joene's garden: joene's garden

By joenesgarden, 2 years and 6 months ago

Lingering …

November 4, 2009.  Annual salvia and ageratum continue to bloom in spite of the cold.  Towering nearby are 6 foot tall cosmos that seem to reach for the sun's dwindling warmth, while the smaller cosmos bloom shown here hugs the ground.  South-central Connecticut has seen light frosts, and even a light snow on October 15.  The plants most susceptible to 30 degree temperatures have given up the ghost.  But lingering still are the hardier garden souls, holding onto one or even a few stunning blossoms while the autumn leaves swirl around them.  The photos here were all shot just before dusk today.

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By joenesgarden, 2 years and 7 months ago

Saving hydrangea blossoms

Peegee hydrangea-1 9-09 September 25, 2006.  As you scramble to enjoy as many blossoms as possible before frost finishes them off, don't pass by late blooming hydrangea.  I find these some of the easiest blossoms to save.  Mind you I only have one hydrangea paniculata  tree (the peegee type) and one macrophylla 'Bailmer' (an endless summer variety) in bloom right now, but I cut blossoms off of both, with stems as long as makes sense for each blossom.  I arrange each in a vase arrangement, fill the vase with water, and walk away.  No more water, no more fuss.  The blossoms simply dry in the indoor air … and they hold most of their color.  This technique works when you wait until after the blossoms begin to turn either from white to pinkish or blue to purple/green.  It does not work with freshly opened hydrangea blossoms.

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By joenesgarden, 2 years and 9 months ago

Focus on Flowers: Mid-summer bouquets

mid-summer bouquet 7-09 Bring mid-summer's bountiful blossoms indoors to take full advantage of their unique scents and beauty.  With the exception of the orange gerbera daisy focused at the center of the flower arrangement here (it came as a visitor's gift – my gerberas are pink), all the greens and blossoms came from my gardens.  Hosta leaves provide the base structure of this bouquet. Use three or five, depending on the size of your vase.  Perennial sweet pea vines and blossoms fill center space in this vase and their wayward growth and tendrils help hold heavier, straight-stem flowers, such as the lilies, upright in a vase.  White, round blossoms of Queen Anne's lace pick up the white variegation of the hosta leaves and the white centers of the lily blossoms, and give the whole bouquet an airy feel.  The dark sweet-pea flowers help highlight the lighter pink lilies, while the lighter pink sweet peas match and balance the lily color.  Blue anise hyssop blossoms contrast the vibrant orange and pink of the other blossoms and make the brighter colors pop.

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  • Morning Discoveries in the Garden:
    • Laurrie: It really is the best time, early in the morning in the garden. I love the discoveries as you do, even if they are distressing (my ripening strawberries were the chipmunk's breakfast today). How nice to have a turtle resident in your garden!
    • joenesgarden: So glad to know I brought an early morning smile, Benita.
    • Benita: Lovely post-early morning coffee and a stroll through the "garden of best friends is a lovely ritual for me, too. Thanks for instigating my happy garden grin this morning! Benita
  • A Connecticut garden in May:
    • Andrew @ Gardening tips and Ideas: Clematis, Iris, Ferns and Peonies, all in one garden A true delight Thank you for sharing
    • joenesgarden: Laurrie, I hope you share photos of all these buds when they are in full bloom then I can enjoy yours when mine have passed peak.
    • Laurrie: Your blooms are lovely and precocious I think! Like Layanee's, my clematis is only in bud, yours are so much further along. And my iris (I have Beverly Sills too) is only budding, nowhere near open yet. How different each garden is, even in the same general area. Happy Spring!
  • Butterfly watching:
    • Heather: How sweet! And I love mum-mum instead of grandma. My mom goes by Meemaw. :)

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