While driving around this past fall, I saw some knockout winterberry bushes -- both in people's yards and in the wild. What the top specimens have all had in common...
reBlogged
to shrubs
on Jan 6, 2008, 2:09AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to shrubs on 2008-01-06, 16:35:17
You'll recall that I was facing a dilemma about whether to collect holly from a local hedge for a Christmas bouquet. The issue resolved itself when I went back to the hedge in question to discover that either a) I had hugely overestimated the berry count or b) someone got there before me and cut of all the branches laden with berries. So I bought some lime green chrysanthemums, picked some spotted laurel from the garden along to supplement the lime green and red dogwood stems and teasels I'd already picked. As you can see the result was adequate but...
reBlogged
to holly
on Jan 5, 2008, 4:09PM
Posted by Jane Perrone Reblogged by Old Roses to holly on 2008-01-06, 16:34:57
This post is long overdue! Here finally is the link to a blog-writing workshop I attended last month. It was led by online writing guru and local garden gal, Merry Bruns. At left is the pic I grabbed off her "About us' page, she'll be "thrilled" that I used it. I think she looks damn good though and should post this on every one of her web pages. She used this Washington Gardener blog as a case study -- not necessarily one to use as an exemplary blogging example, mind you, but more as one that is a work-in-progress. . . .
Berlin-based Michael Hilgers is a busy fellow. An architect by training, he is also a skilled joiner who enjoys designing retail products. He had designed and independently produced the stackable polyethylene dialounge pair chair (above) and was touring it around at product fairs, where he discovered a dearth of outdoor design products - especially for small spaces like balconies and terraces. . . .
reBlogged
to design
on Jan 5, 2008, 7:54PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2008-01-06, 16:34:04
I just blogged words with these very same pictures, hit the "post" button and off they sailed into outer space, never to be seen again. ha-HA! I'll just try again! Anybody need free firewood?. . .
reBlogged
to weather trees
Posted by weeder1 Reblogged by Old Roses to trees, weather on 2008-01-06, 16:31:24
My Knight in Soggy Armor and his Fair Damsel came to the rescue! My brother was busy on the end of a saw too. If we all had neighbors like Larry & Jan, and if we'd all BE neighbors like Larry & Jan, what a fine world this would be! Naturally it absolutely poured on us for the, hey, did anybody happen to note just how long we we were out there?..entire time and the rain stopped the moment we were done. All of us absolutely soaked to the marrow. . . .
reBlogged
to weather trees
Posted by weeder1 Reblogged by Old Roses to trees, weather on 2008-01-06, 16:31:01
Its kinda fun stepping on these. They don't make quite the satisfying crunch as a snail, but they do smell nice. Tracking them into the house is not cool. Especially if you have carpeting. I have hardwood floors. Still, purple olive glop is not so very attractive.
This is the sort of thing that makes one not like olive trees so very much. Granted, had they been pruned on a regular basis, this wouldn't be such an issue. Meanwhile, I can't seem to round up a crew to help me get my tree off the neighbors' house. Everyone with a chainsaw is busy either cleaning up their own mess or were already spoken for. And now, its raining again. I'm trying not to cry.
reBlogged
to trees
Posted by weeder1 Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2008-01-06, 16:30:33
Don't you love garden catalog season. My favorite ones (Sand Hill and Johnny's) just arrived. They are in a stack next to my computer for quick access when I need a break from my work. I'm hoping to get my seed orders out soon.
I have a big deadline coming up tomorrow. So I spent time redecorating the blog. That makes no sense in the big scheme of things, as it means I’ll be staying up later, burning the midnight oil (er, I mean florescent lights). But it made me feel better. Now our front page contains more information, but hopefully it’s still not too cluttered. Should I have waited until tomorrow, or next week to redecorate? Yes, probably so! So why am I procrastinating?. . .
reBlogged
to weather
on Jan 5, 2008, 11:40PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2008-01-06, 16:28:28
Trees check in, they don't check out.
Today I volunteered for the city-wide Mulchfest at the Park Circle location. I had a great time, and I'm going back tomorrow.
The 3rd Street entrance to Prospect Park has been the focus of past years, and it...
As you survey your winter landscape design (such as it is) with your already winter-weary eyes, think about how it could be improved for next year. Yes, I know, next...
reBlogged
to design
on Jan 5, 2008, 12:30AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2008-01-06, 16:27:30
Walking into a restaurant the recently, I noticed a large planter full of water. The soil looked very “heavy” and not capable of draining the water away from the roots for the next week or two. . . .
reBlogged
to houseplants
on Jan 5, 2008, 12:26PM
Posted by Plant Pro Reblogged by Old Roses to houseplants on 2008-01-06, 16:27:22
Interested in all things palm tree? Corey has the website for you. Palm Trees shows you everything you needed to know about palm trees, cycads, bromeliads and other tropical plants. There are pictures to view along with plant care information. You can also purchase palm trees and seeds by clicking on the links at the bottom of the site. There are also several links to visit from Corey's links page, and there's even a forum in which to participate. All great stuff. Go visit when you get the chance. Happy Gardening.
reBlogged
to trees
Posted by Nancy Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2008-01-06, 16:26:20
So did I, but you may want to think again. Keep Pinellas Beautiful has a quiz to test your litter knowledge. I was very surprised to only score 10% - what an eye-opener. How well can you do? Happy Florida Gardening.
reBlogged
to environment
Posted by Nancy Reblogged by Old Roses to environment on 2008-01-06, 16:25:33
I don't like Night-blooming Jasmine at all. I think it stinks, but I know many people who consider it among their favorite plants.
