Glass In My Garden For Winter Interest and Bright Color

From In the Garden

I have come to the conclusion I am a glass lover-you think? It all started with the bottle trees and glass on glass mosaic doors and has now moved on to just plain old wine bottles and glass plates for my garden. Glass is one of those things that provides so much color and requires so little care other than taking caution to not break the glass of course; which I did recently:(

Well today is glass day and Glass Day comes at an opportune time. You see, the garden is beginning to slow down and turn brown. Soon, most of the plants will disappear for the winter. Once the plants are gone the glass in my garden takes center stage. While my garden in no way resembles Chihuly at Cheekwood with its lovely glass sculptures I do have a few glass items here that I can enjoy all year round in my own garden. Let's start with one of the two glass mosaic doors pictured above. This particular glass mosaic sits outside my window and faces WSW. It catches all of the sun's rays perfectly and I have the greatest view of it from my kitchen window. It also looks pretty nice tucked into a garden and really makes a nice focal point along with the plants. This is a view of it facing east in the morning. I enjoy this view while in the garden early in the morning but I mostly look at this sculpture from inside the house behind the sculpture. This glass door is my main winter focal point for color. The other glass door is also visible from the house and faces west. It catches the sun wonderfully during the summertime but not so much in the winter when the sun is low. Nonetheless it too provides great color because no matter where the sun is located the doors look different all day long.

From In the Garden

Next up on Glass Day are a few new projects I just completed thanks to my daughter Christine. On her recent trip to Maine to pick up her household goods she picked up a couple of bikes from my parent's home. One of the two bikes was lovingly placed in my garden where it will remain permanently. The other bike lost its wheels to my western fence where it became a glass project. I had picked up some transparent glass plates at a few thrift stores and stuck them into the spokes on these wheels. I then stood the wheels up next to the fence and chained them to the fence to prevent them from falling over. The glass glows as it catches all available light and looks like shimmering stars when the sun sets behind these plates. It is a lovely view!

From In the Garden

I did not come up with this project on my own. I had clipped a picture of a wheel just like this from a recent issue of Fine Gardening. I thought it a great idea and a cheap one too! I think I'll try to get some more rims for my very long rear fence. It has been suggested to me that perhaps bicycle repair stores may have some extra rims they won't use or can't use which may be very cheap or even free. I hope so!

From In the Garden

This is a simple project in my new 'Non' Pool Garden. This grouping of bottles is 'planted' en masse and sure does add to the garden. I planted coneflowers all around the bottles; but they are small right now so not really visible. That is fine though because the bottles will provide year round interest and once the coneflowers grow up and come into bloom the whole area should be quite a sight!

From In the Garden

Normally I view my bottle tree from the house but on this day I was facing the house as the sun came up in the east. It made a lovely sight for me so I just had to add this view in to this post too. Glass is such an awesome material in the garden. It does not rot, rust, or fade away. It shimmers and sparkles and glows and makes me ever so happy-that is what gardening is all about right?

From In the Garden

Finally a view from the deck and house toward Mr. C's cow pasture. We have the most wonderful view of the sunset each night. As a bonus we get to enjoy the field and its cow pond. I love having cows for neighbors! Just had to say that. I've added to the view by placing my glass wheels and bottle tree in strategic positions on the boundary fence. This view tops almost all in the fall and winter and the glass really makes it a wonderful sight. It helps to keep me....

in the garden....

Vegetable Garden Update-October 2010

From In the Garden

October is a funny month in the garden. I still have tons of warm weather crops growing (tomatoes, gourds, and peppers) yet I also have lots of cool weather crops growing as well. Quite a contradictory month indeed. Let us start with the bushel gourds. These gourds just keep on going like the Energizer bunny. Nothing fazes them. In fact, there are several new small gourds growing. I am most sure these will not have a chance to get large enough to be successfully dried. I have begun pinching out the tips of the vines and some of the new gourds in order to put more energy into growing and ripening the existing gourds so I guess I hope the vines stop producing at this point in the season.

