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Father’s Day 16 June 2024

Gardening is my sanctuary. It is a harbor in the storm. It is work and it is time consuming but the rewards are great. If a plant displeases me, I have learned to discard it. If I like a plant, I can nurture it.

It is the verge of summer and it is Father’s Day. It is US Open weekend. It is a weekend that carries great meaning. It cannot be ignored and it must be honored and respected.

I have 6 photos to share. Tomorrow, I will post this blog while I join the Six on Saturday group. Gardeners from around the world will be posting their 6 photos from this week.

This cultivar of Hypericum has a delicate beautiful bloom. I like the leaf color. This is the first bloom since transplant last year.

The rose is in its second blooming cycle of the year. The knockouts do well here and there is no problem with blackspot.

The Miss Huff is a large and almost shrub size lantana. It loves the heat of summer.

This Rudbeckia is the lone survivor of 6 that I planted last spring but it is in such good for this year.

The Stoke’s Aster loves the part shade area in which it is located. It is reseeding or colonizing so it has spread since its introduction a few years ago.

The limelight hydrangea is a paniculata which does well in sunnier locations. It is white and it is becoming increasingly popular in this area.

Hope you are getting plenty of garden time. Happy Father’s Day to fathers and to those who have played the role of father’s.

Happy Gardening!

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Middle June 2024

The summer garden is well established now. The work of the spring is bearing fruit. I am especially glad that we laid a thick layer of pine bark mulch because the weeding is easily managed.

The Shasta Daisies are following the purple coneflowers. The black eyed Susans are just beginning to open buds as are the Stoke’s asters. The pollinators are out in force especially the native bees and the bumble bees. I did see a Hackberry emperor today.

As usual, I will be submitting my blog post tomorrow with the Six on Saturday group. Come look and see photos of gardens from around the world. Our host is Jim Stephens and here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Submit your own. Just follow the instructions from this site.

The chaste tree is in full bloom now. The tree or shrub really is now near full size and the purple flower panicles are magnificent.

The purple coneflower native is really attracting the pollinators. You can just see the bumble bee in the flower on the right. I will not deadhead these flowers as they really attract the gold finches in the fall. Sorry that this bloom looks moth eaten since the abundant blooms on this plant are perfect. I wanted to capture the bee.

The Rudbeckia is in full bloom. I lost about half over the winter but the survivors are really putting out. I have been able to grow these from seed.

The crocosmia is really showing out near the pond. I have been able to control it here. It tends to spread rapidly with few blooms in other locations.

The Shasta Daisies began to come out this week and they are very beautiful with that “sunny side up” look.

Two young ladies entered the garden carrying a round plastic container. When they opened it, inside was a bumble bee amongst some plastic flowers. Three weeks ago, they had found this bee on their deck and it could not fly. They decided to nurture it with small amounts of honey and came up with the idea of the container to keep it in recognizable surroundings. They take the bee to flowering gardens in the area and allow the bee to enjoy the flowers.

I forgot to ask if they named it. I’ll call her “Buzz”.

I hope you are having weather that allows you to be outdoors.

Happy Gardening!!

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June, June

I always remember June as the month that school ended. It seems we had a longer school year than in these modern times and we often went to school until the end of June. My mother called June, the wedding month. This also seems like a more gentle time.

The garden is in full form now. This past week after a significant rain and the warm temperatures seems to have grown noticeably. The spring flowers are gone and the daffodil stems are brown and string like.

I have harvested the last of my onions and most of my potatoes. Yesterday, I planted more bean and pea seeds. Fingers crossed for them. Green tomatoes are on the vine and pepper plants are in the ground.

Tomorrow is Saturday. It is time for Six on Saturday. Come take a peek at gardener who gather to share 6 photos from this weeks garden. Come join us and share some of your own. The instuctions are included on the link. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

The calendula is new to my garden. It seems quite content in my new raised bed with afternoon sun. It will definitely be a return visitor.

The hydrangea may be a serrata but I don’t remember. It is a lovely color. It is 5 years old and it was a gift. It has not bloomed until this year.

The Tradescantia sp is know as Purple Heart. It loves the heat and thrives. It disappears after first frost only to reliably return.

The coreopsis is in the “Uptick” series. It is a gorgeous perennial and blooms very well in afternoon part shade.

The Snapdragon is in the “Madame Butterfly” series. It is tall stemmed and the white really stands out.

The caladium is “Spring Fling”. I keep Caladium bulbs in containers on the path toward the shadiest part of my garden. I could remove the bulbs in fall and keep them dry and cool until the following year. I am not that disciplined. Instead, I would rather by new ones of different cultivars.

That is my photos for this week. Happy Gardening!!

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Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend is the official summer kickoff long weekend. The Indy 500 will provide the big televised drama. It is the busiest travel weekend, so I am glad to say I will be off the highways and avoiding the airports.

It is consistently hot every day now and the nights are warm. The plants are loving it. We could use some rain but that will be the refrain until summer’s end.

I have some hydrangea photos today from Aldridge Gardens nearby. The garden features hydrangeas and a visit there this week was spectacular. I also have a photo from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens show a special agave plant.

I will be joining the Six on Saturday group tomorrow morning. Gardeners from around the world will be posting 6 photos from their garden. Come join us. Post 6 of your own and become a fellow SOS participant. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

Here are two of the photos from Aldridge Gardens. The lace cap is a Hydrangea macrophylla with a spectacular blue/violet coloring.

The Snowflake is a patented hydrangea. Notice the double blooms. It was found in a backyard in an adjoining suburb. No other native plant is known to exist. Cuttings were taken for propagation. By accident, the cuttings were discarded by a worker. Fortunately, the error was discovered and the cuttings were retrieved in time. One survived and is the parent.

I volunteer at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens every week. I have something unusual for you today. This is an Agave americana sometimes known as the century plant. The tall stalk you see is the flowering stalk which is almost 25 feet high. The plant flowers every 10 to 30 years and then it dies. It leaves little “pup” plants nearby which can be transplanted and will grow.

The lily on the left is a Lilium regale or Royal lily. I planted the bulbs last year so this is the first blooming and it looks great.

The fruit on the right is a Japanese persimmon (Diaspyros kaki). I obtained it 7 years ago in a gallon sized container. It grew slowly for several years but made a big leap last year. It dropped all the buds last year but it is motoring on this year.

My last photo is a regular visitor, Bandit, the raccoon. I surprised him rooting around under my camellias and he quickly climbed into a nearby Southern magnolia. He was not completely scared away since he sat and stared at me for several minutes while I captured his picture. He is a brute.

I wish you a safe weekend if you are in America and traveling this weekend. To all my fellow horticulture devotees, Happy Gardening!

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Middle of May

The garden continues to progress. The spring flowers like the daffodils and pansies are now wilted as the temperatures rise. The summer bloomers like hydrangeas, daylilies and sunflowers are beginning their reign.

The days continue to lengthen and the nights are definitely warmer. As the soil warms, more shoots are emerging. I have planted my caladium bulbs and they are out of the ground. As they emerge, the two varieties Candide and Spring Fling are unfurling.

I am submitting my blog to the Six on Saturday crowd tomorrow. Come have a look and enjoy gardens from around the world. Follow the rules and share 6 of your own photos. The weblink is https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Jim Stephens is the host.

Here is my 6 for this week.

The Calla lilies are just beginning to emerge. This is the second year for them and they are handsome.

The daylily is an old favorite. It is at the edge of a small woodland and receives afternoon sun.

The pink woodsorrell is a visitor to my yard and I do not discourage it. It is dainty and seems to mind its manners.

The hydrangea is blooming this year after several years of absence. It blooms on “old wood” so any cold snaps during the winter may ruin the blooming. We had favorable conditions this past winter.

The sunflower is a dwarf that inhabits a new small bed that I built this spring. It has a nice collection of “mates” to share the space. It receives afternoon sun and seems quite “sunny”.

The glad is unnamed but it is a royal looking color. It is standing straight up with a dozen of its regal companions.

I wish you pleasant weather and Happy Gardening!

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Mother’s Day Week

Here in the American South, May often brings hot and sunny weather. We have blue skies and hot weather. We have had well spaced rainfall and yesterday we had a heavy rain. The plants love it. Forturnately, with the pine bark mulch that I spread in my garden, I do not have much of a weed problem.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. I don’t have roses to show you but I am beginning to have plenty of flowers.

Every Saturday, I share my blog with the Six on Saturday crowd. This is a group of gardeners sharing 6 photos of the day/week. It is great fun. Come and have a look. If you would like, share 6 of your own. You are welcome to participate.

Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Jim Stephens is the host.

The Appleblossum geranium is a carryover from last year. I started them from seed and was able to protect them in the greenhouse over the winter.

The astilbe is now several years old and is in good form this year. I have lost the name of the selection but it is a delicate beauty.

The oak leaf (Hydrangea quercifolia) is magnificent this year. I love this shrub. The blooms will remain all summer and gradually become a reddish hue and then golden in the autumn.

The coneflowers began blooming this week. They do reseed around the garden and these delightful specimens are in many locations now. They are such a reliable perennial.

The rose campion (Lychnis sp) is also a reseeder. It is also in many locations this year. I do not deter it.

The last photo is from my raised bed vegetable garden. These sweet yellow onions are nearing maturity. We have been using them regularly in cooking and in salads. I have about two dozen left now.

Wishing you pleasant weather.

Happy Gardening!

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May Is Here

April can be our dangerous month here in the American South. This year that was not the case. May often brings hot and sunny weather. True to form, that is true. We have blue skies and hot weather. The plants love it.

Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Jim Stephens is the host.

Here are my six for this week.

The first plant is a Blephilia which is known as hairy wood mint. It is pagoda style.

I moved the Mock Orange to a morning sun location and I have been rewarded.

The cocotte lily is in a full sun location and it is thriving. Last year, I amended the soil with leaf litter and compost. It is working.

My first dahlia is blooming. It does get tall so I will be cutting this one back soon.

The second is a milkweed (Asclepius tuberose). It is the host plant for the monarch butterfly which overwinters on the Alabama Gulf Coast near Fort Morgan. I am anticipating their arrival.

The last is the poinsettia that I overwintered. It is looking glorious now that it is out in the sun and warm temperatures.

Happy Gardening!

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Joy of Spring and April Showers

The canopy of the trees is full now. Songbirds are in full throat and the woodpeckers are hammering. Many of the perennials are showing signs of blooms now after the daffodils and irises have done their thing.

Today, I have a few vegetables to show you in addition to perennials and a native or two.

The temperatures have been wonderful and the days have been sunny. Where are the April showers? We could use some rain. I have had to use more water than planned for my transplants.

Saturday morning, I will be posting on the Six On Saturday site hosted by Jim Stephens. Come join us to see gardens around the globe. Take 6 photos of your own and let us know what interests you in your garden. The link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk

The salvias are full now. Sorry if the photo looks a little washed out since this was early afternoon light.

