Our Green Thumbs In Cincinnati

My Blooming Poinsettia...From Last Year

2011-12-05T21:50:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not this poinsettia after last years was tenderly taken care of until spring when it was warm enough to put in the yard. The eight little scrawny stems were planted and prayed over. they started to fill out and get bushy. So before the first frost this year I dug it up and brought it inside. And now look...it is blooming for the second year in a row. It is really scrawny looking but it is blooming!!!!

Lovely Surprise

2011-11-16T15:11:00.001-05:00

I found this late blooming Gerber daisy hiding in the planter on the driveway. I wonder if it will be able to survive tonight when it gets down in the low 30's. These flowers have been great bloomers for us all season. I hope that he seeds that I was able to harvest will grow for next years crop.

Wonders Never Cease

2011-11-01T11:22:00.000-04:00

This is the strangest plant. Some background...last year Mark brought home the biggest pointsettia from Lowe's that I have ever seen. Seriously it was two feet wide and full of beautiful flowers. I babied it all winter and on into the spring...which is a miracle in and of it's self. When it warmed up outside I decided to see what would happen if I planted it in the yard. It grew, got bushy and seemed to thrive in our dry/wet summer. The other day the weather service said it was going to frost so we dug up the poinsettia and brought it in. Now one side of it is not looking so good but I think it just might be in shock. I'll baby it this fall and winter to see if it will last. Craziest thing I have ever seen. And to think I thought I didn't have a green thumb.

Unbelievable!

2011-10-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

Today when Ella and I took our little stroll down the driveway to the mailbox I was SHOCKED to see this...unbelievable

Forsythia blooming at the end of October! WHAT?

So I thought I would just have a little look around since it has been a day since I have been out in the yard...not that much could have changed...

our one and only little mum

The cosmos are just from seed I haphazardly just threw into the raised beds and the daisies we planted but had no idea what they were.

the never ending bloomer

These little roses have lived thru so much. They moved to WI with us and then back to OH. I can not part with them. When we moved to WI about 12 years ago the youth group gave me a little potted rose bush that had maybe three buds on it. Now it stands about three feet tall and is about that round. Where ever I go it goes!

This Impatient volunteered to come up in the bricks under the pergola. I just love that!

Zinnias are going crazy and look at the added bonus! Two monarchs in two days.

A white coneflower

The Yard That Never Quits

2011-09-29T13:55:00.000-04:00

I am totally amazed that we still have flowers blooming. Today these are the surprises that I found.

In The Bus Stop Bed

2011-09-06T14:04:00.000-04:00

I remembering planting this last year. I remember Mark telling me the name. But I can't remember it to save my soul.

Shocked

2011-09-05T14:13:00.000-04:00

I was so shocked when I saw these flowers this morning. I am trying so hard to keep some flowers looking good until the 13 of the month. Someone posted on FreeCycle that they needs some fresh flowers for table arrangements for a MOPS group. I am trying really had but I am afraid that we might be using lots of hosta and ornamental grass as fillers for the arrangements. So I was more than excited when I found these.

Gifts Of The Morning

2011-08-28T13:29:00.000-04:00

morning glory from seeds harvested from last year

finally blooming

gayfeather from seeds also

love these vines

This glad volunteered to come up way back in the raised vegetable bed.

"Glories" In The Morning

2011-08-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

And some Rose of Sharon too.

Some Peepers

2011-08-21T13:11:00.001-04:00

Peepers is what I am going to call these three. When I was watering yesterday they were all sorta peeping out from behind something else. You couldn't really see them until the water got heavy on the leaves in front of them causing the leaves to droop.

I didn't realize that I was getting three in one in this shot. A bud, an almost bloom and a spent flower. Kind of like the stages of life...being a newborn, in your prime and those senior years.

A few posts ago I took pictures of some buds and I thought they might be wild morning glories. Yep, I was right. Better not let them get away from me or they will take over.

Last Nights Finds

2011-08-18T08:09:00.000-04:00

I was watering last night and found these three beauties.

Sneaky Ones

2011-08-16T20:25:00.000-04:00

These two little beauties are from seeds that I harvested last year. I just kinda threw a handful into the air back where the raised beds are just to see what would happen.

I have been hoping that the deer wouldn't find these glads. I don't remember planting these here...I could have sworn they were supposed to be hollyhocks. But maybe again not because the deer ate all the hollyhocks we had planted here. I still don't remember planting them.

I have no idea what this vine is. But I am going to guess something like a wild morning glory. I'll get a pic when they bloom.

Late Bloomers Popping Up

2011-08-15T11:53:00.000-04:00

I was so worried about our Naked Ladies this year. I kept looking and looking. Nothing really blooms until after Aug 1. So next year I am not going to get worried until August 1. Now I have them in places that I know I didn't plant. Thank you squirrels, moles and little children for letting the volunteer to come up in other places.

Found this little beauty hiding under the geranium leaves.

I had forgotten that we had moved the glad to behind the sign post. There are several budding but this is the only bloomer so far. Hope the deer don't like the taste of them.

A Little Rain + A Little Sun =

2011-08-08T09:49:00.000-04:00

It's Just HOT

2011-07-30T09:56:00.000-04:00

The poor flowers...no matter how much I water or even when I water...this is what I see.

This is how I feel after watering...hot, tired and droopy.

I don't know how they do it...flutter around all day in the heat looking for food. I want to start feeding the butterflies...anyone know what I can put in a dish (in the shade) to feed them?

Just A Look...Up and Down

2011-07-28T20:19:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I was out with the camera walking in the heat today...must have been something I ate...I looked up and look what I found. Makes me want to build the rest of the window boxes right now. The sweet potato vines are in the gutter.

