The mystery rose that came from my neighbor's garden started sending up suckers throughout the bed, threatening to take it over. What did I do? I sent it to Rose Purgatory.
roses
A Garden Bed Grows Up: The Evolution of a Flower Border
March 24, 2019 – Posted in: Design, West DeckSpring is right around the corner, and I've been going through photos of the garden bed adjoining our back deck. My, has it grown up--but it also needs tinkering. If you're looking for some flower power to get you through mud season, c'mon over and check this post out. Who knows? Maybe you'll get some ideas for your own spring renovation.
Let’s Talk About Color
February 25, 2018 – Posted in: DesignI thought it was the end of the world when I discovered my daughters didn't see the colors in my garden the way I did. A garden I toured in Buffalo helped change my mind. Read the rest of my blog post to find out how.
New Plants Blooming In August
August 18, 2017 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingThere is a comfort in seeing plants bloom when you expect them to bloom. You sense the rhythm of the seasons that is one of the pleasures of gardening. But if the garden were totally predictable it would get a little boring. That's why even though my garden is supposedly full, I continue to add new plants, even if it means taking out others. Read on to see the plants that are either new to me this year or just hitting their stride this August.
What’s Missing From This Picture?
November 18, 2016 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingWhat's missing from this picture are the autumn crocuses. They should be blooming now. No, I don't mean colchicums--they're done. (And they're not crocuses!!) I mean bona-fide crocuses that bloom in the fall. Crocus speciosus, to be precise. I planted more than one hundred of them four years ago, and for the last three years [...]
A Tour Of The Gardens: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day June 2016
June 16, 2016 – Posted in: Bird Sanctuary, Cutting Garden, Deck Alcove, Fern Alley, Front of the House, Herb Garden, New House, New Gardens, North Deck, Parking Pad Bed, Roadside Beds, Slope Garden, South Deck, The Secret Garden, West DeckIt's been four years since I started working on the gardens here at the "new" house. I thought it was about time I gave you a full-fledged tour. It takes a bit of time to see all the gardens, so prepare for a leisurely visit. Can I pour you something to drink? Let's start the [...]
My Delightful Garden: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day September 2015
September 20, 2015 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingThis has been the best gardening year I can remember. Until a dry spell arrived in September, we enjoyed consistent rainfall and moderate temperatures. There is nothing like moist soil and a cool morning to draw a gardener into the garden, and that's where I went, leaving my blog behind me. Here are some of [...]
Book Giveaway! The Right-Size Flower Garden: Design Solutions for (almost) Auto-Pilot Gardens
February 11, 2015 – Posted in: DesignWe’re busy, we’re aging, but we love gardening! Are you swamped with a job and family; or an over-50 gardener that doesn’t move at the same pace; or a city dweller with a passion for plants but little space to work with? I bet you fall into one of the above scenarios. I fit two [...]
Frost-Tolerant Flowers: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day October 2014
October 15, 2014 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingLife as we know it doesn't end with the first frost. Beauty doesn't stop, either. We have had several light frosts (28.5F/-1.9C was the coldest) but no hard freezes, which means many garden plants are still going strong. (Do you know the difference between a frost and a freeze?) I was able to gather several [...]
How to Fortify Your Roses Against the Cold
October 5, 2014 – Posted in: RosesJack Falker is a rose enthusiast who gardens in Minnesota. Minnesota--in case you don't have the USDA Hardiness Map memorized--is entirely a cold climate state, consisting of Zone 3 and 4. (Okay, there is a teeny bit of Zone 5 in the most recent map, but still.) One can't grow roses in Minnesota without knowing [...]
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