grand rapids garden
-
April 15, Bloom Day
After our unseasonably warm early spring, we returned to some frosty days (and nights). Some early risers got nipped. The Dutchman’s Pipe lost some new foliage, but it will bounce back with a vengeance. I’m not sure about the old cherry tree. It’s too soon to tell whether the frost killed a lot of “cherry Continue reading
-
Ahead of the Frost
They say it will frost tonight. So, I decided to catch the magnolia and cherry blossoms before they frizzled from the cold. These will suffer the most from the frost, I fear. It was in the high 60’s today, which is actually cooler than it was earlier this week. I left for a conference in Continue reading
-
Bloom Day, Oct. 15
High winds today which means a lot of leaves will fall. The garden is winding down for the season. Continue reading
-
Bloom Day, Sept. 15, 2011
The male yellow finches have begun to shed their brilliant yellow plumage in favor of their winter wear. Temperatures this morning hovered around 40 F. A few timid leaves have started to give up their green and the bald cypress in the front yard is trying to decide when it should turn bronze. Fall is Continue reading
-
Soldier Beetles and Hummingbirds
I’m always a little alarmed when I see a lot of the same bug on a plant. Sawfly larvae, japanese beetles. It’s like a marauding gang has landed. So, when I saw dozens of mustard colored beetles on the Tardiva hydrangea, I had a sinking feeling that I once again had uninvited guests. Thanks to Continue reading
-
Bloom Day, August 15, 2011
This Bloom Day finds one day lily still blooming. Good old reliable First Knight continues to deliver. But though the day lilies have gone, the Tardiva and Limelight hydrangeas are following nicely. And, the old Rose of Sharon is still blooming. The butterflies and hummingbirds love it. The hummingbirds are beginning to migrate, so the Continue reading
-
Of Butterflies and Coneflowers
This pretty swallowtail butterfly couldn’t get enough of the Fragrant Angel Coneflowers yesterday. I was actually hoping I could get pictures of the Cedar Waxwings that have been eating berries in the park. And while I could hear them, I couldn’t see them. But Ms. Swallowtail was very compliant. Swallowtails are common butterflies in Michigan, Continue reading
-
Lilies in Heat
They say the heat dome that gave us temps in the 90’s has moved on, but it’s still hot and humid here in west Michigan. But the day lilies know it is their time to shine, and shine they do! It’s also time for the crocosmia and this is its best year. I love that Continue reading
-
Bloom Day, July 15, 2011
It’s been a day! A friend and I launched Cookies and Hostas today at Grand Rapid’s Fulton Street Market. We had hostas and other perennials from our gardens and I baked buckets of cookies to sell. This idea began back in a blustery March when snow still hid our gardens and my friend pointed out Continue reading
-
Hawks and Daylilies
I’ve been telling myself that I really needed to get a telephoto lens for my Nikon and today was the day. I work in the summer so I can afford to get things like this. So, I brought the lens home, attached it to my camera and went out into the Secret Garden to greet 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 