tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74033516429624024482024-03-04T22:05:48.659-08:00the musings of the cottage gardenerThe Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-50342116765038227682012-07-06T06:44:00.003-07:002012-07-06T06:44:52.816-07:00<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;">The slugs have been so abundant this year, I decided this entry deserves a repost. </span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
bane of my existence
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<b><i>SLUGS!</i></b><br />
<br />
Ok...well they may not be the actual <i>bane</i> of my existence, but
they come very close! I can't tell you how frustrating it is to go out
to the garden and find half eaten petunias, holey hosta and shredded
zinnias. If you're having this problem the cause is probably a very
slimy one...slugs! Nasty! Bleh!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhme2CQc6ojrsk3hpGyFLqKwz17JKKO547yLPTRgyF0p024CJndS3l1iMSaTKsyrxXl9TQorzV6_xcEqVGssv32FITEdDZ_NiWbWyiI_A326IknHr60yOd9UZ3tGF0JkO9AaKdunsf4TwU/s1600/large_slug.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhme2CQc6ojrsk3hpGyFLqKwz17JKKO547yLPTRgyF0p024CJndS3l1iMSaTKsyrxXl9TQorzV6_xcEqVGssv32FITEdDZ_NiWbWyiI_A326IknHr60yOd9UZ3tGF0JkO9AaKdunsf4TwU/s200/large_slug.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the scoop. Slugs are made up primarily of water and mucous (with
a little bumpy skin thrown in). They thrive in moist conditions and
are fairly nocturnal in their eating habits. They're gross and I
despise them! Left uncontrolled, they can destroy your garden. I have
had to replace many flowers already this year.<br />
<br />
So what do you do? Annihilate them! Anyway you can. Be merciless! I
know my gentle organic friends may take offense to my tactics but I spend way too much time and too much money to let some
slimy creatures use my gardens as a free buffet. <br />
<br />
How do you do it then?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd0YRb2ogt5hz1yau48B7lIjvxUFvGWYtx_3_8KszyrekyaKUqVFJbveItqCarWNQJKuGDAegZKBTzzIsd3nA5qqssDmwA5XEoPtBxS_QxPqCNU9g7WXGgYS4x3Weq_DCqiEuLRsEM8Q/s1600/wizardofzwitchmelt5.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd0YRb2ogt5hz1yau48B7lIjvxUFvGWYtx_3_8KszyrekyaKUqVFJbveItqCarWNQJKuGDAegZKBTzzIsd3nA5qqssDmwA5XEoPtBxS_QxPqCNU9g7WXGgYS4x3Weq_DCqiEuLRsEM8Q/s320/wizardofzwitchmelt5.JPG" /></a>1. <b>
Salt.</b> (sort of melts them like the Wicked Witch of the West). I have
friends who go out in the evenings with their salt shakers and take care
of their slugs that way. Downside: you can only kill the ones you see
and excessive salt can harm a garden.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJC7eA0UzyoH97exTKoiUv2LyR9MfxvVGWIwKIK5Eyb0rslsonz86Tiz7ZFu7U4I2FlJUY5wavmCxMgE4Tl5XF9SUpcUuW63FDc0qRoeTdija2Go3fgT4gtC_5p7SPoxHjXT9EhTC0Vw/s1600/slugs-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJC7eA0UzyoH97exTKoiUv2LyR9MfxvVGWIwKIK5Eyb0rslsonz86Tiz7ZFu7U4I2FlJUY5wavmCxMgE4Tl5XF9SUpcUuW63FDc0qRoeTdija2Go3fgT4gtC_5p7SPoxHjXT9EhTC0Vw/s200/slugs-1.jpg" width="200" /></a>2.
<b>Beer. </b> Yup that's right. Pour a little Pabst Blue Ribbon (or the ale
of your choosing) in a shallow dish and strategically place it in your
garden. The slugs will crawl right in and drown! They are attracted to
the yeast in the beer. Downside: big garden-lots of dishes and you
have to empty that nastiness in the morning. GROSS! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yp2-eLEYZUz9tT8TyKxNOjuRm3Y4sAiZCn0IZ2tGMit2nAXnippfwaCmnTXzdL5FV8WiGgX1pGUzVfK3K73rZYfwGXIpTkyJjpjWtWjl678zL57LqUB03SVujOppa4MJ6VlNIggZ5Wk/s1600/41WUu+bJ05L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yp2-eLEYZUz9tT8TyKxNOjuRm3Y4sAiZCn0IZ2tGMit2nAXnippfwaCmnTXzdL5FV8WiGgX1pGUzVfK3K73rZYfwGXIpTkyJjpjWtWjl678zL57LqUB03SVujOppa4MJ6VlNIggZ5Wk/s200/41WUu+bJ05L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a>3.
<b>Molluscicides.. Chemicals. Slug poison</b>. Now we're talking! The
most common form is 'Bug-Geta'. This particular metaldehyde comes in
granular or pellet form; just sprinkle a handful of them around your
affected plants (or along the entire garden if you're infested) and the
slugs will DIE! Downside: can be costly, you can't use it in your
vegetable garden and it can be harmful to dogs if eaten in large
quantities. This is my solution of choice.<br />
<br />
I'm sure there are many, many other ways to control these disgusting creatures - I suggest Google.<br />
<br />
Before I forget - they are tenacious and only need a moist surface to
crawl over so check your window boxes and containers for them too.
Sneaky, slimy, destructive, disgusting things.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-87915878026647358422012-04-14T14:38:00.001-07:002012-04-14T16:01:55.282-07:00Getting a Grasp on Grass<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;">"Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself."</span></i></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<i><span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">-Zen Proverb</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNKWOBawH84fyki85mSUBfHHfIj9bW7m3teAECwXIuzKQU-NLK74c9nGIslfct3eRncfjczGFWV9p37WrgEwRLhqfiKPqm2LFmi2TSa7kyAC7MsdAqjndLEcn73FEC49RY4pixqZT-v0/s1600/2712469104_418a70bed9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNKWOBawH84fyki85mSUBfHHfIj9bW7m3teAECwXIuzKQU-NLK74c9nGIslfct3eRncfjczGFWV9p37WrgEwRLhqfiKPqm2LFmi2TSa7kyAC7MsdAqjndLEcn73FEC49RY4pixqZT-v0/s320/2712469104_418a70bed9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;">Yes it does! And if you don't do something about it, it will grow into a behemoth and ruin your design! Now I am a lover of ornamental grasses and use them whenever possible. They are elegant, fairly inexpensive, add height or width (depending upon which grass you choose) and have winter interest. And while they are low maintenance, NOTHING is no maintenance. So here is a what you should be doing now that spring is here.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zXV_W3TsQWhYKd2T3J4uMaMc4IHMngJRajjpVxwlpHA4d_xlkXuqqwqLpgK-c9U75QvVQ-Y200QXyzReIEoEjb-kSo8PGBkg2PPao4JXU2Poh6kYw3dHG7ze3xACg2TWCtcXN7MoXL0/s1600/2012-04-11_11-05-01_822-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zXV_W3TsQWhYKd2T3J4uMaMc4IHMngJRajjpVxwlpHA4d_xlkXuqqwqLpgK-c9U75QvVQ-Y200QXyzReIEoEjb-kSo8PGBkg2PPao4JXU2Poh6kYw3dHG7ze3xACg2TWCtcXN7MoXL0/s640/2012-04-11_11-05-01_822-1.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;">This is a Pampas grass I planted to hide some electrical stuff that couldn't be buried. As you can see, it's pretty beaten up and has exhausted its winter beauty. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0Byr5kt3cW-RqrsPYaSRQH-rMo0meJ_igFJgfSXRjJNZOjxpyfEnxbvsff5NolGxEB5lT9dPgSKOTMLlqDjkgI8aNya11EFFyJsB2j2pVGB3roE38JswcWyGtK3z6HHGroSbiPdnwzc/s1600/2012-04-11_11-08-24_860-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0Byr5kt3cW-RqrsPYaSRQH-rMo0meJ_igFJgfSXRjJNZOjxpyfEnxbvsff5NolGxEB5lT9dPgSKOTMLlqDjkgI8aNya11EFFyJsB2j2pVGB3roE38JswcWyGtK3z6HHGroSbiPdnwzc/s400/2012-04-11_11-08-24_860-1.jpg" width="225" /></a><span class="sqq"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: large;"> To encourage earlier growth, and give it a tidier look, you need to cut it back to about 4-6 inches. Simple.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="sqq"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYbFpdDFa7mY5BogMEDDP1GPdOe6wHD4BwzN18VFzGdTKVj2qQ2fppbS80IKT-i8hXwfKh1XdX0sLl1b1fLmzTtuQH2vPT5Hc9z3jB6vjgNNzrrxIOw4Fgt4ze4ZMo6RQJ3y_qSc40ZI/s1600/428px-Pampas_Grass_in_Jindai_Botanical_Garden_-Japan_in_1964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYbFpdDFa7mY5BogMEDDP1GPdOe6wHD4BwzN18VFzGdTKVj2qQ2fppbS80IKT-i8hXwfKh1XdX0sLl1b1fLmzTtuQH2vPT5Hc9z3jB6vjgNNzrrxIOw4Fgt4ze4ZMo6RQJ3y_qSc40ZI/s400/428px-Pampas_Grass_in_Jindai_Botanical_Garden_-Japan_in_1964.jpg" width="285" /></a><span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;"> Every few years, you also need to divide your grass. If you don't, you will have a monster on your hands. Look at this mess (not sure who the dude with the duck bill was).</span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span class="sqq"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_lP-DxTfJ8Rg6NzGFJ6ky4P181Tdp791ppTf-80pCX1lFet0z8EJUadPODF7A2LrQ1HSBTFF15sJJfjU_KP2jZfvOhPkCpiTXzH0KWkE6822GjOm1SdLu1A8QxspH5GHu-raZ5MsADg/s1600/downsize-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_lP-DxTfJ8Rg6NzGFJ6ky4P181Tdp791ppTf-80pCX1lFet0z8EJUadPODF7A2LrQ1HSBTFF15sJJfjU_KP2jZfvOhPkCpiTXzH0KWkE6822GjOm1SdLu1A8QxspH5GHu-raZ5MsADg/s400/downsize-1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="sqq"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="sqq"><span style="font-size: large;">Dividing is simple. Decide how much you want to save, knowing that your grass will grow 1/3 to double every season. Then slice your shovel right down into it. Dig down as far as the root and dig it up. The delightful result of all your sweat is that you now have another beautiful ornamental grass to replant! </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;">Easy, easy and necessary. Don't delay, you'll feel like a champ! Look at all that new growth just waiting to take off! </span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx41b_GmUZp5Qb1e4sjSZGzwlGsSQH7dJxoLHhK9rYVngPq8BNTLPUd4KSiSXLSoWeuG-ZS5vVRd4qDTLLFh4N0Z04N6088YBumSh7MHBwSGQ3wV6u6MPeJWJYPmS-ufh2KhlFTbP45I/s1600/2012-04-11_11-11-37_180-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx41b_GmUZp5Qb1e4sjSZGzwlGsSQH7dJxoLHhK9rYVngPq8BNTLPUd4KSiSXLSoWeuG-ZS5vVRd4qDTLLFh4N0Z04N6088YBumSh7MHBwSGQ3wV6u6MPeJWJYPmS-ufh2KhlFTbP45I/s640/2012-04-11_11-11-37_180-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br /></span>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-89961258656528964172012-04-04T20:46:00.002-07:002012-04-04T20:49:15.828-07:00<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Posies, Picture Frames and Plastic Eggs</span></b></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<i> <span style="font-size: small;">“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”
<br />~Virgil Kraft</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaE7Aa9-zTjvcdEKQECxpIyQ4Ipb0QZncq3QTubKS2j9-FAYTNjASiKCnT2GDhj7Mf6qdIqGthtRgy2iR7a-dEz2_bl0mjL47xRBA_4ElLDw05yeykIhNcoVfLgWNc7fVds_OVm_Mvjs/s1600/angle+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaE7Aa9-zTjvcdEKQECxpIyQ4Ipb0QZncq3QTubKS2j9-FAYTNjASiKCnT2GDhj7Mf6qdIqGthtRgy2iR7a-dEz2_bl0mjL47xRBA_4ElLDw05yeykIhNcoVfLgWNc7fVds_OVm_Mvjs/s400/angle+front.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Ah...it's springtime and almost Easter. I love this time of year - so full of possibilities with every day looking a bit greener and fresher than the one before. After two months of dormancy, I'm a bit crazy with all the fresh air and jobs to do!!<br />
<br />
Anyway. It took awhile, but I finished the project I began last time I posted. (Yea! That's one down.) And I wanted to show you the final result. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cguLRZlhiragZFNpt3NBsPo2rHLUWBUNDfbqqu-7Og8q0d9n7UNYBjtWm5x-DV_VcnKRg10ye_6Pt_QrrLVV0MdzsP97iSSlodqq6PwrJZ6CuGQWEoQfdty_ONc_f52AVDtw0djeZOs/s1600/small+frame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cguLRZlhiragZFNpt3NBsPo2rHLUWBUNDfbqqu-7Og8q0d9n7UNYBjtWm5x-DV_VcnKRg10ye_6Pt_QrrLVV0MdzsP97iSSlodqq6PwrJZ6CuGQWEoQfdty_ONc_f52AVDtw0djeZOs/s400/small+frame.JPG" width="400" /></a>Of course you've been<i> faithfully</i> following my blog, so you recognize this mantle from seasons past - always a joy to redo. This Easter, my client requested I make it over for an event she is hosting in this space (stay posted for blog photos to follow).<br />
<br />
My challenge with this project was scale - that fireplace is HUGE! I also wanted to add the colors of spring but have it 'go' with the earthiness of a barn. As you saw in my last post, I worked on the idea of painting, distressing and moss-ing up some old picture frames. I loved the finished project, but needed another frame to tie it all together. So I had the idea of taking another picture frame, putting plywood in it and painting the plywood with chalkboard paint. This would provide the focal point needed. I threw some left over grapevine over the top of it, added a few springs of forsythia and surrounded it with the other frames. And it works!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbNrQb5QWenmbwcs10DQgCtp98FgQKJAb7zvYi02tD343cGhE3ZvTGuuYTJvAJgZuYt3lC0U1J7m2u_VK_XGMyVpSkHRGcdqQQ6DyL4ZTO73IHfUC0q9bysj0YWg9f6647MKKUz0Bi6o/s1600/pansies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbNrQb5QWenmbwcs10DQgCtp98FgQKJAb7zvYi02tD343cGhE3ZvTGuuYTJvAJgZuYt3lC0U1J7m2u_VK_XGMyVpSkHRGcdqQQ6DyL4ZTO73IHfUC0q9bysj0YWg9f6647MKKUz0Bi6o/s400/pansies.JPG" width="377" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
These adorable votive holders (courtesy of Pottery Barn), gorgeous pot with some colorful spring flowers, and a few eggs thrown around make a nice grouping.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9u0kIvo4jRH4e41BLNOkPkwxk68sUHTQOlUToEo6NKJ6OIb81zSl6f5lKNzsKrjnHFNNw9AFvEWcAPHtM0VrmtrJfCQyAAynkjpaw7Wlh61CnmMvhNp65U5e2K7r8rXLaVS1-SHhuPE/s1600/egg+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9u0kIvo4jRH4e41BLNOkPkwxk68sUHTQOlUToEo6NKJ6OIb81zSl6f5lKNzsKrjnHFNNw9AFvEWcAPHtM0VrmtrJfCQyAAynkjpaw7Wlh61CnmMvhNp65U5e2K7r8rXLaVS1-SHhuPE/s400/egg+tree.JPG" width="338" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another consideration in this fireplace, is the hearth. I moved the heavier cast iron pot and fire irons to the left in hopes the sunlight streaming through the windows would help to soften their bulk. On the right, I made this little egg tree. (Now, I've got to confess, I've never been a big fan of plastic eggs hung in trees; in fact I usually make fun of them. But these eggs were so beautiful and colorful, I had to eat crow a bit and give it a try; hopefully with a bit of flair.) I found this old milk container at a local antique market (LOVE it!), and used dogwood branches because of their great shape and tiny branches. Great color and unexpected sparkle.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIgDAYfFx-VNe1zF_yOsnc7gztK-xuaa5t98csWmYp7yNGoHu-OB2T7J2iCHuuf_Vf-vVn4yca_Y7CxgHyolOhOUS3AEp8U42l4vFnsQwYzUWC3ARUkbr34ybs3thjdITvBX4Sgo4fOU/s1600/bunny+nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIgDAYfFx-VNe1zF_yOsnc7gztK-xuaa5t98csWmYp7yNGoHu-OB2T7J2iCHuuf_Vf-vVn4yca_Y7CxgHyolOhOUS3AEp8U42l4vFnsQwYzUWC3ARUkbr34ybs3thjdITvBX4Sgo4fOU/s320/bunny+nest.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The final piece was this cute little bunny nest. I found a dusty old wreath, added a few new (clean) vines, moss and feathers to make a nest. It is large enough to fill this space and hold it's own against the egg tree. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So there you have it. A few old picture frames, a couple posies and a
