Your Predictions, Please

I hope you all have a "Knock Out" new year! Okay, so my continued attempt at humor has hit a snag. Or should I say, a "thorn." Okay, okay,  in all seriousness, [for a second] can you guess the identity of the plant below? [Just testing.]

I spent a little time today visiting garden websites. Oregon's own Dulcy Mahar is a favorite.   Although she and I have never met, I consider her a kindred spirit, a fellow plant-a-holic, garden guru extraordinaire, sporting a familiar, dare I say, quirky sense of humor. [For awhile she coddled a bevy of garden gnomes and even had the nerve to admit it.] Anyway, Dulcy recently devoted a column to predicting garden trends for 2010. She expects Agave to be the new Phormium. How did you know, Loree? Gardeners will continue to eschew the "rules." You know, the "planting in threes, tall plants in back..." stuff? Gates, arbors and large containers will be all the rage, Dulcy says. Do you agree?

I'm so not a trendy gal. Until the movie came out, I thought "Prada" was a type of burrito. However, I believe there is an upside to being in the know about what's hot and what's not. For one thing, savvy retailers are ready to bow to our whims, making it easier for us to meet our goals. ... Okay so maybe there is only one thing. And after musing it over a bit, I can see there is a downside for those wont to petty jealousy. The, "Damn, she got it before me," sort of thing. I never do that. However just ask my friend Carol and she'll reveal more than you want to know about my penchant for lusting over other peoples' things: "Do you think they'd miss it?" I ask her in a voice bordering on rude while drooling over, say, a concrete fountain or a wrought iron bench in someone's front yard.]

Crooked trellis--more proof that I'm not perfect. No more doubts, guys, okay?

So, please dear friends, humor me with your predictions for 2010 trends.

More photos from last summer's gardens.

My Acanthus looked really hot before the cold turned it to mush. What a bummer.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Actually, May through say, the middle of July is the most wonderful time of the year thanks to the green blood that swirls through my garden-obsessed veins, but whatever. I found this poinsettia blooming in the foyer of an office building. Thanks to my large purse carrying [among a plethora of must-haves] an-always-at-the-ready tiny camera, I grabbed a quick shot. Ain't she a beut?

Just for fun I thought I'd take up Janie's offer to answer these random 38 questions. Yes, I know, highest on your agenda is to learn more about me, right? Janie says that if you'd like to take up the challenge, copy the questions and go for it.

1. Do you like bleu cheese? Not particularly. The nose knows.

2. Have you ever been bitten by a dog? No but my cat bit me on the nose a few days ago. Love hurts.

3. Do you own a Gun? They wouldn't let me.

4. Favorite Kool Aid: What? "Favorite" and "Kool Aid" in the same sentence?

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor appointment? There are pills for this.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I don't.

7. Do you give money or other things to panhandlers? No. I yell out my car window, "Soup kitchen's around the corner," and they look at me like, "Wha da fuh?"

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, hello?

9. Can you do push ups? Yep. Push the said coffee right up to my mouth.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My daughter's nose ring--in HER nose.

11. What is your favorite hobby? Self-deprecation.

12. Do you have A. D. D.? What do you think?

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? I'm pushing 50, I'm entitled.

14. Middle name: Grace. It's my first name, now that's the mystery.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: Conan is almost over. I've got to get some shut-eye.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Like, drink drinks? The mood-altering kind?

17. Current worry: That I can't figure out what I'm worried about.

18. Current hate right now: Politics. And not just right now.

19. Favorite place to be? A toss up: My own garden or a really cool plant sale.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Watch to see if all the computers crash.

21. Where would you like to go? To the bank vault, wearing Harry's invisibility cloak.

22. Name people who will complete this: [?]

23. Do you own slippers? You're asking this Popsicle toes?

24. What color shirt are you wearing? PINK, of course. Duh.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Getting too personal.

26. Can you whistle? Yes and it really annoys my kids.

27. Where are you now? Let me check my GPS.

28. Would you be a pirate? Um, maybe...Jack Sparrow is mighty fine.

29. What do you sing in the shower? I'm never getting out.

30. What is your favorite girl's name? Frieda B. Me

31. Favorite boy's name? If I don't say "Steve" my hubby might start to wonder.

32. What's in your pocket right now? Probably lint.

33. Thing that made you laugh today? The check-out line at Kohls.

34. What vehicle do you drive? Hyundai Accent with a kick-ass stereo.

35. Worst injury you've ever had? I won't go into detail. Let's just say that it involves an 8 year old, a sewing needle and a toe...and screams heard in the next county.

