tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035006218496215562024-03-05T12:40:25.516-05:00Idyll HavenSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-34828637819406752862018-06-21T21:18:00.000-04:002018-07-03T10:33:27.444-04:00June Bloom Day...More or LessI tried to put up a Bloom Day post I really did. But there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day lately so try as I might, I was not ready to hit that "publish" button on the 15th. But even though I missed the mark, it is still June and things are still blooming so let's pretend it's the 15th and take a look at the garden.<br />
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I've been so busy trying to breath some life into the new gardens around the patio that I neglected to give some love to the semi established front gardens. Also, lack of measureable rain so far in June is forcing me to spend an inordinate amount of time watering. More time watering=less time gardening.<br />
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Truth be told though, much of my garden time these days has been spent plant shopping. I've been buying mostly shrubs, evergreens and a few small trees in an attempt to get some "bones" established before filling in with smaller plants and tender stuff. As you all know, plants ain't cheap so even though the wallet is taking a whack, most of the beds are pretty empty. Plus, I tend to go more for the unusual plants which are becoming harder and harder to find.<br />
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May has always been container planting month for me and I did switch gears in May for a bit to get that done. I've downsized the number of containers from the hey day of my former garden but I still enjoy playing with them. As time goes on I will likely invest in some new ones but not this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxhs7ifTKZWRuOXhVr7kCeIcYteh04bvGOWTIbGRGfgcOJvdhyphenhyphen-QK4xqQP5HpuaeYNihyQf6CR9qEGvDXuKwMVEVTw4DziQ_lL8SZgOs-6FEITIgwxx3oM1hBl6X25fgRI1dGX0QdmNiy/s1600/DSC01966+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1251" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxhs7ifTKZWRuOXhVr7kCeIcYteh04bvGOWTIbGRGfgcOJvdhyphenhyphen-QK4xqQP5HpuaeYNihyQf6CR9qEGvDXuKwMVEVTw4DziQ_lL8SZgOs-6FEITIgwxx3oM1hBl6X25fgRI1dGX0QdmNiy/s640/DSC01966+%25282%2529.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you've been following my blog for a few years you may remember my orange pot on a Sycamore stump in front of the shed in my former garden. Well the orange pot is back on a stump which is not near the shed but I couldn't be happier with the location.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2RB3pp1rDJoPe75YYVa4kuu_DV8Lb8LAq_YdwC8FpOIzukWPcUSL_Z5o1PYBd4D0w_-Yj0X7A2qKYipQ85ADPUJ0yJX8NWKvxj9ro7PWXkOsWpJQqV8h0uv9wjB9KWobVTujk1aPT8G7/s1600/DSC01937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2RB3pp1rDJoPe75YYVa4kuu_DV8Lb8LAq_YdwC8FpOIzukWPcUSL_Z5o1PYBd4D0w_-Yj0X7A2qKYipQ85ADPUJ0yJX8NWKvxj9ro7PWXkOsWpJQqV8h0uv9wjB9KWobVTujk1aPT8G7/s640/DSC01937.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Dichondra 'Silver Falls'. Maybe too much as I've used it in t least half a dozen containers this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHM-AlGLL-fERTJM0sxHPkEBe2Ciq2NnnMlrqCHIUEpT9AXfkAKqOBXpr3WTMxsnrYBPmGNrzfyzw-d3oE50N27bP9KeEr26iXK0-5qGbDcKSM337GXRUNGKuhB193QbIGXPEBpbXvdAG/s1600/DSC01946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHM-AlGLL-fERTJM0sxHPkEBe2Ciq2NnnMlrqCHIUEpT9AXfkAKqOBXpr3WTMxsnrYBPmGNrzfyzw-d3oE50N27bP9KeEr26iXK0-5qGbDcKSM337GXRUNGKuhB193QbIGXPEBpbXvdAG/s640/DSC01946.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coleus Rustic Orange, a yellow shell impatiens (sorry no time to go out and pull the tags), and one of those bronze Carex varieties that some people think look dead. Schnauzer statue for posterity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2hHQRR-JvNzdWvCvFqQHlgVSCjuoez1cdvr27ExL8JCPlgmAvbuIDOaAAMwrDASWYmaDIALZDI28ndzU5UQwd_UhAVnvybp1LyhmSA9VZPU3raT4HOcgnEaZkpF9VHehO87EGY5GGxL2/s1600/DSC01956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2hHQRR-JvNzdWvCvFqQHlgVSCjuoez1cdvr27ExL8JCPlgmAvbuIDOaAAMwrDASWYmaDIALZDI28ndzU5UQwd_UhAVnvybp1LyhmSA9VZPU3raT4HOcgnEaZkpF9VHehO87EGY5GGxL2/s640/DSC01956.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaveola, Lantana 'Samantha' and Strobilanthes in one of the two new matching urns on the sitting walls. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfvTLH28H7-iSEgEsD3uP_fbg_T5bbLeTU7ql7hvH7rWSMlqqsVygaiaw8jxpSp1ogiys564k0DpE5Rd3QkmRNk7GuKc6IDUUivlDzBbkolHCr6ei-xVrqgNJF1kVHmaf88IOiWj4MZvm/s1600/DSC01957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfvTLH28H7-iSEgEsD3uP_fbg_T5bbLeTU7ql7hvH7rWSMlqqsVygaiaw8jxpSp1ogiys564k0DpE5Rd3QkmRNk7GuKc6IDUUivlDzBbkolHCr6ei-xVrqgNJF1kVHmaf88IOiWj4MZvm/s640/DSC01957.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots going on here. Hope my pinching fingers will be up to the task.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwThaY7w2Hrbrjfhah2yPtesINGAmb_4whf3w1v_UEtyn_9GnNBie2Cdaba1-iW0Qsk99Iajhp6-WFm_mE5v9_mNX-q07BId_QAOBpJ76rrQCRoTi6Ipdf5UeS_kOtd6xdMUqLj7Ue8rzM/s1600/DSC01938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwThaY7w2Hrbrjfhah2yPtesINGAmb_4whf3w1v_UEtyn_9GnNBie2Cdaba1-iW0Qsk99Iajhp6-WFm_mE5v9_mNX-q07BId_QAOBpJ76rrQCRoTi6Ipdf5UeS_kOtd6xdMUqLj7Ue8rzM/s640/DSC01938.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mary Rose', one of the two roses I inherited and saved from the patio contractor's backhoe last summer. Despite a blast of insecticidal soap, rose sawfly continues to taunt me. I hate roses :).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5V_nT6a0LLDMo-62WZHolRsCYcGRmwKwie4LUL5GTjkqyfllx63KabIRgk5R_WhyphenhyphenA9rJ8eFBRNwAHOsTDiPxp8mSKcSIKIrxD6aS4JXD5pesq5CMpSyh0uo842tehwSs88MtUOidLz-P/s1600/DSC01939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5V_nT6a0LLDMo-62WZHolRsCYcGRmwKwie4LUL5GTjkqyfllx63KabIRgk5R_WhyphenhyphenA9rJ8eFBRNwAHOsTDiPxp8mSKcSIKIrxD6aS4JXD5pesq5CMpSyh0uo842tehwSs88MtUOidLz-P/s640/DSC01939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geum 'Totally Tangerine' has been a winner. Totally.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7mLjSuh9A32oVAgnE1IEfMHw6tJ72-HbsW5j9WlXXB-Hnwvkc2IlGSQtVrhyphenhyphenWYAmdHowvdt9uQl-tiIYEC32zMVW0clXaHUAZpUkc905BT-u8PfkpoR6UNABuj_zQy5XROPIWoNUx99-/s1600/DSC01940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7mLjSuh9A32oVAgnE1IEfMHw6tJ72-HbsW5j9WlXXB-Hnwvkc2IlGSQtVrhyphenhyphenWYAmdHowvdt9uQl-tiIYEC32zMVW0clXaHUAZpUkc905BT-u8PfkpoR6UNABuj_zQy5XROPIWoNUx99-/s640/DSC01940.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold' fronting down a blooming Physocarpus 'Little Devil'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQzGO9x32GyCcMz9qUQQpv0duCEg4_920cNlycotWfe7c7xojZEKmPkt9sjLv0DIACXgpxOXcBzfkvJgHMOt1uVIikJ67TlrKiLW6CkL5x8xZLF-jvXgNoRAe2Am_IJlBYNx_7Qcf28f8/s1600/DSC01941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQzGO9x32GyCcMz9qUQQpv0duCEg4_920cNlycotWfe7c7xojZEKmPkt9sjLv0DIACXgpxOXcBzfkvJgHMOt1uVIikJ67TlrKiLW6CkL5x8xZLF-jvXgNoRAe2Am_IJlBYNx_7Qcf28f8/s640/DSC01941.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so glad I had the presence of mind last fall to plant a dozen Allium 'Globemaster'. They went by a few days after this pictures was taken but I will add more this fall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy7F5W33XZqLy-sQJZJMZIJv0aPgaX9HBnTAGwnaROoMO9PHzx3wMvLQ9OVragf3KD7ddQrzVST5I9N6ibzISFpruLZ2vBYCgJ_VpeMEBDwW6uS0W4HsnNUIrUjvlR4HwfuHLsA8zZN3T/s1600/DSC01943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy7F5W33XZqLy-sQJZJMZIJv0aPgaX9HBnTAGwnaROoMO9PHzx3wMvLQ9OVragf3KD7ddQrzVST5I9N6ibzISFpruLZ2vBYCgJ_VpeMEBDwW6uS0W4HsnNUIrUjvlR4HwfuHLsA8zZN3T/s640/DSC01943.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Betty Corning', and Gillenia(Porteranthus) trifoliata</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUFxOtvW8L78Y29EZpXU9YVYFeXVpeSF3wPKv6hPisaFzkmt8xyAOEi0Eqklw8pUusF3IOkuZxH_DcAQsowJ6uZlS1bof-0TagoiyvRxrkbFlGRg20hEBjBulgrp7vtZCAv3nThJC2spg/s1600/DSC01961+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUFxOtvW8L78Y29EZpXU9YVYFeXVpeSF3wPKv6hPisaFzkmt8xyAOEi0Eqklw8pUusF3IOkuZxH_DcAQsowJ6uZlS1bof-0TagoiyvRxrkbFlGRg20hEBjBulgrp7vtZCAv3nThJC2spg/s640/DSC01961+%25282%2529.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of Betty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1SWe2D01bYuQRgZ1srPho8wQS6H_Lq3mqO7vMM8EwnQcTmwb416Gkr8dESUSOG7oqD5Pu7gJ3dfGeBXA1_DJAjXg1ly5r4wjNSXc2UTWetUPxJGDjqMeqTF0rOxvReR3emWrRaaT8DUj/s1600/DSC01944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1SWe2D01bYuQRgZ1srPho8wQS6H_Lq3mqO7vMM8EwnQcTmwb416Gkr8dESUSOG7oqD5Pu7gJ3dfGeBXA1_DJAjXg1ly5r4wjNSXc2UTWetUPxJGDjqMeqTF0rOxvReR3emWrRaaT8DUj/s640/DSC01944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox glaberrima 'Triple Play'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUBUmiPBVSAb7XIa7v8JV4Ocuot911-xlxIfox1OkMbxMRZQlQxmAzWDeL3FnuZcjD3Swy1wOaVj6PuLvInoOax-j0XU7PTmF72yTYiaCS37vJFrDVrK6BcwDcR75ftynSSs_q40FBG0O/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUBUmiPBVSAb7XIa7v8JV4Ocuot911-xlxIfox1OkMbxMRZQlQxmAzWDeL3FnuZcjD3Swy1wOaVj6PuLvInoOax-j0XU7PTmF72yTYiaCS37vJFrDVrK6BcwDcR75ftynSSs_q40FBG0O/s640/DSC01945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peucedanum ostruthium 'Daphnis' has really taken off planted on the north side of my house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2AY9s72o6d6tfDIqFjKHXYuGFI-zLm6e-O_lPdDU3ITjuVTiAcBuZAbYZvArv8fl5yFvnQSJM1yv9WfCxhBHi0sNOZeTPceAsSqoIo2wcC2v2oM2HxPUjfgp2YWWgCUGQr5AnA7KTjit/s1600/DSC01952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2AY9s72o6d6tfDIqFjKHXYuGFI-zLm6e-O_lPdDU3ITjuVTiAcBuZAbYZvArv8fl5yFvnQSJM1yv9WfCxhBHi0sNOZeTPceAsSqoIo2wcC2v2oM2HxPUjfgp2YWWgCUGQr5AnA7KTjit/s640/DSC01952.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First blooms on Hydrangea serrata 'Tough Stuff'. And tough it appears to be.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AAYTX1goKJnFBjxZwHwJJMsSjnxNK-5fKxVyJxzTnKU7gwUK6FvaJN-l2PVU3ep8Tp-zzMXs527dV9owSS43HWM0HRHMYRs738id-VJvxpISkfMfK9lTGrDoh737Fde8E9vDHiWf59Vd/s1600/DSC01953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AAYTX1goKJnFBjxZwHwJJMsSjnxNK-5fKxVyJxzTnKU7gwUK6FvaJN-l2PVU3ep8Tp-zzMXs527dV9owSS43HWM0HRHMYRs738id-VJvxpISkfMfK9lTGrDoh737Fde8E9vDHiWf59Vd/s640/DSC01953.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvia 'Caradonna' is starting to poop out. These are first year plants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT65QUFGuxB6O7KBAtqCj8g5BpH1zT6cSTzhhFPopz18JY8G_jEYGNQrjKYIg8ESgvJ9RkuwPDZeSIXBidSZBpu-vC4Kyu78YRvgOhauxXN_vpxcqKkiuWXpmgwHm6tpq_Ujgu9VwImYmS/s1600/DSC01954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT65QUFGuxB6O7KBAtqCj8g5BpH1zT6cSTzhhFPopz18JY8G_jEYGNQrjKYIg8ESgvJ9RkuwPDZeSIXBidSZBpu-vC4Kyu78YRvgOhauxXN_vpxcqKkiuWXpmgwHm6tpq_Ujgu9VwImYmS/s640/DSC01954.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agastache 'Kudos Mandarin' is sold here as a perennial but if it returns next year I'll consider it a bonus. Notice all the empty, mulched area. Send plants!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuwvDgo3EDXWFz-V2QNtsspVk53G_8hC02zdLzEhtaWEldKcJwJllWWR4FSny1Cm0FK66L5KSIDxgaGo-eIm9Dh4MMfqfKHJzYdOl3TcxzvMyW2STtHSXj1gBV_eHIzgjWi1Q2UAV5oDF/s1600/DSC01955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuwvDgo3EDXWFz-V2QNtsspVk53G_8hC02zdLzEhtaWEldKcJwJllWWR4FSny1Cm0FK66L5KSIDxgaGo-eIm9Dh4MMfqfKHJzYdOl3TcxzvMyW2STtHSXj1gBV_eHIzgjWi1Q2UAV5oDF/s640/DSC01955.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried Camassia for the first time this year. This is C. leichtlinii alba. I also grew two blue varieties and preferred them over the white. Once the garden starts to grow in around them I think the effect will be better.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU8PHnJESbEIMQETCJdGx5FetmYBbrm_zGq3YVoFEddIzu-XNkWTYVltqI-Ti1EIsYeCZVP_jodphd6bXEgZ8DtJqX-KqOJWv2Y_aDUid1CpTPO0SXev5sRFlvCDjwFOT3IhKWXSkgWih/s1600/DSC01959+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1110" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU8PHnJESbEIMQETCJdGx5FetmYBbrm_zGq3YVoFEddIzu-XNkWTYVltqI-Ti1EIsYeCZVP_jodphd6bXEgZ8DtJqX-KqOJWv2Y_aDUid1CpTPO0SXev5sRFlvCDjwFOT3IhKWXSkgWih/s640/DSC01959+%25282%2529.JPG" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geranium 'New Hampshire Purple' is a pass along plant from my friend, Deanne's garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZCe7fSSadLcfHqw_TyK3tZmmzfD1HZW6wsom9ew98EpR2Kcb5bZ0LDFendWXg6VrA5u0-JBgJfuk4NxD347_1s8mk90N4DQ1FV8rLgnSCTg3L99ET897i514ZYM48z1S6k2X5xFSzu-x/s1600/DSC01960+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1600" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZCe7fSSadLcfHqw_TyK3tZmmzfD1HZW6wsom9ew98EpR2Kcb5bZ0LDFendWXg6VrA5u0-JBgJfuk4NxD347_1s8mk90N4DQ1FV8rLgnSCTg3L99ET897i514ZYM48z1S6k2X5xFSzu-x/s640/DSC01960+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally figured out how to grow Geranium 'Rozanne'-let it sprawl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR6CteAr56f3pBRNbm6OqfSLF9LU7nC_e-N3YedaPFARrvhPjfJX37FYwWG1i0qfK0_9uWpx4oIQfmNsANEWNzJTDRUfLyzDG3aBDOaPwWRpZIEsvaASMPNKmxRoYcRZQnMoB5JZMdLWi/s1600/DSC01964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR6CteAr56f3pBRNbm6OqfSLF9LU7nC_e-N3YedaPFARrvhPjfJX37FYwWG1i0qfK0_9uWpx4oIQfmNsANEWNzJTDRUfLyzDG3aBDOaPwWRpZIEsvaASMPNKmxRoYcRZQnMoB5JZMdLWi/s640/DSC01964.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I grew Lysimachia punctate 'Alexander' in my former garden and loved it but something(that I now know was sawfly larvae) used to skeletonize it. So far it's been fine here but I'm keeping my eyes peeled. Is anyone else done with sawfly? Here I battle rose sawfly, hibiscus sawfly, columbine sawfly and I guess Lysimachia sawfly. Insecticidal soap is only marginally effective. The systemics work but I won't use them because they are not pollinator friendly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-UzLyRJHgIDTfvw9jEolr9jBhq64hCgGwpyP9vJODohLopPGs_iFGhg70pS9ibAE_lz6mHDnYvldIYJZBD4xF_bQj2bkzGl_gqdM_4pPHRv8wKG7pSk7Ah5wMEd8IpliRjw0jBP8zWFq/s1600/DSC01965+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-UzLyRJHgIDTfvw9jEolr9jBhq64hCgGwpyP9vJODohLopPGs_iFGhg70pS9ibAE_lz6mHDnYvldIYJZBD4xF_bQj2bkzGl_gqdM_4pPHRv8wKG7pSk7Ah5wMEd8IpliRjw0jBP8zWFq/s640/DSC01965+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wide angle view of the front. I'll leave the back to your imagination for now.</td></tr>
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So there you have it. Today we welcome the summer solstice. I have a love/hate relationship with this one. I live for longer days and hate to see them begin to shorten even though it will be a while before it becomes noticeable.<br />
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I won't be hitching this post to the Bloom Day wagon, but if you want to see what is blooming on June 15th in gardens around the globe, go visit Carol at <a href="https://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2018/06/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-june-2018.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a>.<br />
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Maybe I'll be on time for July. In the meantime you can see more of what is going on around here by following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/musabasjoosue/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Sue~</b></span><br />
<a href="https://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2018/06/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-june-2018.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-87777090572083128482018-05-15T20:39:00.002-04:002018-05-16T07:44:01.970-04:00Bloom Day in this Crazy Month of MayAnd I mean crazy. The weather has just been nuts here for months. It's either freezing or 90 (mostly freezing). Most of April was cold and nasty with an unusual amount of snow and below normal temperatures. May has been better but cold and rainy at least one day a weekend. Today it was a tornado watch, torrential rain, damaging winds and strong thunderstorms. Although we dodged the bullet at my house, tonight my Facebook and Instagram feeds are peppered with pictures of property destruction throughout Connecticut.<br />
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As you might expect I'm not where I'd like to be in the garden. Granted I'm working off a very ambitious list but that's what I do. After the patio was completed last September, we still had modifications to make to the house, much garden prep, lawn installation and some unplanned site work. Much of it got tabled into 2018. Losing pretty much the whole month of April killed me.<br />
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Anyway, here we are. Fortunately I had the presence of mind to take the pictures last night. Rivers of rain earlier tonight guaranteed no retakes. Due to never ending time constraints, I'm going to have to make this short and sweet. I apologize for being such a bad blogger. However, I'm fairly active on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/musabasjoosue/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. If you're not already there, c'mom over!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOnYVi-rhvnZzGkhKTZ_uuVMoDYroP8wJEvWouo5zy4-KvCLATsGML2pY0Zuc8cCq09i9liCZMLSid8UlKXussijR24tYKbt1G0MygP89EBZAToKqJgMexQkSyVVMy3oTCcrtaxU45Xrg/s1600/DSC01831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOnYVi-rhvnZzGkhKTZ_uuVMoDYroP8wJEvWouo5zy4-KvCLATsGML2pY0Zuc8cCq09i9liCZMLSid8UlKXussijR24tYKbt1G0MygP89EBZAToKqJgMexQkSyVVMy3oTCcrtaxU45Xrg/s640/DSC01831.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my two inherited lilacs. The other is in too much shade to bloom and despite a bit of TLC this one struggles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsoHnhAejdK1P-_NGb1oTqSUcC07y4BBK8Cy3Arp4AWsRo9MI0rFENmrM0ud5RCFPPcoewa8VzsWOzVfkzchSgzvXO7VALDlXvNO_1uQ8aBzBo3WPE7ZyF0V0ys7kolbZ7Qzev3U8TNEq/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsoHnhAejdK1P-_NGb1oTqSUcC07y4BBK8Cy3Arp4AWsRo9MI0rFENmrM0ud5RCFPPcoewa8VzsWOzVfkzchSgzvXO7VALDlXvNO_1uQ8aBzBo3WPE7ZyF0V0ys7kolbZ7Qzev3U8TNEq/s640/DSC01832.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corydalis sempervirens is a cute little wildflower that seeds around the ledge gardens in my front yard.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelnQtCN0wSI4W-fHgKg67E-nSMgEOJTDsBD9iWe1nMMyOfFYRs2EoZaCjd-lXJ_4KSzgYlqtJVHq25qr9kfxH5niXsvEgtBiCXMLAC5CkWf1FgVSRF-pmjBN7101IvP4aI11Iz-BPMZGg/s1600/DSC01834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelnQtCN0wSI4W-fHgKg67E-nSMgEOJTDsBD9iWe1nMMyOfFYRs2EoZaCjd-lXJ_4KSzgYlqtJVHq25qr9kfxH5niXsvEgtBiCXMLAC5CkWf1FgVSRF-pmjBN7101IvP4aI11Iz-BPMZGg/s640/DSC01834.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbKlpYPefGaDYvmWahSjOMSn25caNSqx8Szv_w-oWGo1Jd42nuyUWeRuxmBpO0WC8HmprXCuANE4DA9C4AwuC8IVUjzPZP8InVPeX35T1upAy1sCSRHye1wmhdDmXrvReOD2DUoKcobte/s1600/DSC01835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbKlpYPefGaDYvmWahSjOMSn25caNSqx8Szv_w-oWGo1Jd42nuyUWeRuxmBpO0WC8HmprXCuANE4DA9C4AwuC8IVUjzPZP8InVPeX35T1upAy1sCSRHye1wmhdDmXrvReOD2DUoKcobte/s640/DSC01835.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only a few daffodils remain after a three day stretch a 90 degree weather a couple of weeks ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6St_omeYwBNHFk1i8J0Erd5eVDYqEk_S8hTIc1A2ehjQUe8PoPP6p_oQevgQdIR10WdJhMPZkCdnDSWyqYqFTD4_km6SHfsC9OsXLJLrcdgMknorZexuI6kGlzXWxMEEQkyRgKV_ba-4/s1600/DSC01836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6St_omeYwBNHFk1i8J0Erd5eVDYqEk_S8hTIc1A2ehjQUe8PoPP6p_oQevgQdIR10WdJhMPZkCdnDSWyqYqFTD4_km6SHfsC9OsXLJLrcdgMknorZexuI6kGlzXWxMEEQkyRgKV_ba-4/s640/DSC01836.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epimedium youngianum 'Niviem'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqUIkaPmfg8LB8LRK2XUbV0j-gCyS8SUJUA6J2qjpQkYrYW1n-pokY2IWeuwZpXbIlKkQXbebEcetjjitJ259yzfRm5InelWKEoGyMhP6H0Vg-MAbEFi6cPDNdD8WWU2mfdx6lvQ2Mb_l/s1600/DSC01843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqUIkaPmfg8LB8LRK2XUbV0j-gCyS8SUJUA6J2qjpQkYrYW1n-pokY2IWeuwZpXbIlKkQXbebEcetjjitJ259yzfRm5InelWKEoGyMhP6H0Vg-MAbEFi6cPDNdD8WWU2mfdx6lvQ2Mb_l/s640/DSC01843.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this is Epimedium 'Lilafee'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLTMbJTSDqXaGXoCHHX6ypD7iMhpKvFVKHhPltkedqdEX8PgAdW7x9DQPLk2Ti9-OEQ8EQS3IiTeCKkKilHwr-JaoahIsTBAuIvfvW6XrGoo1AMAoDBJQzpUSrnX-TAeSS2mws0bxQinn/s1600/DSC01821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLTMbJTSDqXaGXoCHHX6ypD7iMhpKvFVKHhPltkedqdEX8PgAdW7x9DQPLk2Ti9-OEQ8EQS3IiTeCKkKilHwr-JaoahIsTBAuIvfvW6XrGoo1AMAoDBJQzpUSrnX-TAeSS2mws0bxQinn/s640/DSC01821.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old standby Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last spring I found myself fascinated by photos of Camassia. I had never grown it before so added some bulbs to my fall order. Cool, huh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMzQk1NGOulkiXHsnBJ2Om_dhzgj0LYMiLe5jYz-WBj33VklQMOnQAkl6yIEgL0dg8x41pdivdao3r4MXeIo0o9ynSqa3v5lIAtAYXMPe6dB1XMDSiATNLLz2DTop4_0Lk9BMpbYI9ieo/s1600/DSC01839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMzQk1NGOulkiXHsnBJ2Om_dhzgj0LYMiLe5jYz-WBj33VklQMOnQAkl6yIEgL0dg8x41pdivdao3r4MXeIo0o9ynSqa3v5lIAtAYXMPe6dB1XMDSiATNLLz2DTop4_0Lk9BMpbYI9ieo/s640/DSC01839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much screams "Spring!" to me as loud as Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'. I know they're calling it Lamprocapnos now but I don't care. I like Dicentra better and it's easier to remember.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9xRBrBnuuBe9kvLJlBf2l_9DlpVbJxmPgtGFhSuR6xYwzDMFi1N1x2XKliBnYxx8c2yKumE-_ELZvraaiCBqfdK83GJdh3f6zlDQfERHXnNwrpjNGWuVwtoUiKIK-UiuIP6SAzNbqwlB/s1600/DSC01840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9xRBrBnuuBe9kvLJlBf2l_9DlpVbJxmPgtGFhSuR6xYwzDMFi1N1x2XKliBnYxx8c2yKumE-_ELZvraaiCBqfdK83GJdh3f6zlDQfERHXnNwrpjNGWuVwtoUiKIK-UiuIP6SAzNbqwlB/s640/DSC01840.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunnera macrophylla 'Alexander's Great'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHDuXVFP3cGqLW82Wu7KgTQfVcNNc1xCy5AuBIsklZMzxopvnh1mwB9plkUjN77BlNpt5Jv-raZAeaKZBXbPU6dCoHk1vyLl9uAm0tvD_ChZB5ARLa2Iu27DYSDHw_gJR2NSu6eDHZJ5U/s1600/DSC01841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHDuXVFP3cGqLW82Wu7KgTQfVcNNc1xCy5AuBIsklZMzxopvnh1mwB9plkUjN77BlNpt5Jv-raZAeaKZBXbPU6dCoHk1vyLl9uAm0tvD_ChZB5ARLa2Iu27DYSDHw_gJR2NSu6eDHZJ5U/s640/DSC01841.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK I am seriously in love with this fairly new Amsonia 'Storm Cloud'. Must. Plant. More.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQImylGqhT2AYIT85Q9usLeVvpdbSdhwYQjL-yxPj0DhaADccB7AC0ddgL65x6C8PNHD1hUZgREaJ_mt-1A5BSNdUgsCIy8x1DHXpSAucGo4KMfDF4Z2ZipoPtydxF75SMM-70GR-SskE/s1600/DSC01842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQImylGqhT2AYIT85Q9usLeVvpdbSdhwYQjL-yxPj0DhaADccB7AC0ddgL65x6C8PNHD1hUZgREaJ_mt-1A5BSNdUgsCIy8x1DHXpSAucGo4KMfDF4Z2ZipoPtydxF75SMM-70GR-SskE/s640/DSC01842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I lost quite a few plants this winter to both weather and voles so I was excited to see the return of these two Euphorbia epithymoides 'Bonfire'. The shrub is an oddball cultivar of Forsythia 'Citrus Swizzle'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dqVGVf7oOIVZZDZFmBe3cCzJLlDWJ_lkIu0DYLJdwTobY6lkYgVumydqUaQI0SUI874zbkjfUNO64Q0Uf8p6l5nkn3FG85P1rm0lLArzI6Qh9h3A1ewKKgT-R_7ipHEltg8fWK7toRxw/s1600/DSC01826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dqVGVf7oOIVZZDZFmBe3cCzJLlDWJ_lkIu0DYLJdwTobY6lkYgVumydqUaQI0SUI874zbkjfUNO64Q0Uf8p6l5nkn3FG85P1rm0lLArzI6Qh9h3A1ewKKgT-R_7ipHEltg8fWK7toRxw/s640/DSC01826.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool foliage or what?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GGosCEPST3_X93skxs_pS-QT7pHov-d4fQWvtXfDsR7vCJcjE_l_ASzuuve8I6cmu4ub3MxZ_GvuFIG2ny0tC2RQZxrUSQbcN4l5EDzEuC_RqPqg5siK8P7rOHgwAsCmeNW-T2_eAlOf/s1600/DSC01833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1274" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GGosCEPST3_X93skxs_pS-QT7pHov-d4fQWvtXfDsR7vCJcjE_l_ASzuuve8I6cmu4ub3MxZ_GvuFIG2ny0tC2RQZxrUSQbcN4l5EDzEuC_RqPqg5siK8P7rOHgwAsCmeNW-T2_eAlOf/s640/DSC01833.JPG" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the surprises of starting a new garden is getting reacquainted with fairly common plants that you previously took for granted like this Euphorbia polychroma.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3BGHVpAOfJVDwbJ5bcAZLXfSQSIKC6aFrCxLrDIXwX94KoiOEPFL_Q6YpbqJqIHyfbJ-_u2RI2UGuez1-UnwhChWRdz8vrT0qTww8XSXuGALyj0MMG9H7Dk6CcHk6hjaajhWVzTWQfVQ/s1600/DSC01844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3BGHVpAOfJVDwbJ5bcAZLXfSQSIKC6aFrCxLrDIXwX94KoiOEPFL_Q6YpbqJqIHyfbJ-_u2RI2UGuez1-UnwhChWRdz8vrT0qTww8XSXuGALyj0MMG9H7Dk6CcHk6hjaajhWVzTWQfVQ/s640/DSC01844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fothergilla x intermedia 'Blue Shadow is just a perfect little shrub.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKeEZFD6OVVi_-xOwGVDCMleH240qmiisjrCSnhTiKK2HjWWZE9ySG2hZTGZidZeM-KBLRQhdX4yWlSOvnGJyuJug63ALWqRjymJQf-ErURyArZ46uc9bo0CekwZJGa88nHwJXD5xQ2JL/s1600/DSC01845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKeEZFD6OVVi_-xOwGVDCMleH240qmiisjrCSnhTiKK2HjWWZE9ySG2hZTGZidZeM-KBLRQhdX4yWlSOvnGJyuJug63ALWqRjymJQf-ErURyArZ46uc9bo0CekwZJGa88nHwJXD5xQ2JL/s640/DSC01845.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean just look at those flowers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw7eQleiyuzAFXkqXJbZnc0dGK0-6KWq8mNz-4VIVXDL-nv4uIXqrNZtYefkItGYOjMyS_OtGF_IDyymwC3tCM4N6sxJHX3XUBXjTpwOqbgY19xiATnbWGYqrh7hwYYNqdHwcyGyhJ1U3/s1600/DSC01846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw7eQleiyuzAFXkqXJbZnc0dGK0-6KWq8mNz-4VIVXDL-nv4uIXqrNZtYefkItGYOjMyS_OtGF_IDyymwC3tCM4N6sxJHX3XUBXjTpwOqbgY19xiATnbWGYqrh7hwYYNqdHwcyGyhJ1U3/s640/DSC01846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I planted this Dicentra spectabilis 'Valentine' last year and although it returned and is blooming it doesn't appear to be all that vigorous. But the flowers are unique so I'm willing to wait and see what next year brings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9mEvUGAVtE9cfhdBrVUiZMLR4uBpyr8792S5cD3aOHpLax8QBrLQ7nyYwRf5K_1zMiuPM6Ls10ED75Wt66u9GWg4jYG_9bpAwZBekZMgKx6tUW-rv7kIk8AUo_Y1DXByJb4VtUDkz5l_/s1600/DSC01847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9mEvUGAVtE9cfhdBrVUiZMLR4uBpyr8792S5cD3aOHpLax8QBrLQ7nyYwRf5K_1zMiuPM6Ls10ED75Wt66u9GWg4jYG_9bpAwZBekZMgKx6tUW-rv7kIk8AUo_Y1DXByJb4VtUDkz5l_/s640/DSC01847.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vignette of an unknown Primula, an unknown Heuchera, and what I think is Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-SRi9cbKEwzoY1ZrvUeWriYTnytHbWpBLSY4IY7-lny9kKCT_toGWPFap-l7QSWSEYXaL6pPCGgeDc-j5gGjWE43b9vXQWpTnFZUwbwy7rmSf8VH2QM4ZVJahVEgVlNBSyzT6jQCti9t/s1600/DSC01848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-SRi9cbKEwzoY1ZrvUeWriYTnytHbWpBLSY4IY7-lny9kKCT_toGWPFap-l7QSWSEYXaL6pPCGgeDc-j5gGjWE43b9vXQWpTnFZUwbwy7rmSf8VH2QM4ZVJahVEgVlNBSyzT6jQCti9t/s640/DSC01848.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pleased with this Muscari mix I scattered all over the garden last fall.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE0oOSsia1j7fsVqxtJV9-iXJgQ-IwHURdpLrw4NK0KPolobckSjRB3cu9gQTvYWeLot9AdJCJxzbT0D1CLQsJUwwFubEiLsIR13TL5jN9JIexkZC80t-1o_HBcGZq6L6RPmEWXVrLvfl/s1600/DSC01827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE0oOSsia1j7fsVqxtJV9-iXJgQ-IwHURdpLrw4NK0KPolobckSjRB3cu9gQTvYWeLot9AdJCJxzbT0D1CLQsJUwwFubEiLsIR13TL5jN9JIexkZC80t-1o_HBcGZq6L6RPmEWXVrLvfl/s640/DSC01827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g5Eka2vCc-m8eNM4U1S1yBHnO38iFjuFJbMjtPwS4ALUWPHaxk3m_F2FIemUAdk93oA9ggiJiMwE0kKaCDS8HBI4lH8gfdq2dglL6rbp0RLTEp5Nnm0bYiNi2sXkZ-VKeQEaFs-Gnl8Z/s1600/DSC01849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g5Eka2vCc-m8eNM4U1S1yBHnO38iFjuFJbMjtPwS4ALUWPHaxk3m_F2FIemUAdk93oA9ggiJiMwE0kKaCDS8HBI4lH8gfdq2dglL6rbp0RLTEp5Nnm0bYiNi2sXkZ-VKeQEaFs-Gnl8Z/s640/DSC01849.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave bought me this Cercis 'Ruby Falls' for my birthday last year. It's blooming and alive but suffered lots of dieback. Redbuds struggle here. Fingers crossed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDXMGTptGtXYFRTHfTx0wotJUjFbOouku6J8TmviJcigEETl61utce63R1mJGwJ2AyWXbcVIoAlAy3GqeGHIDgH10UVYIuZ9PZd2KqVbJ9aWQHTVpLEzTDM_ZXj4AjPzpEwIZz2R6mULI/s1600/DSC01850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDXMGTptGtXYFRTHfTx0wotJUjFbOouku6J8TmviJcigEETl61utce63R1mJGwJ2AyWXbcVIoAlAy3GqeGHIDgH10UVYIuZ9PZd2KqVbJ9aWQHTVpLEzTDM_ZXj4AjPzpEwIZz2R6mULI/s640/DSC01850.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I see Rhododendrons growing in crappy full sun sites all the time yet they wither in my care. Over the weekend I moved this 'Miyama Gold Prinz' to what I hope will be a better site with more afternoon shade. I bought it in full bloom last year because the flowers were so unique but only one bud survived to bloom this spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoDhgrciIc4KovS-9DauB_7GYUtaGg_YFTZCgfMXsIftQosdldG_tq4pZgESV6AjbS8DT1hsvMPjgrsQoN61CL4ufyel-3AAjb2LdlnBPPrYQDu4HkfQ58c3leKTaC8inn2k1Xunneo-l/s1600/DSC01854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoDhgrciIc4KovS-9DauB_7GYUtaGg_YFTZCgfMXsIftQosdldG_tq4pZgESV6AjbS8DT1hsvMPjgrsQoN61CL4ufyel-3AAjb2LdlnBPPrYQDu4HkfQ58c3leKTaC8inn2k1Xunneo-l/s640/DSC01854.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face..."</td></tr>