Emptying kitchen scraps in eh compost bin I found we have a bloom on our one and only plant that is a vegetable that the deer haven't eaten all the blooms off of.

It's A Good, Good, Day

2011-07-26T21:31:00.000-04:00

It has either been so hot you can't get your breath or raining so hard you can't get out. But today I finally got to take a walk around the yard. Wow, it is amazing what you find if you just take the time to look.

Lots Of Color

2011-07-04T21:51:00.000-04:00

Before, during, and after the rain this morning I walked the yard. And this is what I found today. I love being surprised.

Almost All The Colors Of The Rainbow

2011-06-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

Weekend Bloomers

2011-06-20T18:37:00.000-04:00

2011-06-17T06:58:00.000-04:00

the hills of zucchini are just now starting to bloom. I think I am going to try to fry a few blossoms to see what they taste like.

These are about the only lilies that the deer haven't found...yet...it is only a matter of time.

This shot does not do these daisies justice. The are gorgeous!

It amazes me that the deer can pass over hosta right on the edge of the bed to get to the ones that are hard to get to. they all must have a different flavor.

I think a variety of color would be good here.

I am so looking forward to all the flowers we started from seed are starting to come up...some are about ready to bloom...I must get pics.

Lovely Weather We Are Having

2011-06-10T07:41:00.000-04:00

I don't know how anything is surviving in this hot and humid weather. I know when I go out just a little while to work in the yard I feel like I am going to melt. We have used up all the water in the rain barrels...so come on Mother Nature open up the heavens and let it pour...but please wait until all the wedding activities are over before you open up.

a great way to all lots of color

If it is old and rusty and has a place to put a flower....

I am almost sure that by tomorrow morning this rose will be history...the deer have eaten just about all the tops off the unbloomed (if that is even a real word) ditch lilies.

Mark is so proud of his planter.

Just Starting To Peek

2011-06-08T22:54:00.000-04:00

Blooming Idiots

2011-05-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

There are two types of blooming idiots that live at our house...the plant kind and of course the human kind....these are the pretty ones!

I love this sedum ground cover...it will grow anywhere and it even volunteers to come up in other unsuepectiong places.

We called this the wall garden by the bus stop but the new name is perfect...our Memorial Garden. It is in full bloom just around Memorial Day. Anyone want some daises? I think I will load all the kids on the bus up with a hand full for their teachers on Tuesday.

The daisies always shine. This year they better up their game because the Knock-out Roses are beautiful.

The smaller beardless iris are blooming all over the yard in various colors of purple. Never knew we had so many.

I thought for sure that this Knockout rose bush was a gonner after Mark whacked it almost to the ground in the beginning of spring.

Really don't know where these came from...must have been from Sweet Pap.

I'm not positively sure but I think there might be two for one here. The roses on the bottom seem to be a brighter red and the rose that is blooming at the top of the trellis is a darker red.

We have decided that the deer must have plenty to eat because these rose actually got to bloom this year.

Roses are blooming all over the yard. We have really never had much luck with them but this year they are blooming all over the place...places I forgot we had. I love when that happens.

False indigo...we had the most beautiful plant right at the end of the fence on the driveway in WI...it was beautiful. Finally we have some in Cincinnati! I hope to harvest seeds and start some more inside this winter. The leaves are such a pretty greet and then the blooms are beautiful...this shot does them no justice.

Foxglove

2011-05-24T10:38:00.000-04:00

The foxgloves are blooming all around the yard, just in time for the wedding rehearsal dinner in a few weeks. I hope they will last that long. It has been raining so much that I think most of the flowers are starting to do the backstroke!

Papaw's Flowers

2011-05-24T10:33:00.000-04:00

I have to show off some of Papaw's blooms.

Drinking It Up

2011-05-19T06:00:00.003-04:00

Our Knockout Roses are just starting to open up.

So Regal

2011-05-18T06:40:00.000-04:00

I have patiently been waiting all spring for these two plants to shine.

I think this bloom is praying for no more rain. We planted this clematis the first summer we moved back to Cincinnati. Right on the corner of the front porch. I can hardly wait every spring to see how many blooms we get.

She never disappoints. And as I was looking this morning I noticed there are two colors. We only planted one color. I am wondering if once the blooms open, do they change color? Is this normal? Could another plant have volunteered to come up? I really am not interested in the answer...I just love the plant.

And finally after three years the clematis on the lamppost is starting to come alive. I want so much for it to go crazy like the one we had in WI did. If it does , she will be a traffic stopper for sure.

Flower Shopping

2011-05-14T22:10:00.001-04:00

Today between the raindrops we began flower shopping, starting at the Log Cabin Sale in Anderson and ending with Burger Farm. I'll show you the flowers that are on my wish list....

Tomorrow I hope to plant the flowers we actually got...then I'll post.

Makes Me Happy

2011-05-12T07:21:00.000-04:00

Soggy Sunshine

2011-05-05T14:31:00.002-04:00

While the sun was out and the yahoo were napping I took a quick trip around the soggy...very soggy yard and snapped some of what is blooming. I better live it up today because the forecast is for 10 more days of rain starting tomorrow. I have never seen it rain so much! So enjoy some of my sunshine while you can.

Sunshine = Yardwork

2011-05-02T14:52:00.000-04:00

We couldn't get out in the yard soon enough on Saturday. The sun felt so good! And it looked even better!

All my little seeds are now seedlings and ready to face the big outdoors.

Some yellow Columbine volunteering to come up in the strangest places.

