It's a Hen's & Chicks kinda Morning

Another beautiful morning. So I needed to do something. Yesterday I weeded a couple of beds that were lost in space...Sooooo.

Took a stroll out to the garage to take recycles this morning  and forgot all about this little Wrought Iron Heart Plant Stand sitting on the side. I have had this forever, again from a Flea Market or something. I use to have violets in the four holes but didn't work out inside. I have this area coming out from the basement that gets Morning Shade and half of the bed gets Afternoon Sun. So in this bed is "Ferns, Hosta, Jap. Iris, Bleeding Hearts, Sedums in front and even Gooseneck loosestrife (invasive). So I wanted to Kick it up a Notch. Here is the BEFORE photo  in MORNING.

I also had some little wrought iron fencing that wasn't working somewhere else so I moved it here around that gosh ugly concrete pad that never got used for purposes we won't mention. It's a honey-do kinda project. Not anymore. Anyway I have Hens & Chicks from my Dad's House that needed to split up. So I made up some clay pots of these dressed them with gravel and blue glass shards from a broken Garden Globe that you know who broke with flying debris from tractor. I couldn't throw it away. I knew it would be handy some day.

Here is the Little Stand with the potted 'Sempervivum-Hardy mix' I will put them in the greenhouse to overwinter. I have shared these plants with everybody I know my father would have loved that.

So anyway, I pondered, I moved fence, I gathered, I planted, And now I'm happy with this little area. You can't see the concrete pad too much and that's what I wanted. I didn't want to take away from the 'Standard Hosta' and that HUGE 3ft sedum. This is the picture at 12:00 o'clock today with the Sun moving in. Finished Project.

Thanks for stopping by today I hope you enjoyed seeing my little project as much as I had fun making it. Have a Marvelous Garden Day and I'll be visiting your blog too. Joyce

Planting, Pulling, Weeding, Choping and Clicking the Garden.

You haven't seen this garden  because it's been hidden under weeds!!! This is part of the front garden coming down our driveway. Today we are having  an overcast morning so I took advantage and finally got my big butt in there and cleaned it out  It was still hotter then two H's but no SUN . There are big clumps of 'Heuchuera-Purple Palace and other Coral Bells in there with big stepping stones a white azalea and a 'Varigated Yucca' I got from a friend that was being hidden by tall grass in the lower part of the bed. The Upper part of this garden has sedums, peonies, daylilies, Miscanthus, Canna lilies, Iries and other stuff.  I took out 3 not so happy 'Ostrich Ferns' and moved them under the window by the garden shed, they will bounce back nicely.  My beautiful Japanese Maple had a hard go this winter as the top split right in the middle from the weight of  3ft. of snow-ugh. We planted this maple tree when my daughter graduated from High School on her way to college. It is now 13 yrs. old and still standing tall. I was scared I would lose the tree because of the damage but she has bounced back nicely.  You might notice the top is a little bare with exposed limbs but I don't care it gives her character. So I pulled are the grass and I trimmed up the bottom of the tree. I know some people gasp when you tell them you prune your Jap. Maple. I don't prune, I trim :)

And this picture is the extension of the front area leading up the the Sun room. This area has taking alot of different changes. I'm still not happy with it!  I might take out the tall 'Liatris' and the 'Toadlilies' and move them into another bed somewhere and just put in some low growing stuff so you can see the hedges I've trimmed to look like bonsai. I forgot I had 'Speedwell' in there and the 'Creeping Sedum' needs it's own area so you can see the beautiful purple color. And there's a 'Helleborus' behind the Cooper bees and a there's a couple of resurrection lilies that come up in August in the mix.

And the Clicking  part of the garden is  me walking around taking pictures of other stuff  I'd like to show ya! Today the "Eastern Tiger Swallowtail" and the "Hummingbird" were battling over the hummingbird feeder. While the Zebra Swallowtail was just enjoying the flowers.

And here is a Volunteer 'Hollyhock' that I left to grow so next year I think I should get the flower stalks.  I had these in this area and last year I decided to pull them all out because of rust. And this year I purchased 3 Foxgloves to put in the garden so I guess this year they will grow leaves and next year I'll get blooms hopefully.

And the other picture is the "Book Gnome" sitting next to a 'Agapanthus' plant that has never bloomed. I need to read up on these. It's been there for 2yrs. now. I might dig up and put in a nice pot and then overwinter in the greenhouse.

So with all that said and done I'll be leaving. I hope you have a blessed day and Happy Gardening .......Joyce

A New Climbing Rose for Me and My trellis, and of course Garden blah, blah, blah.

