From the Garden: March 2011

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Raccoons in the garden at night

There were four raccoon kits in the Russian olive tree last night.

Pain-free Gardening

http://www.organicgardening.com/living/more-gain-less-strain?cm_mmc=OGNews-_-03302011-_-living-_-more_gain_less_strain

One must be careful at all times.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Variegated Peppermint

http://www.admail.net/view/205d580/14fedf/

I want to add this to out mint collection.

Beekeeping

Last Friday (March 25, 2011), I attended the MGV Brown Bag at the Milwaukee County Extensions offices.

The topic was "Beekeeping."

The presenter was Harris Byers.

http://milwaukee.uwex.edu/agriculture/beekeeping/

I have heard Harris Byers speak before, and he is passionate about bees.

He talked about the biology and ecology of bees, the different races (he recommends Italians for beginners), protective gear, how to set up hives, etc.

It was informative and well worth attending.

There was so much interest in the Q&A session that it went a full half hour overtime.

Tall Maximum

http://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/view/1035/Snapdragon-Tall-Maximum-Blend-Seed/srch:snapdragon

I love snapdragons.

Kelp Meal

http://www.arbico-organics.com/product/Algamin-Kelp-Meal-Fertilizer/organic-soil-conditioners

Kelp meal has an excellent reputation.

Aztec Lily

http://wimastergardener.org/?q=Sprekelia

An alternative to Amaryllis.

Creepy Gloxinia

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/AS/list/yhp/genus/Lophospermum

Expensive annuals but I would love to try them.

Blue Columbines

http://www.americanmeadows.com/blue-columbine-seeds

I love Columbines but they tend to be short-lived.

If I could just reach that tipping point where they would self-seed.

Creepy Sedums

http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/creeping-sedums.aspx?nterms=74852

We love sedums.

Hummingbird Garden

http://www.santarosagardens.com/A-Hummingbird-Garden-s/613.htm

We love hummingbirds.

Soapwort

http://www.herbcompanion.com/herbal-living/saponaria-officinalis-growing-soapwort.aspx

On the "Do Not Grow" list because of its tendencies toward invasiveness.

But if it suffers in heavy soil, how invasive can it really be here in Hales Corners?

Empress Wu

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/31519-product.html

This is an impressively large hosta.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Dead Hive

http://www.beesbuzzing.com/beginner-beekeeping/dealing-with-a-dead-hive/

Bees and dogs.

Potential for heartache.

Dwarf Stone Pine

http://secure32.appliedi.net/oikostreecrops/store/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=889&PT_ID=95&strPageHistory=cat

Pinus pumila

Zone 1!

Benefits of Gardening

http://www.rodale.com/benefits-gardening?page=0%2C0&cm_mmc=DailyNewsNL-_-03252011-_-Top5-_-NA

Great reasons to garden.

Friday, March 25, 2011

8 Best Shade Groundcovers

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?pageId=1076

I am amazed bordering on stupification that we already have all eight of these beauties.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Ornamental Grasses

Today, I attended a Horticulture online workshop (webinar).

The topic was "Right Grass, Right Place: Incorporating Ornamental Grasses Into Your Garden."

The presenters were Pamela Straub and John Friel of Santa Rosa Gardens.

They covered cool weather grasses, warm season grasses, grasses for large spaces, small garden selections, shade tolerant grasses, when you need a splash of color, annual grasses, winter interest, and grasses for the patio container.

A Q& A session followed their presentation.

Very educational and well worth attending.

2011 Rain Garden Plants

http://www.rootpikewin.org/index.php/rain-garden-initiative/plant-collection.html

We have about half the plants on this list.

I will have to look for the others.

Dirt

http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/inmygarden/3739

Advocating no-till gardening.

Ace of Hearts

http://www.heronswood.com/shop/04587?cid=2011_03_24_BoldAccentPerennialPlants&

Rheum 'Ace of Hearts'

Ornamental Rhubarb

I would like to try some.

Heritage Flower Farm

http://www.heritageflowerfarm.com/

I like the much improved new website.

Very much looking forward to opening day on April 13, 2011.

Japanese Maples

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=1211

Interesting video clip on Japanese maples.

It says best in Zone 6-8, which concerns me because we are Zone 5.

Know what you grow

http://www.adn.com/2011/03/23/1772228/make-sure-you-know-what-you-grow.html

Some interesting advice on tuberous begonias.

