Finally there's blooms in June

Last year in Spring my garden plans, my garden, and the weather was a lot different... May started out warm and balmy. I planted a few veggies in containers and added a couple of annuals.

This May, my garden was a little messy... I could not weed or make many plans because the weather started out whacky.. It rained non-stop for 3 months straight with cool temperatures that stayed below 60, I could do nothing but wait it out. As May came to a close, I was finally awarded with my perennial  blooms...

My Spiderworts are back...

                     
 It's not unusual for them to bloom later in the spring and summer season. Last year they bloomed at the very end of May. This year the 2nd week of June.

Below a side view

Below:  My roses on the front gate are looking pretty good...

This year they are lower on the front gate because last year I  clipped them back after they suffered a succession of attacks... beginning with aphids, and then fungus. The leaves curled, and they a long with the canes turned a sickly yellow and were covered with brown splotches.

They have made a come back thanks to a homemade insecticide that follows below... read on...

It.. up close after rain yesterday.

 Below:  Pink roses near the driveway...

I believe they are pink "knockouts" and they too, have come back healthier this year....

2009 and 2010 were a bad year for these tough little roses.. aphids were so unmerciful and relentless I contemplated pulling them up...but not wanting to give up, I searched the net for a organic solution.

There were lots of ready made natural chemicals on the market to choose from, but cost more then I was willing to pay for at the moment.  Armed with helpful tips and a spray bottle, I made a combo of Ivory soap, vegetable oil, and neem.  This combo turned out  to be a success!  

Note:  always use care when testing homemade insecticides on your plants.. Do a pre-test on a  small area of the affected plant first..if no harm is done .... Blast it full force until it becomes saturated .

Below:  The rose of a different kind is back...

This shrub rose ( Kerria Japonica )  is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It's a spring blooming shrub that has no characteristics in my opinion to an actual shrub rose, but I love it just the same. I think it's unique and very pretty with its pom-pom blooms.  I'm still working to bring it back to it's original form and beauty. It is a pass-along- to me, from my mother.

Below: shrub Deutzia Scabra

The Deutzia Scabra ( doot-see-uh ) was covered in painted ladies last May, but not one could be found this  May... I wondered what happened?.... was it due to the constant rain this season?...

Link shows a painted lady...(butterfly)
  http://vetsysview.blogspot.com/2010/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-2010.html

I  finally put an end to the creeping... of the Creeping Buttercups by removing all of its runners and shoots with a spade and a hoe.

These invasive, but pretty little flowers are now out of commission, only a few remain by choice....
take a look at year's photo... 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7R2Bz7YkHZ4Ia0-j9WlhHxvpPHC1sEqL3eOfwRnMUgRddcpKRZoKjO7VA15pDyeBq-44CRadvJZnHBFO9JSABHKOHIvil4-yRbJGmlmQZV9P3Vf9B4pmmxko-JZfl8Av91cbo0SMVvA/s1600/308.JPG



Below: the other shrubs:

last spring after all 4 shrubs were done blooming, I tried to trim them into neat manageable shapes, but they had other plans.

Pink Weigela towards the front gate...

Weigela " Eva Rathke"... It's a lot smaller this year due to the removal of dead and dying bark.

Below:  Both photos are from the same shrub, It's a very pretty shrub that I have not yet identified.  Trimming and up-keep are a nightmare! I have decided that flowering shrubs will not have a place in my future gardens, the up- keep is just too much!

Daisies are in the same location but are now crowding the Black eyed Susan's

Below:  A work still in progress...

this area is still unfolding; diathus, phlox, and creeping phlox, have replaced my Cactus Zinnia's.


Below: The robins nested this time around... last summer there were baby cardinals.

There are dozens of hens and chicks, ( Sempervivum)  too many to post.... so I'll just share a few.

Thank you much..for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I also welcome you tips and advice.

Gas prices still to high? save on gas with this gizmo

I took this photo back in early May and had been meaning to post it. Consumer's including myself have been complaining about the outrageous gas prices all over the country. Some have said, that gas prices have fallen, as far as I'm concern, gas prices have not yet fallen far enough! 

