July always reminds me of bee balm. I love this plant here in Wisconsin and so do the hummingbirds. This is the Jacob Cline variety and spreads well and is easy to split and transplant.
reBlogged
to monarda
Posted by Lisa Reblogged by Old Roses to monarda on 2008-07-07, 07:07:23
I missed Green Thumb Sunday while I was on vacation. But, I took some pictures at the cabin we stayed at to post when we returned. My lilac barely had any blooms this year and I was so disappointed. When we drove in the driveway of the cabin the first thing I saw was a huge lilac bush, and the owner had left a bouquet on the kitchen table. The smell was heavenly. . ..
reBlogged
to flowers
Posted by Brenda Jean Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2008-07-07, 07:05:55
Yesterday we got up before dawn to drive down to Everglades National Park to meet a friend of Chris' to go see some Vanilla barbellata, leafless vanilla,
in bloom. Now, it was a beautiful morning when we started out, even if I didn't get breakfast (grumble...), but the hike out wasn't too bad to start, at least
until we had to go off the trail. . .
reBlogged
to orchids
on Jul 6, 2008, 11:25PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to orchids on 2008-07-07, 07:03:25
One of my investments earlier this year was some Calla lilies (Zantedeschia). I've had one for four or five years now, but although each year it gives me a beautiful display of lush spotted leaves, I've never yet had a flower. It's one of the large varieties and the flower should be white if it ever arrives, but I also like the smaller, coloured ones. So this year I splashed out on a deep, deep red variety and a bright yellow one. And here they are. This is the deep red one .... Don't those colours grab you?
reBlogged
to lilies
Posted by Sue Swift Reblogged by Old Roses to lilies on 2008-07-07, 07:02:56
While I'm adding this to The Weirdness Chronicles, this actually seems to happen fairly often in the garden: all but one blossom on the same plant change colour. See how the ninebark has turned red:
This is the first time I remember seeing Double Soapwort. The regular single Soapwort has been a nice plant to grow in rock gardens for me. It seems to like its soil very well drained and doesn’t take too much water. It will often grow under tough conditions and can accept a little shade. You can make soap from this plant and there have been some medicinal uses over the years. . . .
Before: Weeding Cortelyou
This morning I joined about a dozen neighbors to weed, clean up, and mulch the tree pits on Cortelyou Road between Argyle and Rugby Roads. Many hands made light work of more than a dozen tree pits on the north and south...
Have you heard of the Fourth of July butterfly counts? I have my own undisciplined, unscientific version which consists of hanging around the Butterfly Airport (Verbena bonariensis) and watching.
OK that first picture was a moth, not a butterfly, but looks to me just like a plane taking off. I haven't been able to get a good photo of the larger scene with all the butterflies fluttering around the flowers - this is the best one. . ..
reBlogged
to beneficials
Posted by Entangled Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials on 2008-07-07, 07:00:33
I believe that the first three pics below are of windows on the building that houses the Museum of Islamic Art. We didn't go in, as it was almost closing time.
I sometimes wonder how many people in the world have a memory of mint that goes something like this…
In my parent’s yard, there was a wild spot. It seemed that no amount of weed wacking, weed pulling or weed killer would eliminate it. My mother often cursed at it, vowing to burn it out. . .
reBlogged
to mint
on Jul 6, 2008, 2:12PM
Posted by Hanna Reblogged by Old Roses to mint on 2008-07-07, 06:59:43
Admittedly I'm not as clued up with the whole GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) debate as I should be. In fact, I'd struggle to even explain the technology without having to spend an inordinate amount of time researching it - time that could be much better spent in the garden, I presume. . ..
A few years ago, I visited my friend, Judy Ann’s, garden. It was early evening in late June, and the air was filled with the sound of tree frogs singing a chorus. At the back of the border standing tall in the fading sunlight, I saw my first Reckamp daylily. The color was [...]
reBlogged
to lilies
on Jul 6, 2008, 3:17PM
Posted by Dee Reblogged by Old Roses to lilies on 2008-07-07, 06:58:53
Hey, I was just listening to Farmer Fred on the radio and he mentioned that KVIE's California Heartland show is back! The KVIE intro video mentions new faces and the inclusion of backyard gardening. Looks like Farmer Fred is the new gardening host. He keeps warning everyone that he has a face for radio, but I think he looks great. . . .
