Where Did November Go?

A light snow fell right before Thanksgiving but soon melted, just what I love about Colorado. This year there is some nice "winter interest" on the strips due to the lack of heavy snows that knock everything down.

The roses are now put to bed. I cut off any extremely long branches that will break during winter winds and then wrap the bushes in twine, again for the same reason. I rake up all the debris, mulch and top soil around them, then I added some winterizer from High Country Gardens. After that my husband helped me put down new compost and garden soil, piled up against the bushes, and then mulch was added. Now I can go into winter knowing my roses are nice and warm, and given a boost to start them next spring. I don't mind doting on my roses since I only have a few bushes.

OMG, I can't believe looking at the calendar today! November has blown by. We had a small Thanksgiving snow storm after setting highs the days before (76 degrees)! I'm just thankful that so far (knock on wood) it has not been as snowy as last year. Because of this there is actually some "winter interest" on the strips and I enjoy looking at them every day. The only gardening chore I have not done yet is to clean up my tools. Gotta do that soon!

So, where has November gone? Well, I have spent most days redecorating and painting, and trying to catch up on household chores that went lacking during a busy gardening season. Wow, I didn't realize how far behind I was! I still have lots I want to accomplish by Christmas, but the progress I am most pleased with is getting all of the gardening books out of the living room and into my office. True, they are not organized here yet, but that is my next project. It will be good to have all of my information at hand while I'm at the computer and at my desk. Should make things much more convenient and efficient. And the next project will be to start a central catalogue on my computer of all my plants (from the very beginning). I'm looking forward to winter days to accomplish this.

This week I plan to catch up on all my favorite blogs and see what everyone has been up to. It feels good to have accomplished a few projects.

What a Differance a Day Makes

Yesterday was 79, a beautiful (but windy) day. I appreciated every moment because I knew what would be coming during the night. I'm glad the "Termination Project List" is nearing the end and this moisture is wonderful, even though the high today will be 38. That's Colorado for you!

Now just a recent memory

A brave rose still hanging in there

And the zennias are nice and warm with their little winter caps

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The new sedum garden today...

and yesterday.

Petunias putting on their last show yesterday...

... but not today! Japanese Anemone tried to withstand the wind.

So it's a good day to get out the winter clothes, put on a pot of soup, and let the gardens enjoy some much-needed moisture. The next few days it will be back in the high 70's again. Knowing that it makes the cold bitter wind easier to endure. Especially since it's Sunday and I don't have to be out in it. Here's to the first snow of the season!

October Blooms

The last rose of the year - Yellow Dream

And here is Voodoo's last blooms. I've never seen her get this tall! I think it was the new organic fertilizer that I used - "Peace of Mind."

I can't say that I have any "new" blooms for October, but there is still plenty of color to enjoy on a stroll through the gardens. Rudbeckia 'Cherokee' was a new plant this year and it is blooming like crazy right now. When the Autumn Joy Sedum was in it's pinkish stage I was sorry that I had planted them together. But now they go nicely as neighbors.

As I wander along the strips I see that my little 'Ava' Agastache (middle) is really trying hard to be as colorful and strong as it can. Last year is was huge, but at least it (barely) survived a difficult winter. I notice that most of the color is now gone from the Perovskias, Russian Sage. When the sun catches them in the early morning they have a filmy white edge. Seems like they look lovely in every stage.


I was quite surprised to see Salvia Rose Queen sprouting some healthy new blooms. I was thinking of leaving the dried stalks as winter interest, so I'm glad I had not gone ahead and cut them back. This was a nice treat.

Several little clumps of Feverfew have emerged this month. I truly love this flower. It adds such a delicate touch to the more commanding plants around it.

Here is a closer view of my 'Ava' Agastache - very late to the party, but at least she showed up. I originally planted four and now have only two.

The entry garden still looks colorful. I can always rely on Salvia 'Victoria Blue' to add a dramatic touch to this time of year.


A side view of one of the strips clearly shows that it is fall.

And lastly, it is this time of year that the annual Salvias (various reds) finally come into their own. They always hold out all year until just before it is time to snow. I love a touch of purple with them. I know... old ladies and stuff... but I have always loved this combination in just the right amounts. I'm a purple person for sure.

There are really quite a few blooms still hanging in or reblooming but these are the highlights. We've had one frost and today has been about 50, so tonight should offer another one. This has been a wonderful gardening year but I can't say I'm sorry that it is ending. Rather, I'm ready for some rest and to start dreaming for another season ahead.

Labor Day Fun, Sun & Gardens

Aaahh... September! The dog days of August will soon be a memory. Here's to cool nights and Indian Summer days. Bring them on! Labor Day weekend always begins here with a hot air balloon festival and this year (unlike a cold, rainy 2006) was beautiful. Just the kind of weather Colorado is known for. And the balloons were able to ascend for three mornings in a row. The thing that makes this festival fun is that you can walk right among the balloons as they are getting ready for launch and get a close-up view of everything. I used to enjoy walking among them but a bad knee and hips, plus the crowds that get larger every year, keep me away. So, here is the view I had as some of them came over our house.



