Need some "buttercup cheerfulness"? Sundrops are the plant for you--and me.
Front of the House
The Crazy Gardener’s Way to Plant Daffodils
November 24, 2017 – Posted in: Garden chores, Hardscaping and Projects, How-to, Narcissus, Roadside BedsThere is probably a machine that does what I did today, and does it faster, and maybe even does it better. But I don't know where I would find that machine, and even if I did, I probably wouldn't be able to afford it, not even to rent it. So it doesn't make any difference, except if I had done it with a machine, no one would think I was crazy. But I had a Vision of what I wanted to see come spring, and I was determined.
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 [...]
Roadside Yellow Daffodils Brighten My Day
May 10, 2015 – Posted in: Front Walk, Narcissus, Roadside BedsWe've been suffering from meteorological whiplash. We had snow on April 23 and a low of 22 (-5C) on April 25 . Thirteen days later it got up to 88F and we've been sweltering ever since. The Roadside Yellow daffodils that I planted last fall have been delivering their sunshine almost as soon as the [...]
The Very First Blooms: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day April 2015
April 15, 2015 – Posted in: Cabin Fever Bed, Front of the House, What's up/bloomingIn other years, I've had the first blooms in March. Once, I managed snowdrops in February. But this year, I almost wondered if I'd have crocuses blooming for Bloom Day. Thankfully, this past week Spring finally arrived and I have a respectable showing. I've seen pictures of large patches of spring snowflakes, so I hope [...]
Stop Traffic With These Daffodils
November 2, 2014 – Posted in: Garden chores, How-to, Narcissus, Roadside BedsTrue confession: I have a secret desire to create a garden so spectacular that it will stop traffic. I know that's not realistic. For one thing, we don't have much traffic. If ten cars go by in an hour, we say, "Gosh, there sure is a lot of traffic on the road today." I'd settle [...]
This Heirloom Iris Makes My Heart Sing
June 6, 2014 – Posted in: Front Walk, Plant info, What's up/bloomingThis heirloom iris, 'Flavescens', was growing at my former 19th century farmhouse when we moved in. I had to dig it up and divide it to see what color flowers it had, as it was so crowded it didn't bloom that first spring. It bloomed every year once I started caring for it, but rather [...]
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day April 2014
April 17, 2014 – Posted in: Cabin Fever Bed, What's up/bloomingMy efforts to develop a cabin fever bed are starting to bear fruit. The winter aconites have come and gone, but I have plenty else starting to bloom. I purchased Bulbocodium vernum from Odyssey Bulbs last year. It is colored like a colchicum and used to be called a colchicum, but is now a separate [...]
Make That Lingering Snow Earn Its Keep
March 21, 2014 – Posted in: Design, Front of the House, Hardscaping and Projects, How-to, New House, New GardensThe snow is melting, but not fast enough to suit me. I've already taken pictures of where the snow melts first, so I know where to plant my spring-flowering bulbs this fall. In the spirit of making lemonade out of lemons, I realized this lingering snow was the perfect opportunity to outline a new garden [...]
Rethinking The Front of the House
January 29, 2014 – Posted in: Design, Front of the House, New House, New GardensThe front of our current house presents a very long surface to the road, having been added onto twice by attaching rooms to the side. It faces the most level land to be found on the entire ten acres, the front lawn. And yet, the house does not relate to its surrounding. When we moved [...]
Recent Comments