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| April 19, 2019. |
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| Four days later, same area, slightly different angle and light. April 23, 2019. |
Wildflower Wednesday
Wednesday Vignettes
Wordless Wednesday
Showing posts with label Wednesday Vignettes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wednesday Vignettes. Show all posts
April 24, 2019
Nature's Carpet
Wildflower Wednesday
Wednesday Vignettes
Wordless Wednesday
October 03, 2018
Wednesday Vignette: Still Bright and Blooming
My vignette for today is a "planned" happy accident. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am new to growing Dahlias (and new to success with Tithonias!). In my continuing quest to make use of tiny spots of sunshine in my "Oak opening/Oak forest" garden, I placed this particular Tithonia (I grew many this year) between two bright, south-facing windows on the back of the house. I planted the 'Explosion' Dahlia tubers in a pot just in front of the Tithonia. I really didn't expect the colors of 'Explosion' to be so bright (it was hard to tell from the package). I'm sure they'll fade, but at this point they're perfect warm companions for the Tithonia.
As always, I'm finding the buds and nearly open blooms as beautiful and interesting (maybe more so) than the fully open flowers; the latter fade so fast. No frost yet, and none in the 10-day forecast. Yay.
Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum.
December 20, 2017
Vignettes at the Solstice
I forced myself to get outside yesterday and take a short hike at a local park. I'm so glad I overcame inertia, laziness, and endless excuses, because it really was quite a beautiful day: 45F (7C), sunny skies, and no wind. Those days are numbered until next spring! No snow here yet, so the colors of the landscape are nuanced and mostly shades of gray and brown.
But there are always plenty of opportunities to notice nature's vignettes. Thanks to Anna at Flutter & Hum for hosting Wednesday Vignettes!
Where there's moss there are tiny forests of lush green growth.
Before and after buds ... evidence of rabbits?
With a largely brown and gray landscape, bright colors pop, like the Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) and the blue sky.
Oh yes, the blue sky!
The nearly thawed pond soon will be frozen solid and covered with snow. Yesterday, however, it seemed like early spring, and the angled sun captured trees, dried stems, and grasses in magical ways.
After a little exercise on such a comfortable day, I felt energized and grateful to be alive. Not really ready for winter, but aware of and thankful for all the little blessings of each day.
Happy solstice!
October 04, 2017
May 10, 2017
New Perspectives for Wednesday Vignettes
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| Carya ovata framed by Syringa vulgaris |
Do you ever see a scene in a totally different way? The other day as I was washing dishes, I looked out the window and noticed the Lilac shrub in the distance framing the unfurling Shagbark Hickory foliage. The soft peachy bud scales were glowing in the low light and the magenta Lilac flowers created a complementary halo for the new Hickory leaves.
Springtime is full of magical scenes and new perspectives. Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum.
August 09, 2016
June 22, 2016
March 23, 2016
December 09, 2015
October 28, 2015
The Magic of Autumn Sunlight
Isn't it great to find a new "secret" place close to home? Last week, I discovered a lovely spot of earth, drenched in the oblique light of a mild autumn afternoon.
The temperature was pleasant (~74F/23C), the wind was calm ... and there it was--a beautiful wildflower garden by the lake. A bench encouraged me to contemplate the scene.
Most of the wildflowers had gone to seed, though some--"Asters," Susans, and Coneflowers--were still blooming. (We've flirted with frost around here, but many flowers remain even today.)
The light, sparkling on the lake and the fluffy seed heads, was stunning. I wish you could have been there.
I will return to this secret spot next season. I'd tell you where it is, but then it wouldn't be a secret anymore. ;)
Linking this post to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday over at Clay and Limestone. (Have I mentioned how much I admire this meme? Thanks, Gail.)
And I'll leave you with a Wednesday Vignette (thanks, Anna, for hosting). It's a view outside my front window yesterday, stylized because the photo quality wasn't great. (The colors are true to reality, but they're fading fast.)
October 14, 2015
Rescued From the Impending Frost
(Update 10.20.15: We escaped the predicted killing frost this past weekend. All plants shown here are still alive and blooming. Only one was covered--the tiny pink double Impatiens. This is very late for my garden, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.)
September 15, 2015
Late-Season Vignettes and Fab Foliage
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| Scallions, hot pepper flakes, cinnamon, thorny sticks, and a croaking toad are all attempts to repel chipmunks from these succulent pots. |
As the growing season winds down and the plants are starting to fade, there are still several vignettes that I'm finding relatively pleasing to the eye. The succulent pots are filling in nicely, although I'm occasionally finding Sempervivums and Sedums upended by chipmunks.
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| Yes, more cinnamon to repel the chipmunks! |
I'm also pleased with the chartreuse, magenta, pink, and green of Coleus, Impatiens, Oxalis, and Alternanthera (although I think they looked better in July).
The pots by the pond have improved as the season has progressed--filled with variegated Coleus, Hedera, Alternanthera, a Cordyline and a few Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) blooming in the dappled sun.
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| Lava rocks to discourage digging, and a fake snake to scare away critters. |
I've finally figured out what works in the north-facing whiskey barrels--various Sedums that spill out the front and Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadenis), which blooms in the spring, goes dormant, and makes a repeat appearance in late summer/early fall.
Sometimes I curse this dwarf Forsythia (spp. unknown), because it's impossible to rake around it. But it's growing on me. The spring flowers are unimpressive, but the low-growing shrub/hedge makes a nice ground cover in the summer, and the foliage turns to variegated fiery hues (starting to show here) in the fall. This time of year, it complements the blue/green of its neighbor large-leafed Hosta.
Finally, the Euphorbia polychroma has performed well this growing season, forming a pleasant ground cover. While the surrounding ferns are fading and the Hostas are nibbled away by the rabbits, the blue/green of the Euphorbia still looks relatively decent.
I'm linking this post to Pam's Foliage Follow-Up at Digging, and Anna's Wednesday Vignettes at Flutter & Hum. Visit these excellent blogs for more garden inspiration.
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There's still time to participate in the "Garden Lessons Learned" meme. Feel free to write a post or share one you've already written about your "Lessons Learned" during the past season. Then share your links or simple observations in the comments at: Garden Lessons Learned, Quarter 3, 2015. The link will be available always under the "Lessons Learned" tab at the top of this blog.
Please also join in Donna's Seasonal Celebrations at Gardens Eye View! You can join in with a post that fits both memes, or separate posts for one or both of them. I'll include wrap-ups on PlantPostings' Facebook page, starting within the next few days and leading up to the equinox.
Please also join in Donna's Seasonal Celebrations at Gardens Eye View! You can join in with a post that fits both memes, or separate posts for one or both of them. I'll include wrap-ups on PlantPostings' Facebook page, starting within the next few days and leading up to the equinox.