A Hocking Hill's Garden

Summer in the Hills

2018-07-04T12:05:00.000-04:00

It has certainly been ages since my last posting.
Trying to get over some deaths and all that goes with since my last posting and it all takes a while. After getting Mom's home all cleaned out and her mobile home moved my daughter and I had so much painting and renovating. We left off last Fall painting and I was back to painting here this Spring to get my own place done from letting things go while Mom was so bad.
My daughter and I did take off in August and made a two week trip out west to Yellowstone, the Bad Lands and the Rocky Mountain area. We had a blast and wished we had had more time out there.

We had a very wet Spring and now Summer is blasting in with, Hot, Hot weather, but I am not going to complain about it. Winter was just too long this year.

Some of the garden loved all the rain and the plants were really lush, but the veggies not so much now.

I want to say Hi to all my Blog Buddies and hope you all are having a wonderful season in your gardens.

Where to start?

Well in April Mother Nature decided to postpone
Spring to the last day. What does not belong here? LOL!

But on the last day Spring did arrive.

The Bluebells and Alliums were very pretty.

The Spring flowering shrubs were also blooming in a rush of foliage and blooms.

The new flowering Quince was loaded and I love the red blooms.

The "Spring Symphony" Foam Flower is always a favorite of mine in the Spring.

A new ground cover Veronica "Georgia Blue" I managed to get planted last year was just gorgeous.

Candytufft and Bleeding Hearts always make me so happy and I welcome their blooms every Spring.

I had moved all of my Irises out of the Woodland bed because it was just to shady and they were not liking it there and preforming badly. Moving them then upset them and they did not bloom.
These two I had not moved but were in other flower beds and did give me some pretty blooms.

The Peony's were lovely.

Of course I still love my miniatures and they have spread out into so many spots anymore. I found out I could just not be satisfied with the Fairy's and went on to add the Gnomes.

This was a new addition. When you cut up an old tree that has fallen,well then you have to make good use of it. :)

And I added some whimsy this Spring by painting my old tin flower.

The garden bench was not standing out
behind the whimsical garden gate in all of the foliage of the Rhododendrons so I painted it a bright lilac.
Now it just screams "can you see me now".
Is it too much? LOL!

And lastly, yes I am still planting in baskets.

I hope your gardens are bountiful this summer and
Happy Gardening.

Lona

Christmas Blessing

2016-12-25T17:58:00.003-05:00

I see that some of you have almost stopped blogging.

I understand with so much going on these days and so

many other avenues to stay in touch that is around now.

I lost my Mom in October after years of this awful slow progressing
disease called "Alzheimer ".
Really we had lost her some years ago because she no longer knew
who we were. We had taken her to Tennessee to visit some relatives. She had
a couple of good days while we were there that she recognized a couple of them.
Which was a blessing for all of us and her.

Mom had taken care of her parents in their home when they were

passing so I wanted to do the same for her. She died her at my home

on Sunday the 16th of October with her grandchildren and me at her side.

Little did we know that our dear friend Billy, here with her in the picture,

would pass away just one week on Sunday after Mom.

I was so very glad that we took her to Tennessee and it was almost

fate that we were suppose to go because of their loss from our family.

But I have peace in my heart that they had a nice reunion together

and a good hug and laugh. I am sure Dad and her parents and family was

there also to greet her .

After we got back home she just started going down hill fast. I am so

thankful for our local Hospice that helped us to take care of her here

at the house. It was not easy, but now I have peace in my heart that we

did all we could do to make her journey easier. And now I feel like a

great load has been taken from my shoulders and I can breathe again.

The worry is all gone but the heart will ache for years to come.

The children and I had our Christmas dinner here on this Christmas day

And there was that void and I know we were all thinking about Mom not

being here with us but kept it to ourselves.

From the garden of my heart I wish all of you who have known me through

out the years a
"Very Wonderful Christmas season and a Blessed New Year ahead.

Love to you all,
Lona
And Oh yeah, Happy Gardening.

Time Goes ...

2016-07-20T09:30:00.001-04:00

Where has the time gone? I cannot believe it has been so long since
my last posting. Life happens though and sometimes you have
other things on your mind and to take care of.
I hope you all have been well and your flowers have been beautiful
thus far this summer.

The garden season started out a wet one but the flowers loved it....
well most of them did.
I will display a few pictures of the garden to try to catch up.
This was our year for the 17 year Cicadas to come out and for 5 weeks it
was hard taking a picture that did not have the ugly things in it. I am glad
they only come out every 17 years because the noise they make
gets to you after a while. LOL!
On the good side as far as pests go the Japanese beetles were few and
arrived after the first flush of blooms.

Spring blooms were so welcome this year. My daughter gave me
this Red Cardinal Columbine for my Birthday and I love it.

This Columbine was grown from seeds that Tatyana @ "My Secret Garden"
sent to me last fall.
I just love them! Thank you Tatyana.

Of course I had the usual mix up in plants and bulbs this year. Happens to
me just too often. The pretty Tulips that I pictured
in my last posting in the fall turned out to be...

just plain old red and yellow and not the lovely fringed Tulips I ordered.
Talk about being disappointed.

Anyone else bought bulbs from Blooming Bulbs"?

"Coral Charm" Peony was beautiful.

The Rhododendron's were beautiful. They are always a joy to see
blooming in the garden each Spring.

As were the Clematis vines.

Some of the Rose did well this Summer and some not so much.
I am seriously thinking of just getting out of the rose gardening and
keeping just the ones that are hardy and survive our winters.
Now that I am growing old I am trying to make the garden more
maintenance free. With having a bum back and Fibromyalgia my body
does not want to move some days. Roses can be costly to replace also.

I did not plant as many containers this year and in some of the big pots
that I want to keep I am adding perennials cutting down on expense and
watering.

To this big container I planted a "Red Threads" anternanthera.
I love the dark burgundy leaves on it. Sun Impatiens, Angelonia, pink Fan
Flower and a deep burgundy Coleus was added to the container.
I need to take a more resent picture showing how it has filled in.

The yellow Foxglove was pretty this Spring and is just
now stopping to bloom. It brightens up the shade garden.

Other flowers have really leaped in growth this summer.

I hated this "Pow Wow Wild Berry" echinacea when I first planted it 2 years ago.
This summer it has just grown huge and I now love it and
am glad it was not moved to the bad flowers of the woodland bed. LOL!