Next on the agenda for the weekend was a Garden Party. Nothing I like better than appreciating other people's gardens and hard work. This is a new garden that a neighbor (Barbara) just finished. She is a delightfully interesting person, having worked at the Smithsonian, and she has varied interests and activities. So, her garden reflects this. I fixed her a little hostess gift of a cheese dip in a flower pot, securing fresh flowers from my garden in straws. The cheese dip was a recipe from The Golden Bee Pub at the Broadmoor Hotel.

Here's Barb working on her Carol Mackie Daphne (just kidding).

This view looks out over the herb and rose gardens. Oh... to have a nice clean slate to work on, not to mention actually having room to walk among and tend the roses.


Grapes are ready for harvest.

Close up of Carol Mackie Daphne in bloom. This shrub is certainly happy where it is.

I really love the molded concrete paths. They are such a natural color and texture and set off the various garden areas. The walkways were designed for use with a wheel chair, or to accommodate a (handicap) bath chair that she uses to garden... a great idea!.Here is the herb garden. The light-colored plant is curry, something I have never planted. It smelled divine, and she had a curry dip to go with it.

Barb has planted about 20 new roses and I enjoyed seeing the many different selections that she chose. It's so nice to see something so fresh and new. And again, I love those paths.

I've been wanting to put supports like this over my raised beds. They are made of pvc. She has done such a nice job of labeling. I love that and wish I had done more. It makes it so interesting to view plants and be able to identify them. The tender veggies have all been harvested and she has another crop planted for fall. If we have a nice Indian Summer we should be able to get some more lettuce and a little spinach (I hope).

Looking out from the veggie beds to the corner. Barb designed these raised beds herself. It's amazing what she has been able to do with this relatively small yard. HGTV should take this as an example of what a REAL makeover it!

Barb got a few roses from a farmer in the southeast part of the state who specializes in growing roses that do well in Colorado. This was a beautiful example...Morden Sunrise. Great job Barb!

Rainy August Morning

This was the scene as the day ended yesterday. A large thunderhead, one of many that have been dropping lots of rain and hail in the northern part of the area. We woke up to .1" rain, which made it a lovely morning for a stroll through the gardens and taking photographs.

I couldn't stop taking photos of the Japanese Anemone. The moisture made the buds a darker color than they usually are, and many of their pretty backs were turned toward the light. You normally don't see this view from the front when you walk by.

The roses are beginning their last beautiful flush for the season, and a lovely sight it is.

Yellow Dream with Russian Sage

Outstanding - Sharifa Asma

Tabboo

I have been adding to my collection of Heucheras this year. This is Creme Brulee.

This came in a hanging basket. It looks like Marmalade, but I'm not sure what it is.

Sunset Hyssop 'Acapulco Gold'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is beginning to bloom. Here with Salvia 'Blue Cloud'

And here with Russian Sage

And finally, a flower head in "Grandmother's Cutting Garden"

July Gardener's Bloom Day

"Voodoo" has never had so many blooms at once!

Certainly the highlight of my garden right now is my small rose garden. I have never had so many blooms as this year! I think I owe it to the new organic fertilizer I used for the first time, Peace of Mind. I have applied it twice.

Many of my garden areas are in transition. The Salvias have all been cut back (boo hoo) and are beginning their second bloom, although not as full. I cut back my beautiful large Pink Poppy which was a star attraction next to the May Night Salvia and Snow in Summer (which looks dreadful at the moment). Next to take center stage will be the Russian Sage. They are the mainstay of the hell strips from now on, and are almost in bloom.

Several Yarrows are in bloom, including red (Paprika), white, purple and gold. Autumn Joy is beginning to bud (is it that time already?) Here are photos of some of the highlights of this July 2007 Bloom Day:

And here is my pride and joy... Endless Summer Hydrangia... YEA!

This Creeping Jenny has the most delightful blooms, which I do not recall seeing before this year.

These Asiatic Lilies were a gift from a friend. I once had several plants but this is all that remains.

I'm posting this photo of a Hollyhock for my garden buddy LostRoses!

This is one of my Penstemons. I'm planning a special post on them in the near future.

What more beautiful way to view a Purple Coneflower? I do not know what kind of butterfly this is...perhaps someone could enlighten me?

This is a bright combination of carnations and Butterfly Blue Delphiniums.

This the first Rudbeckia of the year. They seem to last only a couple of years so had to be replanted this season.

This is in a container, a very delicate Salvia "Nymph Coral" which caught my eye at the nursery.

Other new blooms for July:

Gladiola - 1 so far

Cosmos - just beginning

Morning glories

Coreopsis

Hollyhock

Purple Monkshood

Continuing to bloom:

Rose Campion

California Poppies

Violas - many varieties

Verbena

Dianthus - a few varieties

Feverfew

Companula Scottish Bells

Shasta Daisies

Herbs continue to do well, thyme is heading out and cilantro is bolting. My 2 lavenders are blooming but need to be in a location where they get more sun.

Vegetables: Second crop of lettuce is showing leaves. We actually have about 3 green tomatoes, which is exciting. Have been harvesting cucumbers, yellow squash and peppers.