Category Archives: Country Gardening

Advice, commentary and exploration

The Tuesday View August 22

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Eliza Waters

The sunflowers along the back have begun to bloom, Helianthus annuus  ‘Lemon Queen’ and ‘Italian White’ are to the left with a packet of mixed that look like they are all a variety used for the cut flower trade, not what … Continue reading →

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In A Vase On Monday – Summer Sweet

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Eliza Waters

Summer Sweet (Clethra alnifolia) lives up to its name by filling the air with its sweet perfume. A small shrub native to eastern US, it will flower in sun or light shade, growing 3-6′ tall and 4-8′ wide. Mine hovers around … Continue reading →

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In A Vase On Monday – ‘Voodoo’

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Eliza Waters

The first Dahlia ‘Voodoo’ flowers opened yesterday, so get star billing in this week’s IAVOM. I love their rich, red-velvet blooms with a green eye. Unfortunately, the Japanese beetles like them, too, alas!   Small ‘Lemon Queen’ Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) have opened … Continue reading →

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The Tuesday View August 8

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Eliza Waters

A somewhat grainy view of the garden from the upstairs window shows more of the back of the garden, usually hidden from my usual viewpoint from the deck. Along the back left, vigorous Morning Glory (Ipomoea ‘Heavenly Blue’) vines, which I … Continue reading →

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In A Vase On Monday – Floral Fireworks

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Eliza Waters

With spikes of gold Ligularia ‘The Rocket,’ burgundy-red fountains of Beebalm (Monarda didyma) and sprays of Goldenrod (Solidago sp.), fireworks came to mind after I arranged this week’s vase. Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) are white sparklers and the lavender Hosta flowers are cascading Roman … Continue reading →

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Silent Sunday

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Eliza Waters
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WPC: Textures

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Eliza Waters

In June, looking down off the deck, I’m treated with this pleasant, textured view of the garden below. It changes over time, but this stage is my favorite of the growing season. via Photo Challenge: Textures

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The Tuesday View August 1

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Eliza Waters

The garden is in its prime season and we’re getting much pleasure looking down upon it from the deck where we take all our meals when the weather permits. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) are flowering abundantly, attracting many different bees and … Continue reading →

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In A Vase On Monday – Pink and Purple

Posted on July 30, 2017 by Eliza Waters

Topped by a starry mandala, gray-green poppy seed pods (Papaver somniferum) vie for attention amid purple larkspur (Consolida ajacis) and lavender Hosta flowers. Pink racemes of Astilbe taquettii and the first pink phlox (P. paniculata) of the season, along with a couple wild mallow (Malva … Continue reading →

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We Have Babies!

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Eliza Waters

Last week when I spotted a female Monarch (Danaus plexippus) on my coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), my hopes soared that this year we might host a new generation of this imperiled species in our backyard. Today, I spotted a male and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Country Gardening, Field Notes, My Photos | Tagged , , , , , | 95 Comments