This lantana is a perennial and this is its third year. It can grow quite large in the yard so this one is containerized.

I am quite excited by the hydrangea here. Last two years, it was affected by very cold weather during the winter but it was spared this winter. It blooms on last years stems so it can be a hit and miss.

The walking onion patch is quite alive. It is a novelty but it captures my attention.

I have a very healthy small potato patch this year. This variety is “Carola” which is said to be a delicious white. I am looking forward to it.

The last photo is an Alabama native, Viburnum acerifolium. It is new to my yard and is in its first blooming.

Hope your weather is letting you out to enjoy your garden. Happy Gardening,

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The Joy of Spring

The spring continues to bring new beauty every day. The leaf canopy is becoming full and the blooms continue to amaze. The summer perennials are showing signs of buds to thrill us soon.

This week, I visited a friend who has a marvelous garden and I will show you a few photos taken there.

I will be posting tomorrow morning with the Six On Saturday group. It is hosted by Jim Stephens at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. Every Saturday, gardeners from around the world share six photos of the day or six recent photos. Come visit. Post 6 of your own and join us.

From my own garden, here is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. It has its host plant, a tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) just behind my deck. This is the state butterfly of Alabama.

Next is an Itoh type peony “Bartzella”. It is a large magnificent bloom. It has sturdy stems that don’t need staking.

The Jerusalem sage, Phlomis fruticosa is in full bloom and is making quite a statement just at the end of the perennial bed.

The next three are from my friend’s garden. The foam flower is a delicate shade loving perennial. He was generous to share some seedlings with me and I have some now in my shade garden

The cinnamon fern is a favorite of mine. This is in the same family as the Royal fern. This fern has a notable reddish brown fruiting spike.

The Iris were in a dappled shade area near a shallow drainage canal and were very healthy looking.

Our weather continues to be magnificent and so enjoyable.

Happy gardening !

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It’s Masters Week 12 April 2024

The days are longer, the temperatures are rising and the blooms are increasing. The azaleas are beautiful and the grass is greener than green. It must be Master’s Week. It rained heavily yesterday and the wind is till gusting. That clearly means it is Master’s.

Every Saturday, the Six On Saturday group meets online and posts 6 photos taken that day or from the past week. It is cool to see photos of gardens from all over the world. Check it out tomorrow. It is hosted by Jim Stephens. This is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The Peony is unnamed but it is a stunner.

The Piedmont azalea is a native Rhododendron canescens.

The knockout rose is also unnamed but has been reliable for many years now.

Iris pseudocorus is in full bloom now and it is glorious.

Iris tectorum known as the roof iris is also blooming beautifully this week.

The last photo is the bloom of the tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera. This is a tall, up to 60 foot tree with a very straight trunk. The blooms are at the top of the tree and this one must have come down with the gusty winds we have been having this week.

Its time to get back to watching the Masters.

Happy Gardening!!

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And now its April! 5 April 2024

It is the most beautiful spring here in the American South. The green world is advancing rapidly. There is the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers in the morning. The leaves are coming out and the field of vision is shrinking as a result. The summer perennials are stretching before blooming and the blooming shrubs are at full tilt.

The good news is that the shrub damage of 2 years ago from the December 22 deep freeze has been significantly repaired. This is most notable in my azaleas and tea olives. The knockout roses are also magnificent this spring.

Here are some photos for you to see.

The heucherella is a cross between heuchera and tiarella. It shows similarities to each of its parents. This one is called “Stoplight”.

My blueberries are loaded. Soon they will be ready to harvest. I have three bushes which last year yielded 4 liters. Easy to preserve, they just need to be washed and frozen. As you can see, this is a variety known as “Rabbit Eye”.

The rhododendron canescens is a native. It is also know as mountain azalea and Piedmont azalea.

The rhododendron shown here is an azalea. It looks similar to a native but I am not sure. I think it is a variety known as “Aroma”. These are hybrids developed in South Alabama near Mobile. These plants can grow 8 to 10 feet tall.

The roof iris is just beginning to bloom. It is Iris tectorum of the crested iris group. I just call it the white iris.

The rose was originally called Katy Road Pink because that was where it was found in Texas. It was found as a project led by Griffith Buck in the Earthkind group developed by Texas A & M University under his leadership. The rose is now known as Carefree Beauty and what a beauty it is.

Every Saturday morning, a group of world wide gardeners gather online to post 6 photos each from that morning or from the past week. Come join us to take a look or perhaps you would like to join and post 6 of your own. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Happy Gardening!

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Spring Marches On 29 March 2024

Although, we are not completely without frost risk until the 15th of April, the long range 10 day forecast is reassuring that there will be none. I have felt comfortable enough to begin plantings some of the hardier plants like snapdragon, yarrow and cleome. I have uppotted some tomatoes and peppers. They will be planted over the next 10 days.

Last years’ geraniums are trimmed and ready for setting out in containers. I have sunflowers, Mexican hat and zinnias ready to be set into the ground. It is a busy and exiting time.

It is Easter week and soon to be Master’s week, so I have some photos to go along with those themes.

The azaleas are in full bloom. I have some kurume type (coral bells) which are really beautiful and this one is a larger leaf evergreen variety which I am unable to name.

The spiderwort is a native which can be unruly but this grouping has kept by its manners.

The Columbine just began blooming this week alongside its native relative (Aquilegia canadensis).

Every Saturday morning, a group of gardeners from around the world post 6 photos for the week. It is a very interesting experience. Come join us and see for yourselves. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The first two photos are of a Hyacinth orchid which is a terrestrial type of the genus Bletilla. This was a gift to me of several years ago. This spring, I refreshed the soil with a topping of compost and I edged the bed with stone. For this, the reward has been an abundance of beautiful blooms.

The Virginia bluebells (Mertensia Virginia) have also benefitted from the removal of some Southern shield ferns that had invaded the bed.

Finally, I found this little salamander friend as I was working yesterday. He was still a little sluggish and allowed me to get him to pose for this picture.

Happy Gardening!!

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Spring! At last! 22 Mar 2024

How beautiful a start to Spring. The sunny days and ample rain has been making it spectacular. It is such a treat after the dreariness of January and February.

It’s been a very busy week for me. Some potatoes appearing and my onions are large enough to enjoy as scallions. I have planted some verbena, some cosmos and some snapdragons in the perennial bed.

Several container plants have been repotted and this years first crop of propagated seedlings have been potted up.

This Saturday, look for the SixonSaturday group. Gardeners from around the globe will be posting 6 recent favorite photos and showing the best of their gardens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. We are hosted by the capable Jim Stephens.

The Solomon’s seal should be bloom in a few days but the arching stems with the buds are attractive. The grouping is thriving and multiplying.

My three blueberry bushes are off to a great start and are covered in blooms. I can’t wait to be able to harvest some but I do have to keep ahead of the birds and even deer who really enjoy them too.

The Florida anise is a beautiful native shrub which has been thriving in my yard. It does need some attention in the heat of summer with extra water.

The Golden Alexander has reseeded in many locations in the yard much to my pleasure. It is a very elegant native.

The Columbine is in a planter that sits on a block wall. It has reseeded heavily in that location and it is a very agreeable bloomer.

The last photo is a late blooming daffodil. I have lost the name but it is a very pretty bloom.

I hope you have an opportunity to spend some time in your garden. It is a wonderful time of the year.

Happy Gardening!

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The Lion is Weakening 15 March 2024

The vernal equinox is approaching. It is inevitable. In truth, the lion that entered March is wearing. The warming temperatures and spring rains are having their expected effect. The emerging green and increasing blooms are a steadily increasing pleasure.

I have a large choice of photos for this week but I have six to show you. Every Saturday morning, a group posts there 6 photos of the week on the Six on Saturday meme. Come join us. Better yet, post a photo of your own.

Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk hosted by Jim Stephens.

Here are my 6 for this week.

This pink azalea was on my property when we moved here 40 years ago. It has reached for the sun since this is the northeast side of the house. It is magnificent this year.

I think the native iris in the center is Iris virginica.

The dwarf blue iris on the right was one of a group planted last fall.

The tassel fern on the left Polysticum polyblepharum is waking up and doing well.

The Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedantum) is also enjoying the welcome milder weather.

The final photo is Carolina spicebush also known as sweet shrub Calycanthus florida. Its most unusual bloom does have a sweet smell.

I hope you are experiencing now or soon the same explosion of spring growth in your yard.

Happy Gardening!

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March is a Lion 1 March 2024

Growing up, my mother announced the character of March as coming in as a lion or a lamb and going out as the other. It would be interesting to know if this sounds familiar to you. This year, it is a lion here in the American South albeit a small one. It has been breezy and rainy today but spring’s promise does not disappoint.

There are an abundance of blooms to report today. So let’s get on with the show.

If you love spring, come join our group on Saturday morning. There should be an exuberance of offerings. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/page/2/

This is the star for this week. It is the delicate, regal and magnificent Camellia japonica “Sea Foam”. In the last week, the plant has more than a dozen new blooms. It is still a young plant, so I am expecting many more.

There is an abundance of red camellias to report. The only one I can name for you is the “Professor Charles Sargent” which is on the right.

The asparagus fern has awakened from its winter sleep and is sporting a beautiful lime green gown.

The quince which I submitted a week or two ago is now displaying many blooms. I moved this plant last year and seems to prefer the morning sun location where it lives now.

The Kerria or Japanese rose has such a beautiful bloom. It is a leggy plant with long arching stems but the blooms make it stand out.

I am premature in showing you the begonia. It survives in my cold frame. Soon, I will take cuttings and prepare them for planting in window boxes. If it succeeds, this will be the fourth year in a row for this plant.

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow. Jim Stephens does such a good job of hosting us.

Happy Gardening!

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Spring is so close

There has been a dramatic change in the landscape this week. The weather seems little changed but the daffodils have appeared. As a young man growing up in Canada, daffodils were not seen. We had tulips but they appeared in May and June. When I moved to the American South in the 1970’s, I witnessed the magic of daffodils. It reminded me of the Wordsworth poem that I learned in grade school and that I memorized.

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

If you like to garden or if you love spring flowers or if your fancy moves you, come join our group on Saturday morning. Gardeners from around the world come together and share photos of what is happening in their garden. Follow this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/page/2/. Our group is known as Six On Saturday.

There is more appearing in the garden. A little more appears each day. Isn’t it marvelous!

After the dreary after Christmas doldrum, here comes the spring. It is not yet relentless but it is persistent. My mood is so much better.

Happy Gardening friends!

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Mid-Winter 9 Feb 2024

I am settling in after last weeks sunny break in Florida. The weather definitely is warming and I was able to play golf yesterday for the first time in a month. More color is appearing and there are new growth surprises nearly every day.

I have some plants started from seed and I am itching to plant them. Be patient! Planting weather is still at least 6 weeks away.

