Find Sun In Unexpected Places

Mid August and I saw the first colorful leaf from the Venus dogwood in my front yard:



In spite of the cool summer I am starting to get Sun Gold cherry tomatoes and my salad size tomatoes just might give me a decent crop. I have my doubts about the beans, though. The blossoms are not even open. Pumpkins and squash will be small but quite perfect for a family of two. Peppers are so so. They are not as plentiful as last year. The basil in pots will give me some batches of pesto but the plants in the garden; probably not.


I adore the double petaled lily that is in a pot on my deck. But then, any and every lily is adorable and intoxicating.





The container plants on my front porch are very healthy. The purple Wandering Jew is beginning to sport pink flowers. I will take cuttings inside to start all over again next year.



I have purchased white astilbe at a 2 for 1 sale at the Nursery at Mt. Si. They are already planted along the 'shady path' as I had planned in my last post.



The rumor is that contractors will be building a 3000+ square ft. home on the lot to the east of our lower yard. That of course will mean lots of gardening adjustments as they will cut down all the trees. The less ambient, more persistent shade of a house will be new for me. Good thing I know my shade plants. But then again, I may find sun in unexpected places. I think that is a good motto when facing change: "Find sun in unexpected places."


On a personal front there are changes too. Our daughter is coming home from Bangkok in 4 short days and she will be working MUCH closer to home. Four hours of car travel as opposed to 18+ on airplanes. Another plus; she will be living in Washington's wine country.

On the work horizon I have some minor changes too. We start later; at 9:35, eat lunch later, have an afternoon recess, dismiss later, and my prep time is in the afternoon. Of course as with every year there are new students and families. I have written names on name tags, supply baskets, homework folders, and on the birthday chart. You could give me a spelling test on their first names and I bet I would pass. Isabel, in three different spellings, is the 'name of the year'. There are 3 incoming kindergarten girls with this name. I hope one of them likes "Belle".

Not All Roses

While many plants refused to grow in our cool wet July weather weather, the roses didn't seem to mind. I was surprised that even the foliage looks pretty this year; no black spot or mildew.

The shady path is magnificent. I love, love, love these white astilbe and plan to plant more on the opposite side of the path to balance the view of the path from the deck.




Most of the hydrangeas are lacking blooms and it was actually 'touch and go' as to whether or not some of them survived the winter. But these two guardians of the gate are as lavish in bloom as ever. The climbing one smells SO good on a sunny day.

Of course my fern garden is flourishing in this cool July. I visited Lakewold Gardens, south of Tacoma and got some good ideas for adding to this area; possibly a moss covered rock or log.




Planting these Orienpet lilies in the pots at the top of the rockery steps was a capital idea. When there is a slight breeze I can smell their spicy, green apple scent from our deck. Just in case you think my gardens are all pretty and weed free, I had to post pictures of one of my 'work in progress' areas;


This is Bishop's Weed, also known as Goutweed. It is in a border that is not readily visible from our deck. I did like the way it lightened this corner of the lot but it has overreached it's boundaries and is now an unwelcome guest. Go here to read an amusing and honest gardener give her opinion of Bishop's Weed.


This is some recently recovered area and I will watch it like a hawk for the return of the Bishop's Weed. I know this will be an uphill battle.

As For the Vegetables....

Nothing is as lush or abundant as it should be. At this time last year the beans were up to the deck. This year they are no more than a foot tall. Of course I had to start them twice as the first batch were cleanly nipped off by slugs or snails.


Itsy bitsy pumpkins; good thing I do not need them to make Jack o' Lanterns!

The chard was better than usual; sweet and slow to bolt.


Even in the vegetable world, blossoms are captivating.


A fair amount of tomatoes on each of my 4 bushes, but the million dollar question is: "Will they ripen?"


Peppers do best in pots for me. I started them from seed in April and in spite of the cool weather, I feel rewarded. I am not sure just how hot or what type this is; banana peppers, maybe? I bought a packet of mixed seed.


Now these plump peppers are an Italian heirloom pepper given to me by my neighbor and friend, Erin. I will save the seeds and plant more next spring. Aren't they cute? they bring to mind a childhood memory; when I was a kid our family would sometimes go to a supper club for dinner. The one I remember best is Shaffer Park Supper Club in Crivitz, WI. Our family of seven would be camping for a week or more at Sandstone Campground, a family place for employees of Wisc. Public Service and it was a VERY big deal to shower, dress up, and take the boat down the Peshtigo River, or go by car, to Shaffers for a chicken dinner. Taking the boat was definitely more unique and exciting. Waiting for that chicken dinner could be L-O-N-G, especially if you were a kid. The relish tray and bread sticks (Grissini; but what did I know then?!) needed replenishing at least once. Now let me get back to those peppers. On the relish tray were these wonderfully juicy and salty and not too spicy peppers. They looked exactly like the ones growing on my pepper plants. Maybe it is time for me to dust off my canning jars.