Sweet Autumn Clematis

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/26630-product.html

Clematis paniculata

We have one, planted a couple of years ago.

A couple of our neighbors have older (and much bigger) ones and they are spectacular.

Fox Tracks in the Garden

Fresh fox tracks in the garden this morning.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dirt

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2011/03/23/20110323dirt-exhibit-london23-ON.html?source=nletter-entertainment

I would like to attend this museum exhibition.

Agricultural Research

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/

USDA in-house research.

Six Rules of Composting

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/6-rules-compost-gardening?cm_mmc=OGNews-_-03232011-_-learnandgrow-_-6_rules_of_compost_gardening

Work with what you have.

Elijah Blue

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Festuca-glauca-Elijah-Blue-p/fes-eli.htm

I love ornamental grasses.

Herbs that Tolerate Partial Shade

Your Backyard Herb Garden (1997) by Miranda Smith, page 15.

Anise hyssop

Borage

Calendula

Catnip

Chamomile

Chives

Cilantro

Comfrey

Fennel

Feverfew

Hyssop

Marjoram, sweet

Rosemary

Rue

Saffron crocus

Savory, Summer

Savory, Winter

Sweet cicely

Sweet woodruff

Tarragon

Thyme

Wormwood

We grow most of the above, except:

Cilantro (have never grown)

Hyssop (have grown in past, but it died out)

Rue (have grown in past, but it died out)

Saffron crocus (have never grown)

Savory, Summer (annual, we have grown it, but it did not self-seed)

Savory, Winter (have grown in past, but it died out)

Wormwood (have never grown)

Potty Patch

https://www.pottypatch.com/

If we get a dog, I might have to buy one of these.

Or just let it use the garden.

Herbs that Prefer Partial Shade

Your Backyard Herb Garden (1997) by Miranda Smith, page 15.

Angelica

Bee balm

Betony

Chervil

Lemon balm

Lovage

Mints

Pennyroyal

Tansy

Valerian

Violet

We grow all of these except Betony and Pennyroyal.

Herbs that Tolerate Shade

Your Backyard Herb Garden (1997) by Miranda Smith, page 15.

Angelica

Chervil

Lemon balm

Lovage

Mints

Parsley

Saffron Crocus

Valerian

Violet

We grow all of these except the saffron crocus. We grow several kinds of crocus, but not saffron crocus.

Chokeberry

Aronia arbutifolia

http://www.hortmag.com/plants/plants-we-love/chokeberry?et_mid=226443&rid=2093016

We have one chokeberry that was a free gift from the village several years ago for Arbor Day.

I am interested in adding an Aronia melanocarpa, the black-fruited chokeberry.

Companions for Bleeding Heart

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/qa/companions-for-bleeding-heart

Lots of good suggestions like ferns and hostas, or planting re-blooming bleeding hearts with better foliage.

Herbs that Prefer Shade

Your Backyard Herb Garden (1997) by Miranda Smith, page 15.

Sweet Cicely

Sweet Woodruff

We have both of these herbs in the garden.

The woodruff does not spread as much as I would like.

Some of the sweet cicely died out, so we need some replacements.

Candy Mountain

http://www.tmseeds.com/product/Foxglove_Purpurea_Candy_Mountain/

It would be nice to eventually reach some tipping point where foxgloves reseed themselves.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Weeping Higan Cherry

http://hcs.osu.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/pr_tella.html

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

Would love to try one, but pessimistic about its chances since we do not have full sun or well-drained soil.

The Smart Pot

http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/smartpot.php?lnk=left

Geotextile material.

Deer in the Garden

There were three deer in the garden a few minutes ago, but they moved off before I could get a picture.

Cat and Mouse Sculpture

http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?pcode=10026

Clever, but expensive, garden art.

Night Coaster

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=1151

Helleborus 'Night Coaster'

Gorgeous black flowers.

Building a Terrarium

http://www.steingg.com/buildingterrariums.asp

This is a project I have been considering for many years.

Stein

http://www.steingg.com/default.asp

I have bought a lot of plants & accessories from them over the years.

Container Tips

http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/In-the-Kitchen-Window.aspx

Use peat, vermiculite and perlite for good drainage and moisture retention.

Herbs in Window Boxes

http://www.herbcompanion.com/gardening/garden-spaces-joyful-windows.aspx

Some good ideas for the boxes along the steps to the laundry room.

Organic 5-5-5

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/51012-product.html

Quality fertilizers are expensive.