I have heard that Michigan  leads the country with the highest in price, but I'm not certain if that is a fact or not,  I do know that gas is still  4.00 bucks a gallon and some angry consumers' suggest that we should fight back by parking our cars and opting for a bike instead...

"Well how do you like this gentleman's bike?

I assume he may be homeless, but that's not the point,  take a look at his car bike!...what-cha- think? you got to admit that it's quite unique.

" Winter...please let go of my spring !

I was so elated about my Magnolia blooming in the front yard I could cry...

I was very afraid that it was not going to make it this spring because of the unusually cold, , non-stop rainy weather.  Last year in April  it, along with my other blooming shrubs were in full bloom.....every year I stand in awe of it.....  It..along with the Redbud is one of  my favorite blooming trees....

as you can see from the photos May 8th was a nice warm sunny day...It has not been so since.

Below: an odd angle shot of my Redbud located in the back of the yard, it doesn't look very cute up close because the poor thing is dying but it is still putting out a few blooms.

I had a chance to do a little cleaning and weeding in-between the madness. Whenever the rain stopped, I took the opportunity to run outside and do a little yard work.

Below:  In the photos that follow I added flat rocks as a border and removed some rogue weeds. Daises, Tiger Lily, Black eyed Susan's and Fire-witch dianthus  await warmer weather.

Below:  In the back of the yard..I planted Cactus Zinnia's from seeds  from last year... and some Black eyed Susan's. I also transplanted a few Susan's from another area just in case they don't come up. I'll also add new fencing.

Uninvited visitors think they will take over and boss around the other resident feeders. This Grackle and a Redwing couple have been taking over the feeders.

 

Above are my regular visitors, the Goldfinches, along with the Chickadee's and Cardinals, not shown. I won't chase or wage war on the out-laws for now..for they only pose a small threat at this time, the other birds are still able to come by and feed, we'll see how things go as nesting season begins. In the mean time I hope that this winter like weather will let go of my spring!

Happy gardening to all and thanks for stopping by.

A visit from a Pompoo

 

     Me in photo above holding Gucci

Today I was out in my backyard enjoying my rain free warm sunny day sipping tea and making future plans for my garden this summer.  While I was  contemplating on this plan, I got a surprise visit from  my kid  brother who was pet sitting for a friend.  In his arms was the cuttest little ball of fluffy fur I have ever seen.

That fluffy ball is called a Pompoo or Pomapoo,  a new breed or hybrid cross that is part Poodle and part Pomeranian. I was so smitten I did some research to find out more about it and here's what I found....

The Pompoo is a sweet, friendly little dog that makes a good pet for families. It gets along with other pets and  is great for elderly owners and good with children, I witness this first hand  as I watched it play and chase my 8 year old  niece around the yard.   

                               
Below: Gucci gives chase after my niece.                              

 

Like the  poodle, care should be taken not to over pamper the Pompoo or it will become very spoiled . It's hard to resist spoiling such a cuttie pie like Gucci, but it must be done or one could have a possible brat on their hands.

 

Because of their loyalty and closeness to family, some Pompoos' may suffer from separation anxiety and bark when separated from their owners. However with  training a Pompoo may learn to overcome this if it's trained  early on.

Pompoos require very little space, so it can handle apartment living and smaller yards, but be sure to give it play time and walks because it is an active, fun loving little dog. The Pompoo should be brushed daily to avoid knots and tangles. 

Pompoos' are such sweeties, they will not make good watch dogs although they will bark when they hear noises.  I fell in love with this dog and  may consider it along with a second breed that's a good watch dog.

I would love to hear from you if you own a Pomapoo or another breed that is a good compainion and watch dog.... More info can be found on the net about this breed.....just type in Pompoo or Pomapoo. 

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments, I love to hear from you.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

There's a poem that states... April showers bring May flowers, but this April has been quite an unusual one and does not conjure up or feel like the Aprils of my childhood. Those April days were warm and sunny, I haven't seen one of those days since. I missed them very much but even than, I had my rainy day limits when I  just wanted to play outdoors without getting wet, so I reverted back to my childhood with this cute little poem remember this?