One of Mark's favorites, Allium 'Globemaster, in full bloom.

Maybe by next year we will have a pretty good white border of phlox going here.

Over the winder we lost a big burning bush. Trees were on sale so we replaced it with a Kwanzan Cherry tree. It should have real pretty dainty flowers next spring.

I've Always Wanted To Make One

2011-04-30T14:24:00.002-04:00

A month or so ago we were at the Junk Man's and I found this old concrete chipped bowl type thingy. I just knew i needed to plant some succulents in it.

We were shopping at our favorite Home Improvement Center.LOWE'S yesterday and I found just what I needed.

Mark even found some circus potting soil.

With gloves I start to arrange the plants.

Finished product.

I am not the only one with an eye on cacti...check out Michael's blog tomorrow.

Smiling Now

2011-04-27T14:40:00.001-04:00

I remember last fall when I complained about having to plant 310 bulbs...I'm not complaining now that they are all starting to come up. I need 310 more...maybe at the end of the season again when they go on sale. We have never had so much color so early down by the mailbox. Now we can look forward to the ditch lilies coming up.

April Showers + Sunshine =

2011-04-13T14:56:00.000-04:00

The rains and now today a beautiful sunny breezy day...what more sould you ask for. And everything has jsut exploded out of the ground.

Before The Storm

2011-04-11T13:18:00.000-04:00

Our weather here in the Ohio Valley is so unpredictable...changes in the blink of an eye. So between storms it seems that they flowers rejoice about all the water. I can say that I enjoy and good storm too. Love the smells and sounds...better than any Tylenol PM or hot tottie.

Betsy gave me these grape hyacinths.

These phlox were transported from Huntington a few summers ago.

These are original to the house...I've just split them and moved them around a few times.

We try to plant the tulips close to the house in hopes that the deer can't find them. Only to have the squirrels dig them up and move them to other places.

I wish Mark was here so he could tell me the name of this one. We only have one plant and it is blooming like crazy.....pink, purple and blue blossoms on the same flower.

The Work Begins....

2011-04-08T14:28:00.000-04:00

Actually I don't think the work ever ends...even in the winter because I am always dreaming and scheming about what to do in the yard once it turns the least bit warm. Mark has had the last two days off and it is spring so that means that we are in the yard every minute that we can be. I must say that it is a little easier now that the yahoos are one year older. Carter is able to tootle around and the girls are able to get on and off the swings by themselves. I can weed where they are playing...Lord knows that we have enough weeds to deal with.

This bed is just about a year into itself. I think we may have everything planted on this side of the house that we want. Hopefully the watering hose will be replaced with a rain barrel this summer...one of those things that has been on my wish list forever. That is a perfect spot.

The first bush that needed to be removed this year was a big burning bush that was here when we moved in. Don't have any idea what happened. It had such pretty color in the fall. The bed behind it is going to be taken out and all the plants moved to other places in the yard this summer. And a fence added in the front to match the one that our neighbor has. Then my pink and purple Sarah Beth Garden will go in the green area to the bottom of the picture. I see lots of work in this shot.

This bed at the bus stop was a mess....Snow Plow Man didn't do us any favors here! Mark worked on unclogging the ditch. Now it is running down to the drain under the street quite well. Look at that green grass. Not a dandelion in sight. Everytime Mark looks at the grass in the front yard he starts singing the Ohio State Fight Song...like the grass looks as good as what they play football on.

I love this little bed when it is in bloom. There are Black-eyed susans, all sorts of coneflowers, some ornamental grass, a few iris and hollyhocks. The watering can fountain still needs some TLC, that's coming next.

Seems like we have done alot of yard clean up...but believe me it is just the tip of the iceberg! Mark is talking about putting in a little brick patio in front of the barn. He has already stacked up the bricks and scuffed up the dirt with the outline of what he wants. Guess that is next.

Note to self...even if it is hot and sunny...WEAR LONG SLEEVES...got a little weed rash or poison ivy startign to act up. When will I learn?

Newest Suncatchers

2011-04-06T14:33:00.000-04:00

I get so excited when I take the dog out every morning. It usually is still dark outside and I can see that there are more blooms but I can't see them very clear.

Then I take her out when Michael leaves to get on the bus and I see more.

At the end of the day, when the yahoos have all been picked up, Ella and I take a walk around the yard.

Then finally after dinner before all the chaos starts before bedtime I take the camera out and find the prettiest thing blooming. Today it just happens to be this orange centered daffodil.

This Mornings Blooms

2011-04-04T09:49:00.000-04:00

What A Little Rain Can Do

2011-03-23T14:34:00.000-04:00

A Breath of Spring

2011-03-17T14:33:00.000-04:00

We were able to get out and walk around the yard today with out an umbrella or boots...but it was still a little squishy. But look what we found...

This is the first year that the snowdrops haven't had to come up thru the snow.

I love plants that volunteer to come up throughout the yard.

Twin tiny iris

This was total shock. They weren't even up thru the ground yesterday.

Tomorrow this will be a full fledged daffodil...the first!

Thinking Spring

2011-03-11T10:17:00.000-05:00

The weather isn't cooperating much these days so I a willing these plants to grow. I hope I didn't get ahead of myself. These are all seeds that I have harvested from the yard. Some were sent to me and some I picked up on vacation from plants along side the road. I decided to move them all up to the top shelf so there would be equal sun exposure. This morning we woke up to about an inch of snow and black ice everywhere.

Early Bloomers

2011-03-06T12:52:00.000-05:00

Mark spotted the first Snowdrop to bloom this year. I have seen the greem shoots but was waiting patiently onthe flowers. This year they came up without any snow.