The Biophysics of Lily Blooms

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/71482/title/From_a_mismatch_in_growth%2C_a_flower_blooms

More complicated than it looks.

Karley Rose

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Pennisetum-orientale-Karley-Rose-p/pen-kar.htm

Beautiful fountain grass that tolerates part shade.

Mammoth Mum

http://springhillnursery.com/hardy-mammoth-mum-collection/p/76373/

Bred by the University of Minnesota.

Dwarf Tophat Blueberry

http://gurneys.com/dwarf-tophat-blueberry/p/08486/

It would be fun to try these as container plants.

They are Zone 3 hardy, so here in Zone 5, they should be able to overwinter in pots.

Golden Sword

Yucca filamentosa 'Golden Sword'

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2247/golden-sword-yucca.php

Dramatic but we do not have full sun.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Old Fashioned Annuals

http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/old-fashioned-annuals.aspx

I love old fashioned annuals and should grow more of them.

Deer in the Garden

There were three deer in the backyard at dusk.

Create an Inspiring Garden

http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/how-to-create-an-inspiring-garden.aspx

I need to spend more time listening to my garden.

Innisfree

http://www.innisfreegarden.org/

Yet another destination garden.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Coltsfoot

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/coltsfoot.pdf

Weed of the Week by the Forest Service, an invasive in parts of the eastern US, but I have never seen it in the garden.

Herbs in Shade

http://www.hillgardens.com/herbshade.htm

A substantial list of herbs that will tolerate some shade.

We already grow many of these herbs, but I am always looking for more.

Herbs for a Windowsill

Your Backyard Herb Garden (1997) by Miranda Smith, page 51.

Aloe

Geraniums, scented

Lavender, French

Lemongrass

Lemon thyme

Lemon verbena

Mints

Rosemary

Sage, pineapple

Tarragon

Right now, I have three of the above in my kitchen: aloe, lemongrass, and pineapple sage.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Dusky Maidens

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/search/lst.srch.asp?prodid=3360

Delphinium elatum 'Dusky Maidens'

"Rife with floozy appeal."

Red Twig Dogwoods in the Garden

I love the way the bright red stems look against the evergreen background.

These dogwoods were a gift from Dr. O'Grady many years ago.

He has since passed away, but I think of him every day I am in the garden when I see his dogwoods.

Vole Tunnels in the Garden

Foxes are known as avid hunters of voles.

It would be nice if the foxes would help out a little more.

Comfrey in the Garden

Comfrey awakening in the garden.

Note the mulch formed by last year's decayed leaves.

Crocuses in the Garden

In some years, the rabbits eat all the crocuses.

This is the advantage of having foxes in the neighborhood.

Snowdrops in the Garden

Need a great many more of them.

Kinnickinnic

http://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/44069/

Bearberry Massachusetts

I have wanted to try this for a long time.

Kinnickinnic is a local name (roads, parkways, rivers, etc.) but no one grows it any more.

Canadian Explorer Roses

http://www.midwestgardentips.com/explorer_roses.html

I would love to try this series, but we lack full sun.

First Ducks of the Year

Pair of mallards on the garden pool this morning.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Painted Garden Stones

http://bicreativeinspirations.com/becreative/practical-and-artful-painted-garden-stones/

A fun way to add a little something special to a garden.

Mercedes

Prunus cerasus 'Mercedes'

http://www.oikostreecrops.com/store/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=835&PT_ID=85&strPageHistory=cat

I would be willing to try this even though I have had terrible luck with cherries and they really dislike heavy clay soil.

Don't Treat Your Soil Like DIrt

http://blog.americanmeadows.com/2011/03/17/improving-garden-soil/

A brief tutorial on improving garden soil.

Yes, We Have No Dog in the Garden

I was out running errands today, so I stopped by the local pet store.

They had two darling female puppies, a beagle and a rat terrier.

I would love to have either one.

Or both!!!!

Crows in the Garden

The crows were in the garden today, gathering nesting materials.

Several years ago, it was rare to see crows because they were decimated by the West Nile epidemic.

Crow populations have rebounded since then.

Boscobel

http://www.boscobel.org/

Yet another excellent garden that I would love to visit.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Fascinating Fasciation

http://wimastergardener.org/?q=fasciation

Fasciation is a type of abnormal plant growth.

Lots of photos of examples at the above link.

Blue Shadow

Fothergilla 'Blue Shadow'

http://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/49875/

This looks like an interesting shrub for part shade.