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At some point I hope to have more long shots to share. Much of my plant budget has been allocated to shrubs and trees which makes for a lot of mulched bare spots. Once I get some annuals growing and my pots planted things should improve but it's going to be a few years before gardens start truly taking shape here.<br />
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In the meantime, head on over to Carol at <a href="https://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2018/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2018.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a> to see what gardeners are growing today all around the world.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Sue~</b></span><br />
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-83834943695973151652017-07-15T22:13:00.002-04:002017-07-18T09:23:22.419-04:00July Bloom Day? Aready?In my neck of New England, July is notorious for hot, humid, sticky weather. Rain becomes non existent and days begin to soar into the 90s. The garden (and the gardener) can quickly become parched.<br />
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Not this year. At least not this year so far. Rain has been plentiful and beneficial. Yesterday the high temperature was in the low 60s, more than twenty degrees below normal. Last night I took some of the pictures for this post in drizzly weather wearing a light down jacket. In July. But I'm not complaining and neither are my plants.<br />
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When I started filling up the newly created gardens this spring I knew that if Mother Nature turned off the spigot I could be screwed. City water doesn't exist here; we're on a well. Last summer our area was in drought mode. I spent hours hand watering pots of plants I had moved from my old garden and plants I had heeled in. Everything struggled but survived to bloom another day.<br />
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So what have I got to offer up for Bloom Day?<br />
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No late frosts and plenty of rain has made for a lot of happy Hydrangeas.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpC9abrdi_9JOSRHqmBxZ8C6D3crQmCSddsEavZ1OW_Bo5ZA4gBEtY0c_p5FkQ5fj_2coewTVIPkRknrz01iClwXLduy201_yu9C3-eAH2qi-aI7BXj6BKwEDHH-ifCc6k4q-qTSoI3nA/s1600/DSC01054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpC9abrdi_9JOSRHqmBxZ8C6D3crQmCSddsEavZ1OW_Bo5ZA4gBEtY0c_p5FkQ5fj_2coewTVIPkRknrz01iClwXLduy201_yu9C3-eAH2qi-aI7BXj6BKwEDHH-ifCc6k4q-qTSoI3nA/s640/DSC01054.JPG" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how do I love you Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lemon Wave', let me count the ways.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h-RB9EE5jl7h9QbuFu6weJ_XhyiWlpc27S2GnHeJ_YxiklrrybLAUabAXN_INcrC1D0QEfQOS0ATh8KdpEN-qsHhmVN00XUVhzfZRx7C_Bo9aHfMdaGTHh-1XkVS_7SogvtOVkfsNYKG/s1600/DSC01066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h-RB9EE5jl7h9QbuFu6weJ_XhyiWlpc27S2GnHeJ_YxiklrrybLAUabAXN_INcrC1D0QEfQOS0ATh8KdpEN-qsHhmVN00XUVhzfZRx7C_Bo9aHfMdaGTHh-1XkVS_7SogvtOVkfsNYKG/s640/DSC01066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bloomstruck' is an Endless Summer introduction. I had a love/hate relationship with Endless Summer in my old garden and chose to leave both plants there but I have high hopes for this one. It's been moved twice in two years but is "home" now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgednslmCvqoFCkhPbhKmlWWZW5AI_cg7wLmcTpbe2Tl1YlFDHTJ8zAifN09dP_OobUP-nMd2j992Jx-1B6mGHrTopt23xRnp8eaCuAOitf2CGMcr5E0LDF7GsFbt6S26VHdQ_rtNPHjnIH/s1600/DSC01072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgednslmCvqoFCkhPbhKmlWWZW5AI_cg7wLmcTpbe2Tl1YlFDHTJ8zAifN09dP_OobUP-nMd2j992Jx-1B6mGHrTopt23xRnp8eaCuAOitf2CGMcr5E0LDF7GsFbt6S26VHdQ_rtNPHjnIH/s640/DSC01072.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangea serrata 'Tiny Tuff Stuff'. Given the choice between a macrophylla and a serrata, I'll take the serrata every time. Tiny Tuff Stuff is new to me but so far I'm impressed.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F_otiTKA_NZQstjhvK2yk7wrNC8ONlE5_gglfL5FFpZGzVkbfNZMG0ZB5MUwm9S47gda1EdNuje4yttPqL4032YBfc2WeDD7V8GJCPRhvxBc4-nhyrPHopbAfJU4Z_z9QhZPIlncRUN2/s1600/DSC01083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F_otiTKA_NZQstjhvK2yk7wrNC8ONlE5_gglfL5FFpZGzVkbfNZMG0ZB5MUwm9S47gda1EdNuje4yttPqL4032YBfc2WeDD7V8GJCPRhvxBc4-nhyrPHopbAfJU4Z_z9QhZPIlncRUN2/s640/DSC01083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H. serrata 'Kiyosumi' is much happier here on the north side of my house than it was getting hot afternoon sun in my old garden. I love it for the burgundy tone on the new foliage and the white lacecap flowers edged in pink.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcu8FB-4M7ImW3DvxlGVMhjaWCs9T0FaruNZpDNIprYS8XLYuJzM-Qach16z8SOjZ2_YjTylLFGEq-0k_s-nDW8f6ELrCyOrGxHQd2lLuFWffgjczAI0LELjM9dMXJvNH3xWDtCDdaNM6/s1600/DSC01084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcu8FB-4M7ImW3DvxlGVMhjaWCs9T0FaruNZpDNIprYS8XLYuJzM-Qach16z8SOjZ2_YjTylLFGEq-0k_s-nDW8f6ELrCyOrGxHQd2lLuFWffgjczAI0LELjM9dMXJvNH3xWDtCDdaNM6/s640/DSC01084.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Little Honey' is the only H. quercifolia I am currently growing but that won't last long.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4CPaYdgNi03Y60pUYtuZBmjR5-5KcDsdCNGJvHF84FcieremXk3-AsXDCvqPWFg2-YvVq7Z08mQkLTPGWtVqnCfzakewmUCpBsfT2U1I5fEuen7Ofd-TvzHa3B3TFtMxTtGSZ0N4qXNc/s1600/DSC01099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4CPaYdgNi03Y60pUYtuZBmjR5-5KcDsdCNGJvHF84FcieremXk3-AsXDCvqPWFg2-YvVq7Z08mQkLTPGWtVqnCfzakewmUCpBsfT2U1I5fEuen7Ofd-TvzHa3B3TFtMxTtGSZ0N4qXNc/s640/DSC01099.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H. serrata 'Blue Billow' is sulking in my dry shade street garden. I may have to move it (yet again) but I'll wait til fall to decide.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72NDL0Zeol0p0SDmwxfoQMcyJkChqATj9-gBCRXQ1ARZHInQGmVf0OLiH8kJo-qtKQkM4kZRwhg8GJWB6x5ViH0mNuBtRoTROBky79cXAKL5vfKpSkfPlKlCeDyo5dm3lqklPqYds4mPi/s1600/DSC01101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1590" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72NDL0Zeol0p0SDmwxfoQMcyJkChqATj9-gBCRXQ1ARZHInQGmVf0OLiH8kJo-qtKQkM4kZRwhg8GJWB6x5ViH0mNuBtRoTROBky79cXAKL5vfKpSkfPlKlCeDyo5dm3lqklPqYds4mPi/s640/DSC01101.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo' seems to be blooming just fine on the north side of my house.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU_xrkqSd0mq9v_3JBwV2de-h7RROC_luJcgUIh1xfSDqE_gxgGVqceSP6kfsq5dHyeKW4c2DtTDsZ-H0PKSc61mOQjacKdYRV9L2MSPrmy109VHrj4NimhqUNXIIFkoP5tEo7mihBptV/s1600/DSC01103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU_xrkqSd0mq9v_3JBwV2de-h7RROC_luJcgUIh1xfSDqE_gxgGVqceSP6kfsq5dHyeKW4c2DtTDsZ-H0PKSc61mOQjacKdYRV9L2MSPrmy109VHrj4NimhqUNXIIFkoP5tEo7mihBptV/s640/DSC01103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately Hydrangea paniculata 'Dharuma' is still sitting in a holding bed. Soon, I'll find you a home. Soon. </td></tr>
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After dissing daylilies somewhat on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWamH4MgoYf/?taken-by=musabasjoosue" target="_blank">Instagram</a> this week, I now have to admit that I grow a few. Only two are currently blooming though. Now that I have more space, I *may* add one or two more but don't quote me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_jlnavrxbMC30I7rP06DAtuoV4GA6s0RB4ytMG_Xw33tZscZs_Efv_FzFacf1HPep3j108ebahp9R1PjSdfP-ryzGDadbrcvB7sCV-ntqKPt-e2QI9p-mm7xwxu-us7ecUqb5JvdhJoG/s1600/DSC01091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_jlnavrxbMC30I7rP06DAtuoV4GA6s0RB4ytMG_Xw33tZscZs_Efv_FzFacf1HPep3j108ebahp9R1PjSdfP-ryzGDadbrcvB7sCV-ntqKPt-e2QI9p-mm7xwxu-us7ecUqb5JvdhJoG/s640/DSC01091.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You won't find any 'Stella D'Oro' in my garden but I do grow 'Happy Returns'. Does anybody else grow plants they aren't crazy about but can't shovel prune for whatever reason? I do and you're looking at it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88BbF2NWqqUaCwucSDjRCzR3KfRpFQ1ahNcA58Vkmrt3t-nucBLUknWUVsCl1UY8qXD4BzbTnPzab4jS-MzaWvgi3BFfZq02CMyor6sabQbMJp3WvwmsJJI7yeUi2A5XhOfXzb3foo-p5/s1600/DSC01059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88BbF2NWqqUaCwucSDjRCzR3KfRpFQ1ahNcA58Vkmrt3t-nucBLUknWUVsCl1UY8qXD4BzbTnPzab4jS-MzaWvgi3BFfZq02CMyor6sabQbMJp3WvwmsJJI7yeUi2A5XhOfXzb3foo-p5/s640/DSC01059.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Indian Giver' is a daylily that will always have a spot here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9jjK_wVdYMSaJu4FdFNH_1rwv2fDFJewWNL5Q52xTCn1xZgxtv561iekOYlzY5y_H_iMe4y86EuaI7PWjF7ZQzfEUKjuCq9ZqTsmB52AMCSrZkf61oPyLMjCJDcGUltaWP4_Ha9l38dI/s1600/DSC01106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9jjK_wVdYMSaJu4FdFNH_1rwv2fDFJewWNL5Q52xTCn1xZgxtv561iekOYlzY5y_H_iMe4y86EuaI7PWjF7ZQzfEUKjuCq9ZqTsmB52AMCSrZkf61oPyLMjCJDcGUltaWP4_Ha9l38dI/s640/DSC01106.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unknown daylily I found growing at the edge of the woods in the front yard.</td></tr>
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The rest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJRhGqEnnhTfuwCy2PQ6Azf0XCW9nnZWO5ksTLrwgoT6WTWLRQdfnqxacgR2nkQtlqfKa2wyJlyYWP_hJa3c-0WwxieCjLv1-e50rFNlsA79lnPolLsR-ORoJ_D8YfYMNTvXbfnhyOk5Z/s1600/DSC01056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJRhGqEnnhTfuwCy2PQ6Azf0XCW9nnZWO5ksTLrwgoT6WTWLRQdfnqxacgR2nkQtlqfKa2wyJlyYWP_hJa3c-0WwxieCjLv1-e50rFNlsA79lnPolLsR-ORoJ_D8YfYMNTvXbfnhyOk5Z/s640/DSC01056.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corydalis lutea is welcome to self sow all over my garden.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH5iX6NKGbU6p-4p12SgjLzPS4RnR_kBRpbaEWS_kr17TPpVtum4_ysfBx3jqJ0jLRW63dWggFIHPkkQSHr0XAlToivBFBUACr5MTOUg6vBPvTCYOBgXDqIps9hfnPvRA6MsVTClfRVqz/s1600/DSC01061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1322" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH5iX6NKGbU6p-4p12SgjLzPS4RnR_kBRpbaEWS_kr17TPpVtum4_ysfBx3jqJ0jLRW63dWggFIHPkkQSHr0XAlToivBFBUACr5MTOUg6vBPvTCYOBgXDqIps9hfnPvRA6MsVTClfRVqz/s640/DSC01061.JPG" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I should have cut back or supported Heliopsis 'Lorraine Sunshine' before it bloomed. Prematurely declining blooms are one of the downsides to summer rain,</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWUWKAniUoZp1CALiXXqeG5FMFEtxvzMWlNij0FNZw6QDbtUQSRV5P7PloVRTo3pdltaCkiUhy31ndvqVKDURQKKv3zEsf92UMXaB8NaVgjTqPlls2W-Hjq8vDKLqkCiOfqryNiaEpYvp/s1600/DSC01067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWUWKAniUoZp1CALiXXqeG5FMFEtxvzMWlNij0FNZw6QDbtUQSRV5P7PloVRTo3pdltaCkiUhy31ndvqVKDURQKKv3zEsf92UMXaB8NaVgjTqPlls2W-Hjq8vDKLqkCiOfqryNiaEpYvp/s640/DSC01067.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' (pictured with Rudbekia hirta 'Prairie Sun') is an example of another plant with flowers also turning to mush in all the rain.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcrH6M6sy3OjeY67VQj98ti3qF_S0-Xr_LJ7LLw8R1_DG-WaYQudMns51Ra2K0GehhDw5s6z1gMzPkgXB6K9-utSoM08NhCju7Da7HioIcxX-gr1oHjdBa2h4W4KsYhdVyPIj-HfZM3HY/s1600/DSC01062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcrH6M6sy3OjeY67VQj98ti3qF_S0-Xr_LJ7LLw8R1_DG-WaYQudMns51Ra2K0GehhDw5s6z1gMzPkgXB6K9-utSoM08NhCju7Da7HioIcxX-gr1oHjdBa2h4W4KsYhdVyPIj-HfZM3HY/s640/DSC01062.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seedling from Echinacea 'Sombrero Salsa Red'. Something is eating the petals off my Echinacea this year.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFui0uWnPMSROvIsFgixoVyWfcxpT0RLNB4hOif2GKsMwN0xFcbj2NlgUv7GReWYPkGxIWFwa_RvXPVKjE0SFikHkl91wPAh6zjdWih71mQeswHuYOeZdeKDpa2zB8PlO9tJx1bLMBiVZm/s1600/DSC01071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFui0uWnPMSROvIsFgixoVyWfcxpT0RLNB4hOif2GKsMwN0xFcbj2NlgUv7GReWYPkGxIWFwa_RvXPVKjE0SFikHkl91wPAh6zjdWih71mQeswHuYOeZdeKDpa2zB8PlO9tJx1bLMBiVZm/s640/DSC01071.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to add more Echinacea to the garden but going forward I'll likely stick with more simple flower varieties not these mop tops like 'Coconut Lime'.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6SE87lrE5pjxR469hS-vK5kk4J53CS2m67OF5NCKVbXYG6853sopFOZztlyQwKlKaP9xkjI33qsyi-75shKaQ4ZPNicTlcX3LDcrvU-mxy3t7b1ePtkfrXrUKirJDPqhwUL2GoG-jMCi/s1600/DSC01064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6SE87lrE5pjxR469hS-vK5kk4J53CS2m67OF5NCKVbXYG6853sopFOZztlyQwKlKaP9xkjI33qsyi-75shKaQ4ZPNicTlcX3LDcrvU-mxy3t7b1ePtkfrXrUKirJDPqhwUL2GoG-jMCi/s640/DSC01064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could grow Astilbe 'Amber Moon' for the foliage alone. Cotton candy like flowers are icing on the cake.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q8ZVeHQ0l5ijfUzwx-gefbusIf1cVzLXFYqPMBfdNoJsAgqjPspZ5j3TH33vAhsu8NUyaFPs3TEXxUAWNrrbUheZ-kliMZkjzg2S8xVxYCpevNc65f1NCL21yE9_aR4q3B1WQlWmORYU/s1600/DSC01068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q8ZVeHQ0l5ijfUzwx-gefbusIf1cVzLXFYqPMBfdNoJsAgqjPspZ5j3TH33vAhsu8NUyaFPs3TEXxUAWNrrbUheZ-kliMZkjzg2S8xVxYCpevNc65f1NCL21yE9_aR4q3B1WQlWmORYU/s640/DSC01068.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between the Astibes I moved and some I inherited I lost track and have no ID on this one. It is growing in mostly sun though and doing well which is likely a result of plentiful water. In the inevitable fall reshuffle I will likely move it to a shadier spot.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD2wvVkxC2wsrBdcWHUFLPaJgRxhYAcTrBheK-XgrhU-hKMYot7VEkL_36Tw8XYyaCOYN4PRk_86QwLvZCFiJbKQfz_PpB_nCJMhGS2S42TXMk-xDlMAR-iTroBvmM9Mq9k2xLP6TowUM/s1600/DSC01073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1289" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD2wvVkxC2wsrBdcWHUFLPaJgRxhYAcTrBheK-XgrhU-hKMYot7VEkL_36Tw8XYyaCOYN4PRk_86QwLvZCFiJbKQfz_PpB_nCJMhGS2S42TXMk-xDlMAR-iTroBvmM9Mq9k2xLP6TowUM/s640/DSC01073.JPG" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hodgepodge of rain weary Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow', Digiplexis 'Berry Canary' and Calamagrostis x acutifolia 'Overdam'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA3_D2JwVLQHfQTddCOO6FmmEaNEOsTANyn0VrSCC8xQ0h4nOEjFHbJL5kWE3IkBq_Sp0J9Pc7ZGqeec5gj_6Wk9Ym6yQsxtn4iBEdnZgzM5Uh5_3X3DBMTE9T1z1GeRo-GyjwSyY9l9P/s1600/DSC01075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA3_D2JwVLQHfQTddCOO6FmmEaNEOsTANyn0VrSCC8xQ0h4nOEjFHbJL5kWE3IkBq_Sp0J9Pc7ZGqeec5gj_6Wk9Ym6yQsxtn4iBEdnZgzM5Uh5_3X3DBMTE9T1z1GeRo-GyjwSyY9l9P/s640/DSC01075.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poppy experience is limited. I picked up a six pack of 'Lauren's Grape' this spring. Hope it reseeds for me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc-KvcBo22DQVYzDtaPCwnD5OIkHPhLZNdEK7GoWpGrrYI6t_2TWjbBdctoa9QhiNDBnZB2q3Jon8mk4eOHHqqnEoBwBV_HyWkZ2Y8oHhLxAh0H1AQ-UEVRjqH9pQRtnjPA7N2jxe050m/s1600/DSC01090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc-KvcBo22DQVYzDtaPCwnD5OIkHPhLZNdEK7GoWpGrrYI6t_2TWjbBdctoa9QhiNDBnZB2q3Jon8mk4eOHHqqnEoBwBV_HyWkZ2Y8oHhLxAh0H1AQ-UEVRjqH9pQRtnjPA7N2jxe050m/s640/DSC01090.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3GDy1wcJTTVkZ7dK6ZeiiOUdOkazO7cKk6pph3OFSkR09ukKZXc2TalUGO-2PQjC7ikQUzJc0p2UIkgNdRrxa_7Lt__VFoMBffiLreAFIpKw5HGsCm84kAI9dLa5dLpBK3QMvly94XUz/s1600/DSC01080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3GDy1wcJTTVkZ7dK6ZeiiOUdOkazO7cKk6pph3OFSkR09ukKZXc2TalUGO-2PQjC7ikQUzJc0p2UIkgNdRrxa_7Lt__VFoMBffiLreAFIpKw5HGsCm84kAI9dLa5dLpBK3QMvly94XUz/s640/DSC01080.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee' can reseed annoyingly but the foliage is hard to resist.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUKuRIv3e0FitpwccMSSAmMO1g4h2aI39lQyM2mreyaj0lRH9Iiy702uPRZq74x2GTHDsRuoBJUZ3Hz9JhwpfOdBFOhW0D599t7w5QnYS2ZSxlMR_cU4DEtASy7RhyphenhyphenoR6vTUVpE5JtiqJ/s1600/DSC01089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUKuRIv3e0FitpwccMSSAmMO1g4h2aI39lQyM2mreyaj0lRH9Iiy702uPRZq74x2GTHDsRuoBJUZ3Hz9JhwpfOdBFOhW0D599t7w5QnYS2ZSxlMR_cU4DEtASy7RhyphenhyphenoR6vTUVpE5JtiqJ/s640/DSC01089.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another new to me plant: the annual butterfly weed Asclepias curassavica. I do believe I'm quite smitten.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6893PXaN04l1S3b2JO7ufX8jU8LMfpB0RHehxwobCUDiCRchLFMPtNJhUi2htkjr8vXo6rCsDaP6qA4pTK83qQW7O19OvwZ-fawCAx7bhZyiDWNzH14g0B8G6-pdmemWCMO-itBSSg77A/s1600/DSC01069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6893PXaN04l1S3b2JO7ufX8jU8LMfpB0RHehxwobCUDiCRchLFMPtNJhUi2htkjr8vXo6rCsDaP6qA4pTK83qQW7O19OvwZ-fawCAx7bhZyiDWNzH14g0B8G6-pdmemWCMO-itBSSg77A/s640/DSC01069.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' is a staple in my garden. It's a winner in the ground or in containers.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidQx4YSSnoCX1qfHkEFIUY613nj_mt4CeI962vbLgSspuQXgmUzYS6MCoHrRyQNYsi5bcNFLSTgcvJzUDElwTByCzuOtXscEwjRHS6WSxQCodvSYoqxEt3fbdKKz3bfmAfA_87bA98i6Z/s1600/DSC01074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidQx4YSSnoCX1qfHkEFIUY613nj_mt4CeI962vbLgSspuQXgmUzYS6MCoHrRyQNYsi5bcNFLSTgcvJzUDElwTByCzuOtXscEwjRHS6WSxQCodvSYoqxEt3fbdKKz3bfmAfA_87bA98i6Z/s640/DSC01074.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Etoile Violette'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKEua84XB17gbY4OcoJY1W3CuCFdJ_aT26IrLkE1HcRJCHM8f9craFQgTFPJOALHL_W9-Z1FrTVIdEW_2GcU__w5b5J-Cv8NW482zTAI_wgywIrPsk0rqEqNTv4seHw1i7B8oQxJNrbYt/s1600/DSC01077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1600" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKEua84XB17gbY4OcoJY1W3CuCFdJ_aT26IrLkE1HcRJCHM8f9craFQgTFPJOALHL_W9-Z1FrTVIdEW_2GcU__w5b5J-Cv8NW482zTAI_wgywIrPsk0rqEqNTv4seHw1i7B8oQxJNrbYt/s640/DSC01077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon' is starting to wind down</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNe_tM_laVmAZRkGiLf3cWxSFkKQ2aYpz2WPXOC5Odw7rivrcaAgYiUcjpP1ihkLs-93zzv_z-Q5XujoGN33nB8drLskvNoTe9eDgH_XsJU4N6E68yQ-sk5wPSgxMzkGcMJplk5g5y_mR/s1600/DSC01098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNe_tM_laVmAZRkGiLf3cWxSFkKQ2aYpz2WPXOC5Odw7rivrcaAgYiUcjpP1ihkLs-93zzv_z-Q5XujoGN33nB8drLskvNoTe9eDgH_XsJU4N6E68yQ-sk5wPSgxMzkGcMJplk5g5y_mR/s640/DSC01098.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spigelia marilandica is one tough plant. It's one of my go-to plants for dry shade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyrc9kMFWIo-PPLYbrLlCvVU8SU6kEovHQF77h8qvVfcc1jg1HgIbGNFpMquYzJXd55LIo3Siz-lxhnD4GgemLCwBiKFRvEOSqwvkAoq-2Ya5pWdXMyMG6Fhch4PZZQMjP_685NV-SWRk/s1600/DSC01107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyrc9kMFWIo-PPLYbrLlCvVU8SU6kEovHQF77h8qvVfcc1jg1HgIbGNFpMquYzJXd55LIo3Siz-lxhnD4GgemLCwBiKFRvEOSqwvkAoq-2Ya5pWdXMyMG6Fhch4PZZQMjP_685NV-SWRk/s640/DSC01107.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) has a well deserved reputation for being a garden thug. The variegated variety does run but is less aggressive. </td></tr>
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Planting containers in the spring is what I do. Usually I have them in place before adding the plants but this year I planted them in anticipation of a patio that doesn't exist yet so I used my imagination. Maybe by August bloom day they will be in place.<br />
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OK this post has gone on long enough. I had hoped to get it published earlier but you all know how that goes. I want to thank Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2017/07/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-july-2017.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a> for hosting this monthly event. If it wasn't for her I'd never get off my patootie and put a blog post together.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>~Sue~</i></b></span><br />
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-26472176717870195052017-06-30T11:11:00.001-04:002017-06-30T13:52:58.247-04:00Patio Project Ground ZeroOn Tuesday I was flung back to reality from my first Garden Blogger's Fling. What an adventure it was touring fabulous gardens for three days around Washington DC, MD and VA with an enthusiastic crowd of like minded garden geeks. Meeting some of the people behind the lenses and computers of the best garden blogs in cyberspace was icing on the cake.<br />
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Prior to the Fling, I met up with a few long time friends from my old Gardenweb days and spent two days touring gardens in the West Chester, PA area. Five full days of garden touring is a lot even for me but I returned home full of ideas and ready to hit the ground running.<br />
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Back in February, I wrote about plans we had to install a patio at this house along with the proposal from one of the garden designers we consulted. You can read that post <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2017/02/patio-plans-in-making.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
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Scott Hokunson of <a href="http://blueheronlandscapes.com/" target="_blank">Blue Heron Landscape Design</a> was the second designer we consulted. Both Dave and I were impressed by Scott's design process and his vision for the space. After some revisions back and forth, we ended up with an exciting design that was also surprisingly budget friendly.<br />
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At just a bit over 750 square feet, this patio with be about 50% larger than the one I had at my old house. We've chosen irregular blue stone to reflect the casual, country feel of our home. The final design does not include sitting wall A. Sitting walls were one of my wish list items. That extra rub on the Genie's lamp apparently paid off.</div>
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The fountain from my other house is making a comeback. You can see it just to the left of the third sitting wall. I often gaze longingly at pictures of it in my old garden. I'm so glad we made the effort to move it here.</div>
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We decided to deep six the original fire pit/fireplace idea. The precast units just weren't doing it for me and custom built was a budget buster. Instead, we will be resurrecting an existing fire pit just off the back lawn at the edge of the woods. Okay, I admit the pictures in this post require the reader to dig deep on the imagination front. But it's going to be great! Trust me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An existing fire pit that had been overgrown by trees and saplings makes a comeback.</td></tr>
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Speaking of tree removal, kudos to Dave for single handedly felling at least a dozen medium to large trees. Selectively removing trees opened up the space significantly. The backyard now receives a healthy dose of my favorite morning sun. Never fear though, even without these trees a large portion of our two acre lot is still heavily wooded.<br />
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Much to my delight, patio installation work finally began yesterday. Weather permitting, construction is expected to take three weeks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from just below the deck. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon I will be relaxing here every night with a glass of wine. After working my ass off creating all the new gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We (I mean Dave) still has to center the breezeway door and install a French door in place of the double window.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The concrete footings are for an 8' x 4' deck step that will transition French door access to patio level.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave had such a fabulous time installing those footings. Aren't DIY projects the best?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine the mixed border I will be planting just beyond the patio. As soon as the backhoe comes along and scrapes off all the existing roots, stumps and vegetation and I spread 100 yards of topsoil I can get to it. It's going to be great!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this great pile of rocks that were uncovered during excavation! Some will be incorporated into the design.</td></tr>
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So we're off! Sometimes I get tired when I think about all the work that still needs to happen just to reduce the exploded bomb look back here. But I began the process with a vision for this space and am so beyond thrilled to finally see it start to come together.</div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></em></strong></div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-35457101077864084822017-06-16T21:19:00.002-04:002017-06-16T21:19:25.368-04:00Taking a (Late) Stab at June Bloom DayAs usual, things have been crazy. I've been feverishly working on expansion of the front gardens I started last year so I have room to combine heeled in plants I moved from my old garden with new purchases and annuals. Soon the yet to be developed patio and back gardens will be calling and I'll have to switch gears.<br />
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Speaking of the patio, last night we had a productive meeting with the landscape designer. We nailed down some final details and made an appointment for tomorrow morning to look at stone. Work is scheduled to start at the end of next week (yay!). I'm excited about the design and can't wait to see the finished product. More on that to come.<br />
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Since most of the plants around here are new or have been recently moved, not a whole lot is blooming. Containers provide some color but are still partially sulking over the chilly, wet spring. I struggle to find a shot around the house right now where the background isn't a mess. Brush piles, tarp covered garden amendments, idle cars and just plain crap-I've got it all.<br />
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So let's stop the whining why don't we and get to the flowers...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inherited unknown Rose in my new garden</td></tr>
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Roses are red, roses are pink. I love roses but they think I stink.<br />
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Right smack where the patio will be installed are four poorly sited, struggling roses. All are climbers and I have no experience with climbers. I had planned to shovel prune them and then this one started blooming. Now I'm thinking maybe with some good soil, plenty of sun, water and compost this rose could be a nice addition to the garden.<br />
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Ha! Roses suck you in. It's what they do. Then before you know what hits you along comes the sawfly larvae, the blackspot, and the crushing disappointment of one day of flowers followed by heavy rain. Sign me up!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-aAsr0tX-u10EJK9PJkTGV5idW-Gosn7zDlGVhyY4tAqJpmqQjd98LC0TGsDq1-2j6TVPyT2x3G3y2M1e7STnor91kamWGzaT28BY2ewLsnVjaoJRy56cNrCZ4q3Q5OTCKFnRz96caTK/s1600/DSC00456+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-aAsr0tX-u10EJK9PJkTGV5idW-Gosn7zDlGVhyY4tAqJpmqQjd98LC0TGsDq1-2j6TVPyT2x3G3y2M1e7STnor91kamWGzaT28BY2ewLsnVjaoJRy56cNrCZ4q3Q5OTCKFnRz96caTK/s640/DSC00456+%25282%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaver orientale 'Queen Alexandra'</td></tr>