smattering of plastic eggs. Fun, inexpensive and unique. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPKa00DGmqIU9k_1a6Lmgkb2zoZp40XgC_GQHV2LCMTFq9B1sjRH6bpC2AbUHsGGSxyukdwj4ec3OOpVamVE_tHIagLtuXLAmfdyR9IAXJZXTM0DRyOlUSC5aG2kJBsRHd3gacxxvuZ4/s1600/full+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPKa00DGmqIU9k_1a6Lmgkb2zoZp40XgC_GQHV2LCMTFq9B1sjRH6bpC2AbUHsGGSxyukdwj4ec3OOpVamVE_tHIagLtuXLAmfdyR9IAXJZXTM0DRyOlUSC5aG2kJBsRHd3gacxxvuZ4/s640/full+front.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-17948934045836271182012-04-02T15:24:00.000-07:002012-04-02T15:24:18.938-07:00Picture Perfect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnFqhjIc4T_aB8HwPrUbOaBvKpUQgzCjgo2vXKLA677aWxpjAhYoMjwlOlTltMBfg3uM9_SLYBjFA8q6GWj6NSEkOu3GI5F80wOjDvJFV-5kbmu8ltJGDEMhULr6JMcLJ0_62lihiyn8/s1600/2012-04-02_15-49-37_522-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnFqhjIc4T_aB8HwPrUbOaBvKpUQgzCjgo2vXKLA677aWxpjAhYoMjwlOlTltMBfg3uM9_SLYBjFA8q6GWj6NSEkOu3GI5F80wOjDvJFV-5kbmu8ltJGDEMhULr6JMcLJ0_62lihiyn8/s320/2012-04-02_15-49-37_522-1.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know about you, but I find it way too easy to fall into a rut and do the same things over and over again, even seasonal decorating. When it is your business, that is unacceptable. So this spring when a client asked me to re-do the mantle in her barn, I set out to come up with something new and different...and I did.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpsw8r-TFEQhZ1vvzdC4zTDmfrg3VzRgqM03aByUuEWq21-7e5_yQaAS92UdWfzs7jK78zVWlMEbY8kP8DaNsyhGhooAjf_pOowGMsOfhHsezayVtYUTht__U7dbheJsFXhjkBCeoN-0/s1600/2012-03-29_09-42-58_208-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpsw8r-TFEQhZ1vvzdC4zTDmfrg3VzRgqM03aByUuEWq21-7e5_yQaAS92UdWfzs7jK78zVWlMEbY8kP8DaNsyhGhooAjf_pOowGMsOfhHsezayVtYUTht__U7dbheJsFXhjkBCeoN-0/s320/2012-03-29_09-42-58_208-1.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinD8LkU_vUgMWCEEpPCBjDW_vmtrov-dv7TWddChYvD2TzMYfQKtcz1nZgzT51hyphenhypheneU1vS7Fqj0G1vhCy71y8d5Py1xdd1dErv7AR6S0DMfP9eYg0CJ6BMokfqKQdzOAV_unPH7lCCM3X4/s1600/2012-03-29_06-55-03_334-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinD8LkU_vUgMWCEEpPCBjDW_vmtrov-dv7TWddChYvD2TzMYfQKtcz1nZgzT51hyphenhypheneU1vS7Fqj0G1vhCy71y8d5Py1xdd1dErv7AR6S0DMfP9eYg0CJ6BMokfqKQdzOAV_unPH7lCCM3X4/s320/2012-03-29_06-55-03_334-1.jpg" width="320" /></a> I started off with some frames I found laying around my garage (we all have those). I removed whatever was in them, dusted them off, painted them flat white then painted two of them a springy blue and two of them lime green.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EjCdz_nOKgCMdwuZ9YUJp3djdB7WKHNivtTqKGDV0WWw96I6nA1RSXYvjEo3S0CyzLI1-SiUbiX5VkLRizJ9hf2OaaWP0iexdIBscPf6jbvqozQQmFcPD_7n_Vc5ALmWtCzs4Feyiqw/s1600/2012-03-29_09-48-01_243-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EjCdz_nOKgCMdwuZ9YUJp3djdB7WKHNivtTqKGDV0WWw96I6nA1RSXYvjEo3S0CyzLI1-SiUbiX5VkLRizJ9hf2OaaWP0iexdIBscPf6jbvqozQQmFcPD_7n_Vc5ALmWtCzs4Feyiqw/s320/2012-03-29_09-48-01_243-1.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I wanted them to look a bit weathered, so as the frames dried, I gently wiped off some of the paint. You can see the end result here and how easy it was. Once they dried, and I played with them a bit on the mantle, I realized
they just weren't quite right; they looked too clean and frankly, were a
bit boring. So I decided to give them a bit more character.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA33mPsOuYUvGJUHOiMZ_kbH2fqUW_PS3RlzgbjOkEfkUB8lhAtUYUrwGAY7aF5XwFc8UO5cpPz7voGcHj_ZHuJYs-11iAwVCYyRf5u9YI_D-RWK-oDm3x521DG2BVqHYEU8taoXmNSc/s1600/2012-04-02_14-40-20_309-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA33mPsOuYUvGJUHOiMZ_kbH2fqUW_PS3RlzgbjOkEfkUB8lhAtUYUrwGAY7aF5XwFc8UO5cpPz7voGcHj_ZHuJYs-11iAwVCYyRf5u9YI_D-RWK-oDm3x521DG2BVqHYEU8taoXmNSc/s320/2012-04-02_14-40-20_309-1.jpg" width="218" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Uj6c8HMu9mpZRcEkb_yr8Qc_tIyl3C0EsPw5bsYgr1V9tHUe6PU8HnQLm2026HhC_SB8X3KyLbf9bgnk5XYB1oNBy1QRlUaDSmBKoZQLVETKbSzKeYXNI8g3vkLi6RrFoGHWLUwwC9o/s1600/2012-04-02_14-40-56_517-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Uj6c8HMu9mpZRcEkb_yr8Qc_tIyl3C0EsPw5bsYgr1V9tHUe6PU8HnQLm2026HhC_SB8X3KyLbf9bgnk5XYB1oNBy1QRlUaDSmBKoZQLVETKbSzKeYXNI8g3vkLi6RrFoGHWLUwwC9o/s320/2012-04-02_14-40-56_517-1.jpg" width="180" /></a> Somehow I came up with the idea of adding moss to them...and it worked! So I hot glued the frame and pressed on bits of moss to different spots on each frame, making sure not to put them on the same on each frame. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I loved the result! It gave the frames a unique look and added needed dimension.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c5MY0J1RECiKQmtUig0iHBBV3y9cC5oNVhKdE_1a9FHJLj66b5aFGgDJzQPRMu2ARl1fIBOtownVVy3dcD-FYXXzc51Rg4xZHaQ7zNaxw2VOb9p4Cq6tli0oCMp7HCGNGiikrVzKUDo/s1600/2012-04-02_15-51-04_132-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c5MY0J1RECiKQmtUig0iHBBV3y9cC5oNVhKdE_1a9FHJLj66b5aFGgDJzQPRMu2ARl1fIBOtownVVy3dcD-FYXXzc51Rg4xZHaQ7zNaxw2VOb9p4Cq6tli0oCMp7HCGNGiikrVzKUDo/s400/2012-04-02_15-51-04_132-1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But...<br />
<br />
It got to be too much of a good thing, and to do it to all four frames was just too uniform. So I wrapped twine around two of them and added just a touch of moss to the twine. On this frame, I glued a plastic egg in the corner. Too cute. I'll show you the final result next time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8whMpVbUl8AFUOXX6gzWX4b7g9r119_vmQaKULA7RUIi6xHOT8CBmiWMKdcLMpa53LW4g74nc4-V3tOR5shCKEo5XlEFeco-KwL8Ug3vaLzU-ooohVjlIA4i-cH-zK2yRjJhcIR78Dg/s1600/2012-04-02_15-51-13_147-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8whMpVbUl8AFUOXX6gzWX4b7g9r119_vmQaKULA7RUIi6xHOT8CBmiWMKdcLMpa53LW4g74nc4-V3tOR5shCKEo5XlEFeco-KwL8Ug3vaLzU-ooohVjlIA4i-cH-zK2yRjJhcIR78Dg/s320/2012-04-02_15-51-13_147-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So have fun, be creative and see what you come up with on your own!<br />
<br />The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-13586379107951797722011-12-06T05:58:00.001-08:002011-12-06T06:56:24.260-08:00Let it snow...<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<b>"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"</b></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<b><i> - Sammy Cahn </i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBAtHuXNYyeWgoxn5H09ciYrrG0-CmX3DTNYiRkVBCz1_SavXWj2wsULQ1CNaaGYVC0fNv9C7KZ13n_dTxECenYBPo9E6DlUMboW0m_Glyjb2S3y9T37Z2mcRjJD_bTvnOqseBT3sjYk/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBAtHuXNYyeWgoxn5H09ciYrrG0-CmX3DTNYiRkVBCz1_SavXWj2wsULQ1CNaaGYVC0fNv9C7KZ13n_dTxECenYBPo9E6DlUMboW0m_Glyjb2S3y9T37Z2mcRjJD_bTvnOqseBT3sjYk/s320/IMG_3998.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Last week I used a Shakespearean quote about not wanting roses in December and what did I cut and bring inside yesterday?? ROSES! I live in NORTHeast Pennsylvania for crying out loud and it's balmy and warm outside - puts a damper on my Christmas cheer, I gotta tell ya!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(probably just lost twenty readers due to that little rant - sorry) </i></div>
<br />
<i>Anyway</i>, happy December 6th! As per request, I'm jotting this down quickly before I head out to decorate a client's home: another little 'How To' -<b> Christmas swags! </b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO81WMYjCipuGri30P_g-wuvgnIftAJv6-OUWPjdaXBQdYQrJNkEkHnLdT9jr8K-RxfGUvAbMHr1BW2QVvE2W45DeGzVeKY13u3gH1xoADt0cp0AZiKLUQLPgLDjxDgGwLaYHc-zaegYA/s1600/IMG_3985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO81WMYjCipuGri30P_g-wuvgnIftAJv6-OUWPjdaXBQdYQrJNkEkHnLdT9jr8K-RxfGUvAbMHr1BW2QVvE2W45DeGzVeKY13u3gH1xoADt0cp0AZiKLUQLPgLDjxDgGwLaYHc-zaegYA/s320/IMG_3985.JPG" width="249" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Your first step is to determine the size swag you want. Mine were going under an outside light, so I didn't want them huge. Here I chose a solid branch and trimmed it to the size I wanted.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5qTLCz3d5DlZlg5Hk7VxqDtWWdRkRQdoTGPVasJeQVn6KD_NhCBK1jVvrteul7ibN9sK-JjGQlyi0tH9gWv8476W5Y_TDlYonoxr8GLPJexngrsjJ2aXSsmwgVjAl4eCyVkSuXqxJRY/s1600/IMG_3987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5qTLCz3d5DlZlg5Hk7VxqDtWWdRkRQdoTGPVasJeQVn6KD_NhCBK1jVvrteul7ibN9sK-JjGQlyi0tH9gWv8476W5Y_TDlYonoxr8GLPJexngrsjJ2aXSsmwgVjAl4eCyVkSuXqxJRY/s320/IMG_3987.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43gmT4dTfIm8HP3klcCuafmi1LKkkNSH8_lrkiW5qZ0f-_zao8GXfZfrSHkGlCgvVYME5c-qEYfv_3As_Vr6Z-Z4opeCY4sPADattYWg5z21cpEEV30X0d6QQFTMkB-DiKFXYfTHPJ0I/s1600/IMG_3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43gmT4dTfIm8HP3klcCuafmi1LKkkNSH8_lrkiW5qZ0f-_zao8GXfZfrSHkGlCgvVYME5c-qEYfv_3As_Vr6Z-Z4opeCY4sPADattYWg5z21cpEEV30X0d6QQFTMkB-DiKFXYfTHPJ0I/s320/IMG_3988.JPG" width="213" /></a>Then I began to wire other like sized branches to the top (please excuse the tired manicure - there are just not enough hours in the day this time of year). After a few branches are added, you have your swag base.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next I wire or hot glue the other types of greenery I want in my sway. For this one, I chose holly, variegated holly and juniper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvzZJAAAZeQA1f3ZlbMVvSniVzh0B7ZSKqQXCqA7pCodTRN0QNpYjEvsJGiTAQfn5SsvdzuVCUwHlEvdzbuVqioRpRl7FUb9B7DedPVuoRY4OS8DsaaL22ujZHsLXuTyr-0uR0Xszcck/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvzZJAAAZeQA1f3ZlbMVvSniVzh0B7ZSKqQXCqA7pCodTRN0QNpYjEvsJGiTAQfn5SsvdzuVCUwHlEvdzbuVqioRpRl7FUb9B7DedPVuoRY4OS8DsaaL22ujZHsLXuTyr-0uR0Xszcck/s400/IMG_3989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOTfrdzd4vUF246z1ZyXlw8xLaxkJvUev2V01FgaiMCnn_d8rho7r7xcqzx-l3fMurR8UBQQtK890hw8CUBAHaLAL55Btd0SCGVHOHCS517f3zV5FEhvmsJHYkKL_83sz0tpIjx-ZCQ/s1600/IMG_3990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOTfrdzd4vUF246z1ZyXlw8xLaxkJvUev2V01FgaiMCnn_d8rho7r7xcqzx-l3fMurR8UBQQtK890hw8CUBAHaLAL55Btd0SCGVHOHCS517f3zV5FEhvmsJHYkKL_83sz0tpIjx-ZCQ/s400/IMG_3990.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then I tie a ribbon around the top, making sure to tie it over the wires to cover them. Once that is done, I cut off the excess branches at the top and trim the overall piece to make sure it looks good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then hang and enjoy! Good luck with this one - I'd love to see pictures of some you have made.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBAtHuXNYyeWgoxn5H09ciYrrG0-CmX3DTNYiRkVBCz1_SavXWj2wsULQ1CNaaGYVC0fNv9C7KZ13n_dTxECenYBPo9E6DlUMboW0m_Glyjb2S3y9T37Z2mcRjJD_bTvnOqseBT3sjYk/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBAtHuXNYyeWgoxn5H09ciYrrG0-CmX3DTNYiRkVBCz1_SavXWj2wsULQ1CNaaGYVC0fNv9C7KZ13n_dTxECenYBPo9E6DlUMboW0m_Glyjb2S3y9T37Z2mcRjJD_bTvnOqseBT3sjYk/s640/IMG_3998.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-45570343378689519772011-12-02T20:06:00.001-08:002011-12-03T06:11:43.878-08:00Where to begin<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: medium;">"At
Christmas I no more desire a rose</span></i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: medium;">
Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled mirth; </span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: black;">~ William Shakespear </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is officially Christmas time (at least it is in my book and because I'm the author of this blog, I guess that is that)! I spent the last five days decking the halls (and lobbies and atriums and meeting rooms) of various hotels which was fun and interesting. But <i>today</i> I got to begin decorating my residential clients' houses...ahhh....such love cannot be described. I have had several requests for tutorials on what I do - which is a bit puzzling to me because nothing I do is so spectacular that anyone couldn't do it - but I decided to be bold and expose myself...don't go there.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdG4ukodre0s0_QurjZOrlLsnqeDs_5_9uosSnvdXaoRBx-6Wc89gxZBTWMssfKE5GatkiBVDauavYTcz-sJ0gDv4zNRKSGeuuSreBizEWKOO7WtP3RFjEuOEyNjsEvAFIlZiZyDWOUQ/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdG4ukodre0s0_QurjZOrlLsnqeDs_5_9uosSnvdXaoRBx-6Wc89gxZBTWMssfKE5GatkiBVDauavYTcz-sJ0gDv4zNRKSGeuuSreBizEWKOO7WtP3RFjEuOEyNjsEvAFIlZiZyDWOUQ/s400/026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here I have a 'mixed green' wreath with a few pine cones thrown in for good measure that I purchased at a local greenhouse. It's nice...just...nice. But it's a good base.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V8ZJV2WzCTYwOnjDE8wGAXN976XZc0nHIm6zQWH9gf-pvWOrRI9N0s0OLS32jsIHdRNUx_iIYnH0cJfqACI-SXPLotWRAVhHn-uR1H4PZPk5pPUvb33ChbRwgVC4G6p7cmpUQxw8BOQ/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V8ZJV2WzCTYwOnjDE8wGAXN976XZc0nHIm6zQWH9gf-pvWOrRI9N0s0OLS32jsIHdRNUx_iIYnH0cJfqACI-SXPLotWRAVhHn-uR1H4PZPk5pPUvb33ChbRwgVC4G6p7cmpUQxw8BOQ/s400/027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
I'm not wild about the placement or size of these pine cones - in my opinion, they lack signfigance placed this way. So I cut them off the wreath and put them aside for later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOQkgSDhyphenhyphen6niQ5pxbsBqyaoPx5yMkwThKkzVb1oKJjYrr0A_3CZUPxQ1kRJollnYC4ZKLK6I81Fjz5B58mT9WZZbkMmnh6ttxrrubMiJpeqnpRTXcfcx0vkIxyVDIrmzojlIAa-7e11M/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOQkgSDhyphenhyphen6niQ5pxbsBqyaoPx5yMkwThKkzVb1oKJjYrr0A_3CZUPxQ1kRJollnYC4ZKLK6I81Fjz5B58mT9WZZbkMmnh6ttxrrubMiJpeqnpRTXcfcx0vkIxyVDIrmzojlIAa-7e11M/s320/030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although this is a mixed green wreath, it's not mixed enough for me. So
I popped out to my back yard and cut off a few bits of boxwood and