Every Saturday, a group of gardeners from around the world, get together online to post 6 recent pictures of what is happening in their gardens. Come join us to see the show or better yet join us and post 6 of your own. The weekly event is hosted by Jim Stephens at https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Here are my 6 for the week.

The first is Leatherwood. It is a native shrub. It blooms early before the leaves come out and they are small but beautiful. The shrub may grow to be 6 or 7 feet tall. This plant is about 5 years old and seems quite healthy.

Next, is the first daffodil in my yard or in the Corner Garden. Looking at my notes, this is a week later than last year.

These hellebores are outstanding. They were a gift from a now deceased gardener but I do not know the name. I will enjoy them even though they will likely remain nameless.

My camellia japonicas are just beginning to bloom. This one is an old standby but the cultivar name is lost. These did not bloom last year after the December 2022 deepfreeze. This year there was another deepfreeze in January but fortunately, the blooming has begun.

This second hellebore has delightful color but is also nameless. It has such a beautiful shade of color.

My window box pansies have really broken out this week. This is the majestic series which has done so well for me.

Glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoyed the show. Happy Gardening!

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Mid Winter Break 2 Feb 2024

We treated ourselves to a much needed mid-winter break. We drove into South Florida as far as Naples. The weather has been beautiful. While there, I have taken these photos of a visit to the Naples Botanical Gardens. I am pleased to show them to you and I hope they brighten up any dreary weather you might be now experiencing.

The gardens is located near Naples Bay and so it also features some grassland and some marshy habitat.

On Saturday morning, a diverse group of gardeners from all the world gather online to share gardening photos. Come take a look or join us and participate. All the information is right here at this link. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

The first 2 are natives I found on the edge of the grassland.

The Hairy Beggartick (Bidens pills) showed up so well with its bright white flowers and had numerous native bees around it.

I have seen the sunflower (Helianthus debris) at other locations along the Gulf of Mexico shore. The blooms are large and distinctive from quite a distance.

The Blanket Flower (Gallardia sp) is a native of the Southeastern US but this one is a cultivar. It grows well in Alabama and tolerates heat and drought which makes it a favorite.

The Calendula sp is also very drought and heat tolerant and also does well in Alabama.

There was a beautiful orchid section in the Garden. I was envious to think that these orchids did so well in a shady outdoor area. There were Moth Orchids, Cattleyas and Dendrobiums.

The local garden club had a section they called garden ideas. Here I took the photo of these coleus and impatiens annuals.

Finally, you know that you can’t visit Florida without registering a “gator” sighting. We saw this long fellow in the marshy area lazily moving through the water.

Next week, it will be back to photos from my home garden.

Happy Gardening.

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Winter 19 Jan 2024

It was my birthday yesterday. It seems to never fail that the coldest weather of the year occurs on the week of my celebration. We had temps down to 10 F a few nights ago. It will be in the mid teens Fahrenheit tonight and tomorrow night. Looking around the yard, I do not see any evidence of severe damage unlike a year ago. It is later in the winter season and the plants have slowed down. I hope this is true.

It is bright and sunny today and I spent some time in general clean up duties around the yard. There were fallen small branches and some blown leaves to tidy up. I took some photos of things that caught my eye to show you.

Regularly, on Saturday morning, I post to the Six on Saturday group hosted by Jim Stephens. Come see what gardens from all corners of the world are doing to keep busy and brighten their corner of the globe. The link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

This holly has a good crop of berries which the birds can enjoy in a well lit sheltered spot. This is Ilex but species unknown.

The Echinacea purpurea is still retaining some seeds. I leave the seedheads on in the fall for the goldfinces, chickadees and others that come to get some energy.

I took this photo because of the interesting frost line that formed on one cold morning. This is the north side of my house and the line reveals the shadow from the roofline of my house.

The Hydrangea quercifolia produces such interesting colors and shapes during the winter.

The camellia still managed one last bloom before the heavy frost of a few days ago.

I had to show you this Euphorbia. I had it as a house plant but I moved it outdoors in the warm weather. It is in the cold frame now but producing these beautiful blooms.

Hope you enjoyed the tour. January is passing and it is time to begin starting some seeds. Maybe I will have some to show you next week.

Happy gardening!!

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Winter 12 January 2024

The garden continues to mostly hibernate. Closer looks reveal some early appearance of early spring bloomers. It is still difficult to find photos for the blog.

The upper reaches of the USA are experiencing a wintery blast. This will be enough that it will probably make the newscasts of Europe and the rest of the globe. We here in the Deep South will experience some snow next week and one night when the temps will be low enough to threaten less hardy plants. I will do my best to protect the plants I am overwintering. Their protection is best called a cold frame and is not a climate controlled greenhouse.

Here are my six for this week. If you want to see more, come join the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. Our host is Jim Stephens and the link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The poinsettia has a serious bloom on it now. I have kept it now for three years.

The Hellebore should bloom soon. It is the traditional white (H. orientalist). Fortunately, it produces plenty of little seedlings which I have transplanted to other shady spots. I have no problems with snails and slugs.

The anemone is a new one for me. It is in a “moon garden” just at the front door.

I am showing you the little shed where I keep my less hardy ferns. The doors of the shed are well sealed and if I keep a light or two on, the ferns will survive.

The pansy will survive the cold which is coming next week especially if I cover the pansies with some leaves or pine straw.

The last photos are of my seed starter. I bought, for modest cost, the stainless steel cart and hung the uv lights. I bought a timer so that I can vary the light as needed. It works great. Here you can see the Cleome that is already of a reasonable size. It will be ready for spring.

I hope we don’t have serious damage to my tea olives (Osmanthus) and Camellias with the coming cold week.

Happy Gardening!

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Winter 5 January 2024

I am back posting this week after a short hiatus. It is the New Year and the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Tomorrow is Epiphany.

I am still trying to get over the block of remembering that it is 2024. It will remain odd for awhile. That I am sure.

There seems to be little happening in the garden but a deeper look provides some surprises. I went out to take photos and there is more happening than meets the casual eye.

There is a group of gardeners from far and wide who post on Saturday mornings. If you are curious about the ingenuity of this group of gardeners come join us and see. The website is hosted by Jim Stephens at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

Here are my photos.

These two Camellia japonicas are showing signs they will bloom soon. The tea olive is blooming which it does regularly after a rain or after a warming spell. It is one of four that I have which sustained significant frost damage one year ago. There are significant signs of joyous recovery if we do not have a repeat of that weather.

The autumn fern is faring well. It will remain evergreen although the foliage will be more golden than green. The Siebold’s fern is well protected and I expect it to remain green throughout the winter.

The crocosmia is a beginning of a new project. I am going to try them in containers. Left alone in the garden they have been too “thuggish”.

The daffodils are emerging. This little patch has reliably appeared for the 40 years we have lived in this house. They are trumpet type but variety unknown.

Hope you enjoyed my little discoveries.

Happy gardening!!

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Winter Solstice 22 Dec 2023

It is finally here. Even though a snowfall is nonexistent and unlikely, our weather has brought plant growth to a crawl. The sunrise seems so distant and silent. The few birds are also silent but they do come to the feeder.

This is the last post for 2023 but I did find some interesting photos for you.

Come join us tomorrow for our Six on Saturday group hosted by Jim Stephens. The link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The blueberry leaves are a beautiful red and standout in the landscape.

The brown eyed Susans are still putting out some blossoms.

The asparagus fern has tolerated the little frosts that we have had. They will brown up once the frosts are a little deeper but they are hardy.

The holly ferns are evergreen unless we get a very deep frost. Even after last years December deep freeze they were only a little brown at the tips.

The tassel ferns are also hardy and easily remain evergreen if there is just a few degrees of frost.

The Southern shield fern tolerates heat or shade and is still green. It is not as hardy as the other two here but it is far more spreading.

That’s it for 2023. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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The Promise of Late Fall 15 Dec 2023

I have been dreading the dull, wetness of the approaching winter. In fact, this week, I thought that I might take the week off from Six on Saturday. I was better motivated today and I resolved to find some worthy snaps for the blog.

To delight, it was a sunny and pleasant day. There were plenty of photo opportunities and I am including 6 of those that inspired me.

If you are new here, we post on SixOnSaturday. I will give you the link shortly. It is hosted by Jim Stephens and there are always beautiful photos. Take the time to visit. The link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The Columbine has appeared. I think it may be A. canadensis which will be a beautiful pink. In my youth, we called it honeysuckle and we would bite off the little tips for the nectar.

The paper bush has steadily healed all summer from last December’s icy insult and is getting ready for next month’ display. It has a wonderful fragrance and an eye catching architecture.

The fig did not bear fruit last summer. This new sprout is making me hope for a crop of figs. If not for me, perhaps the birds and squirrels can enjoy some.

Camellia japonica “Prof Charles Sargent “

The japonica is showing signs of recovery from the disastrous cold of last December. This camellia has been in the garden since 1980.

The osmanthus is also slowly recovering. I have pruned it gently all summer and fall removing the twigs that are dried out. It shows evidence of new growth and I am optimistic for its future.

The hardy mum is a new transplant which I featured a few weeks ago. I am reposting it today because of its little pollinator visitor with the comical name. I came across this on iNaturalist and I am pleased to share it.

I cannot say that I will post next week but I do send you Greetings and Hope for a Joyful New Year.

Happy Gardening.

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Late Fall Colors 8 Dec 2023

The weather is mild enough that blooms continue to appear. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees but there is plenty of color in the shrubs. The garden tasks still are mainly trimming perennial stalks, raking leaves and other general clean up duties.

I still have colorful photos to show you. If you are interested come join us tomorrow morning for #Six on Saturday. This is able hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link if you need it. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

So, come along as we tour the garden.

These large hickory nuts are shellback I believe. They are golf ball size and they do cause some pain if it falls on you while you are in the yard.

The azalea leaves had such an usual bronze color. I had to photo this and I want you to notice the bloom bud beginning to form.

The oak leaf hydrangea has such a wonderful late fall display which will continue throughout the winter.

This garden nymph is how I feel about garden problems. Inexperienced but thoughtful.

The obedient plant seems to be on the final rung of blooms. The seed pods are still attracting birds.

The roof lily has been a complete surprise with this late bloom. It is certainly a pleasure to see.

We expect some rain this weekend. That should bring down the majority of the leaves. We have no frost in the forecast so I may have more blooms to show you next week.

Until then, Happy Gardening!!

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Winter is Approaching 1 Dec 2023

The calendar turned over to December and Christmas is approaching. Things are very slow moving in the garden. I searched for photo worthy plants today and I had a lot of success.

Here in the American South we don’t expect snow or deep freeze temperatures. We may have a light frost every week or two but it is still a good time of year to plant trees, shrubs and even some perennials if we are forecast to have above freezing weather for a week or 10 days. We can do that because the ground temperature will remain above freezing and plant roots will be undamaged.

