Labor Day's gardening

This weekend has been time well spent in the garden. I finished the shrub bed for this year. I planted a tree peony Paonia 'Shimanishiki' and five shrub peonies (white supposedly - they came from my mother's garden). My hope for this garden is to be a scented border that also provides privacy. I'd like to put up a clothesline/hammock spot on the other side of this border. Years ago in Martha Stewart magazine they had this project described and I have wanted one for myself. Next year will be the year! On this side of the border I'll plant lavender type to be determined. But I do need to plan bulbs to order for here.



I also added to the hosta border. The golden leaves have added great interest - I added a Sum & Substance 36"+ tall, 5 August Moon 22", and 5 Hanky Panky (golden variegated shades) 13". I also added some variegated white/golden varieties 3 Dream Queen (no other info) and a Northern Exposure up to 36". These will be nice with the ones I planted last year shortly after my move. Over the winter I figure out varieties of this area plus some for height. It is bland vertically.



We had a couple nights of frost last week and I lost the tomatoes. This is odd because I did cover them but they still got hit. The dahlias, basil and pineapple sage are still beautiful. They were right beside the tomatoes. So I didn't cover the tomatoes well enough or I took off the covers too early but still the others? Perplexed. So I brought the dill in and froze it and the opal basil in and am steeping it with vinegar. I am getting worried about winter and the pantry so I am making Rhubarb Shrub as I write. Time to go finish that until next time...

Fall Plantings

30 August 2009. Today I started planting for my HOME. I add that because today is the day I am laying claim. I haven't been here a year in this home. I've watched what is blooming here, where the sun shines and the shade dapples and where the dogs love to roam. Last month I took out a very thorny shrub I believe was a barberry or berberis. (I am sorry about the spellings - my garden books have not been unpacked yet. The new bookcase just arrived and needs to be stained before I can unpack.) I just planted 3 Summer Sweet 'Ruby Spire' in its place. They smell heavenly. I choose them because of this (they are by the bedroom window), the sunny location and that they bloom in August. I am zone 5. The previous owner must of been a fabulous gardener the bones of this yard are wonderful. Unfortunately the yard has been neglected so I'm trimming slowly. I planted my mints at the feet of the Summer Sweet. I know they will be a bit of a nuisance but I use them so much that I will keep vigil. I am adding to the existing shrubs in this bed- burning bush, bridal veil spirea, forsythia and a mountain ash tree. I moved the poppies out of here, today, because the lily of the valley was choking them. They will go in the perennial bed. Today is also the first day of my blog. This is where I'll track the garden, the weather and our home. I'm not a strong writer but I hope this will help. Today the sun keeps popping out of the clouds and the high will only be 68 degrees a little cool for August.