Spring ended a week ago and I'm already looking forward to planning improvements in the garden for next spring. This was an odd spring. Iris, Sweet William and peonies bloomed heavily - but started late and ended fast. I don't think even my peonies lasted more than 8 days, which is very short. … [Read more...]
In Praise of Dianthus – Lovely Pinks and Sweet Williams
Dianthus come in beautiful colors of pink, rose, carmine, red, purple and bicolors, and as a bonus they have at least a faint scent. I always include some of the annual dianthus in our flower pots by the front door because they bloom all the time and look great without needing … [Read more...]
It’s June and Peony Time in Michigan
I love peonies. They are beautiful, lovely vibrant colors in pink, rose, carmine and white, huge and fragrant. As a bonus the plants have lovely shapes and foliage, making them perfect plants to use as the foundation for your garden. I don't know what variety this one is. It's frilly, and … [Read more...]
Flower Paths Weekly Calendar June 4, 2015
Somehow I missed last week. The Epidemium is blooming, but it's lavender and not yellow. I must have put the new one in the front of the bed and the small one in back is the old one which is yellow. Need to dig a better hole for the yellow one. Friday, May 29, 2015 Iris in full, gorgeous … [Read more...]
Flower Paths Weekly Calendar – May 21, 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015. High 70s but so muggy it feels like 90. Applied Spray-N-Grow with Bill's Special Fertilizer. Saturday, May 16, 2015. Finished weeding, fertilizing and de-bunnifying the last large perennial section. I'm pretty sure the odd plant coming up is the Eupatorium. Sunday, May … [Read more...]
Flower Paths Weekly Calendar – May 14, 2015
Friday, May 8. Hot and muggy. Planted the round circle section with pansies, marigolds and snapdragons. Bought perennials at the MSU master gardener sale. Planted a couple planters and poppy seeds in front day lily bed. Daffodils nearly done. Peonies growing and setting buds. No sign of … [Read more...]
What To Do With the Potted Daffodils
This is the time of year stores have potted flowers at ridiculously low prices like this pot of miniature daffodils Dave bought me this week, lightly fragrant and a beautiful spot of color. This little pot has six or seven blooms, all with the golden yellow trumpets and pure yellow perianth, … [Read more...]
Bunny Wars IV – Snow Caves with Built In Larders – A Tie
The last two winters have been hard on the wildlife here with bitter cold and deep snow. The snow drifts over the shrubbery around the house make great snow caves for bunnies and squirrels. All winter I watched the rabbits jump in the holes in the mounds of snow right outside my office … [Read more...]
The Mailbox Is Groaning!
It's that time of year! My mailbox is stuffed with flower catalogs. I can barely get through one, carefully marking the plants we must get, when the next one pops in. This year we are ordering a few perennials and some annual seeds, then I'll get some annual plants locally for the planters on the … [Read more...]
What Flowers Should I Plant This Year?
I'm trying to decide what flowers to add to my garden this year. I know a few that are must-haves. Phlox I had oodles of phlox in our old house, from a couple purchased plants plus seedlings. I let the seedlings bloom and kept the best. My favorite was about 2 1/2 feet tall, had coral red … [Read more...]