Here is my six for this week. Perhaps, you would like to join our group tomorrow. It is Six on Saturday which is hosted by Jim Stephens. It is a group of gardeners from around the world posting 6 photos for the week. If you enjoy gardening, come visit. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

I keep the begonia ready to return to the cold frame if the temperatures dip. In the spring, I will take cuttings to propagate new plants and use them to fill my window boxes until the next fall. This has successfully worked with this begonia cultivar and pelargonium/geraniums for 3 years now.

The succulent is perhaps a “panda”. It tolerates some light frost. It is near the front door and I can move it in if there are very cool nights.

The larkspur is a perennial that I purchased recently and it will be planted in the garden come spring. At the moment, it resides on the front stoop where it is protected from wind and heavy rain.

The pansy is a frequent selection for fall planting in our region. They do not like temps above 80F but they will tolerate a moderate frost. I do like their cheery faces. I have grown some from seed in the past but it is so much easier to choose from the many varieties at the local nursery. These populate my window boxes until it’s time to replace them with the dragon wing begonias in the spring.

The dogwood has such lovely leaf color and seed pod. This photo captures it for you. The dogwoods are disappearing from our landscape. They have been devastated by a dogwood borer.

I was gifted the cleome seeds back in the spring. The seeds did not germinate for me in the pots that I had filled with potting soil. I didn’t give up on them and they began appearing 2 weeks ago. I potted them up today. I will keep them under grow lights until they are large enough to take them outdoors. They will remain in the pots until spring planting with protection in the cold frame if there is freezing temps.

So, there is still a lot happening in the garden.

Happy gardening!!

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Fall Colors Continue 17 Nov 2023

Thanks for dropping by again. I still have some blooms to show you. Next week is Thanksgiving in the US and there will not be a post.

Visit our SixonSaturday group in the morning. Gardeners from around the world will post 6 shots from this week. It is always wonderful to see the variety and the color.

The beautiful fall weather is continuing. We are forecast for rain Monday of next week and we had some this past week. This is definitely needed and has prolonged the blooming plants.

Here are my six for this week.

The geranium which is really a Pelargonium sp began blooming when the fall temperatures arrived. It is listed as an annual but I have been successful with this type keeping them in my cold frame. It is a subtle color but very refreshing looking.

This mum was acquired in September and soon after planting the 3 that I purchased the tops were eaten by the local deer. I don’t think they liked the taste since they have not returned to finish eating the rest of the plant. This past week I saw that one of them had begun blooming. It is a beauty. It is tall and not prostrate like the other mums I have.

The camellia sasanqua (cultivar unknown) is blooming spectularly. It was hard hit by the hard freeze from last December but it seems to have recovered very nicely.

This is another Pelargonium that I have successfully overwintered in the cold frame. This is its 3rd season. I have used stem cuttings to propagate several of these in terra cotta containers. They seem to really like that.

This is the third year for the Poinsettia that I originally bought from a nursery for the holidays. They seem to thrive in the heat of the summer. I keep them out of the direct sun. In September, I put them in deeper shade and now I see the red bracts.

The tall ginger lily (Hedychium sp) bloomed this month. It has a pleasant fragrance. This is a second season for these which I acquired from a friend. It is beside a fountain and must benefit from the occasional splash and higher humidity.

Thank you again for stopping by.

Happy gardening!!

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The Colors of Late Fall 3 Nov 2023

It may be November and there may have been a touch of frost but the autumn colors are persisting. The usual late autumn and fall rains have not yet arrived. In fact, you could describe a lot of leaf foliage as crispy.

I helped harvest some fall vegetables for a friend and I was out at the Corner Garden this morning. I was surprised by how many blooms that I saw.

Come visit with me as we explore what I saw. If you are interested, come join the group of gardeners from around the world who post on Saturday mornings under the meme #SixonSaturday. Our host is Jim Stephens and you can find the link here https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

By the way, Junior is unavailable this morning as I took the photos. It seems his curiosity is leading him to seek for some of the other creatures that inhabit the yard.

The sweet potato harvest was poor this year. The drought affected the growth and my friend was unable to water as much as usual. The voles were active and I am not showing the other half of the crop damaged by them. You did know that the sweet potato is a member of the morning glory family so this is really a blooming plant.

The Rudbeckia has not given up blooming. Rosette formation is progressing nicely so I suspect most of these perennials will persist into next year.

Callicarpa americana continues to display the purple berries. The birds do not seem to like them much. I am told that Northern cardinal and Towhees will eat them.

I have misplaced the name of the Camellia cultivar. It is just beginning to bloom and is a delightful shape and color.

Here is the Hydrangea producing its fall and winter glory.

The paper bush is an architecturally unique shrub. The arching branches are so noticeable in the winter. It is now putting out its central flower buds which will open in January with their golden throats.

I hope you find that to be peaceful. The fall coolness is refreshing, isn’t it!

Happy Gardening!!

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Fall Color Continues 27 Oct 2023

Halloween is just a few days away and the color of that season is orange. It is visible in the neighborhood in great abundance. To me, that is not the most attractive color of autumn. I prefer the yellows, golds and reds. There are still some blooms in the garden but the most spectacular item this week is the autumn leaf color.

We are in a dry spell but that is our usual October condition. I have been doing some watering but mostly for those plants in their first year.

Come and let us visit my garden and let’s enjoy the beautiful colors. If you would like, come back tomorrow and visit the Six on Saturday gang. It is hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Gardeners from around the world from Finland to New Zealand post photos from their gardens. It is a great experience.

Here is my six for this week.

The first leaf color is from the PawPaw (Asimina triloba). No fruit from this native this year but it is less than 5 years old.

The Japanese persimmon (Fuyu) is also but 5 years old. It started out with many fruit this spring but dropped them all. I am hopeful.

The third is Cerca canadensis (Red bud). It is notable for the small pink blooms in early spring but it is less appreciated for the golden, cordate leaves of the fall.

The hardy mums are beautiful this fall. They are slowly creeping outward since being planted 3 years ago. They really put on a good show.

This is the knockout rose. This Rosa “Knockout” has bloomed continuously since late February after pruning. It has more flower power than any other plant in the garden.

This gulf fritillary is enjoying the nectar from the lantana “Miss Huff”. This plant is shrub sized and has bloomed continuously since mid Spring. It will die back after frost but returns more vigorous than ever in the spring.

One last thing before I go, I want to introduce you to “Junior”. He is feral but he seems to enjoy my company as long as I remain at a safe distance. He is being well fed by feline fanciers in the neighborhood. He patrols my yard and so far, he has not been observed having any of the homicidal behavior for which his like have been accused.

Happy Gardening!!

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Fall Color 19 Oct 2023

The color of summer bloomers has definitely faded. The garden is being cleared of spent summer plants. Plans are being made for next year’s plantings.

The good news is that there is still abundant fall color to replace it.

Come join me as we stroll through the garden and survey the fall scenes.

The sunflower is either maximiliani or augustifolius. Whichever it is, it is magnificent this year. The stems are over 6 feet tall. I have been told to chop them back in midsummer next year which will promote branching and more abundant flowering.

The goldenrod is adjacent to the sunflower as you can see and this native has also been very prolific this year.

These two plants have been rejuvenated with relief from the summer heat. The heucherella does well in a container and the Turk’s cap has tall stems that “flop” but can be easily supported. I added in the fruit of the Turk’s cap because it is so colorful.

I am flagrantly breaking the rules and including these three other photos. The Salvia is such a tough plant. It keeps blooming througout the summer and it is putting on a good show this fall. I recently purchased another variety with white blooms.

I added the other two succulents which are winter hardy for us here in Zone 8A. They are also rejuvenated by the milder autumn temps. I have added the names but I stand to be corrected if anyone is more expert than me in the correct nomenclature.

Thank you for joining me as we surveyed the garden. It is a pleasure to share it with you. If you like, you might enjoy coming to join our Six on Saturday group. We are a group of gardeners from around the world who share on the site hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

In the meantime, Happy Gardening!

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Fall 13 October 2023

Fall color is now dominating the landscape. Beautiful yellows, golds and reds are enhanced by the softer light of the fall sun. We had rain yesterday which was welcome.

There are no new blooming plants to show you but I have selected some plants that usually are in the background.

Let’s take a stroll and let me show you what I had in mind to show you.

The heuchera is doing very well in a container in my Shade Garden. It was a little slow to respond this spring but it is stepping out in the fall weather.

The Siebold’s fern is unusual and mysterious looking. It lurks near the back step which leads into the Shade Garden.

The Holly fern is a new addition. Its name suggests it is related to spiders. It doesn’t suggest that to me. I like the glossy finish and yellow spine of the leaves.

The brown eyed Susan has been a wonderful addition to the yard. It is drought tolerant and thrives in full sun and part shade. It is one of the few producing new blooms.

The dahlia is the same. It is still producing a few blooms and seems quite happy.

I found the ragweed in my yard and at first I did not recognize it. It grows well at the same time as golden rod. It is abundant this year and if you are a hay fever sufferer, it is a real aggravation. I was surprised when I researched it to find its misleading scientific name.

It was a treat to find these photos for you. I hope you enjoyed them.

If you like browsing gardens, come join us tomorrow as fellow gardeners post their photos online. It is called Six on Saturday. This can be found at this site which is hosted by Jim Stephens.

https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy Gardening!!

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Fall 6 Oct 2023

Yes, fall Colors continue to attract our attention. In many ways, fall is second only to Spring for floral attractiveness here in Central Alabama.

Take a stroll with me through the yard and let’s see what catches our eye.

Here are my six for this week. Come and enjoy the delights of the fall garden.

The Cashmere Bouquet plant has a very fetching bloom. Native to China, it is a tall plant with dark green foliage. It favors part shade. It can be thuggish but I have confined it to a woodland edge and not my perennial bed. I may eventually grow it in a container.

The Autumn fern is beginning to take on its bronze fall hue. I like this fern because it will tolerate a part sun location unlike other ferns here in the South. I have been able to adapt it to several locations both shade and part sun. In addition, it does quite well in a shallow container.

The dahlia patch is continuing to bloom. These are tall plants which I have had to stake. This is in a small rock garden set against an oak leaf hydrangea.

Late boneset is also known as Late Flowering Thoroughwort. It is a native here and is now quite noticeable along the easement near my yard. It is striking mixed among the emerging Goldenrod. The bees seem to love it.

The hearts a bursting is Euonymous americanus. It is also known as Strawberry plant. This native shrub does have these most unusual seed heads. This is the fourth season for this shrub in a shaded location with some afternoon sun.

The oak leaf hydrangea graces us with 4 season of attraction. Here in the fall we get to enjoy the reddening leaves and the coppery flower pannicles. It is in a part sun location along side a walkway into the backyard.

Six on Saturday is a group that shares gardening photos every week. It is hosted by Jim Stephens. Come join us to see gardens from all around the world. Perhaps you would also like to share your photos. Check out the requirements for posting. Here is the link. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

Happy gardening!