cyprus, made some bundles then glued them into my wreath.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wHL3EphBp6HPy1-vSIX-8uU2vhuKEn-himfI04crs8iD9aIbdn8DsjM_7fZIbnA9BFbhBMgtttxI57aqJ_AAEHATAI_THzA1B6gZLIs2TKtiJOwAKQsEuLEQ88b7pslPwyG0MDvSi8o/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wHL3EphBp6HPy1-vSIX-8uU2vhuKEn-himfI04crs8iD9aIbdn8DsjM_7fZIbnA9BFbhBMgtttxI57aqJ_AAEHATAI_THzA1B6gZLIs2TKtiJOwAKQsEuLEQ88b7pslPwyG0MDvSi8o/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7v_F-Le2LXFm_UmX6TgVcCKRzctUqwp7mcB2T-OMEYq1RK9o6obuR0bKAmDqrZVDd07Q1y83nBLkqOMzbVRCUChvapN9DH0kBU4mL7h30WbzQ0RBNCZDP9GiVgyzaT0ZyS6lN1qeawQ/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7v_F-Le2LXFm_UmX6TgVcCKRzctUqwp7mcB2T-OMEYq1RK9o6obuR0bKAmDqrZVDd07Q1y83nBLkqOMzbVRCUChvapN9DH0kBU4mL7h30WbzQ0RBNCZDP9GiVgyzaT0ZyS6lN1qeawQ/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Note: many people prefer to wire everything to their wreaths. I find this limits exact placement and angle and takes <i>forever</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgs99mZv12Rs7fPsQYmRPZ7PVXfWpQdiP9efi_E470mOzBsoqjxa2ech4dScGE6EFNKCAC91nlpAlBWjy8oOhvOXvx2rWeORo7bQIPvkGgfRhwmIMM1f0pf3f5SWwbb6_7xpb-uD3EJc/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgs99mZv12Rs7fPsQYmRPZ7PVXfWpQdiP9efi_E470mOzBsoqjxa2ech4dScGE6EFNKCAC91nlpAlBWjy8oOhvOXvx2rWeORo7bQIPvkGgfRhwmIMM1f0pf3f5SWwbb6_7xpb-uD3EJc/s400/038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And viola! A very mixed greens wreath!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4uJMsqGxo2QVC95G1FVb8toLCarQ4yX9wEQLDDEEXt8YVSnotMZQscdoyRqRKPDFpikpl3R4aLaU9i5utIr6DCL3D_-KQGjI1GKYWran2-nyHKcjWN9vuZJ6zGCne9yjtqVdw6-kZkM/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4uJMsqGxo2QVC95G1FVb8toLCarQ4yX9wEQLDDEEXt8YVSnotMZQscdoyRqRKPDFpikpl3R4aLaU9i5utIr6DCL3D_-KQGjI1GKYWran2-nyHKcjWN9vuZJ6zGCne9yjtqVdw6-kZkM/s400/039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I took one and a half of these awesome silver picks, cut them up and strategically placed (hot glued) them around to give the wreath an icy, blingy kind of look. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The finished product: I added back the pine cones, tied on a bow, glued on a gold, glass pine cone ornament and a few more silver twigs to tie it all together. Pretty easy. You can add you own colors, twigs, greens and bows to make it reflect you - it's very, <i>very</i> easy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCoNV13h3oq0nC-9wmyyyMYYeJKxR8mgC3aeKu9gb6tS75KqR69EIdex_cO2BnhnCJGAXiqRFPUVhu6PuQtB5gCFmmdspBAERDJs1u7JCkWL60AV8_8HqXAz-E9h9H0aE7J-2pBO_xDI/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCoNV13h3oq0nC-9wmyyyMYYeJKxR8mgC3aeKu9gb6tS75KqR69EIdex_cO2BnhnCJGAXiqRFPUVhu6PuQtB5gCFmmdspBAERDJs1u7JCkWL60AV8_8HqXAz-E9h9H0aE7J-2pBO_xDI/s640/057.JPG" width="603" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-90951940491239455612011-11-10T14:26:00.000-08:002011-11-10T14:26:59.930-08:00The last lovely smile...<div align="center">“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.”</div><br />
<div align="center"><i>William Cullen Bryant</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">...and also my favorite time of year (although if you live on the US East Coast, it's been a pretty soggy,dreary autumn). However, as much as I want to draw out the color and fragrance and delicious vibe of the season, I have to move on to the next. So today's blog will be my last, lovely salute to this lovely smile.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMINWjqVoi2AHWYhusKwAIMzFlD7-Wzm1Kcta0wNFkDBLMXQ3NkhnruBuAh75-vJTsNERi4Auk1ijtkJ_l3FC7gP7ZgPZoihNZ9c_U1ipqDYDuF-8DfXlZCb3o6gEfJp-IN07W9ZqJxeo/s1600/2010-10-09_15-54-19_590-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMINWjqVoi2AHWYhusKwAIMzFlD7-Wzm1Kcta0wNFkDBLMXQ3NkhnruBuAh75-vJTsNERi4Auk1ijtkJ_l3FC7gP7ZgPZoihNZ9c_U1ipqDYDuF-8DfXlZCb3o6gEfJp-IN07W9ZqJxeo/s640/2010-10-09_15-54-19_590-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This is a centerpiece I threw together for an outside table. As you can see, there is a myriad of different gourds which provide color, texture and visual interest ( I LOVE the bumpy green one!), some mini mums and cabbages which I popped into small pots and bittersweet vine. To give the height and structure needed for this space, I used my client's cake stand as a prop. Add some tall fall candles and it's balanced, colorful and cozy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7bi4q6826dp0r4cKU4JHBxqHyDfGhQNBZzk7VE5P0A_vjx6xrOvoAPaktowUVPVziMRtgkxPMYpQQig8DLG0bB-wfLN_fNqEyP2wKsOc1prTYjZstXz2-uaQi3yN-PYNzqB5SIMRmiY/s1600/fal+mantle.jpg"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7bi4q6826dp0r4cKU4JHBxqHyDfGhQNBZzk7VE5P0A_vjx6xrOvoAPaktowUVPVziMRtgkxPMYpQQig8DLG0bB-wfLN_fNqEyP2wKsOc1prTYjZstXz2-uaQi3yN-PYNzqB5SIMRmiY/s640/fal+mantle.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I took the same theme inside to the home's fireplace mantle. It is amazing the difference a few well placed and well colored gourds make. Again, I used the bittersweet and grapevine to add a pop of color and substance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrr4nDw5PM68_3fEcVeRIeXi_9VJg8XwiGbovS9hBRinNnJsl5HZ5F7z3iFJyFHl_E3g8Tj7M7WWzZECKm8RQGaU5Gyix86KgRK1F2wEu5KGTANmKQDVwwLOyQbmKSBy4xoQJCy1mn6E/s1600/fall+2010+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrr4nDw5PM68_3fEcVeRIeXi_9VJg8XwiGbovS9hBRinNnJsl5HZ5F7z3iFJyFHl_E3g8Tj7M7WWzZECKm8RQGaU5Gyix86KgRK1F2wEu5KGTANmKQDVwwLOyQbmKSBy4xoQJCy1mn6E/s640/fall+2010+078.JPG" width="476" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I wanted to hang something at the kitchen entrance to dress it up, so I made this from hydrangea (grown on the property), bittersweet, grapevine, feathers and ribbon. Simple and pretty. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One of my favorite things to do at the end of summer is to remove all the tired flowers from the containers and window boxes and reinvent them for fall. Here I used this gorgeous purple cabbage as the focal point then surrounded it with peppers, miniature mums, small white cabbages, and bittersweet vine. To give it a bit more height and fun, I put the lighted twigs in the back. So this arrangement looks good during the day and has a lovely, soft glow at night<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a7V-OuPTyWN9lBVXxcu5O6Te_1Jc9yg_FsOi8cnnasTtwkfaeXWclGFE3OsFOfk67ZyNN0lV3HjXKhlB0iSa6QZpNk7wMyzyndKrBYp4xhER6UEfZLuMGvUw385b9-4VjmkUEVVJCyk/s1600/fall+2010+080.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a7V-OuPTyWN9lBVXxcu5O6Te_1Jc9yg_FsOi8cnnasTtwkfaeXWclGFE3OsFOfk67ZyNN0lV3HjXKhlB0iSa6QZpNk7wMyzyndKrBYp4xhER6UEfZLuMGvUw385b9-4VjmkUEVVJCyk/s640/fall+2010+080.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Last, but certainly not least, are the fabulous cornstalk pillars. I LOVED making these (although they were physically pain to do). I put them at the entrance to the property and they were really welcoming. For smaller properties, one would work, but here, three was just right. Part of the fun was getting all the tiny pumpkins to encircle the pillars - a local boy had grown them to make money for his college fund: I bought him out so it was doubly good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlbyqfuzkpBLMYEY6LaApV-GC_Q_z9a53Hpzw_-iKJcbAPj2p_tqWfOBVUN5hLmy36QRTvVttQkmyT27_znFMjopdJxHfK0Yy0_1fs9PQL9kgwTfqKe2fiShrok32gSdJg1_leGDVKk8/s1600/2010-10-09_16-10-08_423-2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlbyqfuzkpBLMYEY6LaApV-GC_Q_z9a53Hpzw_-iKJcbAPj2p_tqWfOBVUN5hLmy36QRTvVttQkmyT27_znFMjopdJxHfK0Yy0_1fs9PQL9kgwTfqKe2fiShrok32gSdJg1_leGDVKk8/s640/2010-10-09_16-10-08_423-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is just a sampling of what you can do to celebrate Autumn. I had such fun with every project.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-85077964987012956052011-11-07T12:03:00.000-08:002011-11-07T17:54:49.870-08:00Back in the SaddleHello, Hello, Hello, my blogging friends! I am back from my annual Field Hockey Mom break. The season is over, the girls are alive and I have a bit more of my life back. I hope I haven't lost everyone in the interim!<br />
<br />
It's now November, all the fall gorgeousness is beginning to wane and my garden season is pretty much at an end for this year (with the exception of a few things I need to tie up, cut back and rake off). I always get a bit sad and grumpy about now too, BUT I'm taking lots of Vitamin D and I'm focusing on the fact that it is also holiday staging time! That always perks me up.<br />
<br />
I have a new facebook page for the Cottage Gardener, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cottage-Gardener/160585360699967">The-Cottage-Gardener</a>, where I've been showing my stuff a bit. I'm actually already posting Christmas pictures, but I will start here with my fall stuff. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLjP4qaABnKJ3g4C0DQcJPFDwDitA-jgA0NHKpoaF_9l0PaE5pOG7Ufm1PfgRugeuitkZNPdIYtnsjnTapW6aWy1o9NQ9T4xEiJhuhR1-DhTtw2F5ttLxjl9EpSU4hyphenhyphencY8TKyRpNfXs/s1600/fall+farm+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLjP4qaABnKJ3g4C0DQcJPFDwDitA-jgA0NHKpoaF_9l0PaE5pOG7Ufm1PfgRugeuitkZNPdIYtnsjnTapW6aWy1o9NQ9T4xEiJhuhR1-DhTtw2F5ttLxjl9EpSU4hyphenhyphencY8TKyRpNfXs/s640/fall+farm+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Fop3o8ZaPGYAYpzYXJveRNOWFUtCvcMIJNSPLN6TAV5xcL6XgcMJ14qdgcniXaLHn46RPVDLE5dwBqQn4tdiIAzIVUrJ6j19Tl9spUZ8MqrQIknAu_BqWG4r6hsCsqMBmpVIwkUCQSg/s1600/fall+farm+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Fop3o8ZaPGYAYpzYXJveRNOWFUtCvcMIJNSPLN6TAV5xcL6XgcMJ14qdgcniXaLHn46RPVDLE5dwBqQn4tdiIAzIVUrJ6j19Tl9spUZ8MqrQIknAu_BqWG4r6hsCsqMBmpVIwkUCQSg/s400/fall+farm+014.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the mantle in the barn of one of my clients. The stone work itself is so gorgeous, I wanted to make sure I wasn't competing with it but complimenting it. As you can see, it is primarily neutral in tone. With the exception of the shutter on the left and the live elements (pumpkins, flowers, corn, ect), everything I used in this project was a 'found' object. I used some beat up old wooded candle sticks, an old window screen, two round cake plates, an old tin and a couple old tool boxes. The grapevine I took from another project and the bittersweet vine I pulled off the the trees in a forest near my house. <br />
<br />
I love the unexpectedness of the blue/green shutter against all the rustic fall color here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCXtHno7M2ogqv6WoLgXK9qPCUvYLfGfTSqYj9Kqg7jDLRypoBiQumU-3a9GdCHHWMCGOpQzVRe9fIU5uuJhtChp7H0xrQ1fEwHHr9_MPVn_JTpBiVajnX0QUjCYrkIlDRFRxPNBgZ9U/s1600/fall+farm+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCXtHno7M2ogqv6WoLgXK9qPCUvYLfGfTSqYj9Kqg7jDLRypoBiQumU-3a9GdCHHWMCGOpQzVRe9fIU5uuJhtChp7H0xrQ1fEwHHr9_MPVn_JTpBiVajnX0QUjCYrkIlDRFRxPNBgZ9U/s400/fall+farm+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I find the bittersweet vine needs the structure of the grapevine to give it the substance it needs - it can get lost on its own.<br />
<br />
And below is a closer look at what I call my pumpkin topiary (although there isn't a pumpkin in the bunch). I love stacking them to add height, color and texture. I love this one. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZ13jOrZFNoeacBIt6l9FJ49jm3iDXTFRo0Xj4gtccd_8BiO16kEhe25C2rDpY1lGRtyTajJUJ25u9IXpXyE-cdqoMYA7XF-M6QEqlWTVW5SKcImO0aZG5rUKeBz_PBLn_TCXw1qnak/s1600/fall+farm+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZ13jOrZFNoeacBIt6l9FJ49jm3iDXTFRo0Xj4gtccd_8BiO16kEhe25C2rDpY1lGRtyTajJUJ25u9IXpXyE-cdqoMYA7XF-M6QEqlWTVW5SKcImO0aZG5rUKeBz_PBLn_TCXw1qnak/s400/fall+farm+020.JPG" width="340" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Making things beautiful doesn't have to be expensive. Dig around your garage or basement and hit your local junk shops for fun things to use. You'll be surprised at how lovely you can make something.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-55743251262848603042011-08-20T19:50:00.000-07:002011-11-07T18:37:02.961-08:00My Secret Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmB-am0ny8w_cJLmwmhLuF6JdUeUMc6X3_L3lwdNV77H81Rvb9z4jIo0AdGBkGglHBI3z4maX8fTJMbquztesv6oeVgGaBuMSRjTSi1NFlaCkXNjGcZzceIqFlbTQPYQhFj7nPiJnjUg/s1600/2011-07-08_16-34-16_670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmB-am0ny8w_cJLmwmhLuF6JdUeUMc6X3_L3lwdNV77H81Rvb9z4jIo0AdGBkGglHBI3z4maX8fTJMbquztesv6oeVgGaBuMSRjTSi1NFlaCkXNjGcZzceIqFlbTQPYQhFj7nPiJnjUg/s400/2011-07-08_16-34-16_670.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Hydrangea...my secret love (or not so secret if you spend any time listening to me drone on and on about gardening). There are so many varieties and hybrids with their own charm and allure - I find myself unable to resist them. This summer, in Northeast PA, our hydrangea have been out of control, so I am going to walk you by a few of my favorites.<br />
<br />
This heart-shaped love is a <i>Nikko Blue</i>. These bushes do well in partial shade, bloom on 'old wood' so should be pruned as soon as the blooms die.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyBVR4e0nEK2OnbbWQcAu6g89ESHyPzAONUj_IjML_2dewK_w3VlGkjqEn7aI0e4U9KmdiDzfqmL3YFxXponQzz6-y71Ac5nvN6SpDtmXAekY3ETH-IELKU4HI7RX9qUjpg6HrBvjYuY/s1600/2011-07-08_11-40-13_292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyBVR4e0nEK2OnbbWQcAu6g89ESHyPzAONUj_IjML_2dewK_w3VlGkjqEn7aI0e4U9KmdiDzfqmL3YFxXponQzz6-y71Ac5nvN6SpDtmXAekY3ETH-IELKU4HI7RX9qUjpg6HrBvjYuY/s400/2011-07-08_11-40-13_292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>For the novice and/or lazy gardeners, the <i>Endless Summer</i> is a great bet for you. Depending upon your soil PH, it will bloom blue or pink (or both) and all summer long. It isn't picky about what kind of wood it will bloom upon the following year, so you can cut away to your heart's content. I have planted many, many of these and am astonished at the variation in color. Look how these are shades of both blue and pink on a single flower. Love these!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNczMD1qh0tcBGEV5aNF1CbRIXhJkWvtIHbK_lmuInmWja6tSw85FYYrNAEAuzHUF2NNVy5o8CP7lm6hcWHrjN8wCDnt_GBiI4MyJYaXpNssCe6UJq8PHC9hENPolUreYdc342dNN4_FU/s1600/2011-07-08_11-56-03_912-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNczMD1qh0tcBGEV5aNF1CbRIXhJkWvtIHbK_lmuInmWja6tSw85FYYrNAEAuzHUF2NNVy5o8CP7lm6hcWHrjN8wCDnt_GBiI4MyJYaXpNssCe6UJq8PHC9hENPolUreYdc342dNN4_FU/s400/2011-07-08_11-56-03_912-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Not quite as showy, but very romantic and a nice addition to any garden, is the <i>Oak Leaf</i> hydrangea. The leaves are shaped like an...oak leaf...and the flowers are similar to the Pee Gee (but smaller) and give a great show of color from white to pink to red to brown. I LOVE using these flowers in my arrangements. An added bonus is that the leaves of this bush turn a purple to red color in the fall. How cool is that?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo32PzBT_MG_loBY-uLYYTJS8FQKJ-RDtK7GRS2tfKAMGxKhknGBgP6fXwBQbz9THY07_hh8KaGuzdKEyXIhU3KfgcLT_7IosDoOMcUP8yqhHd82ZwK2DuSMaNODfYpwC0c5jeUCx4eU/s1600/2011-07-12_09-56-47_903-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo32PzBT_MG_loBY-uLYYTJS8FQKJ-RDtK7GRS2tfKAMGxKhknGBgP6fXwBQbz9THY07_hh8KaGuzdKEyXIhU3KfgcLT_7IosDoOMcUP8yqhHd82ZwK2DuSMaNODfYpwC0c5jeUCx4eU/s320/2011-07-12_09-56-47_903-1.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The <i>Annabelle Hydrangea</i> is also a beauty in any garden. The flowers begin a lime green, mature to white and back to green as the summer progresses. (Once they've turned their final green, they can be dried and used all winter) I've used these as hedges and as one single bush in a spot that needed a pick me up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pxYUrsUiySofVge0M1vtgoTZj_V86m_eddFsPWWK2dQc_rVH_AI91hdVtGMQntZ7bfbpWl20uGdK2819cg19gWsEkd1u9s8kwZxvNQ6i7s7KbLF5k6MYf-zus0xrGUzQdmopRfBWvW0/s1600/2011-07-09_13-48-19_186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pxYUrsUiySofVge0M1vtgoTZj_V86m_eddFsPWWK2dQc_rVH_AI91hdVtGMQntZ7bfbpWl20uGdK2819cg19gWsEkd1u9s8kwZxvNQ6i7s7KbLF5k6MYf-zus0xrGUzQdmopRfBWvW0/s320/2011-07-09_13-48-19_186.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My Favorite Plant of the Year for 2011 is the gorgeous, unique plant commonly called the Blue Lacecap Variegated Hydrangea. I planted it everywhere this year!! The leaves are so unique because of the variegation of color so they stand out among all the other green bushes in the garden. Don't you just love them!? The flowers are lacecap so they also add a little something different from the other kids. It likes shade but can take a bit of sunshine without wilting.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMg-RZs53NYtPtzKvF8gJsR20xrrRlYI8XIfhxm2Da-mFS_1kw0s6ac7KKS8a1L4kBgsITLUltxqBpf4L36GOnxBK87FDJTYv9ZMVzPIhni_3PS-Yy2z21sY23NXgCRB-IIeerMK_GFoo/s1600/PeeGee+Hydrangea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMg-RZs53NYtPtzKvF8gJsR20xrrRlYI8XIfhxm2Da-mFS_1kw0s6ac7KKS8a1L4kBgsITLUltxqBpf4L36GOnxBK87FDJTYv9ZMVzPIhni_3PS-Yy2z21sY23NXgCRB-IIeerMK_GFoo/s320/PeeGee+Hydrangea.JPG" width="320" /></a>Now for the Queen of the Garden (and my personal all time favorite): the Pee Gee Hydrangea. I can't say enough about this flower. You can buy it as a bush or, my personal favorite, as a tree. I guarantee you will LOVE it. The huge, cone shaped flowers begin white and gradually mature into a deep rose - at any time you can cut and dry them and they will be gorgeous all winter long (these are the hydrangea you normally see on wreaths and other dried flower arrangements). The only pruning you need is to cut off all the old flowers and prune the tree for the next season.<br />
