Silver Lining - Fall Color

Another disappointing conclusion to a prediction of rain. Not even a sprinkle graced our garden this weekend full of chances.

Let us not dwell on the disappointments of this fall season. Let us look at the silver lining of those storm clouds that passed right over our area. The tall native asters refuse to not show their beautiful colors against the tiger sumac. 

 Jodi at Bloomingwriter asked the question of what is your favorite fall colors. While the aster mentioned is a great one I think my very favorite is the American Beauty Bush that turns this chartreuse color and has those gorgeous lavender berries.  On Jodi's blog she shows some of the most beautiful colors including the burning bush that gets that gorgeous red during fall but I think Beauty Bush has so much more to offer.

The Bittersweet won't even turn its berries to orange yet. I am sure it is just waiting for a good rain to moisten the coverings so they can pop into their orange show. 

The new shrub Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea is showing some of its strawberry coloring now. It is going to be a keeper no doubt if it can deal with the drought. Of course I am helping it and all the shrubs along with some watering.

 If you like a darker more sultry look in the garden the Ninebark 'Summer Wine'. It looks great sitting beside a Beauty Berrry or a Clethera that turns that chartreuse or yellow in fall.

What plants bring that special fall color into your garden?

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - October 2010

 I enjoy this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day the most because it is the anniversary of the first blog post I ever made.  That was three years ago. Carol who hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day here was most encouraging to me to start a blog. I thank Carol for this encouragement because blogging has certainly imporved  my gardening skills. Learning from generous encouraging garden bloggers in the world. I do mean all over the world.

 The blooms I had here three years ago are mostly the same this year with a few additions.

 Such as this beautiful new variety of hydrangea that was gifted to me by Cheryl another blogger I was fortunate enough to meet this summer. This hydrangea is an ever bloomer named Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy'. I am impressed by its will to live and bloom in this drought. Of course I am keeping it watered since it just arrived here.

 One of my succulent pots has had a bloom on it for a couple of months. Unfortunately I cut the bloom part off in this photo trying to get a picture of the mums at its feet. The blooms on the succulent isn't too showy but it is a bloom.

 Another mum that has been in this spot for several years. I like it little button shape and the yellow center. I have no idea what variety it is. All I know is that it must be hardy growing here where it gets little to no extra water.

 Of course making a big splash over the fence this time of year is the white anemone.  It is such a stalwart plant. It held its buds stubbornly until I decided to give it some water then it opened to say thank you and please don't forget me later when you water again.

Since blogger won't let me upload more photos I will just say that I have Toad lilies blooming and a few annuals as well. Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Wildflower Wednesday - Chelone lyonii

I think this Pink Turtlehead is a must have in a garden. It is such a great performer in shade or sun. A late bloomer as you can see. Once it is established you can just forget it is there. I have lots of shade so I am always looking for a plant that performs well here. This one does not disappoint. 

Luna excavated a small cavern right up to this clump of Turtleheads to keep cool and it hasn't shown any sign of wilting.  It's 3'tall stems are still showing some blooms through this drought too. The dark glossy leaves make a nice background for any plants in front of it. You can't deny those sassy pink lips with a little white tongue sticking out are sweet.

For more wildflower inspiration head over to Gail's at Clay and Limestone.

Unique Opportunity with Special Guests

When my cousin Beckie mentioned that she and Rose were having visitors from England and asked would I like to come meet them I immediately said yes.  I wouldn't have passed up this opportunity for anything because her visitors were Cheryl who writes Take Time To Smell the Flowers and her precious MrP. They came all the way from England for this visit.

Beckie and Rose had the best itenerary arranged for us.

We first went to Meadowbrook Park. Here they have a section of prairie. It appeared to be a sea of yellow what with all the Goldenrod blooming. There were plenty of bees and bugs to keep the camera shutters fanning.

There was also some interesting sculptures scattered through out the prairie.

At one end of the park was a cultivated garden. There was also an herb garden.

The next stop was at the Idea Garden. This is where Rose spends some of her time doing her Master Gardening hours.  There was much inspiration of color for the garden here.

There was also unique grasses and other plantings.

We went to a Pollinatarium to watch bees busy at work. I learned so much during the short while we were there. It was facinating watching the bees coming and going in the hive with glass sides.

We walked on through another garden kept by the University of IL.

There was so much to see. We had such a grand time. Rose entertained us at her home and garden one evening.

Then Beckie entertained us in her home and garden. We enjoyed one anothers company like we were long lost friends come together again. Who else could you sit with on the patio, enjoy watching the wildlife, talking gardens and Grands.

The only bad thing about this visit is that it was too short. We said our goodbyes in the parking lot.

I hope that we have another chance to visit and tour together in the near future. I can't thank Beckie and Rose  enough for putting together the tours and making us feel so welcome.

Until we meet again...Bon Voyage.

Six Word Saturday #1

Beautiful Sunshine, Cool Breezes...

Content Dog

                                                 For more Six Word Saturdays go here.

Luna isn't the only one contented by the cooler, breezy weather. We are all sighing with relief. Now all we need is a nice slow rain.

HOPE - Garden Bloggers Muse Day - September 2010

Hope is a subtle Glutton-
He feeds upon the Fair-
And yet-inspected closely
What Abstinence is there-

His is the Halcyon Table-
That never seats but One-
And whatsoever is consumed
The same amount remain-
                   ----Emily Dickenson

I guess this poem spoke to me this month because I am ever hopeful that with this brand new month rolling around there will be cooler weather, plentiful rain.  Yes, I will keep hoping. Aren't we as gardeners always hopeful with every seed started, every flower, shrub and tree planted?

For more muses for your garden delight head over to Carol's Sweet Home and Garden Chicago blog.

Sunday Safari - August 29, 2010

We got out early this morning trying to beat the heat. As you can see the heat was blanketing the area.

Sherry over at Q's Corner does a post every Sunday about what is seen in and around her garden. Sunday Safari is what she calls it.  Since I had been out and somewhat successful with some photos I thought I would play along.

It seems that our garden has been taken over by the Tigers. Tiger Swallowtails that is. There appears to be many sizes of these beauties. I thought at one point there might be something different as some were so much larger than others. No such luck.

Another beauty that is plentiful at this time is the Buckeye. This must be high season for the second brood since there are so many around.

Even though Dusky Wings aren't as colorful as the other butterflies they bring a nice calm to the garden.

The butterfly caterpillars seem to all have disappeared. I hope that they weren't all eaten by the birds in the garden.  I have been occupied with watching the  House Wrens bring in bills full of bugs. Food goes in and...

food goes out, in the form of fecal sacs.

Just today while we were away the young ventured out. I was so hoping I would be sitting here when the took flight. It was not to be. However I have seen them in the garden so things are going well. There are still plenty of bugs in the garden for them.

Of course there are other predators of caterpillars. You can see here that this poor little Catalpa Moth caterpillar has been parasitized by wasps.

This big ole leaf-footed bug let me get in close for a portrait. I couldn't figure out why. I thought it might be because it was missing one of its hind legs.

What I discovered was that it was laying an egg.

I hope you all have had a great weekend. Did you have a successful Safari Sunday?