Some other old favorites that out did its self was this "Burgundy Wine" Bee
Balm. I can divide it this Fall and plant some in the woodland bed.

The Yarrow's are really spreading out and can be divided this Fall also.

"Lilac Fantasy" veronica looks lovely with the orange Papaya
coneflowers.

Summer is going by so fast and the daylight hours are now getting shorter.
I hope your Summer has been a great one and that your flowers are growing
and bringing you joy.

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Getting Ready for Winter

2015-11-20T18:21:00.000-05:00

Hello again.

If you are from the north I know you all have been getting ready for winter.
I hate to see it come but there is no stopping it unless I move way down
south. Maybe become one of those Florida " Winter Birds. :)

The wild flowers are finished now and I have been trying to get out and

clean up some more of the flower beds for the freezes.

I have been raking leaves like the rest of you, but leaving a few to keep
the heaving of soil in some of the beds.
Also trimming down some of the dead flowers in beds.

In the woodland bed the flowers will stay for the birds to enjoy.

A few berries are around for them to eat this winter.

The Coleus got frozen and wilted with the cold frost and freeze we had
a couple of weeks ago. Then it warmed back up for some beautiful
autumn days. It has my flowers all mixed up. The Brunnera is growing
just like it is spring again and some of spring bulbs are trying
to peek out of the mulch.

With cold weather coming this weekend I tried to get more of the raking
done this morning for one last time.

Along with getting those tulip bulbs planted that I have been putting off.

I cannot complain because we have had lovely fall weather compared to
last year on this date we had almost two inches of snow on the ground.

Pinocchio Greigii

These are some of the tulips I planted. I know they will be so welcome after

winter when we all are longing for color and blooms.

Fringed Lingerie

I planted these two together and I am hoping they will
complement each other and not clash. The pictures always
look so beautiful but may not be true when they bloom.

Cool Crystal

I saw pictures on the news this evening that
snow is falling upon some of you.

With all of the sorrow that is touching the world now
it seems selfish to ask for your prayers but I lost my dearest
friend Charlotte last week. I know she is alright and home
where she belongs with her husband and Jesus but
Oh, I am and will miss her so.

I also want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.
And if you are traveling I pray for your safe journeys.

Get those bulbs planted everyone!!

Happy Gardening,
Lona

Fall in the Hills

2015-10-24T19:54:00.002-04:00

Hello Gardeners!
Summer has flown by so very fast this year. I am never ready
for the summers to end.
Fall Colors are at their peck right now.

With some rain falling today the leaves are falling fast.

My yard is covered by a sea of red and orange leaves in the woodland bed.

While behind the house the trees were glowing in yellows.

Grasses are browning and the breezes are causing them to

look as if they are dancing.

There seems to be a lot of berries for the birds. The birds have been

gathering now in mass for a couple of weeks heading to warmer states.

Mister Scarecrow is standing watch in the front of the garage.

And fall flowers are almost done blooming for another season.

The last roses of summer have almost dropped all their

petals in the Rose Garden.

The new "Butter Rum" Heuchera fits right in for fall in the garden.

This week my daughter and I attended the Pumpkin Show.

It is the biggest free show and boasts about the biggest pumpkins.
It is a very serious thing this growing of giant pumpkins in Circleville
Ohio.

The Pumpkin tree is always in the middle of main street and is surrounded
with pumpkins of all sizes from the wee ones to the giant. And in colors yellows,
white, green and orange.

Everything here is pumpkin. From soup, candy, pies, cookies, ice cream,
hamburgers. You name it and it is pumpkin flavored.

In the Arts and Crafts Building there is also pumpkin quits to be
judged and found.

I hope you all are doing well and have enjoyed your summer gardens.
Now is the time to take in the flowers to over winter in the basement.
The putting away all the garden decorations for another year.
Planting for next springs color show that we will be so ready for
after a long winter.
And the never ending raking and mulching of fallen leaves.

Happy Fall to you all and
Happy Gardening.

Lona

July Already ? ???

2015-07-07T15:31:00.001-04:00

Well it seems a month has sped by in the hills. It was a month of break downs here and at my Moms. Seemed like whenever something leaked, clogged or broke it at her house it would happen here at ours.
From leaking water lines to leaking natural gas lines. To clogged up sewer and drain lines to broken water heaters and dry water wells. It was the month from hades. We’ve gotten mostly all back in working order all except getting Moms water well dug deeper. I love it here on top of these giant hills until we start digging water wells. Ours is 460 feet deep and Moms at only 400 feet needs to be dug deeper. So we are now waiting on a very busy well digger to do this final (I pray) chore.

Rhapsody Clematis

June was a wet month here filled with a little rain most every day. The grass and weeds loved it but some of the flowers and the tomato plants not so much. Not complaining too much because I did not have to water the many plants but I have this eerie feeling that it will bite us back come August to go straight into a hot, dry desert instead of the tropical weather we are having now. It did show me that I would not do well in the tropics.

But the older established plants in the garden grew on despite what the weather threw at them.
The Yarrow plants handle dry and hot weather but they seemed not to mind wet feet and are blooming beautifully. I am afraid the kids cannot see through the yarrow in front of them. I think they need higher seating.

The many Astilbe plants were at their best in June.

The Bellflowers were happy with it all.

I ran to take pictures when sun did shine.

Campanula Alba Peach leaf is a spreader in my garden and I have been transplanting some of them into the woodland bed because they do not mind the shade.

The Columbines bloomed beautifully in June.

Rose Barlow aquilegia.

I was thrilled when I spied these native Foxgloves blooming in the woodland bed. Got to love free flowers that the birds bring into the garden.

The yellow perennial Foxgloves get bigger every year.

This Apple Blossom Geranium was started for me by Kathleen @ Kasey’s Korner, knowing that I had lost (or killed) mine. I was so excited when I got it the mail. It started blooming in June.
Thanks again Kathleen.

Every year I find a new geranium to plant to add to my collection.
The new one this year is “Red Splash”. It has white petals giving way to a deep pink or red in the center and I just love it. It is planted in one window box with white euphorbia and red petunias.