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Fall is Here 29 Sept 2023

The thrill of the garden all summer has been the appearance of colorful flowers ever growing larger and brighter. The buzz of insects and the erratic flight of butterflies was the other most notable experience.

Now the summer colors are less vibrant. The sounds of insects are less noticeable. Different colors and hues are appearing.

The air is clear. The days are shortening and the calendar confirms it is now Fall. It is time to look for other features that signal this change.

Come lets stroll along the garden paths and glimpse the change for ourselves.

The goldenrod began to bloom this week. The tall waving stems of solidago are streaking the green with yellow stripes. The allergen laden ragweed must be closely.

The Brown eyed Susan began to bloom this month. The bright yellow is the main color of the garden.

The Holly Fern is beginning to have a tint of yellow.

I noticed this Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum sp) which is now much more evident as its neighbor’s become less gaudy.

The croton is beginning to take on its golden hue. You can still notice the silver underlay which flashes as the wind blows.

The dogwood is flashing red now and you can just see the appearance of the seed. Alas, this native small tree which is a stunning herald of the coming of spring with its abundant white blossoms is in danger of extinction. The primary cause is the dogwood blight.

Thanks for joining me on my stroll. The end of summer and its flashy color is being replaced by the quieter but welcome appearance of the subtler shades of fall.

Join us for SixonSaturday hosted by Jim Stephens. Link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk

Happy gardening!

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Fall 22 Sept 2023

The cool air this morning was so refreshing. I was able to work in the garden this morning without fatigue or perspiration.

There are fall blooming plants which are off to a good start and there are still some summer bloomers to enjoy. The pollinators have been very busy. The days continue to shorten of course but the sky is so blue because of the lower humidity.

So come for a garden stroll and see what delights we can find.

The spider lily (Lycoris radiate) is only visible in the fall. Once it blooms, the foliage persists for a short while and then it disappears again until next fall.

The Rudbeckia seems to be having a rejuvenation. This grouping are all blooms that are on new growth.

This encore azalea is a 3 time a year bloomer. This is its second blooming this year. The early spring blooming did not occur probably because of the damaging freeze we experienced last December.

The purple coneflower is definitely one of my favorites. It is a native and a reseeded so it thrives in many locations in the garden.

The lantana “Miss Huff” is definitely a pollinator magnet. There were several Gulf Fritillaries and several skippers on it when I was taking the photos.

This Stokes aster is in its first year. This is another native which has spread in the garden. I was able to capture the beautiful blue color in this photo.

Enjoy the fall. I hope you will be able to join us tomorrow for our gardening get together “Six on Saturday” hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Until next week, Happy Gardening!

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The Hint of Fall Continues 15 Sept 2023

The signs are definitely increasing. The leaves have begun to change color and more and more are falling. The temperatures continue to moderate. All the plants seem a little “thinner” somehow.

The fall tasks seem more urgent now. It is time to prune the perennials which was begun today. The compost bin is beginning to fill with items other than grass clippings.

The fall bloomers are becoming more showy and there are buds on the camellias that are swelling.

It has been dry here the last two weeks but a heavy shower is fall in the afternoon as I put this blog together.

So come, lets take a walk in the garden. Don’t mind the rain! It will stop soon. We can shelter under the tree canopy if we are getting too wet.

These plants are definitely in fall mode. The oak leaf hydrangeas are showing the bronze coloration of the panicles. The Rudbeckia after a glorious summer bloom are living up to their name of “Autumn Gold”.

The dianthus are in containers. They have come out of their summer lull and the blooms are increasing.

The dayflower appeared in the yard without an introduction. The blue color attracted my attention and I found with my Seek app that it was a perennial native. I was very pleased to welcome it.

The inland wood oats are a shade tolerant plant which is unusual for grasses. The seed heads are becoming a golden color now. They are very attractive.

The encore azaleas are blooming for the second time now. I apologize for the blur since you cannot appreciate the delicate stamens. This plant is finally coming around from last winter’s bitter cold spell. I am glad to see that.

I will be joining the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. Come join us as Jim Stephens hosts us. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Happy Gardening!!

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English Garden 8 September 2023

Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba

The English Garden in Assiniboine Park was in full bloom when my wife and I visited there on our trip to Winnipeg. The day was gorgeous with warm, sunny weather.

The interesting feature to me was that many plants were the same genus seen in our region in Alabama but of course with different species. Birmingham, Alabama is in Hardiness Zone 8a and Winnipeg is Hardiness Zone 3.

So come walk with us as we stroll through the garden.

The perennials were outstanding.

The castor bean plant is a source of ricin well known as a near toxin. In front of it were four o’clocks.

The dahlias were truly outstanding.

The catalpa has a species in the South known for the worm that feasts upon it. Those worms are prized for fishing.

The ostrich fern is known for the central seed stalk known as a gametophore.

The bright red geraniums were a welcome site at the windiest corner in the world.

The statue of the Lady in the Park was a special honor to those who enjoy the tranquil space of the park.

I hope you take the time to enjoy this treasure.

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Hints of Autumn 8 Sept 2023

The temperatures are forecast for to be a little cooler this week. The days are measurably shorter. The rainfall has declined. These are features to be expected in Alabama this time of year.

It is time to begin some fall chores and think of some spring planning. There are spent plants to remove and some leaves to rake. The dry conditions mean some watering needs to be done.

I have returned from a trip to Canada for a 50 year med school reunion and a visit with family. It was wonderful to reconnect. Time to re-engage with the garden.

So come join me for a little tour of what’s in the garden today. It feels a little cooler. We can sit in the shade if you like and visit as we talk about several of the individual plants. Here are the photos of the week:

The limelight hydrangeas continue to impress with their beautiful panicles of blooms. The bloom color is mostly white but shades of copper are appearing which is striking against the lime green leaves.

The American beauty berry (Callicarpa Americana) has been a reliable garden feature this year. It is now giving that extra show with the purple berries. I have not seen any birds feasting on these yet.

The chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are putting on quite a show. I will be watching them closely and intend to chop the tops off before the seeds spread. That will save a lot of work later.

The sedum is definitely beginning to show its fall bronze.

The obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is quite happy in its location near the fountain. Its royal color blends nicely with the remaining yellows of the Black eyed Susans

The gardenia is slowly recovering this year from the historic cold of last December. I am optimistic. It has a good chance to thrive and become its majestic fragrant self in the years to come.

I will be joining the #SixonSaturday group tomorrow. If you have the chance, swing by and look at around the world gardeners sharing their photos. It can be found at this link, https://gardenruminations.co.uk hosted by Jim Stephens each Saturday morning.

Happy Gardening!!

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Its Labor Day Weekend

I am out of town this week but I took the liberty of taking some photos last week. It has cooled down a little. It is feeling more like fall. It seems that summer has hurried by but that may only been another illusion of mine.

We have had an irrigation problem at the Corner Garden. I will show you a photo that I took illustrating the source.

Come take a stroll with me through the garden. We can sit in the shade whenever you like. I might even be able to provide you with a glass of “sweet tea”. It will be refreshing. If you are able, come join us Saturday morning when Jim Stephens hosts us at this website https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. This will allow you to join the Six on Saturday crowd as we tour gardens throughout the world.

The Stokesia is blooming again. It is feeling the cooler temps that are approaching.

The Blackberry lily continues to produce some beautiful blooms.

The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp) is blooming madly. Less prolific this year but still awe inspiring.

The Gomphrena “strawberry fields” has been outstanding this year.

The Encore Azalea (this one may be “Autumn Royalty” is nicely blooming. This variety has 3 blooming periods a year although this has been this year’s first blooming.

The Limelight hydrangea is in its first year and has been blooming for 3 months now. This cultivar is “Bobo”

I mentioned an irrigation issue and here it is. This is at the Corner Garden and we will need some professional help here. Keep you posted.

Happy Gardening everyone!!

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Fall Approaches 19 August 2023

The days are still hot but the plants are showing signs of fatigue. Most of the blooms are spent and the seedheads are prominent everywhere. Some plants have gone through the yellowing phase and now are approaching the brown phase.

There has been a lack of rain this past week so I have had to do some watering. As you will see, I have run into a problem with the irrigation system that I hope to be able to have fixed soon.

The Ginger Lily is just beginning to show signs of blooming. It is beautiful. It was a gift from another gardener but I do not know the cultivar.

The dahlia is magnificent and is nicely standing out against the rudbeckia in the background.

The Hardy Hibiscus has given some late blooms. It struggled this spring so I am really proud of this one.

The Purple Heart is related to the spiderwort which is a native with blue flowers. This variety spreads easily with a low ground cover like habit. Pink flowers are very striking against the purple stems.

The Obedient Plant is a fall blooming native which is just beginning to bloom. It is also known as false dragonhead of the mint family. It is easy to grow as it is a self seeder.

Picture number 6 is an unexpected problem. I am now trying to get this irrigation leak sorted out. I will let you know next week.

The weather should cool some over the next few weeks and I hope to show you fall bloomers as well as leaf color.

Join us on #SixonSaturday with our host Jim Stephens. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

Until next week, happy gardening!!

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Fall Approaches 11 August 2023

The recent rains and continuing warm temperatures have allowed the garden to keep blossoming. It is lush and full of blooms. Keeping up with the weeds is another story.

Seedheads are becoming more abundant which the birds especially a group of goldfinches seem to be very happy about.

The black-eyed susans are definitely the showstopper again this week. These are a new addition from a local nursery. I misplaced the cultivar name.

The oak leaf Hydrangea quercifolia is beginning to show the bronze coloring of the fall foliage.

The limelight hydrangeas have been magnificent this year. The American beautyberry is just visible to the left. They are fronted by bearded iris and roof iris. The bluebird house was occupied twice this year.

The hardy mums are beginning to bloom. The cultivar is again an unknown.

The lorapetalum had been a 12 foot shrub but it was decimated by the December freeze. The new growth seems healthy so the trunks were cut back to two feet.

This is the other Rudbeckia which has done so well. The “Indian Summer” did suffer from the winter cold and several plants were lost but those which survived have been so beautiful.

Hope to have you join us on Saturday morning for our Six on Saturday group. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy Gardening!

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Summer Heat 4 August 2023

This week, it continued to be hot but today and for the next 7 days at least the forecast is for cloudy conditions with daily rain chances. That will bring some relief. I was even able to get out into the garden this afternoon to begin to catch up on some much needed weeding. The fall catalogs and seed house emails are beginning to entice with offerings for fall and spring. I even have hopes to get a start on a fall garden.

The glorious summer perennials are definitely past their prime. The summer ball is over. Before long, they will be memories.

Here are my six for today. If you are available, check out the Six on Saturday gathering of gardeners from all around the world. It can be found at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. It is hosted by Jim Stephens.