<br />
This is just a small sampling of this wonderful flower - my garden lover. I encourage you to buy and plant them; you won't regret it.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-22894165331884780962011-07-12T17:31:00.000-07:002011-11-07T12:16:22.922-08:00Graciousness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW-HV76qCmBpcAprc66n0D8gly_OiPZeXvfg20ADRWWZGb_fkbp5sJ_6hVKXkyu3QO2NnrHpwUtX8j5fuXQ9yU2_R56hlxlfHwkqHsu3qEZdIrmYAyos2IKW42Lp5cgyxFX9ONWnoe_4/s1600/2011-07-05_09-46-44_251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW-HV76qCmBpcAprc66n0D8gly_OiPZeXvfg20ADRWWZGb_fkbp5sJ_6hVKXkyu3QO2NnrHpwUtX8j5fuXQ9yU2_R56hlxlfHwkqHsu3qEZdIrmYAyos2IKW42Lp5cgyxFX9ONWnoe_4/s640/2011-07-05_09-46-44_251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I was contacted recently by a lovely woman with a lovely home who needed her somewhat unlovely garden to reflect her personality and style. After touring her home and garden area and having her chat with me about some of her likes and dislikes, I had an idea of what to do for her. The fact that this was a bit of a departure for me (it wasn't a farm), gave me fresh perspective. I'll show you a few before and after shots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZLf264odWjQl6-8AfFC5s-q48inOIvvi4JHt71twgB9zkkZkTlt8fAbubwCWSwXl26Go7EGwdoGnVEeR9XnYuhSIokH8J9KK0bdY8hj4p2gS4rwByPgaukWHT1F6q_UgV9Q7nhtz97g/s1600/2011-06-23_13-42-34_62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZLf264odWjQl6-8AfFC5s-q48inOIvvi4JHt71twgB9zkkZkTlt8fAbubwCWSwXl26Go7EGwdoGnVEeR9XnYuhSIokH8J9KK0bdY8hj4p2gS4rwByPgaukWHT1F6q_UgV9Q7nhtz97g/s400/2011-06-23_13-42-34_62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
These hosta were in great shape, but had overstayed their welcome. They had no personality, served no real purpose and were wasted here. I felt they could be used in other spots where they would pop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQPFxcuJtZaSg_HlC8dZmtl6xw57_406olrywAN2ITJR7RiE3-BuQKrxjKTAgEoZiW-d7heNb6z0p37o21IHIPbPE8srbu7nOzqgwmDFyabK0_dai_p8_q_CI_vT5HWpqQ_6mw4ke3II/s1600/2011-07-05_09-43-55_698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQPFxcuJtZaSg_HlC8dZmtl6xw57_406olrywAN2ITJR7RiE3-BuQKrxjKTAgEoZiW-d7heNb6z0p37o21IHIPbPE8srbu7nOzqgwmDFyabK0_dai_p8_q_CI_vT5HWpqQ_6mw4ke3II/s400/2011-07-05_09-43-55_698.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
We removed the hosta and put in two Endless Summer and one Variegated Lacecap Hydrangea. They are colorful and soft in this space. The look is clean and elegant. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlJnKPIF5O0lY5IcThYpqsSzW3pOUmMtw6M1lBKd5pAvMoA9A9RjMdp7eBAjKLWmq8ASHX5V-nm4DEvfKZ7M03cnESAFHyqbqeqrl4G4YsH4_ILBuIgF_5YE8DQG-ikQeOYCfdKgNbAc/s1600/2011-06-23_13-39-58_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlJnKPIF5O0lY5IcThYpqsSzW3pOUmMtw6M1lBKd5pAvMoA9A9RjMdp7eBAjKLWmq8ASHX5V-nm4DEvfKZ7M03cnESAFHyqbqeqrl4G4YsH4_ILBuIgF_5YE8DQG-ikQeOYCfdKgNbAc/s400/2011-06-23_13-39-58_15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The outside edge of the sidewalk looked unfinished and the owner was concerned someone might trip and fall off of it. So we brought it up to grade, added a boxwood we rescued from obscurity on her property, planted three red barberry bushes and placed this table on the edge to cap it off. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebza5e4menRUo1hQN7ec4Wa6ex-1sqzPeIwN2gTszANiuJSKudSUdsRv35UaNMYomFnRJx85sTpowOGj1dPl7VHr0nw7ntPLHcn082zUxbxCVNiHqP8PBu0T_Fr6ca0NT9FaHVYUYvJM/s1600/2011-07-05_09-44-22_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebza5e4menRUo1hQN7ec4Wa6ex-1sqzPeIwN2gTszANiuJSKudSUdsRv35UaNMYomFnRJx85sTpowOGj1dPl7VHr0nw7ntPLHcn082zUxbxCVNiHqP8PBu0T_Fr6ca0NT9FaHVYUYvJM/s400/2011-07-05_09-44-22_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love the way this all flows together and looks finished.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YoFRtpkV9eakM7JKQ7rmD3sqBQFykEyADyJpbMiskpM6lrEy2_xrNKck2U8XEEj21y6dUyDEw1epdAMN62Obrto7RMk31etZ_mPL1M9zc98y5rTklva_38TV1zah-4AmS8IsI5bVhbg/s1600/2011-06-23_13-52-06_676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YoFRtpkV9eakM7JKQ7rmD3sqBQFykEyADyJpbMiskpM6lrEy2_xrNKck2U8XEEj21y6dUyDEw1epdAMN62Obrto7RMk31etZ_mPL1M9zc98y5rTklva_38TV1zah-4AmS8IsI5bVhbg/s400/2011-06-23_13-52-06_676.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This back fence had a few lilac pieces that had refused to die and...nothing else. But what a great backdrop! So ~ we dug out the lilac, transplanted two lilies and two of those uprooted hosta, added two Double Knockout rose bushes and centered it all with a gorgeous Pee Gee hydrangea tree ~ one of my favorite things to plant; it's simply beautiful. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQfeToO-RvM8Toer7aJoWYHpGumueDwICja8JDudXAbHkBZCCtFgqBK9kWRdamXfCxb285SoMdPqPwpQvSOpJZp5-jQK5kaOT9XH13nOEbW2tR5NmVl5MsB4Admz7sVj1cby3ltl3G-A/s1600/2011-07-05_09-44-36_121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQfeToO-RvM8Toer7aJoWYHpGumueDwICja8JDudXAbHkBZCCtFgqBK9kWRdamXfCxb285SoMdPqPwpQvSOpJZp5-jQK5kaOT9XH13nOEbW2tR5NmVl5MsB4Admz7sVj1cby3ltl3G-A/s400/2011-07-05_09-44-36_121.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Sorry for the crummy picture, I think I got a sweat drop on the lens; but you get the idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNWubcG4kv_AiDfTg_0YyxVDQtN6uo2n62EL9VVIJI4P9Wgb8m7JaEzqc0IzGtxCe32yqkVlgw0w6SkV-pd6t48A_C1Yj22KCcB2jHY-P6lmjx1vsKxFxIrDSvMc0OeA7qWf_j-wjCQ0/s1600/2011-06-23_13-51-57_120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNWubcG4kv_AiDfTg_0YyxVDQtN6uo2n62EL9VVIJI4P9Wgb8m7JaEzqc0IzGtxCe32yqkVlgw0w6SkV-pd6t48A_C1Yj22KCcB2jHY-P6lmjx1vsKxFxIrDSvMc0OeA7qWf_j-wjCQ0/s400/2011-06-23_13-51-57_120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> This space suffered from the same fate as the hosta - overgrown and boring. But again, the white wall was too delicious to resist as a blank canvas for color and texture. Because it gets the most sun and you can see it so well from the deck, I decided to make this space the focal point of the new garden area. We planted two deep purple Butterfly Bushes, two Limelight Hydrangea, two Black-eyed Susans, two Wave Petunias, one Lavender, added two of the transplanted hosta - <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1hbmHBybLTxrdxVTxX7GUNi1RplN4qdXIQ_GyJ8UaLo3EdBZlD6hIk_fWy5oJpa1suWHsjsxV0pvrd4N5Qg6cNLPWdv4Xc9dDx4p5kqv4K9zw5L67Q-GmD9Brp-i8P9BknVtuSUiLHk/s1600/2011-07-05_09-46-33_277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1hbmHBybLTxrdxVTxX7GUNi1RplN4qdXIQ_GyJ8UaLo3EdBZlD6hIk_fWy5oJpa1suWHsjsxV0pvrd4N5Qg6cNLPWdv4Xc9dDx4p5kqv4K9zw5L67Q-GmD9Brp-i8P9BknVtuSUiLHk/s400/2011-07-05_09-46-33_277.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
and the jewel of it <br />
all - a Double Knockout rose topiary to tie in the knockouts I planted against the fence. It's full of color, has great cut flowers and is very low maintenance. I can't wait for it to dig down and really root into it's full blown glory.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3WJyVLd0yn9lNafVqo-NiAfTE0w-OWLlHIyxKVAJEICtNvwPCzr_qszJCoSkVf0DZGqRPqMiRjn7lmVux3ZOxwNao95d0Xm0bSu2KIIcHTDD4FkgIytS674KkGg7PwfOYC1mEG5n-jU/s1600/2011-06-23_13-39-52_896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3WJyVLd0yn9lNafVqo-NiAfTE0w-OWLlHIyxKVAJEICtNvwPCzr_qszJCoSkVf0DZGqRPqMiRjn7lmVux3ZOxwNao95d0Xm0bSu2KIIcHTDD4FkgIytS674KkGg7PwfOYC1mEG5n-jU/s400/2011-06-23_13-39-52_896.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Last but not least: the deck. I only have one set of pictures to show, but the area surrounding the deck was also fairly worn out. Patrick and I were able to re-purpose this boxwood, move the hosta over and transplant the additional hostas behind the deck mixed in with the fern that was already doing a fine job.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwqGodCuH0CBmGTCLOAH7nWv7Wy-Y9PMTijplIAbaiRJbYIwPITMKnhFkUf5WGdMnKbPu1XHcmPY5fkPSWQA430CO-4MO1a3L43F_rqI-iuxo_atilm9RZhch1tseh0UNnDr3mcyoh9w/s1600/2011-07-11_14-01-00_716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwqGodCuH0CBmGTCLOAH7nWv7Wy-Y9PMTijplIAbaiRJbYIwPITMKnhFkUf5WGdMnKbPu1XHcmPY5fkPSWQA430CO-4MO1a3L43F_rqI-iuxo_atilm9RZhch1tseh0UNnDr3mcyoh9w/s400/2011-07-11_14-01-00_716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This was a fun little project with wonderful clients. I think their property now reflects the graciousness and loveliness of the couple themselves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-46332286322735426552011-07-08T20:41:00.000-07:002011-07-08T20:43:34.770-07:00Fabulous Boxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkC6ByBHGUhWKLDkc4Cf9bevai6VOVFMT4r7g-jjCHibeHbkUrtlRyj3gZLmqEhv1lCjjdT1jwDCUuRwYd6mKgXTYrDOuDsu8a95Aq_GBkpzp0G_rrWhtHG5p6BDZOUxNUqFZt7UBjEI/s400/063011114854.jpg" width="400" /> </div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Today I want to talk to you about garden accessories. Just like a great dress can be set apart by a beautiful necklace; a wonderful garden can be upped a notch by a few fun window boxes or pots or mirrors or...let your imagination fill in the rest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">For Windy Hallow Farm, I felt the house itself needed to join the party with flowers at the windows. Not all of them, just four actually. But as I was considering my options and budget limitations, I realized I'd have to think a bit out of the box (no pun intended) to get a unique look that fit the overall feel of property. I didn't want the typical iron with coco liner, or something I could find at local garden stores, but I knew I couldn't afford the beautiful boxes I saw online. So...one day I had an epiphany! The owners had a very talented man, Mike Rogers, doing some odd jobs around the house and I saw that he was a skilled wood worker. So I approached him about making a few boxes out of the barn wood I found on the property. What was really fabulous about this wood, was the iron work still on it. I asked Mike to cut the wood in such a way to have the hardware showing. He did an outstanding job! Each box is unique and gorgeous and it lends more of the farmy feel to the home itself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black;"> This show stopper is my favorite, so I put it at the front entrance. Isn't it great?! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkC6ByBHGUhWKLDkc4Cf9bevai6VOVFMT4r7g-jjCHibeHbkUrtlRyj3gZLmqEhv1lCjjdT1jwDCUuRwYd6mKgXTYrDOuDsu8a95Aq_GBkpzp0G_rrWhtHG5p6BDZOUxNUqFZt7UBjEI/s1600/063011114854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkC6ByBHGUhWKLDkc4Cf9bevai6VOVFMT4r7g-jjCHibeHbkUrtlRyj3gZLmqEhv1lCjjdT1jwDCUuRwYd6mKgXTYrDOuDsu8a95Aq_GBkpzp0G_rrWhtHG5p6BDZOUxNUqFZt7UBjEI/s640/063011114854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you look closely, you can see the handle on this box. It is on the porch side of the house and adds a great focal point over the small table and pots I have placed there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDr7JxY1agdzuUSTSvqSt3MVXnhieByQqXHwskBj5js4GKzcmH2gGtFvSY7PlrZ0zUmbkNQyV_l5S80LOp9RLrId-8ggvJyNd4Fm68XVF9pClQI5Y58nIgYJa2I8GezBNu4L8sapj84g/s1600/2011-06-30_10-37-10_92-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDr7JxY1agdzuUSTSvqSt3MVXnhieByQqXHwskBj5js4GKzcmH2gGtFvSY7PlrZ0zUmbkNQyV_l5S80LOp9RLrId-8ggvJyNd4Fm68XVF9pClQI5Y58nIgYJa2I8GezBNu4L8sapj84g/s400/2011-06-30_10-37-10_92-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwDcVm-xi1tywLLHMIhA0P6e381vadCAKfhRycZF-ITmOxl0sWIGAy28vZUARXzQiqs4V5cDDrCOPyIXNNnxk4ZLIRar0ef5XsaJPZ_l8vhOk3gu1Qe8DkYQjyxZ-6JgHosWSpEeaRNE/s1600/2011-06-30_10-27-26_529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwDcVm-xi1tywLLHMIhA0P6e381vadCAKfhRycZF-ITmOxl0sWIGAy28vZUARXzQiqs4V5cDDrCOPyIXNNnxk4ZLIRar0ef5XsaJPZ_l8vhOk3gu1Qe8DkYQjyxZ-6JgHosWSpEeaRNE/s320/2011-06-30_10-27-26_529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Although you can't see the hardware, this one is adorable as well. It's a bit smaller and the window is higher than the others, so it really stands out on the side of the property.<br />
<br />
I know most of us don't have beautiful, weathered barn wood sitting around our property, but if you think hard, you can find all kinds of ways to have something unique for your own home.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-17927525535383569092011-07-06T12:32:00.000-07:002011-11-07T12:22:40.507-08:00More Wind from the Hollow Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe50MANGNoiehPDG53BvGI0fe2LdZqT72UALUQFGzTiCW6G1GxA9fJWNnuYZUxHrV2ZQqyKNjJwgsIgc6gqr5cjUc8sTOmx9qDHpf0PhI4yG6XD9EbCTLzHdiAIPjl4bRS-_v9KYv_ok/s1600/2011-05-10_09-05-15_258-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe50MANGNoiehPDG53BvGI0fe2LdZqT72UALUQFGzTiCW6G1GxA9fJWNnuYZUxHrV2ZQqyKNjJwgsIgc6gqr5cjUc8sTOmx9qDHpf0PhI4yG6XD9EbCTLzHdiAIPjl4bRS-_v9KYv_ok/s640/2011-05-10_09-05-15_258-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpVIhJ9odwmShBDPQuBQvN4FmhBn3eYol7Qg6m7fYSqR7LlmKqWmFU8uUFt42KwldK1RylPJCHX3Y5V4EklC__Ta0UrvuRWhLqxeTWFJLqMhTXM3FJHQwHRmY3xV3mC2Vi6JO7jjax9M/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-42_292-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpVIhJ9odwmShBDPQuBQvN4FmhBn3eYol7Qg6m7fYSqR7LlmKqWmFU8uUFt42KwldK1RylPJCHX3Y5V4EklC__Ta0UrvuRWhLqxeTWFJLqMhTXM3FJHQwHRmY3xV3mC2Vi6JO7jjax9M/s640/2011-06-30_10-40-42_292-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are a few more before-after pictures of Windy Hallow Farm. The front yard was full of weeds, overgrown shrubs and plants and old, broken slabs of stone for a forgotten pathway. Although, grass hasn't been planted yet, you can see the improvement already.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HC3SCqf4Q92viqSI0ziNFv5zR9UgfzgnE0wkdDk0FomsggqE6jb-7I8TaBAnEvHuXtHnSnSQISTBHoQJYv6GIbxdXnMRK4Ashpmm1tQtwIWb8qBiSakJFV4Xy0HlAifTnZ38fFI_KXk/s1600/2011-05-10_09-05-56_953-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HC3SCqf4Q92viqSI0ziNFv5zR9UgfzgnE0wkdDk0FomsggqE6jb-7I8TaBAnEvHuXtHnSnSQISTBHoQJYv6GIbxdXnMRK4Ashpmm1tQtwIWb8qBiSakJFV4Xy0HlAifTnZ38fFI_KXk/s400/2011-05-10_09-05-56_953-1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The previous own had filled the peremiter of the house with these stones; once we began the project, the excavator realized the stones had been put in about two feet too high, so it all had to be dug out and regraded to prevent rotting of the foundation. It was a dirty job, but sadly necessary. Bluck. I was covered with rock dirt for days.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To distract the eye away from this meter and to soften the angles of the house, we curved the sidewalk out and around the entire front. In this garden area,I added a dwarf Japanese Maple for height and color. Although it's difficult to see, there is a huge spirea in the corner which I salvaged from another spot on the property. Then I planted double knock out roses, a viburnum, delphinium, rudbeckia, and dark red echinacia. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAEsminV2X3CBoeiod7yRQSN7lVX5FAPhdN1OymH3MJqmF9ENXRhLjstQWDvA2svFghiM2MLYawtGihjwB61qQvfT8-GhXOhscWuBQ_l0Yb49m3oxtPT1wFQz3mQSfwjlewAmUwz8_Rs/s1600/2011-07-05_09-58-43_813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAEsminV2X3CBoeiod7yRQSN7lVX5FAPhdN1OymH3MJqmF9ENXRhLjstQWDvA2svFghiM2MLYawtGihjwB61qQvfT8-GhXOhscWuBQ_l0Yb49m3oxtPT1wFQz3mQSfwjlewAmUwz8_Rs/s640/2011-07-05_09-58-43_813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaifuAIQdg_vxIpHMY8fF4cc8S7REZpfOFVdmjt8PDC5lNN7VNtmzT97iPKamwld3Z8XO00Cgji9Arem3bOP05sjp_-g-R-Ut0sDIjaPBvzMWilyVMtAYxf8OsJb28UNpOCYak1_AstHo/s1600/2011-07-05_10-00-26_366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaifuAIQdg_vxIpHMY8fF4cc8S7REZpfOFVdmjt8PDC5lNN7VNtmzT97iPKamwld3Z8XO00Cgji9Arem3bOP05sjp_-g-R-Ut0sDIjaPBvzMWilyVMtAYxf8OsJb28UNpOCYak1_AstHo/s400/2011-07-05_10-00-26_366.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