I call these ground iris. They are so close to the ground. I could almost call these little orchids. I think it is actually one of the flowers that Ms Yvonne and I dug up when we didn't know it was illegal to dig up flowers on the side of the road. Oops!

Brrrrrrrrrr

2011-02-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

A little more of the white stuff is starting to come down. I am hoping that the tulips that are already up about three inches are well insulated.

Working Our Way To Green Grass

2011-02-20T19:04:00.000-05:00

Last fall we raked and raked...raked until we had blisters on our hands and leaf dust up our noses...then we just gave up. The big oak in the back yard just would not drop it's leaves. We would rake and five minutes later it would looks like we had never touched a rake. So yesterday with the temps almost in the 60's, we thought we had better tackle the back yard.

One of or several of our children, who shall remain nameless say that we have too much JUNK in the yard. First of all, it is our yard. Second...it is not junk...we consider them all to be treasures. So this year I will be tweaking the 'treasures' in the yard. You know we are getting ready for a very important shindig in June. And we want it to look especially nice. The weather was beautiful yesterday. We worked in the yard all day raking, trashing and dreaming of new things to do. We had a huge campfire for all the yard waste that isn't good for the compost pile.

I wanted to take a shot of the hosta bed around the oak tree so we could remember how it looked with all the leaves. It is beautiful when all the hosta come up. And then all the lavender and white blooms come out...awesome!

Anyone need some leaves for their compost pile? We have plenty and the chipper is on the brink. So we are piling them in the compost bin and stomping them. Putting them in the woods and piling them behind Bill and Kay's shed.

We found all kinds of flowers coming up. Lots of broken clay pots that I forgot to bring in. Things that had gotten broken during the winter. Oh, it felt so good. But boy was I so tired and sore. It felt so good!

Not Much Going On

2011-02-07T14:33:00.000-05:00

There sure isn't much going on in the yeard these days. The birds aren't even around much. The squirrels are having a heyday searching for acorns. I saw one cardinal theother day but he flwew off before I could catch him in a shot.

I took these from our bedroom window....just for a different prospective. Just after this shot it began to snow again.

The sun doesn't look like it was shining on this side of the yard. That might look like a brick wall...it isn't. We are going to use those left over bricks to make paths through the flower beds. Hopefully one of the first projects we do this summer.

We just keep adding to the compost pile while making list after list of what we need to do to get the yard back in order. And I have seen Mark searching for new flowers...hoping to find my Sarah Napier peony this year.

FOTM Photo Challenge

2011-01-02T12:51:00.009-05:00

My friend is CA, Jan, is so creative and has more blogs than I can count on one hand. She is always coming up with some kind of meme to challenge her blogging friends.. Her latest is one that I think I just might be able to stay in front of.

The rules are simple...

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month. I'll open the linky each month on the 1st, and leave it open for a week, to give everyone a chance to post.

How easy can that be...one shot a month of the exact same thing. I think I can handle that. So here is my one and only shot of a spot in the yard that needs a lot of TLC. We have big plans for this area...I can't wait document the changes in the coming year.

In my mind I can already see the colors coming alive. Maybe an entire make over of this area would be nice? Who will help me with these beds?

Biggest Ever

2010-12-13T18:14:00.002-05:00

I wish I could grow these. I do have some summer poinsettias that a friend gave me that are really pretty. This one came from Lowe's. The plant stands about 2 feet tall and is that wide or wider. I have never see such a big and full poinsettias in my life. And for a bargain price of around $13.00....can't beat it.

310

2010-11-19T10:15:00.007-05:00

Bet you can't begin to guess what I am going to be doing tomorrow...if the weather holds out! I'm thinking that some of these might be making a trip across the country to CO.

'But Jan, they were 75% off!'

Last of The Color

2010-11-10T07:00:00.002-05:00

This red is just about the last of the summer color in the yard. All the warm Autumn colors have taken over. My great grandmother and my grandmother used to take her geraniums in after every season and hang the upside down in a brown paper bag and they would return more beautiful the next spring. I am wondering of anyone has ever done this?

Our Little Friend

2010-10-28T10:58:00.002-04:00

I know that we didn't actually grow him with our garden but I am glad that he is there. Mark got me Photoshop and I am trying desperately how us use it. This could be a long process.

OH MY!

2010-10-26T13:56:00.002-04:00

Flower Army

2010-10-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

There will always be some cosmos and zinnias in our yard. I am hoping that the little girls and I have harvested enough seeds this fall to have a riot of color in the beds next spring and summer.I love these little green bugs. I have no idea what they are or even if the are good for the flowers/garden but the sure make a great contrast in pictures.
This little black eyes Susan has volunteered to come up between the rocks on the edge of the flower bed by the patio door. I just love a good volunteer!

You can't really see it but there is a very fine spider web on the center of the cosmos on the left. Caught in it are millions of pollen particles.

'The Enchanted Jar'

2010-10-13T13:47:00.006-04:00

Many years ago I read a story in Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul, The Rose Babies, by Georgia A Hubley, explaining how to take a cutting from a rose bush and planting it under a mason jar. I can tell you that it actually works.

Cut the bottom of a stem of a rose at an angle. Then wrap the stem in a very moist paper towel and place it in a plastic bag to keep it moist. Get a quart jar, the kind used in canning...'enchanted glass jar'. You will also need the amount of warm water that it take to fill up an old coffee can. Find a place that is protected under a bush where there is good soil. Dig a hole and place plastic bag with the rose clipping in the hole. Pack dirt in around the rose. Cover it with the quart jar and give it a little twist so it is secure in the ground. Then with the warm water...go along the edge of the glass jar. The glass jar acts as a terrarium all winter long. In the spring after the last frost, remove the jar and let nature take it's course.