Two Deer in the Garden

There were two deer in the garden a few minutes ago, but by the time I grabbed my phone to take a picture, they were already gone.

Skulls in the Garden

Maybe these are the guys that left the obsidian.

Obsidian in the Garden

Someone left a nice cache of obsidian in the garden.

Maybe some ancient craftsman stored it here, intending to come back for it.

Crocus Blooms in the Garden

The first blooms of 2011.

But too few blooms impoverish the view so I am hoping for many more.

Pixwell

Ribes hirtellum 'Pixwell'

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2764/pixwell-gooseberry.php

I want to grow gooseberries someday.

Green Gambler

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=1148

I love Hellebores.

Peter's Wonder

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/71343-product.html

A gorgeous Coleus.

Wizard

http://www.tmseeds.com/product/Coleus-Wizard-Mixed/Shop_Annual_Flower_Seed

We have grown these Coleus in the past, and they are great Coleus.

Maybe I should try to grow some from seed.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Direct-Sow Herbs

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/best-herbs-spring

Parsley

Cilantro

Chervil

Dill

Chives

We had some volunteers of parsley last year, and it would be great if I could get the other four going as well.

Arrow Head in the Garden

Wow!

Look at the arrow head in the garden.

Maybe there was a battle here long ago.

Or maybe an ancient hunter passed this way.

Or maybe it is just some modern guy salting the ground with cheap replicas.

No Frogs Yet

No frogs in the garden pool yet.

But I have high hopes.

I saw a mosquito yesterday, so can frogs be far behind?

Iris along the Garden Pool

This iris is already awake, even though there is plenty of snow elsewhere in the garden.

This iris was a free gift from one of the vendors at Monches Farm a couple of years ago.

Daffodils in the Garden

Daffodil shoots are starting to explode out of the garden.

Spring must be on the way.

The Garden Pool

As you can see, there is plenty of water in the garden pool.

If my local bait shop had not closed, I would run over there and get some fatheads.

Cherokee Purple

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/5814/

A gorgeous heirloom tomato.

Best New Plants 2011

http://www.midwestliving.com/garden/design/midwest-plants-2011/?sssdmh=dm17.513179&esrc=nwbm031611&email=1445458574

Note the Hales Corners connection on the non-hardy ornamental grass.

Dirt

http://soils.usda.gov/

Huge amount of information on soils.

Elizabeth

Magnolia 'Elizabeth'

http://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/48564/

I would love to have a second Magnolia, but finding a spot for it is going to be tough.

Why We Love Hellebores

http://www.songsparrow.com/ads/email/2011mar2/2011mar2.html

And we do love hellebores.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fragrant Shade-Tolerant Shrubs

http://osmocote.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vosmo11/i4/p1?et_mid=196946&rid=2093016

Unfortunately, three of the four are not hardy here in Zone 5.

Maybe with a little more global warming we will not be Zone 5.

Year Round Garden Maintenance

I attended the Horticulture magazine webinar today.

The topic was "Year Round Garden Maintenance."

The presenter was Kerry Ann Mendez of Perennially Yours.

Lots of good information on pruning, fertilizers, mulches, pest control, etc.

Delft Lace

Astilbe 'Delft Lace'

http://www.heronswood.com/shop/20313?cid=2011_03_15_FillyourShadeGardenwithColorfulFoliage&

I love Astilbe but they are difficult to keep alive when the drought time comes.

William Guiness Black Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris 'William Guiness'

http://michiganbulb.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_72163_A_William+Guiness+Black+Columbine_E_

Stunning.

Monday, March 14, 2011

How the Government Got in Your Backyard

http://www.finegardening.com/item/18659/the-government-in-my-backyard-no-wonder-its-a-mess

Interview with author Jeff Gillman.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Earthworms

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=8815

Encapsulated Earthworm Cocoons

This is an interesting idea.

Kind of expensive.

Camera for the garden

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+PowerShot+14.1-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/9770402.p?skuId=9770402&id=1218170522731

My scout camera has failed, twice.

I am still learning to use my phone camera.

And I am interested in buying a digital camera but the choices are overwhelming.

The Canon SX210IS looks like it has the right features but it is not available locally (that I can find, at least) so I would have to order it online.

Chipmunks in the Garden

32 degrees and piles of snow everywhere.

Must be fairly difficult for the chipmunks, but they are out today.