Red Elphin Impatiens are in the shady Tipsy Pots this year with my little red wagon behind it. My Dad had built this wagon for me years ago and I have put it through so much gardening over the years. Will the back board broke from the bed this spring. My daughter got me a new wagon for Mothers Day but I cannot let go of the red one because Dad made it for me and he is no longer around and when I see it I always think of him so it sets in one of my garden beds. So it has been retired and I am thinking of moving it to a sunny spot and filling it with pots of flowers to get a few more years out of it.

Some butterflies did show up in June when the milk weed started blooming but still there are not as many as we had been getting before the aerial spraying for gypsy moths the last three years.

And finally as most of my old followers know I always have new kittens every spring that grow in my flowerbeds. This year there were 2 new ones, an all gray one and a black one with white paws are now growing and smashing down flowers where they try to hide. They had eaten their lunch and decided the feeding bowl was a great place to take a nap.

I hope you all are enjoying the summer and your gardens.

Blessings & Happy Gardening,

Lona

I am in Love

2015-06-02T15:21:00.001-04:00

Hello Friends.
I do not know about where you live but here in Ohio it has been in the fifties for two days and after those eighty degree plus days it just flat out feels cold.

I planted this Clematis vine last fall so this is the first time it has bloomed for me in the Rose Garden.
And I am in love….

“Little Mermaid” has such a fantastic dark pink color on its petals.

Near the center there is a ting of purple.

I first saw this pretty on Pinterest and I loved the unusual pink color in the pictures shown of it. Sometimes (or a lot of times) you do not get the color flower blooms that are hoping for or are shown in the pictures when buying plants, but this one is true to the pictures of it.

(My pictures are not the best with my worn out camera)
The blooms do not hang on as long as other clematis vines but I think this one is going to be my favorites.

But this “Florida Seiboldii” could change my mind. It just gets prettier each year. The vines are not as leafy as other clematis vines so the blooms look like they are floating in air sometimes.
It is has such lovely blooms that last a long time.

I bought this clematis vine under a different name from an online gardening site. How many of you have saw the same plants sold under different names??
Anyway her true name is “Josephine” and she is three years old.
It has big double pink and white blooms and it is just loaded this spring.

Despite the silly weather (it is Ohio after all) my garden in flourishing this year so far, with many plants blooming earlier.

These are three of my earliest blooming clematis vines and my favorites. I have a few that bloom a little later.

The gnomes have returned and Hens and Chucks are growing in the fabulous Hypertufa pot I got for a dollar last year at the local Library.

The little log house in it was purchased at the Country Living Fair last fall just for it. The “Burgundy Glow” Ajuga groundcover is spreading nicely around the Gnomes home under the Maple tree along the front walkway.

The neighbors living across the way (the sidewalk) to the Gnomes are the ‘Fairy family’.
They got a new Barberry bush added to the landscape and they are quite pleased with how it looks.

What are some of your favorite vines or clematis?
Do you have a fairy or gnome garden?

I hope you all are having a lovely week and are able to enjoy your flowers and gardens now that the work is getting done in them. We should not get so caught up with the work that we cannot enjoy the beauty.

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Rhododendron Time

2015-05-23T09:08:00.001-04:00

It is Rhododendron time here in the hills. Mine were at there peak the first of the week.

I know… I show them to you every year but I love these big beauties which have been around for so many years now.

The lavender one reaches to the roof of my two story home and is over forty years old. The red one is about thirty year.

I wish their big, beautiful blooms would last all summer but the petals are starting to fall fast.

This has been a crazy week here in the hills as the weather in Ohio goes. Lows in the lower 40’s well after are frost dead line for here.
I am hoping this will be the last cold spell here and it will warm up to at least normal.

I have to mention one thing…. in my absence from blogging this winter only to check on a few of you from time to time. It was such a great shock to learn that one of my blogging friends had passed away. I had written her when she was just starting to be sick and because of things here happening had not talked to her for a couple of months. Many of you were also friends with our dear Balisha, or Pat. It broke my heart to hear of her passing and I felt like I had let her down by not being there to encourage her and going through it with her. For that I am so sorry. She was such a talented and loving woman.

Cancer is such a terrible disease that can take us fast or take one slowly. I know she is safe now in the arms of Jesus and is in a much better place than a lot of us. My heartfelt condolences to her family and to her blogging friends.
I want you all to know that I appreciate you for reading my blog through the years and for sharing your gardens and your lives with me.

Everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

And

Happy Gardening,

Lon

Wonderful Springtime

2015-05-16T18:40:00.001-04:00

It has been so long since my last posting. I hope everyone has been enjoying their spring and that your flower gardens are growing by leaps and bounds.
I think so many of my flowers in the flowerbeds are into the ‘third year and leaping’. Some of the beds I am afraid are beginning to look like small jungles.

The daffodils and

tulips have come and gone.

”China Towne”

And so have the crocus.

The primroses were so pretty and full this year.

When I see them like this I want to plant even more of them.

As usual the Ohio weather has been so surprising this spring. We run the gambit of from the freezer to the oven and back again a few times. Eighties last week and then back to frost. Thankfully here on the hill the frost did not kill my Lilac blooms.

The two huge bushes along the bank give off some wonderful fragrance throughout the yard. The blooms were fewer and smaller this year though I noticed, but I got to enjoy their fragrance if not the show anyway.
Missing were all of the butterflies again this spring.
The spraying of the Gypsy moths here the last two years was useless. The moths and bagworms are still here while the butterflies paid the price.

Even the 3 year old Lilac bush gave me some blooms this spring.

The Lenten Roses were so pretty and now the bushes are growing so large. I wish they would hold their heads up for a better view.

I have all my annuals collected that will go into the containers and boxes. Now to get them planted. Some sweet peppers and tomatoes will also be planted.
A lot of my garden work this spring went into trying to get my Rose Garden back into shape. The awful winter before this one killed so many bushes that I am working on replacing. They are planted now I am hoping they will grow. I had to resort to buying a couple replacements that were preserved with paraffin, which I said I would never do again because they just will not sprout for me. Fingers crossed on them.
And as usual the queen of “mobile plants” has been moving some again but don’t we all do that? Or is it just me?