Hardy Mums

2010-10-12T13:56:00.003-04:00

We decorated the front porch with all the pumpkins from the backyard and some mums. The buds weren't even close to opening but now with the warmer weather they are popping out like crazy. The two containers that are in the bathtubhave two different colors of mums in them. Pretty exciting when you finally get to see what colors they are. They must be in just the right place because they are still green and blooming. I am hoping on putting them in the ground when I find just the right spot.

Still Producing

2010-10-08T13:21:00.002-04:00

Allyson and I took a walk around the yard today while Carter was sleeping. I am so amazed that there are still things blooming. We have been in a drought. I have stopped watering anything except the ferns and mums. We have had really cold nights. And I have several new flower pickers..ie...Allyson and Doodles.

Doodle Rose

2010-09-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

I really have no idea what the official name from this rose it. All I know is that Doodle's bring me at least one a week. So that is the new names that we have adopeted around here. I an going to try to root one of these somewhere in the backyard next spring.

Morning, Glory

2010-09-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

All these beautiful, delicate morning glories were started from seeds that I harvested last year. I just threw them all in a bag and mixed them up. Next years we created the most perfect place for them to grow. They can just go crazy without any worry of taking up too much room and strangling any other flowers. I am so excited!

Granny's Blooms

2010-09-26T17:02:00.005-04:00

First I must confess...these blooms are not from our gardens. I took some of the neighborhood rummies on a little road trip to Loveland to check out Granny's Garden School. The Garden School is on school property and there are flower and vegetable beds literally everywhere. I'm wondering how it all gets watered. I imagine they have an army of volunteers.

There were lots of other things to see and to do. Check out the main family blog for more pictures of our day.

Aster

2010-09-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

We only have about six of these little asters. Doodles loves to sit on the right beside them and pick them off, one and one.

Trimming The Bushes

2010-09-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

MArk and I took time out to finally trim back the knowckout rose bushes beside the bus stop. I am hoping to root these and plant them in the yard in the spring under a cloche. I have been able to start three rose bushes that way. So keep your fingers crossed...I really need a greenhouse.

Most Beautiful

2010-09-20T17:53:00.002-04:00

Last week was a little bit of a challenging week and I think Doodles and family knew that. So to put a smile on my face and bring the pep back to my step, they shared one of their beautiful roses. And it smells just a pretty as it looks. It is still in a wine bottle on the kitchen table. It smells just like the rose water that 'old' ladies love! I am wondering if I can start my only little rose bush from this cutting?

Trying to Survive

2010-09-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

The sedum finally decided to shine. And the bees are loving it!
I have no idea what this is. After the first bloom I cut it way back and I am shocked that it has come back. Anyone know what the name of this beauty is?
I love how the colors of the bugs stand out on the purple pod. And did you see the one that is trying to get away in the bottom right corner?
The Inpatients are hanging on...just by a wing and a prayer. I can't seem to give them enough water.

FYI....I am harvesting seeds...if you would like some send me an email.
9black-eyed Susan's, Cone flowers, marigolds, Daisy's, zinnias, hyacinth bean, morning glories)

Summers Last Life

2010-09-08T20:08:00.004-04:00

I am in awe of the resilience of some of the flowers we have growing in the yard.These marigolds were started from seed that I harvested two years ago.
I was trimming the climbing hydrangea and found a wren nest with an egg. I wonder if the parents abandoned the egg. I will have to check it to see if they come back. Poor thing.
Our flowers are few and far between. They were started from see from last years harvest. Maybe next year there will be more.

Believe It or Not

2010-08-26T21:42:00.006-04:00

We still have things looking good and some blooms that must have forgotten how late in the season it is. But I am glad that they are a little mixed up.
Our mums are really starting to bloom....way too early I think. Kroger doesn't even have any out yet.

I have to use my telephoto lens while the regular lend is off to Nikon for a little nip and tuck. I think I actually like the shots better with it.

I don't remember planting any morning glories this year. But I will be glad to photograph and that come up.

I call this my 'old lady in the red barn in WI fern' because we got some from really nice little old lady that was having a yard sale. We got to talking about flowers and stuff and she ended up digging up some flowers out of her yard for me. These things grow crazy once they get establishes...probably two years and I will be pulling my hair out trying to tame these things.

Such a happy little flower.

Poor little dinner bell clematis. She has waited all summer to do this and now the bugs are having her for breakfast lunch and dinner.

I might be able to share some of these bean seeds with you...that is if the deer don't eat them all first. I watch the pods and when I think they are almost big enough to pick, the next morning they are gone, so I guess they are a midnight snack for someone.

Cosmos have never really been a flower I would plant but our plants this year are so bright and vivid. I think I like them now.

Our neighbor Ralph can grow anything! Literally! This is just one of many pumpkins he is growing this year. Two and three hundred pounders. I am thrilled that some have decided to take up residence in our yard and compost bin. He says I can keep whatever comes over the property line. Better get the dolly ready, this one is already as big as bushel basket at it is only August. Can you imagine by October how big it will be.

I wish I knew what the name of this plant is. Mark is sleeping or I would ask him, he would definitely know. He is just like that. He should be a Master Gardner.

Not every thing looks great. The black-eyed Susan's have seen better days. Doodles and I have been harvesting seeds for my sister and Cassie. When they come for the wedding I am going to give them both a big bag of seeds to take home. They both have perfect sunny fence areas to plant them in.