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Here's another bloom day offering you would never have seen in my old garden. But I have more room and more sun now so I decided a few of these 'Queen Alexandra' poppies tucked between a group of Pennisetum to hide their declining foliage would be the perfect pairing. How strategic of me. I think.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVG9nmao7qJiCHYjaJpWbN0Zd0PcVDVoWZ6oFbTRsg5JI0pkZbbCLCGPxeci77ML91z0oIZMUnQGtnNmCZTNyFHdJMDHDE3IdkQt1sbC6a6J-46tFgmkDgmuzFElXXFrxwCZxBl3zFisy/s1600/DSC00458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVG9nmao7qJiCHYjaJpWbN0Zd0PcVDVoWZ6oFbTRsg5JI0pkZbbCLCGPxeci77ML91z0oIZMUnQGtnNmCZTNyFHdJMDHDE3IdkQt1sbC6a6J-46tFgmkDgmuzFElXXFrxwCZxBl3zFisy/s640/DSC00458.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corydalis lutea</td></tr>
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Corydalis lutea took the move from my old garden like a champ. May it continue to be happy and cheerful and provide me with many offspring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod0LUFto6VkfvaVovxDIMozWRf3-Iuvjlaq5QBRctd-j1aK0MTecWoa8gkyhQ4MINs3hsFs9Xb_OeksT2Ip8e73HEmvO9cVc6mQZrAqZlY5PQheFh_zG81gZjFDUuypEMmANIuKMUz4Un/s1600/DSC00462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod0LUFto6VkfvaVovxDIMozWRf3-Iuvjlaq5QBRctd-j1aK0MTecWoa8gkyhQ4MINs3hsFs9Xb_OeksT2Ip8e73HEmvO9cVc6mQZrAqZlY5PQheFh_zG81gZjFDUuypEMmANIuKMUz4Un/s640/DSC00462.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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What happens when Allium christophii marries Astrantia 'Vanilla Gorilla'? In my experience, a grove of Allium which isn't necessarily a bad thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T3NIY0dSkHXHQl_h0NmmJMDCcuJrka0Gac8a9GEZlNwoJbLBnCbZ4CVWSyGrU2zBza9AFJdw6juBzUOkgLN63fS0YCUFMOrz9gTntW7YcI1zXdjVPWimOvkklMQEs3Vld8Fx5cqtGHGh/s1600/DSC00459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T3NIY0dSkHXHQl_h0NmmJMDCcuJrka0Gac8a9GEZlNwoJbLBnCbZ4CVWSyGrU2zBza9AFJdw6juBzUOkgLN63fS0YCUFMOrz9gTntW7YcI1zXdjVPWimOvkklMQEs3Vld8Fx5cqtGHGh/s640/DSC00459.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In my infinite wisdom, I decided to remove some lawn and expand this edging of miniature Hosta into more of a mixed planting area. It wasn't long after I started planting that I discovered the rock formation is larger than can be seen and extends under the lawn. Any recommendations for shallow rooted plants would be appreciated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekoc1IJCxuJJ-PmAmD_amMynIGFS-0Fa-brFaBL6G1O0sJ6HkUuxkMss2TtUrNvrfwxDMZ9gls6XpYVfDqugMxYk76YqYxYnzm0WpvdW2CdFN6DzxYuKzQhCYRPcoyVdx3hJYuVZ-DfCL/s1600/DSC00455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekoc1IJCxuJJ-PmAmD_amMynIGFS-0Fa-brFaBL6G1O0sJ6HkUuxkMss2TtUrNvrfwxDMZ9gls6XpYVfDqugMxYk76YqYxYnzm0WpvdW2CdFN6DzxYuKzQhCYRPcoyVdx3hJYuVZ-DfCL/s640/DSC00455.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mixed containers have always been a huge component of my garden. I'm struggling a bit with them creatively this year but I'm happy with the simplicity of this one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajs6QAlHtKD3hQio-WxIf9QXq1wP00dWUl5gq30OCEVyjGnNMWhmDQ32PZlsA_utpIyS9ZOm8NcBbRcqeBxPD9DnKL4PvLcgv6R9JZZ4C-qTLFqagEw-nJulc71oPi-1io7PoPwgT4F26/s1600/DSC00461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajs6QAlHtKD3hQio-WxIf9QXq1wP00dWUl5gq30OCEVyjGnNMWhmDQ32PZlsA_utpIyS9ZOm8NcBbRcqeBxPD9DnKL4PvLcgv6R9JZZ4C-qTLFqagEw-nJulc71oPi-1io7PoPwgT4F26/s640/DSC00461.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Heat and humidity melts them so pansies only do well here in the spring. I usually spring for a couple of six packs in April when they are pretty much the only thing for sale at the garden center. When the time comes to yank them out, I sometimes pinch a few back and tuck them into the sides of my mixed containers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlN5Xyi7xgZ81rdNWmHbilU8qjPEqXtGCzGYc4t8jtBP8E1htItw-AcMpQ5LY1_XYgvm-LEcjtJdhyZo8BeWpKGisZtbbPH39bZTIYTxS896AlpKSbHmxxmcUAubya6CWx2MbVvHLXG3F/s1600/DSC00434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlN5Xyi7xgZ81rdNWmHbilU8qjPEqXtGCzGYc4t8jtBP8E1htItw-AcMpQ5LY1_XYgvm-LEcjtJdhyZo8BeWpKGisZtbbPH39bZTIYTxS896AlpKSbHmxxmcUAubya6CWx2MbVvHLXG3F/s640/DSC00434.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold' is one of my top ten favorite plants. I always say I'm going to cut off the flower stalks because they can get ratty. Then it blooms.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-fKdpsJI_31kzN-3HN-VtZlsC0RJFk0Om6Q4PH-J8eGxLFIAE8d-TfvOstEOfWkucVU4B5OVCN9ONV1m36Ylh7zvzn50J0USxrKM8XREMkWYuUd_oVT6uhTjpjE9BG8gVaAUot8jZlSu/s1600/DSC00433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-fKdpsJI_31kzN-3HN-VtZlsC0RJFk0Om6Q4PH-J8eGxLFIAE8d-TfvOstEOfWkucVU4B5OVCN9ONV1m36Ylh7zvzn50J0USxrKM8XREMkWYuUd_oVT6uhTjpjE9BG8gVaAUot8jZlSu/s640/DSC00433.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'</td></tr>
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So far no sign of ratty and growing to well over four feet tall in a fair amount of hot afternoon sun. Rain is becoming more scarce and days are getting warmer so I figure the other shoe is about ready to drop and I'll be cutting this one back soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XeaOsopBiN31LwniuqDUcctwvbGIRZpyuJMVy8hYCkueVnynYA3QSQtCMTGyJTCv7RbvQ4Ta-5jJ3po0A1ENNdVxkyhDReNGyPkMfI2mu0ccScZ3nlpd4oUjlK7l-da1q_ijfVJP5aps/s1600/DSC00423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XeaOsopBiN31LwniuqDUcctwvbGIRZpyuJMVy8hYCkueVnynYA3QSQtCMTGyJTCv7RbvQ4Ta-5jJ3po0A1ENNdVxkyhDReNGyPkMfI2mu0ccScZ3nlpd4oUjlK7l-da1q_ijfVJP5aps/s640/DSC00423.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Achillea 'Moonshine'</td></tr>
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I brought Achillea 'Moonshine' from my old garden where it barely limped along and never bloomed. Voles decimated some of it over the winter here but I replanted. Now I'm eyeing cultivars in other colors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyNm7Ar3oKRgl_3vTezwq9SyCUEBoarp8CkVhhwRWlTfTbXxZmvibJYgh6m5aHM8Px4uAbuP6veoKvWwVjy1Hla97lsgxc3eDso-BVuqjXk33rMt__EQo_Ix8QMl4gpZltKRmySySb-hL/s1600/DSC00418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyNm7Ar3oKRgl_3vTezwq9SyCUEBoarp8CkVhhwRWlTfTbXxZmvibJYgh6m5aHM8Px4uAbuP6veoKvWwVjy1Hla97lsgxc3eDso-BVuqjXk33rMt__EQo_Ix8QMl4gpZltKRmySySb-hL/s640/DSC00418.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I decided it was time to find out if all the Digiplexis hoopla is warranted. So far, so good but ask me again in September. The last time I tried this plant, I bought non blooming basal foliage. Don't do it. I'm not sure if this plant is perennial anywhere but it's an annual here and I learned it needs <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/vernalization" target="_blank">vernalization</a> to bloom. If you don't see flower stalks at the nursery, don't take a chance.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLqSvRi4ig9WLdfSQ98UwPPhnIfe1J2LCDQpIcLuh_IIOhh-hTzcQEQh8u8v4ujoGqCPRa-uLpHEUVMYWZ0UpWDg8N1pReJRsPqwZsAWbNSPLi6fXzQrseWVTP0wt63anZtB2cljF2haM/s1600/DSC00463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLqSvRi4ig9WLdfSQ98UwPPhnIfe1J2LCDQpIcLuh_IIOhh-hTzcQEQh8u8v4ujoGqCPRa-uLpHEUVMYWZ0UpWDg8N1pReJRsPqwZsAWbNSPLi6fXzQrseWVTP0wt63anZtB2cljF2haM/s640/DSC00463.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veronica longifolia 'Charlotte'</td></tr>
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Veronica is a mixed experience plant for me. I blame lack of sun in my old garden but I never rule out gardener error. When I saw this subtly variegated variety at a local garden center this spring I decided it was time to try again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn9v0DPLxNLfQH9K7JQSAP7THjvR90Lgx7ndbXNocyFtkj9QvyYsTnqLbuvolc6Rzb1mhZUvXO8W8jSrsBQd816qIWEcOxIOe23ywd-xpns5nA_ns7sXNjZqdaCKftsardMcwa1cs8Rdy/s1600/DSC00465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1083" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn9v0DPLxNLfQH9K7JQSAP7THjvR90Lgx7ndbXNocyFtkj9QvyYsTnqLbuvolc6Rzb1mhZUvXO8W8jSrsBQd816qIWEcOxIOe23ywd-xpns5nA_ns7sXNjZqdaCKftsardMcwa1cs8Rdy/s640/DSC00465.JPG" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Calibrachoa in the blue fish pot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zNDWAIi8vjJlj3eocNSA7blO0B6CSqcjTmNRDop4tfJ04otohRfxCsTW59i8lyp9zNfqlissIOdD74kk6CgUr88mpzWLBvB9pzF-cnIGEaGsbd4LgmUmzcXKs5wwuf0fWA3-lfETRI4t/s1600/DSC00466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zNDWAIi8vjJlj3eocNSA7blO0B6CSqcjTmNRDop4tfJ04otohRfxCsTW59i8lyp9zNfqlissIOdD74kk6CgUr88mpzWLBvB9pzF-cnIGEaGsbd4LgmUmzcXKs5wwuf0fWA3-lfETRI4t/s640/DSC00466.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fading flowers of Physocarpus 'Little Devil'</td></tr>
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Raise your hand if you love Physocarpus as much as I do? The foliage provides so much structure in a mixed border and the cool cultivars keep coming. You could argue the same for Sambucus but I haven't had great luck with them. They tend to come up strong in the spring then just wilt and die one branch at a time. I read it was due to borers that overwinter in old stems but I always cut mine back hard and still had the wilt issues.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhBQ2qI2o_Yd_0ss94Ru_zorR6aBM2Sy36NpstC1wc4Jly8cx7APHkwbQ_JH4AfhHs_rvW1l9TzJltMr9k9W9wNutcANQNf5s6rQiU62HMAknq8LRQl5YwooBqwT8K0T6KVdz9AJnKPYb/s1600/DSC00467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhBQ2qI2o_Yd_0ss94Ru_zorR6aBM2Sy36NpstC1wc4Jly8cx7APHkwbQ_JH4AfhHs_rvW1l9TzJltMr9k9W9wNutcANQNf5s6rQiU62HMAknq8LRQl5YwooBqwT8K0T6KVdz9AJnKPYb/s640/DSC00467.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antirrhinum majus nanum 'Black Prince'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Through gardeners that I follow on Instagram, I discovered <a href="http://thebunkerfarm.com/" target="_blank">The Bunker Farm</a> in Dummerston, Vermont. One of the farm's products is unusual annuals and perennials grown from seed. A few weeks ago we were in the area and stopped by. I picked up some hard to find plants and a bunch of plants I had never seen before including this old fashioned Snapdragon.<br />
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A few miscellaneous bloomers:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnHb2cFvNhlwV_yWjVA7-x17Iyp_1g71sLk316LyIQ5sB1ruYZbjX1oV7v26_bIV3OGUzFAgzfIPDJw0FTZ0JDC8KjcatQTTQzT5I-xdp3eqH4KR_5-BBshzQ3QpKZp0WZworO-2fAw-b/s1600/DSC00470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnHb2cFvNhlwV_yWjVA7-x17Iyp_1g71sLk316LyIQ5sB1ruYZbjX1oV7v26_bIV3OGUzFAgzfIPDJw0FTZ0JDC8KjcatQTTQzT5I-xdp3eqH4KR_5-BBshzQ3QpKZp0WZworO-2fAw-b/s640/DSC00470.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox glaberrima 'Triple Play'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHSx_6brnsPwIlkvsHE5d9aQSJYmqPmiAt5c3B8gEPY4Mgd4DmuO_blQh_p_abNa1r3lZdz8XoXjXJaDCLsyck16X65-ovczXJYTFGYd_rEBHMJFwpw3wpZ7tsPSBhDpLO61rVQljy8F7/s1600/DSC00471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHSx_6brnsPwIlkvsHE5d9aQSJYmqPmiAt5c3B8gEPY4Mgd4DmuO_blQh_p_abNa1r3lZdz8XoXjXJaDCLsyck16X65-ovczXJYTFGYd_rEBHMJFwpw3wpZ7tsPSBhDpLO61rVQljy8F7/s640/DSC00471.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunpatiens Variegated Spreading White</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp7Qq8kiqLDAkx1ZHulVkkF610bmMOXcUPU4NaOV0B_4dhbcXMHIVYjyZquIk3zMyy_Zof3vAVb1o8Yx4q5SaQeaSERXpo3PRcoAaHx1m7VxNXtT1PktLr3JUGDZKHL1O2qX1wtM02wRL/s1600/DSC00472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp7Qq8kiqLDAkx1ZHulVkkF610bmMOXcUPU4NaOV0B_4dhbcXMHIVYjyZquIk3zMyy_Zof3vAVb1o8Yx4q5SaQeaSERXpo3PRcoAaHx1m7VxNXtT1PktLr3JUGDZKHL1O2qX1wtM02wRL/s640/DSC00472.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aruncus 'Misty Lace' (I<em><strong> think)</strong></em></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyOu1YlNcmlsahmHBV7BhKtX-XdsHzVPGDjBZE9DVzxSfCknazI0oXBoQVGV9tkxGwCCD7FjCHYbHisOetJCioVOc2d8U7kodU2cmj1IAVb78nGlc21CVB-hyx2_AAULA4EHNfJPNmLUz/s1600/DSC00473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyOu1YlNcmlsahmHBV7BhKtX-XdsHzVPGDjBZE9DVzxSfCknazI0oXBoQVGV9tkxGwCCD7FjCHYbHisOetJCioVOc2d8U7kodU2cmj1IAVb78nGlc21CVB-hyx2_AAULA4EHNfJPNmLUz/s640/DSC00473.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allium christophii</td></tr>
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Photo credits to Dave for the rest of these shots. He was home chipping brush yesterday while I was at work and knew I needed material for this post. Maybe I'll let him take all the pictures for July <wink,wink>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY7cZ2ScxD22D8wG6glu3Oqb2N09ckN581bmm7gIB2iF7C2lCqqpNHzG9yQBgBWwTwTRoNE_aN6v1wCGPSVxOQ_8yQ71fY5-fYiOcKthA5Jo2VyyHtrrBKX8lAdxBcrwxyIiTQfgaslHg/s1600/DSC_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY7cZ2ScxD22D8wG6glu3Oqb2N09ckN581bmm7gIB2iF7C2lCqqpNHzG9yQBgBWwTwTRoNE_aN6v1wCGPSVxOQ_8yQ71fY5-fYiOcKthA5Jo2VyyHtrrBKX8lAdxBcrwxyIiTQfgaslHg/s640/DSC_0207.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geranium 'New Hampshire Purple' was a gift from my friend Deanne many years ago and moved from my old garden,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuosDczgqeExCRRVmnMDQ8J6jJShbX9xEFZjqzk3PKQs-_2mAKX3HiDJFxSuDFdBeTGu6obhBRB0Mii4dxXsspWid0diegVm8XpmsMpgvBKV-f-PyXWGKeKzag5GkEAFIGvtyd6NSf4gC9/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuosDczgqeExCRRVmnMDQ8J6jJShbX9xEFZjqzk3PKQs-_2mAKX3HiDJFxSuDFdBeTGu6obhBRB0Mii4dxXsspWid0diegVm8XpmsMpgvBKV-f-PyXWGKeKzag5GkEAFIGvtyd6NSf4gC9/s640/DSC_0210.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Arabella' mingling with maidenhair fern Adiantum pedatum</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxygD1B11a7cW9t95-bBEDmtcb2fYoswNBBczUGm_Z5PLVo3C2nkd3IN8e3cRUG-ThgU9_NlITJWJ6nRhfF9HqQVpXjOSo0J4-9I1Td3ACe7VcnKHMhr86skmsIPi5L5PbywZva0aaoij/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxygD1B11a7cW9t95-bBEDmtcb2fYoswNBBczUGm_Z5PLVo3C2nkd3IN8e3cRUG-ThgU9_NlITJWJ6nRhfF9HqQVpXjOSo0J4-9I1Td3ACe7VcnKHMhr86skmsIPi5L5PbywZva0aaoij/s640/DSC_0214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This inherited peony is planted in a sea of variegated goutweed (Aegopodium) and chameleon plant (Houttuynia) in the old vegetable garden. I'd like to save it but will have move it completely bare root to avoid exposing other garden areas to those invasive bastards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32dQ7zpcfD7r4TVANKJ53fdgHrQF0PDywolAJt-iDp8KiqKYpVLirZHUYCQ0mGVQNkFkZf8-tCl15olwVrGP2vPtxzrxz8NhhENZpzaxhtY-bJxOV-8ypitwU7dh6XmukwOCGJsAr9tJL/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32dQ7zpcfD7r4TVANKJ53fdgHrQF0PDywolAJt-iDp8KiqKYpVLirZHUYCQ0mGVQNkFkZf8-tCl15olwVrGP2vPtxzrxz8NhhENZpzaxhtY-bJxOV-8ypitwU7dh6XmukwOCGJsAr9tJL/s640/DSC_0208.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave got a way better shot of the poppies than I did.</td></tr>
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So there you have it. Thanks to <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2017/06/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-june-2017.html" target="_blank">Carol at May Dreams Garden</a> for hosting is monthly event. Next week I will be attending the <a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/p/2018-dcva.html" target="_blank">Garden Bloggers Fling</a> where I look forward to meeting many of the folks behind the blogs. I'm the token poser, the one nobody will know. With any luck no one will call security before checking with the organizers.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></em></strong>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-57954925597338073162017-06-05T13:23:00.003-04:002017-06-05T21:03:01.440-04:00A Garden Conservancy Open Days GemOn Saturday I took a break from working in my own garden to visit three local gardens participating in the <a href="https://www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days/open-days-schedule" target="_blank">Garden Conservancy Open Days</a> program. Out of the three, <a href="https://www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days/garden-directory/small-pleasures-a-walter-kendra" target="_blank">Small Pleasures, the garden of A. Walter Kendra</a>, an absolutely charming small garden, was my clear favorite.<br />
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Located in the historic district of Collinsville, CT, a village in the town of Canton, the garden sits on a shady corner lot the size of a postage stamp. But don't be fooled. What the garden lacks in size it makes up for in beautiful use of hardscape, well chosen plantings, artistic details and efficient use of space. I was so happy to have discovered this garden right in my town!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ok5bMqFSBTVFuirz2S6Y4QpjhUgb4ghhalXq8EMpJhvO3cKYcnKzY-Q5aCz3zYorLkcsrXfvuC41fohMkCxeMERIgfoLyLi4fZR8X5ukPom54RqbJU-CZ7BQRSHfsd1LAC-zwcbk5w-W/s1600/DSC00383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1219" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ok5bMqFSBTVFuirz2S6Y4QpjhUgb4ghhalXq8EMpJhvO3cKYcnKzY-Q5aCz3zYorLkcsrXfvuC41fohMkCxeMERIgfoLyLi4fZR8X5ukPom54RqbJU-CZ7BQRSHfsd1LAC-zwcbk5w-W/s640/DSC00383.JPG" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear patio and garden of A. Walter Kendra</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigiZTYIVfnfk1u3itXsI6wrpm-Q9g35pCnz2M2Qv7kAUYDj8ZcAf7xQJM7T47_NNDT4B70dnSqgbaZKYaz1SKWUkQIzrLjaXvnBxg-tZSjU_tfQ3iviijVpmtwobUEyQyaaTyVGz643ME/s1600/DSC00387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigiZTYIVfnfk1u3itXsI6wrpm-Q9g35pCnz2M2Qv7kAUYDj8ZcAf7xQJM7T47_NNDT4B70dnSqgbaZKYaz1SKWUkQIzrLjaXvnBxg-tZSjU_tfQ3iviijVpmtwobUEyQyaaTyVGz643ME/s640/DSC00387.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The home and surrounding garden was meticulously manicured and maintained.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoOJhvp5PYlfb25g-FxL6dvZZt5C0D2VquEWmIBFP9EIPXjHKwoMgCqwzvrhR5DsaunJhL0gx1qeCZU-tHdi0bNTjOuxnjHtLzzmYHzDMVxbFvSYtf-ZRZu9XZQu8GkNJ4GxTmakXayIb/s1600/DSC00382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="940" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoOJhvp5PYlfb25g-FxL6dvZZt5C0D2VquEWmIBFP9EIPXjHKwoMgCqwzvrhR5DsaunJhL0gx1qeCZU-tHdi0bNTjOuxnjHtLzzmYHzDMVxbFvSYtf-ZRZu9XZQu8GkNJ4GxTmakXayIb/s640/DSC00382.JPG" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely potting area was located in a narrow space along the side of the house.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh974Q4NdP76VAN0495HvA9ysa1qP459U9c5U4cjJPHu8wXNM0vJFwCLksW6dVydWmp3i8SnJXnKTYtaLRadLMOoJvaISRDCni2IaEdA_cGEYMjO4TANnfahxVZjiaMCq4FKNUEOW9tAM26/s1600/DSC00389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh974Q4NdP76VAN0495HvA9ysa1qP459U9c5U4cjJPHu8wXNM0vJFwCLksW6dVydWmp3i8SnJXnKTYtaLRadLMOoJvaISRDCni2IaEdA_cGEYMjO4TANnfahxVZjiaMCq4FKNUEOW9tAM26/s640/DSC00389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was absolutely in love with this screen house/summer kitchen located in the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Wx5KK8vSx05B6eLBHHYIU0nWvnrJGulR22N4iufbcsAjt5tsTGFLp7M4rsij3d6U7NSmmkb9cnIqrU2qJ6EKKE1UNsVmICvYfc5-R736qvVk-TZRPnwKBzn7yQfhV5NFOt3t1Cs7KfVJ/s1600/DSC00391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Wx5KK8vSx05B6eLBHHYIU0nWvnrJGulR22N4iufbcsAjt5tsTGFLp7M4rsij3d6U7NSmmkb9cnIqrU2qJ6EKKE1UNsVmICvYfc5-R736qvVk-TZRPnwKBzn7yQfhV5NFOt3t1Cs7KfVJ/s640/DSC00391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the summer kitchen in the garden of A. Walter Kendra</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrenZq9SrunKYqGVyyR-ItkWGdAsgItaN9ZRQBZmINY7-X0gXzHutf0W0uSK4iUht7YitIkJrm4wRrJJOGuqphUTsDBhuh8dppOSv6648IFjZ4tc6VHpenf7kzRyQjiNSfW44Lz9bfy6J/s1600/DSC00385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrenZq9SrunKYqGVyyR-ItkWGdAsgItaN9ZRQBZmINY7-X0gXzHutf0W0uSK4iUht7YitIkJrm4wRrJJOGuqphUTsDBhuh8dppOSv6648IFjZ4tc6VHpenf7kzRyQjiNSfW44Lz9bfy6J/s640/DSC00385.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the intimate seating areas in the garden</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E0Hz1IW6kCDT4DnUYZZ3E6z0NRNVIMhS6NLysLHMsQZKqG4sJdmFZBRmO8fGAPMnAPVV8oxTmDRpWlNCtuBP_a-WZz_-vrfM64ARqLTQZAhxaMN1RTTnGKU-9XFdx_SQzZDIV1eH_p12/s1600/DSC00384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E0Hz1IW6kCDT4DnUYZZ3E6z0NRNVIMhS6NLysLHMsQZKqG4sJdmFZBRmO8fGAPMnAPVV8oxTmDRpWlNCtuBP_a-WZz_-vrfM64ARqLTQZAhxaMN1RTTnGKU-9XFdx_SQzZDIV1eH_p12/s640/DSC00384.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomf8Ycyd_jeqLfpZYRrSkAfcWZ-GTkz60KLpNmP7X4NmxwFmc9RNGsE4WlZ6MFYhT4vSYzCi-5xg_Rkpo1LpmxbasrMj2fjBm9MyEvYSBfJAOnma-BZEfrYzR4cebtqXLBuAY3-IL5kYT/s1600/DSC00386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomf8Ycyd_jeqLfpZYRrSkAfcWZ-GTkz60KLpNmP7X4NmxwFmc9RNGsE4WlZ6MFYhT4vSYzCi-5xg_Rkpo1LpmxbasrMj2fjBm9MyEvYSBfJAOnma-BZEfrYzR4cebtqXLBuAY3-IL5kYT/s640/DSC00386.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attention to detail was evident throughout without being overdone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF9nfFndfEZ4-j0Iff3f0JazT6we5qV3rfC2_cR7I5fp73EVMzKiDB42gP3y1p1pdiZyAVv0iVtSX6vaDzz724a4X13p8Y65JKdX9FZ7MeKHA2PQm6icv8qvYWX14O_vr47JHdqCBkpaf/s1600/DSC00394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF9nfFndfEZ4-j0Iff3f0JazT6we5qV3rfC2_cR7I5fp73EVMzKiDB42gP3y1p1pdiZyAVv0iVtSX6vaDzz724a4X13p8Y65JKdX9FZ7MeKHA2PQm6icv8qvYWX14O_vr47JHdqCBkpaf/s640/DSC00394.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small water feature was located on a patio just outside the summer kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilixelVsISd7L70n2LuYZnerH4AIbcWp0d28MJratp6uHAzbAnu36jG0LfuMb4VQCv8LdbS9ePuMtqi2BX7aLAQT5Tskvn0HC6UC0vCbA4znRJ5urrHUj9xCI1w5628GKngb5TMdYI6tpd/s1600/DSC00395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1216" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilixelVsISd7L70n2LuYZnerH4AIbcWp0d28MJratp6uHAzbAnu36jG0LfuMb4VQCv8LdbS9ePuMtqi2BX7aLAQT5Tskvn0HC6UC0vCbA4znRJ5urrHUj9xCI1w5628GKngb5TMdYI6tpd/s640/DSC00395.JPG" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More little details</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlerKxSPLMs-BWyy68I1NA874sntsqsbnnObN8NuHJd09t38qJIiZb47FOII3JuVnXoQE-KWhCy-FvbUHeUxUQuiDnx8nklokzl5WQxqQMFj-4YhbK5SRE5mnEsvae0VrMyD66jXRzWDg8/s1600/DSC00392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlerKxSPLMs-BWyy68I1NA874sntsqsbnnObN8NuHJd09t38qJIiZb47FOII3JuVnXoQE-KWhCy-FvbUHeUxUQuiDnx8nklokzl5WQxqQMFj-4YhbK5SRE5mnEsvae0VrMyD66jXRzWDg8/s640/DSC00392.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was surprised to see this happy Calycanthus in such a small space. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkzsu8XjAIyUHzlrBMOqEPUra4QPyfsf4UbPsS2ZJGj8xWRs5lsloEiadiSUWk5RV_vCIA3sp7NIAGGU9LaCvxCEtBHY5EIjMGMw_Se_fpj91JOAzp01IcTG-3qBfK6ZipC7N4UiCCb7I/s1600/DSC00396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkzsu8XjAIyUHzlrBMOqEPUra4QPyfsf4UbPsS2ZJGj8xWRs5lsloEiadiSUWk5RV_vCIA3sp7NIAGGU9LaCvxCEtBHY5EIjMGMw_Se_fpj91JOAzp01IcTG-3qBfK6ZipC7N4UiCCb7I/s640/DSC00396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Walter's studio, also located on the property. The Calycanthus pictured above is located to the right of the door.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoVPAzUcgA_G4wkkSuXq4jxbyWTOnbX-t5sq1Z13yUYy2g8CEqTsFZzBkFtrvGhQ4JGLHQT773HxZInAf1B6FAXYR6pAt8MPf1S1ng9zZtaTmmOYvwVHnGAxmS_Kooepg74WEqfEojLO2/s1600/DSC00393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoVPAzUcgA_G4wkkSuXq4jxbyWTOnbX-t5sq1Z13yUYy2g8CEqTsFZzBkFtrvGhQ4JGLHQT773HxZInAf1B6FAXYR6pAt8MPf1S1ng9zZtaTmmOYvwVHnGAxmS_Kooepg74WEqfEojLO2/s640/DSC00393.JPG" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much interest packed into a small space</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtufhv42SI-TWIWmZ_hWDHIQ7VAfXU2FRJq5GBybtr50_Hzd7qNKjPoiDlAmHxdBUhE-WvcDXWzz0czFMjdgZ2Pexd3DVL0w18WPEixAl1xsxWxGBfnN1-NgYME3vQDYb0ZpYjOGzNxDH/s1600/DSC00388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1263" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtufhv42SI-TWIWmZ_hWDHIQ7VAfXU2FRJq5GBybtr50_Hzd7qNKjPoiDlAmHxdBUhE-WvcDXWzz0czFMjdgZ2Pexd3DVL0w18WPEixAl1xsxWxGBfnN1-NgYME3vQDYb0ZpYjOGzNxDH/s640/DSC00388.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwmhTXbWWwsFvBaBJ4CwgMtxAMyz_8X6dO9WAyjoo0bZlVhWULDV6AUhjZwnoFXEVCJ-9nES4WRNIP0qOXQqDxUWnNsq_T_-p2wXCaSneaGWYZ_FBWJausdZIp_7dE6MvfCnoPVhjpA6Y/s1600/DSC00390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwmhTXbWWwsFvBaBJ4CwgMtxAMyz_8X6dO9WAyjoo0bZlVhWULDV6AUhjZwnoFXEVCJ-9nES4WRNIP0qOXQqDxUWnNsq_T_-p2wXCaSneaGWYZ_FBWJausdZIp_7dE6MvfCnoPVhjpA6Y/s640/DSC00390.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It may come as no surprise that Walter in an artist. You can see it in the details of his lovely garden.</td></tr>
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Notice the stonework in this garden-the bluestone patios, walkways, stairs and walls. Walter's garden is one that likely looks great every month of the year. And now that I know it's here, be rest assured I will be taking an occasional stroll around town to get a peek.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></strong><br />
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-59930069960211684722017-04-15T21:21:00.001-04:002017-04-15T21:27:49.353-04:00April Bloom DayIn my old, mostly mature garden, I designed for late season interest so April was never a banner bloom day month for me but I usually had enough to toss together a reasonably respectable post. Not this year.<br />
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Spring arrived late to Connecticut this year. On March 14th a blizzard dumped a foot and a half of snow on my garden. Usually March snow doesn't hang around long but the storm was followed by a few of weeks of lower than normal temperatures. I was just about ready to rent a giant blowtorch, when normal weather returned.<br />
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With no established garden areas yet, I don't have much but here goes:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20VuND0miQmccW0E2e4bRZvwtC3WmWi8ILoeLL_qf8SMa-g6djxQDu-zZ9oErfd8R6fb2cIFpQAY0F2pbo0bAnzj9G1fCjKPrhLOx1c8ozX180_HSgy30_KXvuQC1XcIbl1t3sYX-4wOY/s1600/DSC00245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20VuND0miQmccW0E2e4bRZvwtC3WmWi8ILoeLL_qf8SMa-g6djxQDu-zZ9oErfd8R6fb2cIFpQAY0F2pbo0bAnzj9G1fCjKPrhLOx1c8ozX180_HSgy30_KXvuQC1XcIbl1t3sYX-4wOY/s640/DSC00245.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornus mas 'Variegata' is thriving in it's new home</td></tr>
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In the fall of 2015 when I made the decision to move, I immediately started thinking about plants I wanted to take with me. I had many small, choice trees in my old garden, but only one was small enough to survive a move. Cornus mas is unique here for it's early season bloom (often beginning in March although not this year). When I saw this variegated cultivar offered for sale in the Fairweather Gardens a few springs ago, I just had to have it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SaKldnLvqtqD_B-yz7BsQ00ngmPitNUqGKcPx9iWnrKsNJwxnu43YoGsRs6RgInSqE4miiLJTiV9-Dx5z6-VwHhDxNmTfNfTDW3zuI4RAljkmypVEyDfABJWXTumz6ZNFw_tbljtQ69Z/s1600/DSC00249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SaKldnLvqtqD_B-yz7BsQ00ngmPitNUqGKcPx9iWnrKsNJwxnu43YoGsRs6RgInSqE4miiLJTiV9-Dx5z6-VwHhDxNmTfNfTDW3zuI4RAljkmypVEyDfABJWXTumz6ZNFw_tbljtQ69Z/s640/DSC00249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Hellebores are late this year</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrQwpQlS8ff0_lJ2GqyOmhEAWoy9p8Hz_BkyrwI9Lsnker4cZt2sMRMwilI1XFkrhumVZe2c0vrlvtjMxDmmCYiw7ZzFCp9Vy6in28lQrLs9YlILNbGPVNJBz2FUx78UjLQwVZTrViWvQ/s1600/DSC00253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrQwpQlS8ff0_lJ2GqyOmhEAWoy9p8Hz_BkyrwI9Lsnker4cZt2sMRMwilI1XFkrhumVZe2c0vrlvtjMxDmmCYiw7ZzFCp9Vy6in28lQrLs9YlILNbGPVNJBz2FUx78UjLQwVZTrViWvQ/s640/DSC00253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I inherited this lovely double white Hellebore with the garden. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RPYjD8o-FQ5ez-9oipzgViBx3xuAvV7UnKdF2jNqvTWPNlWrwWjbBxX3NqSK70dI49ApJ4wqv04WmXEGvWFJyZMKnG-iqHrPidwN_EqPS1lKXHyGkPn-9m1XOjoB03_CERcUE3NH_HkU/s1600/DSC00247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RPYjD8o-FQ5ez-9oipzgViBx3xuAvV7UnKdF2jNqvTWPNlWrwWjbBxX3NqSK70dI49ApJ4wqv04WmXEGvWFJyZMKnG-iqHrPidwN_EqPS1lKXHyGkPn-9m1XOjoB03_CERcUE3NH_HkU/s640/DSC00247.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single Chionodoxa managed to hitch a ride to my new garden</td></tr>