From In the Garden

Speaking of existing gourds here are five gourds just hanging around. Can you see all five? The three darker green colored gourds must each weigh at least 10 pounds. How the vine is strong enough to support each of these gourds I'll never know, but believe it or not all of the gourds just hang there with no help from me. The other two gourds pictured are smaller and a much lighter green in color. You might find them now?

From In the Garden

Now I show you the cool season crops I have planted in the garden. Cool season crops will not do well in our hot summers so spring and fall are the perfect times to plant them. The trick is to get the right planting dates for both seasons. I am never very good at this part. I planted a whole package of 'Alaska' peas. While these peas should be ready to pick in just two months I am afraid I waited much too late to plant them. These were planted on 5 October and they really should've been planted on or about 15 August. I first soaked the peas in plain water for a day and a half and then planted them. They were quite quick to pop out of the ground. I hope they have a chance to ripen before a killing freeze comes in and takes them away.

From In the Garden

Garlic is all planted and up and growing in the garden. This is a most rewarding crop and killing freezes will not permanently kill the garlic. This garlic will be ready for harvesting next May or June. I love fresh picked garlic! Onions also grow in my vegetable garden. The garlic leaves and onion leaves are very different. Here the garlic leaves stand up straight and are much slimmer. The onion leaves flop everywhere and are much rounder and fatter in size.

In thFrom In the Garden

In this circular bed I have planted Savoy cabbage and broccoli. Both are doing wonderfully and I would expect that by the November Vegetable Garden update I'll be picking both crops to eat. Lettuce and onions round out my winter crops growing in the garden.

It will be soon be time to pull all of the tomato plants and other summer crops if you haven't already. If you still have green tomatoes growing on your tomato plants be sure to pick them all and place them in a double paper bag in an area that is cool but that does not freeze. You'll be eating tomatoes from your garden all the way up to January if you have the right conditions. Once your summer vegetables are pulled and composted or disposed of properly you might want to spread a layer of compost or perhaps plant a cover crop. I have never planted a cover crop in my vegetable garden but am considering planting one this year due to the nitrogen fixing benefits of some cover crops. Also, green looks good in the garden in the winter. Normally all of my beds are filled year round but this year it looks as though two beds will free for a cover crop if I get around to putting one in. Compost is a must though and as long as I have time I make sure to add it to the beds. If you don't get your compost in this fall you can always add it once spring arrives.

A tip for you, mark your beds now for next year so that when spring comes you are ready to plant right away. Sometimes we forget what we grew where the year before or even the month before. I know I do that is why I prefer to mark the beds as soon as I remove the current year's crop.

Any other tips you all can think of to make putting your vegetable garden to bed for the winter....

in the garden....

I saw Skeeter and her mother for lunch last week. Both are doing well and Skeeter asked me to let you all know she misses you and is fine. Her parents are back in their home but they are still busy going through things and getting settled in.


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Building Planters from Leftover Timbers (4 x 4s)

From In the Garden

This post has been a long time coming and I am sometimes most ashamed at just how long it takes me to make things-not the posting. Obviously if I made these planters a bit sooner I would've posted it sooner-like last spring! At any rate, a project I've had on the burner for a few years has finally come to fruition. Many many years ago my husband brought home a wooden box with wheels on it. The wooden box was made of plywood with probably 2 x 6s for its base and corner posts. The wooden box was about 2'x2' and a perfect planter. I had it out front with a grass or something or other growing it. As the years went by the box deteriorated until the point it just fell apart last summer. Enter some old 4x4s I had in my garden. I don't like using wood for anything simply because it does rot and waste away but these 4x4s were in pretty good shape and I thought with the right set up I might just make them last for a while. I gathered all of the 4x4s and set them on my driveway in anticipation for the day I'd be able to build my new planters. You can see the wide variety of sizes and types in the picture above.

From In the Garden

Little did I know it would take about six months for the time to come that I could finally put my plan into action. I had a vision and also a plan, but as plans go mine changed. My plan was to have a somewhat tapered pyramid style planter (two). My challenge was to get all of the pieces cut from the limited amount of 4 x4 I had. I really had to be creative with measurements making sure I had no leftovers, but when all was said and done I did well and had enough pieces of the now much shortened 4x4s for my planters. In order to ensure it all worked I stacked as I went along.