Halfway

My birthday, July 2nd is halfway to the new year. Yes, 182.5 days before Jan.1 and 182.5 days after. It always reminds me that I can choose to look at life with a half empty or half full philosophy and half full is what I strive for. This July 2nd was lovely and warm with blue skies and a breeze. I took no pictures in Paulsbo where I sat on the patio of Paulsbohemian Coffee shop in a funky wooden deck chair and read my book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. When I wasn't absorbed in the mystery I could look up and see sailboats skimming across the water and hear the cling clang of the ropes against the masts of the boats in the marina below the coffee shop. Chris hung his paintings inside the shop. I think I had the better end of the deal; a book in hand and sunshine on my knees. Then on we went to Port Townsend and I resisted taking yet more photos of the Victorian houses., I had done that enough on my last visit in 2009. But I did go on the gallery walk in town. The blue skies turned to gray and the pleasant breeze became a chilly wind in the late afternoon. July 3rd the gray skies were back and I was glad I had my jacket when we walked through Chetzemoka Park. The poem at the end of this post was on a sign in the park. The last stanza of the poem is my favorite. It explains the reason why the Gunnera that I am standing in front of is so immense. You almost expect a dinosaur to come galumphing from behind the leaves!


This is a trellis that supports about 4 different colors of climbing roses.

This section of the landscaping was a gift from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

A lot of rain makes for ENORMOUS leaves on this Gunnera.


Gazebos as big as this always make me think of the Sound of Music.

Wonderful views!

Mary Lou Sanelli

July Morning, Chetzemoka Park

I like to sit in the swing, the one closest to the sandbox
where toddlers play, their mothers sitting on the rim
chatting up preschools, the latest movie at The Rose.
As morning strolls toward noon, one will brush the sand
off her child and the others will follow suit.
I love the oneness I feel with this park,
though, today, a woman walks by and throws me
a glance that shoots a blunt arrow into my calm.
It is appropriate to say I am cut
from her life but that’s another small-town poem
entirely.

If I have a day without duties, I like to lie on my back
looking up at a maze of clouds that give shape
to a puffy clan of faces I try to name.
One looks like my Uncle Pete
the morning after a poker game.
This is when I find myself
overcome by happiness, when an afternoon
stretches out before me empty as sky. When rocking
in a wooden swing and watching the crows
is more than enough work for one day.
By the gazebo, a friend mows the lawn
and waves to me because when I think of it
we’ve known each other a decade now
plus a few years.

This park, beach-bound and camouflaged
in cedar wraps me in its arms and laughs.
In this state of mind I resist all I know
of fall, winter, persistent parts of spring.
When sunless skies define what is real, I remind myself,
when you live in a luxury of water. Of rivers, rain,
lakes and sea. Where, if a city park could speak
it would say, Girl, rain is the very reason
I am as ravishing as this.

The May That Was...

...wet and cold, much like April. Will summer ever come? On Friday we took the kindergarten classes to Seward Park Environmental Center. During the 'Talking Tree' presentation the children learned about the importance of trees. They were told that because trees are living things they need to eat. The 'Talking Tree' in her leafy costume told them about trees needing to drink water and eat sunshine. Photosynthesis was touched on lightly, mostly learning to roll out those five syllables saying an approximation of the word. The day was partly gray. The first group of kindergartners had the weather gods smiling on them and not a drop of rain fell.Then it was our turn to take a naturalist led hike in the woods behind the center. It began to rain; heavily. Now you would think, living in Seattle, that parents when told repeatedly in notes from the teacher: "This will be an outdoor field trip, please dress your child for the weather." it would happen. Nope, guess again. Fortunately the center had umbrellas for the parent volunteers to borrow and once we were under the canopy of the trees, all was fine. The naturalist cheerily queried, "Now where DID that sun go?" and on cue a kindergartner piped up, "The trees ate the sun!" We all laughed and went gamely on our way.

The lack of sun has led to late blooms on just about everything. Lettuce and even sunflowers are doing poorly at germinating outside. BUT, everything green is growing gangbusters; grass, moss, Hostas, Solomon's Seal, Ferns, Disporium Hookeri (a favorite of mine), Mayapples with their gigantic leaves and the flowering Venus Dogwood in the front of our bay window.

Tulips are lovely but...

...I will be dreaming of the brugmansia, orchids, morning glory, assorted palms and vines that we saw on our trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Jungle flora is amazing!

Click here to view this photo book larger

April Showers...

... keep on coming. The slugs are having a field day in our gardens. I spread bait and pulled a zillion dandelions and chick weed yesterday. Chris is waiting for a break in the rain to do a second mowing but there is no break in sight. I got my order of chrysanthemums from King's Mums and potted them in 4 and 6 inch pots. I will post their pictures and names once they have recovered from 'pot shock'.

My poor ligularia riddled with holes by slugs.

Pulmonaria (lungwort) in the foreground and Disporium Hookeri (Fairy Bells) pushing up in the background.