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Chionodoxa was naturalized in some of the beds and the front lawn of my old garden. A single bulb must have been in one of the perennials I moved. I smiled when I saw it blooming and made a mental note to add some to my fall bulb order this year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh_xJSMY3u4wMG0O9YXAnFqxvVaWRtajvToaGJTxrgn0IB4F7xWDf8J9vhJe4MxUvr-eCJkoJ9srQm7_Eh_OdTduVyToSrS4gAzU6ejoJ878TUFkRBtZ6Kx15G9ttuyq2uKpm-Tue-HkE/s1600/DSC00250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh_xJSMY3u4wMG0O9YXAnFqxvVaWRtajvToaGJTxrgn0IB4F7xWDf8J9vhJe4MxUvr-eCJkoJ9srQm7_Eh_OdTduVyToSrS4gAzU6ejoJ878TUFkRBtZ6Kx15G9ttuyq2uKpm-Tue-HkE/s640/DSC00250.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inherited Daffodils</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCby3y4_XJ6V1545HS2FvPMqsqgJX8Wi884WuFVWs0NVqkuxpGZLXbaibQcQ4XJc0QaYZVuxXtk5V30aNrwFsWJppLdlet4BXRWZSrRk67E0hB4Pg37GYinBIkyBXEp4Nd0y4rrOoXwjsM/s1600/DSC00251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCby3y4_XJ6V1545HS2FvPMqsqgJX8Wi884WuFVWs0NVqkuxpGZLXbaibQcQ4XJc0QaYZVuxXtk5V30aNrwFsWJppLdlet4BXRWZSrRk67E0hB4Pg37GYinBIkyBXEp4Nd0y4rrOoXwjsM/s640/DSC00251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I brought a few later blooming daffodils from my old garden but also inherited many. I'm currently battling a plethora of invasive plants in the center section of a tiered rock garden in front of the house. Last weekend I raked it out and started digging out everything except these daffodils that are thriving despite the neglect.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EFRQQtsh5lP3dhhWptDpibbOX59ELeuReWq184fQAaHEQ6GFCM_i4rF-DqOa-Z-WVp2TdN_OMTSkX-AJo1KUSftNKrHbbw8DCr1Xiy6HypVsxf7u72HHamSGld99yJIEBGW60_wsL4Fh/s1600/DSC00248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EFRQQtsh5lP3dhhWptDpibbOX59ELeuReWq184fQAaHEQ6GFCM_i4rF-DqOa-Z-WVp2TdN_OMTSkX-AJo1KUSftNKrHbbw8DCr1Xiy6HypVsxf7u72HHamSGld99yJIEBGW60_wsL4Fh/s640/DSC00248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pansies are tough to resist after a long winter,</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf84VrPdpK6Tum7hI_3hgfu3KfyDItij7sKW7I8nFfkEL94eAi1Z7u5IjX2b9vF9LiGsz2VoZgpIBK4tX-j3HTQNgkvOtwghMsl_HMZy5jJWkrcCi2RFXNyLC9cffKXx0mZ-5JH2KEtGL/s1600/DSC00254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf84VrPdpK6Tum7hI_3hgfu3KfyDItij7sKW7I8nFfkEL94eAi1Z7u5IjX2b9vF9LiGsz2VoZgpIBK4tX-j3HTQNgkvOtwghMsl_HMZy5jJWkrcCi2RFXNyLC9cffKXx0mZ-5JH2KEtGL/s640/DSC00254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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OK so I planted pansies in a couple of pots. In a month or two I'll be yanking them out or pinching them way back to tuck into mixed containers but for now I'll enjoy their cheerful little faces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlJUZHWIYMg83LWEM2fR1sILDQGpemcpNseM-_tBm7upTTEBTjbmBJcpG1gIkZXtayTZuXt8ylGN3XyNbtZJoIgKXPZ-93ifRHuyUs6ZYEfGlNJwtmcq9t6dis9dOaeeIUgofng8wFRS7/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlJUZHWIYMg83LWEM2fR1sILDQGpemcpNseM-_tBm7upTTEBTjbmBJcpG1gIkZXtayTZuXt8ylGN3XyNbtZJoIgKXPZ-93ifRHuyUs6ZYEfGlNJwtmcq9t6dis9dOaeeIUgofng8wFRS7/s640/DSC00243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why in the world would someone plant this much Forsythia?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvSRNtznps-Uhcr5wCDzPkKqUJYF7l9pA1391LUNQcSAn8BqSBiSK-m9DbATklr3WtEVx62Aqbja3knBypEI-3vFihADy0g0nR1aDCmOcgE_sn7JithL816aMU2zzBqKESOeE8QUSZ0ot/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvSRNtznps-Uhcr5wCDzPkKqUJYF7l9pA1391LUNQcSAn8BqSBiSK-m9DbATklr3WtEVx62Aqbja3knBypEI-3vFihADy0g0nR1aDCmOcgE_sn7JithL816aMU2zzBqKESOeE8QUSZ0ot/s640/DSC00244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hedge of Forsythia in the front yard of my new house.</td></tr>
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Yes, I have Forsythia. Lots and lots of Forsythia. I apologize in advance to any die hard Forsythia fans out there but I will eventually be removing all of it. Since it's an absolute bitch to dig out, I'll likely start with the "specimen" plants situated around the property and work my way up to this "hedge".<br />
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If you follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/musabasjoosue/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> you know that we (i.e. Dave) are currently knee deep in a back yard DIY tree removal palooza in preparation for the patio installation next month. I'm hard at work improving and enlarging garden beds. At times all the work seems overwhelming and I have to remind myself that Rome wasn't built in a day. I do enjoy the process though and look forward to seeing things come together.<br />
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Before I forget (because it's been a while), let me thank Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2017/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2017.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a> for hosting this widely popular monthly meme. With any luck I'll have more to offer in May.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Sue~</b></span><br />
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-29384117517484145362017-03-18T19:51:00.003-04:002017-03-18T19:51:38.470-04:00Tetrapanax in ConnecticutI started writing this blog post about four years ago after I returned from a week of garden touring in Oregon and Washington. For years it's been suspended in the dreaded "draft" status. Given that I have little or nothing to offer on the gardening front right now I figured it might be a good time to resurrect and post this relic.<br />
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After drooling over plants on that trip, most of which I would have a snowball's chance in hell of growing in my own garden, I decided I wanted to walk on the wild side and try growing <i>Tetrapanax papyrifer</i> in my central Connecticut garden.<br />
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If you follow this blog, you know that I moved last year. Even though the <a href="http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-connecticut-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php" target="_blank">USDA zone map for Connecticut</a> illustrates that my zone did not change, I suspect that may not be the case. I commute about 25 miles each way to work now which is relatively close to my old garden stomping grounds and it's always consistently warmer by four to six degrees.<br />
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Below are just a few of the plants that caught my eye on that trip. We always want what we can't have, right? When it comes to plants I'm always on the hunt for something different.<br />
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<i>Melianthus major 'Purple Haze' </i>was one of those plants<i>.</i> Melianthus major can be purchased in some of the better greenhouses as an annual in New England in the spring but I've never seen the cultivar 'Purple Haze'. Two winters in a row I had <i>M. major</i> return in a pot that was stored in my detached, unheated garage. Maybe there's hope in a cool basement because there is no hope at all outside.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVvHhucYuQf7vGVeeDIyhV0Bz0jd0w2iwDvpeVSK5RxA_NyngKQyJ1Xf9jRtzsI3tcmhZ_4VTKG7NVwN9vSanfg0bDbQGpQjxDHG-6yvXhICg_QGstBO1X06EQHju-k9ZNHBtJr-uXwoy/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVvHhucYuQf7vGVeeDIyhV0Bz0jd0w2iwDvpeVSK5RxA_NyngKQyJ1Xf9jRtzsI3tcmhZ_4VTKG7NVwN9vSanfg0bDbQGpQjxDHG-6yvXhICg_QGstBO1X06EQHju-k9ZNHBtJr-uXwoy/s640/IMG_3545.JPG" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melianthus major 'Purple Haze' with Imperata cylindrical 'Red Baron' at Far Reaches Farm in Port Washington</td></tr>
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A second plant I absolutely lusted after was <i>Lobelia tupa</i>. Just about every garden we visited featured large, well grown specimens of <i>Lobelia tupa</i>. My pictures below taken at Linda Cochran's garden and at <a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/" target="_blank">Far Reaches Farm</a> in Port Townsend, WA don't do the plant justice.<br />
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<a href="http://lindacochran.blogspot.com/2012/07/lobelia-tupa.html" target="_blank">Linda Cochran</a> places Lobelia tupa on her list of top ten favorite plants. Far Reaches lists it as zone 8a. Both Kelly and Sue, at Far Reaches honestly didn't think I had a prayer of overwintering <i>Lobelia tupa</i> in central CT even with protection so I guess I'll just have to admire this one from afar. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4KiYE0wmbQ/UAzW-7XwEkI/AAAAAAAAI4I/T3WKcC_9bT4enDQQUct69xF0C_-KO4C2gCPcB/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4KiYE0wmbQ/UAzW-7XwEkI/AAAAAAAAI4I/T3WKcC_9bT4enDQQUct69xF0C_-KO4C2gCPcB/s640/IMG_3488.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobelia tupa in Linda Cochran's former garden on Bainbridge Island</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13vRYcAoRHM/UYgnKUAndQI/AAAAAAAAHGc/6fgY5VBju2o/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13vRYcAoRHM/UYgnKUAndQI/AAAAAAAAHGc/6fgY5VBju2o/s640/IMG_3532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobelia tupa in the display garden at Far Reaches Farm</td></tr>
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A third plant that stopped me in my tracks because I'm a sucker for bold foliage was <i>Tetrapanax papyrifer. </i>Hmmm, somewhere in my travels I vaguely remember reading that with winter protection, Tetrapanax could be grown successfully in CT. <a href="http://www.louistheplantgeek.com/a-gardening-journal/759-tetrapanax-papyrifer" target="_blank">Louis the Plant Geek grows it in Rhode Island</a>. Rhode Island is not that far away. If Louis could grow it maybe I could too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SU4I7hp1Vg/UAzYI3ZhEwI/AAAAAAAABsk/zpGIva7oGSwUVOXk8e2K4Wv9k4_kUaOZgCPcB/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SU4I7hp1Vg/UAzYI3ZhEwI/AAAAAAAABsk/zpGIva7oGSwUVOXk8e2K4Wv9k4_kUaOZgCPcB/s640/IMG_3494.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tetrapanax papyrifer in the former garden of Linda Cochran</td></tr>
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So in April 2013 I ordered a Tetrapanax from <a href="https://www.plantdelights.com/" target="_blank">Plant Delights Nursery</a>. Siting it was somewhat of a challenge. I didn't have any room in my sunny south facing patio garden. The south facing wall of the shed was the next best thing, but with no foundation and part sun exposure I wasn't hopeful.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-l7jDS99Sg/Ug7iNf-inMI/AAAAAAAAICY/gL_YyTRRFCc/s1600/IMG_5794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-l7jDS99Sg/Ug7iNf-inMI/AAAAAAAAICY/gL_YyTRRFCc/s1600/IMG_5794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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All went well the first year except I did not get around to shoring up winter protection until well into winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFmlb9Mo2DG-3ydYqu95KuLhJ872q4mj5BOzt4nBlX3yStfHJucsyHRpZUjdg5MoGG3nPMBdUYIlh7FX_ekE1KkyIGjVHUQvQVDzXGnNGVScXiNA_BbnVux_WymDvBmY79Tz0wIwwj5WL/s1600/IMG_7308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFmlb9Mo2DG-3ydYqu95KuLhJ872q4mj5BOzt4nBlX3yStfHJucsyHRpZUjdg5MoGG3nPMBdUYIlh7FX_ekE1KkyIGjVHUQvQVDzXGnNGVScXiNA_BbnVux_WymDvBmY79Tz0wIwwj5WL/s640/IMG_7308.JPG" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tetrapanax emerging in May 2014</td></tr>
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Despite my botched protection attempt, in late May of 2014 a small unfurling Tetrapanax emerged! It had died back to the ground over the winter but was returning from the roots. Maybe Louis the Plant Geek was right.<br />
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I wasn't encouraged though. My Tetrapanax was alive but it was acting more like a ground cover than a bold specimen plant. I suspected my garden nemesis, lack of sun was the likely culprit but in my overplanted quarter acre garden I had no better spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9WZ3i4FoCL4BUOF-9atXYFHG7Rosb7wfNdeXU3iY74p0m-avqtybbehwCe3IoVXssYWwffUFXBeG1-x3cSDc-blay2g5BwHG-21NM52SkNz3v-sGVSgWEeM3ot7UTbbPhCt1UZDLgCxm/s1600/IMG_7919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9WZ3i4FoCL4BUOF-9atXYFHG7Rosb7wfNdeXU3iY74p0m-avqtybbehwCe3IoVXssYWwffUFXBeG1-x3cSDc-blay2g5BwHG-21NM52SkNz3v-sGVSgWEeM3ot7UTbbPhCt1UZDLgCxm/s640/IMG_7919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tetrapanax in my Connecticut garden in September 2015</td></tr>
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Much to my surprise, in July of 2015 it came back again but never grew much more than a about a foot. In the fall of 2015 I didn't even bother to protect it. At that point I knew I was moving and I knew a zone pushing plant like Tetrapanax wouldn't take a late season move-especially to a colder location.<br />
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Did my poor tetrapanax come back in 2016? I couldn't tell you. I moved out of my house in May, closed in July and was so overwhelmed with moving that I didn't even think to look. I'm going to assume it did though because the 2015-2016 winter was relatively mild..<br />
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So what did I learn? <br />
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With winter protection and proper siting I believe it's possible to grow a sizable <i>Tetrapanax papyrifer</i> in Connecticut zone 6. The way the schedule is unfolding, I won't have a good spot for one in my current garden until fall. Fall planting won't work for a borderline plant like Tetrapanax though so realistically I'm looking for a spring 2018 planting.<br />
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Fortunately gardeners are patient people and I'm no exception.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>~Sue~</i></b></span><br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-49422436962078971252017-03-01T14:55:00.003-05:002017-03-01T14:55:37.424-05:00My Annual Pilgrimage to the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the weekend I attended the annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show. Years ago I used to eagerly mark my calendar and take time off from work to attend this show. In recent years not so much. But curiosity usually gets the better of me. Curiosity and the desire to smell fresh mulch in February.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg8juZ-Mjvj4M4Y1MhIZuMm4lsWKSMwQdFIt2v4URZDTVMF6ZlXKnXhhE0xQCxrdqvdEHQeoId7aHMvBq3GUYvEtrR9SvKYoH-8_IRqiaZwQUmL8Kjbmh3LccUSrrJupx0wOHC-UfU-7p/s1600/DSC00117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg8juZ-Mjvj4M4Y1MhIZuMm4lsWKSMwQdFIt2v4URZDTVMF6ZlXKnXhhE0xQCxrdqvdEHQeoId7aHMvBq3GUYvEtrR9SvKYoH-8_IRqiaZwQUmL8Kjbmh3LccUSrrJupx0wOHC-UfU-7p/s640/DSC00117.JPG" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A succulent rooster greets visitors at the CT Flower & Garden Show.</td></tr>
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I understand the huge commitment of time and expense required to put a live landscape exhibit together and I understand the economics behind the decision a business makes as to whether to participate or not. I greatly appreciate the time and resources spent by the businesses and organizations who choose to design and set up exhibits at the show.<br />
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I also understand that it's the vendors and sponsors who provide the bulk of the financial support that allows the show to exist. Unfortunately many of the vendors have nothing to do with gardening and just don't interest me. Quite a few are annoying, predatory "infomercial" types. I had to be down right rude this year to avoid some aggressive carnival like sales tactics. For me this takes away from the show. <br />
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Maybe I'd be more tolerant of the vendor situation if there were more landscapes to divert my attention. Over the years, the number of garden exhibits seems to have shrunk and the number of non garden type vendors seems to grown. Could this be a result of pure economics or some other factor? I'm not going to pretend to know.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6XlR19PAbuirm9OuB58Vx4XF0bPmiGvUnH6QoHIqeSG3Q1xXTQI2-KO8rd4UAHDOn77TEsNnTupvsZAOGmUU4tBozBDuO1sDqBEiA1iNvsJQkUkYrWL341wOp_DETEeyjmHdvknxKWBa/s1600/DSC00118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6XlR19PAbuirm9OuB58Vx4XF0bPmiGvUnH6QoHIqeSG3Q1xXTQI2-KO8rd4UAHDOn77TEsNnTupvsZAOGmUU4tBozBDuO1sDqBEiA1iNvsJQkUkYrWL341wOp_DETEeyjmHdvknxKWBa/s640/DSC00118.JPG" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquascapes of CT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKHcYiH1KQtMhLqm7wqAyjsyjYtEGjlh725V_3YIpQQBdM3_G87qnyKfHu-0aWm-LxPRfmBkMFMLZ_YpAXU46-DHJWrDykDiueEYRu9qi4HSBI3s4RKGABkCtWrE3vj1Iv4MFVvr9apV1/s1600/DSC00137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKHcYiH1KQtMhLqm7wqAyjsyjYtEGjlh725V_3YIpQQBdM3_G87qnyKfHu-0aWm-LxPRfmBkMFMLZ_YpAXU46-DHJWrDykDiueEYRu9qi4HSBI3s4RKGABkCtWrE3vj1Iv4MFVvr9apV1/s640/DSC00137.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquascapes of CT</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaBZcVcH2MGfh69KXPSGdPBt8lnOLph90w9UVljnFiTNsuIP_osdE67gxtzpVAhBk7Vg-39SyyRBejdoKdpr4eLgxiLShSdFytOXyKhUt8AEvQHZ6jGX_-EiasXHRrt98xp5T1CHe3p_R/s1600/DSC00138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaBZcVcH2MGfh69KXPSGdPBt8lnOLph90w9UVljnFiTNsuIP_osdE67gxtzpVAhBk7Vg-39SyyRBejdoKdpr4eLgxiLShSdFytOXyKhUt8AEvQHZ6jGX_-EiasXHRrt98xp5T1CHe3p_R/s640/DSC00138.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquascapes of CT</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QBYGcIMRZHAkNiDxcxKaZMqXHRuMcd9V6itF2BR0f_KqM_zXIkC0XwTpzP8x7p5B2oYBUXGsiDvOyJkZskUc95iDLeeGE2szGHr37lYodC04OBs6Eo5KB3p4MXifoaq4uB9XIkVFOWYI/s1600/DSC00139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QBYGcIMRZHAkNiDxcxKaZMqXHRuMcd9V6itF2BR0f_KqM_zXIkC0XwTpzP8x7p5B2oYBUXGsiDvOyJkZskUc95iDLeeGE2szGHr37lYodC04OBs6Eo5KB3p4MXifoaq4uB9XIkVFOWYI/s640/DSC00139.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquascapes of CT</td></tr>
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All of the above photos are from <a href="http://aquascapesofconnecticut.com/" target="_blank">Aquascapes of CT</a> display. Year after year, they have been a mainstay at the show and have always had one of the more elaborate pond displays. Someone must have declared open season on pond contractors at the show this year. Aquascapes was the only one.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsBGy84-2ew1yGpxfjiAtvLedZI3bUgEtj_ETfvgdqVRlJ-6dHvMKk-3QL1mcEumm1t_t6t3Zx-N5a3I17v26LFsoLN8djramapaIZITmGNqelUOPcYimcYrKGfDkUPPadqD4VKLRhQKx/s1600/DSC00124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsBGy84-2ew1yGpxfjiAtvLedZI3bUgEtj_ETfvgdqVRlJ-6dHvMKk-3QL1mcEumm1t_t6t3Zx-N5a3I17v26LFsoLN8djramapaIZITmGNqelUOPcYimcYrKGfDkUPPadqD4VKLRhQKx/s640/DSC00124.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miskovsky Landscaping</td></tr>
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She shed schmee shed...give me one of these bar sheds!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_iCML28qoiy8pPxyDY5YWI9kByJHS6l1bHw5R_kxt56BCrSiEjBJf24yY0SLLw8r-ji_qo_LzgjjJHEpnf1lb72NJbX3mz2hndQYGDitXylx49c9cbrb7uAyWYEDs3FlcR0YjpZBpEAs/s1600/20170226_101842+Garden+Show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_iCML28qoiy8pPxyDY5YWI9kByJHS6l1bHw5R_kxt56BCrSiEjBJf24yY0SLLw8r-ji_qo_LzgjjJHEpnf1lb72NJbX3mz2hndQYGDitXylx49c9cbrb7uAyWYEDs3FlcR0YjpZBpEAs/s640/20170226_101842+Garden+Show.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miskovsky Bar shed </td></tr>
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Excuse the crappy cell phone photo. I had problems getting a good picture of the inside. The décor was a bit masculine for my tastes but as long as the bar is well stocked...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0sCAvlGTF7GMO2FLVHdX7_jnSrYr7JwXojOdG8j1sgyi8d8GSFxedwbVHU2wusVEYML5nCrGf-uuGyLSZbfajP3AXOqHq3HkVMqaiIjicg_JFxtCo_vDFUc1YY2EHyVKaB4ck-b2YE6C/s1600/DSC00126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0sCAvlGTF7GMO2FLVHdX7_jnSrYr7JwXojOdG8j1sgyi8d8GSFxedwbVHU2wusVEYML5nCrGf-uuGyLSZbfajP3AXOqHq3HkVMqaiIjicg_JFxtCo_vDFUc1YY2EHyVKaB4ck-b2YE6C/s640/DSC00126.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miskovsky Landscaping</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISoo2xo1I2dzI6Qsvpaxl55vuVWw3JlNbwWRf0XBnl5vZEzT8JoctuPRk1y10EvsSPkv7tgvDJblZuY4EvxP22jQX0HAWO6hOSc97o7STXOOmGQUMIHtKs8lxQh9ZE7On_4KAgTJBU7vH/s1600/DSC00127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISoo2xo1I2dzI6Qsvpaxl55vuVWw3JlNbwWRf0XBnl5vZEzT8JoctuPRk1y10EvsSPkv7tgvDJblZuY4EvxP22jQX0HAWO6hOSc97o7STXOOmGQUMIHtKs8lxQh9ZE7On_4KAgTJBU7vH/s640/DSC00127.JPG" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miskovsky Landscaping</td></tr>
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Swaths of simple white tulips for the win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFKg-pf3GjhaynsiO2QB-9iBYg50iMaWAtYJwyy7WGuZT8u4wq17KdwJMUHthioyIZd3aYWt88vbQ7557Qv5XxmHrsgcw65kh-xqJAr0vokO4xjmSb7gJ1JM3vDIOrUjUfONEF2qpXG68/s1600/DSC00128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFKg-pf3GjhaynsiO2QB-9iBYg50iMaWAtYJwyy7WGuZT8u4wq17KdwJMUHthioyIZd3aYWt88vbQ7557Qv5XxmHrsgcw65kh-xqJAr0vokO4xjmSb7gJ1JM3vDIOrUjUfONEF2qpXG68/s640/DSC00128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miskovsky Landscaping</td></tr>
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One of the main reasons I attended the show this year was to see the display by <a href="http://miskovskylandscaping.com/" target="_blank">Miskovsky Landscaping</a>. My friend, Monique posted a few pictures of it on her Facebook page on Friday night as a "must see". For a small display it was packed with features and plants. In CT, all plants used in the show must be forced which does tend to limit quantity and diversity but Miskovsky nailed it.<br />
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Miskovsky is located in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod. He told us he was in Hartford <a href="http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160620/ri-spring-garden-and-flower-show-is-no-more" target="_blank">because the Providence show no longer exists</a> . News to me but not all that surprising. Hartford and Providence are about two hours driving distance apart and the shows were always held on the same weekend. According to the article the Providence garden show was sold and will now be part of the Home Show.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFbxc6avfsl9-KCMqtuDuxlvJUqN9wxdC5r14lYLu0xYbcjmkvmsHezkOcU3jVXVocGV15oQvfrVMc1S5tl8FsIpgH_nso1okAMHjkDDSZRIhOUHLGNfgcQQIV_MgWf3Oxxn9Kd8hR-aS/s1600/DSC00135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFbxc6avfsl9-KCMqtuDuxlvJUqN9wxdC5r14lYLu0xYbcjmkvmsHezkOcU3jVXVocGV15oQvfrVMc1S5tl8FsIpgH_nso1okAMHjkDDSZRIhOUHLGNfgcQQIV_MgWf3Oxxn9Kd8hR-aS/s640/DSC00135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CT Rose Society exhibit went with a Snow White theme</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7or2ZgrIZT6mL7rXoJKdL5x9QSRth31wWhbxOoOWQHsy9PyQpjAkVZUiJT-QixtgO7to5L7CTY1wx5piWZ1rRJlMd173B7qfmyVnRu5sL_hP82MwSsOf9UYVFft7aIFz851UKXWv8ZPx/s1600/DSC00121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7or2ZgrIZT6mL7rXoJKdL5x9QSRth31wWhbxOoOWQHsy9PyQpjAkVZUiJT-QixtgO7to5L7CTY1wx5piWZ1rRJlMd173B7qfmyVnRu5sL_hP82MwSsOf9UYVFft7aIFz851UKXWv8ZPx/s640/DSC00121.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supreme Landscapes went with this interpretation of Woodland Enchantment, the theme of the show this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmzdMccOc62yLFz3VofGYOlrwUM_-eyMU3pwSQV3SsRGCodfiAojZKkeXJvkQm_bXVpc-skBclsyPy_Wqxj3S20umYByiZVEZJnGuD_CgZooSM8g-_Wx8feJRS8LUOhPrjhliXemiMb-h/s1600/DSC00130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmzdMccOc62yLFz3VofGYOlrwUM_-eyMU3pwSQV3SsRGCodfiAojZKkeXJvkQm_bXVpc-skBclsyPy_Wqxj3S20umYByiZVEZJnGuD_CgZooSM8g-_Wx8feJRS8LUOhPrjhliXemiMb-h/s640/DSC00130.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also from Supreme Landscapes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4-Bd_i20PA-0B103SE-eBjJ0NZWnZHapqR3iF0SYY9tjlC_x40hBEDjpvQ81mHdvCOegUeU9dXhTNNXPyMla97-lVrXo0avt4d06OXHhNIrodoHS7AR4JKs3S-3VNdSLFUJpU_zHtZKN/s1600/DSC00123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4-Bd_i20PA-0B103SE-eBjJ0NZWnZHapqR3iF0SYY9tjlC_x40hBEDjpvQ81mHdvCOegUeU9dXhTNNXPyMla97-lVrXo0avt4d06OXHhNIrodoHS7AR4JKs3S-3VNdSLFUJpU_zHtZKN/s640/DSC00123.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery</td></tr>
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I regret that I did not get a few more photos from the <span id="goog_602265400"></span><a href="http://www.earthtonesnatives.com/" target="_blank">Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery</a> <span id="goog_602265401"></span>display. I heard someone say one of the forced blueberry bushes was 30 years old! Since I now live in bobcat and coyote country I can appreciate the nod to my new neighbors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RLHmTTmDBo5jLYQ9UqKRrThMo0FVUhTNjIFklu8knif8CBIk_t3dcc1nrMFgNcUO4ObdfH2f9u26JG9d1tXTF3zR4_BRX5TSg9tm9bZ-6y6mEXBMDGfiQu-X7HC4U-FTEfva0YX-cFQV/s1600/DSC00133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RLHmTTmDBo5jLYQ9UqKRrThMo0FVUhTNjIFklu8knif8CBIk_t3dcc1nrMFgNcUO4ObdfH2f9u26JG9d1tXTF3zR4_BRX5TSg9tm9bZ-6y6mEXBMDGfiQu-X7HC4U-FTEfva0YX-cFQV/s640/DSC00133.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not but I always enjoy the floral and table setting competitions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-x59vkZwW8eD5kzJT9gFtaMghDQl-TtOJhXkOBToW_0L9xYnoio8fEi3oxG76QvUkyc6ozRNim56Wet8CWH3Yk1k-FNDvDUJ9rUrOYROX_lFs7NkCH9FoPJHhSqXa8ebOJQfDxFjQnVU/s1600/DSC00134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-x59vkZwW8eD5kzJT9gFtaMghDQl-TtOJhXkOBToW_0L9xYnoio8fEi3oxG76QvUkyc6ozRNim56Wet8CWH3Yk1k-FNDvDUJ9rUrOYROX_lFs7NkCH9FoPJHhSqXa8ebOJQfDxFjQnVU/s640/DSC00134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natureworks-one of my favorite CT garden centers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCDYAcU6BYiAT9Yw-_YbLGAN4hmPxPwEzxEc10v85q7_urqEQKZ1LdfGiO_V2d3bz1V6wjD5YqdlwAEtW5-EiMorpa47csICMXwYmvPp9AmbGkEWuqJPXYruUN-JV0s-aaZzoNUSHX6eQ/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCDYAcU6BYiAT9Yw-_YbLGAN4hmPxPwEzxEc10v85q7_urqEQKZ1LdfGiO_V2d3bz1V6wjD5YqdlwAEtW5-EiMorpa47csICMXwYmvPp9AmbGkEWuqJPXYruUN-JV0s-aaZzoNUSHX6eQ/s640/DSC00140.JPG" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every year at least one display leaves me scratching my head.</td></tr>
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Before I could capture all the pictures I wanted, my camera battery chose to die. If you've ever attempted to photograph these shows you know how difficult it is to get a good shot between the glaring lights, black curtain backdrops and crowds of onlookers.<br />
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Now that the garden show season is over, time to let the garden season begin!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></strong><br />
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-49478708990332602462017-02-24T19:50:00.003-05:002017-02-24T19:50:56.952-05:00Believe it or Not-I'm Attending the Garden Blogger's Fling!<br />
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<a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/p/2018-dcva.html"><img alt="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/p/2018-dcva.html" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSroeF2hORjC8hwRyERKsEH7LTprXtKijnuwOe3BhpQvEG4RKH8-jHq59Deboggj3Cp1favRkVpJOg0Peg83S5eEuQO9DZFev13koPa4zi2ytMgKIhbpX6_lDwsaame9PJVeq-DFtcqpJe/s400/Fling-2017-Logo-300dpi.bmp" width="398" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.ca/p/2018-dcva.html" target="_blank">2017 Garden Bloggers Fling</a></div>
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I know. Can you believe it? If you're wondering what kind of standards could possibly exist that would allow the likes of me to attend a garden blogger event, you're not alone. Whatever radar I managed to fly under is just fine though because <b><i>I get to hang out for four days in a bunch of kick ass gardens with the some of the rock stars of the garden blogging world</i></b>. So I ask you, "Who lives better than me?".<br />