This beautiful hosta was also salvaged from the property. It is perfect nestled in this curve.<span id="goog_572441308"></span><span id="goog_572441309"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As you can see, this side of the house was in need of serious attention. To keep costs down, I was able to grab these two huge boxwoods and this spirea. When it becomes available, I am going to plant a winterberry bush in the space between the boxwood and spirea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD0Vt4C2Xs6bns6sLqAbpATv19cPjATu1_88Cmc8qllaoS-cbfvcsXRb2vsKjIeO7p8craYuxhx7w3PfrkhykUluSCbWF15jIdZau7o7QcBkhU7H3S9b417dmitCRl-LRKn-WXrEJRaQ/s1600/2011-05-10_09-05-40_127-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">. <img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD0Vt4C2Xs6bns6sLqAbpATv19cPjATu1_88Cmc8qllaoS-cbfvcsXRb2vsKjIeO7p8craYuxhx7w3PfrkhykUluSCbWF15jIdZau7o7QcBkhU7H3S9b417dmitCRl-LRKn-WXrEJRaQ/s640/2011-05-10_09-05-40_127-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW8ps4qdH2U69kFzfjuGC7_m3vy2xey9X3b73Xj-6a-YKdPy0PJXlnhW534UnSM4aT2kIQ0lqQJKLQiwQ6DGMHJPt_bC_hEs7raArFSXRpdmZUVeiUXAjHHRfcE5xnLnMY-rA2heIp_k/s1600/2011-07-05_09-59-31_439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW8ps4qdH2U69kFzfjuGC7_m3vy2xey9X3b73Xj-6a-YKdPy0PJXlnhW534UnSM4aT2kIQ0lqQJKLQiwQ6DGMHJPt_bC_hEs7raArFSXRpdmZUVeiUXAjHHRfcE5xnLnMY-rA2heIp_k/s640/2011-07-05_09-59-31_439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDW3TAHLmRdw_1vVn5mhhqRKjLXn9wn9vJgIoTYB2jb5Q-kTspeuyrD3d_PQqLupyHjZxOwDK_Gpcb3ixXaUgjBo9MhHZieO7Qc5mfMYqgNIwIodXvFsaOeLUCztN9TloT6XX4DVwPiY/s1600/2011-07-05_09-59-24_932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDW3TAHLmRdw_1vVn5mhhqRKjLXn9wn9vJgIoTYB2jb5Q-kTspeuyrD3d_PQqLupyHjZxOwDK_Gpcb3ixXaUgjBo9MhHZieO7Qc5mfMYqgNIwIodXvFsaOeLUCztN9TloT6XX4DVwPiY/s640/2011-07-05_09-59-24_932.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>This is around the corner and shows the flow of the garden. Again, I have double knock out roses, daisies and hydrangea. It is a fairly low maintenance garden and suits the farm.<br />
<br />
Next up: Window boxes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-33655889222351152772011-07-03T18:39:00.000-07:002011-11-07T12:24:58.077-08:00Windy Hollow FarmOnce again, I have neglected my blog, but it's raining today, so I am allowing myself to sit in front of the computer and play. Yea!<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to begin showing some pics of a new project we've been working on. This farm is a diamond in the rough and has been a blast to design. The goal was to completely reinvent the personality around the perimeter of the home, make the front entrance obvious (there are two entry ways), create a fairly low maintenance farm garden, design an outdoor eating/living area and rethink the parking. We divided these into phases and have completed phase one. I'm going to put up a few pictures to give you an idea of where we are in the process.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfC1OGMt6MsR7wji8yFXN_WnUHKUfaZsH9JI4MN_lT2XWZPbb0eBvUQ4G8ulS_Z87rZ4cCJqpYKbRvONwH5n46mts04UaQP26D-aUQ6j2YArc1vq2kh0cTRgfFYUzxCEk-TRyMkbtQqg/s1600/2011-06-22_09-26-48_473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfC1OGMt6MsR7wji8yFXN_WnUHKUfaZsH9JI4MN_lT2XWZPbb0eBvUQ4G8ulS_Z87rZ4cCJqpYKbRvONwH5n46mts04UaQP26D-aUQ6j2YArc1vq2kh0cTRgfFYUzxCEk-TRyMkbtQqg/s640/2011-06-22_09-26-48_473.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a picture of the side porch. It had great possibilites, but needed some imagination to make it an inviting space for the family. I loved the pew and the firewood rack was necessary, so they were staying. Then I began rummaging through the owner's home, and barn, and went to a local antique dealer; this is the result.</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdECmC5i-TJny8OcnMrVUoIJ_H3O0sW41H56qauVP1jdm9cSm33Ute24gNQlXQP7Q5nIIo4kqM_BfZwB-eaeRto3Bo-lbSBvKpc-zUFzExn5fDbUTNjTnOTy56MltQ19DFKIpV-1BCS0/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-14_146-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdECmC5i-TJny8OcnMrVUoIJ_H3O0sW41H56qauVP1jdm9cSm33Ute24gNQlXQP7Q5nIIo4kqM_BfZwB-eaeRto3Bo-lbSBvKpc-zUFzExn5fDbUTNjTnOTy56MltQ19DFKIpV-1BCS0/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-14_146-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdECmC5i-TJny8OcnMrVUoIJ_H3O0sW41H56qauVP1jdm9cSm33Ute24gNQlXQP7Q5nIIo4kqM_BfZwB-eaeRto3Bo-lbSBvKpc-zUFzExn5fDbUTNjTnOTy56MltQ19DFKIpV-1BCS0/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-14_146-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjySilrFIZpBmf6nL628bM9VA5T4LAq4i6O9d6weztUYP6QC3b4-eKuGlI6f3279Vm36G8xi0Abjl8ZyaiYdasT8rNO2s60p7292HKkUGgvhHhK17eYD-VhyC8GpQVWv7wYmpTshTflo/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-42_292-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjySilrFIZpBmf6nL628bM9VA5T4LAq4i6O9d6weztUYP6QC3b4-eKuGlI6f3279Vm36G8xi0Abjl8ZyaiYdasT8rNO2s60p7292HKkUGgvhHhK17eYD-VhyC8GpQVWv7wYmpTshTflo/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-42_292-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjySilrFIZpBmf6nL628bM9VA5T4LAq4i6O9d6weztUYP6QC3b4-eKuGlI6f3279Vm36G8xi0Abjl8ZyaiYdasT8rNO2s60p7292HKkUGgvhHhK17eYD-VhyC8GpQVWv7wYmpTshTflo/s640/2011-06-30_10-40-42_292-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I found this adorable table in the owner's family room...with a TV on top of it. Thankfully she was great about re-purposing it for the porch. The old clay pots, I grabbed at a Strawberry Festival in Falmouth, MA when I was on vacation, and the rest of the containers I found at <a href="http://www.oldeengineworks.com/"><cite>www.<b>oldeengineworks</b>.com</cite></a> - my very favorite antique mall (by the way, thank you to my right hand man, Patrick, for pointing out that the really cool bucket I thought was for sifting millet or something is actually a minnow bucket and he has one just like it in his garage that I could have had for free) .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdECmC5i-TJny8OcnMrVUoIJ_H3O0sW41H56qauVP1jdm9cSm33Ute24gNQlXQP7Q5nIIo4kqM_BfZwB-eaeRto3Bo-lbSBvKpc-zUFzExn5fDbUTNjTnOTy56MltQ19DFKIpV-1BCS0/s1600/2011-06-30_10-40-14_146-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdECmC5i-TJny8OcnMrVUoIJ_H3O0sW41H56qauVP1jdm9cSm33Ute24gNQlXQP7Q5nIIo4kqM_BfZwB-eaeRto3Bo-lbSBvKpc-zUFzExn5fDbUTNjTnOTy56MltQ19DFKIpV-1BCS0/s400/2011-06-30_10-40-14_146-1.jpg" width="223" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-rOMbeBSJT74BLLbf3lWOaikn-nc-aimPOa0Ert1sfpyDvwKYbnHc32bmBVtvHUxN9ZN_UbzRz9uYiyfSkWdIunFu6jadK97iqioZgfKjj1o4rfEddvHmyyWIPBfkkaemyikyYwZHpo/s1600/2011-06-30_10-25-01_61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-rOMbeBSJT74BLLbf3lWOaikn-nc-aimPOa0Ert1sfpyDvwKYbnHc32bmBVtvHUxN9ZN_UbzRz9uYiyfSkWdIunFu6jadK97iqioZgfKjj1o4rfEddvHmyyWIPBfkkaemyikyYwZHpo/s400/2011-06-30_10-25-01_61.jpg" width="272" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdwmIPd2Z_1HL_uxxkPv0xjJ7TGIJlc_U0WsAtgzXyVQBPPZ1XGbwtNnUsezgHD36bESMX4RIgrYlHDPHaVUn3jin5K8yAws0H7OoJIsLX4Oy0XQsW4BPwbh1IXYai4Ku0iPHCBJdmTg/s1600/2011-06-30_10-25-14_430-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdwmIPd2Z_1HL_uxxkPv0xjJ7TGIJlc_U0WsAtgzXyVQBPPZ1XGbwtNnUsezgHD36bESMX4RIgrYlHDPHaVUn3jin5K8yAws0H7OoJIsLX4Oy0XQsW4BPwbh1IXYai4Ku0iPHCBJdmTg/s400/2011-06-30_10-25-14_430-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The side view picture shows an old buggy bench seat that I also sneaked out of the house (but it was full of jackets, so no on noticed). Because I was able to use quite a few pieces the owners already had, the cost of this porch transformation was kept quite low.<br />
<br />
Once the door has been repainted, the porch will be finished. I'm really excited to post more about this project.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-5307045544508322652011-05-17T06:06:00.000-07:002011-05-17T06:27:36.239-07:00So much to do, so little time in which to do it....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX97-zEC6Pn0AuUYn9pkwYyRNQNZg251fCs1Vf58ZxHs9vcLgYSiFVMYGh2o0J-xkGW_vJVQalZub7noBosNWjgfzURR9Vx4p-eOTAV9iL3SJI0zoaxd5EQWJLvaaoV2oFu8rDZs3mnc/s1600/geranium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX97-zEC6Pn0AuUYn9pkwYyRNQNZg251fCs1Vf58ZxHs9vcLgYSiFVMYGh2o0J-xkGW_vJVQalZub7noBosNWjgfzURR9Vx4p-eOTAV9iL3SJI0zoaxd5EQWJLvaaoV2oFu8rDZs3mnc/s320/geranium.jpg" width="180" /></a>It has been CRAZY around here for me this spring! Which, in this economy, is good thing. But I'm finding myself stretched pretty thin (figuratively speaking, unfortunately) and anxious about doing a good job for my clients. One day at a time...<br />
<br />
I want to jot down a few quick thoughts while I am shopping for pots online and before I run out to work on this glorious rainy, windy day (dread, dread, dread).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtjV3QCpBXz4tqhvEyS-niMaDhyphenhyphenl81Eeh8V12jDLxRuFGVv7MGKZ0SgF-0BPntlhb_GNOiEAU6a4-nylJQfEZmDHVeUHy9RjQXaLiyiYtQEuecqomcokoKmb8tIIW_jtdfzcMC4GBw1Y/s1600/soil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtjV3QCpBXz4tqhvEyS-niMaDhyphenhyphenl81Eeh8V12jDLxRuFGVv7MGKZ0SgF-0BPntlhb_GNOiEAU6a4-nylJQfEZmDHVeUHy9RjQXaLiyiYtQEuecqomcokoKmb8tIIW_jtdfzcMC4GBw1Y/s320/soil.jpg" width="271" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGoS4V1piYYpM9Q0ZHdkcqapA4Aa9SKRxwI9OfMDEJ0lCTyswrJAjoGXKAw6bHm2hbNKCV0kJkhN3WTcSpUY3WMtxlQ1hyphenhyphenYhdlNTEnr6kG0OV31xdBFfgEN6a5QHre_3BymPQEj47mWM/s1600/soil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>If you haven't worked your soil yet, please stop planting and do so. By this I mean, turn your soil over and mix in all the left over mulch from last year - dig deeply enough to ensure you're mixing actual soil with the mulch. Also check the quality of your soil; if it seems dry and used up, consider adding some top quality compost to it. I mix in about an inch of mushroom compost to my gardens every few years - it does wonders. This picture is pretty boring, but this is what mine looked like last week: delicious.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now for the fun stuff! One of my clients has a huge, awful looking retaining wall. After much thought, I decided to do what I could to incorporate it into the garden rather than just try to hide it with plants and flowers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3qN6b4XdN5Oc77l8CMSBvPYU7X_r5KEtGbOYugbGEZtSXdcxDiAjaF3JPeygDUZCCfWxq2Pv-qsdqHdMDbisCL82PlNNxCmhyQR-vMp00a5ayGB0f81qkurKO0UIcnJFonhYxGTrj8U/s1600/petunias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3qN6b4XdN5Oc77l8CMSBvPYU7X_r5KEtGbOYugbGEZtSXdcxDiAjaF3JPeygDUZCCfWxq2Pv-qsdqHdMDbisCL82PlNNxCmhyQR-vMp00a5ayGB0f81qkurKO0UIcnJFonhYxGTrj8U/s320/petunias.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So we knocked some holes in it <br />
<br />
(see http://thecottagegardenerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/beauty-is-in-eye-of-beholder.html) and I began using it as my backdrop.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0srM7S7JUwq7KLeeaxe37q5jWhymbswOo5aWLIfwRbm63cY8DeBJ8zfg8mfuawy0T1glIJWOBJGD8XMpFG0FaM4dgh4XQ7qSa5tDkPe5L-LuG5YHbyQSMM2Y7Su0fzxPh68aSJ3pSBKk/s1600/alyssum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0srM7S7JUwq7KLeeaxe37q5jWhymbswOo5aWLIfwRbm63cY8DeBJ8zfg8mfuawy0T1glIJWOBJGD8XMpFG0FaM4dgh4XQ7qSa5tDkPe5L-LuG5YHbyQSMM2Y7Su0fzxPh68aSJ3pSBKk/s320/alyssum.jpg" width="269" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
With good watering, these flowers will take root and grow beautifully in the wall.<br />
<br />
Take time to think about what you are trying to hide and consider the possibility of using it as a canvas instead. It could be a new beginning of wonderful, creative ideas!<br />
<br />
Well, I'm off to slog through this downpour...gotta plant!The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-38783612768763972532011-04-19T11:48:00.000-07:002011-04-20T06:37:26.690-07:00A bit of color in the spring gloomI am interrupting my fall retrospective of 2010 and zipping forward to spring 2011.<br />
<br />
I know it's supposed to rain in the spring and I am very grateful for it...but for crying out loud, enough is enough! It has been COLD and WET and GLOOMY here 5.5 out of 7 days a week here. I am about dying for some warmth and sun and color.<br />
<br />
So last week I threw in some flowers to cheer myself and my client up a bit. For those of you in the same glum boat, enjoy...<br />
<br />