Tiny and red, the first tulip to bloom in my yard is visible from my deck. Yellow ones will be out this week. the pear tree has plump buds ready to bloom if we get a day or two of warmth. Today it is gray and 49 degrees. I am wearing my warm wool socks as I sit at the computer. I think I will convince Chris to start a fire in the fire place tonight.

Marching Towards Spring

I got my haircut yesterday and then strolled down Pine St. in the half sun of a lovely March morning. Cool, yes, but that sunshine meant so much after the wind, rain, hail, and gray skies of last week. March began with weather evocative of the saying, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."





Once home I avoided the report cards stacked on the table and raked and hoed in this garden bed. The soil was surprisingly warm through my garden gloves. I transplanted 5 limey green heuchera and some lettuce and kale starts that wintered over. I am behind in pruning roses. That is the next garden chore at the top of my list.

I love...

gardening. It takes my mind away from the 'garden of children' that occupy me Monday through Friday. Gardening occupies your every sense. Today my nose was treated to the pungent smell of thyme as I pruned the roaming mass that clambers over and around plants and rocks in the front rockery. I winced at the sound of limb to limb, agonized screeching, that resulted when today's strong winds swayed the cherry trees to and fro. I sampled the greens I wintered over and they are sweet and tender, not bitter in the least. Tomorrow I will thin and transplant them into containers so that we get to eat them before the slugs and snails. I felt the cold, wet soil right through my winterized Atlas garden gloves, but fortunately I felt no pain as I pruned the last of the ornamental grasses, the ferns in the front yard and in the east rockery. I filled our yard waste container to the tippy top in no time flat. What did I see? Well, so much more than even these pictures can share...

Golden crocuses perk up from their drab winter beds.


Hellebores beckon bees. Yes! I saw 3 honeybees busy in my Hellebores. I have a beekeeper neighbor so that may be the source of such early bee activity.



In shades of deepest burgundy, mauve, speckled white, and lightest green, the Hellebores nod downwards, looking at the their cool moist beds as if to say "I want to sleep, please oh please, just one more week!"





It may look drab in this picture but it is anything but. Chris says he will be doing the first mowing of the lawn this month...if it stops raining long enough for the grass to dry.



Feb. 20th In the morning I went to the Sacred Harp convention which was held on Mercer Is. this year. It was a beautiful sunny day and cold, probably in the low 40s. It was SO clear, every single mountain was visible; even Mt. Adams and Mt. Baker. Once at home I worked for 3 hours in the yard cutting the ferns back in the rockery. I do believe I have attacked nearly every fern in the yard. The pile of fronds will not fit into one week of the yard waste bin; but maybe two if I am lucky. Tomorrow I am treating myself to a spa day at Olympus Spa in Tacoma. A massage is just what my gardening muscles need!





Feb. 27th Tomorrow it is back to the classroom for me. I can't remember a mid-winter break that has typified winter more than this one. We had snow and below normal temperatures for most of the week. Looking back, I made the best choice of this time off. I painted AR's bedroom (Durango Dust), started work on taxes, and I saw two movies: Black Swan (creepy) and Winter's Bone (sad, but what beautiful scenery in the midst of squalor).

2011; January in the Garden

In an effort to simplify my life, gardening will be my 2011 focus for my blog. It will read more like a list of accomplishments in gardening, similar to the one in my sidebar from a couple years back. Of course it will have photos too; taking pictures of plant life is irresistible to me. So here it begins:

1-1-11 In frigid temps, under crystal clear skies, I cut down the Paul's Himalayan Musk Rambling Rose and wrestled with the 30 to 50 foot long brambles, cutting them down to size. The root stock will be dug up when the ground warms.

1-16-11 The Pineapple Express is here! Today it got up to 54 and there was no rain for most of the day. The wind has been blowing nonstop. At one brief point this afternoon the clouds actually parted and I saw blue sky. I cut the epimedium leaves down to the ground and the snowberry and native spiraea to half their size. I moved a peony shrub to a sunnier and more raised position to better appreciate it's nodding red flowers come spring. I severed a main root so I suppose I may be punished with no blooms at all. I also transplanted a Japanese maple from a plastic pot into a larger ceramic pot. This tree will be Anna Rae's someday, when she decides to make roots somewhere. It began as a volunteer seedling from a tree she climbed as a little girl.

1-29-11 The snowdrops dangle their white blooms above muddy flower beds. They have been up for 2 weeks now. The tulips, crocuses and daffodils are spears of green 3 and 4 inches above the ground. Today I stuffed more of the rose brambles into the yard waste container. A pile of miscellaneous branches await the next pickup. This every other week business is for those with tiny, easy to maintain yards. Our needs are considerably more demanding. Buds of the native shrubs shine a clean lime green, ready to leaf out at the tiniest suggestion of sunlight. It has been so consistently gray this month. The threat of snow seems to be truly behind us. I put my snowmen back into the attic to rest till next December. The white lights are still on the deck; they brighten these dark, mid winter nights.