June.
Wildflowers.
I have NO idea what they are!
...but there are 3 different colors right together.
[edited to add... my mom figured it out, they are balsam, a relative of impatiens]


Attempting a closeup:


Front garden with the Liatris.


Liatris, Rudbeckia, Yarrow


Early blooming phlox and the echinacea


Something new... a wildflower?