My prayers go out to the families in Tuscaloosa Alabama and other area's in the south that has been devastated by  the tornado that hit this April, for some of us across the country the spring weather has not been very nice.


video credits: Youtube and Super Simple Songs.com

Easter bells

 

I Think of the garden after the rain;

                                                 

 And hope to my heart comes singing,

                                                  

At morn the cherry-blooms will be white,

                                                     

  And the Easter bells be ringing!

                                                     

Happy Easter my blogging friends!

 
 photo credits: Soulis: Japanese Cherry Blossoms, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York : Poem by  Edna Dean Proctor

Early Spring Care for Citrus Trees

 

I have always wanted my own citrus tree/s, and as a child tried to grow them every summer from seeds after  my mother was done making lemonade. Unfortunately I didn't live in a climate that would be conducive to their growth or maturity, and today I still don't.... but I'm working on that, and one day darn it!..I'm going to have me a couple of lemon trees. 

I love a good old fashion glass of lemonade; and just a touch of it in my tea. I found that using the juice of lemons tenderizes meat such as chicken, and pork and helps cut down on salt used to season your meat... I could go own, but I think you get the picture. 

Below is an article brought to you by Fiskars, which features master gardener and blogger Fern Richardson; I love her informative blogs and invite you to check them out when time permits.  http://lifeonthebalcony.com...

"Oh and by the way, I'm a big fan of Fiskar's garden tools, http://www2.fiskars.com , so Fiskars.... if you happen to stop by this post, I'd like a couple of pruners for my birthday May 3rd. This is an early thank you. 

Early Spring is a great time to plant lemons, limes, oranges, and other citrus trees in southern climates. Wait until all danger of frost has past. This will give your tree all spring and summer to get established before cool autumn and winter temperatures stop it's growth. Be sure to pick a site with fast draining soil, or amend to spot to improve drainage. If you're growing your citrus tree in a container, pick a pot that is at least 18 inches tall and wide. If the tree came from the nursery with fruit on it, remove them before planting to allow the tree to put all of its energy into settling in to its new digs.

This is also the time of year to start fertilizing your tree again. Select a fertilizer meant for citrus trees. If your tree is growing in the ground, imagine a circular line that is one foot wider than the longest branch on your tree. Sprinkle the citrus fertilizer evenly from the base of the trunk out to your imaginary line. Do not work in in to the soil, as citrus roots are close to the surface and easily damaged, simply scratch it in lightly with a rake. If your tree is growing in a pot, sprinkle the fertilizer over the entire soil surface.

As soon as a new flush of growth begins to show on your tree, you'll know if any of the branches were damaged over the winter. No leaves means the branch is dead. Prune off dead branches with an anvil pruner or lopper, as needed. Also, be sure to remove an suckers that start growing below the graft union or are popping up from the roots. Some citrus are not grafted (limes are usually not, for example), in which case, suckers need only be removed if they are aesthetically undesirable. Remember, though, that the lowest branches are the most productive.

Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when snails come out of hiding. They enjoy overwintering in clusters at the point where main branches connect to the trunk. You can pick them off by hand, place them in a plastic bag, and throw them out. Be sure to tie the plastic bag tightly before throwing it in the trash. You can imagine what will happen if you don't tie the bag of snails! Placing a copper cuff around the trunk of the tree will prevent future snail problems.

Photo credits and article by Fiskars:

Making Time for Me

 I haven't blogged as much since I went back to college this fall. As one would expect, it  has consumed  quite a bit of my time.  It has been a fun, yet stressful adventure, and the stress is wreaking havoc on my sleeping pattern, and Me- time.

I needed to unwind, and replenish, and this article from " Family Circle Magazine " was right on time.

                                                                   
 

The Benefits of Time for Yourself
Amid a demanding teaching schedule, mothering two young children, and life's inevitable little surprises, Plymouth, Wisconsin-based college professor Alayne Peterson has a special routine she sticks to at least once a week, after the kids are in bed: "I grab whatever I can find to read, run the tub hot, and soak for at least 45 minutes," she says. She always includes her favorite bath salts—different scents depending on the season. "And If I want to dial up the 'luxe,' I'll have a glass of chardonnay."