Down in the trial bed I have tall phlox and coneflowers coming up one on top of the other. (A few Columbines are still coming up) I just threw in all the saved seeds from the Phlox and Coneflowers last fall hoping they would grow. Well I got my wish. Now where to plant them all. LOL! I see the woodland garden will be a good place to plant some of those phlox plants. Also I have a corner bed I reworked which can use some color. The only problem is not knowing what color they will be blooming. The phlox seeds were all mixed together so they could be a mixture of pink, white and purple which will go with most of my garden plants anyway.
The coneflowers will be anyone's guess.Well who doesn’t like surprises anyway? I can always move them around later. And that is what I do best.
Also some Ohio friends brought back some seeds for me from Florida and I planted them there to get them started this spring.
{ Thank you Joe & Linda!}

”Bluetts”
Some of you who have become garden friends to me over the years have been on my mind even if I did not post any new postings. Some I have dropped by and read your blogs just to see how you have been. Life gets in the way of us all sometimes.

“Marsh Marigold”
And sometimes a flower that you have sent to me or mailed me seeds from will bloom and I am always thankful to have them to remember you by. They always bring a smile.

“Jane Magnolia”

I hope you are all enjoying the flowers in your gardens as much as I am this spring. I got to counting and the 17 year cicada will be coming out here next year, so I am going to enjoy the garden this year because this girl will not step out of the house much for a few weeks next year. Gives me the shivers just to think about them flying into my hair and slitting my young trees.

Everyone try to get those muscles back into shape and get out into those gardens you worked so hard to make.

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Some Color For February

2015-02-13T09:14:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is doing well. It has turned out to be a very cold week and a much too snowy month so far for some along the eastern coast. I cannot imagine so much snow in the large cities. Where does one pile all of that snow to even get out of their houses? It is not like out here in the country side where we have loads of room to throw the white stuff. My heart goes out to them.

It is hard to find something to write about on my blog in the winter so the postings are few and far apart.
New gardening catalogs have been coming weekly in the mail.
Are you searching through them seeking first to see the new plants offered for this year? I always look forward to seeing the new offerings every year for spring planting.

The only blooming color in my house thus far in this new year are these gorgeous red amaryllis blooms.

I had won these in a contest and they are a gorgeous red. Just what I need to brighten up a cold and cloudy day.

Everyone have a safe weekend and stay warm if you are here in the frozen north.

Dreaming of Gardens,

Lona

Whimsical Garden Containers

2015-01-20T14:41:00.001-05:00

We are having our January thaw right now and all the ice and snow is about melted. Making room for more is my guess.

Most of you who have been following my blog for a few years have come to know that I love containers that are out of the norm for planting flowers.

My family knows this all to well and now they never throw anything away without asking me if I want it to plant flowers in.
They know if it holds dirt then it is a candidate for my garden.

I think baskets are my favorite container for planting flowers into and sticking them around everywhere, even on the sides of the trees to add a touch of color in the shade.
Granted the wicker baskets do not last long out in the weather but you can pick them up in any thrift shop cheap.
I know I am not alone in the container garden whimsy idea as evidenced looking at several of my gardening friends gardens. Some of you have the touch for finding that just right whimsical container for their garden.
Being a fan of Pinterest I have found that there are no bounds when it comes to garden containers. Some of the ideas bring my own to shame.

I love this idea of adding vines to dress up this rusty slat barrel with hanging plants.

A world where dust pans are not just for collecting scraps.

Two hanging baskets put together becomes a hanging Fairy garden.

Even the tiniest container can be your water garden …

or succulent garden.

No longer have that parakeet because you forgot the pan was not under it when you left the cage and it flew away ?
(Yes I really did that one).
No problem. Just add soil, plants and a little water.

And those shoes that pinch your toes and are out of style. Nor can you ever wear that bridesmaid dress again anywhere.
Thank goodness!

The kids always hated taking lunch in a lunchbox to school because their friends never did and they wanted to be like them.

Finally a use for that old bread box in the basement.
Well the truth is I still use my old wooden one.

That old bench you are afraid to set on because it may fall through and you will be seen on your backside with your feet pointing to the heavens for all the world to see.

My gravy was always too lumpy to chance displaying it in a pretty gravy boat anyway so why not fill it with something pretty and tasty too.

Take that you old finger smasher!

Plant your drawers girls!

We all have leftover paint buckets stuck around.

Old light shades make pretty hanging baskets.

And as such is in my case… too poor to take a trip.
Well you get the idea.
The possibilities are unlimited when it comes to flower containers.
Do any of these get your gardening juices flowing?
Do you have that favorite whimsical container in your garden?

Everyone have a great week and………

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Deep Freeze

2015-01-12T11:05:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! I hope your weekend went well and your week ahead does not get too snowy or cold.

We finally got a big snow here in the hills. Whoops, I need to get the heater in the birdbath.

The kids had pointy hats and were getting covered by the six inches of snow we received last week.

I was thankful for all this snow because we dropped into a deep freeze right after receiving it. All this snow was a welcome insulation for the plants in the flower beds. We got down to –3 degrees with wind chills that were unbearable when you stepped outside the house.

As usual Aspen loved all the snow and I have to make him come in. I am afraid he is going to get frost bite on his little nose.

The leaves were curled up tight on the giant Rhododendron bushes trying to protect themselves from the freezing temps.

Indoors the amaryllis are starting to sprout and I will be anxious until I can see them bloom.
I started receiving seed catalogs this year before Christmas so now I am going through them trying to decide what to grow this spring and what seeds to start indoors. I better be getting my seeds ordered because it will be time to start them soon.

Everyone have a wonderful and safe week.

Lona

Winter Decorating

2015-01-04T16:18:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know for some it is hard but I hope you had good thoughts and smiles.
We had a good Christmas here even though we are small in number these days.

Mom has Alzheimer's and was more interested in the bags of candy but she enjoyed herself.
Aspen’s gift was not wrapped but it did not take him long to get that new Bear out of the bag, and to find the squeaker either. We have our Christmas on Christmas Eve every year and always go out and have pizza for some strange reason. Then come back and have a gift exchange. I cook dinner on Christmas day then but Mom wants to stay home so I send out a plate. We wonder how long it will be now before I have to move in with her and stay because she is failing fast now it seems. I am so thankful that my daughter lives right beside of her and has nursing training.
We left town after having our pizza and got home to find out that a tornado had touch down near where we had been but no one was injured so God is good.
We have had a mild winter so far but they are saying this coming week will be very cold and some snow is coming with the colder temps. I have enjoyed the mild temperatures. It was 58 degrees this morning with rain when I got up, but the temperature has been falling during the day. I am not going to complain after last winter.

