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!

Okay, so I'm a sucker for the Girlie-girl flowers.

It's been a busy month and I've been remiss on corresponding with
all of you. Even now, I've got to make it a quick post.
I thought I'd feature a few of the pink beauties
adorning my garden at present.

Alstromeria psittacina

Hemerocallis 'Final Touch' If you're as nuts over pink daylilies as I am
VW has a fabulous two-part
series on the pinky-pinks and the peachy-pinks
adorning her garden.

Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum' with a grown up Achillea seedling.

Spiraea japonica 'Neon Flash'
I've found that this plant thanks me with continuous bloom
if I am consistent with deadheading and keeping the soil moist.

A darling, dwarf Bachelor Button that insisted I bring it home.

Ditto for this Dahlia, but it was a shriveled tuber so it was more
of a whispered groan.

Cosmos 'Double Click'
It's been several years since I've grown Cosmos but
the 'Double Click' seed packet was, like, stuck to my fingers.
I'm very pleased with the result.

Clematis 'Niobe'
The last hurrah on a tired vine.
The coloring is unusual for Niobe so I hailed the cam.

Another Alstromeria.

Any idea what this flower is?
Give up?
Clue:
It is one of a foot-long vertical stretch of blossoms.
Oh come on, you know this.
Gladiolus
You knew all along, didn't you?