Spring is here (believe it or not), Easter will be here next week, and although it is too early to begin planting permanent pots for the season, there are some hardier flowers that can withstand the cold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWRdRsA8vElPWKE147r1gvyplR0uDfgr3eLJM8N_0sWS3mS7I4nEwSJqQGYsjnOxfgS5mBJsxFyQ16DuYLk999oWLKC1jt4MCPNl9ACj72SZ4olc2JEMy1wtaFB7BfoD_EQRs33vToac/s1600/window+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWRdRsA8vElPWKE147r1gvyplR0uDfgr3eLJM8N_0sWS3mS7I4nEwSJqQGYsjnOxfgS5mBJsxFyQ16DuYLk999oWLKC1jt4MCPNl9ACj72SZ4olc2JEMy1wtaFB7BfoD_EQRs33vToac/s320/window+boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In this window box, I planted purple and white osteospermum (daisies), mixed pansies and (my favorite from last summer), snow princess alyssum. The overall effect is cheerful and a bit different from the usual spring arrangements of tulips and hyacinths. Another bonus is that everything in this widow box can be pulled out and reused for the summer, so I'm not wasting plants or money.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DgVyPlSyjoDkgFWsRHQGXnsDV-B-sGrkU-N5XoJ8De2ndOMu3c2SKZSWTe8xek72szTdjbNeNJAhuw4BlJrYUMSR7Xs7FN6rFIEI5oL5GwzzmHjszIn84eQG4-0x2rTbawhQK3b8gZM/s1600/Pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DgVyPlSyjoDkgFWsRHQGXnsDV-B-sGrkU-N5XoJ8De2ndOMu3c2SKZSWTe8xek72szTdjbNeNJAhuw4BlJrYUMSR7Xs7FN6rFIEI5oL5GwzzmHjszIn84eQG4-0x2rTbawhQK3b8gZM/s320/Pot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This pot has yellow ranunculus, mixed pansies and again, snow princess alyssum. I loved the combination and overall effect of color and texture. The only bummer about this arrangement is that the ranunculus aren't terribly hardy, so they have to be under cover if the temperatures get near freezing; which is why I put them in a pot rather than the window box. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5NFC5xS3aeAIe9c_ClX9AhyHtAJw8ahRJMgtqipNPwMZZ_ddFG5CeKRNaUsNYMtqxVU78lVGWzUUodMkHUWpUGDqgMpJkt-Fa2AsAiX0DKOfF8D1L759YRnbHVy4VEQvVq2V0oZGPYI/s1600/pussy+willow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5NFC5xS3aeAIe9c_ClX9AhyHtAJw8ahRJMgtqipNPwMZZ_ddFG5CeKRNaUsNYMtqxVU78lVGWzUUodMkHUWpUGDqgMpJkt-Fa2AsAiX0DKOfF8D1L759YRnbHVy4VEQvVq2V0oZGPYI/s320/pussy+willow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This may be hard to see, but if you put your face really close to your computer screen, you'll see that mixed in with this gorgeous old can of pussy willow are artificial pussy willow lights. They were a bit pristine and white when I bought them, so I dirtied them up to make them blend. I thought it added a bit of warmth and whimsy to the arrangement.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So there you have it. Today it's cold and rainy, tomorrow its supposed to thunderstorm, and then I believe we will actually get a respite for a day! My girls have spring break this week, so it would be nice to have at least one day of sun and warmth.<br />
<br />
Happy gardening!The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-46507266449757917832011-04-04T19:32:00.000-07:002011-04-05T05:03:20.649-07:00An Autumn Retrospective Part Deux<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCTkwja9HC5CgZji3ODFMPicwOFmWWIhnd0m2bp41At8rMgO-C5MARbOckpHL71sRL9zu07dTqxS7vuC_0De2HjKU6oiAmwgrWQNLO-meJgTgnSUpAaQNgeD6nPBUqaccMdZbJo2cMcE/s1600/corn+and+pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCTkwja9HC5CgZji3ODFMPicwOFmWWIhnd0m2bp41At8rMgO-C5MARbOckpHL71sRL9zu07dTqxS7vuC_0De2HjKU6oiAmwgrWQNLO-meJgTgnSUpAaQNgeD6nPBUqaccMdZbJo2cMcE/s320/corn+and+pumpkins.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-T_egopjjCH0qv_oIZNmgZUuWtBhwrSOJdf_Dv5VZPe0aVnbzhBTsP5t3c2BnczTloQMYIFL-ZWJ2-GK99Xq5AtWj9sJ0fkUYCKqNQi8yyRBdpr4QcV8-ekGLbPceHI5Sazi0XcPyPg/s1600/2010-10-09_16-10-21_803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-T_egopjjCH0qv_oIZNmgZUuWtBhwrSOJdf_Dv5VZPe0aVnbzhBTsP5t3c2BnczTloQMYIFL-ZWJ2-GK99Xq5AtWj9sJ0fkUYCKqNQi8yyRBdpr4QcV8-ekGLbPceHI5Sazi0XcPyPg/s320/2010-10-09_16-10-21_803.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Today I want to highlight a few things I did outside. I wanted to give the entrance to this property some interest and fun so I put together three huge corn stalk bundles. To keep them sturdy, I hammered a 2x4 into the ground and tied the stalks to it layer by layer until I got to the final layer when I cinched them together with twine at the top, pulled some of the corn out and worked to make the tops pretty. At the bottom, I put dozens of tiny pumpkins. Though it was a pain to mow around, I think it was worth the effort.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby9uGl9yCqyjaYccMMJa42soMP8PDu3wp-dGJ9uoxmYmIV41zHIsIJt1OtGl6Nz8Y_0unbnf4KkRs4nakuHo4SFKn4iY8BNdF_C6PAjPBEFGP-mTKQwLtjMLj0kHV5pR75gFbiqml7A0/s1600/pillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby9uGl9yCqyjaYccMMJa42soMP8PDu3wp-dGJ9uoxmYmIV41zHIsIJt1OtGl6Nz8Y_0unbnf4KkRs4nakuHo4SFKn4iY8BNdF_C6PAjPBEFGP-mTKQwLtjMLj0kHV5pR75gFbiqml7A0/s320/pillar.jpg" width="214" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are stone fence posts (or pillars) at the actual entrance of this property. Again, I've been itching to do something with them, so this fall I draped them with grapevine and tons of bittersweet. (The picture doesn't do it justice - a cell phone is only so good, ya know. And I'm just too lazy to figure out the new camera.) I placed the bittersweet before the berries popped, so the vines were still green and super pliable. The grapevine was soaked over night in water to make it the same. At the base, I placed the largest pumpkin I could find. (I'm not actually sure its considered a pumpkin, but I'll call it that for now.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErl_ExKW-XX2EyanmCJ5g1L-37TnGGYkc5nUfqE6rL03CysMg3MzU0YM0owSEXBZtBo8GCwBKzwV8yQqLTIc1Dxcgi3bV6F8Cr-79lCK3scNOighYd8iFyOhvWwVREL9f386finCWWAY/s1600/window+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErl_ExKW-XX2EyanmCJ5g1L-37TnGGYkc5nUfqE6rL03CysMg3MzU0YM0owSEXBZtBo8GCwBKzwV8yQqLTIc1Dxcgi3bV6F8Cr-79lCK3scNOighYd8iFyOhvWwVREL9f386finCWWAY/s400/window+box.jpg" width="400" /></a> The summer window boxes were tired and needed to be refreshed, so I pulled out all the flowers and replaced them with ornamental cabbages, peppers, small mums and bittersweet. I loved the combination! To add a little whimsy, I put artificial twigs in the back. What is special about these twigs is that they are covered with mini lights. Because they're battery powered, I was able to stick the entire thing in the window box. In the soft autumn evenings, these lights gave a bit of romance to the setting. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-20635711658920104182011-04-03T19:21:00.000-07:002011-04-03T19:21:34.994-07:00An Autumn Retrospective<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIptSeQ2oeRxoaIHilrIgeBqDpoUpxTlBFSAu1FN_YmihjN9-hK5S09ivOQVZOk_Hs-z7cV3NcdQblf4OcbkdgVyFRYkr1HhuCiUM4vtqRAPZGk5cvS3bn1TMGc3w5rvp5A_1jQs5KRE/s1600/shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIptSeQ2oeRxoaIHilrIgeBqDpoUpxTlBFSAu1FN_YmihjN9-hK5S09ivOQVZOk_Hs-z7cV3NcdQblf4OcbkdgVyFRYkr1HhuCiUM4vtqRAPZGk5cvS3bn1TMGc3w5rvp5A_1jQs5KRE/s320/shadows.jpg" width="189" /></a>It's spring. We're still freezing here in PA, but it <i>is</i> spring. Right now, I'm cutting things back, getting the lavender ready and pruning the roses. I'll write more about that in another blog. In the meantime, I wanted to show a few pictures of fall and winter (since I ditched the blog and all). So. Read on and stay tuned over the next several days.<br />
<br />
In all things creative, it's easy to get into a rut. I find myself battling this in my gardening and decorating regularly. Those are the times I hit Barnes and Noble (such a punishment) and Google images. I almost always find something to inspire me. Now and then you just need to grease the wheel, ya know? I hope these images will help you think outside the box an bit. I had a ton of fun doing it, and so will you.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGAztZKHTr6NUd2oM41bFbYwcR1NV94eHdXqyy7pMXnzppF218g3pYzlqmWfbBQcDOg2ZdaPtHWecaOV_uwm8ny2_-hYJPazYkYmmqNyvouVbo-IrRSgHYrup4sO5ujNl_h-l4Hap-dQ/s1600/mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGAztZKHTr6NUd2oM41bFbYwcR1NV94eHdXqyy7pMXnzppF218g3pYzlqmWfbBQcDOg2ZdaPtHWecaOV_uwm8ny2_-hYJPazYkYmmqNyvouVbo-IrRSgHYrup4sO5ujNl_h-l4Hap-dQ/s320/mantle.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiqJKk3XgfsXf10Xn4d1vgNj2ygsn7hYwb7XTdmzwpH4sj3mPGWZMvMGyHo-m2CsovocTW937FWj7W8MRJFQRJN8auEms7zWnYHjm-HQD-ry3wC9cu4dagHlbUmBbcZuaAXjSqoJFnM0/s1600/fall+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I'll start with the barn. I have been drooling over this barn for a year. My client renovated it to be used for entertainment and it is bursting with possibilities. For the fall, I decided to make the new fireplace the focal point of the room, so I went all out with color. I dug around her basement (and my garage), and was able to find boxes, an old shutter, some banged up wooden candle sticks and a few other things to give it some interest. Then I twisted some grapevine and bittersweet vine around it all and added some mums and corn. For a little added fun, I made a topiary out of pumpkins and squash. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiqJKk3XgfsXf10Xn4d1vgNj2ygsn7hYwb7XTdmzwpH4sj3mPGWZMvMGyHo-m2CsovocTW937FWj7W8MRJFQRJN8auEms7zWnYHjm-HQD-ry3wC9cu4dagHlbUmBbcZuaAXjSqoJFnM0/s1600/fall+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiqJKk3XgfsXf10Xn4d1vgNj2ygsn7hYwb7XTdmzwpH4sj3mPGWZMvMGyHo-m2CsovocTW937FWj7W8MRJFQRJN8auEms7zWnYHjm-HQD-ry3wC9cu4dagHlbUmBbcZuaAXjSqoJFnM0/s320/fall+lights.jpg" width="217" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjRsAZVcqvlZbVT7jPy5i9NvvuKyAYjc5OR6Igxso5i6E-Kwkd1WnFvQr6wV0sKPZ96zF9QxO5Z9BcQtl7_G6dLqFxPp-xMOQaBcSdDgzljeyx8XchoBe9xRC7hWkZpynIvB0S7aRuGw/s1600/mantle+bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjRsAZVcqvlZbVT7jPy5i9NvvuKyAYjc5OR6Igxso5i6E-Kwkd1WnFvQr6wV0sKPZ96zF9QxO5Z9BcQtl7_G6dLqFxPp-xMOQaBcSdDgzljeyx8XchoBe9xRC7hWkZpynIvB0S7aRuGw/s200/mantle+bottom.jpg" width="112" /></a>This picture was taken a little later in the fall after a project made it necessary for me to redo the mantle. In the green bucket, I have the fall remains of black-eyed susans. I love the way they look. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEuNfCYD6eOc9Xh6jM6tJc5m27nOqwqAa_ckDQznqGQa9gbnIp8o58wrYWqfS96hfwlvleFLv-NZlW_G4iK5CgBHPZsEz5JXDOgARbO6Am1geHGFT3pJFt_vTq1A1iwpdOESrlN-vBec/s1600/2010-10-09_16-03-28_638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEuNfCYD6eOc9Xh6jM6tJc5m27nOqwqAa_ckDQznqGQa9gbnIp8o58wrYWqfS96hfwlvleFLv-NZlW_G4iK5CgBHPZsEz5JXDOgARbO6Am1geHGFT3pJFt_vTq1A1iwpdOESrlN-vBec/s320/2010-10-09_16-03-28_638.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kYIxkF5QmqpEIjMkjT0qLMyVKrH4geg1INhgLgiE6HLoxWUcL5Y-v0Lqc7PpUK50o1zGQPn3PxneBpULNIHRgtGsOCd8aYOg6m0vZ2xxoqkh-jj35V771kA0vQLAWWzKyOO0s7ovgfA/s1600/2010-11-06_11-41-27_130-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kYIxkF5QmqpEIjMkjT0qLMyVKrH4geg1INhgLgiE6HLoxWUcL5Y-v0Lqc7PpUK50o1zGQPn3PxneBpULNIHRgtGsOCd8aYOg6m0vZ2xxoqkh-jj35V771kA0vQLAWWzKyOO0s7ovgfA/s200/2010-11-06_11-41-27_130-1.jpg" width="112" /></a>Around the rest of the barn, I decided to be as muted as possible, so I purchased tons of small white squash and white pumpkins. The challenge was trying to get all of them to be similar in size and shape. Then I put them in every spot I could . <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx7OerCgC8LxaLBbW-cLrYiSJnvqSYGAaMwFLK4gELF95Bx7y_GgZfuNIMCk2i783N-WiTzRRf26dtJDbKXcPgk_7-xR9PG_KprgBPkPam_5lgYzjXI-VKGOvLMVwSrzQ2wS1Pb7uSU8/s1600/2010-11-06_11-42-47_241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx7OerCgC8LxaLBbW-cLrYiSJnvqSYGAaMwFLK4gELF95Bx7y_GgZfuNIMCk2i783N-WiTzRRf26dtJDbKXcPgk_7-xR9PG_KprgBPkPam_5lgYzjXI-VKGOvLMVwSrzQ2wS1Pb7uSU8/s200/2010-11-06_11-42-47_241.jpg" width="112" /></a>Along with the white, I hung up some of the hydrangea, grass plumes, and lavender from the property to dry. It gave the entire space fragrance and a quiet, peaceful feeling.<br />
<br />
While you may not have a beautiful barn to decorate, there are many spaces around your home that can use some of these touches .The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-78303768513800475352011-03-29T19:49:00.000-07:002011-03-29T19:49:05.049-07:00Confessions of a Blogger SlackerThis is my public apology for being possibly the worst blogger ever. September came around and threw Field Hockey and school at me and left with my life! By October I was drowning in car pools, high school drama, jr. high angst and gardens. So when November brought it's own set of issues, I had given up on this blog. Sometimes life is just that overwhelming. But now I'm back and glad to be here. I hope my few straggling readers will give me a second chance.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SO The Cottage Gardener's first official blog of 2011 will be about ...my dog, Bentley. </div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody">"My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet." ~ Edith Wharton</span></h6><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzKq8VcXGwBT0GdGmfiIVXCmfCBT2l0YXuyZbH4ZWtQVJStW7ozOPbB4nkrIixL6_efWlXUUK8K_15sQuGxvo9X5lSzelhl7CV33fgWQrePOrFunm8Q3N-ZA12wEJJWZuWjaAtv1i5GU/s1600/25353_1335693026076_1043604329_1011456_4392101_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzKq8VcXGwBT0GdGmfiIVXCmfCBT2l0YXuyZbH4ZWtQVJStW7ozOPbB4nkrIixL6_efWlXUUK8K_15sQuGxvo9X5lSzelhl7CV33fgWQrePOrFunm8Q3N-ZA12wEJJWZuWjaAtv1i5GU/s320/25353_1335693026076_1043604329_1011456_4392101_n-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I've never been much of a dog person; they drool, smell bad, sniff in embarrassing spots and can't take care of themselves. But this little Sheltie came into our lives and completely stole my heart. As soon as he was big enough, Bentley accompanied me everywhere: job sites, garden centers all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania (all my suppliers knew him), my kid's games, errands, practices, visiting friends - you name it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIkXT7tFiUMIxNt4Np3Aj_Vp4bn548IEhI4KUHtVFN_IybIQenyC2dKEqQWn_eLWCmvfsMd9EeUUy7U0MyJz4G6mDt0JoeG3hBaxK5ZBVI5Ys_KoBAXzGCy1R76Kfw9pAhpXuIqPk51M/s1600/24684_1378510536487_1043604329_1110431_1649845_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIkXT7tFiUMIxNt4Np3Aj_Vp4bn548IEhI4KUHtVFN_IybIQenyC2dKEqQWn_eLWCmvfsMd9EeUUy7U0MyJz4G6mDt0JoeG3hBaxK5ZBVI5Ys_KoBAXzGCy1R76Kfw9pAhpXuIqPk51M/s320/24684_1378510536487_1043604329_1110431_1649845_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> I became one of those crazy dog people. And I was crazy about Bentley!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVOfjRAUplS2arv0-e7Sga9WDq5tDr76KGmHrpQdaBldf9A_zUaUCfa6I6ZR-tLE2XDhfocyPe0y9ZYuG9a16LRGPn6KWb-V9sEpWArEzi8XUyl0rBN4IZ6U8L76F7xKzYdVWpkyhKcI/s1600/24684_1374608718944_1043604329_1100198_1727556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVOfjRAUplS2arv0-e7Sga9WDq5tDr76KGmHrpQdaBldf9A_zUaUCfa6I6ZR-tLE2XDhfocyPe0y9ZYuG9a16LRGPn6KWb-V9sEpWArEzi8XUyl0rBN4IZ6U8L76F7xKzYdVWpkyhKcI/s320/24684_1374608718944_1043604329_1100198_1727556_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As delightful as gardening is, it can get a bit lonely at times. I work primarily by myself and get a little bored with my own company. Bentley was a fabulous companion right from the beginning; he followed my every step, did dumb dog things to make me laugh, and gave me someone to talk to so it didn't look like I was actually talking to myself (which of course, I wasn't) He was a great work dog, and next to Patrick Itterly, the most tireless employee I ever had.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZxBOOhLrqJwWRSwItHDpJwjV7ZWQNwhrgRQyg48ZhbEgLHXeP-98ZmSYvOfi0IpSObYjlUbTcqnbJ2JmTvHkfAPnDpM1ajWpoRhWYrHyGHuaru2He93WI-WKY-p8CTTqyoDM34HNj8g/s1600/35695_1451077830624_1043604329_1304084_762643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZxBOOhLrqJwWRSwItHDpJwjV7ZWQNwhrgRQyg48ZhbEgLHXeP-98ZmSYvOfi0IpSObYjlUbTcqnbJ2JmTvHkfAPnDpM1ajWpoRhWYrHyGHuaru2He93WI-WKY-p8CTTqyoDM34HNj8g/s320/35695_1451077830624_1043604329_1304084_762643_n.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>After a long day of work, Bentley would generally crash almost as soon as his little body settled into the passenger seat of my car - it would break my heart. Sweet puppy.<br />
