These long bloomers are growing in my garden and I’ve been absolutely thrilled with their performance. Some are old, some are new, some unexpected, and even some blue. With the exception of one, all of the following pictures are representative of what’s blooming in my garden this Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day. Ahhh, there’s nothing like long-blooming perennials - a little dead heading is all that’s required to keep them looking good (well a little water and sunshine help too).

Shasta Daisies - They’re getting a little long in the tooth, but are still standing tall and putting on a show in the garden. Out of three, this is the last one in bloom. I can’t remember ever having Shasta Daisies last as long as they have this year. Could it be all the rain and humidity? I thought they preferred dry heat.

White Spiderwort - I trimmed them back several weeks ago and they’re blooming again. The purple ones were trimmed later than the white so they haven’t started up again yet. I imagine that when September 15 rolls around they’ll be included in that GBBD post.

Mourning Widow Cranesbill - This was a new addition for the area by the new dry creek bed. For the longest time I thought perhaps it wasn’t getting enough sun and wasn’t going to bloom. The foliage has been lovely all along and now finally I’ve been treated to flowers as well.

‘Jackie in Yellow’ Mullein - I bought this mullein for its color - it reminded me of the yellow foxglove I had at my previous home. A search earlier this summer for a yellow foxglove proved fruitless and the mullein was a sort of booby prize. What a prize it has turned out to be. Since planting it has bloomed non-stop.

Anise Hysopp- According to my mom, this was supposed to be a Bee Balm. Must have been a little plant label switcheroo. Obviously it’s not exactly what she expected, but we’ll hang onto it anyway. Maybe the Bee Balm will happen next year.

Royal Candles Speedwell - Plant labels can get mixed up, however even when labeled correctly, the pictures on plant labels can be a little misleading. When I purchased this speedwell it wasn’t blooming. I bought it because I liked the color in the picture on the tag. Now that it is blooming, I can see that it’s a whole lot more blue than purple. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Although this isn’t really a bloomer, I couldn’t help but include a shot of the porcelain vine. I love its mottled leaves and they way it seems to creep up on me. One day there’s a few straggly shoots and the next thing I know it’s taken over the garden obelisk! This is one plant where the name is misleading. Mine is not in the least bit fragile.

Any thoughts on how many of the bloomers will still be around next month?

I know that the 2008 gardening season is not over yet, but I thought I’d do a quick round up of my favourite additions to date. Is it actually possible to have a garden without adding new plants each year?

The majority of perennial additions landed in the new gardens along the dry creek bed:

Heuchera ‘Strike It Rich Gold’ - As soon as I saw this plant at the garden center I was drawn to its lime green leaves with their deep burgundy-red center veins. For some reason the veining isn’t as apparent now as it was earlier in the season, but the bright color of the foliage still captures my attention whenever I walk past this part of the yard.

‘Jackie in Yellow’ Mullein - I didn’t intentionally set out to buy this flowering plant - originally, I was looking for a yellow foxglove. When I couldn’t find the foxglove I purchased this instead. I have absolutely no regrets! From the moment it went into the ground it has bloomed profusely and continuously. This perennial, sporting creamy yellow flowers with deep mauve/burgundy centers, looks fabulous next to the Heuchera pictured above.

Mourning Widow Cranesbill - A rather somber name for such a beautiful plant, don’t you think? It seemed quite slow to bloom, but sure enough it has started. Even without the flowers I’ve really enjoyed the interesting colors of its leaves. There’s certainly something to be said for choosing plants based on foliage alone. I consider the blooms on this perennial to be a bonus.

Hmmmm, only three favs up to this point in the summer. A trip to the garden center is definitely in order.

I won’t bore you with any of those typical end of season comments like “I can’t believe it’s August already.” or redundant questions such as “Where has the summer gone?” No, I prefer to get right to the heart of the matter and simply say, “Hey, I’m not done gardening yet!!!”

It’s August 13 and I’m only now getting around to edging my flower beds. Sad, but true, time has really gotten away on me this year. I’m not feeling guilty over items not crossed off a list because I never managed to make a list. Pathetic! What I am feeling is pressure to get something, anything done. That dry creek bed I started in the spring - not finished yet. My big plans for the farm - still a work in progress. I could give a long rambling account of where my head has been the past few months, but does anyone really want to hear my tales of woe - not likely. Suffice it to say that ridiculous ongoing personal matters have kept me from being able to concentrate and/or apply myself to the extent that I would like. I had a phone conversation last night with the cause of my headaches and if things turn out the way I was told they would, then life might just be able to get back to some semblance of normalcy. (I’m not holding my breath.) At this point I can only say that I will do my absolute best to get some work done. And that includes blogging about it. With any luck (not holding my breath, but my fingers are crossed) over the next two weeks this blog will include new posts on completed projects.

1. Snip back annuals to rejuvenate them.
2. Fertilize perennials August 30.
3. Remove old raspberry canes.
4. Bring potted rosemary plants inside before August 30.
5. Dry herbs and flowers.
6. Deadhead flowers and collect seeds.
7. Divide and re-plant iris.
8. Plant new trees and shrubs; stake and water well.
9. Continue weeding, watering, feeding of flower and vegetable gardens.
10. Chart/photograph flower beds and gardens; take notes to assist in planning for next year.

I was working at the farm yesterday. Actually, I’ve worked at the farm a whole bunch of days this summer and I really need to provide an update, but that will have to wait a little longer. What I’d really like to share right now only pertains to yesterday.