Ah, "me-time"—so lovely that just reading about it is relaxing. But there's more to this grownup time-out than just chilling out: Taking a break from your daily demands can keep your immune system ticking and ward off the effects of aging, says M.J. Ryan, a life coach and author of AdaptAbility: How to Survive Change You Didn't Ask For. Not only that, you're doing your family a favor.
 
"If you just exhale, what would happen? You have to inhale as well. When you replenish yourself in whatever way works for you, you have physical stamina and emotional resilience—and that is key to good parenting," Ryan says. "Self-care is never selfish."
Happily, 65 percent of the Motherboard Moms we polled at themotherboard.com say they manage to carve out a little me-time every day—and they do so in many different ways. Here are 10 simple and surprising strategies for squeezing in your own personal getaway from the grind.

follow the  link to learn more about the 10 simple ideas to help you gain some me time from " Family Circle"
http://www.familycircle.com/health/stress-relief/making-time-for-me/?sssdmh=dm17.511552&esrc=nwlmb030211&email=2761308136

15 Ways to Ditch the Drab: Amp Up the Orange

 I love this cheery photo, brought to us by " Family Circle" magazine. This color combo of orange and yellow brings a smile to my face, and reminds me of a bright, warm, summer day. It also reminded me of some of my favorite summer flowers like, Black eyed Susan's, and  Zannia's; I needed a little perking up, and this photo did just that.

If you'd like more helpful, cheerful ideas to ditch those drabby winter blues, click the link http://www.familycircle.com/health/depression/15-ways-to-ditch-the-drab/ and it will link you to "Family Circle" for more.

A Rose for the Novice gardener

There are many flowers and plants I would love to grow, but do not have the knowledge, or experience to do so.  Roses are one of these that I speak of.. But this year I’m going to try my hand at it anyway.     

  I have always thought roses to be beautiful and romantic, but did not care for the thorns, diseases and bugs like the Japanese beetle and aphids to name a few.

I wanted roses that did not entail pain, and a lot of work, and I always envied the gardener who appeared to grow them without breaking a sweat. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m aware that most plants and flowers have a few nemeses, and will need a little maintenance from time to time…..  But I’m happy to learn that Mother Nature has designed a few that will allow us to just sit and enjoy them with little effort.

During an internet search I came across several breeds of roses from the Antique (Old fashioned rose) to the Modern hybrid that may fit the bill.

Through these sources, I have learned that I too, can grow roses regardless of my lack of wisdom and brown thumbs.  I learned that many of the Antique roses are hardy, meaning that they are resistant to the diseases and bugs that plagued most hybrid roses.

Other possible picks are the Shrub and the Modern rose, both possessing the cross genes of sturdy roses, giving them the same inherit resistance to fend off most ills that plagued roses, these attributes however, does not mean that you won’t deal with ANY pest or disease issues, It means that these breeds have the fighting power to bounce back if attacked!

I have also learned that if I wanted roses I had to be forgiving of their thorniness and avoid thorny painful pricks, by investing in a good pair of garden gloves.. 
Go figure!

I read that sheepskin garden gloves are the best, and I have my eye on a pair of gloves called Bionic Rose gloves by Active wear.  http://www.activeforever.com

If you own a pair of Bionic rose gloves, please share your views about them, In-fact drop me a line about any of your favorite garden gloves that you just can't live without.   

Below is a list of roses on my wish list.  I uploaded photos from our gardening friends of Flickr.  I’d like to Thank Flickr and all the nice people there that share and allow me/ us to use their lovely photos. ..  I have certainly found them very helpful when I need examples on the spot.

Please share your stories, experiences and tips about these, and your own favorite rose/roses; I would love to hear from you.

Tea rose ( Isabella Sprunt 1855)

Photo credits: by Garden25 of flickr.com

I chose this  lovely rose  because I read that it’s a good one for the beginner.  It can take on the climates of the South and has good disease resistance.  It was bred in Duplin county, NC, by  the Rev.Dr. James. M. Sprunt who named it after his daughter Isabella .  It’s  a fragrant repeat bloomer and hardy in zones 6-9.