Dry Shade

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?catagory=19&rs_start=0

A list of 209 plants that can cope with dry shade.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Gardening for Wildlife

http://www.stadlergardencenters.com/green_gardens/index.php?cid=157

I love wildlife.

Amaryllis in the Kitchen

We have had this Amaryllis bulb for several years now.

It spends the summer outside in the garden.

Big Bluestem

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Andropogon-gerardii-p/and-ger.htm

Big Bluestem is one of my favorite grasses.

If it is not drought tolerant, how did it ever survive on the tall-grass prairie?

How to Grow Anise

http://www.growingherbs.org.uk/herbs/how_to_grow_anise.htm

Interesting that it has a taproot.

Indoor Herb Gardening

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/herbs/ne208hrb.htm

Interesting information about herbs.

Growing Herbs Indoors

http://growing-herbs-indoors.blogspot.com/2008/08/herbs-to-grow-indoors.html

I am interested in trying several of the listed herbs, particularly anise and borage.

Elegance White

http://www.heronswood.com/Featured_Whats-New/Helleborus-x-hybridus-'Elegance-White'/

There is no shortage of gorgeous hellebores.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Dibbler

http://www.burpee.com/gardening-supplies/garden-tools/garden-tools-dibbler-bulb-planter-prod001281.html?catId=cat230002&trail=

This looks like a very useful heavy-duty tool.

I would love to have one.

Northern Sea Oats

http://botanicalinterests.com/products/view/2018/Grass-Northern-Sea-Oats-Organic-Seed/srch:northern

This is yet another plant that I want more of.

Supposed to self-seed and I have high hopes for that.

Harry Lauder

http://www.freeplants.com/harry-lauders.htm

Information on propagation.

Drought Proof Shrubs

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?pageId=1063

We have three of the ten: Buddleia, Cotoneaster, and Viburnum.

We also have Arborvitae, but not the 'Green Giant' cultivar.

Ornamental Grasses

http://www.thegardenerseden.com/?tag=japanese-forest-grass

The above link has several photos featuring stunning ornamental grasses.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

2011 Year of the Zinnia

http://www.ngb.org/year_of/index.cfm?YOID=8

I love Zinnias.

But I did not know that they were named for Dr. Zinn until I read the history at the above link.

Risk of disease from compost

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/News/advice-on-potting-compost

I hate the thought of wearing a dusk mask every time I handle compost, potting soil, etc.

Pools and Bog Gardens

http://www.water-gardens-information.com/i-want-to-create-a-bog-to-clarify-pond-water.html

It must require a substantial garden area to allow pools and bog gardens as described in the link above.

Dutchman's Pipe Vine

http://www.beginner-gardening.com/dutchmans-pipe.html

I have two, and would like to get more.

I sure hope I get that rotting meat smell as described in the above link, but I have read several other places that it is unlikely.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Foliage

http://plant-quest.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-cool-foliage.html

Foliage is one of the keys to a successful garden.

Excellent examples at the above link.

Wild White

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/48108/

Rubus trivialis 'Wild White'

This looks interesting.

Blackberry briars thrive in parts of our garden.

Maybe I could replace a few with 'Wild White.'

Potato Grow Bag

http://www.gardeners.com/Potato-Bin/GrowBags_Cat,36-629RS,default,cp.html

These grow bags would be useful for growing many different kinds of plants, not just potatoes.

Plant Spirit Journey

http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738718637

The author is very lucky to have been born with the ability to see and hear spirits.

Rosemary

http://www.garden.org/ediblelandscaping/?page=201103-edible

I have a terrible time keeping rosemary going in pots over the winter.

Very hard for me to supply daytime temperatures of 70.

Healthier Soil

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/10-easy-soil-tests?page=0,0&cm_mmc=OGNews-_-03092011-_-learnandgrow-_-10_easy_soil_tests

My dirt falls short on several of these tests.

And I work every year toward building healthier soil.

The Weedless Garden

http://www.gardenershub.com/product/weedless-gardening-9780761116967/?r=hrmsnl0309119780761116967-whattoread&et_mid=177016&rid=2093016

Sounds like one of the holy grails of gardening.

Poop on a Stick

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/qa/black-knot-disease?et_mid=177016&rid=2093016

Black knot fungus.

We had some a couple of years ago but I have not seen any since.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Pasha

Actinidia kolomitka 'Pasha'

http://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/48535/

I would love to try this vine, but it prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and I have neither.