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Rumor has it there a still a couple of open spots for the fling. If you haven't registered, what are you waiting for?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></b>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-34292293211073877412017-02-19T09:55:00.000-05:002017-06-28T15:48:08.489-04:00Patio Plans in the MakingLast year I missed the entire spring and most of the summer garden season due to my move. At the time I was too busy to dwell much on what I left behind at my old garden, but once the dust of the crappy soil in my new garden settled, I realized what I missed most was my patio. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovqOvwbuTSi0gROp5hjO6F0Rk0dC2C4WIJUAO137Hu8pddwSAG50hF4P5EWZsLMVK9chimtyCODiz9iw5YCUxzcrzDV8NVwcU7zshXRI2IUHyTPg6SizmyZoszeeVRed9-mpP00DveOcI/s1600/2011-09-04+Patio+Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovqOvwbuTSi0gROp5hjO6F0Rk0dC2C4WIJUAO137Hu8pddwSAG50hF4P5EWZsLMVK9chimtyCODiz9iw5YCUxzcrzDV8NVwcU7zshXRI2IUHyTPg6SizmyZoszeeVRed9-mpP00DveOcI/s640/2011-09-04+Patio+Cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After all I moved hundreds of plants, all the garden ornaments, patio furniture and both of my fountains. I moved just about everything but the patio. Well, and all of my unusual specimen shrubs and trees that were too big to dig but those I can replant.<br />
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At the new house, I inherited a small deck and a couple of acres of overgrown gardens and scraggly lawn, but no patio. For the entire summer and fall my former patio fountain lay sadly scattered in pieces on the driveway and along the side yard. I arranged the patio table and lounge chairs on the back lawn in the approximate area of a new patio. Not only did they look sad but became annoying obstacles for the lawn mower.</div>
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Just after the holidays I contacted a landscape designer who I had been stalking on <a href="http://www.houzz.com/" target="_blank">Houzz</a>, Jennifer Noyes of <a href="http://www.creativecontour.com/" target="_blank">Creative Contour Landscape Design</a>. In January Jennifer came to the house for a design consultation. A few weeks after our initial meeting she came back with a design concept. Could the patio of my dreams actually be within reach?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWoI4oISKxUoJE9VGuPtkj8DM-Z0IK0H-_nBm4Gwo8VY3HCv_586wzPL-9zuHvFUVj-M4Ng9MVaK9TQVkj2LlumVpYdPe-PgQlIDrQC1DfYsuB0i8iMtTE-n_heqbnVcEOdP2iUQfC3rr/s1600/DSC00073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWoI4oISKxUoJE9VGuPtkj8DM-Z0IK0H-_nBm4Gwo8VY3HCv_586wzPL-9zuHvFUVj-M4Ng9MVaK9TQVkj2LlumVpYdPe-PgQlIDrQC1DfYsuB0i8iMtTE-n_heqbnVcEOdP2iUQfC3rr/s640/DSC00073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current view of the back of our house. Yes, the deck needs TLC but it is level.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSOvZ0nZL-IfbzKE5FDalLcgqmjoXouppTxw0NTFy_4zxjRLuzAcOIXz5GVgDIVs_et27Kf3NgldzPM8ZSxIe-1EQiKbS0NNJyGvoDN-dJLEk8V5UNgbcMsziVwFKkrRSo0uUZXijs3lq/s1600/DSC00069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSOvZ0nZL-IfbzKE5FDalLcgqmjoXouppTxw0NTFy_4zxjRLuzAcOIXz5GVgDIVs_et27Kf3NgldzPM8ZSxIe-1EQiKbS0NNJyGvoDN-dJLEk8V5UNgbcMsziVwFKkrRSo0uUZXijs3lq/s640/DSC00069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed view from approximately the same angle.</td></tr>
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For most of my life I've been longer on ideas than cash so the end result may be a bit less grand than what you see here but with some sweat equity I believe we'll get what we want. Blue stone is my first choice for material and the most expensive and I'm not ready to compromise on that front yet. Also, I don't need design help with plant placement or selection. The plants illustrated in the design would likely be far different than the end result.<br />
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In this design view, a double window has been replaced with french doors. The new doors would enter into the breakfast area of our kitchen. Swapping out that window was an eventual change we had been tossing around in conjunction with a kitchen remodel but figured it would be a few years down the road.<br />
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Once I saw the way the patio design came together with the addition of the door, we reshuffled the priority list. Fortunately my other half is extremely talented in most areas of home improvement and will install the door this summer.<br />
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A precast fireplace would replace the fire pit and we'll be relocating the grill from the deck to somewhere near the new french door.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpKTgNkZSx7K6Ey8tJCV6uvwi2fux32rjfdly_eqHZCzCaeEhSpmU-xYqLbGC255oUiLUjhJ3U61aLtcw-k4LeLCYJZ4gG_o34BEx-FQMiWKhhJls1yeWcoKZtoUtLhm3WjBJdSc1cvIt/s1600/DSC00074+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpKTgNkZSx7K6Ey8tJCV6uvwi2fux32rjfdly_eqHZCzCaeEhSpmU-xYqLbGC255oUiLUjhJ3U61aLtcw-k4LeLCYJZ4gG_o34BEx-FQMiWKhhJls1yeWcoKZtoUtLhm3WjBJdSc1cvIt/s640/DSC00074+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current view of the breezeway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp10YuMUUpVxPC3ZVxCFAIf3CYwkAuxl3suaYpe3j9m7kgJbjXdzzROoDt36S7tWrDKyvOFShn3GskapSDbC0xg2kf3CdPYy7gEbIRRapbRWz9OeHXS3iqulAA7lBXwY1-jLpHBG0fp6B/s1600/DSC00070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp10YuMUUpVxPC3ZVxCFAIf3CYwkAuxl3suaYpe3j9m7kgJbjXdzzROoDt36S7tWrDKyvOFShn3GskapSDbC0xg2kf3CdPYy7gEbIRRapbRWz9OeHXS3iqulAA7lBXwY1-jLpHBG0fp6B/s640/DSC00070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed integration of the breezeway and patio</td></tr>
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The garage is attached to the house by a breezeway. Currently the breezeway is unfinished space. Originally we envisioned the main access to the patio to be through the breezeway. Now that the decision has been made to install french doors in the kitchen, that will no longer be the case. The breezeway will be finished as an unheated screen porch. The proposed window on left wall is also part of the eventual kitchen upgrade and when completed will flood the kitchen with much needed morning light.<br />
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Before the patio is installed, the door from the breezeway will be relocated to the middle and will be swapped out for something more weather tight and secure. I would prefer to narrow the steps and patio space here to provide for larger planting beds in this south facing alcove. A protected spot like this may be my only hope of ever growing a crepe myrtle or Musa basjoo here. What was I thinking when I moved from zone 6 to zone 5?<br />
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Access from the patio around the back of the house to the driveway is likely going to have to wait or be scaled back to stepping stones to keep the budget in line. The pergola isn't a feature we're wild about. Incorporating my old fountain is important since it was such a focal point on my old patio. Naturally, dining and entertaining space is high on the list as we enjoy outdoor eating, drinking and general merrymaking on a regular basis.<br />
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From this perspective, you can look back into the proposed patio space. Due to budgetary constraints this part of the design will be scaled back. I think we can DIY this area to my satisfaction and have enough money left over to fund a lifetime supply of ibuprofen.<br />
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Due to Jennifer's schedule, late summer would be the earliest she could start work. I'd like it to be sooner, but we still have so much to do in advance of the installation and as industrious as we tend to be, things like work and life often get in the way. But this is a start.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Sue~</b></span><br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-89032811320406607752017-01-22T18:43:00.001-05:002017-01-22T18:43:08.760-05:00A Winter GardenHere in the northeast, not much garden related activity goes on outdoors in the winter. Plants are frozen and dormant, the ground is normally snow covered and the weather can be downright inhospitable. Most people who know me know I'm not shy to admit that winter is my fourth favorite season and January my twelfth favorite month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin99I1tOs8-lugREHl-To0i-UhctCA-TKaHI-We3-o0QxLkBa_FrNg-Qevr7V9ZHU1ymrNe2eK8vBuB2rPU66Esd9WpuNIA1asKKtqfv_wbNInW70kRqk7V3S8wEefOUYS51g1U_XPRyUE/s1600/12661966_10205887175358967_7965907996057431806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin99I1tOs8-lugREHl-To0i-UhctCA-TKaHI-We3-o0QxLkBa_FrNg-Qevr7V9ZHU1ymrNe2eK8vBuB2rPU66Esd9WpuNIA1asKKtqfv_wbNInW70kRqk7V3S8wEefOUYS51g1U_XPRyUE/s400/12661966_10205887175358967_7965907996057431806_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I had to guess, I'd say this picture of me was taken in January.</td></tr>
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January is not only my twelfth favorite month, it's my busiest month at work. Consequently we keep plenty of firewood and wine in the house allowing me to remain sufficiently distracted, properly toasted, and more than ready to take on whatever crap January hurls my way. So far, so good.</div>
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A week or so ago the weather changed. Average daily temperatures started running ten or more degrees above normal. It's been raining. All the snow has melted. It feels more like March than January. Yesterday I stood on the front steps and took this picture of the front yard. Not too shabby, eh? Maybe this year January will end up being my eleventh favorite month.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMOVSnIrwfYKWU0nboiSOT3pLNMOAa4MZJFz8oJQ5n-w7rPk2scmo5qwYbEIKUPMuO6JesxOYML-A4HGD3NjaDup-0eVKynKl_HHWqniZkqfX2MuzPaZ49eqF3V9uWO8C8JM3FaTx7mSL/s1600/DSC00038_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMOVSnIrwfYKWU0nboiSOT3pLNMOAa4MZJFz8oJQ5n-w7rPk2scmo5qwYbEIKUPMuO6JesxOYML-A4HGD3NjaDup-0eVKynKl_HHWqniZkqfX2MuzPaZ49eqF3V9uWO8C8JM3FaTx7mSL/s640/DSC00038_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is the snow? The cold? The gloom?</td></tr>
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With the exception of what is being called a nor'easter of mostly rain that is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, this oddly mild weather is predicted to continue for at least another week. I'm not naive enough to think that winter is over. Not by a long shot so quick, somebody pinch me!</div>
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By now you must be thinking that this is all fine and good but the only reason you came here was to see what qualifies as a winter garden in New England. And so you shall. But it won't be my garden. I barely have anything that qualifies as a summer garden yet at the new house and I doubt the half dormant bananas I have stashed in the basement would be much interest to anyone.</div>
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As luck would have it, yesterday I attended a late Christmas get together with my good friends and gardeners extraordinaire, Monique and Les. Monique and Les have one of the best small residential gardens I've ever seen. During the regular garden season it's a sight to behold. In winter, the hardscape, thoughtful placement of specimen evergreens and trees, and eclectic collection of garden art combine delightfully together and prove that yes we can have an interesting garden in New England in the winter. Yes we can.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ2VKh9-DF2X4T8GRvopmKiRKx4tVE7oBflNBinpWuKpfdzdLCf9nIwq0RVzfze0UF7TAQ8xEtydVQ-FkCqUgqd3ox7Ih_8Tt7Swjaco8BS8a5-Cyb2i1S4pStb2KRnMy6MUX6r3lXGzg/s1600/DSC00045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ2VKh9-DF2X4T8GRvopmKiRKx4tVE7oBflNBinpWuKpfdzdLCf9nIwq0RVzfze0UF7TAQ8xEtydVQ-FkCqUgqd3ox7Ih_8Tt7Swjaco8BS8a5-Cyb2i1S4pStb2KRnMy6MUX6r3lXGzg/s640/DSC00045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peeking through the gate to the back garden my friends Monique and Les.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dRciKUpkPM40CJTpS0Xu3RFgaKSfLUASYYgUdKrFnmoSEOFqN7StLLTtwhksIs4nKa7e6RB3vh8C9tPnldMXX1L5qtMMvt3ncTnpib9B0UtmvsCL5Aj8crrkaw9dYxYezESQeuwwYGs6/s1600/DSC00044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dRciKUpkPM40CJTpS0Xu3RFgaKSfLUASYYgUdKrFnmoSEOFqN7StLLTtwhksIs4nKa7e6RB3vh8C9tPnldMXX1L5qtMMvt3ncTnpib9B0UtmvsCL5Aj8crrkaw9dYxYezESQeuwwYGs6/s640/DSC00044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the deck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When they aren't buried under snow, variegated Yuccas are great friends of the winter garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasses and the peeling bark of a Heptacodium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBK5WIQRJ7bFqvnQtOI7Q92sw6GRqilec2e5cKuZckqVjC1DiLb-IxnW4CgyF38WeW-hmilzKHm2os0tALOwY-bsjb8tA1bdcSKsFJh3slkUPPal9Dcf64DjH9ZL5uUvZ1iYa_1eQIcj0/s1600/DSC00051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBK5WIQRJ7bFqvnQtOI7Q92sw6GRqilec2e5cKuZckqVjC1DiLb-IxnW4CgyF38WeW-hmilzKHm2os0tALOwY-bsjb8tA1bdcSKsFJh3slkUPPal9Dcf64DjH9ZL5uUvZ1iYa_1eQIcj0/s640/DSC00051.JPG" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the nicest specimens of Picea orientalis 'Skylands' I have ever seen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRK9QRowIuGD3QoBnflJeUFllynL648YJLOP-zBZXw7kaFwuOQL1Pp97sum-wfK9Nr35TDqcO7JZz0xDK_f9IyeskNFzTnkHzCjK-DbD1GCCBv97TKb4mnr6oFc0qA0YL9q3-gmpdWuQ9/s1600/IMG_5267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRK9QRowIuGD3QoBnflJeUFllynL648YJLOP-zBZXw7kaFwuOQL1Pp97sum-wfK9Nr35TDqcO7JZz0xDK_f9IyeskNFzTnkHzCjK-DbD1GCCBv97TKb4mnr6oFc0qA0YL9q3-gmpdWuQ9/s640/IMG_5267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And in case you don't believe me, here is a picture of the same Skylands spruce taken at the end of June.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyoOk8UCb8f2K4okuUaf68oYTvq2xvFtLhserOy-cPKRd-j6Zb-qqGBgd-m9Il2HViECY3FL2YQSpk9FQvHJ4O47FJhilqfHG34rqd-Z8Pmp-JKN8kGYcXhoiJi_uPSJ70SoYgK4tMK3s/s1600/DSC00053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyoOk8UCb8f2K4okuUaf68oYTvq2xvFtLhserOy-cPKRd-j6Zb-qqGBgd-m9Il2HViECY3FL2YQSpk9FQvHJ4O47FJhilqfHG34rqd-Z8Pmp-JKN8kGYcXhoiJi_uPSJ70SoYgK4tMK3s/s640/DSC00053.JPG" width="592" /></a></div>
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Monique and Les have collected quite a few of Inta Krombolz's garden sculptures. <a href="https://frenchgardenerdishes.com/2016/07/18/the-garden-sculptures-of-inta-krombolz/" target="_blank">Inta's garden, located in Chester County PA</a> is a jaw dropper. A few years ago I had the good fortune to get in for a private tour during an <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-idyllunion-for-history-books.html" target="_blank">"Idyllunion"</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes that is a specimen size Magnolia grandiflora. Can you stand it?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09t2GtyMHW7bdioAU4y3jAeE5Bm64recGOdedsuC02JKLsRgwsGK_6Qpf8uMKQzZ1E-W74kZFSSukTN4aeV35X23rRkqMVwIT8k-8m67ODyFvm3QJeqE-C1lQr_PUdw7JR0A1HOD5mkNR/s1600/DSC00061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09t2GtyMHW7bdioAU4y3jAeE5Bm64recGOdedsuC02JKLsRgwsGK_6Qpf8uMKQzZ1E-W74kZFSSukTN4aeV35X23rRkqMVwIT8k-8m67ODyFvm3QJeqE-C1lQr_PUdw7JR0A1HOD5mkNR/s640/DSC00061.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In summer these trellis panels are smothered with honeysuckle and hummingbirds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6ZTLeX2V-ZQ1AECtfF8LC7z9EgRRapF4u3tQOMb60OhaVLVLT0qyAPdbH5R9ZJocB56ssEr3L08AKwRr_pASb57KtUi5pi96aJMQHcwl-OWSBbPdQpt2aCS6ZPjvVGrsbjoHUzDBK1NQ/s1600/DSC00062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6ZTLeX2V-ZQ1AECtfF8LC7z9EgRRapF4u3tQOMb60OhaVLVLT0qyAPdbH5R9ZJocB56ssEr3L08AKwRr_pASb57KtUi5pi96aJMQHcwl-OWSBbPdQpt2aCS6ZPjvVGrsbjoHUzDBK1NQ/s640/DSC00062.JPG" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess what I'm wishing upon this star?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19dYVk3Zy4jzyX_PFEGQWnXaVKFuAK_CeARq97nohM5WdDmmEyr963bpybn2bYKgkm_mm9EI6Rl4Oqa_7Kbgqvs1wNEYyoB5QY332fIsTtgeQa8cQVKCFPg6lxBN5xXoxQf-6izuUdtES/s1600/DSC00063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19dYVk3Zy4jzyX_PFEGQWnXaVKFuAK_CeARq97nohM5WdDmmEyr963bpybn2bYKgkm_mm9EI6Rl4Oqa_7Kbgqvs1wNEYyoB5QY332fIsTtgeQa8cQVKCFPg6lxBN5xXoxQf-6izuUdtES/s640/DSC00063.JPG" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the container arrangements are created with cuttings from the garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The welcoming entry has a beachy vibe that continues throughout the garden and into the house.</td></tr>
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Trust me this garden looks way better in person. One of my Christmas presents was a new point and shoot Sony Cybershot which I used to take these pictures. I'm still playing with settings and getting used to the camera. To be honest I'm not thrilled with the quality of these pictures which were taken on an automatic setting. No doubt the issue is with the operator because a photographer I'm not but with a bit of practice I hope the quality of my pictures will improve.<br />
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Happy January!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>~Sue~</i></b></span><br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-23396115594864458882016-12-25T12:10:00.001-05:002016-12-25T12:10:51.634-05:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1kkHLBO3W0EZUKzmO8dPWnoUjU_fJHyna2z0lCPStwOj7pmMueu2ac08ujXsgJDWFJrmtv77kSl0xZxPmcPF0xMCZ5Ad4x9WaxW46addzMByrcvAGcyLbIjC_lClJ_3U8txyKLMEsg3a/s1600/IMG_8114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1kkHLBO3W0EZUKzmO8dPWnoUjU_fJHyna2z0lCPStwOj7pmMueu2ac08ujXsgJDWFJrmtv77kSl0xZxPmcPF0xMCZ5Ad4x9WaxW46addzMByrcvAGcyLbIjC_lClJ_3U8txyKLMEsg3a/s640/IMG_8114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the snow belt of Connecticut! I had intended to get a few more outdoor projects completed before full on winter set in but so far Mother Nature has had a different plan. The upcoming week looks a bit more hospitable but we'll see.<br />
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Enjoy the time with family and friends. As we all know it will be over in an instant.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>~Sue~</b></i></span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-65821991149450281492016-11-11T21:44:00.000-05:002017-01-10T21:22:25.549-05:00Idyll Haven Has Moved<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7mBK3vZ4iEnekmZnkMOo6ucXBCNbR883_88nTllOlpivwj-o8_sd_M3JPygfAx3Bw22pHOjrYeb_L3SlSy6C5hPvOCs2RO6DMQ2l1IavdtXRwifJl1DRtp6naJMFVvIHU9guceDjtdMd/s1600/943761_10206432316747161_589804916415044161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7mBK3vZ4iEnekmZnkMOo6ucXBCNbR883_88nTllOlpivwj-o8_sd_M3JPygfAx3Bw22pHOjrYeb_L3SlSy6C5hPvOCs2RO6DMQ2l1IavdtXRwifJl1DRtp6naJMFVvIHU9guceDjtdMd/s640/943761_10206432316747161_589804916415044161_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new digs in April this year.</td></tr>
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<b>“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”</b></div>
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<b>~Andy Warhol</b></div>
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If there is one thing I've learned about life, it's that it change is inevitable. Late last year I made the decision to sell my house. It wasn't an easy decision. Not because of the house. I liked my house. It was comfortable and a perfect size for me. I had lived in my house for close to twenty one years and had made many improvements. But it was time to move on.<br />
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I put my house on the market in May, it was under contract in less than a week and closed in July. The months leading up to the closing were crazy busy and they continue to be. In addition to moving the entire contents of my house and three flea bag cats, I moved hundreds of plants, both of my fountains and all of my planting containers and garden statuary. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to move all this stuff. However the move took months and it wasn't easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPi266U5U1QsTUJ3LkBaAdzwYni0aBOqzij6m_6xbacu_lvaJ17L2hKRGRtXX9RAtMVYk42uQvlKLtmnAhKxzWXk_KZp6cI81-1Mt_4f2eFK0Q9XGFFZBeqPAFHDyaSZDFkJa49NGAy2s/s1600/IMG_8070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPi266U5U1QsTUJ3LkBaAdzwYni0aBOqzij6m_6xbacu_lvaJ17L2hKRGRtXX9RAtMVYk42uQvlKLtmnAhKxzWXk_KZp6cI81-1Mt_4f2eFK0Q9XGFFZBeqPAFHDyaSZDFkJa49NGAy2s/s640/IMG_8070.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Twerpster took the move in stride</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfZqV1_NnNFdRyGN2Ou0lmBFBHC4T2JIX8z1xFqVIZbnu1ykkXRP3LP5O6gV4akj_BQY11iK96fIG1IRuOz0aMvWYeSdhKI6ZsW69zvQYLzpHKCVEC8gyugqSmyAlblaUbrZqxPe8yTF/s1600/IMG_8061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfZqV1_NnNFdRyGN2Ou0lmBFBHC4T2JIX8z1xFqVIZbnu1ykkXRP3LP5O6gV4akj_BQY11iK96fIG1IRuOz0aMvWYeSdhKI6ZsW69zvQYLzpHKCVEC8gyugqSmyAlblaUbrZqxPe8yTF/s640/IMG_8061.JPG" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So did the "ferals".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Leaving the garden was hard. I thought it would be about the plants but in the weeks leading up to the move it turned out to be about the memories. Specifically memories of my dogs. Everywhere I looked I saw them snoozing on the patio and sniffing around the yard, digging for worms, and prospecting for pizza slices that squirrels and birds dropped in the yard after dumpster diving behind the plaza in back of the house.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIPwSvoE55Gqi5mxZqo2I6XmF9LC4wRgAY3RkpnCCnJuKb-H_06wJWm4tOHxdhix_KEhGFq1JMQCXLdQUbOopWunSvJtOOCFfHjJ-hH_PKTL7AZhhEZRGgUn_8fBe2CrQzS1JSZ8UI5qK/s1600/zaknew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIPwSvoE55Gqi5mxZqo2I6XmF9LC4wRgAY3RkpnCCnJuKb-H_06wJWm4tOHxdhix_KEhGFq1JMQCXLdQUbOopWunSvJtOOCFfHjJ-hH_PKTL7AZhhEZRGgUn_8fBe2CrQzS1JSZ8UI5qK/s640/zaknew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zak in the garden in the fall of 1999.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKeytcYHwAqQ3WBC2sMc0eqHfs8BbvFNlBVlqxwe4lV3qkHV_j-W-LbLW10AMctIzs0Id0ldXin1KEPSCWP7Zuo4SdFMy3gN42i_BpCcaS0DGiq7Bpr1fL0C6D7lk3i_LTMtB48OeYG1l/s1600/13659214_10206963225899558_2353812008888988049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKeytcYHwAqQ3WBC2sMc0eqHfs8BbvFNlBVlqxwe4lV3qkHV_j-W-LbLW10AMctIzs0Id0ldXin1KEPSCWP7Zuo4SdFMy3gN42i_BpCcaS0DGiq7Bpr1fL0C6D7lk3i_LTMtB48OeYG1l/s640/13659214_10206963225899558_2353812008888988049_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe on the patio circa 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don't consider myself sentimental so the intensity of these memories took me by surprise. A couple of days before the closing, I went to take the last few items out of my now mostly empty house. After walking through each room, I went outside, stood on the patio and watched my dogs frolic in the garden one last time. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09lfTOHXBJSLaD12AayawQTo2qyMfga-rEkT4ydoLwRfLDq3P2tdOO8tQiuaJaDksl26FrL4riUJ14Lfy_y5FhtDk1g56vCotsnqYANU7j6UauL_RPxKeF_dDHkDT4wmdy4rNwPJMp7zg/s1600/07-25-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09lfTOHXBJSLaD12AayawQTo2qyMfga-rEkT4ydoLwRfLDq3P2tdOO8tQiuaJaDksl26FrL4riUJ14Lfy_y5FhtDk1g56vCotsnqYANU7j6UauL_RPxKeF_dDHkDT4wmdy4rNwPJMp7zg/s640/07-25-15.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick's last day in the garden-July 25, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Moving is never easy but in my case it has turned out to be well worth it. My new home is located in what I would describe as a rural suburban neighborhood at an elevation of just over 800 feet on two partially wooded acres in north central CT. With the exception of a few neglected and overgrown areas the garden is a blank slate.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvym9TDHLalrpA9BBa-fwD2UqN_L-Qt8Ly1xIrE6RJLuFbFO-1D5jS-SkjExK11bPJhZY0g-lSz6-OWFKWdOl6b7_xz_c-mPShxuWZZC99Uxt98qIBar1mqIACg4-Kovz_3Jv-lfRG4xf5/s1600/13495380_10206808849720250_4624817050941150706_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvym9TDHLalrpA9BBa-fwD2UqN_L-Qt8Ly1xIrE6RJLuFbFO-1D5jS-SkjExK11bPJhZY0g-lSz6-OWFKWdOl6b7_xz_c-mPShxuWZZC99Uxt98qIBar1mqIACg4-Kovz_3Jv-lfRG4xf5/s640/13495380_10206808849720250_4624817050941150706_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bears were frequent visitors to the yard in May and June.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1NIuqZHIhIQFPzHc_6cv286jGw1BRqytfdgm2DqGLVV4KYN1FVW6TJuv0-x4ghiRvGqY1__mN6heVLjVbmConxdBXOJAmDHE8NHA1wJHMtfl4AyfrHYOd5AnN9OIl9H6gn1DPYiqxlEO/s1600/13102877_10206485196269116_8069038500525506208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1NIuqZHIhIQFPzHc_6cv286jGw1BRqytfdgm2DqGLVV4KYN1FVW6TJuv0-x4ghiRvGqY1__mN6heVLjVbmConxdBXOJAmDHE8NHA1wJHMtfl4AyfrHYOd5AnN9OIl9H6gn1DPYiqxlEO/s640/13102877_10206485196269116_8069038500525506208_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New garden in progress on the front lawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A hot, dry summer took it's toll on the gardens I was able to find the time to install. For the most part the soil stinks. We're on a well so running sprinklers for hours a day isn't possible. Once I finish fall cleanup, the gardens are going to get a layer compost and shredded leaves. No garden will do well here unless I can improve the soil.<br />
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Going forward I'm not sure what direction this blog will take. Gardening is just one of my many interests. Obviously I was unable to keep up with the blog before and life is even busier now. The new garden needs a new name and the old blog needs a new look. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLK35o7p7I6XXSXT8TB5tG2wKtg8d9vEmlIrf2bt5AmP-nrddPHK0Ii_PSSgwb_FPGGsC_YmgbkmjA47p-pyFdL5zjOql7zbwFCh9RRf0MuuonWhPGuIrxdCH5obcm2R5KvdVnKm2MrUw/s1600/KnifeEdge+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLK35o7p7I6XXSXT8TB5tG2wKtg8d9vEmlIrf2bt5AmP-nrddPHK0Ii_PSSgwb_FPGGsC_YmgbkmjA47p-pyFdL5zjOql7zbwFCh9RRf0MuuonWhPGuIrxdCH5obcm2R5KvdVnKm2MrUw/s640/KnifeEdge+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends on the Knife Edge at Mt. Katahdin (Maine) in August</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R7VPAYADcmSfp-xZ-Vng2G-J-S9rnsur-sSEhE5PibyR9DZb8lFsiTob78I5VwTzkiUQ9tR83nn0HP_YLFl1AkNZ1uqdmA0Kd3yw7w2HMHBLPj5Hf1WlI85BThoqVBMyNZOVDGZFYFKv/s1600/13641223_10206923280100938_5336009928099917199_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R7VPAYADcmSfp-xZ-Vng2G-J-S9rnsur-sSEhE5PibyR9DZb8lFsiTob78I5VwTzkiUQ9tR83nn0HP_YLFl1AkNZ1uqdmA0Kd3yw7w2HMHBLPj5Hf1WlI85BThoqVBMyNZOVDGZFYFKv/s640/13641223_10206923280100938_5336009928099917199_o.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the summit of Mt. Madison (New Hampshire) in July</td></tr>
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Garden season is over in the northeast but I'm confident that the adventures will continue. Stay tuned.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwMbHURHSYs3t7a6ykoOQc50Culp8f2cGBGAHPpmUF9FhK8llqR5ba8hlEAeI35fcM1FvFr9bL9jicoE74Haeu6K18JNhyphenhyphen0O9zAAhcx93nqkFF-ZubVFhlihRusS09ml_unFiSx589zVm/s1600/Canton+gardeners+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwMbHURHSYs3t7a6ykoOQc50Culp8f2cGBGAHPpmUF9FhK8llqR5ba8hlEAeI35fcM1FvFr9bL9jicoE74Haeu6K18JNhyphenhyphen0O9zAAhcx93nqkFF-ZubVFhlihRusS09ml_unFiSx589zVm/s640/Canton+gardeners+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, the new garden will not be called "Green Acres".</td></tr>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-74437574344714794902015-10-15T21:17:00.003-04:002015-10-15T21:38:15.387-04:00October Bloom Day-It's a WrapGarden season 2015 is over. Or at least it will be by the end of the upcoming weekend if the forecast for a hard freeze proves accurate. News of the impending demise sent me scurrying to dust off my camera and grab a few final shots of my late season garden for posterity. As the sun set and twilight descended, I suddenly felt a great sense of urgency to capture the memories before they fade.<br />
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Fall is a glorious season in New England and October is the epitome of fall. Days are generally still somewhat warm and nights are chilly. In a good year, foliage colors run the spectrum of greens, oranges, reds and yellows. By all accounts 2015 is a spectacular year. I spent last weekend hiking in the Catskills where foliage colors were near peak. Even after a lifetime of living in New England, foliage ogling never gets old.<br />