From In the Garden

The next step was to attach the pieces together to form the squares. This took a lot of time and muscle power and resulted in a few blisters. The way I decided to secure these 4x4s together was with lag screws counter sunk into the wood and as an added security measure I added construction adhesive to the joints. Drilling each of the holes, changing the bit then drilling the countersunk part took a lot of time then screwing them all together took even longer. Finally! Once all squares were secured I painted the squares with a good quality wood stain. The product up to now is pictured above.

The next to the last step was to secure the 4x4s together. I managed this by using more construction adhesive and then nailing in five inch spikes through the wood. This took a lot of time as well. Hammering in five inch spikes was hard work and even though I am used to carpentry my arm needed quite a few rests. In fact, I could not complete each step on both of the planters and had to take a few days to get to this point.

The last and final steps were to secure a bottom to the planters, drill some drainage holes, add the casters (weight limit 300 pounds-these casters were found at Harbor Freight but any good hardware store should carry them for a few bucks), flip the planters upright then line the inside with heavy black plastic and completion!

I did add in a few large squares of hard Styrofoam to the bottom part of my planters to take up some room and allow for drainage. The bottom foot or so is nothing but Styrofoam. Lastly, I mixed my own potting soil and filled the planters. One planter holds a windmill palm (given to me by a fellow blogger), and the other holds an ornamental grass. The windmill palm is supposed to be hardy to Zone 7 and while we are in technically in Zone 6 here, I think with the insulating capacity of the 4x4s, and the reflective properties of the stone on my home that my palm should be fine outside for most of the winter. If the palm starts to look bad it will be a simple matter to wheel it into the garage where it will be safe. I have seen these windmill palms over winter in my area with nothing but a burlap wrap so I am hopeful it will be safe outside. Here are the finished products.....

From In the Garden

Windmill Palm Tree

From In the Garden

Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegata'

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Garden Blogger Fall Color Project

From In the Garden

Dave at The Home Garden started a Garden Blogger Fall Color Project three years ago. This will be my third contribution to the project and it is interesting to me to see just how fall color is different each year-or perhaps it is the way I look at it? The first year I posted in this meme I posted on October 28, 2008. That year I looked at color all the way from Tennessee to Maine. I was awed by the blue skies and lovely shades of leaves above my head. Last year when I posted I posted color mainly in Upper Middle Tennessee and in my gardens. That post included blooms from my camellia tree. Interesting enough I posted on the same date in 2009 as I did in 2008 (October 28th) which was not intentional at all.

I may be a bit early this year but there is fall color in and around my home. I am afraid most trees are looking very sad though due to the drought. We've not had significant rain since mid August or so. This is most unusual for Tennessee. The fact that October is traditionally our driest month does not bode well for the rest of the month either though we are expecting a bit of rain this week. Last year's color included my camellia; which was in full bloom. The camellia has not yet begun blooming but it should begin soon enough. The one thing near the camellia that shows color is an oakleaf hydrangea. The oakleaf hydrangeas give year round interest and these shrubs just can't be beat in the garden for a kaleidoscope of color.

From In the Garden

My one hickory tree has a brilliant gold color. The hickories around my home are also looking mighty good. They are a very reliable trees for providing wonderful fall colors. The hickory nuts are just a bonus. By the way, the hickory nuts have been falling for a few weeks now so it is time to begin thinking of collecting the nuts if you wish to get them before the squirrels. It is an excellent year for all sorts of nuts. I can barely walk in my garden due to all the acorns.

From In the Garden

The crabapples are also having an excellent year. I love seeing these fruits hanging from my trees because I know the birds will eat well this winter!