As for New Year’s …. this girl slept right through it. What can I say, some evenings I cannot keep my eyes open. This gal is getting old. LOL!

After taking down the Christmas decorations it always looks so bleak around the house and on the front porch so I like to decorate just for winter every year.

I get out the snowmen and stick them around everywhere inside the house and outside too.
My latest acquisition is this 5 foot tall wood snowman that I picked up at a local Traders Day this Fall. He is so happy and doesn’t he just make you smile.

I picked up some white pine boughs at a clearance sale at JoAnne's after Christmas and put them in a crock and added some blue branches and a blue lighted bow. There are also lighted blue and white branches in the crock so it looks lovely at night.

A blue throw with white snow flakes on it is thrown over my wicker rocker. So it is a very country looking corner on the front porch. It lifts my spirits when I go out at night or when I walk Aspen.

But here in Ohio we decorate for everything. My family from Tennessee says they never seen so many decorated house until they came up here. LOL!

Everyone have a wonderful week and stay warm and safe.

Lona

Merry Christmas !!

2014-12-23T16:26:00.001-05:00

Where does the time go? The gardens are all put to bed and winter is upon us to keep us out of the gardens for a while.

We got our first little snow on November 17th and since then it has been fairly mild. We will take all the mild we can get after last winter, but the reality is that winter has just getting started and I am certain there will be many surprises to come.

I think the only one who enjoys the snow (after the first one anyway) is Aspen and it shows by the way he always has to rut in it. All he needs is a red and white suit.

I was lucky enough to win this crate with two large Amaryllis bulbs from Kylee over at “Our Little Acre”. So that is the only gardening I will be doing for a few months. I will welcome the color later on when it blooms to be sure and the crate will be lovely to plant more flowers this Spring.
I brought in a few of my favorite geraniums to hold over the winter and several are in the basement. I just cannot seem to just let them go of them so I lug them back to the basement.

Life here has been somewhat complicated at times. I guess everyone has those days and years but this too shall pass I know.
I have missed writing but I have dropped by to check on a few of you from time to time to see how your garden grows and what is happening in your lives. I know I did not get all that I wanted to do done in the garden this year, but isn’t that the way it goes every year?

I wanted to get this posting up and not miss the chance of telling you all how much I have appreciated your friendship and comments over the years.
But most of all I wanted to tell you all to have….

A Very Wonderful Christmas and a

Happy New Year,

filled with happiness and blessings for you and your families.

Goodbye to the Growing Season

2014-10-14T19:50:00.001-04:00

We are in our peak Fall color season here in the hills with trees all dressed in golden, orange and scarlet leaves Traffic has been fairly heavy here near the State Park system with cars filled with people admiring the colors. They will not be lasting long with the rains and winds knocking them off as fast as they have turned.

Two Maple trees at the corner of the yard always turn the prettiest flaming red. They have had their pictures taken many times by passerby's. One day a group of young people came into the yard and just set and took pictures like the yard belonged to them.
Maybe since I live beside the State Park these foreign admires thought it was all state land. I just went out and told them hello and left them snapping pictures.

In the garden the Japanese Anemones are finishing their blooming.

I am always so glad each year that I have the Anemones in the garden because they start blooming as my other flowers are waning before Fall.

Marguerite with its double petals is heavy with bloom this fall.

The tiny blooms on the Helenium were loaded but even they are now about done.

The Sunshine Yellow Lantana and Black Potato vines will soon be put away in the basement.
I have been cleaning up some of the flower beds that are finished and collecting seeds that I will sow into the trial bed before winter.
I have collected a lot of tall phlox and coneflower seeds to sow.

The Cherry Swizzle Zinnia’a are still going strong and I want to keep some of their seeds after the frost takes them.

Verbena and petunias have been cleaned out of the window boxes.
They were looking so terrible that I just yanked them out but I left the geraniums in them. The weather here has been making me think that I will not have time to plant pansies. It has been showing all the signs like we are going to get another early winter so I am thinking what is the use.

This was the first time that I have grown Narturtium’s, and although the red blooms on this variety was pretty I had trouble with the vines turning yellow, so I must have been doing something that they did not like. Regardless I have decided that I am just not a fan of them. I did not try them in a salad… has any of you tried eating the blooms?

The Red Asters that were grown from seed are just beautiful, so I will be planting them again and more of them next year. They are making a bright splash where they were planted. Too bad they are annuals.
Should I try to over winter them in the basement this winter to see if they will come back?

The white blooms of the Chocolate Snakeroot amongst the dark foliage of the Wine and Roses Weigela looks so pretty.
I welcome their white blooms in the Fall but they are seeding and coming up in several spots in the flower beds so they are invasive here.

Some of the rose bushes are getting that last bloom on before winter.

I have started cleaning off some of the flowerbeds so the leaves can be raked and mulched up. As I am cleaning them off I am wondering why summer and now fall has been speeding on by so fast.
I always get sad this time of the year as the daylight hours shorten
and the flowers are cleaned out. I need sunlight gardeners! LOL!
No really I do, because I have a Vitamin D deficiency which goes along with the Fibromyalgia and the doctor has me on Vitamin D3 pills. So hey, maybe the vitamins will help with the SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that hits me each fall and winter.

The Fairy’s and Gnomes have been put away for another season.
When I start cleaning up the garden décor and stacking it into the little red wagon to take it to the shed I always have more to put into the wagon in the Fall than I put out in the spring seems.
I tell myself that I have just got to quit buying the stuff but by spring it is all forgotten as I drag it back out to place in the beds once more and with the joy of getting to garden again and seeing new Spring blooms.
Everyone enjoy your fall colors. And for us up north enjoy every colorful bloom that is still in the garden before it all turns white.

Happy Gardening,

Lona

In the Garden

2014-08-28T19:19:00.001-04:00

Well this month is just about gone and it went flying by for me. Blogging has not even been on my mind lately. Just too much happening here with the family. We worked for four days getting my 82 year old moms water and sewage working. We were glad it was finally working and then our commode started leaking. LOL!
Did you ever have one of those weeks. My printer quit working, the vacuum is ready to stop working all together and now the transmission on the car is slipping. And the camera is slowly dying on me as I mentioned before, and I feel like crying or throwing it across the yard. Or do I just need to have my eyes checked.
It has been a while. LOL!
Yet in all this I am still blessed because it is all just material things and cannot compared to all the things that are going on around the world and here in the states.
Excuse the venting gardeners.