<br />
Last week, this beautiful dog was hit by a car in front of my house. He died quickly but thankfully not before I had the chance to pet him, kiss his sweet snout and tell him what a wonderful, wonderful blessing he had been to me and my family. <br />
<br />
The loss is immeasurable and the pain piecing; I was completely unprepared for the grief and sorrow we are all experiencing at Bentley's death. Gardening has been work, not a joy and I find myself looking for him countless times during the day. Ah...dang! I've made myself cry again, I need to wrap this up.<br />
<br />
Bentley, you were a good dog, a good friend, a silly stinker, a faithful companion and a constant source of torture to Sugar, the cat. We will never forget you and I will probably never stop looking down to see you at my feet. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVOfjRAUplS2arv0-e7Sga9WDq5tDr76KGmHrpQdaBldf9A_zUaUCfa6I6ZR-tLE2XDhfocyPe0y9ZYuG9a16LRGPn6KWb-V9sEpWArEzi8XUyl0rBN4IZ6U8L76F7xKzYdVWpkyhKcI/s1600/24684_1374608718944_1043604329_1100198_1727556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-44087501355480632072010-08-06T15:32:00.000-07:002010-08-06T15:36:26.795-07:00Bee Balm Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94OR1tPXKkoV3etCtA1hi81LmA2lzMjoz6EEf5aTUqLeh2TEY97LBUItaokjLu_eJQVyePzIk8571oKvsTWho-rfM7i1AzN5fBvkFtBUp5ae4QTNILN9naj-QaZQgfgop_jEGFjkFOJ0/s1600/garden+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94OR1tPXKkoV3etCtA1hi81LmA2lzMjoz6EEf5aTUqLeh2TEY97LBUItaokjLu_eJQVyePzIk8571oKvsTWho-rfM7i1AzN5fBvkFtBUp5ae4QTNILN9naj-QaZQgfgop_jEGFjkFOJ0/s320/garden+030.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I want to interrupt my mini-series on container gardens to throw out a few words about one of the most striking flowers in the garden -Bee Balm. As I've been working in the garden the past few weeks, I have been loving my bee balm.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcHiJHWpBlxlqKemWZ30mC8cpGWBRfGGbdP9IrmHxJvplinqzhtEMJNAS_qgeM0zufllFtY29L8qxLG7a-w1WQOFXFAoo05YzKZ6PrcaiaDZTzUBWZo9laaXUyyz272UNbySpt0nOjSE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcHiJHWpBlxlqKemWZ30mC8cpGWBRfGGbdP9IrmHxJvplinqzhtEMJNAS_qgeM0zufllFtY29L8qxLG7a-w1WQOFXFAoo05YzKZ6PrcaiaDZTzUBWZo9laaXUyyz272UNbySpt0nOjSE/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
BUT if you're not on top of it, your bee balm will bloom once and die. Once your flowers start to lose their petals and die, cut them back and they will continue to bloom all summer. Look carefully along the stem, and you will see new growth - cut right above that and it will encourage new flowers. Enjoy!The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-48942804418811101302010-07-19T08:07:00.000-07:002010-07-19T08:07:50.238-07:00boots, buckets and wash tubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hello my gardening buddies! It poured this morning, so I don't have to water (except for all the pots that are covered by porches and roof lines)! I am so happy. I'm actually going to concentrate on the lavender hedge that has gotten out of control. It should be a very relaxing day.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile...I am going to share more of my favorite container garden ideas with you. <i>Beyond fun!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i>(I lead a very tame life if talking about flower pots gives me a thrill)</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GMEJoYGjxOQDYNjrYR4ukD7blujcbFbh9RiI7zYUN-sxwv9dl3qd2ZjQs4miydxJPuH-_beT6HsNFGi_DqES0Zy0BdIQ77SpdrcTnxvi1lo8fSKikkTS2oe_6R2otruAtbJ8c5joiwE/s1600/july+15+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GMEJoYGjxOQDYNjrYR4ukD7blujcbFbh9RiI7zYUN-sxwv9dl3qd2ZjQs4miydxJPuH-_beT6HsNFGi_DqES0Zy0BdIQ77SpdrcTnxvi1lo8fSKikkTS2oe_6R2otruAtbJ8c5joiwE/s320/july+15+012.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A little whimsy now and then is wonderful in every garden!! (I draw the line, however at cut-out silhouettes of bent-over-butt-crack-gardeners). This pair of work boots, planted with Hens and Chicks is a great example of fun and ingenuity. Not only is it cute, it seems to thrive on neglect; it was planted three years ago and all I have done is water it now and then. Because it is so mobile, I move it wherever I need to fill a spot. Currently, it is hunkered down between a rose bush and lady's mantle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLC2_PutpxBiVK9KH2skpMbxSrARIuL0gEkVEJCg-P4crGfhvGxteclhnXVA5cfbYqBwPL1vjAprI0nvCaH7xsLU6oDKOKPk4idLHxQFgsqnG-P4Hsc-VEaB-f2rviDHCJ_WkUzTx3_Q/s1600/Spring+2007+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLC2_PutpxBiVK9KH2skpMbxSrARIuL0gEkVEJCg-P4crGfhvGxteclhnXVA5cfbYqBwPL1vjAprI0nvCaH7xsLU6oDKOKPk4idLHxQFgsqnG-P4Hsc-VEaB-f2rviDHCJ_WkUzTx3_Q/s320/Spring+2007+176.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't you love this old bucket? (I think I found it at my favorite hangout, <a href="http://www.oldeengineworks.com/">Old Engine Works</a>.) This spot called for a bit of warmth and color, but it needed to be simple to work with this gorgeous table. So I plopped a basket of double impatiens in it and viola! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHSkvDtfJYXSGT7dYBW74zyrR-iNLP-SQwGJibK94wmAAsFjWjFC3egydWA_RYv-MQ1opYsREWJ4avvsdxzkAsIhmYJEoxLweCGiL3FJ0YJ5lN_pQusx82yfQWatg9E5PoXGEUEpcgxc/s1600/July+2+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHSkvDtfJYXSGT7dYBW74zyrR-iNLP-SQwGJibK94wmAAsFjWjFC3egydWA_RYv-MQ1opYsREWJ4avvsdxzkAsIhmYJEoxLweCGiL3FJ0YJ5lN_pQusx82yfQWatg9E5PoXGEUEpcgxc/s400/July+2+012.JPG" width="400" /></a>You may need to click on this picture to really see what is going on here, but I'll do my best to describe it. This is a rusty old laundry tub.<i> Isn't it fabulous?</i>! I found it at an antique store (which has since gone out of business or I would give you the link) and fell in love! It has drain holes in it already and is sturdy as anything and fills this blank wall space perfectly. Currently I have Russian Red Cannas, purple wave petunias, blue lobilia, purple verbena, variegated licorice, Victoria Blue Salvia, a few zinnias and cosmos. The canna were an experiment because they aren't your typical farmy flower, but I think the height, color and texture work beautifully. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCX0qycCc_OKb1ASyOFFfwpoGUJrviJkgdHBhCShQt89I1Por3dxoTcqHirNoBnU-I8D75zK0L46aSggVK46ZBt873DRHYB6047eBTb8O39-qTKF3rxUi6L39_1GgiIcV-ov84fmURTE/s1600/july+15+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCX0qycCc_OKb1ASyOFFfwpoGUJrviJkgdHBhCShQt89I1Por3dxoTcqHirNoBnU-I8D75zK0L46aSggVK46ZBt873DRHYB6047eBTb8O39-qTKF3rxUi6L39_1GgiIcV-ov84fmURTE/s400/july+15+015.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This isn't whimsical at all, but I wanted to throw it in today anyway. I had originally purchased these urns to be used in a wedding, so they are a bit on the formal side but gorgeous! (by the way, I found these at <a href="http://www.stonecottagegardens.net/">The Stone Cottage Gardens</a>) To down play the formality, I used really farmy plants: purple smoke bush (my mom had a BEAUTIFUL one in our yard in Ekin, Indiana and that is farm country, believe me!), my favorite flower of the year - snow princess alyssum - and a variegated filler, I am sorry to say, I have forgotten the name of. (I know, I know, I ended a sentence in a preposition). I have two of these urns and against the background of the dock and pond, they are show stoppers! <br />
<br />
<br />
Well, I'm off to brave the humidity and do my thing. Enjoy!The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-89990931303546790192010-07-14T11:21:00.000-07:002010-07-14T11:21:52.249-07:00pots and thingsI know I tend to gush about how I love this and that in the garden, but I must confess my true love:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><i style="color: black;"><b>Container Gardening</b></i> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> Sigh... </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Instant beauty anywhere. You don't need a garden bed, weeding is nominal and its portable. You can use your imagination and make just about anything a pot to plant in. Isn't is wonderful???</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Over the next few blogs, I'm going to show you some of my favorite containers. I hope you enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW8iYulFcRAwXLYld73WokeGT5vPSUosw7dOmXeC42mM08t5iXEGUHlz5tamXlYxhRdItnhA94Zsxv_3fG_cd26ch-Ajb-KiHRSB6OBmyy5emfYKPEaspIQwu7wCzsa9VM4PSXDdfM6Y/s1600/Spring+2007+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHyGUDawGPpTogYduSi5Tw92QtvxAwnHnpRer5IV7EJonUILa93NpDLgg621XLalCWZd3ll7M1Bb29LeF3LOy0M_JN3o7_Ks7RNLTNrPXsvJqddnwh_VxmN-b-NxSn4Q1r5huO_LZJRk/s1600/Spring+2007+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHyGUDawGPpTogYduSi5Tw92QtvxAwnHnpRer5IV7EJonUILa93NpDLgg621XLalCWZd3ll7M1Bb29LeF3LOy0M_JN3o7_Ks7RNLTNrPXsvJqddnwh_VxmN-b-NxSn4Q1r5huO_LZJRk/s320/Spring+2007+179.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Simple, adorable and easy, easy to do. I found the vintage suitcase and picnic basket at a local antique mall, <a href="http://www.oldeengineworks.com/">Old Engine Works,</a> located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. I stacked them on an old cane chair I found at a garage sale and popped in a plastic pot of double impatiens.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW8iYulFcRAwXLYld73WokeGT5vPSUosw7dOmXeC42mM08t5iXEGUHlz5tamXlYxhRdItnhA94Zsxv_3fG_cd26ch-Ajb-KiHRSB6OBmyy5emfYKPEaspIQwu7wCzsa9VM4PSXDdfM6Y/s1600/Spring+2007+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW8iYulFcRAwXLYld73WokeGT5vPSUosw7dOmXeC42mM08t5iXEGUHlz5tamXlYxhRdItnhA94Zsxv_3fG_cd26ch-Ajb-KiHRSB6OBmyy5emfYKPEaspIQwu7wCzsa9VM4PSXDdfM6Y/s320/Spring+2007+175.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This cute little terra-cotta pot was just the right amount of color </div><div style="text-align: center;">and charm for this side table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVxO_ggGiCzxIHG_BlCad19IIJvZu9wscU8ykOr0DJLctwaXWSlEJF5AT7z0qdUmI49gibIa4CsN54T7XybcWlhhHJdfT4rZD4w9h1lsJLs308c_ltTEl9Dyjyc8N7t4xaKzFrNvf2iQ/s1600/The+Garden+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVxO_ggGiCzxIHG_BlCad19IIJvZu9wscU8ykOr0DJLctwaXWSlEJF5AT7z0qdUmI49gibIa4CsN54T7XybcWlhhHJdfT4rZD4w9h1lsJLs308c_ltTEl9Dyjyc8N7t4xaKzFrNvf2iQ/s320/The+Garden+102.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A cheap plastic pot looks gorgeous filled with purple millet and covered with Spanish moss. The color of the millet was the perfect compliment to the trim color on the barn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-oNshi6XjlEPzpYHa3ZGw0aWEyJv-wPx7rYokxZRJUCjXrJxE8BKUERyw84asSfBPvUvN4xI0lL3TlUuml3biLfUbszzb8SJJeGZg6HG8EdCPKEHmF2Xb0_vvNl9RLtMYZL3i659iIk/s1600/July+8+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-oNshi6XjlEPzpYHa3ZGw0aWEyJv-wPx7rYokxZRJUCjXrJxE8BKUERyw84asSfBPvUvN4xI0lL3TlUuml3biLfUbszzb8SJJeGZg6HG8EdCPKEHmF2Xb0_vvNl9RLtMYZL3i659iIk/s320/July+8+022.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite window box ever! It gives an absolutely gorgeous splash of color against barn siding and white trim. Easy to take care of and lovely to see.</div>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-16089634967563144432010-07-12T04:57:00.000-07:002010-07-12T19:48:09.620-07:00by any other name<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4VGQNKgUyq5Wvex9wrPYveySBpcodmLlxPk8ERf-3UDNKRVvukLThKySkg1_P88xV-7RhhGCLUYsP5tKVkF4mHJpLASwVTuwIo3N0oG4DR-V2vCliQJiSIxlQX9IS-NzQLwT3wlr0no/s400/July+8+025.JPG" width="300" /></div><br />
<i>Roses.</i> More poems have been written about them than any other flower. They symbolize love, elegance and speak volumes with their beauty and fragrance. But I gotta tell you, they are a pain in the neck to grow.<br />
<br />
When I first began gardening, I had many roses bushes. Although I loved them, I soon realized that they are a lot like children in that they required tons of time and attention to be raised properly. Because I had three children already, I decided to wait on the whole rose scene.<br />
<br />
The last two years have changed that. I stepped out and began planting them en masse. Entire books have been written about the care and feeding of roses, so I can't even begin to make a dent in the subject, but I wanted to give you a heads up on a few of the most obvious problems you may encounter with them.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsio6oVkGXoQcu74gx90QA8u9oKLEG2Ot2LKCCyqFvOCyGecGd_idBtrl_YO4gXwNwjyKxpQH89EheS2NlEc_v6xfFC6zQQ_tfID1_Yz7GAkfcP-grljqd-bEaBRCNxU50PIAhl-fopyg/s1600/TreeRoseAphids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsio6oVkGXoQcu74gx90QA8u9oKLEG2Ot2LKCCyqFvOCyGecGd_idBtrl_YO4gXwNwjyKxpQH89EheS2NlEc_v6xfFC6zQQ_tfID1_Yz7GAkfcP-grljqd-bEaBRCNxU50PIAhl-fopyg/s200/TreeRoseAphids.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<b><i>Aphids:</i></b> tiny green insects that will suck the life out of your buds. The bad news is they reproduce at an alarming rate and feed on new growth (those delightful buds you're just waiting to see bloom). The good news is they are relatively easy to get rid of. Try spraying the buds with water to dislodge them. If that doesn't work, go to your local garden center and ask them for the spray they recommend.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-fmnA9k9ssG4oZ8Ta0yn0wafQywWOJIW-gZnKBLulhXaxwMJ5OgO0eQAFVOgygInRYFEuUJye33kKoMfVzeFrpn0T1BRDuEn5M9cFXocWs8F3wqIS0HmVp9VnEY35i__qvvY1nCWiMY/s1600/rose-black-spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-fmnA9k9ssG4oZ8Ta0yn0wafQywWOJIW-gZnKBLulhXaxwMJ5OgO0eQAFVOgygInRYFEuUJye33kKoMfVzeFrpn0T1BRDuEn5M9cFXocWs8F3wqIS0HmVp9VnEY35i__qvvY1nCWiMY/s200/rose-black-spot.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><b>Black spot</b></i>: fungus: small black spots on rose leaves. The bad news is very bad - if left uncontrolled, it can destroy an entire rose bush and spread to other roses near by. The goods news is that with diligence, it can be controlled. Humid weather and moist leaves will exacerbate this fungus. Unfortunately for my hair, there is nothing you can do about the humidity. But there are a few things you can do to control black spot. First, water your roses from the bottom, thereby avoiding wet leaves. Water early in the day so that any accidental water can dry off in the sun. <br />
<br />
To keep it from spreading, pick off all the leaves with spots. You also need to rake away any leaves that have fallen to the ground. <br />
<br />