From In the Garden

A tree I have always admired is the gingko. I don't have one in my garden but Skeeter has posted on the gingkos before. They are beautiful trees. We saw a very mature one at Cheekwood that had dropped its fruit everywhere. I actually thought it was persimmons until I read the sign identifying the tree as a gingko. If you plant one in your garden be sure you have a male if you do not want fruit everywhere as they can be quite prolific. At any rate the gingkos change color all at once then the leaves all fall pretty much within a day or two-all at once. I was lucky to catch this one with its leaves intact. Here it is posing next to a burning bush. Burning bushes are not good

shrubs for Tennessee gardens in my opinion, but they sure can't be beat for brilliant red coloring in the fall.

From In the Garden

Lastly I show you some nandina berries with some nice coloring on the nandina leaves. The nandinas are evergreen but do change colors with the seasons. These shrubs have interest all year round. Despite this fact I removed all of the ones with berries from my gardens due to their self seeding abilities. I did keep the dwarf form of the nandina because they do not berry up and I've not noticed them spreading in my garden. The above shrub was in the same landscape as the gingko tree at a business in Nashville.

Trees are still changing color here in my neck of the woods but I wanted to get this post out now. Notably the late changers such as Bradford pears, crepe myrtles, and Japanese maples are slow in changing or are completely brown and leafless at this time. Time will tell if they do fully color up or not. I hope so because I so enjoy fall....

in the garden....



Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

The Coolest Yet Stinkiest Houseplant-Stapelia Gigantea, aka Starfish Plant

From In the Garden

Houseplants are something I grew up with and I really enjoy houseplants even though I complain about them all the time. This post will be a complaint about a stinky houseplant, but a complaint with a smile. I was given a start of a starfish plant, aka Stapelia gigantea, several years ago from a garden club friend. I liked this plant because I barely had to water it and it did not drop its leaves in the winter like most houseplants in my home. It just was there. A nice dull green but alive plant that was easy to care for. Easy enough so it stays around my home in the winter and lives on the deck in the summer time. Recently, while bringing in this houseplant I noticed it had two buds. I thought how cool! It has never bloomed in all the years I've been the keeper of it. This plant is one of the few that comes into the house and it gets a coveted sunny south facing window in my computer room-within two feet of where I sit. Once the plant was safely ensconced in its winter home I forgot about it and the two buds.

Forgetting about this plant was a mistake. After being away from home all day I entered the computer room during a sunny warm day and oh boy did I get a surprise. I initially thought a rodent had died and rotted right under my desk. A quick search following my nose ruled that out when my nose led me right to this carrion starfish plant. Ew! It is a most disgusting smell and one that there is no mistaking the smell of rotting flesh. The bloom even looks like flesh and feels quite-um-well fleshy. Yuck! But the bloom is ever so cool despite its smell and looks and feel. The bud shown right next to it is a huge balloon a good five inches from end to end. It too is most cool. I am posting a picture of the stinky plant here because I have to laugh at myself simply because this is a case I shoulda known better and seen it coming....

in the garden....

Any stinking surprises from your plants?

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Bloom Day-October 2010

From In the Garden

This month's Bloom Day seriously sees the garden slowing down with a few exceptions. On last Wednesdays' post of Plant of the Month I posted a good amount of my superb performers minus a few other fall bloomers, mainly the asters, mums, and a few roses. That is because with the exception of the Tartarian asters most of my asters had only just began blooming when I posted last week. This week they are much further along and doing fantastically so I'll share a few of them with you. For more blooms see last Wednesday's post. Here an unknown butterfly (perhaps a skipper) enjoys 'Miss Huff' lantana in the Vegetable Garden Border.

From In the Garden

The plants that are doing the best in my gardens this year are the ones located around the vegetable garden. This is due to the fact that the perennials and shrubs located here do not have to compete with tree roots like all the other gardens do. Here is a long shot of the front Vegetable Garden Border. Pineapple sage, lantana, and asters grow and bloom here in this garden. The colors of blue, orange, and deep red look great together. Tartarian asters bloom in the Rear Center Garden by the yellow birdhouse that you can just see in the background.

From In the Garden

Just around the corner from the above bed we transition into the Sunny Perennial Border. A David Austin rose 'Falstaff' has thanked me for transplanting it into this sunny border by pushing out some new blooms. This rose has a true rose fragrance and I can't get enough of it! I could start a flower delivery service with these beauties! A true sign of a David Austin rose is the great amount of petals-look at them all!

