Seasons Greetings!

Winter hostas

Hosta bed in SE Minnesota in December!

Hopefully they are sleeping soundly now!  Let's hope nobody moves the name tags!  The rope around the edge of the bed is to discourage people walking on them! 

December Hosta bed!

A Red Headed Irishman!

I simply love this cactus!

I purchased it because of the shape without knowing what it was all about!

Much to my delight it frequently blooms with these awesome bright pink blossoms!  The first time they marched all around near the top of the cactus and now they just pop out every so often!  It has been growing larger in the 9 month's I've had it but I see I can expect it to mature to about 12 inches tall! 

To learn more about this charming plant CLICK HERE

Proud Berry

A year ago Jan Vitse, a Rochester floral arranger,  provided a program to our garden club featuring holiday arrangements.  We were all intrigued by branches of pink berries she introduced us to as she added them to an arrangement she was making!

Yep, while shopping this spring I found a 'Proven Winners' shrub named 'Proud Berry', which she had used!  Yep, I bought one and planted it in almost full sun.  Yep, it grew well and started producing beautiful pink berries on its branches!  Yep, I love it!  No I haven't picked any yet!  But I will soon!
For the first year I think it did well!  Can't wait until next year's crop!

For more information about this shrub....CLICK HERE!

Gus is growing!

Update on "Gus", the Agave living at Stone's in Mesa, AZ
Previous pictures were on Nov. 23rd Blog!

Taken Dec. 4th 2016

Taken Dec. 11th 2016

Summer invitation for a cup of coffee.....

With the winter weather outside, a visit to summer memories seems in order!

This little fairy seems to be taking a coffee break but has room to share with a friend if one should stop by for a chat!

August 2016

Winter White

Recently, one of our garden club members, with floral design talents, presented us with a program on holiday arrangements using silk floral materials.  The color focus was white with winter greens, which resulted in lovely winter arrangements! 

Reuse, recycle....

How's this for an outdoor winter decoration?

This year's cost was about $6.00.   That was for 6 stems of greens this year!   I added more green stems by removing a few of the back ones from a Porch Pot I purchased at Cosco.  The red berries I recycled from last year's Porch Pot.  The twig base is recycled from a wall hanging I purchased about 10 years ago at a garage sale!  I think it is about the nicest one I've ever done! 

Poinsettia Time!

Yesterday I picked up my 2016 Poinsettia!  I have such a difficult time decided on size and color each year!  This year the white one with a sprinkling of silver dust on it caught my eye and I just could not resist! 

I usually end up getting several different colors for gifts, I just cannot resist them! 

This white will be enjoyable thru January and February with snow outside the windows!

Iris blooming in MN Nov. 26th!

Those Iris must be hardy plants!   Got this picture today from gardening buddy, Betty, who lives out in the Tundra by Rochester! 

"Thought I would add my two cents to the winter flower season.  We bought this Iris on the SOGHS bus trip two years ago.  It had huge blossoms in the spring.  Last week we arrived home just as the cold weather hit and cut the buds that had popped up.  This photo is from today as I am putting my decorations up."

Crazy mixed up plants this fall!

Joan, my gardening friend, sent me pictures of her mixed up Primroses!  The normal season for them to bloom is May/June  up here in Minnesota!

These are greeting her again this year in November!  Pictures were taken Nov. 20th!

I usually buy them and enjoy their spring beauty in February/March in while I am in AZ!

Wondering if they will greet us in the spring again?

I am hearing of Magnolia trees in Southern MN blooming in Nov. this year!  Yikes!

Meet 'Gus'!

Canadian friends, who are AZ friends in the winter, .... do a bit of gardening while in their AZ location.  I just received pictures of this Agave, they have in front of their mobile home, asking me if I knew what this plant might be!

Wow, here is what they said about it: "We can almost see the stalk grow. Alan figured 3 inches in one day.   We've named it "Gus"! 

I did a bit of research via internet and think I found some information which could clarify it's identity.  Looks like it will be interesting watching this plant! 

Nov. 12th

Nov. 20th

Nov. 16th

Check this website out for some information! CLICK HERE

Asian Theme Fairy Garden

I created an Asian Theme Fairy Garden using desert succulents in January 2015.  It has experienced some transitions but has retained the original plants.  It went with me to AZ January 2016 and back home for this summer.  I brought it inside again this October. Am thinking it will travel once again to AZ this winter to enjoy the warm outdoors there again! 