Oh smack! Yesterday I went to the Local Nursery (Homestead Gardens) and used what little bit of (Myrtle Money) I had earned, only $27 big ones, it was a bad year of buying things, but it worked out for me. This was a whim purchase, but I've been needing a climber rose for my trellis. This fragrant pretty rose  is called "White Dawn" and it grows 12' to 14'ft. So this should cover my trellis nicely. And I'm going to incorporate a 'Purple Clematis' to intertwine with the rose and maybe some morning glories. I think this will be pretty. Purple and White, Oh, I can just see it now. I know this isn't the best time to be buying plants with the extreme heat we have been getting but I will take care of this after I plant it!

Here is my rose in bloom. They aren't big but they smell nice. The only thing I hate about Roses are the THORNS, man I hate those things. But I guess you can't be a gardener without experiencing the pain along with the beauty. I guess like "Beauty and the Beast" the thorns that is.

This is my new Hosta "JUNE". She was only 5.99 and it rounded off my need to purchase yesterday. They had a humongous one in a Gallon container but I settled for this little one. And this little guy actually has two in the pot. I am not a instant gratification gardener because I can't afford it. But my rewards come later after watching it come back every year even bigger then the year before. I adore Hostas. I saw a beautiful one there I was going to buy but it was 22.99 (I will go back and purchase this one when I get some cash :)  and I really came for the rose. I had to stay focused, whew I did pretty good only leaving with what I came to get and sticking to the plan. That's hard for me  to do.  I have Adult ADD :)

Here are a few other things going on in and around the garden today. It's overcast so I weeded some and took a few pics. of stuff.  This is Dicentra x. something. I call it 'Dutchman's Breeches' This is a great plant. I brought this plant with me when we moved and planted her in a sheltered area in the bright shade. I adore the Gray/Green Foliage. And the little flowers are Pink/Lavender. And it looks delicate but this one is a real trooper in my garden.It blooms in spring and summer.  She struggled for awhile but has really taken off. Last year I gave her a new neighbor-Ostrich Fern. Here is a photo of the spores, I love Ferns and their spores they are awesome to look at.

And here is just a pretty shot of the Pink eyed Tall Phlox in the side garden. They are so pretty and their presence in the garden are so nice.

And I don't know if you remember but the "HYDRANGEA" has little roots on the stem I buried!!! I couldn't wait I had to look. I won't be cutting this off for some time but I think it's working. Here is a pic. Not a great photo down here in the dark and dirty space under the  bush.I did put it back in the hole. So it should be fine. 

 Oh yeah, here is also a book I've been browsing thru. It's a look-see book, that's what I call it because it filled with lots of Ideas. I love Ideas for the garden.  OK, that's it for now. And I hope I've  kept your interest. So from me to you thanks for visiting and come back often.HAPPY GARDENING!!!

A new Window in the Garden (Shed) and help answer a few questions!

OK, here is the side of my little garden shed that didn't have a window. So I put in a 'Faux' window. I had acquired a few sets of old windows out of a older beach home.( I'm going to make 'Memory Tables' out of them). I had one odd-ball size so I used that.  So I sanded and caulked and painted  it to match my shed. I was going to put a beach scene behind the glass (still might do it) but I was anxious to get it up to see what it would look like. I will be planting big ferns under this window when the rain stops.
My little garden area on this side of the yard is coming together nicely. I still have alot of work . The more I walk around this area the more the ideas pop into my head.  Like MORE PLANTS. And maybe even a small knot garden, who knows what I'll be doing next. I do have alot of time on my hands now that I'm retired. But these things are what I was thinking about having while I was working all those years. And now I can finally put the plan to work. It might take a while and alot of hard work, but I'll do it "One Plant at a Time, One plan at a Time"

 I am a collector of all things but I have been collecting plant seeds for only a year now. That's why I wanted a little greenhouse so I could get a jump on this issue (another day another story). Let me know what you think?

The other day I painted another birdhouse. It is my 'Watermelon' house. Eventually these will go out in this part of the garden. I did a flower one I think last week when  I posted. I have to get some poles and hardware first. Have one more I'm working on, but I've got painters block. #1-The house hasn't told me what it wants to be yet!!! It's shaped like a barn so maybe that's a clue.  Let's see who will come up with an idea for me and my birdhouse. Let me know and I will pick and post after I paint it. Nothing hard I'm an amateur with the brush.

Today while walking in the garden I took pictures of all the different blue butterflies that were feasting on the flowers.

OK, here's question #2- I have a pink 'Crape Mrytle' in my yard that I noticed a couple  of little 'Mrytles'inches away from the big one. Can I dig these up and transplant somewhere now? I don't think they are connected to the mother shrub. Here's a picture:

#3-And one more question for my gardening friends. Who is this bug on my Purple Coneflower??? Is he good or bad. Doesn't he look like he's sporting a 'Tommy Bahama' tropical summer shirt. It's so bright! Ok So I will just leave with a couple pictures of what's blooming in the garden today!! I love Marigolds and this one caught my eye this year. Orange and yellow!!! It seems they are the only flower doing well in my Veggie bed!!!Black-eyed Susan-Maryland State FlowerAnd my last one is showing 'RAIN-DROPS' on my potted Caladiums. I can't help it I love these things. Why did I wait so long to put them in my garden?I want to thank you for stopping by and hope you enjoyed all the things that I do.  I'm so excited that we have had rain now about 3 1/2" my plants are happy and so am I. So Peace Out from me to you. And I hope you are having a marvelous garden day!!!!!

