Cottage Gardening
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Hard frost
Our cold weather has lingered and a frost even nipped a few things. The dutchman’s pipe got a little bitten by frost, and so did the variegated caryopteris. They will bounce back, though. I found a bud on the Julia Child rose. Last year only the hansa roses did well. I think my soil needed… Continue reading
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The first roses
I can’t believe how big the hansa roses are. And they are starting to bloom. It’s barely May and I have roses! The bridal veil spirea is also blooming. It’s going to need some pruning in a couple of weeks. There’s a nice Francis Williams hosta that is buried under the veil and needs to… Continue reading
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Bleeding Heart
Three or four years ago I planted two bleeding hearts in a little corner. Behind it is an old rambler rose that a neighbor gave me the first summer I moved in. It is doing well, but the bleeding heart is thriving. I planted another one behind the garage in a little corner, but it… Continue reading
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An Early Spring
My glorious magnolia is in full bloom, two weeks ahead of schedule. I’ve been worried that it would get nipped by frosty nights, but so far, it has stayed clothed in fragrant pink blossoms. The old girl can still put on a show. And so can the old cherry tree in the backyard. In fact,… Continue reading
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August Abundance
I postponed decisions about what to do at the corner of the garage after I had an old lilac removed. I put in some annuals and two caryopteris. If the other caryopteris in my garden are any indication, the two new ones will be huge next year. The alyssum certainly took off! The dark blue… Continue reading
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In Just a Year
It is when I look at pictures taken a year ago that I truly realize how much the secret garden has grown. This picture was taken exactly a year ago. Last year I filled in many of the empty spaces with purple petunias. Many of purple varieties have that lovely vanilla scent and are especially… Continue reading
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Under Construction!
I didn’t know that I would actually be putting a “people door” in my garage this summer, but I am. The guy who did my kitchen had some free time, so he’s putting in a door and replacing the rotted windows. The people door means I can finally put in an electric garage door opener. … Continue reading
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A Fascination with Rocks
First, the garden is in full bloom. I love July, and especially this July when the weather has been so great. It’s the big bloomining month. The daylilies are out, and so are the hydrangea. I took this picture this morning. The yellow daylilies to the far right are called First Knight. I bought two… Continue reading
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More Pink Day Lilies
Good old K Gardens! They set up at the Fulton Street Market and today they had dozens of pink day lilies. I bought six different varieties and already have them stationed in the lily bed. I’ll plant them this afternoon. But July is day lily bloom time, and I love it. Below is strawberry candy,… Continue reading
About Me
I haven’t always been a gardener, but I have always loved gardens. It has taken 16 years to get my gardens into the shape they are today. And, I’ve had help. I’m 74 years old, have rheumatoid arthritis, and had a late stage cancer six years ago. I am, though, intrepid. I’m the kind of person who plods along, tailoring my goals as I go. Last November I had a long overdue knee replacement surgery and I’m hoping this spring, summer, and fall will be able to maintain and find even more joy working in all of my garden beds. Full disclosure, though. I have a garden guy who comes once a week to work in my gardens.
Garden 337 