Spring Is Here

We did a walk about the yard on Wednesday. The temperatures were in the low 60s and it was wonderful. We still have a small patch of snow but for the most part it is gone.

Here is what is happening in the yard: The daffodils in front are coming up. There are buds on the lilac bushes. I can see small signs of the bleeding heart peeping through the dirt. The tulips on the south side of the garage are coming up as well.

Wayne clipped the cat mint to the ground. That should have been done last fall, but got missed. However, they are still very dormant so there was no problem in doing it now.

Clean Up

Last week Wayne did the last of the clean up on the garden plus he tied up the arborvitae in the back and covered the roses. We are ready for winter. We haven't had snow yet, but the temperatures are getting colder. It sad to see the garden dormant, but also nice to have a break from the weeds and work.

End of Fall

Wayne did a lot of cleaning up yesterday in the garden. Because of the mild weather we have had lots of growth and flowers. The lavender still has blooms of it. There is still much to clean up and nothing is really dead yet, but things are fading. I trimmed the roses down to the structural canes last weekend and Wayne has cleaned up everything in the perennial garden except the lavender and the dianthus.

The burn bushes were more specatular than they have ever been. We have had some wonderful colors in the back. The front, however, has been disappointing as the spirea did not turn the wonderful orange the generally do. There is still time and hopefully the pear trees will be gorgeous this year as well.

Fall Is Here

Fall is here in the garden. Lots of things are dying. Wayne has already cleaned out the Walmart hosta. The roses are still in bloom. The hole for the water fall is filled with water and a big bullfrog is living there. Somethings are turning red--more red than I have ever seen. We look forward to wonderful fall leaves.

Garlic Chives

Name: Garlic or Chinese Chives
Variety : Allium Schoenoprasum tuberosum
Type: Perennial Herb
Height: 18" to 2'
Light: Full sun
Flower Color: White
Bloom Time: Late August

This past spring I purchase these because I had thought I had lost my chives in the weeds and I couldn't find regular chives. However, the regular did come back. The real surprise was that these bloom late in the year. They are lovely and I look forward to moving them to a permanent spot.

Fountain Grass

Name: Fountain Grass
Variety: Pennisetum Alopecuroides
Type: Perennial Grass
Height: 3'
Light: Full sun
Bloom Time: Seeds out in late August

These plants grow to be very large. Once they have seeded out they are very attractive. I had them along the walkway, but decided they over powered everything else. However, they are a nice addition for some areas.

Fall Weather Coming

It has been beastly hot for many days and the yard was parched. Friday a cold front came through and now the days are cool. It feels like fall is coming.

The garden is winding down. We've enjoyed so many good things out there. The peppers and tomatoes are still producing. We did get one fun meal of swiss chard. It's been years since we've had that. I think we will grow that again next year.

In the front the ornamental grass is in full bloom. The campanulas and day lilies still have a few blossoms.

Along the south the althea is still blooming although coming to the end and the ornamental grass looks good. One little surprise was the garlic chives were in bloom. They will be a nice addition to the garden when we move them.

In the back the trumpet vines are winding down. There have been a few roses, but not much. Everything else is gone. I do need to work on more late bloomers out there. The hydraneas did not bloom this year.