Angels To Watch Over Me

Evening All, I hadn't given this alot of thought before but while walking thru the yard taking pictures I noticed alot of "Angels" (I see a theme) watching over me. These little guys have been here a long time. I don't normally buy cherubs, angels, I do like fairies-who doesn't. I have alot of stuff in my gardens. I like to look at these things as much as my flowers.

The first little guy was half price because he didn't have his original ball to hold in his little hands. But I didn't see a problem with that and snatched him right up out of the 1/2 price area in the garden center. Boy he was a heavy one too.  I gave him a Glass Fishing Float I had laying around , he's been happy ever since. Doesn't know any difference.

My next little angel is a kneeling angel, small and very quiet  watching over my Japanese Maple. This Winter my better half pushed him right off his rock moving snow and broke his little hands. But I'm going to fix him.

And the next one I call the "Pond Angel" he's been with me for about 14 yrs. and has watched over my flower gardens until he got an official title. I put in a small 100 gallon pond a couple of years ago and he's been there ever since, sitting quietly with his little hands folded in front and his legs crossed dangling in the water by the "Rush" and the "Water Iries".

But for the past couple of years I think I need to put a cactus by the pond. Why you say, well I've been losing all my fish lately and don't know who the villain is.

We even went so far as to buy an "Alligator" (Bob) to spit on whoever entered the pond area. But he spit all the time and well, he was shooting water out onto  the ground and I was losing to much water,  so now he just sits and watches thru the "Pickerel Rush".

I  just like to  show everyone some of the things in my gardens that keep me entertained and easy on the eyes. Here are a few plants blooming in the garden right now.  The first is Stachy's 'Hummelo" mountain lambs ears. Cute little lavender flowers and great in the front of the border. I use rocks as plant markers. The next one is: 'Gooseneck Loosestrife" this is invasive for me and I'm constantly pulling the runners. But I like how the flower heads look like geese.

And another thing is easy on the eyes are the 'Playtocodon and the Big Blue Hydrangea'. This is looking out from the sun room/porch. And last the 'Caladiums-Miss Muffet and I forgot the red one :) So I won't keep you any longer. Have a fantastic evening and I'll be back tomorrow with more projects. Peace Out and happy gardening to all...And I hope everyone has a garden angel to watch over them!!

The Ugly Truth About Gardening!!!

Good Morning Sunshine the gardener is still under the weather with Bronchitis-ugh. But now I have real presciption drugs to fight my battle for me.

The Truth I'm talking about is "Weeds" no mater if your out of your garden for one day or 21/2 weeks the weeds are there to greet you when you come back. And mine have grown with leaps and bounds. Didn't realize I had so many weeds. I think I'm pretty good about taking care of these guys when I do a new bed and I even use layers of newspaper and mulch to amend the gardens each year!! I don't like to use chemicals of parts of the gardens because of run-off to the bay and I don't want my animals to get sick. Plus I love the birds and butterflies that visit my gardens.

 With that said, moving on to the garden walk this morning. So many flowers are just busting at the seems and I have alot of shifting all of a sudden. I guess my gardens are coming full circle when it comes to space. So I really need to get out there and dig and move. Usually by this time of year I'm pretty much done moving everything I've wanted. I haven't even put in annuals yet-ugh. If I'm up to shopping for plants I think I might go out this Holiday weekend and catch some sells maybe!!

I did go out and take some pictures of what's blooming this week in the garden. I have a "Mystery Plant" coming back that I guess I put in a couple of years ago when I made  this bed ,but it's never bloomed so I don't know what it is. I know it's not glads. don't put those in. So I'm waiting to see if it will bloom this year. Don't you just love surprises and gifts in your garden, I do!!

 The First Asiatic Lilies are up (yellow) so pretty! The pink and orange/black ones aren't blooming yet.

And while I've been inside sorting seeds and writing in my journal I've managed to plant up a couple of plastic Salad containers of seeds that I punched holes in and now I'll wait to see if I get anything. Here is the pick of one:

I also managed to squeeze out a new card for the Friday nite Card Club here it is---

Have a blessed day and remember amend, amend, amend!!!! Peace Out

The Garderner Is Sick!!!

