May, Where have you gone?

The month is flying by. What have I been doing, you ask?
Tis the season for greenhouse visits...

Starting a vegetable garden in a little corner of my yard secured from dog and hopefully, rabbit invasion...

Starting a vegetable plot at the Community gardens at a neighbouring Elementary school...

Making cards and treats to donate to the KW Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walkathon...

Starting back at Golf with my peeps...

It's been a busy month.

Fall Colours

It took me over 4 years to get a tree replaced on my boulevard. First the dead tree was cut down, the stump remained for ages, it was pulled out, a weak dying specimen of a tree was planted which promptly died the following spring as anticipated. Finally after several years of calling and hounding; a good specimen of a Red Oak was planted. Not the Red Maple that I requested but after all that time, I was just happy to have a tree.

I think this photo was taken in the Fall a couple seasons ago. This year I was happy to see for the first time, the beautiful colours of my Oak tree and how much it has grown.

Several of the trees in my neighbourhood have died recently. Trees don't live forever either! So I'm on a mission again to get them replaced to enhance the beauty of the street and provide oxygen, cooling and habitat for all the squirrels that keep my dogs entertained. Wish me luck!

Rose of Sharon

The Rose of Sharon is in full bloom and was really enjoying the cool temperatures. Not so much today. This is my first attempt to download a photo from my IPad so we'll see how it goes. Ok, that didn't go so well, so I'm trying another method. The learning curve for computers is a little steep for me.

At least I have learned how to email photos from my Ipad. Baby steps. I wish these flowers would bloom all summer. Just beautiful.

Dear Mrs. Robin

I noticed today that you decided to use my beautiful hanging fushcia as a new home for your nest.

Even though, they have finished their first bloom, you must know that I water them everyday.

Also, you should know that I have one of these...

AND one of these...

The blonde one especially likes to control the entire backyard and doesn't like intruders.

I'm going to suggest that you take your beautifully (and quickly) constructed home to one of the other MILLION shrubs or bushes in the neighbourhood, not 5 feet from my back door.
Good luck to you and the offspring.

Signs of Spring

I thought I'd better post this before it snows again. Seriously, this is the longest winter ever. I snapped this photo early in the week, while I was outside desperately searching for some signs of new growth. I was pleasantly surprised to see this brave little white crocus who sadly froze and wilted the next day but I knew we were moving in the right direction.

I am also happy to report that all 3 of my rhubarb plants survived the winter. Not sure how they will taste being in a quite shady situation but I hope to harvest a stalk or two this spring.

What's Bloomin'

We have had lots of rain this summer, quite a contrast from last year when the lawns were brown almost from the get-go. I have a few plants that have done really well that I wanted to showcase this week.
First, a gorgeous Hibiscus that I picked up from Costco. I had the worst time getting it to bloom. I guess it was drying out in the container and the buds were falling off but now that it's a little cooler it is showing off.

My Endless Summer Hydrangea. These do really well in my shaded yard and produce colour for a good portion of the summer. This one is a nice deep pink, very vibrant!

My friend Kathy and myself are having a contest to see who can get a successful rhubarb plant established. We both have shaded, root-filled properties with depleted topsoil. I dug out a few cedars in my front flower bed. What a job!

I threw in some topsoil and compost and I think I have found just the spot for my rhubarb. We'll see how it goes next spring.

Spring Flowering Shrubs

With all the rain we've had at decent intervals, the garden is blooming beautifully and the cooler temperatures have let the blooms stick around a bit longer. Here's a few things that are showing well in MY yard this year.

Weigela

 

Mock Orange

(smells like a Florida citrus grove)

 

Peony







Beautiful Fall

It's a beautiful fall day here in Southern Ontario. We've had a couple of light frosts but even the tender impatiens have managed to hang on. I have a weakness for fall Mums. I'm not too big on decorating for Hallowe'en but I really like having some colour outdoors through the fall.
I usually get my plants locally at Belgian Nursery. The selection is huge and the price is very reasonable. Here's a peek.....

 

 

I also have a weakness for the gourds. They are so unique and colourful and I picked up this wicker cornucopia for a very reasonable price also at Belgian. AND I can always bring it in to help decorate the Thanksgiving table.

Of course, Lindor thinks she's "helping"......

with the fall decorating. Enjoy this beautiful season and all it has to offer.

Four O'Clocks

I have these beautiful plants that come up every year (despite the dogs digging and the lack of moisture under the eves of the house.) I remember having these plants at my home growing up and what fun it was picking the large black seeds and trying to grow them in other places. Four O'clocks (Mirablis multiflora) bloom in late afternoon, as their name suggests and are open all night leaving a lovely fragrance in the summer air. I have pink and fuschia blooms and the plants get very large and need to be tied up. (due to the fact that they are somewhat shaded). I'm glad the girls haven't been able to take these beauties out.

Flowering Shrubs

I'm still planning on posting pictures from the Crop and more recipes but I haven't had a chance to sort through them so I thought I'd share some shots of the beautiful flowering shrubs around my yard that are just finishing blooming.

Love the hydrangeas.

I'm not sure what this is but I DO know that it was over 2 storeys tall and over the last 3 years I have pruned a third of it down at a time. I was worried that it would only bloom on the old wood but I had a beautiful display again this year.

Looks like I have a thing for white flowers. Love the smell of the Mock Orange.

Maya likes laying in the cool soil under the shrubberies. I just wish the blooms would last all summer.