36. Do you love where you Live? Unequivocally YES

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Five, this way we don't have to fight or talk to each other.

38. Do you have any tattoos? With my history of needles?

"Hot/Cold Shower" Pics [Garden Plan is Up]

I'm sitting on the sofa. My laptop is comfortably at finger-reach and the aroma of freshly baked cookies enhances my breathing experience. The Muppets' Christmas is on deck [TV] for what began as default entertainment. It's an updated version. The brief scene where Kermit pecks at his laptop, dead giveaway. I've forgotten how witty Muppet banter can be and I've actually let out a chortle or two as my divided attention relegates this blog post into the "it's taking way too long" category. ... On to the business at hand. With the Solstice in sight, I thought I'd borrow Tatyana's idea for a stimulating Hot/Cold Shower. Tatyana's blog


The above photo was taken by one of my daughters last December [2008] because I was way too big of a wuss to venture out. ... Oh yes, before I forget. Several of you have asked me to reveal the size of my garden. [How rude.] Well, I have nothing to hide. I'm a liberated woman. Oh yeah, the garden: It's approximately 40 feet wide, east to west and 135 feet long, north to south. I've drawn a simple map with "Garden Planner" software but I can't figure out how to convert it to jpg. so it will be compatible with Picasa where I can crop, water mark and post it. If any of you fine folks has done this, pointers are graciously accepted.
Late May 2009. This photo looks out upon my [rather scruffy] "north lawn."

Another winter 2008 photo.


Same scruffy north lawn.

Too small, I know. But you get the idea.


May 2009 again. The outer pond is barely visible on the far right.

And finally, this is the southern end of my 135 feet. Raspberries are on the far right.

Scroll to the bottom to view my first attempt at mapping my monstrosity.

True Confessions

I've never been so happy to see 40 degrees. My thermometer is my friend, my beacon of hope, reliable as ever, perched on the lattice fence that partitions my courtyard from the world. As I glance up at it, again, [to make sure I'm not hallucinating], I make a mental note that [if this is real] I need to clip back the overly exuberant ivy, a task that one week ago would have been impossible. I would have been cold. To think about it now pains me. Yet a sense of pride prevails for surviving the horror and endless torture that comes with plummeting temperatures. Socks and slippers replaced my icy feet. A real live coat replaced my sweater. Gloves swathed my bare hands as I shivered my way to the mailbox or to get my poor freezing car warmed up. It was terrible with a capital T. So now, thanks to the warm up, it is once again humanly possible to trek out to the compost to offload the heaping bin that dwells under the deep, dark, kitchen sink. Amble as I go, I can check on things. With enthusiasm officially curbed, breath properly bated, wood suitably knocked on, I can report that for the moment it looks as though the cold sensitive plants I've nearly cried over [but my tears would have froze] are going to be fine. And I'm fine too. For now. Alaska, keep your arctic menace to yourself, I say. But contrary to popular belief, my voice doesn't carry that far and the winter is young. So my fingers are agreeably crossed.

Dianthus 'Crimson Treasure' I think. I've got a whopping 17 Dianthus species and cultivars on my plant list. They die, they get moved, they get divided and then it's like, crap which one is this? And this is my predicament with this beaut.

June 2009, a view of my north side arbor. The tall leafy thing is Heptacodium miconioides aka "Seven Son Flower." Its white, fragrant flower clusters begin blooming in August. The variegated plant by Sharon-the-Heron is Cornus alba 'Argenteovariegata' syn. 'Argenteo-marginata.' [My brain hurts.]

Achillea millefolium 'Heidi' really outdid herself last summer. She's partnered with Prunus x cistena or "Purple Leaf Sand Cherry."


The south portion of my garden in June.

Above and below are photos of what I've unofficially dubbed my "Patio Pond." The other pond is what the aforementioned Sharon-the-Heron is looking at in the above photos.