Sunnies

2010-08-24T21:03:00.003-04:00

We have the best bunch of neighbors in the world. While we were in Canada our neighbors watered and took care of our plants, picked some ripe tomatoes so they wouldn't go bad and even cut the grass before we got home. Not to mention took care of our dog and watched out for Emmy.

When Michael and I were in CO Cassie helped Ellis plant some sunflower seeds I had brought with me. I have been wanting to know how big the are...need pictures. So when Aunt Sarah visited just last week, she brought me back a few shots. I must say that I am impressed with Eillis's green thumb. His sunflowers are way better than mine. This puny little thing is the only one I got this year and it isn't as tall at Michael. And the bloom is about at round as a drinking glass. So I guess I am going to have to get pointers from my grandson. Ahhh, that too bad, isn't it?

Maybe I should get some more lady bugs to eat the aphids off the sunflowers. I didn't notice them until I looked at the picture here. Gross!

Pick A Winner

2010-08-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

The hot and humid weather has taken a toll n all of our beds...vegetable and flower. Yesterday I noticed that I have one bloom on Cassie's anemone plant. She carried anemones in her bridal bouquet. The poor plant, the leaves look like they haven't been watered for weeks...actually Mark forgot that he had the sprinkler on last night until this morning at 6AM when he was greeted by a huge puddle by the driveway.This was the first shot I took. I set the camera on ISO400. Pretty good shot I think.

Then I tried ISO1600. I'd love for someone that knows cameras to answer a few questions...

Do I set my camera on the macro thingy and the change the ISO to 1200 and above to get crisp close up shots or do I just use the little macro thingy and shoot? I have a Nikon D5000 if that clarifies anything. Help me please!

Practice Makes Almost Perfect

2010-08-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Spent clematis blooms going to seed. I still think they look pretty like this. Really unusual.

Almost The Last

2010-08-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

We have enjoyed these glads so much this summer. We will definitely be planting them again. I need to do some little research to see how to help them grow tall and straight.

A Little Camera Practice

2010-08-05T14:41:00.006-04:00

Oh, I so much want to be a good photographer with good crisp close-ups. My friend Jan in CA has several wonderful blogs that I visit on a daily basis. I have noticed that her MacroMonday shots are even better than before. So I asked her how she get such good shots and she shared that a blogging friend of hers gave her a tip. She was nice enough to pass that tip on to me. So while Doodles was napping today I braved the heat to get some shots. I'm still playing around with the settings, but I think these are better.

Lone Bloomer

2010-08-03T13:48:00.003-04:00

Finally some ornamental grass in the lamppost bed. We must have this planted in fifteen more places and nothing even looks like it is going to bloom. Lots of pretty variegated leaves but not buds anywhere. Not to self...fertilize more!

Green and Growing

2010-08-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

With the heat and humidity I can't imagine that anything has lived. But I have been a watering fool. I've watered with plastic containers, metal watering cans, the hose, the arch sprinkler, the lawn tractor, even the ghetto pool....wish we were still in WI with the well!
Like I have said before I am planting a million of these next fall. The bed will be filled but we need to figure out a way to make sure that they grow straight. There is a house on Portsmouth Road that grows gladiolas...I think I might be knocking on their front door next trip to see what they do it theirs.

I have always wanted something to grow up the pergola and then grow around the top. No such luck until this year. The hyacinth vine is almost to the top. Not too full but seed pods for next year...that is if the deer don't find them.

I planted a second crop of cukes because the other ones fought a slow death of being left out in the hot sun with no water while we were in CO. These are looking pretty good. Canning more pickles for sure...some of Sandy Foley's salt brine pickles. Delicious!

Roses

2010-07-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

The deer do not like the red roses but they LOVE the white ones. We only have one white rose and every time the bud is about to open up...the stinkin' deer have it for breakfast or late night snack. Not this time. I saw it first and brought it inside. I was cleaning out the 'bus stop flower bed' and trimmed the red knockouts and saved a few buds. So now we have a rose garden in the house. Ha, ha Bambi!

The Bees Knees

2010-07-23T21:26:00.003-04:00

It has been too hot to even venture outside. But for my loyal fans I got this today.

Another Beauty

2010-07-21T23:00:00.002-04:00

Not really sure where this lily came from or who planted it. I just happened on it when I was weeding behind one of the tall grasses. But I know where her new home will be in the fall...with the other lilies right behind the white screen thingie.

They Just Keep On Coming

2010-07-19T17:02:00.000-04:00

Invaders

2010-07-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Ralph is growing pumpkins and watermelon. I mean pumpkins...300 pounders. They have taken over the corner of his backyard and have invaded our compost bin. While I was gone yesterday, look what snuck under the fence...

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2010-07-18T16:12:00.001-04:00

Just thought I would share with you some of the flowers that I can see from just about anywhere I sit the back yard. That sun feels good today!

A Rainbow of Glads

2010-07-16T19:56:00.004-04:00

A I am totally amazed everyday when I go out to the Glad Bed. There are so many different colors of gladiolas...I don't think there are two of one kind.

We have never tried to grow gladiolas so I have no idea how to care for them. After I cut them for an arrangement...do I cut the stalk back to about an inch about the ground and wait until fall to dig them up or do I just leave them alone? Will we get a second bloom? I know there has to be someone out there that knows something....HELP PLEASE.