It was very hot and sticky in central Ontario. Late in the day, while passing by the pool on the way to the hose for a drink, I heard “cheep……cheep…….cheep”. When I stopped and looked down I saw a little bird sitting on the pool’s solar blanket. He continued to “cheep……cheep…….cheep” as I knelt down for a closer inspection. It was a baby bird and he was stranded. The water level was about eight inches below the pool deck and the solar blanket was approximately six inches away from the pool’s edge. Not sure how he managed to get himself into such a predicament, however I knew that if I didn’t help him, he’d never get out of it. We had a chat while I slowly and carefully reached my hands towards him. I asked him if he wanted a little help. He answered, “cheep”. I told him that I realized it was a hot day, but he really shouldn’t be swimming unsupervised. He responded, “cheep’”. He was quite a social little fellow - every time I said or asked him something, he would take his turn in the conversation.

As gently as possible, I scooped him up in one hand and shielded him from falling with the other. He didn’t even flinch. The poor little baby was so tired he put his head down on my hand and closed his eyes. What an amazing feeling holding a wild creature so small and helpless in the palm of my hand! Call me crazy, but I just had to get my camera and take a couple pictures before letting him go.

As each shot was taken and my camera beeped, he would let out a little “cheep”. I found what I hoped was a safe spot for him under a tree and away from the pool. I didn’t want to take him too far away as I figured his mommy would be looking for him.

It was so hard to walk away and leave him alone. I was at the farm again today, but I didn’t have the nerve to go look for him. I can’t help wondering if I did the right thing. Left alone, he surely would have drowned in the pool. Taking him out of the pool probably only delayed his demise. On the ground he’d be an easy target. My mushy, optimistic side would like to believe that his mommy did find him and that he’s okay. I’m really much better off not knowing.

As much as I appreciate her and try to respect her, sometimes Mother Nature sucks.

You know it’s been a good day in the garden when you come inside at the end of it and your feet look like this:

Not hard to tell that I garden in my flip-flops. No comments about my ugly toes please.

Gotta go - it’s shower time!

Hey, I’m actually on time for a change! Today is the 15th of the month and I have a post all ready for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day. Will wonders never cease?!

Typically, by this time of the summer things in the yard and garden are drying up. The grass would be changing from its lush green of early summer to a dull brown - crackling and crunching with every step taken on it. The foliage on the bleeding hearts would be an embarrassing shade of yellow, calling out to be cut back. Not so this year - all is still green and lovely. Allow me to take you on a photographic tour of our yard and gardens in July.
continue reading "July In The Garden - Photo Tour"

The past week has been a full one! Mom came home for the week, Connor attended a day camp in Stratford, Ontario for four out of five days, Mom and I painted the front porch, and the three of us planted more grass seed.

Connor’s day camp was actually only two hours each morning. It’s a 40 minute drive to Stratford, so while Connor was enjoying his time at ‘camp’, Mom and I would stick around for some adventures of our own. Keep reading for the details of our adventures and to see photos of a few of Stratford’s amazing gardens.

Most well-known for its Shakespearean Festival and other live theatre venues, Stratford is also a city of beautiful architecture and stunning gardens. Although official tours are offered, Mom and I chose to take small impromptu and unofficial tours, both on and off the beaten paths.
continue reading "Stratford Day Camp & Garden Tours"

1. Weed/feed lawn; leave grass a little longer for more vigorous growth.
2. Spray to prevent mildew and black spot.
3. Weed out old strawberries and fertilize (10-10-10).
4. Plant successive crops to fill in gaps from early harvest.
5. Cut back bulb foliage at ground level.
6. Water container plants daily and fertilize at half-strength weekly (alternate 15-30-15 and 8-24-12).
7. Deadhead annuals and perennials; pinch off growing tips of annuals to thicken plants.
   continue reading "Gardener’s To Do List - July"

Have I mentioned that my parents are trailer trash? No? Must’ve been an oversight. My parents are trailer trash. Whew, glad I got that off my chest! What I mean by trailer trash is that my mom and dad live in their fifth wheel trailer for most of the year. For the past few years they’ve spent winters in Florida and summers in Wiarton, Ontario. In the fall, between gigs, they come home to roost for about four weeks. Same thing happens in the spring. They drive back from Florida and hang out with Connor and I for about four to eight weeks until their summer camp opens for the season. The house we live in belongs to them, but Connor and I stay here all year and take care of things. Good thing for my parents - they have a home base, and a very good thing for Connor and I - we needed a place to go two years ago after a divorce. Even though the house isn’t mine, the gardens pretty much are. I do occasionally ask before making drastic changes, but mom is very generous and has given me free reign. So what does a die-hard gardener like my mom do when she’s almost never home? Container gardening of course!

Each summer she plants up containers with herbs and annuals to set out on her deck at the trailer.

Any perennial items that can handle the shade are stuck under a cedar hedge in the fall and left to winter over until the following spring when they are once again called to duty - filling containers for another summer. Some perennials have remained under the hedge.

Sweet Woodruff, Lamb’s Ears, Oregano

Purple Perennial Violet

Even before becoming trailer trash my mom planted beautiful containers. The color combinations were always stunning - one year it would be blues, another whites. The various pots would fill up and overflow in all the right places. My attempts at container gardening are a little less exciting. I have some planted, but they lack my mom’s special touch. I’m much better with solid ground, really!

Yes, these are mine - pardon the mess.

As for trailer trash gardening in Florida…she’s just starting to dig in down there. I fully expect to see pictures this winter of some spectacular southern plantings from down there as well.