Now to the garden………

The lilies are almost finished blooming here but my sad looking roses are getting a few more buds since the nights are cooler.The daylight hours are getting less gardeners and I am not happy seeing the days getting shorter.

The “Cherry Sizzle” Zinnias are just now blooming just as the tall phlox blooms are blowing away.

This ‘Nora Leigh’ panticula variegated phlox is the last to bloom.
I hate to see the phlox blooms fade away. In my last posting they were in their glory.

The shady window boxes are looking pretty filled with Caladiums, Impatiens, Torenia and Creeping Jenny. Thanks for the plant suggestions you all gave me to get these shady boxes looking pretty. I love this mixture. I am wondering if the Creeping Jenny will survive in the boxes through the winter freezes to grow again next spring?
I will leave them in the boxes and find out. My other window boxes that are in full sun are starting to look sad but it will soon be time to put pansies in them for fall.

Red Cardinal flowers are still blooming in the red garden bed. I love this flower and need to seed more of them. Maybe getting some blue ones to add to the beds next spring.
My “plants to get” list is never ending. How about yours?

The double blooming ‘Crazy Daisy’s are gone now and

the Shasta Daisies are slowly fading in the beds and need trimmed.

Rudbeckia and

Helenium now are filling in some spots with their fall colored blooms.

In the woodland bed the Ligularia are blooming now.

Dahlias grown from seed are blooming away in this large container. I have better luck with the seeds than I do the bulbs. None of my bulbs are growing or blooming this year.

I have a Cardinal Vine growing in this pot with the dahlias. But I have not gotten the camera to cooperate with me yet to get a good picture of the Cardinal vines blooms or the Japanese Anemones that are blooming now in the garden.

This “Atom” Gladioli is a little stunner. I am not fond of growing gladiolas because they always break for me. This one did just that after I got a picture of it while it was raining.

The Lord Baltimore Hibiscus blooms are fading now also.
Where has this summer gone?

The Japanese beetles loved my hibiscus…

They are fond of Rose of Sharon blooms also by the way.
I have to tell you that they were few in numbers this year around my garden and I did not miss them munching my roses and other blooms.

Another flower I tried this summer was this ‘Heavenly Blue’ Petunia. This picture does not capture the blue in them very much but I like this one so much that I will be saving some seeds from them.

The shameless “Naked Lady” or “Resurrection” Lycoris squamigera lilies have come and gone with only the stems to tell that they were even here.

There are always basket and containers of Impatiens stuck around in those shady spots of my garden.

So this is some of the things that have bloomed or are blooming in the garden.

Everyone have a safe and lovely holiday weekend and….

Happy Gardening,

Lona

WHOA !……. NOW!

2014-08-02T14:08:00.001-04:00

Okay where did July go to? It is August already! Does anyone else feel like Summer is just going by way to fast? With our crazy polar vortex's coming in the last two weeks it feels like Fall at times. Slow down already! LOL!
Oh well time does keep marching on.
Meanwhile back to gardening and flowers…

Stealing the show now in the flower beds are the Coneflowers and Phlox and I have plenty of each spread around in the beds.

I love the coneflowers because the butterflies, hummingbirds and bees love them.

They also love phlox paniculata. I think it is the fragrance of the phlox that attracts them.

This is a bed between the house and the garage. On this end of the bed it is sunny so it is a wonderful place to fill the bed with Phlox, coneflowers and lilies.

On the other end it is in shade from a large Maple tree so it gets filled with Heuchera, Bleeding Heart, Goats Beard, Astilbe, Anemones, Toad Lilies, Ferns and a few other shade loving plants.

This is a bed beside the back of the house and it is filled with Echinacea, Daisies, Lilies, so many other plants, and of course more tall phlox.

Even Aspen loves the fragrance of the tall phlox. Too bad he is such a little thing and cannot get close enough to get a good
whiff of the tall phlox. He is more of a Creeping Phlox kind of doggy. LOL!

This is another bed on the other back side of the house.
The rain has my Raspberry Truffle Echinacea falling over. Next year this bed should be in its leaping stage. (fingers crossed)
This bed is filled with Lobelia, Bee Balm, Salvia, Helenium, Lilies, Dianthus and of course more tall phlox. Did I mention I loved Coneflowers and Phlox? LOL!
The payoff besides having beautiful blooms from all of them now is the heavenly fragrance coming from these beds. I wish I could bottle it for this winter.

This Clear Wing Hummingbird Moth is loving the Blue Boy phlox in this bed.

“Katherine”

“Bright Eyes”

“David’s White”

“Becky Towe”

“Blue Ice”

“Adonis”

“Miss Ellie”

“Laura”

“Cherry Red”

“Blue Boy”

“Franz Schubert”

“Starfire” & “Cherry Red”

There are two more Nora Leigh and Orange Perfection which are just now budding. I love how they are making my beds look this time of the summer and will be adding more throughout the other beds I am sure.

Everyone have a lovely weekend and……….

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Lily Fest 2014

2014-07-23T19:14:00.001-04:00

My daughter and I attended Lily Fest this month. Since we did not attend last year we wanted to go see if there was anything different.
There was some beautiful blooms to be sure and some great exhibitors this year. We could tell that the gardens had lost some plants over the winter just like our gardens here.

Here are a few pictures from our visit this year.

There were no plant markers on any of the lilies so I do not have the names of any of these beauties below.

Pickerel Rush Water Plants growing in a little pond. I would love to have one for my little Pump water pond.

Lace cap Hydrangea

Jacob Kline Monarda Bee balm

Plant in an old desk for something different to hold your containers …

Plant in a book… I love how this looks, but I love books more I fear than to tear them up……….

But I would not think twice about planting in an old purse.

I loved this Begonia but I always drown them so I will enjoy looking at other gardeners Begonias.

Every time we attend Lily Fest I always have to snap lots of pictures of the pond full of Lotus blossoms. I just love these beauties.

Bottle Brush Tree ?? The fragrance of these blooms was divine.