I ordered a bunch of landscape and native plant books from the local libraries because we are going to do a fairly large hedge in the next month. Our friend and landscaper, Doug suggested we plant Variegated Schefflera. Sometimes schefflera can look ratty...sometimes it looks full and lush. If we pull off the second look, I'd be very happy.
reBlogged
to hedges
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to hedges on 2008-01-06, 16:25:07
It snowed earlier in the week and when I looked outside I couldn’t resist stepping out into the garden with my camera in tow. I got a lot of lovely photos of snow covered plants that I’ll be posting over the next while. . . .
reBlogged
to berries weather
on Jan 5, 2008, 1:33AM
Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to berries, weather on 2008-01-06, 16:24:40
The weather has been rather horrible here for the last few days (weeks?). I don't mind the cold, but cold, horizontal rain is just too much. However, this afternoon, I was having a wee doze in front of the fire...
reBlogged
to seeds
on Jan 5, 2008, 11:22AM
Posted by Rosemary Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2008-01-06, 16:22:33
One Saturday last summer I got a visit from a person I really do admire a lot. It was the famous Swedish authoress Lena Israelsson. She contacted me one day about a visit to my garden, Tyra's Garden, overwhelmed with joy I said yes of course. She came on a sunny morning and we had a great time. Photos were taken of my garden, she made an interview and she was very kind to sign and write something in my books. She told me about here latest project the book called 'Monastery Gardens' (direct translated) so extremely exiting, what a day! Thank you!
Usually when I buy gardening magazines I stick to the Canadian variety -- of which there are two main ones: Gardening Life and Canadian Gardening. That's not from a patriotic standpoint, or even a financial one (although the publishing industry in this country is set up quite deliberately to favour local offerings).
No, it's not about that.
It's because all areas of Canada (except perhaps certain spots along the West Coast) are within northern climate zones. Because my zone 5b garden is in one of the warmer areas of the country, most of the suggestions shown in Canadian gardening magazines will work for me. (Of course, it would be a different story if I were trying to read about gardens that work in a true northern climate as Gardenista is. I have sensed disapproval on her blog towards gardening magazines because hardly any of them, Canadian magazines included, are useful if your climate is colder than zone 4.)
Cold hardiness is very important to Canadian gardeners, so describing the patch of land that I tend and nurture as a "zone 5b garden" is, to me, second nature. However, I have been asked by people in the UK to explain what a zone 5b garden is. Most areas of the UK are so favourable to growing flowers that you could probably become a fairly serious gardener without ever having to worry about such things. As shown on this map, even the coldest part of the UK, a small dot in Scotland, is two climate zones warmer than mine.
Camperdown Elm in Winter 2004
'Hoopsii' Spruce
Anyway, where this all began was... for the first time I have actually bought a gardening magazine, Taunton's Fine Gardening, that originates in the U.S. rather than Canada. At approximately 10 cents a page (including the advertisements), the magazine was only slightly cheaper -- though definitely more cat-friendly -- than the orchid I briefly considered buying. I am grateful to notice, however, on page 78, in an article talking about woody plants suitable to the Rocky Mountain zone in Denver, Colorado, that all four recommendations have been in my garden. Three still are: Camperdown Elm, 'Hoopsii' Spruce, and Paperbark Maple. Unfortunately, my Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (which I call Corkscrew Hazel) were taken by disease.
Former Corkscrew Hazel in Winter
So, in answer to my original question, "What's a northern gardener to do", well, dream and plan. Look at catalogs, books, and magazines.
Paperbark Maple -- A Recent Addition
Wait desperately for spring?
I leave you with the list of daylilies that I came up with for my garden from the Floral and Hardy catalog:
Chicago Jewel Dragon's Eye Japanese Brocade Ivory Edges Kallista Metaphor Real Purple Star Royal Eventide Siloam Dan Tau Siloam Tommy Tucker
I also want 'Little Red Spring Song', even though it's an orangey-red colour. It's a very early one, and small, so I would love to have it in my garden. Oh, and check out 'Real Purple Star' -- it even gets the Martha seal of approval.
reBlogged
Posted by Karen Reblogged by Old Roses to on 2008-01-06, 16:03:12
via Gardener in Chacala Mexico on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