These Black eyed Susans have definitely taken the prize for spectacular this year. Purchased at Barton’s Nursery https://www.facebook.com/bartonsgh/, I am unsure of the cultivar but being perennials, I will be anxiously awaiting their return next year.

The spider plant is a surprise. I had one in a container at the front door and the next year, this one appeared in the flower bed nearby. It is very near the step and derives enough protection there that it has become a permanent resident. This is the first year that I have noticed the blooms.

This liriope caught my eye. They are frequently used by homeowners as an edging plant. The inflorescence is pretty although the plant itself can be a nuisance because it spreads readily.

The blackberry lily grouping were prolific this year. I entered this photo because the seedpods resemble Habanero peppers.

The Prairie coneflower is a native but it is fitting well into my perennial bed amongst the lantana and the lilies. It is past its prime but the seed cones are well loved by the local goldfinches.

The milkweed seed pods certainly resemble okra. These okra bugs certainly love to hand out on them. These pods will soon begin to dry and crack open revealing the seeds with their parachute like attachments.

Until next week, Happy Gardening!!

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Hot Summer Days 21 July 2023

The last few days have been hot and humid here in the American South. Average daily highs in the mid 90’s and 50 % plus humidity tax a gardener’s physical strength. The formula, of course, is to start out early, drink plenty of water and seek the shade as much as possible.

A few mid summer bloomers have appeared and there are a couple of interesting visitors that I have to show you today. The perennials are blooming at their peak. The rainfall has been sufficient and well spaced. They are certainly enjoying this weather.

Coleus Kong Lime Sprite with
Wizard Scarlet Swallowtail

I started six different coleus from seed this spring and have them in containers. They are loving a shady spot on the deck which receives morning sun. I am glad that I went to the effort.

The caladium is from bulbs that I saved from last year. I kept them dry and dark over the winter. I planted them this spring once the ground temp was above 60 degrees. They just emerged 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I managed to merge them into one grouping and lost the name. They look wonderful in this shady bed alongside the Southern shield ferns.

I started the Rudbeckia triloba from seed this year. It is an Alabama native and it is just beginning to flower this week. It seems to be thriving in an afternoon sun area.

The Coral honeysuckle is also and Alabama native that I bought from a local native plant nursery. It is gorgeous and well loved by the hummingbirds.

The purple coneflowers, another Alabama native, have been prolific this summer. This one is being also enjoyed by this bumble bee. I leave the seedbeds on the plants throughout the winter for the finches which seem to thrive on them.

One of my Shasta daisies is being enjoyed by a pearl crescent. It is a medium sized butterfly and it was feasting on the nectar. Its host plant are the Asters.

Every Saturday morning come join us on Six on Saturday. This group of gardeners from around the world are hosted by Jim Stephens at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Happy Gardening!

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Summer 14 July 2023

The garden is lush, healthy and bloom filled. We have had sufficient rain to keep things that way. The butterflies are increasing in number and the air is filled with the buzz of insects. The hummingbirds are regularly seen getting their fill.

The dilemma is that the heat keeps my outdoor tasks restricted to the mornings. The afternoon heat is too energy sapping. We were out of town for several days and upon returning it is noticeable that the weeds are getting a little out of control. A need a few days of effort to right the ship.

Here are my photos for this week.

The Casablanca Lily has really shown out this year. The stalks are about 4 feet high and I have had to stake them to keep them erect. You can see the repurposed fountain in the background. It became non functional so it is now a succulent planter.

The Rubeckia ‘Gloriosa Daisy’ has a blend of colors. It has been a great performer.

The Dahlia ‘Gallery Singer’ is a first timer for me. It is in a grouping of 3 Dahlia Singers and 3 Dahlia Serenade. The deep color is a standout.

Two varieties of Buddleia here. The white natchez shrub grows over twenty feet. This one is still small so the blooms are easily seen. The watermelon red is well established and lines the driveway very majestically. The crape myrtle is the staple shrub here in the American South and I think these photos say why.

The oak leaf hydrangea is a native shrub. The blooms in pannicles come out white and then the color becomes reddish to bronze in summer and fall. The blooms remain as an appealing brown during the winter. This is a good look at the pannicle.

The Buddleia is a Sungold I think. It is 3 years old and beginning to assume an admirable shape. The butterflies and insects are attracted to it.

That’s the round up for this week. We are still at peak summer. Soon the inevitable slow fade will begin so I am enjoying the beauty as much as possible.

Every Saturday a group of gardeners from around the world share photos of their gardens. This is hosted by Jim Stephens at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Come join us and see what is happening.

Happy Gardening!

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Summer 7 July 2023

The Fourth of July is over. This marks the middle of summer. We had plenty of food including a steak done on the grill. We like to watch the concerts that are on the Capitol Steps in Washington D.C. and from the harbor in New York City with views of the Statue of Liberty. Of course, this was ended with spectacular fireworks in both locations.

It has been a hot gardening week. The perennials are in full bloom now. The Limelight hydrangeas are magnificently blooming. My potatoes and onions are officially done. A few tomatoes are beginning to appear.

Here are my photos for this week.

The hardy hibiscus is new to me. Planted last year, it almost expired during the December deep freeze. There are two others in the same raised bed and this is the most advanced.

The Dragon Wing has been a stalwart. It is an annual but I keep it alive during the winter in the cold frame. In the spring, I take cuttings and manage to propagate enough to fill another planter and my window boxes. It is my most reliable annual.

The Big Red is shy. This is its first blooming of the season but when it does, it really shows out. It is also a cold frame resident and I have also managed to propagate several more containers of it from cuttings.

The coreopsis continues to shine. It is very happy in its container and is content to have some mid day shade.

The calla lily is at the front door. It is in the location where I intend to have a White Garden. A mature white azalea is right behind it. I need a third white bloomer to complete the grouping. Have not made a decision on that as of yet.

The Shasta daisies are in full bloom now. As usual, they are spectacular.

I am really enjoying the garden this summer. The heat limits the work but the majority of that was done this spring.

Before I end this weeks post, here is a watercolor done by my friend Walt in celebration of Independence Day.

Come join us Saturday morning when Jim Stephens hosts our Six on Saturday group. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

You will be able to enjoy gardens from around the globe.

Happy gardening!

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Summer 30 June 2023

It is hot this week! It is very hot this week! The county warned of poor air quality. Temperatures will be near 40 degrees C both today and tomorrow. The forecast is for some increased rain probability over the next week and that will lower the temps down a little perhaps to as low as 35 degrees.

The garden is at a maximum. The plants are green and lush. The blooms are abundant. The butterflies, pollinators and birds are very busy.

Here are my efforts for this week.

The crocosmia photo is a little blown out but you can see that this cultivar is aptly named. The foliage is gladiolus like and it does want to lay down from rainfall or the wind. The plant is a little agressive and I have to pull up plants on the advancing edge of the thicket.

The ruellia does have a beautiful color. It is another plant that minds its manners the best if kept in a container.

The Stokes aster is in its glory. It is doing so nicely with a little shade at mid day and with the backdrop of the Southern Shield ferns.

The coleus are in a container in the shade garden. They do get enough morning sun to thrive. They did not like the coolness of the spring but they are thriving now.

The limelight hydrangeas are a showstopper. They are a very popular shrub in our area now. They are not afraid of the sun like other hydrangeas. This is the original and they are tall. Smaller varieties are now available like ‘Little Lime’ and ‘Hobo’ which are smaller and can be grown in front of other shrubs.

As promised last week, here come the Shasta daisies. This cultivar is ‘Becky’ I think. You can see that there are a lot more buds waiting to open this week. This daisy always puts on a good show.

One more photo for you today.

This is the ongoing project of the propagation of limelight hydrangeas from cuttings that began in March. 5 hydrangeas are progressing well. It may be these will be used to replace some of the azaleas that suffered damage from the December deep freeze.

Every Saturday, Jim Stephens is hosting Six on Saturday. Join us and see gardens from all around the world. Sip on your coffee or other beverage and enjoy. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

Happy Gardening!!

Featured

After the summer solstice 23 June 2023

The Alabama summer heat means that garden work is best done in the morning. Be sure to stay well hydrated and limit very strenuous tasks. For me, I am trying to limit myself to pruning, weeding and watering.

The blooming plants are approaching their peak but the good news is that there will be 10 to 12 more weeks of abundantly blooming summer perennials. The butterflies are appearing in ever greater numbers and the birds are singing happily.

Here’s a selection from today’s shoot at The Corner Garden.

The Texas Star (Hibiscus coccineus) is indeed a star. It is also called Scarlet Rosemallow. Each year it puts out more stalks that are more than 6 feet high. The blooms last only a few days but they are magnificent and at least 6 inches across.

The Rudbecki hirta “Indian Summer” is a repeat performer. It looked beaten after the December deep freeze but it is coming back beautifully. Good mix of it with the purple coneflower in the background.

The mix of Echinacea purpurea and Rudbeckia hirta on the right is just a blanket of outstanding plants today. It is very thick. I hope you can see the glimmer of Lambs’ Ear at the edge of this bed which adds just the right amount of color to make the bed stand out.

Meanwhile, here are more from the Corner Garden shoot.

The Stokes Aster is well established. You can see the abundance of blooms and buds with blooms to come. It is self seeding and I have established a second bed of plants nearby. They seem to be managing quite well.

The oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is beautifuly. It is alongside a roadway and in front of a sprinkler head so I keep it well cut back. Despite this, it is thriving with these whitish pannicles taking on a reddish tint. This is a volunteer shrub that originated from a mother plant across the roadway. It may be the “Ruby Slippers” cultivar.

The coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) on the right looked so good in this overhead shot. This native perennial is a prolific self seeder. We started with one and there are now dozens dotting the perennial bed.

I am really enjoying the garden this week. I hope you are doing the same.

Join us tomorrow for Six on Saturday hosted by Jim Stephens. Gardeners from around the world join in to share 6 photos from their gardens. You can find it at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

The other good news is that the armadillo twins have not returned.

Hasta la vista baby! Not!

Featured

It is summer 16 June 2023

It is Father’s Day on June 17. I am grateful for my father and also my mother who are my inspiration for my love of gardening. My father taught me the basics of gardening: light, water and soil. My mother inspired my love of flowers.

The weather in central Alabama has changed from 3 weeks of dry weather to a week of daily rain with some thunderstorms with damaging winds. How about just a steady drizzle!

The heat is associated with increasing humidity so morning gardening is preferred but late afternoon also allows for some garden work time.

The annuals, perennials and shrubs are growing rapidly now and the blooms are rapidly emerging.

Here are this week’s offerings:

The Prairie coneflower on the left (Ratibida pinnata) is blooming so prolifically that the recent rains have knocked down the stems. Once the blooming stops, I have been advised to cut the stems down at least half which will encourage a second blooming in the fall. This native has attracted a lot of pollinators.

The chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is thriving and the abundant purple panicles are a show stopper. Some owners prune it up to tree form but I prefer the shrub’s natural multi trunk look.