From In the Garden

Here are some wonderful jewel toned asters my friend Naomi gave me last fall. They are sited perfectly in front of one of my mosaics.

From In the Garden

Lastly I show you a picture of some of my mums. These are by far my favorite fall blooming perennial. They are such stunners and come in such a big variety of colors that there is one for every garden-just beware they can quickly take over your garden if you get the wrong kind. The pink flowers to the left are a Knockout rose. This pink one is a great bloomer.

Also blooming not pictured: Russian sage, impatiens, Mexican butterfly weed, geraniums, coreopsis, 'Chocolate' eupatorium, Chinese indigo, zinnias, verbena bonariensis, hibiscus, veronica, ornamental grasses, silverberries, a few houseplants, melampodium, and sedums...

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Chihuly at Cheekwood

From In the Garden

This weekend was such a glorious weekend! The weather was perfect although there was no rain and we need rain. That's okay because our family took a trip to Cheekwood in Nashville to see the Chihuly exhibit. The last day to see this exhibit is October 29th so hurry! You don't want to miss the exhibit and the grounds at Cheekwood are stunning. The cost is $15 per person for adults but if you are military be sure to ask for a discount because Cheekwood is highly supportive of the military and all military folks get a 50% off discount! A bargain indeed for a great day out with the family. I wished my other daughter could've joined us but her husband is busy preparing to deploy and so a visit to Cheekwood with us was not in the cards. Perhaps next time.

These are but a few of the pictures I took at Cheekwood. Mr. Fix-it thought we would never move on with me taking all sorts of pictures but the exhibit exceeded my expectations so much that I had to try to record it all. You just can't tell the scale of the glass in pictures and really must see it in person in order to get the full spectacular effect. But without further ado let's looks at some photos of Cheekwood...

From In the Garden

A grotto/reflecting pool area under the mansion. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Cheekwood visitors receive a special treat in that many artifacts and belongings of the family who donated Cheekwood were on display. I loved this part best! You can tour the mansion for free and that is where you'll find some great Chihuly chandeliers and the artifacts and furniture. The mansion is great and while it is not that old it is reminiscent of the castles of Europe. The family who built and owned Cheekwood is the same family of Maxwell House Coffee fame. Too neat huh? They made lots of money from their famous coffee and lived well on this estate (as relayed by a sign in the mansion).

From In the Garden

More of the reflecting pool.

From In the Garden

My oldest daughter Christine tried to get out of going to Cheekwood but I convinced her she just had to go. I think she enjoyed it don't you?

From In the Garden

Now these two enjoyed it all too. It was Mr. Fix-it and Christine's first visit to Cheekwood, but Jimmy visited a few years ago with me. Everyone really liked the park.

From In the Garden

What spectacular views you get of the surrounding countryside from the mansion!

From In the Garden

The grasses were wonderful in the Sunny Perennial Border. All the plants looked pretty good considering our drought. I think Cheekwood waters a LOT though.

From In the Garden

More of the perennial border. I do enjoy the sunny gardens but it was way more comfortable in the Wildflower and Japanese Gardens. My favorite gardens were in the shade.

From In the Garden

One last view of one of the 'swimming ponds'. The floating displays were fabulous. If you think you may wish to visit the Chihuly exhibit don't wait too long as the time to see it is nearing the end. Our visit to Cheekwood with Chihuly was simply a fabulous time....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Drilling the Rain Barrels for the Hose Fittings

From In the Garden

This post is very near and dear to my heart because if I had had this information two years ago my rain barrels would've been done-two years ago! I honestly had no idea just how easy it is to make a rain barrel until I finally got all the right equipment and used it! I've had the rain barrels for over three years now but was lacking the right drill bit and was not sure on the right fittings. Fear of failure kept me from attempting to put the rain barrels together. All the 'how to' lists I had seen on rain barrels would not give specifics on what type of fittings to use and how to drill the holes for the fittings. I don't know, maybe I am a bit behind and that info comes innate to some? If so, then I apologize to all of you but for me the learning curve was a bit steeper even with help from you all. Here is what I learned to finally make it happen for me.

