grand rapids garden
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Birds and Blooms
The old cherry tree is in full bloom, and, as it turns out, is host to a pair of chickadees. For weeks the two birds diligently drilled out the base of a limb that had been cut several years ago. I could hear them working away as I passed below the main branch. Since I… Continue reading
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The Old Magnolia
Though it still is not very warm, the longer hours of sunlight and the above freezing temps have coaxed the magnolia into bloom. We called these Tulip Trees when I was a kid. In fact, my mother used to make that scoffing sound that she excelled at when someone called trees like this magnolia. “You… Continue reading
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Spring, Finally
It’s here. And, it’s official because the bees have found the heather. I actually couldn’t tell whether the bees were tiny carpenter bees or some sort of wasp. I did see two honey bees with their legs thick with balls of pollen. There are chickadees making a nest in the cherry tree. They are burrowing… Continue reading
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Bloom Day, April 15, 2011
This is my first Bloom Day of the season! It is cold here in West Michigan. And windy. And while the bloom “pickin’s” are pretty slim, there are pickin’s! I am amazed at the heather. It bloomed in December, and it is blooming now. I suspect that under all the snow we got this winter,… Continue reading
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Isn’t it amazing how quickly life emerges when the snow recedes?! I knew, of course, that the hellebore was green underneath all that snow. I planted this specimen (Painted Strain) late last summer and am anticipating lovely white and deep purple blooms. But the hellebore isn’t the only thing that stayed green during the long… Continue reading
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Thinking Ahead And Thinking Back
I stumbled on this picture when I was searching through images on an old computer. It’s a wonder the thing will still boot up! I think I took it during the second summer I lived here at 337. I’d just planned out most of what I call The Lower Garden, the section of the back… Continue reading
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Fresh Snow
It snowed last night and I was greeted this morning by the reassuring rumble of a snow plow clearing out my drive way. We didn’t get enough to snow anyone in, at least here in Grand Rapids. The lake shore may have gotten more. But everything is dressed in caps of snow. I emptied another… Continue reading
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Heather in Winter
Temps yesterday were in the 50’s and, thus, lured me into the Secret Garden. I have to admit there isn’t much there that could be described as a winter garden. Or perhaps I simply do not see the much beauty in wind-bent brown stalks that only a few months ago balanced flower heads. But then… Continue reading
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First Snow Flakes
I didn’t think we were quite ready to see snow flakes, but as I was sipping coffee and reading the NY Times on-line, fluffy white flakes floated past my window. I still have roses blooming! I’ve known roses to bloom until Christmas if the weather has been mild. But it is early November and while… 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 