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Truth be told though, I don't enjoy fall as much as I should because I waste a lot of energy mourning the loss of summer. I desperately miss the season when the livin' is easy. I miss being able to get up at 5 AM and not having to turn on a light to see my way to the bathroom. I miss 8 PM sunsets. I miss morning coffee and evening cocktails on the patio. I miss bare feet. I miss farm dinners. I miss the flexibility to hike after work. I miss the screen porch. I miss mine and my friend's gardens in full glory. And this fall, as I dismantle the last garden he will ever be part of, I especially miss <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-bestest-boy.html" target="_blank">Nick</a>.<br />
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Eventually I'll come around but so will spring. The weather gurus (who often have trouble predicting the weather tomorrow) are predicting a warmer than usual winter for the northeast. I'll take it! But I'll also believe it when I see it. So without further adieu, here is what I offer up for Bloom Day. <br />
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Impatiens. Call them what you will...ubiquitous, pedestrian, etc. I call them staples in my garden that, for a couple of bucks a plant, bloom their fool heads off from May until frost. I use them in containers and I plant them in the ground. They are the bomb.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl72vYSJJH28qLOvrSJPqPQ-NjI_2pzStH_Uko4AdjoqLuj5xKp9yVXZae3JU_Sft_evGuoRmI2YZpWuZxZtNhkvN8X0pcqybu_3CDgawvFRmhQAJd-bt3K91oCpR3BeemCmGhZsVGBewB/s1600/IMG_7968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl72vYSJJH28qLOvrSJPqPQ-NjI_2pzStH_Uko4AdjoqLuj5xKp9yVXZae3JU_Sft_evGuoRmI2YZpWuZxZtNhkvN8X0pcqybu_3CDgawvFRmhQAJd-bt3K91oCpR3BeemCmGhZsVGBewB/s640/IMG_7968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Spreading White Sunpatiens</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lWD631poWe6KYF3nmZb-ScEvOEne-pjN5NyztTlUIC9WzJ-UwNNf4I-lZW7O6a81hZAxkH6wJts3_QNV5OGz54WQOoqD2BV4tbLuS1IWVCaG9y8GghuJbWlrCGWeYLCbsHEKN7glGseJ/s1600/IMG_8028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lWD631poWe6KYF3nmZb-ScEvOEne-pjN5NyztTlUIC9WzJ-UwNNf4I-lZW7O6a81hZAxkH6wJts3_QNV5OGz54WQOoqD2BV4tbLuS1IWVCaG9y8GghuJbWlrCGWeYLCbsHEKN7glGseJ/s640/IMG_8028.JPG" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a skirt of Sweet Alyssum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTP9Me6wnXof14BbxT_QjwrgNNh64bOx5fXyqGb-5nv_hKE0vKCjDaWsA5QPNdtXMKYk73FRHzWKzwX70ELm5Sl_m0MhVEO5xyDuPXA8dQhE7Q32PmEuNX6FU_Jx8ElqX05lHJGQjChhnI/s1600/IMG_7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTP9Me6wnXof14BbxT_QjwrgNNh64bOx5fXyqGb-5nv_hKE0vKCjDaWsA5QPNdtXMKYk73FRHzWKzwX70ELm5Sl_m0MhVEO5xyDuPXA8dQhE7Q32PmEuNX6FU_Jx8ElqX05lHJGQjChhnI/s640/IMG_7975.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Spreading Salmon Sunpatiens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8tXIO_2M2JwOkzfgFzMfL7RFFR5AWh4APaVXhosb8bm-1dVOmhoNW3FoQcaxwBDHlSFfi4J6GyZfionRTqJVQFvBQzZ3rz7FVIPpEn9X8I3gaPpu7TP7H0ccsUadQJRQWdMEJ0HYjs2P/s1600/IMG_7979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8tXIO_2M2JwOkzfgFzMfL7RFFR5AWh4APaVXhosb8bm-1dVOmhoNW3FoQcaxwBDHlSFfi4J6GyZfionRTqJVQFvBQzZ3rz7FVIPpEn9X8I3gaPpu7TP7H0ccsUadQJRQWdMEJ0HYjs2P/s640/IMG_7979.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrette Light Coral New Guinea Impatiens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rdcGOhiD6zBsw5BRYxSB3lhcX683qu2Q4CX77ZUg1zurCJWVvKYzUA4w6Np9B9-8bxi3S2C5XvLd_2d-bWFHR1Kh70nqVk50weKgZXz9tHI3tfIgk_x61PyJv1e28Y_ZHXrR94fTz61G/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rdcGOhiD6zBsw5BRYxSB3lhcX683qu2Q4CX77ZUg1zurCJWVvKYzUA4w6Np9B9-8bxi3S2C5XvLd_2d-bWFHR1Kh70nqVk50weKgZXz9tHI3tfIgk_x61PyJv1e28Y_ZHXrR94fTz61G/s640/IMG_7972.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viburnum dilatatum 'Cardinal Candy' with Variegated Spreading White Sunpatiens and Diervilla 'Cool Splash'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUrZL_RelxZ83Zh008HyRD_laoJPEVCS-dBzfvd-XoMd62kEzCAGoXxWpejDOE7ubsicQUM12eYqHp3GyUMu4ZsdTXYH7majodJWfIrr8b1IWu9iMOvzmL1nuLjKWVE2lwS71CaKzKk21/s1600/IMG_7991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUrZL_RelxZ83Zh008HyRD_laoJPEVCS-dBzfvd-XoMd62kEzCAGoXxWpejDOE7ubsicQUM12eYqHp3GyUMu4ZsdTXYH7majodJWfIrr8b1IWu9iMOvzmL1nuLjKWVE2lwS71CaKzKk21/s640/IMG_7991.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impatiens 'Fusion Peach Frost', Coleus 'Sedona', Strobilanthes and Colocasia esculenta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv-J3eXIbhFlVcoTOdhmHFgm-2_Imc4XqwMP7fZkRTHTMCTRUaM27cCv2r-cJwsxZ5uQ_Rv0_ZlI-YUG3i9gHxHb8FiXQQpdE3PZOwV-SzP0cj0h2bprmevUp6mtWdd9MIjjveFv7vAws/s640/IMG_7967.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="514" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Guinea Impatiens 'Strike Pink'', Coleus 'Black Cherry'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiCa9pYy40xBQ_E0i4eNEA0FsjELXi9O1g-BH6MFGWbzLRIS68KnAacH3vWqq5d-2aGk5uCEhtMQSCHrEHuDZljpUQCTA6PlzJfIZ0mE7NEmWBfUNsWj-RVoARNpu5CjzTMpDkIRvcu5g/s640/IMG_8003.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="504" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Guinea Impatiens 'Strike Plum', Coleus 'El Brighto'</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiCa9pYy40xBQ_E0i4eNEA0FsjELXi9O1g-BH6MFGWbzLRIS68KnAacH3vWqq5d-2aGk5uCEhtMQSCHrEHuDZljpUQCTA6PlzJfIZ0mE7NEmWBfUNsWj-RVoARNpu5CjzTMpDkIRvcu5g/s1600/IMG_8003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
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Variegated Phlox varieties. They start blooming in August. A bit of dead heading keeps the flowers coming until frost.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JwSnKDjc7JDrrda11mk2iSxnUPmk3LVfwkhtnlyFzy_4W6QTZr00d3IBRulQFWMB3I_-HuMB1cLc5qY-tQYAZN8wxVDElWEqjEskLSH0btRsgrwNf40sgjtflF-Cr0hAq8Q0wR_zO_rz/s1600/IMG_7974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JwSnKDjc7JDrrda11mk2iSxnUPmk3LVfwkhtnlyFzy_4W6QTZr00d3IBRulQFWMB3I_-HuMB1cLc5qY-tQYAZN8wxVDElWEqjEskLSH0btRsgrwNf40sgjtflF-Cr0hAq8Q0wR_zO_rz/s640/IMG_7974.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox paniculata 'Shockwave'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4nhz0rcCiekTo7ld-YTgiEjVhpHGPWHIaCH_Ky_wNNrxyPQk6VljMVwVl1sU4DJXgXJUtYwfU-vZviTA2ClenrNRFeJUWSkDt4U6mOz-jYo2Y87FXPW0rGOIsDAsxWCbjJ9AVjQU_m9p/s1600/IMG_8011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4nhz0rcCiekTo7ld-YTgiEjVhpHGPWHIaCH_Ky_wNNrxyPQk6VljMVwVl1sU4DJXgXJUtYwfU-vZviTA2ClenrNRFeJUWSkDt4U6mOz-jYo2Y87FXPW0rGOIsDAsxWCbjJ9AVjQU_m9p/s640/IMG_8011.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox paniculata 'Norah Leigh'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iWk5MGnRzJJmHk27fBgA5Kc-09UP1smlYX5aLgIQKvdxTEp7zrYb7u3s5kiuKPzvOWY_9ha7COce00cXeXZ-vil91I8z0AaPallG4mVnKZw_6Shf3mIYDUsw49Hw_1alwBUiVNBFCy-4/s640/IMG_7969.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calibrachoa 'Mini Famous Orange', Coleus 'Rustic Orange', Strobilanthes</td></tr>
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Many Calibrachoa varieties peter out here by mid September due to shifting shadows and shorter days. A few persist.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqSnajqhnqMoqul3o6cwdPUkJG19V6r9pH0Wwq4GYrqduBpKXFOByBlThqHLFycXsfWwgvuBKWjfHdOuaZKXxMk8dpYBRdbaq_VI9nTsTO6IhLzHFZalqMWkh55Y5Wv3Vm6pJT-LvDKJB/s1600/IMG_7981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqSnajqhnqMoqul3o6cwdPUkJG19V6r9pH0Wwq4GYrqduBpKXFOByBlThqHLFycXsfWwgvuBKWjfHdOuaZKXxMk8dpYBRdbaq_VI9nTsTO6IhLzHFZalqMWkh55Y5Wv3Vm6pJT-LvDKJB/s640/IMG_7981.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Every year I become more enamored with Dragon Wing Begonias.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-_M5wqgXAtCFSbwIiJkVXWf3DP8vBBaiK5utJXIkFRtxgjofdGrsmyQmeXeZAetBxE2vBGpPCAVxyBGtJ5zsDPVhYE9aAgU0dhq4ZsreL7ziT5D6oIG4OpluAjGMP5k0QcOuBIv3UQxR/s1600/IMG_8001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-_M5wqgXAtCFSbwIiJkVXWf3DP8vBBaiK5utJXIkFRtxgjofdGrsmyQmeXeZAetBxE2vBGpPCAVxyBGtJ5zsDPVhYE9aAgU0dhq4ZsreL7ziT5D6oIG4OpluAjGMP5k0QcOuBIv3UQxR/s640/IMG_8001.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Begonia 'Dragon Wing Red', Colocasia 'Illustris', Coleus 'Gays Delight'</td></tr>
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I am especially enamored with these Whopper Red Bronze Leaf varieties.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGoS9w7OJTTDOlSUt9040x9afBK6OwSl6P8HvNAJrXd4vYadbwqfNcLJsRYdlCvWSRE-MmC_pkt27nZGEZ3E8Pwb6mb5RvTq6rA1eDUlLjAOQSGC3ZyJ77ZRnmWUPz9sNSsgjTakI_CVb/s1600/IMG_8012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGoS9w7OJTTDOlSUt9040x9afBK6OwSl6P8HvNAJrXd4vYadbwqfNcLJsRYdlCvWSRE-MmC_pkt27nZGEZ3E8Pwb6mb5RvTq6rA1eDUlLjAOQSGC3ZyJ77ZRnmWUPz9sNSsgjTakI_CVb/s640/IMG_8012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMnAtEYXnObB_ooiDC8wk715lxrpctf_NwIAnTOwuTpzJGHtiDiXWjDorHh1ixHmIERQCqVOALz1Yawiv3V7mH4_nx0s4PWNAJL81LTxRnFns2HnzX0kG3VAsuwN5Hkov-PoVi7ZW4qjX/s1600/IMG_8000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMnAtEYXnObB_ooiDC8wk715lxrpctf_NwIAnTOwuTpzJGHtiDiXWjDorHh1ixHmIERQCqVOALz1Yawiv3V7mH4_nx0s4PWNAJL81LTxRnFns2HnzX0kG3VAsuwN5Hkov-PoVi7ZW4qjX/s640/IMG_8000.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBQCfeUY8BsoixzWBtK1h9mamp48RenLpw0VlRHl9IJEKwsq_6kBprcv-AIE9PTwN577nLIsT11HlVSnbLAICsSUbAEwTSHJzdRJ8p2J_4FxV94cEHxOECQnK6saCCfcDCSLcAFiaj4RN/s1600/IMG_8024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBQCfeUY8BsoixzWBtK1h9mamp48RenLpw0VlRHl9IJEKwsq_6kBprcv-AIE9PTwN577nLIsT11HlVSnbLAICsSUbAEwTSHJzdRJ8p2J_4FxV94cEHxOECQnK6saCCfcDCSLcAFiaj4RN/s640/IMG_8024.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Begonia Whopper Red Bronze Leaf, Coleus 'Dipt in Wine', Colocasia Royal Hawaiian 'Maui Gold' </td></tr>
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I had high hopes for these Matchstick Mums but they have not proven to be vigorous in my garden. This one is barely holding on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLb4iiFcQAz79Rjn29eNv_eOfgUfseum2g2Tf2_dAjm4wSiInj4r9ZbsrON4AKdhduyB3sIYHOjG3P4q5GuEHSJRFMy0MyeZsKqX9Gv8LZrxOkKo7ZoNlWYEDsWvssMGQC5Zkw9LonqLL/s1600/IMG_7976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLb4iiFcQAz79Rjn29eNv_eOfgUfseum2g2Tf2_dAjm4wSiInj4r9ZbsrON4AKdhduyB3sIYHOjG3P4q5GuEHSJRFMy0MyeZsKqX9Gv8LZrxOkKo7ZoNlWYEDsWvssMGQC5Zkw9LonqLL/s640/IMG_7976.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm fine with Corydalis lutea anywhere it chooses to seed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0blwCrgmeMgfXXzmaRhudPjEap4ljJAI6Cx3VwUzg4glsgVVWB5KWxhytsLQEw_bQN9_QD_KEJHnKPUgFgQhODEwl4UIf8UX2hMe9iQLy6uhSXNtfAvjEQEAPraTBhl287z6UtA8Z2m2/s1600/IMG_7983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0blwCrgmeMgfXXzmaRhudPjEap4ljJAI6Cx3VwUzg4glsgVVWB5KWxhytsLQEw_bQN9_QD_KEJHnKPUgFgQhODEwl4UIf8UX2hMe9iQLy6uhSXNtfAvjEQEAPraTBhl287z6UtA8Z2m2/s640/IMG_7983.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJT7BAPsga5nY0PIZOQp76ZqDnK7kNQRIbsyu7tvLirlKNtTmq6skDT5E_PTFL5V7jRVHkNi5GgEQMfbLDR0dqM9L8YACXlhR-xwKF-3-nFOSQJfhMzyENFb6nuceFJtANDZaGc2nhVX4R/s1600/IMG_7993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJT7BAPsga5nY0PIZOQp76ZqDnK7kNQRIbsyu7tvLirlKNtTmq6skDT5E_PTFL5V7jRVHkNi5GgEQMfbLDR0dqM9L8YACXlhR-xwKF-3-nFOSQJfhMzyENFb6nuceFJtANDZaGc2nhVX4R/s640/IMG_7993.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysanthemum weyrichii 'White Bomb'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk-eTk9_frhRD15zctYomu9gc7uLxJqxn8H7jrs29vyseIh7kPV0ibLq07htY3Cu3rYEZ5YqlVbJqWAWJ9d8VbHlmYK-MiW8nFLvX930m8qXkLMDe_qLGfaY0MTfCpX27UVlMGTGhsVw7/s1600/IMG_7995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk-eTk9_frhRD15zctYomu9gc7uLxJqxn8H7jrs29vyseIh7kPV0ibLq07htY3Cu3rYEZ5YqlVbJqWAWJ9d8VbHlmYK-MiW8nFLvX930m8qXkLMDe_qLGfaY0MTfCpX27UVlMGTGhsVw7/s640/IMG_7995.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Conqueror, Verbena bonariensis</td></tr>
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Mr. Conqueror is one of the feral kittens I found under my neighbor's shed on Memorial Day weekend 2014. I still care for him and one of his sisters but maintain them as outdoor cats (both have been trapped and spay/neutered). Earlier this summer he disappeared. After a couple of weeks I figured he likely met his demise-a risk I accept as a condition of his semi-feral status. Two months later he miraculously reappeared one morning for breakfast and has barely let the food bowl or me out of his sight since.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGh7yFXztWrwOk7nv1guhGgC_LuxQ-70BsWJYmZlBDxzKQU95U2LJ4HhqrjHGQvSFXUikv_Sz4Dv28PHqSo6FhQKwDfnsSxmNj8SeNcEoJ3OEeMyd-SWCz_0yuAicAM00-2308KUXwjTn/s1600/IMG_7984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGh7yFXztWrwOk7nv1guhGgC_LuxQ-70BsWJYmZlBDxzKQU95U2LJ4HhqrjHGQvSFXUikv_Sz4Dv28PHqSo6FhQKwDfnsSxmNj8SeNcEoJ3OEeMyd-SWCz_0yuAicAM00-2308KUXwjTn/s640/IMG_7984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aster 'Lady in Black', Miscanthus 'Gold Bar', Hydrangea 'Lemon Wave'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eu4St4yt_9tx-UwEGrT4793b5kID7y0_wuxnfyUwYUNZN0Zm_ne2TDRLe659fQcymkXdZGwMcjS3qZZbM4XRYD4-TuwBubp5s72SiHMPC_jN5oPTGdXef_Odp5z2NSlO3UTeFLnYsahc/s1600/IMG_7985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eu4St4yt_9tx-UwEGrT4793b5kID7y0_wuxnfyUwYUNZN0Zm_ne2TDRLe659fQcymkXdZGwMcjS3qZZbM4XRYD4-TuwBubp5s72SiHMPC_jN5oPTGdXef_Odp5z2NSlO3UTeFLnYsahc/s640/IMG_7985.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvia guaranitica 'Black & Blue', Colocasia Royal Hawaiian 'Maui Gold'</td></tr>
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Coreopsis 'Red Shift' requires way more sun than my garden can provide. I prop it up with a Peony ring and shear it in late summer. Usually I don't coddle plants, but for literally months and months of blooms, I'd say this one is worth the effort.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoEm3wjgQoO9wOZ7lFbBOPPFwE4hDkQ20Vt2nL6o1__eNr9GcF6LW1mGjjHGd4Dq_iDH608A35VcZRY1gqPfkGufjyJOiqaOclyh4BK-i5xQec6UWtIw18-8KWg9L91oXzELaTZZ1e8cR/s1600/IMG_7986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoEm3wjgQoO9wOZ7lFbBOPPFwE4hDkQ20Vt2nL6o1__eNr9GcF6LW1mGjjHGd4Dq_iDH608A35VcZRY1gqPfkGufjyJOiqaOclyh4BK-i5xQec6UWtIw18-8KWg9L91oXzELaTZZ1e8cR/s640/IMG_7986.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coreopsis verticillata 'Red Shift'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpYsuCwjjonyQZJCOqbkkfNtfcbmihjiDF0ItwRIgFu5EUjhTnjjJgaO2UQwCNGY3IyV-EmKmB-UCBEtI3srTw1P59pZMUwL45wm_CeQiXC-m7x1PPbOTrZIxlt56Qrk0i4YboHSKKOfe/s1600/IMG_7987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpYsuCwjjonyQZJCOqbkkfNtfcbmihjiDF0ItwRIgFu5EUjhTnjjJgaO2UQwCNGY3IyV-EmKmB-UCBEtI3srTw1P59pZMUwL45wm_CeQiXC-m7x1PPbOTrZIxlt56Qrk0i4YboHSKKOfe/s640/IMG_7987.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amaranthus variety long lost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtT1IxXFpyPvhWB-3u5JzI-9zi1DwagV70OUlm_GeRdjvq6EdO6GYQs3HcqMlYYd2uN2VYK-YZJ3yh1xLLu7sbnrr1Zsn7b6YhgchtwPG-snIbXXYh3cK559nqX7JzM1Zr7T5hYMltUQ7E/s1600/IMG_7982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtT1IxXFpyPvhWB-3u5JzI-9zi1DwagV70OUlm_GeRdjvq6EdO6GYQs3HcqMlYYd2uN2VYK-YZJ3yh1xLLu7sbnrr1Zsn7b6YhgchtwPG-snIbXXYh3cK559nqX7JzM1Zr7T5hYMltUQ7E/s640/IMG_7982.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A non blooming Crepe Myrtle 'Cherry Dazzle', Caryopteris 'Sunshine Blue', Verbena bonariensis, Pennisetum 'Vertigo'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MgBVbJPWQWeuSsLHuxeCyFcnZMvcuhQBJJKG_GpbRLNavGC0ydqOp46JheSHqiGmSRyBbrNlkZIfDZPb1DW39EICL4eljA9LWgo2ZgIA2rca9XBOqLjUiN9ZX8Gn7ohT_MLlsvT1iPDK/s1600/IMG_8018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MgBVbJPWQWeuSsLHuxeCyFcnZMvcuhQBJJKG_GpbRLNavGC0ydqOp46JheSHqiGmSRyBbrNlkZIfDZPb1DW39EICL4eljA9LWgo2ZgIA2rca9XBOqLjUiN9ZX8Gn7ohT_MLlsvT1iPDK/s640/IMG_8018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caryopteris 'Sunshine Blue'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd1OLobr-GhoTITKvTH8DXDlN8MaN954rVaNjYOHaD1awhBzGTsHvI99gUmgz4khmUiyyqR5Xgzf7tk1fGxxe7jhRTKHK0UDBcAx35LHww8Wp_gjjw3HYahO0BeciNR0WgsUrjSmr9TqN/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd1OLobr-GhoTITKvTH8DXDlN8MaN954rVaNjYOHaD1awhBzGTsHvI99gUmgz4khmUiyyqR5Xgzf7tk1fGxxe7jhRTKHK0UDBcAx35LHww8Wp_gjjw3HYahO0BeciNR0WgsUrjSmr9TqN/s640/IMG_8007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Fountain season is over...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY9H7uoJsP0heyuaMF-VV0Hf3pYiwmXTDjZVCqc67BUW_tkt-eVAgQ5pzvg9lSVe3EIW3gi3BPlIMjAHTxl25SbbJMuIdXUpJHEx0xpvfKcwqxlN5msInKsTSIjkAyIOfwCDEAkOwjEu_/s1600/IMG_8019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY9H7uoJsP0heyuaMF-VV0Hf3pYiwmXTDjZVCqc67BUW_tkt-eVAgQ5pzvg9lSVe3EIW3gi3BPlIMjAHTxl25SbbJMuIdXUpJHEx0xpvfKcwqxlN5msInKsTSIjkAyIOfwCDEAkOwjEu_/s640/IMG_8019.JPG" width="522" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRfDt3XWO-rV4UBPh49_h5emXKd98eqb9giAWPvN7ALzrtVPhRHLhUTtRwAd0UQVf13Fy0r7zM1t9onB9qPD9vJL-kNFw8I6sVD4x5sCZLnOaU-aN2J7cAyYnCH-YVSy2huqrQ9CzYaGI/s1600/IMG_7990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRfDt3XWO-rV4UBPh49_h5emXKd98eqb9giAWPvN7ALzrtVPhRHLhUTtRwAd0UQVf13Fy0r7zM1t9onB9qPD9vJL-kNFw8I6sVD4x5sCZLnOaU-aN2J7cAyYnCH-YVSy2huqrQ9CzYaGI/s640/IMG_7990.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anemone 'Prince Henry' (maybe)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH797lgZS0an9wtlBqf2buByLUQNT-Ls4TJFdvAvkXZPemRLqAYSLyr5DelZIsokAQzueIrPKfA_beN2rBe3i_7fy_0PqLcjM2S6MVtIb3grayuyAenqR4Fz1gsqVFi0OSZukkvf_eTEib/s1600/IMG_7999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH797lgZS0an9wtlBqf2buByLUQNT-Ls4TJFdvAvkXZPemRLqAYSLyr5DelZIsokAQzueIrPKfA_beN2rBe3i_7fy_0PqLcjM2S6MVtIb3grayuyAenqR4Fz1gsqVFi0OSZukkvf_eTEib/s640/IMG_7999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57UJlbg594GZH0pZ3SuTV_pCXHYEFI7gJYMHgwRGom9HBi77F883nkgABdyn6XdzJg6f6l3tuJ6LYAxzjroWDmezRNGPFGpuBfsMP1trZWkUmwbZ8x9uTfTkyioC1cRrJHJ6Qpj_HaWb1/s1600/IMG_7998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57UJlbg594GZH0pZ3SuTV_pCXHYEFI7gJYMHgwRGom9HBi77F883nkgABdyn6XdzJg6f6l3tuJ6LYAxzjroWDmezRNGPFGpuBfsMP1trZWkUmwbZ8x9uTfTkyioC1cRrJHJ6Qpj_HaWb1/s640/IMG_7998.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callicarpa 'Heavy Berry' I think</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbQf2yLyiRFufQUsQR_56_bBgxP3z69dl2X3XACNy9Us5lYiKwBEefHlVJLoazHhYOetm5nLL7jvsuRzz6JZFPQ8HBsybipawzNwdfxVC0c7PMwVw4HzIXkgCV-kFkrkhJFXnRxwv3nYg/s1600/IMG_8023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbQf2yLyiRFufQUsQR_56_bBgxP3z69dl2X3XACNy9Us5lYiKwBEefHlVJLoazHhYOetm5nLL7jvsuRzz6JZFPQ8HBsybipawzNwdfxVC0c7PMwVw4HzIXkgCV-kFkrkhJFXnRxwv3nYg/s640/IMG_8023.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCviz2pIfvD4TD6dwFphfHac3gX93dtQcQowHU7PAg2Mnmj0Np3-LWJsb1W_69qeMKvv0tO3gDBCa0EK-HmLvGGGowzjmBXhusE8iB6fPZVZ8snR1YS8CRtODE6BnJZr_4W7j4Gcy6L3J/s1600/IMG_7996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCviz2pIfvD4TD6dwFphfHac3gX93dtQcQowHU7PAg2Mnmj0Np3-LWJsb1W_69qeMKvv0tO3gDBCa0EK-HmLvGGGowzjmBXhusE8iB6fPZVZ8snR1YS8CRtODE6BnJZr_4W7j4Gcy6L3J/s640/IMG_7996.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miscanthus 'Sarabande', Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZC_wLUasKm22H22KyluWovU4bxeuPuLy_pKMjEJG4bku24aA98kTz9Y4MhETGcyN6ao_LJnFQzlPxb1bz_JdwMTN8YPsiwIvvV9t-TASkCIck5NJvRgNBypvDmAxfk7ZrHtWi1TbI8MB/s1600/IMG_7997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZC_wLUasKm22H22KyluWovU4bxeuPuLy_pKMjEJG4bku24aA98kTz9Y4MhETGcyN6ao_LJnFQzlPxb1bz_JdwMTN8YPsiwIvvV9t-TASkCIck5NJvRgNBypvDmAxfk7ZrHtWi1TbI8MB/s640/IMG_7997.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Cosmos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh9GMIfcYGlt7ACryULSAPAhgibPu94mZmGqdAetEeUuwiHlJCyNoYM95x_I0beogqrII2dX6lL6UY1xeT339ijUwWf7Nj9Ei7pBOikUu2X4knrfG-npXC2nPw71tmX_yHb6sHH2ZO5On/s1600/IMG_8004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh9GMIfcYGlt7ACryULSAPAhgibPu94mZmGqdAetEeUuwiHlJCyNoYM95x_I0beogqrII2dX6lL6UY1xeT339ijUwWf7Nj9Ei7pBOikUu2X4knrfG-npXC2nPw71tmX_yHb6sHH2ZO5On/s640/IMG_8004.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Begonia 'Sparks Will Fly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_tMJ92NL0v6nBXsxe37aR1FGhmdgbIYuizT9S_Vaf9C3_N3YE9PXk34oNSIbupsENvCw3pORz2EIHgdkLA9nvW8SF1vqC3VZyHKyEWXa_S1R8iZwRUZBWZhlDJlasv9W8ThDf8Gp3WvM/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_tMJ92NL0v6nBXsxe37aR1FGhmdgbIYuizT9S_Vaf9C3_N3YE9PXk34oNSIbupsENvCw3pORz2EIHgdkLA9nvW8SF1vqC3VZyHKyEWXa_S1R8iZwRUZBWZhlDJlasv9W8ThDf8Gp3WvM/s640/IMG_8005.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Cleomes, Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZSn_KD4TNYEKNe-ZY-8kkzwUo1q_BoTFZPudnsK1zC6-ajUkRX-qtkhhfi7GWqjI5ulk8UCMjMK3LtBARqAsz-Hyb-fkVts99BKGwWEVFIqM_GHrSaQcAJyp8ulRGkGSgYAczA_AoVHK/s1600/IMG_8022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZSn_KD4TNYEKNe-ZY-8kkzwUo1q_BoTFZPudnsK1zC6-ajUkRX-qtkhhfi7GWqjI5ulk8UCMjMK3LtBARqAsz-Hyb-fkVts99BKGwWEVFIqM_GHrSaQcAJyp8ulRGkGSgYAczA_AoVHK/s640/IMG_8022.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foliage of Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMcx6uDPDlFtwW-odiXaifp872hKk1XkdzrNoyIo8_x4WuRl3Y2UVTNZiMcBgNjbd6o1Xdo6rSHIw0h-FQ6yncrH0itefB7iEaCe33vuk2OKKN7MWI-AmBp-jl6y-yZsvf-OyZp9KAgQ8/s1600/IMG_8017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMcx6uDPDlFtwW-odiXaifp872hKk1XkdzrNoyIo8_x4WuRl3Y2UVTNZiMcBgNjbd6o1Xdo6rSHIw0h-FQ6yncrH0itefB7iEaCe33vuk2OKKN7MWI-AmBp-jl6y-yZsvf-OyZp9KAgQ8/s640/IMG_8017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A jumble of tropical foliage...a dark leafed Crepe Myrtle, Castor Bean, Musa basjoo, Pennisetum 'Vertigo'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrL1q2ILgKoLcJ5C0w93MsiEhLbi-fbA3Ok1qtQTr9XXEEZbqaXiQ8i31ohrKbkaQTZhrcweJlhhoCGvfUi1QOzfuHu1ybdSBhoS3aPeq_zHo7FMeh-uElROBs8Nj7_nbzC6dhdZr_Z2R/s1600/IMG_8008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrL1q2ILgKoLcJ5C0w93MsiEhLbi-fbA3Ok1qtQTr9XXEEZbqaXiQ8i31ohrKbkaQTZhrcweJlhhoCGvfUi1QOzfuHu1ybdSBhoS3aPeq_zHo7FMeh-uElROBs8Nj7_nbzC6dhdZr_Z2R/s640/IMG_8008.JPG" width="572" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Conqueror, Fuchsia 'Swingtime', Coleus 'Religious Radish'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNikRUVx0cevOY42pe950_ZiYbwybcJf5On-8LKsM9Ank1p9uwEMcVqhn2615zJ0yfG1WtC0IdsQD9HcefsdtxrXx_iafClm9BdYHIhh6dfvMMwM2g5_T7LvFiRaAj7EUWnc_YhtW6Fl8/s1600/IMG_8009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNikRUVx0cevOY42pe950_ZiYbwybcJf5On-8LKsM9Ank1p9uwEMcVqhn2615zJ0yfG1WtC0IdsQD9HcefsdtxrXx_iafClm9BdYHIhh6dfvMMwM2g5_T7LvFiRaAj7EUWnc_YhtW6Fl8/s640/IMG_8009.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuchsia 'Eruption'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9nYa3vW5-OYl_4_qX1n6rdXXrWuJyI7qhGeyZiaMxpmsJyPoc4o1-ba88eOC_ZWqJUBVuOciEg9Oy0GjOUXQOfFu3afFmXWwFICDlQCQXOu59YQt2akAe9hcPej1kiN7EOnzs6hS-FOF/s1600/IMG_8013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9nYa3vW5-OYl_4_qX1n6rdXXrWuJyI7qhGeyZiaMxpmsJyPoc4o1-ba88eOC_ZWqJUBVuOciEg9Oy0GjOUXQOfFu3afFmXWwFICDlQCQXOu59YQt2akAe9hcPej1kiN7EOnzs6hS-FOF/s640/IMG_8013.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hosta 'Red October'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpIeLswEBe1-FUwccIE34e-lJ_K-7eSBdJ7tTlGPDWKgiKzl2KMIYakBmfydP1JMIxJr688lX8s5rjH46i4QQ2tBJN3dEp0h3zC0KhtvCv80w_nVwSR_nendf3ACQ88I1RoasQjL43ffN/s1600/IMG_8014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpIeLswEBe1-FUwccIE34e-lJ_K-7eSBdJ7tTlGPDWKgiKzl2KMIYakBmfydP1JMIxJr688lX8s5rjH46i4QQ2tBJN3dEp0h3zC0KhtvCv80w_nVwSR_nendf3ACQ88I1RoasQjL43ffN/s640/IMG_8014.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verbena bonariensis, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5XfSb-5HKAhHN6rkA0pzWGukQXqnEEAHhGCEnAi3b6hTDhHMnaJ1Dv5IKx10eqTJljzqICnKeWejHOBxZXpoxodIUoJG9mcyoidRWieRet7OI5JKTGE-oQkSrZZfceju-qvM5M6nXgr9/s1600/IMG_8020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5XfSb-5HKAhHN6rkA0pzWGukQXqnEEAHhGCEnAi3b6hTDhHMnaJ1Dv5IKx10eqTJljzqICnKeWejHOBxZXpoxodIUoJG9mcyoidRWieRet7OI5JKTGE-oQkSrZZfceju-qvM5M6nXgr9/s640/IMG_8020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patio seating backed by Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If I had more time (and daylight), I could probably find a few more treasures to share, but much to my dismay, I am short on both. To check out what gardeners around the world have blooming today, visit <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2015/10/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-october-2015.html" target="_blank">Carol at May Dreams Gardens</a>. Many thanks to Carol for hosting this monthly event!<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></i></b><br />
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-70781865936982344182015-07-25T15:21:00.001-04:002015-09-18T15:24:33.881-04:00My Bestest Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="uficommentbody">“No matter how close we are to
another person, few human relationships are as free from strife, disagreement,
and frustration as is the relationship you have with a good dog. Few human
beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. I also suspect
that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously
or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for
a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and
the cruelties of this world are unknown."</span> ~<span class="uficommentbody"> Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a
Joyful Dog</span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody">After Nick was diagnosed with diabetes in April, we started a daily ritual of taking two short walks up and down the street. One in the early morning and the second after dinner. My street is short and the walks never took more than 15 or 20 minutes. Occasionally when I was running late or rushed for time, I would consider skipping the walk. But Nick loved them and I knew the day would come when I would wish we could take just one more. This morning we took our last walk. </span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">I said goodbye to Nick today and my heart is broken. Those of you who have ushered old dogs to the other side know that once their health starts to go south it's difficult if not impossible to turn things around. Sometimes everything you can do is not enough. It's hard not to feel discouraged and it's hard not to wonder if you should have given it another day or another week. Despite these feelings I have no regrets. No regrets because I did everything I possibly could and at fifteen, Nick lived a good long life.</span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">I've read that there are two days in a dog's life you will always remember-the day you bring them home for the first time and the day you say goodbye for the last time. In my experience this is true. Although I remember countless details from all my dog's lives, I remember very specific details about those first and last days. Rather than use this space to rehash Nick's last day, I'm going to share a story about his first day. For those who never knew him, I hope that the pictures I've chosen will help fill in some of the rest.</span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">Nick was born on Mother's Day 2000. Less than a month before, I had lost Zak, my first mini schnauzer, at age eight to chronic renal failure. I desperately wanted another puppy to fill the void left by Zak. My breeder was expecting a litter and promised the first male puppy would be mine. As it turned out, Nick was the only male out of his litter of five. Obviously Nick was meant for me. On July 28th, at just over ten weeks old and after multiple visits with him at his breeder's, he came home. </span><br />
<span class="uficommentbody"><br /></span>
