Jack Frost 2001? - 2015

Today we said goodbye to our loyal friend Jack. 

Love that Dog 

by Sharon Creech

Love that dog, 

like a bird loves to fly 

I said love that dog 

like a bird loves to fly 

Love to call him in the morning 

love to call him 

“Hey there, (Jack)!” 

Agastache blue fortune at sunset

My first attempt leads to plots and plans

     This is my first attempt at growing anything other than perennials. This is an heirloom seed for dipper gourds used to dip water from a bucket dropped down into a well. My long range goal across the street at the historic property at which I now volunteer is to create a small fenced in kitchen garden. I have located wooden split rail fencing at the local big box home and garden store, I think I can fence in the small yard behind the Old Kitchen for about a hundred dollars. 

     By growing these gourds I have discovered that the light is not the same on both sides behind the Old Kitchen (c late 1830s). The right side gets sun all day, the left side only gets light from noon to sundown.

There is a huge difference in how the gourds have grown. One side is 12 feet high and hanging with gourds, the other side is barely knee high. 

     This winter I hope to sell the dried gourds to raise money for the garden projects. Would you give a five dollar donation to help restore the gardens at a historic property? i am hoping people will, as a keepsake from their tour of the mansion. 
     Next Spring I need to get the seeds started much earlier, which is hard to do when you are teacher as I am. Spring is a busy season for me. I also have decided to get some 12 foot posts and grow the vines up on wire mesh - high and up off the ground makes the handles long and straight. I have all this winter to plot and plan. 

Clematis Henryii - late August

Loved and Spoiled

Our neighbor came by to say a sweet goodbye to Jack. They have been so kind the last couple of years to come over and walk Jack for us during the day when we are at school. They even put dog bones on the front porch for him to "find" when they took him out. Jack - loved and spoiled by so many folks.

We don't talk about it - but it will happen soon. 

In the middle of the day

Mama deer sneaking her twin fawns across the busy road and down our driveway - right in the middle of the day! It was 1 o'clock in the hot afternoon. Crazy and kind of sweet. You never know! 

Happy Fourth of July from Pinewood Cottage

Agastache - Blue Fortune

Right beside the the front steps into the house - this little patch of licorice scented Agastache Blue Fortune - hyssop - makes me happy each time I see it.

In the White Garden right now

 White mandevilla slowing climbing to the top of the fence.

 White yarrow, petunias and million bells on the boys head, and the new clematis Henryii, growing nicely (the last one did not make it through the freezes this past winter).

 White moon vine should be at the top of the fence by July. I look forward to the large white soap scented blooms.

Achillea - White Yarrow - a close up

Driveway Border

 Here's what's blooming in the Driveway Border right now.

 "Turk's Cap" lily - about 5 feet tall - leaning gracefully.

 Echinops Ritro near the top of the driveway - I think it wants more sunlight.

Urns leading down into the driveway yard - White petunias, chartreuse sweet potato vine, vinca, and dracaena Spikey Plant.  

I have big plans for this yard. Sky pencil hollies have been planted to hide the AC units and the dogwood tree and large clump of aspidistra Cast Iron plant (to left behind wall) are to be replaced with a living wall of sky pencil holly. I have about 20 cuttings rooted, ready and waiting for cooler raining days this fall to get into the ground.

Baptisia 'Blue Towers'

Baptisia can also be rooted from stem cuttings. Cuttings are genetically identical to the plant that provided them, which ensures the preservation of desirable characteristics such as unusual stem or flower color. Be aware that many new Baptisia cultivars are patented and cannot be legally grown from cuttings or other clonal propagation methods.

Most baptisias root easily in spring when the growth is still relatively soft, but the success rate drops as the stems harden. Good cutting material can generally be found in late April to early May. Cuttings should be taken so that at least one set of leaf buds can be inserted below the potting mix surface. Dip cutting in a rooting hormone and insert into a mix of 3 parts composted bark to 1 part peat. Keep humidity around cuttings high with a supported plastic tent. Cuttings should root in about 8 weeks.

Division or transplanting of Baptisia is difficult because of their deep woody root system and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

http://www.plantdelights.com/Baptisia-Blue-Towers-for-sale/Buy-Blue-Towers-Baptisia/ 

Happy Friday from Pinewood Cottage

Peony - Karl Lagerfeld

The White Garden in Spring

 From the front sidewalk you can see the entrance to the White Garden. There are glimpses of it, but it is a secret little place tucked away from most of those who pass by in a hurry.

 A closer view from the yard.

 Climatis Henryii has really come into its own this year. Cannot get that pillar to stand tall.

 Here is the view from inside the White Garden looking back across the yard and sidewalk into the park across the street.

 Beside the clematis are the first blooms of the white peony and behind that is the white camellia japonica "man size" which did not bloom this past year.

 Clematis Henryii

 Clematis Henryii - a close up

 white peony

 Several close ups

Driveway bed in bloom

 Sunny Knock-Out roses are beginning to bloom and brighten up the dreary driveway area.

 Various shades of lemon yellow fading to lemon ice and then white.

 Fresh young yellow bud.

 Guara is just getting started too. Close up below.

 Wife's grandfather's rose blooming near wall.

 Planters are loaded and ready to begin the summer cascade.

Another blurry shot showing the wall and the driveway behind it.