                       

Kiss Me Rose

  

                                                                           

                                                                      

   Photo credit: by last_woodsman of flickr.com

Shrub rose Kiss me: ‘ Rosa kiss me’  This one  belongs to a collection of roses called “ Easy Elegance”   Wow what a cuttie!  It is a multi-stemmed rose that  blooms  all year.  It’s hardy, highly disease resistant and fragrant.  It can handle the likes of the city (urban areas ) and is not picky about soil ph… Just don’t allow it to stand in water… Kiss me hates that!

 Everest Double Bloom

Everest Double Bloom:  (Peter Beales 1979) this beautiful rose with its pink and apricot hues is highly scented and very disease resistant.  I chose it because of its soft peachy color… I have forgotten where I first saw this rose; it may have been from one of my catalogs and unfortunately I don’t happen to know where that catalog is.  A gardener I found on the net expressed that this rose actually has three scents.  Smelling like apples and cloves in the morning and a more common rose scent in the evening.  For more on this rose follow the link …   http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.2682.0

Knockout Rose

Photo credit snow41of flickr.com

Knockout rose: introduced 2000: (“Rosa Knockout)  a modern shrub rose  family that are very disease resistant and low maintenance ; they are very popular with residential gardeners and commercial establishments for this reason... Another plus for these roses are that they need no deadheading.

Sunny Knockout

                                                                             

  Photo credit: mcr1968 of flickr.com

 Sunny Knockout: ( Rosa’ Radsunny’) is new to this family of roses; it is the first fragrant knockout in this line and the first yellow knockout. They bloom from spring until frost.  I came across this rose while browsing at my local garden center; I smelled it way before I saw it… It has a wonderful citrus fragrance….  I love it.                                     

Belinda's Dream

                                                                                

                                                                           

   Photo credit IngaMun of flickr.com

Belinda’s Dream Shrub rose introduced in 1992:  I have heard tones of good, about Belinda’s Dream; it is a modern shrub rose with a bushy habit, I read that it’s a repeat bloomer and can take on heat from the likes of Florida; it’s virtually carefree with very little pest or disease problems,  how’s black spot and powdery mildew resistant work for You!  It will certainly work for me!

 It also has a wonderful sweet fragrance, some gardener’s say that of raspberries.

                                                                                            

                                                               

  Zephirine Drouhin

Photo credits: lspanski of flickr.com

Zephirine Drouhin Antique rose 1868: pronounced (Zeffe-e-Reen Drew-heen)

I first came across this rose at my favorite park, Belle Isle, several years ago.  The park has a flower house called the Ann Script Whitcomb conservatory. I caught the scent of this rose as I passed it along the back of a brick wall where it towered 8 feet or more,  some label it a climber, others a shrub, it is thornless and it too had a wonderful sweet fragrance like that of raspberries.  It was the scent of this rose that sparked my curiosity and desire to seek out scented roses for my future gardens... However I have read conflicting stories concerning this rose... Some express no issues with its care; while others expressed that they have suffered all the ill’s that plague roses.  I assume that climate may play a factor in the care of this rose. 

 If you own one please share your experiences and tips... I would greatly appreciate it.

   A mystery rose I call Ollie after my grandfather

 I transplanted this rose from my grandparent's  garden over 20 years ago, and placed it at my front garden gate. It blooms about twice, once in May and again in June. It is not scented, but I thought had a lovely color. It starts out as it unfolds with a deep velvety reddish purple, (see photo below ) then when completely opened, a velvety hue of red that I can't quite describe.

It is a hardy shrub rose that I suspect my be an Antique rose, for it has the hardy characteristics of the old fashioned roses that stand the test of time. Aphids and diseases have attacked it numerous times over the years, and my lack of knowledge on rose care didn't help matters much, But I am pleased to say, that it is still here today.   Thank you for any assistance in the identification of this rose.

I'd like to give a special little thanks to the FlowerLady of Flower Lady's Musings, for her helpful tips and advice.  Visit her site if you like, and take a look at her lovely roses at http://flowerladysmusings.blogspot.com