The canna lily is also a show stopper. The large blooms are appearing rapidly now. The striped leaves are very attractive. Later in the year, the leaf roller will damage the leaves but I have learned to cut those leaves out and allow new healthy ones to grow.

The Rudbeckia (Indian Summer) is a returning bloomer that survived the December deep freeze. I am glad since the blooms are so beautiful.

The Shasta Daisy is just beginning its lengthy bloom period. I think the cultivar is “Becky”. These usually bloom into September.

The Leopard lily is Iris domestica and is also commonly called blackberry lily. It is a tall 3 foot plant. I collected seeds from it last year and was surprised how successfully they sprouted. I planted the new plants this spring and they are off to a good start.

This is one of a pair that came in to my garden yesterday while I was picking some blueberries. It is said to be mostly a nocturnal creature. I have never seen a live one during the day. It primarily roots for grubs in lawns and perennial beds. I am not too happy to see them so I hope they will move on.

Don’t forget to check out the Six on Saturday blog hosted by Jim Stephens tomorrow. You can find it here https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there.

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It is summer 9 June 2023

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It is summer 2 June 2023.

Here in the lower Southeastern US, the weather is definitely turned summer like. We will be in the 90’s this weekend. The night time lows are upper 50’s. The humidity is rising as the plant life become more abundant and larger while putting off all that water vapor.

Unfortunately, that is also accompanied by less frequent rainfall so watering becomes a more frequent task. The mulch that has been put down and attention to weeding this spring has successfully decreased the amount of weeding.

I have been harvesting some vegetables this week including white and yellow onion, potatoes and a good crop of blueberries from the 3 bushes that I have.

The red potatoes are a Norland variety. They have been served as a potato salad which was very tasty. The middle plant is a hardy begonia whose name has been lost. The clematis is large and showy but it too shall remain nameless.

The Sega palm on the left is a surprise. We are located a little too far north to have this one in the ground but we did. Each spring it appeared done for but always revived and spread its feathery branches. After the dreadful cold snap of December, it surely seemed this was dead. We dug it up and placed 4 sections in containers like this one. To our surprise, three of the four have sent up shoots and are very much alive. The plan is to move the containers indoors whenever there is freezing cold weather.

The hydrangeas were grown from cuttings. Of 24 cuttings that we planted, we have 5 thriving survivors. Success!

The final photo is a butterfly on the milkweed. That is another great success.

Hope you are enjoying your garden.

Join us tomorrow for Six on Saturday. Many fellow gardeners are sharing their gardens on this site https://gardenruminations.co.uk/ hosted by Jim Stephens.

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It feels more like summer 26 May 2023

This week it is definitely warmer and the forecast is for little or no rain for the next 10 days. The sky is becoming a little hazy as the humidity rises. The grass is greening up and the lilies are blooming while the caladiums are breaking through the surface of the soil.

It feel more like summer this week.

School will be letting out soon so the traffic will thin. This is Memorial Day weekend so the city will be quieter as families will be headed to the Gulf Coast or lake houses for the unofficial first weekend of summer.

Here are my six for this week.

The walking iris (Neomarica sp) continues to put out blooms. I have it in a container since I do not think it will survive winter in the ground. It is a one day bloomer. It is very easy to propagate by layering the stalk with the spent bloom into a plastic pot.

The Lamb’s ear (Stahys sp) is able to survive the winter and then looks glorious in the spring. It has begun to bloom now which is also a very showy display. It makes a wonderful ground cover in sunny or part shade areas.

The Cocotte lilies are making a grand display now. The plant is about 3 feet tall with at least a dozen blooms on each stalk. It seems to able to support itself without any staking which is a bonus.

The bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is native to Alabama and will flower soon. This one has a shrub like habit.

This iris has a very deep blue color not captured in this photo.

The magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) has been blooming about a week. This bloom is nearly a foot across and the scent is lemon like. The tree itself is about 30 feet high and about the same across. It is set back on the property where the leaves don’t disturb the grass and other garden plants. The leaves are very dense and slow to degrade so they can be messy in the garden.

Thanks for joining me today and please return tomorrow on Six on Saturday where Jim Stephens is hosting our group. Gardners far and wide share their Six on Saturday blogs there. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/category/six-on-saturday/

Happy Gardening!

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It feels like summer 19 May 2023

It has been hot and humid with daily threats of thunderstorms here in Central Alabama. It feel like summer. The rainfall has been more than average. These are summer growing conditions for the garden and unfortunately also for the weeds. The list of gardening tasks is long.

There is a lot to choose from to show you in these photos. It is a pleasure to be able to have so many to choose from.

I have labeled them to make it easier to follow.

The yellow gerber daisy is a very bright yellow. I have several colors including a red and a pink. It survived the deep winter cold and is thriving. It seems to have few insects that plague it.

The Virginia sweetspire which is an Alabama native is now 3 years old. The pannicles of blooms are like a tail.

The astilbe is just beginning to bloom. I have a second clump that is white. These are now several years in longevity and perform wonderful in my shade garden.

The sweetshrub which is another Alabama native is also about 3 years old. It is also well established and problem free.

The Iceland poppy also survived the winter and is blooming nicely now.

The tall dahlia was started from seed and has proven to be a hardy perennial. I have it in part sun and the blooms are at about 3 feet. It is an understated beauty. There are about 2 dozen of them in this bed.

The daylilies are in glory.. I have misplaced the names but to paraphrase Shakespeare they are beautiful all the same.

Please join the Six on Saturday group. It is hosted by Jim Stephens. Here is the link. Gardeners from around the world share their gardens. It is a wonderful experience.

Here is the link. https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy Gardening.

Late Winter Green 27 Feb 2026

The garden is waking up. I am seeing more green and more blooms. The branches look plump and more and more buds are appearing. There is more activity at the bird feeder and I have seen some bees at the blooms that have opened.

Our 2 day episode of overnight freezing temperatures passed without much damage seen in the yard. The forecast is for spring like temps over the next 10 days. We had a substantial rainfall over the last 24 hours. Conditions are favorable for a time of great advances in the garden.

Last week saw the completion of the majority of pruning of beauty berry, roses and Rose of Sharon (Althea) at the Corner Garden. The Limelight hydrangeas are next but not until buds begin opening on them. This year, cuttings will be taken to propagate Limelight hydrangeas. Today, Shasta daisies were potted up for a Spring Sale planned for late April.

I managed to capture drops of rain lingering on the Salix sp (Pussywillow) buds. You can just see some green below those buds.

The Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is advancing well. It has survived the winter in its container and it indeed looks very spry. It is a delightful plant.

The Roses were pruned back very hard last week. As you can see, they are beginning to respond well. This variety is Katy Road Pink also known also known as Carefree Beauty. There is a collection of 7 of them now.

The Lambs Ear (Stacey’s Byzantine) is beginning to spread out again. It never disappears. Rather it slows down and gradually turns a grey dried out color. Now it is beginning to show the pretty blue green color. It loves its location near the fountain.

Here are the Shasta daisies that were potted up today. I harvested them from one of the many patches present at the Corner Garden. They will be available at the plant sale.

I am showing the Corner Garden fountain in its splendor after last year’s renovation. It was made possible because of a fundraising project. The main elements of the fundraiser was a GoFundMe project and a plant sale.

This year’s project will be to enhance our lighting. This would include uplighting on several trees and shrubs as well as some pathway downlights. It may also include some colored lighting for holidays.

I will be joining the Six on Saturday group in the morning. Come join us at this website https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Join in. The rules are on the website. Gardeners from several countries join in to post 6 photos from Saturday or the previous week. It is very interesting.

Happy Gardening!

Late Winter 20 Feb 2026

This has been a beautiful week of weather. It has been warm with several mostly sunny days. There is a cold front coming. It will bring some frosty nights for 2 days so winter still has some punch left in it. It is so wonderful to have the increasing amount of daylight. The plants have all benefited.

I have spent my week pruning shrubs. The beauty berry, hollies and viburnum all now have their spring trim. I have also cleaned up containers that are holding pansies and sedum. There are a few trays of perennials that are ready to be planted but that will wait a little longer.

The most impressive bloomers in the garden right now are the daffodils. I am also enjoying crocus and the winter lettuces and the onion sets that are making substantial progress.

These red Camellia japonicas are glorious at the moment. The earlier blooms were damaged by a significant frost but thank goodness for sequential blooming. The mild weather has brought out an abundance of beautiful blooms. I do not know the names of these cultivars but they are magnificent.

I have shown the Edgeworthia ‘Paperbush’ a week or two ago but indulge me since these opening blooms have a beautiful, bright golden color. In addition, the fragrance is intoxicating.

The Star Magnolia is also blooming and fragrant. The white strap flowers make this a very showy shrub. It is about 12 feet high but it is having a struggle with crown rot. 2 of the 3 trunks have been lost and the third trunk is beyond remedy I fear. I identified the problem too late to do much about it. There are some azaleas underneath it that will benefit from the additional light. C’est la vie.

The daffodil is ‘Ice Follies’. It is tall at 12 inches. The yellow cup stands out against the white. I have a very nice crop of them this year. Many other varieties of daffodil are now blooming and I intend to show you more next week.

The nest box is for bluebirds. The male was courting the female today. The flew around it several times. They did not settle in because of the activity around them but it was exciting to see their interest. I didn’t capture a photo but here is one from another time.

I will be sharing this post with the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. If you want to see photos from gardeners from around the world, here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

In the meantime, happy gardening!

Late Winter 13 Feb 2026

There has been such a dramatic change in the weather this week. It is spring-like with a gentle breeze and warm sunny days. There is no frost in the forecast for at least the next 10 days.

The spring bloom display has begun. The daffodils, the crocuses and the snowdrops are full. There are some red buds appearing on the roses.

The late winter tasks are well underway. Most significant has been the pruning of beauty berry, Rose of Sharon, anise and vitex. Since they bloom on this years growth, this should bring out more blooms later in the year.

The hellebores have been hesitant to bloom for the last few weeks, but they have come out with many blooms in the last few days. The reliable more common one on the left is more abundant but the subtle shading of ‘Pink Frost’ on the right makes it my favorite.

The Crocus ‘Snow White’ was planted last year. One bloom appeared a week ago but another two blooms appeared yesterday. This is a small bloom but it is bright white and shows up well.

The Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paperbush) on the right is also a small group of blooms but really stands out with its egg yolk yellow color. This is one of my favorite shrubs because of its striking stem architectural shape.

The daffodil on the left is unnamed. It was done a good job of becoming established and has many clumps.

The daffodil on the right is ‘Lovelady’. I think. Whatever the name, it is a beauty.

No. This dahlia is not blooming now. I am posting it because of something I learned yesterday. A local nursery sells dahlia blooms (Stone Hollow Farmstead). They sell dahlia blooms and the my informant states it is not necessary to dig them up in the fall in our area. They will do well left in the ground and survive our winter very well.

