A feeling of fall in the air

I have spent time these last two days spreading compost over three gardens I have. The leaves on some of the trees are starting to change color. Some of the flowers are past their best, while others are still beautiful.

Nice rich compost spread 4" deep over entire garden

Nasturtium

Elephant Ear

Nasturtium

Pansy

Nasturtium

A beautiful rose indeed.

The hydrangea was growing too large in the front of the garden

I dug it up and moved it to the rear, and am hoping it survives the move.

Another project almost finished

I had started arranging rocks around this garden months ago.

Today it is going to be completed.

After a visit to our friend's landscaping business, to bring home a few rocks in the trunk of my car, the project is almost finished. I am waiting for a load of compost and topsoil to be delivered sometime this week to fill in the new garden spot. Then I have to decide what to plant here. I think for starters spring bulbs would be nice, especially daffodils because bunnies do not seem to enjoy the taste of daffodils and I really do not want to fence this garden.

A little trimming needed

The front garden was not getting enough morning sun and some of the plants, as they grew, leaned towards the light.

The oriental lillys along the fence grew very tall, about 4' and grew towards the light. There are also other plants towards the back of the garden, which will benefit from a little more light.

This holly tree, and ornamental plum haircut, should make the leaning plants happy next season.

Another plum tree and bamboo were also making too much shade.

Now that is a little better, though I would really like to top that plum tree to be level with the roof of the house and I think the bamboo will be thinned out a little more.

What's New?

These lovely hostas were given to me by my dear friend Hostagirl. I need to decide where I want to plant them.

The Purple Threadleaf sure is doing well. It is so beautiful and interesting with it's curled leaves being purple on one side and green on the other.

Purple Threadleaf June 1st.

Blue/purple and yellow garden.

I have been working on my *Yellow and Blue/purple* garden this last season. I plan on planting yellow Gladiola, blue iris, and some of the yellow and blue spring bulbs so I will have color all through spring to late fall.
As always, click on pictures for larger view.


The red hydrangea, (in front of the angel) I still have to decide if I will move it or not. It seems to be happy growing here, so it may be the only plant which is not blue/purple or yellow.
I still have the usual chicken wire around the garden to keep all those long- eared furry friends of mine out of the garden.




I think it is about time for another trip to the garden center. this is a great time to by perenials, as many plants are on sale at the end of the season.
These pansys are quite lovely.










I have three salvias all of a different shade of blue





Perhaps a few ferns and hostas would look nice in the shaded part of the garden.

Reminder--move at end of season

This lovely hosta has been burned by being in too much sun

I will move the day lily from this shaded area and put the hosta here.

August garden scenes

Tomatoes August 1st

The tomatoes, one on each end, a bell pepper in the middle, planted May 5th have done fairly well considering the cool weather we have had.

The little guys are starting to ripen. Wish I could remember what these tomatoes are called.

I am planning BLT'S already.

The pepper plant between the two tomatoes is doing OK considering the size of the tomato plants. Note to self... next year do not cram all into one tight space. There are three peppers so far.

What's Growing August 1st

My little rabbit friend was resting and watching me water the garden. Hosta 'sum substance' is new to the garden.


The Hydrangea is just starting to bloom

Euphorba-Tasmanian Tiger,( below)
was planted July 12th.





The dahlias are vibrant this year . I was wondering if the Elephant's ear (below right) was going to come up this year, it has taken a long time to produce it's leaves. I see two more shoots just to the right of the front leaf.










The Pink/purple Liatris has really taken to it's new home. Last year it was growing in a pot and did not do well at all. I am glad I decided to move it into the garden.


The Calendular has been blooming for quite some time, offering pollen for the many bees.

1st Tomato July 1st 06

This is pretty exciting stuff.

My first Tomato of the season. There are many more flowers on the plant, and I am hoping for a bumper crop.

We are leaving for Juneau on the 3rd so I will be interested to see how much the plant has grown when we get back on the 13th..

I can taste them now on sandwiches, in salads or right out of the garden, Yummm!