Oh Goodness what a week without being in the garden. I'm finally feeling a little better so I thought I would get up and walk outside with the dogs to see some green life outside of the bedroom walls. This week I have downed 2 1/2 gallons of Orange Juice, Water, Hot tea, and Some Homemade Chicken Soup. And have lived on Dayquil and Nyquil. In and out of sleep. Oh how I hate laying around doing NOTHING it drives me crazy!!!!!!

I was finally able to walk about without being dizzy today  so went out to see what has bloomed and what I've missed. This week thankfully has been overcast and rainy so I haven't felt so bad being inside! Bless Mother Nature for taking care of my plants while I've been down. Haven't had a cold like this forever. Anyway,

I brought the dogs back in and I went back outside and saved a couple of the peonies from the rain. My friend gave me this really beautiful Pottery Flower Pin Frog(kenzan) so I used it to bring in some flowers from my room to look at. The big white Peony is "Shirley Temple" :) And the little red one I can't remember because it was bought when I was a young gardener and didn't keep track of what I bought. Now I'm kinda "Anal" about saving everything and keeping records of the gardens every year for my own enjoyment.

Yesterday in the mail my new garden flag arrived that Jerry ordered for me, he knows I like a little whisical in the garden. It's a "Fantasia Flamingo Flag" kinda silly but cute.

Here are a couple of photos of some flowers blooming this past week. The rain has beat down the irises and the peonies but still some nice color. The Blue and White Salvia (love this plant it blooms forever) the columbines are blooming and the Yellow Water Iries and the shasta daisies and the coral bells, the blue and the white spiderwort, ferns are going crazy and I know I'm going to have to rescue the hostas in the bed later.

So I'm off to rest a little, don't what to burn myself out on the first day of feeling better. So will have more later to talk about and I just want to say "Hello and Good-bye" to my garden friends and wish everybody peace in their gardens and lives........Peace Out

New Vegtable Garden And More!!

Afternoon All. This weekend I'm out there again taking a little more of the "green stuff" away. I already  have a nice size raised Veggie Bed/Nursery but last year I noticed I needed more room for the squash and other vining plants. So I have made a new bed. And yes as always you always need more space-lol

This new  one is only 8 X 10, Jerry and I measured it out and placed poles so I new where to till the soil. We got "Big Red" out of the big shed and dusted it off and it started on the 2nd try!!! Jerry tilled the first row, but soon discovered his bad elbow and shoulders were taking a beating. So I glady stepped in.  I felt like "Tim Allen" more power. I had a great time (doesn't take much) rototilling the new garden area.

 When I was younger my father always had the best Vegetable gardens in the community and I know he was looking down giving me little tips yesterday :) Plus when I garden I'm always talking and thinking about him. I remember one time when he came over to our house and while  walking around I thought I would never hear him say, "Joyce, everything looks nice"  in his own kinda way but my Father and I had a connection to the gardens and we always talked  gardening that was his passion and now it is and will always be MINE.  Anyway- I got the tilling done and I only had 1 bag of Leaf-gro in the shed left so I threw that in until I can get to the store tomorrow. I swear as I used my "Hoe" I felt like a good Witch brewing up a stew the way the dirt just moved around in the garden. Now all I have to do is finish amending the soil and get a barrier for the deer and rabbits now that I'm on the ground level and then buy plants and I'm good to go!!

Here are a few other things I'd just like to share. Last year I put in a few new plants and wanted to share how they are doing. First off I wanted more spring color and I purchased just one of "Geum-Fireball Avens" (see photo)wow it's beautiful in the garden. Such a presence! A beautiful orange/yellow.

Next for the first time I put in "Allium Gigantica"(see photo) a beautiful magenta/purple globe flower. I'm in love with this one. And will purchase more this fall. Last year I also purchased (7) new hostas and all are doing well!! If you would like the names I will post. Also I just wanted to put a plug in for one of my favorite hostas "Sum and Substance" OMGosh this is a big fricking hosta. Mine is I think 3 or 4 years old and is now in the new hosta bed (See photo!)

Oh yeah, I almost forgot I'm down to (4) fish now!!! I have to put up the fishing line and just haven't, but I better if I want to keep my fish. And my beautiful frog (Herman) is back. (See Photo)

And I recommend  this awesome "TOOL" to help dig holes and break up the clay in some of the beds. I borrowed it from a friend. (See Photo)It is some kind of Auger that fits on the end of a drill. OMGosh, it makes digging a breeze and gardening!!!

So last Friday was a friends Birthday. She loves frogs so I made her a frog card. I had seen this punch idea somewhere on the Net so thanks. I added the inner tube around the frogs neck I couldn't get it around her body:) And we also went to this awesome Restaurant called "Brio" in Annapolis, I so recommend it. I'm still dreaming about my lunch!!! Go! You will return often :)

OK, I'll sign-out for now. And if you like my Blog please don't hesitate to post some comments.

Have a blessed week.. And "Happy Gardening everyone" I know I will. Peace Out!!