More Surprises

2010-07-13T14:58:00.004-04:00

Look what I saw out the window and went out in the rain to get shots of. I was afraid that the deer might eat them before I could share pics with you. Seems they now like just all my tiny almost blooming white rose buds. This is our first year growing glads. I was so excited. I think I remember planting around 80 bulbs. Wouldn't it be lovely if they all came up and bloomed? Anyone ever grown glads before...care to share some tips?
I can not remember what this is called. All I remember is that it will turn bright red after awhile.
I had to call my Dad first thing after seeing these. Last weekend when I was home I checked his to see if his were coming up...NOPE. Betsy calls them Surprise lilies. My Dad and I call them Naked ladies. I don't care what they are called...they are just real pretty.

I am so frustrated with those stupid deer. One of my first questions to God..."Why didn't you make the weeds more enticing to the animals...why did you decided that it was a good idea for them to eat all the pretty stuff?" There are way more weeds to eat in our yard than flowers.

Well, Good Morning

2010-07-12T22:17:00.003-04:00

These beauties greeted me in my morning walk around the yard.

Hmmmmm?

2010-07-11T07:00:00.002-04:00

The last time I weeded this bed I saw just a wee little sprout. It didn't look like any flowers that I thought we had planted. I looked like some vegetable. So I decided to just let it go and see what has volunteered to come up in the flower bed. Ralph, our gardener with a green body...he can grow anything!, thinks it might be some type of squash. Anny guesses?

Gourds

2010-07-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Way back in the spring, Mark brought homw several different packages of goard seeds. We have a neighbor that grows them on theri split rail fence. They aer pretty cool. I was hoping to be able to make some birdhouses out of them. I have been checking daily but nothing, nada, zip....until two days ago. Maybe they decided it was time to reach up to the fence and grow....since we have had some rain.We have been watering seems non stop these last few days...temps in the 90's (while Cassie is in the 50's). I think I just might have to give them a little extra kick i the hiney with some fertilizer.

Free Meal

2010-07-09T07:00:00.002-04:00

It is a really good thing that we have an over abundance of these these Black-eyed Susan's this year. Maybe now that they are blooming the deer will leave the hosta alone.

Second Blooming

2010-07-08T17:03:00.000-04:00

I had no idea this rose would bloom again. The other bloom mysteriously disappeared before it even had a chance to shine. I am hoping the deer won't make there way back over to this side of the yard. Eat all the hosta you want pretty little deer...JUST STAY AWAY FROM MY ROSE!

Glads

2010-07-08T10:34:00.002-04:00

We have never tried to grow Glads but this year it seems the 70 bulbs I planted int he spring are doing well. I think we have only lost three. Yesterday I noticed that probably this weekend they might make their appearance. They better be good is all I have to say...better be worth having to plant, dig up and replant next year.

We saw some at the Farmer's Market last night and they were so pretty. I am keeping my fingers crossed...double crossed.

Ralph...Mr GreenThumbs

2010-07-06T11:10:00.005-04:00

We have a back-door neighbor that has a father-in-law that has the biggest and greenest thumb I have ever seen in my entire life. He can make anything grow. This year we have decided to let Ralph grow all the vegetable and we will take care of growing the flowers...as long as he promises to share his bounty. That is fine by him. Just last night he and his wife, Janet, came over with a bag full of two different kinds of zucchini, some cucumbers and tomatoes. Then he showed up again later with a huge tomato plant, some cucumbers that he started from seed (he feels bad for me) and a pineapple plant. Yep, you read right, a pineapple plant.He is believing that I can grow this and eat the fruit and then start my own little pineapple plantation. The pressure is on. Pray for me!

Coneflowers

2010-07-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

The coneflowers are blooming like crazy. We have dark pink ones, whites, all shades of pur and about that many Japeneese beetles to cover them all. I swipe every flower I go by. The big bumble bees really seem to like these. I wonder who would win the war...big bumblebees or pesky Japanese beetles?

After The Rain

2010-06-26T06:53:00.001-04:00

I think I can hear the flowers breathing a sigh of releif...cooling off after a little bit of reain.

Munch a Bunch

2010-06-25T20:32:00.000-04:00

And all this time I have been blaiming the deer for eating all the flowers. This morning I saw this cute little bunny hopping across the firepit area...headed straight for a hosta. I know they deer love to munch on our hosta and daylilies. The slugs like what ever is low to the ground. The ants have a party on the peonies. The Japenese beetle are just starting to show up on the rose bushes...and now a bunny.You know what they say...where there is one bunny there are hundreds. I wish they could do something about the mole/vole peoblem we seem to be having.I wonder what happened that the deer didn't finish eating this one? MAybe Ella scared them away with her vicious bark....

Blooms While I'm Away

2010-06-24T18:08:00.005-04:00

Hydrangeas

2010-06-08T18:36:00.001-04:00

Our neighbor, Ralph, has the greenest thumb of anyone I have even known. He keeps us in vegetables from his garden all summer long. Forget going to the Farmer's Market. He has even given us permission to go into the garden if we every need anything he has. I have eaten some things I can't even tell you what they are. But they all have been good. Not only does he do great vegetables, but his hydrangeas are awesome. He must have 20 bushes along side his out building. Mark love these flowers. We have tried for years to grow some. His grandmother had blue ones when he was growing up. He has tried I can't tell you how many time to grow some blue ones just like here. But not so much luck.

Except I think we just might have a little winner in the front yard this year. It might be pink now, but I can tell you that he will be on the Internet looking for what chemicals he has to add to the ground to make them turn blue...I think it is something having to do with the PH or acidic conditions in the soil. You just wait, I'll be keeping you posted.

More Happiness

2010-06-03T15:01:00.003-04:00

I think the bugs got to this one even before it bloomed...stinkin' bugs.