Although diligence is your key to controlling black spot, I recommend you go to your local garden center and ask for a good fungicide. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynHiwoQ5kgmF_bpo3C7i04MZEpTGCFNfgENVVIG_PHNi-GHJX96P2TLrGFLWBbXiQsn08_NR9xJsp8MBLOmCYeboe7fhm1hW_1m9PYST9EaTe8Ox3j2_U1xlVVn3NMB4lCDFhcuMYZCI/s1600/rose+powdery+mildew+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynHiwoQ5kgmF_bpo3C7i04MZEpTGCFNfgENVVIG_PHNi-GHJX96P2TLrGFLWBbXiQsn08_NR9xJsp8MBLOmCYeboe7fhm1hW_1m9PYST9EaTe8Ox3j2_U1xlVVn3NMB4lCDFhcuMYZCI/s200/rose+powdery+mildew+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<i><b>Powdery Mildew:</b></i> grayish powdery looking fungus that attacks rose leaves. The bad news is, like black spot, it can spread and can damage your roses and any roses nearby. The goods news is that is controllable and not nearly as lethal as black spot. Again, pluck the affected leaves off the bush and the ground. Pruning to make sure there is good airflow is also a good idea. (be sure to clean your shears with a bleach solution to prevent spreading mildew to other plants). You can also use the fungicide you bought for the black spot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDL1wac_Xw8om9Rpf-eu3t0-CRz5nFl2thmLnJfMb8cSrHVCUrNm8zY-hnaf2MhyphenhyphenezMljjExCILZ7op9jiHDNURKGvI0ykTNsdwJcHCxvWE8lY_yVfcQqxxnm8p_PTdJ9dCfNZVSPNWE/s1600/japanese_beetles_erica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDL1wac_Xw8om9Rpf-eu3t0-CRz5nFl2thmLnJfMb8cSrHVCUrNm8zY-hnaf2MhyphenhyphenezMljjExCILZ7op9jiHDNURKGvI0ykTNsdwJcHCxvWE8lY_yVfcQqxxnm8p_PTdJ9dCfNZVSPNWE/s200/japanese_beetles_erica.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><i><b>Japanese Beetles:</b></i> disgusting looking army of beetles that will destroy everything in sight. Bad news: they are voracious and nearly impossible to control. Good news: umm....uhh.....well...they die in the winter. I hate them! I've tried traps that seem to attract more beetles than they catch. I've tried sprays that kill the ones on the plant, but do nothing to prevent them. I've also gone out in the morning and picked them off. Lately I have also had the lawn treated in Spring to kill the grubs that will one day grow up to be my enemy. Sadly, your neighbor may not treat his lawn and his beetles have no concept of boundaries. So...once again, diligence is your friend. Try a combination of all the above. Good luck to ya.<br />
<br />
Overall, I do still love roses and they are a wonderful addition to any garden. Just keep at it.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-16676132708479559952010-07-06T06:40:00.001-07:002010-07-06T17:34:01.264-07:00grateful deadOne way to make the best use of your time while you're doing all that watering we talked about last time is to multi-task: water and dead head at the same time.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3vqjjUJfvC6EZL6ctddjMWluadl7Jxslt6YliqvcYfiRc23TGErIFstC7nb9PzOiOACAOxF9Hf2nkX9zdU4go91Z6Pgcp0WbCxiYaMtr54CD5pfZ6DjWytQkm7R0wRPTZANj_lJEe64/s1600/July+2+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3vqjjUJfvC6EZL6ctddjMWluadl7Jxslt6YliqvcYfiRc23TGErIFstC7nb9PzOiOACAOxF9Hf2nkX9zdU4go91Z6Pgcp0WbCxiYaMtr54CD5pfZ6DjWytQkm7R0wRPTZANj_lJEe64/s200/July+2+026.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK8wk2LeZHCbJVZW5uzqlCdkHDsW9nUfoF-gfeUuZROqcWHrL_4mCqRRZw5K8zXLfgnbLaskqviSeeaPD55khr-Jtrk45Tcuvf0V8RgXCa2KKH0GsP7dbRuSwUk8OsQKlVPsebvXpKSI/s1600/July+2+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK8wk2LeZHCbJVZW5uzqlCdkHDsW9nUfoF-gfeUuZROqcWHrL_4mCqRRZw5K8zXLfgnbLaskqviSeeaPD55khr-Jtrk45Tcuvf0V8RgXCa2KKH0GsP7dbRuSwUk8OsQKlVPsebvXpKSI/s200/July+2+024.JPG" width="150" /></a>For the garden novices out there, let me explain. All creation has an innate need to procreate (with a few odd exceptions, but we won't go there). Flowers are no different. Here is how it works. A little green plant sends out tiny white flowers and we are delighted, the bees are delighted and the plant itself is delighted. When the flower is spent, it works to become a seed pod that dries up and drops it's little seeds on the ground for next year's babies. This completed process signals to the plant that it has fulfilled it's life purpose and can now die. Kinda sad, isn't it? The plant will actually begin to loose its color and die if you don't do something to stop the process. So we deadhead - cut, pinch, snip, karate chop the spent blooms off the plant to trick it into producing more blooms. That way your garden will have flowers all season long.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>But</i></b></div><br />
Not all plants that are deadheaded will re-bloom: lilacs, flowers grown from bulbs, peonies, certain types of hydrangea are a few. <i> Sorry</i>. However, cut the dead flowers off anyway to promote overall plant health and appearance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAgT3PkXUS-i13CGZRh1fCnVyJpok1Lfpw0QFv0SW26WzhlSqg7eWqBqyrINVjyOzjgYeklun7VLc3ZJpAYi-ZDMKDf8G1F7U_MI1Voau9tWR6CTamOuNHy2QvDTcBhxef5z-ivcwBX8/s1600/July+2+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAgT3PkXUS-i13CGZRh1fCnVyJpok1Lfpw0QFv0SW26WzhlSqg7eWqBqyrINVjyOzjgYeklun7VLc3ZJpAYi-ZDMKDf8G1F7U_MI1Voau9tWR6CTamOuNHy2QvDTcBhxef5z-ivcwBX8/s200/July+2+040.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW7wpZ3qQHnHF7lLpvrjp0sqQH4eHPXQ4AkQiDs13dVIrUoqdotyi-m4Br3HDhdWq4OjMjmp989AQHkGiPySuzRzIsLXZFjns3KXuQiHKF7zpZKzFY0tACY_-jtRyr5E8T4kpuc_zwdE/s1600/July+2+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW7wpZ3qQHnHF7lLpvrjp0sqQH4eHPXQ4AkQiDs13dVIrUoqdotyi-m4Br3HDhdWq4OjMjmp989AQHkGiPySuzRzIsLXZFjns3KXuQiHKF7zpZKzFY0tACY_-jtRyr5E8T4kpuc_zwdE/s200/July+2+041.JPG" width="200" /></a>I have included some examples of before and after. It's best to remove the entire bloom, stem and all, but if you're in a rush, the flower head itself will do (it just won't look so good).<br />
<br />
While you're at it, remove any old, faded leaves on the plant too.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-39717568304871384682010-07-05T19:12:00.000-07:002010-07-05T19:43:02.338-07:00every living thing<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="txt_1">Every living thing needs water;<br />
Every living thing needs the rain.<br />
Every living thing needs water;<br />
I guess I really can't complain. ~ Sesame Street</span></i></div><span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1">We have had very, very little rain in these parts. Every time we have a forecast for rain, I end up disappointed. Even my rain barrels are dried up! How sad is that?? Unfortunately, every living thing needs water whether or not it rains, so I have been watering like a fiend! This week will also be bringing us temps of 100 degrees, so my containers are especially at risk. That is the topic for today.</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1">It isn't rocket science (is it still even called rocket science?), but everyone needs a little refresher now and then. All your plants and flowers need to be watered, but the ones planted in the ground have the advantage of a root system that actually goes somewhere. When it gets a bit dry, those plants can dig a little deeper in search of a drink. Your container plants can't. So you need to make sure you keep them well watered but not <i>over</i> watered. How do you do that? Well...</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnrtWLCcrEQOJESSchV-ji8wo0HhpTBuFOrIIBBkML5EttwPo8Z00QToorhiPqhtYko6gy4-eSnBeCb8_CM5ElQopbSxFJm_frBAS8MFKrne1Vj-nipZsxsE3enrYneFzDzP0CQSxrvU/s1600/July+2+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnrtWLCcrEQOJESSchV-ji8wo0HhpTBuFOrIIBBkML5EttwPo8Z00QToorhiPqhtYko6gy4-eSnBeCb8_CM5ElQopbSxFJm_frBAS8MFKrne1Vj-nipZsxsE3enrYneFzDzP0CQSxrvU/s200/July+2+015.JPG" width="150" /></a><span class="txt_1">1. Make sure all your containers have good drainage. I have drilled holes in the bottom of many pots, buckets and cans when there were no holes already in them. If it is impossible to drill holes, you can put things in the bottom of your container to allow for a certain amount of drainage. Some people use stones, I often put my left over plastic pot things the plants come in in the bottom. Sort of recycling.</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1">2. Where possible, use some sort of plate to catch the overflow. This will feed some of the water back into your plant.</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokdIlZ_M9PYvK3yuy3DTa43avLOLznPI-fjhbaBaB9TATr8pGJqNuk5MkQS9KxIVZe6LSE_Tr20fiOtKTYOlqpdXKlWXAi09kiYogO_bSRMEF-u48pC7HPRa7cD8hRx0FRbCVfgIHMxw/s1600/July+2+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokdIlZ_M9PYvK3yuy3DTa43avLOLznPI-fjhbaBaB9TATr8pGJqNuk5MkQS9KxIVZe6LSE_Tr20fiOtKTYOlqpdXKlWXAi09kiYogO_bSRMEF-u48pC7HPRa7cD8hRx0FRbCVfgIHMxw/s200/July+2+006.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="txt_1">One common mistake in watering your container garden is assuming that once the water flows over the side of the pot, the pot is full. WRONG!! You need to keep the hose on it until the water reaches the top, stop, let the water soak in and repeat. Keep this up until the water begins to drain out of the <i>bottom</i> of the pot (when there is a drainage hole) or until it soaks in very slowly (when there isn't a drainage hole). [this is a lousy picture, but if you try really hard, you can see the water seeping out the back of the pot]</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3Eq126NHmXK4j3biL48oUx5fUPLVjUFZ_a4DIF9nJ7XNV_dje2iTHgBvIcaLTEqRKRJAhbOmf6-z3KAxiArjLJSmvVjbK71s63DCIyng0Waf320hMRtY-sZFvEkK0UJ9ASLNeE4Ixls/s1600/July+2+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3Eq126NHmXK4j3biL48oUx5fUPLVjUFZ_a4DIF9nJ7XNV_dje2iTHgBvIcaLTEqRKRJAhbOmf6-z3KAxiArjLJSmvVjbK71s63DCIyng0Waf320hMRtY-sZFvEkK0UJ9ASLNeE4Ixls/s200/July+2+001.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1">Now that the flowers in my window boxes are getting very full, they require much more water. Be very careful here though; because the plants are so full, they can actually repel the water with their foliage and cause it to run off instead of going into the soil. So I lift the flowers and water from beneath. </span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1">Many flowers like to have a little bath too, so use your shower setting and give your leaves a little sprinkle.</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1">I recommend watering early in the morning before the heat of the day to avoid the sun burning off all your labor. Evening watering can be great too, especially when it is so very hot ( just avoid roses - subject for another day). To be honest, when it's this miserably hot, I often do both. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="txt_1">Don't start getting lazy now! Your garden is just about reaching its peak. Keep at it! Water, water, water!! </span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="txt_1"><br />
</span>The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7403351642962402448.post-81685586243343054452010-06-16T07:22:00.000-07:002010-06-16T08:33:30.181-07:00bane of my existence<b><i>SLUGS!</i></b><br />
<br />
Ok...well they may not be the actual <i>bane</i> of my existence, but they come very close! I can't tell you how frustrating it is to go out to the garden and find half eaten petunias, holey hosta and shredded zinnias. If you're having this problem the cause is probably a very slimy one...slugs! Nasty! Bleh!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhme2CQc6ojrsk3hpGyFLqKwz17JKKO547yLPTRgyF0p024CJndS3l1iMSaTKsyrxXl9TQorzV6_xcEqVGssv32FITEdDZ_NiWbWyiI_A326IknHr60yOd9UZ3tGF0JkO9AaKdunsf4TwU/s1600/large_slug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhme2CQc6ojrsk3hpGyFLqKwz17JKKO547yLPTRgyF0p024CJndS3l1iMSaTKsyrxXl9TQorzV6_xcEqVGssv32FITEdDZ_NiWbWyiI_A326IknHr60yOd9UZ3tGF0JkO9AaKdunsf4TwU/s200/large_slug.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Here's the scoop. Slugs are made up primarily of water and mucous (with a little bumpy skin thrown in). They thrive in moist conditions and are fairly nocturnal in their eating habits. They're gross and I despise them! Left uncontrolled, they can destroy your garden. I have had to replace many flowers already this year.<br />
<br />
So what do you do? Annihilate them! Anyway you can. Be merciless! I know my gentle organic friends may take offense to my tactics but my thoughts are that I spend too much time and too much money to let some slimy creatures use my gardens as a free buffet. How do you do it then?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd0YRb2ogt5hz1yau48B7lIjvxUFvGWYtx_3_8KszyrekyaKUqVFJbveItqCarWNQJKuGDAegZKBTzzIsd3nA5qqssDmwA5XEoPtBxS_QxPqCNU9g7WXGgYS4x3Weq_DCqiEuLRsEM8Q/s1600/wizardofzwitchmelt5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd0YRb2ogt5hz1yau48B7lIjvxUFvGWYtx_3_8KszyrekyaKUqVFJbveItqCarWNQJKuGDAegZKBTzzIsd3nA5qqssDmwA5XEoPtBxS_QxPqCNU9g7WXGgYS4x3Weq_DCqiEuLRsEM8Q/s320/wizardofzwitchmelt5.JPG" /></a>1. Salt. (sort of melts them like the Wicked Witch of the West). I have friends who go out in the evenings with their salt shakers and take care of their slugs that way. Downside: you can only kill the ones you see and excessive salt can harm a garden.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJC7eA0UzyoH97exTKoiUv2LyR9MfxvVGWIwKIK5Eyb0rslsonz86Tiz7ZFu7U4I2FlJUY5wavmCxMgE4Tl5XF9SUpcUuW63FDc0qRoeTdija2Go3fgT4gtC_5p7SPoxHjXT9EhTC0Vw/s1600/slugs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJC7eA0UzyoH97exTKoiUv2LyR9MfxvVGWIwKIK5Eyb0rslsonz86Tiz7ZFu7U4I2FlJUY5wavmCxMgE4Tl5XF9SUpcUuW63FDc0qRoeTdija2Go3fgT4gtC_5p7SPoxHjXT9EhTC0Vw/s200/slugs-1.jpg" width="200" /></a>2. Beer. Yup that's right. Pour a little Pabst Blue Ribbon (or the ale of your choosing) in a shallow dish and strategically place it in your garden. The slugs will crawl right in and drown! They are attracted to the yeast in the beer. Downside: big garden-lots of dishes and you have to empty that nastiness in the morning. GROSS! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yp2-eLEYZUz9tT8TyKxNOjuRm3Y4sAiZCn0IZ2tGMit2nAXnippfwaCmnTXzdL5FV8WiGgX1pGUzVfK3K73rZYfwGXIpTkyJjpjWtWjl678zL57LqUB03SVujOppa4MJ6VlNIggZ5Wk/s1600/41WUu+bJ05L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yp2-eLEYZUz9tT8TyKxNOjuRm3Y4sAiZCn0IZ2tGMit2nAXnippfwaCmnTXzdL5FV8WiGgX1pGUzVfK3K73rZYfwGXIpTkyJjpjWtWjl678zL57LqUB03SVujOppa4MJ6VlNIggZ5Wk/s200/41WUu+bJ05L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a>3. Molluscicides.. Chemicals. Slug poison. Now we're talking. The most common form is 'Bug-Geta'. This particular metaldehyde comes in granular or pellet form; just sprinkle a handful of them around your affected plants (or along the entire garden if you're infested) and the slugs will DIE! Downside: can be costly, you can't use it in your vegetable garden and it can be harmful to dogs if eaten in large quantities.<br />
<br />
I'm sure there are many, many other ways to control these disgusting creatures - I suggest Google.<br />
<br />
Before I forget - they are tenacious and only need a moist surface to crawl over so check your window boxes and containers for them too. Sneaky, slimy, disgusting things.The Cottage Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07549445634589773109noreply@blogger.com5