<span class="uficommentbody">For many years I had been involved in online miniature schnauzer groups beginning with AOL (yes I'm aware I'm dating myself). At the time of Nick's arrival I was active on an e-mail group called the Hoflin List. Every so often the moderators of the Hoflin list would create sub groups of members who needed guidance and had something in common. So while I was waiting for Nick to come home I joined the Hoflin Puppy Group. Even though I had already transitioned two of these mischievous creatures from puppy hood to adulthood, I figured there was always something to learn, right?</span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">One of the first topics we covered was how to create a safe, comforting environment for your puppy at bedtime. Perfect! Based on the advice, I was to place the open crate in a gated "safe" room like a bathroom and provide water and newspaper. In the past I had always placed the crate on the floor of my room next to my bed with the door closed. Granted this method usually resulted in a few minutes of pathetic whining punctuated by a pathetic bark or two before things got quiet. Perhaps this new way was better.</span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">So on Nick's first night I busied myself getting the bathroom ready. Throw rugs were replaced with newspaper, the crate was placed and up went the gate. A bowl of water was provided. Bedtime arrived and I confidently placed Nick in the gated bathroom and hopped into bed for a good night sleep. As expected, Nick started whining. Quickly the whining became interspersed with yipping. No problem I thought...ten minutes and he'll be fast asleep.</span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">Soon mournful howling was added to the mix. Of course I couldn't give in because then he'd win and dogs aren't supposed to win. As the decibels rose, I covered my head with a pillow and listened for the loud rap on the front door signaling the arrival of the police investigating complaints by neighbors that dogs were possibly being tortured in my house. After two hours I couldn't take it anymore. I gave in. Less than a half day in my house and it was Nick-1 Sue-0. I got up, went to the bathroom and picked up little Nick. Immediately he quieted down and relaxed against my chest. After a quick trip outside to pee (for him not me), I put the crate next to my bed, placed him inside and closed the door. From that point on I never heard another peep out of him at night ever again.</span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">What I learned about Nick that first night didn't become immediately apparent but it should have. Nick was stubborn. Very stubborn. He didn't give up easily and he knew how to wage campaigns of harassment to his advantage. I will miss that about him. I will miss everything about him. </span><br />
<span class="uficommentbody"><br /></span>
<span class="uficommentbody">For over 23 years, my home has been graced by the pitter patter sound of schnauzer feet. First there was Zak, then Zoe and finally Nick. This afternoon was the third time in just over fifteen years that I've had to take that dreaded final trip to the vet, but this is the first time I've had to come home to an empty house. As I embrace the quiet and struggle to find a new normal in my routine, I hope to find solace in my garden and on the trails. Despite my feelings of sadness and devastation however, I feel a sense of peace and relief I haven't felt in a long time. </span><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">I want to thank Dr. Andrea Autorino and her wonderful staff at <a href="http://www.doubleavet.com/about-us.pml" target="_blank">Double A Veterinary Hospital</a> as well as Dr. Amy Matthews and her team at <a href="http://www.frontierwellnesscenter.com/" target="_blank">Frontier Wellness Center</a>. Nick lived as well as he did because of the support I received throughout his life from these caring and dedicated professionals. I also want to give a shout out to the moderators and members of the Canine Diabetes Support and Info group on Facebook. I never could have managed the past few months as well as I did without them. If you ever find yourself in the unenviable position of caring for a diabetic dog, by all means seek these folks out. </span><br />
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<i><b><span class="uficommentbody">Trix An's Christmas In July</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="uficommentbody">"Nick"</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="uficommentbody">May 14, 2000-July 25, 2015</span></b></i><br />
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<span class="uficommentbody">"It's been a long day without you my friend. And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again." </span></div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-87131618334857166082015-04-15T21:22:00.000-04:002015-04-16T07:53:39.519-04:00April Bloom Day Arrives Kicking and ScreamingWow, what a winter! Persistent cold, snow, ice right through March and into early April. Did I say cold? I was beginning to think I'd never get out in the garden. Then this past week, that familiar whiff of spring started wafting across my patio. Early mornings are noticeably more mild. The bite of the wind seems to be missing a few teeth. It's time to get excited about the garden again. But this year I may struggle.<br />
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Yesterday, exactly one month shy of his fifteenth birthday, my long time buddy and garden helper Nick was diagnosed with canine diabetes. Now instead perennial varieties, I am researching insulin varieties and familiarizing myself with terms like glucose curves. To be honest, I would prefer not to have to know about these things. I'm feeling apprehensive and overwhelmed but I am committed to doing whatever it takes to provide him the highest possible quality of life for whatever life he has left. <br />
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Time in the garden will be my escape. In the past, Bloom Day has been important in the sense that it forces me to get out poke around and fawn over the fruits of my labor. Last year I skipped most Bloom Days. Come winter I regretted it when I had so few pictures to look back on for both planning and enjoyment. In 2015 I vow to do better!<br />
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That being said, the pickens are slim. Even the Hellebores have been reluctant to show their faces.<br />
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Usually Iris reticulata blooms in Mid March here and is done by now unlike Miss Survivor who appears to be here to stay.<br />
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Good old 'Arnold Promise' Witch hazel has been blooming since mid March, within a day of last year. Too bad I can't seem to capture the effect with a camera. At certain times of the day it glows. You'll have to trust me on that I guess.<br />
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Chionadoxa has been a reliable bloomer on my front lawn and has also spread to the beds.<br />
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For those in milder climates this must look bleak. Let's face it, it is bleak. Fortunately it explodes relatively quick. Within a week or two I'll be running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to stay ahead of the curve. And with any luck I'll be ahead of the glucose curve as well.<br />
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With the addition of the two feral cats I trapped and spayed last fall, I'm now up to three cats. Another two feral wanna bes have recently taken up residence in the shed window box, and the mother of all of them is ready to deliver her spring litter. Time to borrow the have a heart traps again. Through it all though, I think you'll agree that my Twerpster has remained the king and perfect garden accent. <br />
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Happy Bloom Day! If you have a minute, head over to Carol's <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2015/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2015.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a> and see what is blooming in gardens all over the world.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">~Sue~</span></b></i>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-87031094107669306862014-10-16T21:16:00.000-04:002014-10-16T21:17:16.776-04:00October Bloom Day-Sorta KindaHappy Belated October Bloom Day! Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to put a coherent blog post together these days. What can I say? Life is busy. In June I co-hosted the 11th annual <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-idyllunion-for-history-books.html" target="_blank">Idyllunion</a> which was a rousing success. Up to that point I worked like a dog in the garden, planting, mulching, designing and maintaining containers. Come July I slid into maintenance mode and never slid out. Summer temperatures were moderate this year with very few days in the 90s. Rain was scarce though and I'm not the best at watering so parts of the garden got a little crispy towards the end. All in all I'm happy with the way the season turned out.<br />
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One of the things, in fact probably the only thing I hate about fall is the noticeably shorter days. All of these pictures were taken after work on the 15th. The day was cloudy but by six o'clock, the light was so low I had to give up on the picture taking. Despite the limitations, here's what I was able to get:<br />
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Although we have had some cold nights, Jack Frost has yet to pay a visit so the containers still look decent. The red Abutilon in the above picture is Voodoo, one I successfully overwintered under lights in the house. <br />
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The no-name yellow Abutilon above has survived two winters in my house. I think I'll go for three.<br />
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I think this is Anemone 'Charlotte' but don't quote me.<br />
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Hydrangea 'Limelight' with a side of Itea 'Henry's Garnet'.<br />
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One of the downsides to a cool spring and summer was my Colocasias never grew to the usual mammoth proportions. I won't hold it against them.<br />
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As you'll see in other pictures, variegated New Guinea impatiens have become anchors in my gardens. <br />
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This dramatic Amaranthus has been a rampant re seeder in my garden for years. I've learned to thin most of it out, leaving just a few strategically located specimens.<br />
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OK, so when the original plant in the blue foot pot pooped out, I bought one fall annual. <br />
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Yes, there is a container under there somewhere. I'm going to miss that Strobilanthes. <br />
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Oh the bounty (and jumbled mess) of fall!<br />
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The white Brugmansia may be done for the season but the variegated Alyssum 'Frosty Night' is still going strong.<br />
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A fleabag in his element.<br />
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After moving this Coreopsis a couple of time over the past couple of years, I finally found the right spot. What a workhorse! Wish I could remember the cultivar. It's tall and requires support in my always less than full sun garden but worth the effort. <br />
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Variegated Sunpatiens. Need I say more. If you see them next spring, buy them. Buy them in flats if you can and tuck them all over your garden. You can't go wrong. <br />
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Summer meets fall.<br />
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'White Bomb' mums thrive in the dry dastardly conditions of my front curb garden.<br />
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More Sunpatiens struttin' their stuff with my favorite Hydrangea 'Lemon Wave'. </div>
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Dahlias are far from hardy in my CT zone 6 garden. So back in the spring when I saw what I thought was a teeny dahlia seedling I almost weeded it out. That itty bitty seedling grew into this tall, sturdy stemmed beauty.<br />
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Definitely a candidate to dig and store. <br />
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Cleome is another rampantly reseeding plant here. Over the years I've learned that less is more and just aggressively attack the seedlings in the spring.<br />
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Part of the backyard border that seems to be holding up well. You can't tell from the picture but the Heptacodium is coloring out well this year. <br />
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Even though the impatiens are still going strong, garden season 2014 will soon come to a screeching halt. As much as I enjoy the bounty, I look forward to a few months to focus on other interests.<br />
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Hosta 'Red October' is non nondescript most of the season but how can you not like these October flowers?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCj4nak4pzYgNO9Tmb8NMjays70pE11r-F6Lb2K2hJQ66tTy7LeexRJyjaz1DqSSHTKCYcM76vavJDzma0OCxr1NlLYsz6NDLwxdpxLrhIhv4Rp1BkquDJPnUu4DsFhYTSQSdhKHGIZ_W/s1600/IMG_7655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCj4nak4pzYgNO9Tmb8NMjays70pE11r-F6Lb2K2hJQ66tTy7LeexRJyjaz1DqSSHTKCYcM76vavJDzma0OCxr1NlLYsz6NDLwxdpxLrhIhv4Rp1BkquDJPnUu4DsFhYTSQSdhKHGIZ_W/s1600/IMG_7655.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oh look-more variegated Sunpatiens mingling with the foliage of Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1zG1Cshp65an3y1q_vUBtcGZjPECahUKiwb5qQRizSY19Y5j6q4v3T30PEgd8_PzWWx6Jcqz9JLNgfCSFNGiYzCtCEgqjPz0we-OkkK_mifkxKwCFoZSmr2ogoIk5Qw0PZLgxRMkwfb_/s1600/IMG_7656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1zG1Cshp65an3y1q_vUBtcGZjPECahUKiwb5qQRizSY19Y5j6q4v3T30PEgd8_PzWWx6Jcqz9JLNgfCSFNGiYzCtCEgqjPz0we-OkkK_mifkxKwCFoZSmr2ogoIk5Qw0PZLgxRMkwfb_/s1600/IMG_7656.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And playing nicely with the flowers of late blooming Allium 'Ozowa'. <br />
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Last but not least, one of my favorite perennials Phlox 'Norah Leigh'.<br />
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So there you have it-my 2014 garden season in a nutshell. Due to my tardy ways, I will not be adding myself to the Bloom Day roster but if you haven't done so already, head over and visit Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2014/10/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-october-2014.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a> and check out the October happenings at gardens all over the globe.<br />
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Happy Gardening! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Sue~</b></span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-60126791765587581882014-05-15T21:35:00.000-04:002014-05-15T21:35:15.701-04:00Bloom Day in the Merry Merry Month of MayGarden frenzy has descended on Idyll Haven. After losing much of April to less than stellar weather, May has become a mad dash to get things done. Buying season for unusual annuals has begun. "Inventory" is beginning to pile up on the patio and I still haven't been to the best places. Every night I hook up the appliance dolly and move a few more containers out of the garage. Eventually it all comes together.<br />
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Yesterday was my main man's 14th birthday. Usually I don't make a big deal out his birthday and as hard as it is to face, the likelihood of him celebrating too many more is not the best. So I took him to the groomer, posted lots of pictures on Facebook, and brought him to work with me so people could fawn over him. At some point during the all the birthday frivolity I realized Bloom Day was today. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Gw5F2dtYJD56ko3cAIsWIldtyL2aa8DaqXGwTBqMDayHAkLhYxJ-Fhz_ZV_sclmEb8t4yc0jU587HD8KhlIWoymYD500GXSrlFEinkDIN8udfKoevWIyFYPn-T4LPDj5fVIG8S3ysljK/s1600/IMG_7252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Gw5F2dtYJD56ko3cAIsWIldtyL2aa8DaqXGwTBqMDayHAkLhYxJ-Fhz_ZV_sclmEb8t4yc0jU587HD8KhlIWoymYD500GXSrlFEinkDIN8udfKoevWIyFYPn-T4LPDj5fVIG8S3ysljK/s1600/IMG_7252.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Nickster is 14! Where did the time go?</td></tr>
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So last night I sprinted madly around the garden and grabbed a few pictures. Much of my garden focus is on later season interest so I'm always amazed at how much is in bloom in the spring. Here is a cross section:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrILZ52VDyop9NyYcoXLdHdzpEpNqcVaM-tfO3xeLh6zdhudUkdTnKp5POk9rbIiOP9aERT-Ixq7PDdtQRKKOI_rIBbRW_0TzfN9MDyUhe_mjhzj0tNnu0GqEEF_4KsxpMcW3bP-68RiHX/s1600/IMG_7186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrILZ52VDyop9NyYcoXLdHdzpEpNqcVaM-tfO3xeLh6zdhudUkdTnKp5POk9rbIiOP9aERT-Ixq7PDdtQRKKOI_rIBbRW_0TzfN9MDyUhe_mjhzj0tNnu0GqEEF_4KsxpMcW3bP-68RiHX/s1600/IMG_7186.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fleeting blooms of Magnolia 'Sunspire'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQwlGeYKaqHP28U3w0-8VtIS6rlYR6k1udxM_6F3dHtRxNP5zXQ4-kZL0shpn1rigUpujAPX2EIjbQSC9wjwF2siWKtzQZb319kMeE1HVMTaorO9Mx7Dan22Zi1eu8QEs5-bsmzDuA7sP/s1600/IMG_7216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQwlGeYKaqHP28U3w0-8VtIS6rlYR6k1udxM_6F3dHtRxNP5zXQ4-kZL0shpn1rigUpujAPX2EIjbQSC9wjwF2siWKtzQZb319kMeE1HVMTaorO9Mx7Dan22Zi1eu8QEs5-bsmzDuA7sP/s1600/IMG_7216.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big overgrown Viburnum carlesii crowding out Cotimus 'Golden Spirit'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YAS1Lk2eTPxMSvpsgMahbP-18skLydW9IAuHelGaFpW6ZCg8gj3gsXfYJp_-AIwRqdtFGxhy5pihlADOKBrrKMn0hqlBOql9ZnzeCVFbs0whFhq3tIkLiWaQ1cuhNYWWjVImtr5Z4OmU/s1600/IMG_7217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YAS1Lk2eTPxMSvpsgMahbP-18skLydW9IAuHelGaFpW6ZCg8gj3gsXfYJp_-AIwRqdtFGxhy5pihlADOKBrrKMn0hqlBOql9ZnzeCVFbs0whFhq3tIkLiWaQ1cuhNYWWjVImtr5Z4OmU/s1600/IMG_7217.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fothergilla gardenii with the fading blooms of a Hellebore.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx398KAswOkfDH9uTaOBUwwjzqOTLbANB81T2T_mHpES_tmAfOuBrskdWnKbSKvxwP6iaw4qRFKL5jX1Hvgl-a96qVN0Y-q6n0AWGiHndkhUEQiS5Db-EfO6cPHNFtTZAUICdiUvFD9Hg/s1600/IMG_7224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx398KAswOkfDH9uTaOBUwwjzqOTLbANB81T2T_mHpES_tmAfOuBrskdWnKbSKvxwP6iaw4qRFKL5jX1Hvgl-a96qVN0Y-q6n0AWGiHndkhUEQiS5Db-EfO6cPHNFtTZAUICdiUvFD9Hg/s1600/IMG_7224.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerria japonica 'Picta' is one of my favorite shrubs for dry shady spots</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_sp75xdVRIEI32GMEViYkAcIp5i0NocjuMM6uEgK_4RJAt_HxRLpEseWFJAObmCv_v4eh0jE46cy3yuNwxBoCLvsy_cgYzZPzWYrrcQCihSEL9EIYdE6Ez0jfn71lMXj9hQJVBEQobHT/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_sp75xdVRIEI32GMEViYkAcIp5i0NocjuMM6uEgK_4RJAt_HxRLpEseWFJAObmCv_v4eh0jE46cy3yuNwxBoCLvsy_cgYzZPzWYrrcQCihSEL9EIYdE6Ez0jfn71lMXj9hQJVBEQobHT/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron 'Ken Janek' just days away from bursting into full bloom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z-qoVMcQHb6l-bXlZbKOq8cvx8BRIQ6QBxnRJSVZ8Y0NOeHx8fcS98lO0jluFpgDB2kTsYoresbRAg6kX19ISbMDwz08Y_IKdXxdj2ZYkcmykkHTOLqdHXETaH8jnO1S0h_h21ki4Cck/s1600/IMG_7235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z-qoVMcQHb6l-bXlZbKOq8cvx8BRIQ6QBxnRJSVZ8Y0NOeHx8fcS98lO0jluFpgDB2kTsYoresbRAg6kX19ISbMDwz08Y_IKdXxdj2ZYkcmykkHTOLqdHXETaH8jnO1S0h_h21ki4Cck/s1600/IMG_7235.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron 'Capistrano'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2mCKWW5jnTtkFme1LSp9n1ZbCUAfv6r3D3VG3MFQTSwAo3r8KBvIeYcVAghi9lNFz_pdVkvLQXpGXFFMOVP7ackbkpOPK8s_abw3NDkGJzGKag3-xiC33jEvtdzi0PqGdvLtdHHwfuT6/s1600/IMG_7237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2mCKWW5jnTtkFme1LSp9n1ZbCUAfv6r3D3VG3MFQTSwAo3r8KBvIeYcVAghi9lNFz_pdVkvLQXpGXFFMOVP7ackbkpOPK8s_abw3NDkGJzGKag3-xiC33jEvtdzi0PqGdvLtdHHwfuT6/s1600/IMG_7237.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daphne caucasica 'Jim's Pride' has been happy and long lived on the wall garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCWeOKvLi50z4zw573xo_RR8AUjQSXcSwTZ6RcqlVzkWsA29VRhlkKiWkYvitRy6kwDVYoqGR4UteClILK2vadu9I04TtEASQ3crPGygiK0T8S_EvSvZN5QjVeDknf-MUYgO3LeB6am6Q/s1600/IMG_7242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCWeOKvLi50z4zw573xo_RR8AUjQSXcSwTZ6RcqlVzkWsA29VRhlkKiWkYvitRy6kwDVYoqGR4UteClILK2vadu9I04TtEASQ3crPGygiK0T8S_EvSvZN5QjVeDknf-MUYgO3LeB6am6Q/s1600/IMG_7242.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't remember the cultivar name of this Rhododendron. The flowers are fading now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXq0j6V3wyjjnJ7O03H7FqMRJyRXA22zEBUWZ2ciFaGTb1Gs7hQcJPq5uM9adhZU6Z59Md6r92eQcPlbmhrer3Ia6S6BbowUctzKHA-MCX4WshOLzfbGhff77qgvx2V4kefr8CIQzKcQq/s1600/IMG_7179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXq0j6V3wyjjnJ7O03H7FqMRJyRXA22zEBUWZ2ciFaGTb1Gs7hQcJPq5uM9adhZU6Z59Md6r92eQcPlbmhrer3Ia6S6BbowUctzKHA-MCX4WshOLzfbGhff77qgvx2V4kefr8CIQzKcQq/s1600/IMG_7179.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is what the flowers looked like a week ago</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhy6ggT28Jd2A3DvNeTYev-86inLozRXa3ga8HjyP7hL8lrDoyyPSQY4NxbTXbsl2QTsh5rkzYfVH1KexDXsF99f8iqUrXGlhKf8qj55pWwI6g2vvk0WJfR8o0GxP1Mu4PBlF1m_O2RjV/s1600/IMG_7218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhy6ggT28Jd2A3DvNeTYev-86inLozRXa3ga8HjyP7hL8lrDoyyPSQY4NxbTXbsl2QTsh5rkzYfVH1KexDXsF99f8iqUrXGlhKf8qj55pWwI6g2vvk0WJfR8o0GxP1Mu4PBlF1m_O2RjV/s1600/IMG_7218.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dicentra season is upon us. Most are reseeded from a plant of long ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IuLHiTOMECxQ50ktczC8YcDyVwsm-Pb94tO2oYQRaDzSEuuxbYS8nuzQqZuQoCC1doP8ZFu1KZi8SJ0zDOlEoZH1hGSDdIN5sDBfmgb_IZsMgJRi2VOWfkK7NYZyxxmAYD0jn-8GJN4V/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IuLHiTOMECxQ50ktczC8YcDyVwsm-Pb94tO2oYQRaDzSEuuxbYS8nuzQqZuQoCC1doP8ZFu1KZi8SJ0zDOlEoZH1hGSDdIN5sDBfmgb_IZsMgJRi2VOWfkK7NYZyxxmAYD0jn-8GJN4V/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' surrounded by Galium odoratum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYOXzN73ebHzlMmI-Yfzb1lThmWrLTzqhsfyfa7LBI7Vi76fHZi8qHMVKc272AYie8p8rbMl5PzttknDGIroNwl3gCj_F4-dT1Rrn6dqhjAB5ZScU8A2-Rq2jH23_Bf5KBd_bL-ynQ9Ej/s1600/IMG_7223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYOXzN73ebHzlMmI-Yfzb1lThmWrLTzqhsfyfa7LBI7Vi76fHZi8qHMVKc272AYie8p8rbMl5PzttknDGIroNwl3gCj_F4-dT1Rrn6dqhjAB5ZScU8A2-Rq2jH23_Bf5KBd_bL-ynQ9Ej/s1600/IMG_7223.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love the gaudiness of Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xiiKQs7XL6BiS2uSDx9XRAskjW1FYiDZt5bNnZynR4feUnTQr_IfrkOqk1agP5KkROgSN255k_mix61wMWtrxYvNQeWRkH3K_-jB9JQGdFTgRjic0eA-DgkNkAqRv9cls2tmnr-p32_y/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xiiKQs7XL6BiS2uSDx9XRAskjW1FYiDZt5bNnZynR4feUnTQr_IfrkOqk1agP5KkROgSN255k_mix61wMWtrxYvNQeWRkH3K_-jB9JQGdFTgRjic0eA-DgkNkAqRv9cls2tmnr-p32_y/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primula in the shadow of a Disporum flavens</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruvfeMJtsIqkogfTYxhRxCM9A5gd7_sGbQqpIW0BOO0a00_Ga2i7hnxi6Lv7jKFi5Ae7oMWQMwyRsN9IrzbQqtkqA-dNMwVMlAhKVfYzQjlinl7IYp9R6w9vmDkVUJdElK6lmBD1CBFB6/s1600/IMG_7228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruvfeMJtsIqkogfTYxhRxCM9A5gd7_sGbQqpIW0BOO0a00_Ga2i7hnxi6Lv7jKFi5Ae7oMWQMwyRsN9IrzbQqtkqA-dNMwVMlAhKVfYzQjlinl7IYp9R6w9vmDkVUJdElK6lmBD1CBFB6/s1600/IMG_7228.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the sping, I have been known to hand trim around Ajuga that has naturalized in my lawn.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QHs4K197YfkaGRSYn_lzmWIrpA2d9vgncIfWnvhLMGjSAC0qXwPtb0bXGV1cuZwp8aq8PmpIktyTnQEg_Auw6e6YVt_9k68Iq81iHUdm2cnuxozPpLsJ7nKIjk3GLqg5Dt_ZKmfRUoHg/s1600/IMG_7229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QHs4K197YfkaGRSYn_lzmWIrpA2d9vgncIfWnvhLMGjSAC0qXwPtb0bXGV1cuZwp8aq8PmpIktyTnQEg_Auw6e6YVt_9k68Iq81iHUdm2cnuxozPpLsJ7nKIjk3GLqg5Dt_ZKmfRUoHg/s1600/IMG_7229.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what happens when you restore lawn over what used to be garden.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4YFhoJWOIP8P3p8BblQyht56RByD4kbKEBSYIZegnCmQ9veZ1fALiSuVO7SyLvMTu9A-ud9pNt7MX0YbVlvo4RvFSildF8sg7db0IKhH0SF6MwW9PWlFY9soOWYCo_yhDu6HOx7AMEc/s1600/IMG_7230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4YFhoJWOIP8P3p8BblQyht56RByD4kbKEBSYIZegnCmQ9veZ1fALiSuVO7SyLvMTu9A-ud9pNt7MX0YbVlvo4RvFSildF8sg7db0IKhH0SF6MwW9PWlFY9soOWYCo_yhDu6HOx7AMEc/s1600/IMG_7230.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anemone sylvestris</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULLyydyXJdjVe06aEg09_3Fdg3iucIkf93XACBnmvrwB4wxusg-Vx7c57a46RLJSfNHbOzNc029pAC2f63UlSBNiVgvK8TbuTo9XdxdcpAUov8gs1HYLeJNPKfnsTtvTKFC0JnTDIaArX/s1600/IMG_7232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULLyydyXJdjVe06aEg09_3Fdg3iucIkf93XACBnmvrwB4wxusg-Vx7c57a46RLJSfNHbOzNc029pAC2f63UlSBNiVgvK8TbuTo9XdxdcpAUov8gs1HYLeJNPKfnsTtvTKFC0JnTDIaArX/s1600/IMG_7232.JPG" height="640" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epimedium youngianum ;Niveum'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvWVhSN5ossCnUw3ZWRseQsqdAC_DD1BpZyDOPzoKZ5lCDF3ySs8euNPEXARX1qDJp8TBn30jUIvO5s-1mN000nJC55ORMgi0B2MV3LZWflap91xnfaP_BsP9B81ZH-GLbTwIVjtB_xRm/s1600/IMG_7233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvWVhSN5ossCnUw3ZWRseQsqdAC_DD1BpZyDOPzoKZ5lCDF3ySs8euNPEXARX1qDJp8TBn30jUIvO5s-1mN000nJC55ORMgi0B2MV3LZWflap91xnfaP_BsP9B81ZH-GLbTwIVjtB_xRm/s1600/IMG_7233.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysogonum virginianum is another plant for tough dry shade</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aaka-JAbUvj7YB-kKz2ko-5LP5JosGhLm3ISJ5Mcq93ovTPLUeo-4pL2S7Dd7FvFe9yCssrDswdUtJJ2FSYRmYuCRn4-0ctKdXp9yGCn9KmVa3ZhV51DKH5-rCAr-IjxYFkDLtQM5xMa/s1600/IMG_7234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aaka-JAbUvj7YB-kKz2ko-5LP5JosGhLm3ISJ5Mcq93ovTPLUeo-4pL2S7Dd7FvFe9yCssrDswdUtJJ2FSYRmYuCRn4-0ctKdXp9yGCn9KmVa3ZhV51DKH5-rCAr-IjxYFkDLtQM5xMa/s1600/IMG_7234.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox subulata forms the perfect skirt for a variegated Yucca in the curb garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCxWA1DsAZMFI0WREbE-97LJ261GJSDU2REQ12YZtP1EdI_U1S1H2anBRRWLpbMKOcg9SYRMHi99BNzzBPGJ8pBDXGNhUiH-b1LFIt4oxlYVGUMzxW51o4hOrVj4eBkCWiGjQAgrSmvWC/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCxWA1DsAZMFI0WREbE-97LJ261GJSDU2REQ12YZtP1EdI_U1S1H2anBRRWLpbMKOcg9SYRMHi99BNzzBPGJ8pBDXGNhUiH-b1LFIt4oxlYVGUMzxW51o4hOrVj4eBkCWiGjQAgrSmvWC/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iberis sempervirens 'Golden Candy'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUnwMeb71nkjg4o-iowbU4GzTGa3AzBlycEfRfV7yalqbgvVfs2HTPh5ebslSbSFR0g5_pOaNW3DTPOUqRHWgIL-8iA13rJu0VURMdlEBw6iBZG9EyiWEkRGvFexTtJDzY6fd0VT5xV8d/s1600/IMG_7240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUnwMeb71nkjg4o-iowbU4GzTGa3AzBlycEfRfV7yalqbgvVfs2HTPh5ebslSbSFR0g5_pOaNW3DTPOUqRHWgIL-8iA13rJu0VURMdlEBw6iBZG9EyiWEkRGvFexTtJDzY6fd0VT5xV8d/s1600/IMG_7240.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A true "perennial" Sunflower </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF7CND7Fo51TElTq49BGi4qGDLYD4PeScNmXkLF5v6fGS6ZXxhsGhcVy4mm6KaLmUxsUKDSG0h-3YYkpehIA-1Yu_OmuY7dokByV466tct9R8tl3x3z5ueRi-ojbGgE0ZEhS9mYSnEHbs/s1600/IMG_7239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF7CND7Fo51TElTq49BGi4qGDLYD4PeScNmXkLF5v6fGS6ZXxhsGhcVy4mm6KaLmUxsUKDSG0h-3YYkpehIA-1Yu_OmuY7dokByV466tct9R8tl3x3z5ueRi-ojbGgE0ZEhS9mYSnEHbs/s1600/IMG_7239.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunnera 'Variegata' and Epimedium 'Lilafee"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Uh2R90BZkJRowDjTVT94_drCoQkmcMDu7XMLHjFVFQB4D6dGF7Xn9TruP1mdHY6XTNHWpNDVQVUDEBgO6HX4DPYzzUbMIkvJ71uIqtznB0rJQdztS87KhC0eDRxf1CuEkUV2X4frzcDt/s1600/IMG_7243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Uh2R90BZkJRowDjTVT94_drCoQkmcMDu7XMLHjFVFQB4D6dGF7Xn9TruP1mdHY6XTNHWpNDVQVUDEBgO6HX4DPYzzUbMIkvJ71uIqtznB0rJQdztS87KhC0eDRxf1CuEkUV2X4frzcDt/s1600/IMG_7243.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunnera 'Jack Frost'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsKo9lusdzKZL55c7Ptrg6HARG-WlUia_MCHcEf8kBUCqzz4bINhMiYv5cOUHew8zVpC1pq1HtkngJ8U_h2RfpyRZ4Eq-CJQKMFfhCrczIjsDMRHv_OhJ33q6qXWOVtthfwm6QHWtcAWB/s1600/IMG_7244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsKo9lusdzKZL55c7Ptrg6HARG-WlUia_MCHcEf8kBUCqzz4bINhMiYv5cOUHew8zVpC1pq1HtkngJ8U_h2RfpyRZ4Eq-CJQKMFfhCrczIjsDMRHv_OhJ33q6qXWOVtthfwm6QHWtcAWB/s1600/IMG_7244.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nepeta 'Little Titch' has survived repeated attacks by the flea bag cat </td></tr>