I used a forstner bit to drill the hole into the rain barrel. I was so afraid the hole would not work out right and the forstner bit intimidated me a bit. Don't know why but it did. My rain barrels were the standard plastic ones and I knew the plastic had to be at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. I did not think a normal twisty bit would work and I knew a hole bit would not work because they are iffy at best when I've used them to drill holes in gourds so I kept wondering what kind of bit would drill a good hole in hard plastic. One day Mr. Fix-it and I were shopping at Harbor Freight and he pointed to a forstner bit and said that was what I needed to drill my good round perfect holes into the rain barrels. I immediately purchased a 3/4 inch forstner bit since I knew my hose bibbs were 3/4 inch.

From In the Garden

Here are the hose bibbs with the 3/4 inch clearly marked on the outside of the brass fittings. Here is my problem. The 3/4" means the inside of the hose bibb and not the outside-the part that will have to fit into the hole. Uh oh. Okay, back to a hardware store with a tape measure and the hose bibb to ensure I got the right sized forstner bit. Turns out I needed a 1 inch forstner bit in order to fit the 3/4 inch hose bibb into the hole. Who the heck comes up with all these measurements and why can't they be straightforward? Like why isn't a 2 x 4 actually a 2 x 4?? Okay, that is another story but hardware and measurements are not strong points for me so I'm making sure to put this out there for other not so savvy measurement-hardware-drill bit shoppers who may also have some questions as I did. Bottomline: Whatever size hose bibb you buy make sure you buy the bit to fit the outside of the hose bibb and not the inside.

From In the Garden

I stabilized my barrel between two saw horses then proceeded to drill a hole approximately 3 inches up from the bottom in the location of the barrel I needed my hose for easy access. The forstner bit made the hole perfect! It is important to have a good tight and perfectly round hose in order for the hose bibb to fit snug and not leak. Prior to screwing in the hose bibb I applied plumbers tape to my threaded end of the hose bibb so that all the threads were covered. The last and final step was to screw in the hose bibb. This was the easiest part indeed-righty tighty-lefty loosey and the bibb is all in nice and tight and waterproof! Not a leak in sight! Okay, confession, I did not screw my first hose bibb in tight enough so I had a slight leak. It was an easy enough fix in that I simply gave it another turn-while full of water! More on that rain barrel in a later post....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

David's Bicycle In the Garden

From In the Garden

Who remembers Montgomery Ward? It used to be one of the two dream stores for thousands, if not millions, of people a few decades ago. The other half of the dream store pair was of course that venerable old standby we still know as Sears. My 'new' bike gracing my garden came from Montgomery Ward. It was a dream for one eightish year old boy from Maine back in 1953 or 1954. Takes you back huh? This little boy's Uncle Walter purchased the bike for him from Montgomery Ward before the little boy even knew how to ride a bike. Can you just imagine being eight and learning to ride a big bike like this?

The little boy is now, ahem, sixty something years old and is my mother's husband. His name is David and he still lives in Maine. In spite of traveling the world as a Navy man many decades ago, even having served in the Old Guard, David still lives in his hometown in Maine. Actually, he and my mother live just across a field from where David grew up. The uncle who so kindly made a little boy's dream come true is gone now, but the memories of this first bike remain with the boy. That is why my 'new' bike for my garden is all the more special.

How did I come upon this treasure you might ask? Well, I have a surprise saved for next Friday's post explaining it a bit but let us just say my oldest daughter Christine moved this bike and another down here from Maine during her recent move from Maine into her new home. The two bikes were very dissimilar though I liked them both. When I saw David's bike, not knowing it was his bike, I said "Wow! I am not dismantling that one it is going directly in the garden." That is when my daughter said, "Papa will be most happy because it was his bike." That comment sealed the deal and enter one special bike for Tiger Gardens. I had been hoping to find just such a special bike and the fact it came from family makes it even more so. While it took me a few weeks to find the perfect spot for my new/old bike I love it here. It sure takes me back to those dream days when the Montgomery Ward and Sears catalogs were the best darn reading....

in the garden....