June 2009. Years ago I bought two 4-inch pots of Nepeta x fraassenii 'Walker's Low' aka "catmint." Although I was fooled into believing the "Low" meant "not very tall" this has not been the case. You too? My two plants are now...let's see, ten plants, I think.

Despite my "cramscaping" it doesn't look half bad.


Man I miss summer....

[Off topic] This is totally cool !

I felt compelled to share it with those of you kind visitors to my blog. Maybe you've already seen it. Apparently it is computer synchronized and the music is broadcast over the radio. To quote one commenter on YouTube, "it's epic!"

Living in the Past

Hi Everybody~~ First a plug, if I may. Actually I suppose my whole blog is a personal plug, but whatever... Anyway, I am pleased and honored to announce my membership in Teza's innovative Renegade Gardeners' Forum. If you're perplexed as to just exactly what I'm rambling about, it's basically a bunch of us diehard gardeners who eat, drink, shop, sleep, and breathe our craft. The forum will be shop-talk in the form of opinions and personal anecdotes on all things gardening. Fun, don't you think? For more information, click on my [personally designed, thank you very much] sidebar icon. I hope you'll be entertained and feel free to offer your two bits.

Lupine 'Gallery Red' and Monarda didyma 'Grand Parade.'

I hope you'll pardon my unconventional proclivities. [By now you're aware that I possess a lot of those.] Yes, it's December, a time to celebrate winter's spartan beauty, that is, if you like winter's spartan beauty. Okay, I do, I admit. But I like summer's billowy beauty more.

Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum' and Achillea millefolium 'Royal Tapestry.'


Muhlenbergia capillaries "Pink Muhly Grass"

One of my favorite photos from last summer. Phormium tenax 'Evening Glow' among the throng


The variegated foliage of Phlox paniculata 'Norah Leigh' beside Coreopsis rosea 'Heaven's Gate'

with a miss-labeled, [thus mystery] Clematis.

One of the pathway junctions, summer 2008. Notice the now-removed playhouse
on the far left.
Teucrium hycranicum 'Purple Trails' among the admittedly way too crowded groupings.

On the left, Hosta 'Great Expectations' beside Nasturtium and Coleus foliage.

Hanging above is 'Tom West' Fuchsia.

I'm thinking about unearthing photos of last winter's record snowfall, taken by my daughters--the genuine talent in the family. Thank you all for the sweetest, funniest and most entertaining replies. You guys rock!

If you like it then you should have put a ring on it.

Well, not a ring exactly but some kind of protection. I'm talking about safeguarding my semi-tenders for those of you who might be confused by my slightly ambiguous prose. Seriously folks, last year my poor defenseless 'Sundowner' Phormium was nearly beaten to death by my ignorance. To take an adage from my kids: "It wasn't my fault." You see for several years, I would stubbornly and incessantly query local owners of the genus Phormium as to their cold hardiness in our Zone 8 climate. "Sure no problem. They sail through our winters," was the universal declaration. So, trusting soul that I am I believed them and found a prominent place for my dear 'Sundowner.' Then as luck would have it, Murphy barged into the season and brought down the mercury. We had the winter from hell.

I liked my Phormium. I should have put a ring on it, or better yet, an insulating bucket or something. [Okay so my attempt at humor is slightly overstretched and I've completely desecrated Beyonce's song.]

Phormium 'Sundowner' [Sep 09] This is the Phormium in question. It survived. I won't post the pathetic photo from last January.



Random photos:

Acer palmatum var. disectum. This beauty was inherited. I love, love, love its fall foliage.

Do you think my lichen-laden fence needs an extreme makeover? Yes, but it looks awfully cool like this.


This is some kind of Begonia with dangling flowers that resemble Fuchsia. I wintered it indoors last year and once I set it out, it grew like gangbusters. The foliage and stems are as pretty as the flowers.


I just loooove how my confiscated [kidnapped] hollyhock baby grew into such a dazzling beauty.

Above and below are shots of the garden in July. Above is a shot of the main axis pathway looking south. My house is to the right. The pink bloomer on the right [leans towards lavender in this shot] is Silene dioica 'Clifford Moor.' A plant I highly recommend.

The pink rose below is 'William Baffin.' The blooms aren't fragrant but the plant excels in every other way so all is forgiven. I think this photo may have been taken in mid-June rather than July.