I have to admit I am not a fan of fake Flamingoes, in fact I hate them.They just do not do the beauty and color of live Flamingoes justice. This funny one did nothing to change my mind. LOL!

And one very large Toadstool was growing in the garden. Being interested in junk gardening and reusable’s we had to look it over good to see how it was made. LOL! It is made from a wood porch column and a Paper Mache top covered with a red plastic table cloth with white dots painted on it.

A very patriotic wheelbarrow.

Just one of the Artisans booths of many on the grounds that had their wood carvings on display.

Everyone have a wonderful week and…

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Technorati Tags: Lily Fest 2014

It Is All About The Lilies

2014-07-02T11:58:00.001-04:00

Wild Horses Hemerocallis

Garden Pleasures Orienpet. The fragrance is so strong!

Going Bananas Hemeorcallis

Burgundy Glow Hemerocallis

Little Dancer Hemerocallis is s tiny one.

Prairie Blue Eyes Hemerocallis

Unknown Asiatic. I think it is my Elodie going wonky.

Stephanie Returns Hemerocallis

Daring Deception Hemerocallis

King Porcelain Hemerocallis

Little Business Hemerocallis

Lollypop Asiatic

White Oriental

Yellow Oriental

Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures my camera is finally going kaput.

Everyone have a safe a wonderful July 4th

and…

Happy Gardening,

Lona

This is Just All Wrong

2014-06-20T10:48:00.001-04:00

Hello gardeners. Well the heat is on but I am not going to complain at all after this winter so I will just wipe beads of sweat and move on. LOL!

Well the hits just keep coming in the Rose Garden. Remember the Blue Girl rose that turned out to be a questionable Yellow Rose from the last posting.
{Thank you Nadezda for the identity that it may be 'Amber' rose}.
Well this beautiful velvet red rose was suppose to be a ‘Chicago Peace’ rose.

I know, right! Now you know why I am fast becoming the “Queen of the Mixed-up Plants”.
It is beautiful though so I cannot complain. It might just be a ‘Mr. Lincoln’ rose instead?? Maybe I should move it to the Red bed.

Speaking of the Red flower bed, “Huskers Red” penstemon is blooming there. I just made this bed two years ago and it is filling in very well this year. I call it the Red Bed because I have lots of red Bee Balm, Cardinal Flowers, Phlox, Lilies, Valerian, Dianthus and….

of course I have a little red step ladder in it. This year I planted two red rose bushes into it… well I think they are red but with the way things are going they could bloom just any ole color.
But not to worry about it now. If one is not red I have that Red Chicago Peace to move into it. LOL!

The Crimson Star clematis is just loaded this spring. I wonder why it is named Crimson when it is a purple. Hey wait! Maybe it is not Crimson Star after all!!

In the Shady bed this yellow Digitalis grandifloa D. ambigua Foxglove.

It is a perennial type that last longer than the other biennial Foxgloves. It is spreading wonderfully and lights up this spot shade area of this bed.

Stella de Oro Hemerocallis is always the first of the daylilies to bloom in my garden. This lily is just so rugged and easy to grow. I have divided them so many times and now they bloom in several places in the garden and woodland beds.

Continuing along the yellow line, this is Lysimachia punctata, “Alexander” Loosestrife. I love its variegated foliage which is pretty all season long after the blooms have been spent, and it is not an invasive loosestrife in my garden anyway. I have it in part shade and it is doing well there.

Widow’s Tears, Spiderwort or Tradescantia is also blooming in the shady beds. I have these stuck in several areas in the yard because I have many shady areas.They come in several colors.

It been so enjoyable this spring in the garden, even with all of the many garden chores of pulling weeds, planting, digging and laying of many bags of mulch. It just feels good to be out in nature and very fulfilling to look at all you have worked so hard at growing and creating those beautiful colors of blooms and textures throughout the yard. I have scattered so many seeds this spring in the woodland bed and other beds to try to get more color and it will be fun to see what seeds can grow and survive in this clay ground.

There have been a lot of losses in the beds after this winter, and those plants that you have to move because they just did not grow like you thought they would or look just right even with all the planning, and in my case some mixed up plants that will have to be moved later, but that is the way of gardening and we gardeners are always adding, tweaking and creating.
I hope you all enjoy your gardens and if it is becoming more work than pleasure then maybe you need to downscale some big ideas you had of taming the whole yard in one summer and take them on in steps instead. Forget the rules and neighbors and just build a garden that pleases you and what pleases your senses. We need to enjoy what we are doing and take time to set amongst the flowers.
Everyone have a great weekend and week ahead and…

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Technorati Tags: Widow's Tears,Lilies,Roses,Rose Companion,Loosestrife,penstemon,clematis

In The Garden This Week

2014-06-06T12:06:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone. I am hoping you all are having a wonderful week. With warm temperatures staying around now the garden is growing by leaps and bounds here in the hills.

Bright yellow blooms from “Molly” Alliums are appearing in a few areas in the garden. They are multiplying each year which I love. More to divide and spread around into different beds.

Aruncus Goats Beard is brightening up the shady bed.

My white Astilbes are always the first of the Astilbes to bloom in the Spring. Can you spot the little Silver Wing Butterfly?

The Florida Sieboldii Clematis is putting on blooms but its foliage is sparse compared to the other clematis vines I have in the garden.

The blooms are gorgeous on this vine.

I am sad to report that my “Silver Moon” Clematis did not survive this awful winter we had. Just one of many plants I lost to the winter.

“Josephine” Clematis is blooming now amongst its light yellow-green foliage.

The “Blue Johnson” Geraniums are really large this year. I am going to move them because they are taking over that section of the flowerbed and crowding out some other plants. That is what I get for not giving them enough room to start with and cramming in plants. Do you cram in plants too?

Another surprise flower. Anyone who has read my blog long enough knows I have had more than my share of getting the wrong plant in orders.
Meet my “ Blue Girl” Rose……. now is it just me or is this rose not lavender? LOL! Anyone have a guess as to what this pretty yellow rose is named?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and week ahead
And…..

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Technorati Tags: Surprise Plants,Florida Sieboldii Clematis. Josephine Clematis,Aruncus Goats Beard,Astilbe

Celebration!

2014-05-31T20:24:00.001-04:00

As in the name of my newest Peony.

I thought the blooms on my Coral Charm peony last week were just the prettiest things going until this peony opened up it blooms.

