“The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing something better than they have ever done before.” Vita Sackville-West
Wishing you inspiration throughout the 2015 gardening season.
Cheers, Sandi
Images of “Fall Decorations – From you garden” (previous post) painted with Waterlogue app. Enjoy!
Hard to believe summer has ended and fall is here. The garden is still going strong. We have beautiful asters that will bloom almost until frost arrives here in New England. Below are a few of my favorites, and the bees love them too!
Every spring I look forward to our magnolia blooming. A former owner strategically planted it to be viewed from the kitchen sink window, perhaps to cheer you as you wash dishes. An early flowering variety, the buds often get claimed by frost. Two years ago, the beautiful white with pink blossoms were opening when the temperature dipped below freezing. You guessed it, next morning the entire tree looked like someone had blown his nose into tissues and left them hanging on the tree. What promised to be a splendid showing of flowers, turned into a tan slimy eyesore that we had to look at for weeks. Almost as sad looking as a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Fortunately, this year we were able to enjoy the flowers for several weeks.
Recently, I toured Hollister House, owned by George Schoellkoph, with the Redding Garden Club. This wonderful garden is located in Washington, CT, in Litchfield County. I fell in love with his magnolia, a gorgeous pale yellow color. It blooms mid to late May. No frozen flowers, what could be better. Given that we live further south, it should be perfect for our yard. My understanding is he purchased the magnolia from Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, CT. A road trip to Broken Arrow Nursery is a must. If you are looking for rare or unusual plants and shrubs, check them out; they have more choices then you probably have areas to plant. I haven’t been there in years, but am looking forward to visiting soon.
http://www.hollisterhousegarden.org
http://www.brokenarrownursery.com
Fritillaria meleagris: a bulb that prefers dappled to full sun, and needs consistent moisture throughout the growing season. However, it will not thrive in soggy soil. This lily has a faint checkerboard pattern. Allow the leaves to die back before removing, they are needed for photosynthesis. By mid summer the plant goes dormant. You can pull or clip the browning leaves at this time without any worries. Fritillaria makes a wonderful cut flower.
Fritillaria meleagris – pixieperennials.com
This gallery contains 2 photos
For an early show in your garden plant hyacinth, crocus, puschkinia and chionodoxa bulbs.
pixie perennials 