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One of my favorite spring activities is to create garden chaos. Usually I accomplish this by moving plants all over the place. As a result, not much looks pretty right now but here are a few long shots.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfa5p-kcb7lJ95JJx8XM-5SIfwAefFDr6tBGaUpgKj3duZeVjQ3_jSlmRBe7WZ4JRFdriPD7fAoUuNVyoS7u6axcc7zlpdCZEWkix3h-BxVl1SpE-06Ypwij0MtioCzX89FIVqWntbynG/s1600/IMG_7225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfa5p-kcb7lJ95JJx8XM-5SIfwAefFDr6tBGaUpgKj3duZeVjQ3_jSlmRBe7WZ4JRFdriPD7fAoUuNVyoS7u6axcc7zlpdCZEWkix3h-BxVl1SpE-06Ypwij0MtioCzX89FIVqWntbynG/s1600/IMG_7225.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My much neglected front garden is the only one of my gardens that looks put together in the spring.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyETdK1oHBdqaPLM1rJbupUcWyFr_y1M5nygk_THfiH6jkZ-3eLhL0T99bxIERCdhYDn8Iti1V4TOZVy_p4ndFJdBAKBFwmop5BeY2GfcNuiESb_9jnvPIihhqSW2xdhvPkgvm9DVOJbf/s1600/IMG_7245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyETdK1oHBdqaPLM1rJbupUcWyFr_y1M5nygk_THfiH6jkZ-3eLhL0T99bxIERCdhYDn8Iti1V4TOZVy_p4ndFJdBAKBFwmop5BeY2GfcNuiESb_9jnvPIihhqSW2xdhvPkgvm9DVOJbf/s1600/IMG_7245.JPG" height="640" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pathway from the garage to the side entry. Lots of opportunity here. Now if I could just find the perfect plants.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9B7rYtfI_75izsjxdDoGwIGUjL-ZLiDA_C6CQd2IIEabKMWbOsjtE2v3FKQEbMSmDdXrbqqm6UiQSf5i7rwkAURojg2SsWRGOLhOxNy2ara4FrNRua0x7Vgqg4Jc2cxkVEweomUa6cNH/s1600/IMG_7246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9B7rYtfI_75izsjxdDoGwIGUjL-ZLiDA_C6CQd2IIEabKMWbOsjtE2v3FKQEbMSmDdXrbqqm6UiQSf5i7rwkAURojg2SsWRGOLhOxNy2ara4FrNRua0x7Vgqg4Jc2cxkVEweomUa6cNH/s1600/IMG_7246.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Dicentra ;Gold Heart' in the back border.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy9YMUJTRdLrbyyZdQpEuTj12JI8EjRkKM8S52OVh94zGWznZdEuDN9xMnWbmPWORB4GDB-6ncafp8cDyvn2VDL7VPAaWdmqqy0TElLDANFN__81FbIhJUabGDKl87dUG5zvD0MqgDRnz/s1600/IMG_7256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy9YMUJTRdLrbyyZdQpEuTj12JI8EjRkKM8S52OVh94zGWznZdEuDN9xMnWbmPWORB4GDB-6ncafp8cDyvn2VDL7VPAaWdmqqy0TElLDANFN__81FbIhJUabGDKl87dUG5zvD0MqgDRnz/s1600/IMG_7256.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So there you have it! Much thanks to <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2014/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2014.html" target="_blank">Carol at May Dreams Gardens</a> for hosting this monthly event and making me go out and stalk photos when I otherwise would not. Be sure to head over to her site and take a peek at what's in bloom right now all over the globe.<br />
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Keep digging!<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sue~</span></b></i>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-49502834239549570532014-04-15T06:34:00.000-04:002014-04-15T15:41:23.306-04:00From the Ashes of Winter Comes April Bloom Day!Welcome to Garden Season 2014 at Idyll Haven! I know I've been remiss in my blog posting. Truth be told, time and inspiration are in short supply around here in January and February. Work is busy and I'm not a huge winter fan. What little time I did have was spent hiking with a great group of people I met on <a href="http://www.meetup.com/" target="_blank">Meetup</a>. Winter hiking is fun in small doses. Given the choice I'll take spring, summer or fall. In the name of balance I do plan to continue to hike with this bunch through garden season. Stay tuned to see how that goes. <br />
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Usually I can start getting out in the garden in March but not this year. Winter went out kicking and screaming and took the month of March down with it. Fortunately April has been somewhat kinder. Temperatures are starting to moderate. A few plants have started poking their heads out of the burrows but not many..<br />
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Out of morbid curiosity, I went back and took a peek at my <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2013/04/bloom-day-april-2013.html" target="_blank">2013 April Bloom Day post</a>. The garden was most definitely further along but most notable was the abundance of heavily blooming Pieris. For whatever reason that will not be happening this spring. Maybe I forgot to toss Hollytone on them last year or they are just pouting over the late cold in March. 'Valley Valentine' appears to be the only bloomer and is sporting about half as many flowers as last year.<br />
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Every spring I vow to plant more bulbs come fall. Every fall I get too busy with leaf and garden cleanup and never follow through. Remind me in August to place an obscenely expensive bulb order. That way the skinflint side of me will kick into gear and never allow them to go to waste even if I have to take a vacation day to plant them. I will plant more bulbs this fall. I will. I will. I will. <br />
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Years ago I had this great idea to naturalize Chionodoxa in the front lawn.<br />
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It has since colonized in a few of the garden beds.<br />
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After they bloom I plan to scatter a few around the back gardens and hope for similar results.<br />
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Hellebores are reliable standbys in the early spring garden.<br />
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Pansies are not a garden staple here but who can resist their cheerful faces?<br />
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Big Blue Foot gets the prize for being the first planter out of the garage this season.<br />
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A lone daffodil tries to decide whether to take a chance. </div>
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Forsythia 'Fiesta' is also slow to shine this year but the good news is now I can hack back what's left of my token roses.</div>
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My favorite and earliest grape hyacinths.</div>
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A few shy Pulmonarias have seeded under a weeping Acer palmatum 'Viridis'. In a few weeks they will no longer be visible.</div>
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Bare ground is still abundant leaving few opportunities for wide angle views. Better luck next month.</div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2014/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2014.html" target="_blank">Carol at May Dreams Gardens</a> for hosting my most favorite blog meme. If you get a chance, head on over and and check out what is blooming today in gardens all over the world.</div>
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Happy Spring!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sue~</b></span></i></div>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-67245371579419023422014-01-04T22:54:00.001-05:002014-01-04T22:56:32.016-05:00Rub a Dub DubI've seen my share of outdoor showers. Usually they are utilitarian set ups located in the shadows on the back side of summer cottages, often adorned with a cobweb, a sliver of soap in the drain. Despite my experience, Pinterest boards often portray them as over the top dream home or garden design elements. But Pinterest is for dreaming. <br />
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During my garden touring trip to Long Island, NY last June, my friends and I visited the private garden of Connie Cross in Cutchogue. Connie is a well known garden designer and owner of Environmentals, a wholesale nursery. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Residence of Connie Cross viewed from the pool area</td></tr>
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Encompassing five acres, the mature garden includes many garden rooms, an elaborate chicken coop and a beautiful pool area. The garden is frequently open to the public and has been featured on <a href="http://www.themarthablog.com/2009/10/shopping-for-japanese-maples.html" target="_blank">Martha Stewart's blog</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poolside in Connie Cross's garden</td></tr>
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We've all toured many fabulous gardens both in person and via some sort of media. Our different styles and tastes dictate that some will sing to us louder than others. Earlier in the day I had visited the personal garden of Dennis Schrader and Bill Smith (which you can read about <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2013/07/iu10-day-two-part-one-landcraft.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). On my garden rating scale of 1 to 10, Dennis and Bill's garden was an 11. Admittedly hard to top.<br />
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Although I enjoyed my tour of Connie's garden, for me it wasn't an 11. But that doesn't mean it was any better or worse than Landcraft just not as much my style. Given the opportunity I would definitely visit again and so should you. Since I was looking for something in this garden to set it apart, what caught my eye at Connie's was this imaginative and cleverly designed outdoor shower.<br />
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An over the top outdoor shower worthy of a Pinterest pin.<br />
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Complete with lush plantings and vintage details all wrapped up with a touch of whimsy.<br />
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And fully operational. I did ask and was told the shower does get used.<br />
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I'll admit to being skeptical though as this all appears to be for show. But that's OK.<br />
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Because a little fantasy in the garden is never a bad thing.<br />
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As much as I delight in unexpected surprises and staged areas in a garden, I feel I've neglected to design any into my own. Maybe I'm too practical or so familiar with my own garden that I just don't see them. How about you? Does every area of your garden need to be functional or is there room for a bit of fantasy? Dreaming is what gets us gardeners through the next few months so let's dream!<br />
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Happy 2014!<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sue~</span></i></b><br />
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-75308737099515895142013-12-21T16:24:00.000-05:002013-12-21T16:24:14.015-05:00Welcome Winter Solstice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the past week I've shoveled snow from two storms and the temperatures have ranged from single digits to the 50s. With mild temeratures and cheery birdsong today you could easily fool yourself into thinking spring was in the air. <br />
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When it comes to seasons I follow the meteorological calendar and consider December first the first day of winter, not the solstice. A fan of winter I'm not, but it's not so much the weather that bothers me as the abysmally short days. During the week, it's dark when I leave for work and it's dark when I get home. Today the sun rose at 7:14 and set at 4:23. Despite the anemic amount of daylight though, we have actually gained three minutes of sunset time since last week.<br />
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To read more about the solstice, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/12/20/winter-solstice-2013-shortest-day-of-the-year-but-sunset-already-creeping-later/" target="_blank">check out this article from The Washington Post</a> filled with all sorts of interesting factoids. The last sentence in the article sums up my feelings<strong>..."<em>If you don’t like the cold, the good news is whatever the rest of winter brings, daylight is once again on the upswing</em>."</strong>.<br />
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So light some candles and raise your glasses on this longest night of the year. Celebrate with family and friends. Not only is the season of givng in full swing but sunset times are on the rise!<br />
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Happy Winter Solstice! <br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-25178120084750131352013-11-07T20:48:00.001-05:002013-11-07T20:48:46.475-05:00It Was a Good YearHere in my CT zone 6 garden, the beginning of November typically finds me up to my knees in fallen leaves and frost blackened foliage. All my beloved tropicals have either been tucked into the garage awaiting a move into the house or long departed to the big compost pile in the sky.<br />
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Not this year. All of the pictures here were taken on the evening of November first. As temperatures hovered in the mid 60s F (unusual for this time of year), I strolled around the garden with my camera capturing what I figured would be the last shots of the season. And I was right. A hard freeze Sunday night dealt the final blow to what had been an exceptionally long garden season.<br />
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The end of garden season always leaves me with mixed emotions. Part of me is sad to see it all go-especially the mixed container gardens I spent so much time designing and nurturing. But another part of me is relieved that I don't have to be a slave to it all anymore.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, by most standards garden season had been over for a few weeks. Compared to July this view of my patio looks downright bleak. However, I can't remember a year when I had bananas, Cannas and elephant ears still standing (and looking relatively decent) on November first. Last year, a hard freeze on October 12th took everything out early.<br />
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So here you have it, the end of garden season 2013 at Idyll Haven. All things considered, it was a good year. <br />
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All that remains is the equivalent of a couple of weekends of dreary cleanup. Now that clocks have been ratcheted back, weekends are the only time I have for garden activities and hiking has been taking up a large chunk of that time. November can be bleak but my calendar is quickly filling up with fun stuff like a full moon hike, a Thanksgiving celebration with the best of friends and an out of town high school class reunion.</div>
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Somehow it will all get done. I continue to struggle to keep all the balls in the air, but lately that struggle has less of a sense of urgency and more a sense of enjoyment. Just be sure to call before stopping by, Especially if you think there may be a chance that you will need to use the bathroom.</div>
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Yes, it was a good year.</div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sue~</span></em></strong></div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-65461193539866960502013-10-15T12:35:00.004-04:002013-10-15T12:40:34.483-04:00October Bloom Day-Most Likely the Last HurrahSo far October has been kind. Last year a hard freeze on October 12th pretty much obliterated most of the Bloom Day fodder. What a difference a year makes. Not only have we not had anything remotely resembling a frost, there doesn't seem to be one in sight. We have experienced many nights in the upper 40s and low 50s though so the more tropical characters are pooping out. And a scarcity of rain coupled with my lax watering habits have left the hardy garden plants a bit parched looking. Time to call it a year. <br />
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Soon I will begin the <a href="http://idyllhaven.blogspot.com/2012/11/leave-it-all-to-me.html" target="_blank">dismantling process and the annual leaf removal and garden cleanup</a>. The first curbside pickup in town is the week of November 4th with a second pickup two weeks later. Weekend hiking excursions have become an every weekend event since Labor Day so if I want to get everything done I'm going to have to brush up on my time management skills. But there's still plenty of time for that :).<br />
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So...what's still in bloom? Quite a bit actually. Let's start with some individual shots of hardy plants, showcase some of the standout annuals and then move into some long garden views.<br />
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White Bomb mums (<em>Dendranthema Weyrichii 'White Bomb'</em>) in the front curb garden have been tough as nails for years.<br />
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A new-to-me hardy mum, Chysanthemum 'Matchsticks' appears to be a winner. My only complaint is it's floppiness but late bloomers usually do here as sun fades dramatically when shadows start to lengthen in September.<br />
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Fading flowers of Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' will soon be featured in winter urn arrangements. Boo hoo!<br />
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I think I'm going to shake a bunch of Cleome seeds in the front garden this fall and see if I can get a few to grow out there next year. Some gardeners may consider them weeds but I'm not one of those gardeners.<br />
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Hosta 'Red October', unassuming for most of the season is the latest blooming Hosta in my garden.<br />
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Another long bloomer-Abelia grandiflora.<br />
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I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to some of these plants but Phlox 'Norah Leigh' belongs in everybody's garden.<br />
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As does Phlox 'Shockwave'.<br />
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Ratty foliage aside, Persicaria 'Golden Arrow' looks better now than it has all season.<br />
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This is one of a few Tricyrtis blooming now but darn they are tough suckers to photograph well.<br />
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Another floriferous Tricyrtis with flowers so delicate they only show up well in closeups. Unfortunately I have no IDs on any of my Tricyrtis anymore. They were lost when my last laptop crashed.<br />
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Salvia koyame is an interesting character. A few years ago I banished it from my regular gardens because it was such a thug. Here it grows in my dry crappy curb garden. Maybe I should put more of it out there.<br />
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Cheerful but often overlooked Corydalis lutea seems to pop up in the most unexpected places.<br />
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Gentiana scabra is another welcome reseeder around here that seems to prefer dry, infertile soil.<br />
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For some reason I can't get decent shots of the fall blooming Anemones but I do have a few including this light pink variety and the white 'Honorine Jobert' as well as 'Queen Charlotte' and 'Robustissima'. All are currently in bloom.<br />
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Here is one of the dark foliage varieties of Cimicifuga or Actea or whatever they're calling it now. Colocasia 'Black Magic' provides a nice backdrop. Remind me to plant more Colocasias in the ground again next year.<br />
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Grasses qualify for Bloom Day this time of the year. I love this simple vignette of Miscanthus 'Sarabande' and Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa'.<br />
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Miscanthus 'Morning Light' tends to get elbowed out by the monster Lespedeza. Here it mingles with more Cleomes and the dark foliage of annual Hibiscus acetosella.<br />
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Time to find a sunnier spot for Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster. Maybe when I have the oak tree on the opposite side of the driveway trimmed that will help. At least the cat didn't sleep in them this year.<br />
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Stipa tenuissima looks infinitely better in other people's gardens. So far I've not been able to pull the look off here. Let's see if it comes back in the spring and take it from there.<br />
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Calamintha nepeta mixing with the berries of Viburnum dilatatum 'Cardinal Candy'.<br />
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Another must have for fall interest-Callicarpa sporting steely purple berries.<br />
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The flowers on the Amaranthus are so big and heavy now they are dragging the plants over. Look closely and you can see the beginning of a flower of Canna 'Pink Sunburst'.<br />
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The Caladiums have long since collapsed but that sweet little Begonia is still showy in this Bloom Day repeat container.<br />
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Dragon Wing Begonias are another ace in the long blooming hole. So far the Red Stem Colocasia is holding up well too.<br />
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More red Dragon Wing Begonias with Coleus 'El Brighto'. For this late in the season, many of the Coleus are still looking good.<br />
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Dreaming of a garden season gone past.<br />
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Dahlias sulked during the hottest part of the summer but have really exploded in the past few weeks. Here 'Mystic Illusion' mingles riotously with reseeding Verbena bonariensis and red Amaranthus.<br />
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Here is a wide view of this area featuring the currently defunct fountain. Many plants have been moved to this spot to take advantage of the fading sun.<br />
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From a different angle Mystic Illusion contrasts nicely with the foliage of Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey'.<br />
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Every morning and every night I have to step over this unknown Dahlia on my way too and from the garage but I can't bear to cut it back.<br />
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From the opposite direction you can see how variegated Alyssum 'Frosty Night' has expanded and taken over the pathway.<br />
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One small plant of Double Purple Datura has filled in a space of about three by three feet. The daisy is some sort of Kalimeris that begins the season with variegated foliage. Burried under there somewhere is a Pennisetum 'Hameln'.<br />
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The side entry container garden is still going strong.<br />
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Even the Twerpinator approves.<br />
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It wouldn't be Bloom Day without variegated Sunpatiens now blooming since May. Or Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'-another annual I buy in flats every spring.<br />
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The foliage may be fading on Cornus controversa 'Janine' but not on Colocasia 'Diamond Head'.<br />
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A favorite container making yet another Bloom Day appearance.<br />
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And yet another. Frost or no frost, soon I will have to start dismantling containers like these that feature plants I plan to take in and save over the winter.<br />
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Da Big Banana (<em>Ensete maurelii</em>) is getting tired. Some years I bring these in and stash them dormant in a dark part of my basement although lifting them in and out of the containers can be a challenge.<br />
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This cool little vine is aptly referred to as the Candy Corn Plant (<em>Manettia inflata</em>). I tucked into one of my large containers and let it weave throughout.<br />
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Torenia continues to be a pleasant surprise this season.<br />
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Some long views of the patio.<br />
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And the back garden.<br />
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Nick peeks out the front door. AWhite Browillia remains as the only bloomer in my entry container.<br />
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Off the screen porch, the monster Castor Bean towers over the recently closed and soon to be covered for the season East Garden fountain.<br />
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So that's about it. Well sorta. Many other shots hit the edit room floor. Maybe if I could figure out how to post less at a time, I could post more frequently. But hey, at least I'm on time for Bloom Day this month!<br />
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In the meantime. to see what the rest of the garden blog world has to offer on this October Bloom Day, head on over to Carol's <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2013/10/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-october-2013.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a>.<br />
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Happy Gardening!<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sue~</span></em></strong><br />
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<span id="goog_197393759"></span><span id="goog_197393760"></span><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503500621849621556.post-67381192973550836432013-10-02T21:21:00.000-04:002013-10-02T21:21:42.635-04:00Help!Just before I left for the beach in August I was forced to shut down my large patio fountain because it was leaking like a sieve. I was adding six or eight gallons of water to it every day.<br />
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A few years ago, hairline cracks developed in the main bowl.<br />
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I used epoxy to seal them which seemed to do the trick for a year or two. At the end of last season I noticed some slight dripping again from the base. When I opened the fountain in June, naturally it was still leaking but I kept an eye on the level and added water as needed.<br />
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Time is at a premium around here and I was anxious to have all aspects of the patio up and running for the height of garden season. In retrospect it was the wrong decision. Once the fountain was drained, close inspection revealed numerous additional hairline cracks.<br />
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The fountain is the focal point of my patio. Although still imposing even when empty, I have no desire to turn it into a large succulent planter.<br />
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Or an elaborate bed for the resident feline flea bag who has apparently already decided otherwise.<br />
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I want a fountain. Water is soothing. Even a gurgle somehow manages to block out background noise and rinse the burdens of a stressful day away.<br />
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So what do I do? Patching what I can see with epoxy seems like another temporary fix. Should I call in a concrete contractor? What if I just painted the whole lower bowl with a concrete sealer like Thompson's Water Seal? Any and all advice is welcome.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sue~</span></em></strong>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911109672807196057noreply@blogger.com22