Makes me want to plant more peonies in the garden. I just wish their blooms lasted longer but they are worth the space in your garden beds.

I have been very busy this past week out in the garden laying a nice new layer of mulch and planting some annuals into containers.

It is amazing how new mulch can really add to the curb appeal around your home. Makes the back aching work very worth while when you step back and survey the work you have done. It also makes your plants stand out.

My daughter and I have been taking in a lot of Flea Markets and Yard Sales lately. We spent Saturday on the National Trail Route #40 Yard Sales hitting as many as we could get to.
At one of our travels last weekend I picked, or swooped up this Hypertufa trough at the local Hocking County Historical Society Yard Sale.
When I asked how much they wanted for it and they said a dollar On which I asked, “did you say one dollar”? Yes, a dollar!!!
Well we gardeners know how much they cost to buy or make so I was so excited. Celebration time !!
Believe me I would have run over people, shouting “make way” getting back to it to grab it up. LOL! Not really, but it did not take me long to hurry back and grab it. I was so excited and felt like I was cheating them because it was so cheap so I gave them more for it as a donation.
It is now planted with Hens & Chicks and a pretty “Pink Passion” mix of Portulaca. When it fills in I think it will be lovely.

At another stop at a yard sale I picked up these old light scones for 25 cents. Celebrate!!
I brought them home and set them on top of my cheap one dollar solar lights purchased from the local Dollar Tree Store to give them a pretty glow when they light up. I confess I saw this tip on Pinterest and I like how they look in my Shade Garden along the walkway.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend and week ahead and…

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Technorati Tags: Hypertufa,Peony "Celebration",Mulch

New To The Garden

2014-05-23T13:43:00.001-04:00

My first bloom from the new Peony “Coral Charm”.

I am in love with this bloom!

The Rhododendrons blooms are at their peak now.

Everyone have a wonderful and safe weekend ….and

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Remember ?

2014-05-18T16:15:00.001-04:00

Remember when you use to have garden tools that were indestructible? When your shovel handle would break before you could bend the head? Well I can and I am amazed at how they make such wimpy garden tools these days. Mind you now, I was digging up a rose bush to move to the woodland bed and bent the shovel head clear around with one pry. And no, I did not pry hard nor was the rose bush a rock solid monster. LOL! I guess I will have to bring out the ancient shovel in the garden shed once again.

We have been through another cold spell here in the hills of Ohio and I am glad I held myself back from putting out the veggie plants and filling the planters with annuals. Although I saw no frost around my house this morning there was frost in some places. I am praying this will be the last of our cold spells for the season because this Gardening Girl needs to plant! LOL!

This flower bed is now in the leaping stage and is starting to look full now with the lilies really taking off. Weigela “Wine & Roses” is blooming so pretty and Dianthus “Brilliant” is so bright it is hard to get a good picture of it.

I am just thrilled to see the Dianthus return after the ‘winter that was’.

The Variegated Weigela is also in bloom beside the front porch and I am vexed that it is not warm enough to set there and admire it without shaking all over.

The alliums are showing off now. I adore their purple heads but I wish the leaves on them were not prone to turning yellow.So I take pictures of just the tops. LOL!

The Rhododendrons are what is taking the stage in my garden now.

The leaves are showing signs of a bad winter and they are blooming on the back sides where they get more sunlight and did not get iced covered this winter.

Fewer blooms maybe, but what there is of them are still gorgeous and the bees and butterflies are enjoying them.

I have so many chores, places to go and twenty bags of mulch waiting on me to keep me busy this week if the weather cooperates.
Hope you all have a great week and

Happy Gardening,

Lona

Summer Comes

2014-05-09T15:25:00.001-04:00

This week summer came in just one day from cool damp weather to highs in the upper 80’s and I am loving it.
It meant I could get out in the beds and finally do some weeding and get some goodies put into the beds.
I planted some Lilies, Tall Phlox, Black Mondo Grass and a Shanghai Heuchera.

My daughter and I went to a local Amish Greenhouse Thursday and picked out some annuals. My daughter got me two new Pelargoniums there for Mother’s Day. They had two new beauties that I had not grown before so I am glad to add them to my collection. Thank you Shelly.
We love buying local but there are always a few plants that you have to send off to get because the smaller greenhouses here just cannot not grow all of the perennials you are wanting. Tomorrow the local Historical Society is having a yard and plant sale so we will see if I bring anything else home. LOL!
With such warm temperatures I have to tell myself not to get in a rush planting the annuals because I know we are apt to get some more frost before the 18th of May here in the hills.
The lawn furniture has been cleaned and brought back onto the porch in anticipation of some evenings of sitting with a good book, or the Good Book, and enjoying some reading and just being outside. Later on to enjoy watching Lightening bugs lighting in the field and woods.

In the garden now everything is growing fast. I always love seeing the Dicentra Bleeding Hearts blooming. Who can resist having these heart shaped blooms in the shade garden? The plants are a little smaller this year and the Alba has not bloomed yet, but I am just glad to see a lot of plants returning that I thought were killed over this nasty winter.

The “Persian Blue” Alluims are now blooming and they look pretty against the backdrop of the lavender Creeping Phlox subulata.

Pulmonaria “Diana Clare” looks pretty and the big Bumble Bees are loving those purple blooms.

English Blue Bells are starting to bloom in the shade garden….

along with the “Burgundy Glow” Ajuga.

The Gnomes and Fairies have returned to their home under the Maple tree with freshly painted flower pots. I plan to plant some moss around in their garden and into the pots.

Another Primula has started to bloom a brilliant redone. See the pollen on the petals. It is flying on the winds from all the pines in the woods. Yellow dusty clouds of it can be seen in the sir. Not good at all for the sinuses and allergies.

My tulips are lacking this spring. I planted three containers full of bulbs and not one tulip grew from them. But a couple different older ones are finally blooming.

“China Town” has beautiful variegated leaves but the blooms are a little strange.

And “Carrousel” came back this spring. I have had both for three years so I am surprised they are still blooming.

Tiarella “Spring Symphony” is smaller also this spring but I love those airy blooms in the shade garden.

In the woods the Dogwoods and Redbud trees are blooming and the fragrance is wonderful.

I want to wish all you Momma’s a beautiful Mother’s Day.

and Happy Gardening Everyone !

Until Next Time,

Lona