Many thanks to my family and a special thanks to David for parting with two of their bicycles! This parting may be a bit tough for Pack Rat Mimi but I can assure you all in Maine that the bikes are in good hands and will live on in the garden.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Plant of the Month-Septermber 2010

From In the Garden

This month's Plant of the Month has to be the sedums. It was funny too because I truly did not expect to choose the sedums but here they are! The sedums are one of the most drought tolerant plants in my gardens, they have year round interest, there are tons of cultivars , they are easy to propagate, and they make a tremendous impact in a garden. I love them!!

The particular cultivar pictured above is 'Autumn Joy' and it grows in my Rear Center Garden along the south side under some oaks. The location is a very inhospitable place. A place so awful that not even daylilies like it. I have had to switch out several plants in my garden due to drought conditions this year and the daylilies and sedums were two that switched positions in this spot. More on that at another time.

From In the Garden

Here we have 'Autumn Joy' and 'Autumn Fire' growing in the driveway garden. This is a garden under siege from me! It is normally a spring garden which is all good and fine in the spring when we have rains but when the rains stop I wind up with very little to look at. Enter the sedums and other drought tolerant plants. I am determined to water less or not all next year so I've been busy moving plants around lately. This is one garden that has received attention in the form of added sedums. Sedums can't be beat for low maintenance. Yuccas and artemesia also grow in this garden. All three make good companions. As you can see from the above picture this garden is in part shade, actually mostly shade and under a mature oak tree, yet the sedums do okay. You gotta love that!

From In the Garden

Runners up for this month's Plant of the Month were Great Blue Lobelia (thanks Catherine!) These were started from seed back in February and even though I initially thought they were red valerian I am so very pleased with these lovely blue plants! Here they grow in a bed in the vegetable garden but I might move them all next spring to a flower garden. We'll see.

From In the Garden

Hyacinth beans are simply splendid. Not only do I have tons of seedpods but the vines are still blooming. Here they grow on the huge PVC arbor; which graces the entry to my vegetable garden.

From In the Garden

Lastly the battle for October's Plant of the Month had me seriously considering the salvias and lantanas. Here we have Pineapple sage growing alongside 'Miss Huff' lantana in a vegetable garden border. While lantana is drought tolerant and simply stunning this time of the year the sedums had it beat out for this month's coveted title of Plant of the Month....

in the garden....

What is your Plant of the Month in your garden?

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Time to Bring in the Houseplants

From In the Garden

Has this fall weather been nice or what? Perfectly blue skies and warm days with little humidity has made being outside so very pleasant. Okay, they'd be more pleasant if we got some rain but that is another story. It is clear the weather has taken a turn from the hot and humid days to the pleasant days and cooler nights of autumn. It is a lovely time in the garden but a time of work too. For me I've begun bringing in my houseplants. The general rule of thumb is to bring in houseplants when nighttime temperatures are consistently below 50 degrees. Some of our nights have dipped below 50 degrees but then the nights get warmer. Nonetheless, to save myself a lot of work all at once I have begun to bring in my houseplants-one at a time.

I am not normally a houseplant person but for some reason I have accumulated a collection. I move the collection outside during the summer months so that I can enjoy the plants there and they get some much needed humidity plus they add to my garden. Come fall I am ready for them to come in because they actually give me a great deal of pleasure in the wintertime; not to mention their good air cleansing properties for the stale winter air we tend to have in our homes. One such plant is this stunning begonia pictured above. I have to work hard to bring the pot and all in but having this beauty is so worth it! Just look at it glow in front of my fireplace. Begonias are easy to grow and propagate. I give this one a haircut several times during the growing season and just stick the cuttings back into the pot. For the haircut I am rewarding with a bushier and more full plant that looks most healthy. I just love it and wanted to share it with you all and to remind you to start thinking of bringing those houseplants in out of the cold....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden