Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #55 visit with friends...

Judy, I saw a pic of you on your porch/deck the other day. What body of water is that in the background?

Betty your gardens are lovely. It made me take a look outside at mine. Boy-hidy, I need to deadhead my flowers.

Are those puppies labs or huskies? So cute!

I need to cut my grass too. :(

should move these next year..a little cramped in their corner

Deborah, did some deadheading and weeds, mega work to do but with all this rain, it puts you behind...

This is a geranium that I purchased last year, brought it inside for the winter and because lol you don't have to water or look after, it did well...my kind of indoor flower..will bring all the geraniums in this year and may the fittest survive!

Flowers sitting to welcome back deck cafe visitors..lol..kept forgetting to water them as it's a covered verandah...they are now coming to life...

Well now I've given you a tour of my garden today..won't be many more days, can see mega fall changes already, even mentioned to Suzanne on the way home, some of the maple trees were slightly changing color...so guess I should enjoy the gardens while I can..

Linen now brought in from clothesline so it's get to work time, make all the beds, wash the floors, bath and to bed..tired tonight and tomorrow I teach so it's a long day...

Thanks for keeping me company in the garden, sure did enjoy that you were in a visiting mood..friends always welcome!

Oops forgot to say I dug the hole for the mileage sign..this weekend I'll get it installed, some wood slats for names and mileage and I'm off and running..can't believe since I've been adding flowers to the beds I just dug up for my DG friendship garden, how it's coming alive...still another month to work on it before it's time to put it to bed....

Night everyone...

May I show you what some parts of MY garden look like at this time?
Nothing super-spectacular--as it has been HOT and humid for weeks and weeks now.

Just to give you a peek at my small spaces for plants....My Garden is "tight"....Everything is in beds....
I wish I had all the open spaces you all seem to have!!!!

Here is the front of my House.....These pink flowers in the round bed in front are Zinnias I grew from seed. Man! Do they ever fill in!!!!! The big pot I always plant full of colorful flowers--and nothing survives but the Ornamental Sweet Potato vine. This year I put in a "Blackie" vine--not the lime green one. I also planted the "Purple Fountain Grass for the first time...

This is a small bed by the front steps. More Zinnias--also some Angelonia (the blue spikes) and A Tropical Hibiscus on the left. There's other things in there too...can't see them.

Oh so very pretty for sure. I was sure happy to see your Mint plant. (mine were eaten) but funniest thing, I, Like Ruby planted it one location, and it grew in a totally different location! I remember being so surprised by that I figure it must have decided the bridge side was a better home. Hope they come back next season.

Carol, so glad it didn't rain! Did you enjoy your visit today?

Deborah, The body of water is Buffalo Lake. Located in Montello Wisconsin. We love spending as much there as possible. Watching the sunset is an absolute best. Most are the magnificent visions of Natures Art...sometimes we are lucky to see a Bald Eagle grace us too.
Definatley a vision to behold! Thank you for asking.

oops we crossed Gita,
I am enjoying your gardens too...very very pretty!

This is the bed on the East side of the house. The big, varigated "thing" in the middle is my "Peaches and Cream" Brugmansia that has yet to bloom. It sure is putting out the leaves!!!!

In front of it are some Sun Coleus and some impatiens. To the left--if it is showing--is my Endless Summer Hydrangia.

edited to add---The 'dead space" on the right is where my HUGE Bleeding Heart was. Now it is all gone....cut back.

This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 7:58 PM

This is the bed on my side porch--which I never use--never even open the door.
I always have these 3 heavy clay window boxes at the edge and now--my mandevilla at the corner. That also lived dormant in my basement last winter--cut back.
The other green stuff growing at the base of the Mandevilla is some kind of Morning Glory that has yet to bloom. Phooey on that!

The pot behind the railing is where I have always grown my Cardinal Climber and it has done so well. This Summer I thought I would put a MG in it--and it is all but dead by now. Gonna yank it any day now.

This is one of my Dragon Wing Begonias. It is in a huge pot---They are so beautiful--and love the heat! I dig them all up--put them in pots and keep them by a window--semi-dormant--for the winter. Then plant them back outside the next year.

Nice plant! And--very popular in the last few years! This one is in filtered shade--but if they get some sun--the reds get so bright and the foliage has a nice maroon touch around the edges.

This is my "Rose Souvelons" Brugmanmsia. This also "sleeps" in my dark basement all winter....These get very fragrant as the evening comes.....

And--last one....My Tall red Perennial Hibiscus. Tall means--about 5'-6'.

Betty--I sent you seeds from this--Yes????? The one that takes 3 years to bloom?

OK! Gotta go watch the Olympics......

Keep them coming Gita. Are those zinnias the profusion series? I have just got to plant some of those next year. I like the way they grow in a round mound. Did your spv come back in that same urn container? If it did, did you leave it outside all winter? Is your Brug in a pot? Sorry for all these questions. I'm trying to learn. While I've got the space, I don't have the design savy to put arrangements together like yours are. That's why I enjoy seeing other folks gardens. I get so many ideas. Yours really are the WOW effect. Answer tomorrow, I know you want to watch the Games.

I wish I had a cabin overlooking a lake. Sigh. Such a relaxing view.

We'll all crach at Judy's cottage..lol

Had my bath, downstairs to feed the animal, of course this addiction I have with DG led me right to the computer and thank goodness...look at the beautiful gardens Gita has...such bright colors Gita, that's what I'm missing...do post more...you plant a lot of annuals..maybe next year I'll plant some mixture so that when my perrenials aren't in bloom the annuals will be..might be the answer to my 'red' problem...seems anything I see in red is annual..is that odd???

As for the seeds you've sent me Gita, I've many new plants growing around, no blooming yet, but I do know they are plants I've never had before so will take pictures of some and maybe you'll be able to identify them for me now that they are growing...I'll go back and look at your photo's, at the leaves of some to see if I recognize any...know if any bloom this year or next I'll transplant into the friendship garden..there is shade and sunshine partial and full within that area...

Going to try this another time,

Night/night

The Answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Plant more annuals next year to entermingle with my perennials! THank thank you Betty! That's what I'm missing, continuous color all season.. Now to line up all my photos and study my perennial gardens. This winter I can make a game plan to decide which annuals to plant where. I'm so excited! See what inspirational gardens you two have, Betty and Gita! Yipee!

OMG Deborah!! Maybe, Shar, Vicki Liz, and GG will show us there too...
gosh, forgot Bev, and Ruby's gardens too...

So much beauty.


Well Goodnight all! Going to sign off and have a fire.
feel the need to send up some prayers and watch some prett flames dance.

For Deborah, Last sunset!
and yep everyone welcome!!

This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 7:40 PM

I will post a couple of my garden for you to wake up to in the morning. Hope all have a good nite. As for Me !!! I am pooped. BEV

A dove on my waterfall for a drink.

One more and beddy bye.

OHHH, YES THANK YOU BEV!...Hello, little friend.
...How is camping life? Have you been able to get there?
Hows the kitten, Powder? She probably is content in both homes

Holy puppies! GG..I have got to say that one with baby sleeping!! So adorable!!!.

cordeldawg---

I have NO idea what those Zinnias are! I really don't pay attention to the names....
I grew them last year---probably bought them in a MP from somewhere, I liked them---I took seeds from them---I grew them again this year--and they made it......Can't tell you anything else.

I don't believe that a SPV can survive the winters here in my zone 7.....I usually dig them up and eat the taters (YUM!) and buy new ones next year. The "Blackies" I had this year--I got from Holly. She mailed them to me as rooted cuttings. Sad to say--only a couple made it.....as I had to keep them going in the house for too long a time.

My Brugs are, usually--a pot in a pot--in the ground--or in another bigger pot.

When I was new to Brugs, that is how I was advised to grow them. Basically--it makes it easier to "dig them up" and store them in a semi-dormant state. What I had learned was that you need to cut holes in the side of the 3-5 gallon pot--all around--so the roots can still grow into the bed. Then--plant this pot into a bigger pot and then bury the bigger pot 3/4 into a bed.
Now--when you dig these up, to take them inside for the Winter, you will have to sacrifice some parts of the roots. When I do this--I just put the whole dug-up pot in a plastic grocery bag so the cut ends of the roots won't dry out.
I water these pots maybe 3x all through their dormancy period and then--when good weather comes--I put the pot outside in shade to harden it off, and then put it in filtered light or in sunlight and it just keeps on growing.......It is AMAZING how theuy just rebound--as if nothing has happened to them!
The pale leaves it had grown in my basement--just become all green and the plant just takes off.... Of course--I fertilize it, or transplant it---if needed, at this time.

I have lost a few Brugs in trying to keep them going from cuttings. My biggest loss was the "Dr Seuss" one I had. The MOST fragrant one of all.....

I want you to know that i am NOT all that "INTO" any plants of any kind. If it makes it--GREAT! If it does not--NO problem! They are ONLY plants--and always replaceable!

There is a Brugmansia Forum if you have any specific questions....

Gita

Just beautiful!!!! Thank you Betty and Gita. What fun looking around at all of the beautiful blooms.

Betty, you asked about the stone work that John is doing. Most of the rocks came from our mountainside property. He needs to use certain types of rocks depending upon what part of the wall or walkway he is working on at any given moment. On Sunday morning he went rock hunting. We have neighbors who don't mind him coming on their property and getting stones, so that works out well. The ones that are from our property were most dug up about three years ago when he was excavating for a garage that he built.

I owe Gita some pictures that she requested a while back. She very generously gave me several plus tomato plants at the Mid Atlantic Gardeners Plant Swap earlier in the summer. When I received them they were not much over an inch tall each. They are now several feet tall and producting very well. I was able to ge about ten cherry tomatoes yesterday morning and will enjoy them in my toss salad later today.

This picture is the very odd shaped tomato that is growing on one of the plants.

Will try posting a picture here of some of them.

Ruby

These are some of the cherry tomatoes last week.

This tomato is definitely larger than the cherry ones, but not a really large variety. I love tomatoes in any shape or form.

Gita, this is the Angel Wing Begonia that you sent me last year. Not as full and lush as the ones that you grow, but I now know how to tend it, so this time next year it ought to be looking lovely. I am happy that it is still alive. ha-ha

Ruby

Side of house where the wall for the walkway is almost completed. My Hibiscus is blooming to beat the band.

Closer shot of Hibiscus.

Ruby are you growing your tomatoes in 5 gal buckets? That's the blackest richest dirt you've got them growing in that I've seen in a long time too. I've never grown any tomatoes but will try growing them in containers like yours next year. Larry and I went to the farmer's market last week and bought some. They didn't taste like a tomato at all. Didn't have that acidy twine I remember from the last really good one I had eons ago.

Gita, thank you for explaining your growing, planting and storing techniques. I need to bring in my caladiums this year. I'm tired of buying new ones every year. I potted mine and then covered the pots with mulch. They look like they're growing in the ground from a distance. Most of my Brugs are planted in the ground. They come back in certain areas in my yard. But, I did lose my Dr. Suess too, as well as a few others. I'm not sure exactly why some died while others sprouted back from the roots. I do have some I potted and placed in the gardens that I don't want to dare lose. I'll take some insurance cuttings in the fall before the first frost, then put those that are in pots in my unheated storage house.

Well, another night of no sleep. Guess I'll just lay down on the bed now and count to quadzillion.

Hello There Cordele. I have been up since about 2 AM. I must have slept four or five hours in the evening and woke up and have already started my day. This means that by mid afternoon I won't be worth a hoot. For at least two years now my sleep has been way way off. In the past couple of months there have been several occasions when I have been able to sleep as long as 5:30 and sometimes even until 7'ish. I sure feel better on those days, that is for sure.

I believe that subconsciously I have this sort of routine when I am feeling the need for some "me" time. It is the only time of the day when people and dogs are not coming and going. It is quite nice to have quiet. I have to be quiet for the most part because I want John and Tucker to get the amount of sleep that their bodies are requiring without me waking them with noise.

The tubs that the tomatoes are in are not actually five gallon buckets, but are shorter tubs than the buckets are. I bought them several years ago at Big Lots, marked way down I am sure. I seem to do better with tomatoes when I plant in containers. The soil in the tubs is probably a bag of the cheapest potting soil that a discount store sells. On occasion I will buy Miracle Gro soils, but not always.

After I finish my coffee in a few minutes I need to start an eight hour fast in order to have some blood work later today. Last blood work showed border line high cholesterol and low potassium levels. I am hoping that today's show things okay in each department. I hate the thought of a restricted diet or the thought of another pill to take. Oh well, what will be, will be.

I hope that you are able to get some sleep. It is not a glld place to be when our bodies are needing sleep. Take care.

Ruby

Morning everyone, sure hope Ruby you've fallen back to sleep, loved the photo's and did read the posts but quickly so will go back over them and enjoy the beauty when I return to work this morning...it's raining, sure hope NOT in the city as my boys had a day planned at Wonderland...so off to get Kyle up, I was in bed when he came, he had forgotten something and I could hear him and his dad talking about the popcorn Kyle made but this grandma was tired and just didn't have the energy to get up, so now it's off to get him ready..not sure if I'll drive in or if we'll be ready for Suzanne's call...as she didn't have her paperwork for the 9am meeting downtown, she has to stop in the office prior to meeting so will want to leave early...I'm sure all the hoopla of the fire on the 7th floor has been dealt with and we're able to get in...

Talk later

Hello There Miss Betty - Nope, my day began at 2 AM. I will be able to get an early start on outside stuff today. When I come in from outside, I will make another delicious toss salad. At about two o'clock today I need to go to doctor's office and have some blood work done. I have to fast for at least 8 hours before going. So, just water for me this morning.

Betty, I hope that you will havea good day at work. Take care all.

Ruby

Morning Ruby. Love your DH's stone work. I do all dry stack. But love my stones. I have some ideas floating around now. Collecting plants for one of them. I plan on getting some Hibiscus at some point. They are just fascinating. But first I need to get some shade plants.

Okay Judy you twisted my arm. Here are some pictures. Don't know all the flower names so don't exoect them. I'm a plant them and forget them kind of gal mostly!

Here's another before the deer or whatever ate the marigolds!

Here is the pond area. I actually have cucumbers growing up the posts. I might put green beans there next year if I need the space.

Here is Ty deciding if it is time to work or play!

Here is another view.

The front of my house. Some day shutters will be added to the front when we redo the roof.

This poor bed has gotten to overgrown even for me!