Growing Oregano

http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/get-to-know-oregano.aspx

We have one nice clump that has persisted for years in the heavy poorly drained clay that must be avoided at all costs.

Magical Gardens

http://www.herbcompanion.com/gardening/from-our-bookshelf-introduction-magical-herbalism.aspx

This book in not in the MCFLS.

Chameleon

Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=976

I need to get more enthusiastic about transplanting ours around the yard.

It is a very modest spreader in our garden.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Growing Grapes

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1423.html

Concord is the most popular variety in Ohio.

I have high hopes for my Concord vine, even though this is my second attempt.

Build a Rustic Trellis

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2382/build-a-rustic-trellis

I built several but mine are not as arty as these.

Perennial Plant 2011

http://wimastergardener.org/?q=Amsonia_hubrichtii

We have black-eyed susan and coneflowers, so maybe this would fit right in.

Permaculture

http://www.permacultureactivist.net/

Those pesky activists are always trying to make life better for everyone.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Fox Eating Squirrel

This picture was taken not long after seeing the giant hawk, so I am not sure if the fox killed the squirrel or stole the kill from the hawk.

Giant Hawk in the Garden

The giant hawk was perched in the woodland garden this afternoon.

The crows were harassing the hawk.

The hawk is as big as an eagle.

Dark Reiter

Hardy Geranium 'Dark Reiter'

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=1145

I love plants with dark foliage.

Fox Tracks in the Garden

There were fresh fox tracks in the garden this morning.

It walked right up onto the back porch.

It would be nice if it would do something about the voles.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Obsidian in the Garden

Dad sent me some very fine pieces of obsidian that he got from Jim Winters.

They are going to make beautiful garden decorations.

Fungi

http://www.fungi.com/

These people are serious about fungi.

Chicagoland Gardening Magazine

http://www.chicagolandgardening.com/default.htm

Because Milwaukee is a suburb of Chicago.

Sort of.

Wildseed Farms

http://shop.wildseedfarms.com/

Impressive selection of seeds.

Growing Hops

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-ingredients/hops/hop-rhizomes

An impressive selection of hop rhizomes for growing your own hops.

Arrowwood

http://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/PD/47819/

Viburnum dentatum

We have a couple of arrowwood shrubs, and in spite of the "any soil, sun or shade" description, ours produce no fruit.

Maybe we just have a couple of defective individuals, and maybe we need to plant a couple of different individuals.

Gardening Nude

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/gardening-nude/

In spite of the provocative title, this blog is actually about living greener.

Dealing with Tree Root Problems

http://urbansustainableliving.com/reclaimed-floating-patio.html

This is a creative way to deal with tree root problems.

Dwarf Blue Curled

http://botanicalinterests.com/products/view/0130/Kale-Dwarf-Blue-Curled-Heirloom-Seed/srch:kale%20dwarf%20blue%20curled

A very ornamental heirloom kale.

And I need to eat more kale for health reasons.

Golden Ragwort

Senecio aureus

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/gold_ragwort.htm

I would be willing to try this in the garden.

It would be nice if I could find a local source.

Friday, March 4, 2011

White Blazing Star

Liatris spicata 'Alba'

http://springhillnursery.com/white-blazing-star/p/65014/

In spite of very limited past success, I am committed to growing Liatris.

Do Not Disturb

http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?pcode=12562

Charming little fairy door.

Cedar Waxwing

http://www.finegardening.com/item/18534/reader-photo-falling-snowflake-cedar-waxwing

I need to figure out a way to attract cedar waxwings to the garden.

We need a better diversity of fruit trees.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Sweet Peas

Lathyrus odoratus

http://www.anniesannuals.com/special_pgs/eblasts/110301/email_web.htm

I love sweet peas, and so will probably try again this year.

Horseradish

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/horseradish?page=0,0&cm_mmc=GardentoTableNL-_-2011_03_02-_-learnandgrow-_-horseradish

Ironic that so many gardeners have trouble keeping horseradish from spreading out of control, and I can barely keep it alive.

Alice's Bird

The varied thrush was on the sunflower seed feeder hanging in the maple on the west side of the house this morning.

This is the first time I have seen that bird on a hanging feeder.

Prunus maackii

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/treeselector/detail_plant.cfm?PlantID=252

Would be an interesting experiment except:

1) requires full sun, and we have no full sun anywhere in the yard

2) requires well-drained soil, and we have heavy clay

3) short-lived at about 30 years