The first update was to the white rock mulch to accent the Asian Theme.  Substituting small pastel colored plants for the black stones was another update.  I did a major pruning on the Aloe (tallest plant) a year ago as it had become a bit too tall for the scene and relationship to the other plants. 

It will be interesting to see how old this Fairy Garden gets before I dismantle it and replace it with a different Asian Theme.  I'm seeing some nice new Asian theme accessories I'd like! 

January 2015

July 2015

June 2016

August 2016

Fairy Garden for a Gardener

Inspiration comes from various sources.

This was a fun Fairy Garden Scene I created to use the adorable garden shed I found while plant shopping in the spring.  I also wanted to use the wooden plant container I had found, that was designed for a floral arrangement originally.  

I can hardly wait until Spring now!

Last year I found a friend Fairy Gardener had a water feature set up in one of her Fairy Gardens and I was sooooo  jealous!   

Well, I found one for sale at Houston's Garden Center in Kasson, MN!   I got one!   I can hardly wait until spring to make a special Fairy Garden for it!

It has an electric pump that circulates the water from pool to pool!  Neato!  It gurgles along so nicely!

Ivy, Trellis, Stone exteriors...

This humble trellis caught my eye this fall at the Plummer House in Rochester! 

I so enjoy an occasional stop at the Plummer House grounds to enjoy the peaceful quiet of this grand old place of former luxury from another place in time!  I remember when I was a wee youngster that people were still living here!  Yea, my age is showing!  Of course, I was just a tiny babe at that time but had an awesome memory!

We had guests visiting from Canada who enjoy gardening so this was one of the sight seeing stops around our fair city.  Our bonus was a garage sale being held by the volunteers there and a lovely glass table piece was snagged as a souvenir to take back to Canada! 

For more information about the Plummer House CLICK HERE!

A new record for high temperature was set yesterday!

71 degrees November 5th for Rochester, MN!  Quite a different November than we are used to!

Wow, the forecast appears to be continuing 50 degree days ahead for two more weeks! 

Iris are reblooming, fall gardening chores are easier, lawn mowing is continuing, perennials that were cut down are growing, and holiday outdoor lighting displays are appearing on houses!

Mother Nature is still decorating with trees in full color here and there!  And some annuals still looking fabulous here and there! 

Will these be here for Thanksgiving?

Music, music, music....

Recently we were driving towards home returning from a visit to Northern MN.  As we approached Inver Grove Heights, I let my favorite driver, Denny, know I'd appreciate stopping at Gerten's, my very favorite garden center (because it is loaded with fairy garden elements)! 

Yep, he stopped and we discovered they are full of holiday decorations and seasonal gardening items!  Yep, their Fairy Garden Dept. was fully stocked with lots of new items!  Yep, I found some new items to take home!  One little fairy just jumped right into my hand begging me to take her home as she needed a new forever home where her piano would also be welcome! 

Well, I just happened to have a friend who collects pianos of every kind and shape so I just knew where she would be welcome!  So, I created a Fairy Garden environment featuring desert succulents for her and delivered her to my friend, Cindy!

Yep, she and her piano were welcomed with enthusiasm!  Once again, I can sleep well knowing I rescued another fairy and gave her a new forever home!  The end!

SE MN Fall Color Still Showing Off!

Most of our fall color has peaked!  But. I noticed on my walk today, we still have some beautiful color hanging in there!

Tiny House Fairy Garden

When designing and assembling my Fairy Garden Collection this year, I decided to create some in smaller containers for a change.  Just the right size to park on an end table by my favorite porch chair!

My philosophy for fairy gardens is to create a miniature garden scene that a fairy might be attracted to visit or live in.  This does not mean it must contain a fairy or a big collection of fairy garden accessories! 

Here is an example of one of my favorites this summer season!  The container is about 6-7 inches tall and 6-7 inches in diameter and the little house is only about 1 1/2 inches tall.  The tallest plant is a bit of Dwarf Goatsbeard to represent a tree.    Pictures taken early Oct.

Halloween tulips!

Yep and they are such an enjoyable pleasure! 

Crazy mixed up Iris!

This iris is a bit mixed up blooming in Oct. instead of Spring!  Deanna thinks it might be a bit confused this year as it usually blooms in the spring!

I think it just wanted more attention so decided to visit in Oct!  The fragrance was absolutely delightful also!

Conifers, conifers and more conifers...

