New Seasons....

So, I realize its been since July since I last wrote in this blog....thats pretty SAD! Your wondering, "what happened to that girl??" Well, I finished school and started working fulltime as a hospice Social Worker for Asera Care. I love it! I realized very quickly, however, that my flower patch would be mostly on its own this summer...I just haven't had the energy or "ummmphh" to do much with it! Fortunately, by the time I started working, the hard work had been finished so I could mostly just watch everything grow! YAY!



We had a great summer and I thought I'd post some pics from our adventures. In August, we went to Swaziland Africa and in September, we went on a camping trip to Copper Falls State Park. Photos to follow! Thanks for being faithful followers :)

A pretty leaf that got stuck in a branch--Copper Falls State Park

Lee and I during our hike

Me with some of the children at New Village, Swaziland. The kids are beautiful!

Lee with his new buddy :)

A family we met during our walk through the New Village community.

Whats bothering my Malva?

I just love this perennial...Malva. The blooms are so delicate and unique. I also like Malva because it doesn't get as tall as a Hollyhock with a similar look :)

Something, unfortunately has decided to destroy the leaves...is it a fungus? I haven't seen anything actually crawling on the leaves so thats what I'm thinking.
Here is a pic of the supposed fungus and a hole in the leaf which could definately be from a predator of some sort.

Long time, no update...

I recently started my new job...full time social worker for a hospice agency in Green Bay. Since then, my poor flower beds have been placed on the back-burner. Fortunately, I was able to get a lot of work done on them before starting the job, so now I just have to weed occasionally. Thought I'd update you all on whats been blooming :)

Bee Balm

Coreopsis...it gets bigger each year! Pretty soon, the Rhododendron will be totally covered up!
Purple Cone Flower

So, I've been trying for two years to get poppies started. Finally, this year, I threw some SEEDS in the ground, held my breath, and watched them grow! They're small this year, but I know next year they will fill out. I was really suprised at how finicky the seedlings were...too much water=not happy...not enough=not happy. They're so pretty.

Does anybody know what this little BUG is?? It is wreaking havoc on my mums....and doesn't bother any of the other plants. The plant is covered with them. I am not sure what to spray because I haven't been able to identify the bug. I figured someone might know!

Is "Peony" plural?

I love the deep pink of this peony. This is the first summer that I've ever had peonies since I'm new to gardening and all...last summer, I was driving around the neighborhood and saw these gorgeous flowers! I had to find out what they were and I HAD to get some. So, now, I have peonies! I'd like to research more about peony varieties...

These lighter pink peony have a stronger fragrance than the dark pink peony. Not sure why...
Oh yea...and is "Peony" plural or is the plural word "Peonies"? Just curious, really.... I figured some of you gardening guru's would know the answer!

:)

Precious peonies and more...

Some of my peonies are finally starting to bloom after a long awaited growth period. Sometimes I look at the buds a wonder, "how much bigger are they gonna GET!?". I snapped this picture the day before the first bloom of the summer:

And here it is on bloom day! So delicate and pretty.

In this pitcher pot I have planted bunny tails grass, which will be nice in the fall/winter months....at least, I think it'll stay through winter. Its on the front porch, so it shouldn't get too covered in snow. Anyway, surrounding the grass are moss roses that are just starting to take off. Last year, I removed the seed pods after they formed and was able to save the seeds from the plants I had purchased. What a great way to save money!

I just love this blue flower. I can't remember what it is called at this second, but it makes a great pot flower. The blue is so intense...

Mischievous Mango

Mango has loved crawling inside of things since she was a small kitten. I'm really not sure what started her infatuation, but I think its pretty funny! She loves crawling under the bed blankets, too. I know this has nothing to do with gardening, but thought it worthy of being posted! Enjoy :)

Mango "wearing" a pair of Lee's boxers:

"Oh... you didn't need this basket did you??"

A cat after Lee's heart :)

Coca-Cola Kitty

I guess she wanted to see what ITT Tech was all about...

Meadow Rue

Thanks to those who commented after my last post. It appears I was wrong! The plant is definitely Meadow Rue (thalictrum) and not Columbine. The foliage looks so much like Columbine, but the blooms do not. I did a little internet research and found out the "blooms" are actually individual stamens...not petals. Interesting! Next spring, I will probably still move it so that it does not block the Vibernum shrub. It obviously loves this spot, though, so I won't move it far :)