I hope the weather is pleasant wherever you are and that you will be able to get out to enjoy your garden.

I will be posting tomorrow with the Six on Saturday group. Come check it out. Here is the website https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Happy gardening.

Late Winter 6Feb2026

The winter season has been much colder than usual here in Central Alabamal. Since there has been such cold, I have not posted in several weeks.

We are coming through 12 days with frost but the forecast is for much milder weather next week. Rambling through the garden today, there is much more interesting photos for posting. Here we go.

The Camellia japonica was bravely blooming before the cold spell. You can see the effect of temps well below freezing. Some neighbors made a valiant effort to cover their camellias with various covers and blankets but to no avail.

The oak leaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is showing signs of budding today. If you look really hard, you will see them. Mostly, you will see the pretty winter color of this delightful native shrub.

The limelight hydrangea (H. paniculata) is in winter mode with the persistent panicles but its buds are also beginning to swell. Once I see the buds, I plan to harvest the limbs for propagating and then I will prune these shrubs back to 18 inches or so.

The Hellebore to the left is in a protected shady spot and is blooming magnificently. Soon, its brethren in less sheltered spots will be blooming also. That is my hope.

The Hellebore ‘Fire and Ice’ has been blooming for several weeks now. It seems to be a sterile hybrid.

The Salix species is beginning to open nicely. I purchased two one gallon pots of this species last year. These remind me of the Polish legend I heard in my youth. The mother cat was crying for her kittens that fell into the water while chasing butterflies. The willow branches bent their branches into the water to rescue them. In spring, the trees sprouted soft, fur-like buds where the kittens clung.

I hope to join Six on Saturday in the morning. Come join other gardeners showing their six current photos. Follow the rules and post your own. Here is the site hosted by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk/2022/11/05/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/

Happy Gardening.!!

Autumn Colors 21 Nov 2025

The leaves are falling rapidly. Soon the tall tree canopy will be bare. I am gathering up the leaves and they will be composted with the perennials that have finished blooming. Of course, I am leaving enough leaves under trees and shrubs for the insect life, birds and other critters that use it as habitat.

We are expecting some rain this week so I have been busy with the tidy up phase of the garden. The perennials are cut back and the lawn has finally stopped growing. We do have some mole infestation to manage but that treatment is also done. I hope it works because the “tunnels” are unsightly and annoying to walk on.

I will join Six on Saturday tomorrow. I am eager to see the preparation of the bloggers there. Join us and see. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The Hydrangeas are outstanding this week. I have shown these two before but this look is so beautiful that I thought I would bring them back for an encore.

The native azalea caught me off guard. A bloom was not expected until April but the spell of warmer weather brought it out.

The paperbush (Edgeworthia) is turning leaves and forming blooms at the same time.

Purple Heart (Tradescantia) is also blooming out of season. I do not mind. I enjoy the extra bit of color.

I have show the Dogwood (Cornus florida) recently but once more this is an exceptional amount of red color.

Hope you are enjoying the season. Next week is Thanksgiving in the USA. It will be a busy week at my house. I may not be posting.

Happy Gardening!

Autumn Colors 14 Nov 2025

We had frost 2 nights this week. It was a light touch so only a few very tender plants are done for the season. We are in a stretch of warm days and cool nights so the autumn color will persist for at least the next 10 days.

This week the feature is the Camellia sasanquas. They have emerged this week and they are stunning. The dogwood is in beautiful color as are the hydrangeas.

We are dry again but rain is expected in a few days. We will soon enter the rainy season. I have stopped irrigating and I am focusing watering on bulbs and winter pansies that I planted this week.

I will join the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. Come take a look and see. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. Our capable host is Jim Stephens.

Sorry on naming. I seem to have lost the names on these two Camellia sasanquas. They are beautiful just the same.

The Ruby Slippers has a hint of color and I love the leaf shape. It shows no leaf damage from the frost.

The Limelight continues to have well structured panicles and still some of the lime color in the leaves.

The dogwood is showing gorgeous leaf color. It has not born fruit so it lacks the bright red fruit color.

The surprise is the resiliency of the Purple coneflower. It is truly a hardy native plant.

I hope you are enjoying the seasons changing where you are. Happy gardening!!

Autumn Colors 7 November 2025

As autumn’s first frost approaches, temperatures are set to drop, prompting preparation for tender plants. This week showcases peak fall colors, particularly from Hydrangea quercifolia and Vaccinium ashei. Observations include various blooms and wildlife. The writer looks forward to sharing more photos and encourages participation in the Six on Saturday community.

Our first frost of this autumn is coming. It is cooling today and tomorrow. By Sunday morning, the temp will hover near freezing. During Sunday, the cooler air will move in and the temp will drop another 7 or 8 degrees Fahrenheit. I have my tender container plants ready to be placed in shelter. The other container annuals will have to fare the best they can.

We are at our peak color this week. My photos today will reflect that. I hope some other blooms survive for next week. If so, I will have them for next week’s photos.

I will join the Six on Saturday crowd tomorrow. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. Come join us and enjoy the photos.

The best color comes from the Hydrangea quercifolia. This is the ‘Snowflake’ hybrid famous in these parts. You can see some purple and green in the leaves and the bronze blooms which will persist all winter.

The Vaccinium ashei ‘Rabbiteye’ has beautiful red color. It is very distinctive as well as a heavy fruit producer this year.

The ‘Fuyu’ persimmon is visible throughout the protective fence which wards off the deer.

The Alabama croton shows its gold leaf here. This plant is an endemic.

This beautifully colored hardy mum is ‘Mrs. Gloria’s Thanksgiving Day’. I have forgotten the explanation for this name but it would be just as beautiful if I did. This is the best bloom so far for this plant.

The anole was sunning on the edge of a container which was recently emptied of its plant. It may be he was residing in it and now is in need of another home.

I hope you are enjoying the color of autumn if you are in the Northern Hemisphere. It is beautiful for us now. More rain is expected this weekend which is good news.

Happy Gardening!

Corner Garden Fountain 31 Oct 2025

We have had rain. Enough rain to replenish the water table and to refresh the plants. Enough rain to end the doomsday talk. I am grateful.

The days shorten and the temps are much cooler. Despite this, it is still very pleasant and today there is plenty of sunshine. My garden tasks consist of taking perennial cuttings, ready my tender plant protection and order seeds and bulbs.

Last week, I went with a group of my gardening nerd buddies to Atlanta which is a 3 hour drive away. We visited a plant collector’s property where we were wowed by the variety. He took us to a plant nursery of which he is founder and I found some perennials and succulents which I could not resist.

Today’s photos concentrate on the Corner Garden that I manage. After a year of fundraising, we finally were able to finance the renovation of the fountain. We also fall cleaned and serviced the shed. There are a few plant photos but most are an indulgence that I hope you will grant me.

The fountain is in its glory with cascading water. It has some sloping rock additions on either side. There is night lighting and underwater lighting for the pool.

I may have shown the ginger lilies this fall but they are more abundant since the rainfall.

A view from the other side of the fountain shows the stone work. It also shows the Flag Iris that will bloom in April.

The left facing view show the beautiful swamp sunflowers (Helianthus angustifolius). They willl bloom until frost which is at least 10 days away.

The shed was given a cleaning today. It needed it. All cutting tools were sharpened. All surfaces were wiped clean. All wood handles were lightly sanded and treated with linseed oil. That is a battery operated lawnmower which was gifted to us recently.

The Hare’s Foot Inkcap appeared after the recent rains. It is a newcomer to me.

I will join the Six On Saturday crowd tomorrow. If you have the time, please give us a look. Gardeners from around the globe are sharing 6 photos from their gardens. Here is the link. https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

We set our clocks back an hour tomorrow here in the US. I like “gaining” an hour.

Happy Gardening!!

Bright October Fall Flowers 24 October 2025

As winter approaches, shorter, sunny days and cooler nights benefit plants by reducing watering needs. Gardening tasks have been completed more efficiently, including propagating perennials and preparing tender plants for winter. Notable plants include Swamp Sunflowers, Brown Eyed Susans, Hardy Mums, and Zinnias, which attract migrating monarch butterflies. Happy Gardening!

The sunny days are continuing to shorten as we approach the winter solstice. Dry conditions prevail but since the nights are much cooler the plants need less water so they are actually faring much better.

I have been able to complete many more gardening tasks once the watering is done each day. It takes a lot less time to water. I have been busy propagating some perennials, removing annuals as the time of frost approaches and preparing the tender plants that will be moved to places of shelter.

I will be joining the Six on Saturday crowd this week. Look for us here at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk

This helianthus is spectacular this fall after looking quite puny in the heat of August and September.

The Rudbeckia is a winner. I will be looking for more locations for this celebrity.

This mum is ‘Peachy Pink’ I think. It is putting on quite a show in the bright sunlight.

The Roselle is also a winner for me. It is annual so I will log it as a must seed start for next year.

The zinnias are such a pleaser and not just for me. The monarch butterflies have arrived on their journey south to the Gulf Coast and Mexico. They are seen here frequently.

The Confederate Rose is Hibiscus mutabilis. The blooms turn from white to pink. It indicates to pollinators that this flower has been pollinated so move on.

I hope you are enjoying mild weather that lets you enjoy your garden.

Happy Gardening!!

Bright Fall Flowers 3 October 2025

The October weather features blue skies and cool mornings, aiding garden work. Fall flowers are blooming, including swamp sunflowers and toad lilies, drawing bees and butterflies. The fragrant tea olive is a highlight. The author shares their gardening experiences and plans to post on the Six on Saturday group. Happy gardening!

The October skies are blue. I expect that this time of year. The morning temperatures are cool. I am grateful for that. The garden continues to produce bright fall flowers. I am grateful for that too.

Garden work is so much easier in these temps. It is still dry so a lot of work is being done. The butterflies are still abundant and the hummingbirds are still with us.

I hope you enjoy today’s photos. I will be joining the Six on Saturday group tomorrow and posting my blog there. Come look if you are curious. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The swamp sunflowers are finally blooming. These blooms are bright yellow atop this 6 foot stem. The bottom leaves have browned as a result of the low rainfall.

The Solidago is attracting bees as you can see. The yellow is very intense.

The toad lily opened its blooms this week. There are several dozen blooms on this plant. The rest of the year it is nondescript. It does well is this part shade area of the garden.

The tea olive is very fragrant. In fact, I can smell it on the other side of the house from which it is located. It is a very pleasant fragrance.

I caught this swallowtail cat eating my parsley. This parsley is almost spent for the year so I was not unhappy about it.

The hydrangea is one of three that I bought last month at the Birmingham Botanical Garden Fall Plant Sale. This cultivar is in the Endless Summer series which blooms on this years growth and blooms for months. I will keep my I on it.

Hope your weather is favorable for gardening.

Happy Gardening!!

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