Conifer collecting can be as fun as hosta collecting! 

A visit to Deanna's quickly has you admiring the many miniature varieties of conifers strutting their stuff in her conifer bed.  Yes, you can also view her hosta collections while you are there!

She recently added 19 new conifer babies to her collection and they all appear to be very happy in their new home!  Such a variety of colors and shapes!

I saw several that would be very comfy in my fairy gardens!  (I think if there are any missing she will be over to check out my fairy gardens right away!)

How small?  Check out the grass growing in the corner of the picture!

Yes, this could snuggle right up next to a fairy house nicely!

Is it Christmas yet?

It may not be Christmas yet but this Christmas Cactus is practicing for it's Christmas season bloom!

It is indeed a "happy plant" and a very mature one that has been enjoying the south window of Deanna's dining room for many years!  Deanna says she blooms in Oct. and again at Christmas season! 

When and how to prune Hydrangeas

Love those hydrangeas....... now what to do with them to enjoy them to the max next year!

I've been adding hydrangeas to my garden beds and landscape these last years.  We so enjoy their various shapes, blooms and seemingly endless changes of color!  This year we even added some solar powered tiny lights to one of our trees!

WHEN & HOW TO PRUNE HYDRANGEAS....CLICK HERE!

Perennial Grasses.....Now or spring....what to do!

Love those grasses.........  don't forget to get them ready for spring!

Karl Foerster Grass at Connie's garden!

For pictures and tips on pruning ornamental grasses CLICK HERE

Obedient plants for your garden....

Physostegia virginiana , whose common name is Obedient Plant, is very well mannered and will add some white or pink color to your garden beds in late summer and early fall! 

Easy to grow she has nice height for mid or back of a border.  Plays well with others!

I spotted this in Connie's garden bed when we were there for a garden club Board of Director Meeting recently!

It brought back memories of having this plant quite a long time ago.  Actually, I think it will be a great addition for me this next year!   White or Pink?  Maybe I'll flip a coin to decide!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PLANT CLICK HERE!

Live garden art....

strolling around Bonnie's garden beds!    Not only do her four chickens add movement, personality, and sound but they do an awesome job of gobbling up bugs and also those slugs that love hostas!

They also are good at putting smiles on faces! 

Lucky are you if you are located in a place where you can add this type of garden art to your yard!

Unique Centerpiece

Thanks to the groom's mother, I have been enjoying this lovely centerpiece from a recent wedding reception we attended! 

Walking in the neighborhood......

Walking in the neighborhood...

I spotted this attractive fall season update to a summer planter!

Mums,gourds and a metal pumpkin cut out replaced some summer annuals!

Fall has arrived....

My latest creation!

Plant name.....

Thanks to Bill and LuAnn Bond! They suggested the name of the mystery plant, I posted a picture of recently, is a variety of Ti or Cordyline plant.

Check this link out, I think they are correct!  You'll see lots of colorful plants!

Check this website out    CLICK HERE

Parking hostas....

We are waiting for "dryer soil" to have our new holding tank installed at the lake to update our septic system to the current MN code.  This wet summer and fall has given us a new challenge this fall!  Our contractor feels it is too wet to successfully dig the needed hole for the tank so we are all waiting for the ground to dry out!  Meanwhile it keeps raining!  He says he can dig as late as into Nov. if the ground doesn't freeze.  So we are hopeful this will work so it will get installed this year yet!

Of course, the only spot this tank can go and comply with our lot restrictions, is where I have two hosta beds of mature hostas!  No problem I figured, we could lift them out and replant them the next day or two after installation of the tank!  This delay has crossed the safe time to transplant hostas this fall!  My neighbor Hero Bill to the rescue!  He has a veggie garden spot that is empty until spring now and agreed to let me "park my hostas" until spring!

Below is the picture of the two hosta beds after we lifted the hostas out and then a picture of them "parked" in Bill's veggie garden!  There are two huge hostas among those that got relocated!  The root ball on one measured 36 inches in diameter and Hero Denny and Hero Bill got it done!

H. Abba Dabba Do on the move  36" root Ball in saucer sled

Area we had to lift hostas from

Hostas parked in Hero Bill's veggie garden!

 

What is this plant?

I found this plant in the Butterfly House in Hershey PA.  It didn't have a label to identify it but I fell in love with it!  I suspect it is a tropical plant so would have to be a indoor plant in MN.