Deep down I know that some of my practices in the garden may not actually impact the health of my plants, but are simply garden myths passed down through the ages. I grow marigolds because they are supposed to keep pests away and basil near tomatoes because they are supposed to be good companions. Most gardeners do these things too. We're a superstitious bunch I think. . . .
There's not much happening in the way of harvest in the garden right now. Some lettuce leaves, radishes and a small offering of baby zucchini and peas. But soon it will be raining zucchini.
reBlogged
to harvest
Posted by Leslie Reblogged by Old Roses to harvest on 2008-07-07, 06:56:54
It's so easy to get those flowering trees mixed up. Same with all those yellow ones. Here's my attempt to document a few of the commonly confused flowering trees that are popular in my town in South Florida. Delonix regia(courtesy Danielle) Aka: Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant Tree Native: Madagascar Foliage: compound leaves
reBlogged
to trees
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2008-07-07, 06:54:28
The hibicsus plants are finally recovering from aphid and mealybug infestations. This double hibiscus bloom was affected by the mealybugs. The bloom is supposed to look like this. . ..
reBlogged
to hibiscus pests
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to hibiscus, pests on 2008-07-07, 06:54:08
So what does a Nopal cactus stem do before it dies? Well of course...it grows an arm. I don't know if this stem (cladode in cactus speak) is really going to die, but it isn't looking good. This is the cactus that I was unsure about and I've still got my eye on him. He's beginning to resemble Nick Nolte...the mug shot look.
reBlogged
to cacti whimsy
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to cacti, whimsy on 2008-07-07, 06:53:43
How to do things has a gardening and landscaping section with great info on how to grow blueberries, prune tomatoes or creating hanging baskets to name a few. Is that tomatoes or tomatos?
Gardensupermart is now carrying rain barrels and not the usual run-of-the-mill kind normally seen. These are very much like works of art made in Canada. Check these out as well as the other products offered on this site.
reBlogged
to tools
Posted by Nancy Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2008-07-07, 06:53:19
Ten years ago, in anticipation of having a garden a few years later, I bought John Brookes's Garden Design Book. I am glad I kept this on on my bookshelf, as a few weeks ago when I once again opened the book and browsed the chapters it was such a revelation-here was no coffee table book with mere pretty pictures, but an actual course in garden design. I realised that in using this book one actually could learn how to design a garden, as opposed to merely copying arrangements and vignettes. It doesn't matter what your climate or topography or type of plants-this book is a TOOL. . . .
reBlogged
to books
Posted by Nicole Reblogged by Old Roses to books on 2008-07-07, 06:53:08
What a beautiful day! Spent some time this afternoon working in the yard and then read and enjoyed the birds while the birds discovered the new birdseed and sunflowers. I'm reading a fiction book about forgiveness and valuing the people in our lives. . . .
A while back the nice people at TroyBilt offered me the opportunity to review one of their products. They have an extensive line of power equipment for the outdoors, everything from mowers to tractors to snow throwers. Given the size of my property and the fact that snow is just an urban legend around here, I didn't think I'd find anything that I could really use and
reBlogged
to tools
Posted by Claire Splan Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2008-07-07, 06:51:45
Sometimes it takes a rainy day to make one aware of some of the other ways a garden is viewed. A wet Saturday spent intermittantly gardening and finding refuge in the house from the occasional shower is what led to the view you see above of the Hydrangeas distorted through a sheet of old window glass. The hydrangeas, after sulking last year are spectacular this year and intensely blue. . . .
About this time of year the first flush of lawn care has subsided, the spring rains are a memory and most lawns start to become dotted with bare spots. There...
reBlogged
to lawn
on Jul 6, 2008, 9:01PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2008-07-07, 06:50:19
For those who enjoy satire, you might like to read this spoof article on gardening. Sometimes I wish I had a gardener instead of a garden.
But my main topic today is not satire, far from it. I am talking about composting, and a product that was sent to me by a representative of "Bag To Earth". These cellulose-lined brown paper bags can be used to collect wet kitchen scraps and then you can just throw them "as is" into the backyard composter. The thin cellulose lining ensures damp items don't soak through the paper, but yet is completely natural and will decompose quickly.
From the Kitchen Counter...
reBlogged
to compost
Posted by Karen Reblogged by Old Roses to compost on 2008-07-07, 06:49:25
via MucknMire on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