Mark is obsessed with his plant. He has visions of a bed filled with all the varieties. This one is called /Coral Bells...Heuchera "Obsidian".

And another Coral Bells...Heuchera "Midnight Rose".

These are little dainty Cherry Bells that are just popping up by the lamp post.

Also today the "Master Gardener" started treating all the weeds in the backyard. The front yard looks like Ohio State could play football on it. Now he figures it is time to tackle the backyard. This could take some time.

Bursting With Color

2010-06-02T12:33:00.007-04:00

Michael and I had to run to the Post Office this morning and when I pulled into the driveway some bright yellow and orange caught my eye. I immediately got the camera. I have been waiting for these blooms for about a week.

On the way in the house (because there a thunderstorm brewing) I noticed something a little different about one of my favorite flowers. I can't decide if it is opening or closing. I really don't care which one because it is pretty either way.

I really had to go searching for this cone flower.

And then we have this. Poor hollyhocks...the deer have found them. I thought we were going to fool them this year. Tucked in with the cone flowers and the ornamental grasses I thought they might be safe. And further checking...the have found the hosta in front of the barn. Oh No. I guess I need to take Ella out back and let her do her thing near the flowers. On night I am going to stay up all night and catch the deer eating everything and try to scare them to death.

They Have Mulitplied

2010-06-01T16:12:00.003-04:00

The last time I looked in the flower bed there was one beautiful lily...today there are five. And there are lots more blooms that will be bursting out in a few days. I know that one is a Casa Blanca. I look forward to taking pictures of it every year. So you will have to come back and visit soon.

On A Hot Day

2010-05-29T17:06:00.005-04:00

On a hot day (yea summer) this is what you will find blooming in our yard...

Our yellow yarrow is always the first of the yarrow to show it's colors.

I am almost positive that Sweet Pap gave us this yellow primrose last spring.

I love this yellow 'paper flower'. That is what I call is because the petals are as thick and feel like wood chips. Anyone know the name?

This is what you get when you don't uses your herbs fast enough. this is the prettiest little yellow tarragon flower.

We planted these red hot pokers last summer hoping they would bloom last year. So far this year we have three. Pretty good start.

Mark will know the official name for these...I just call them little purple flowers.

Love stella doras. Everybody has them. They make a really nice border plant after a few years of growth.

I was surprised to see this when I went around to the side of the house. Didn't realize it was time for the lilies to be blooming. Now I will have to check everyday to see what colors will appear this year. They are so elegant!

I started this from just a little twig from one of Betsy's knockout rose bushes.

Here is a blanket flower I had no idea I had. Mark kept telling me that is what it was. I was sure it was a poppy. I guess I learned my lesson, Mr Green thumbs knows his flowers.

We will soon be overrun by black-eyed Susan's. I'll harvest seeds in the fall if anyone wants some.

I wasn't so sure this clematis on the bed springs on the barn were going to make it back this summer. Seems Mark went on a little trimming spree and cut some of this clematis back. you don't cut some varieties of clematis back. Just leave them alone and the new growth uses the old dried stuff as a trellis. So far so good...keep your fingers crossed.

Now to be outdone...the sweet peas are getting a little plump. Sure wish Ellis was here to help me pick and eat them. Wonder if they would travel very well to CO?

A Rainbow of Color

2010-05-18T23:03:00.007-04:00

I am hoping one day to have a clematis of this color. This one is at Ms Renee's mailbox and it is beautiful. I was worried when their mailbox got hit that it wouldn't survive. I think this year it has moor blooms than ever! It is way prettier than the picture believe me.

Mr John has the artistic eye of the neighborhood. He is able to mix colors and do things that you can't imagine. This is just one of the colors that he has at the mailbox with the clematis.

I was trying to take pictures of all the newest blooms in the yard. Yet when I edited these pictures in Picasa I found an added element...a water droplet.

This pink primrose came all the way from Papaw's garden in WV. He loves his primrose. We have some yellow ones too but I can't seem to find them yet.

I should know the name of this. Everyone has one in their yard. They are not my favorite and this is a really little bush. But it does add a touch more color.

I am so proud of these little peas...they are just starting to blossom. Noe is the deer will just leave them alone. I sure wish Ellis was here to help me pick/eat them.

I was out working in the rain yesterday while the kids were sleeping...cleaning up the ivy when I thought I needed a little trip to the bus stop flower bed. The daisies are going crazy. Then I noticed int his picture that just one of the blooms was still all balled up...just waiting for the right moment to bloom. Sorta looks funny to me.

Mark bought an arrangement in Hillsboro and this was just one of the flowers in the bunch.

This was another one.

This peony is so full in bloom that it weighs a ton ...then add the rain and it is having a hard time standing up tall. A little droopy even with the peony cage.

I found this little stella dora tucked in the green yesterday. It is the first of many, many stella dora blooms.

Beautiful Buds

2010-05-14T20:36:00.003-04:00

This white rose is usually the first rose to bloom. But this year it comes in at a close second.

I posted the buds from this clematis a few weeks ago. And I think it has outdone itself. I just hope they hold on for another week so everyone can see them at the graduation party.

We have wondered what this little dainty pink flower is ever since we planted it. I can't remember where we were but I found one and read the card in the pot...mountain laurel.

And how awesome is the knock out rose bloom?

2010-05-12T08:10:00.003-04:00

Finally a bloom.

I have waited patiently for this Cincinnati peony to bloom. Each day I peek at the big bud hoping it will bloom. With all the rain and a little bit of sun over the last few days...finally. And I am loving it!

Mother's Day Blooms

2010-05-09T17:28:00.003-04:00