Little Wing Garden

Seasons Change...

2010-10-06T22:14:00.005-04:00

and so do blogs,lol. I have done quite a bit of rearranging in my personal blogosphere and freed up this delightful background for use here at Little Wing Garden. I hope you like it as much as I do. Yes, I know the Black Swallowtail butterfly in my header pic is not in focus. I meant to do that:^)

Although the garden hasn't had time to catch up yet Fall did indeed arrive this past weekend. The past few nights have been downright cold. It's like an actual knob has been turned to Autumn. This photo of Japanese Beautyberry with Lindheimer's Muhly Grass in the background is probably the most seasonally approriate pic that I have to share today.

This is the first flower open on the Georgia Aster that was in bud in my last post. with a visitor. Not sure if it's a bee or a fly~ perhaps both? lol.

I feel certain the abundant rain is to thank for this new bloom stalk from Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' who has been on strike since June.

a.m.~

p.m.~

Persicaria 'Firetail' is happily blooming beside my deck where it has rooted through its nursery pot

and spiderwort 'Sweet Kate' decided she liked the rain as well.

Guess what this is:)

or who,lol. My perfect Yin and Yang Poms: boy/girl, black/white, old/young~ well maybe not perfect~ sweet/sweet.

And then it rained...

2010-10-01T08:19:00.014-04:00

It's been quite a while since my last update on the garden. September turned back to hot and dry after Labor Day weekend and the garden was just looking sort of pitiful. I took a few pictures a week ago on Friday and a couple more Sunday morning since I can't bear not to take ANY pictures.

This is Miscanthus 'Cabaret' on the 24th just coming into full bloom.

I never finished the cleanup from last year in the big bed- especially in the center where goldenrod, wild ageratum and the Turk's Cap reside.

I transplanted this Celosia spicata in the thick of summer from where it self seeded next to the house. Out of three that I moved this is the first to bloom. The burgandy foliage makes the seedlings easy to identify and save from being weeded out(although that's not nearly the problem it used to be here:~).

I couldn't resist the buds on my biggest clump of Georgia Aster~ can't wait for them to open.

This~ as all of the above ~ was taken on the 24th with at least a couple more buds. One bloomed in the rain yesterday.

The only highlight to the Sunday morning pics was this wild Morning Glory since I was soon distracted and then...

******IT RAINED!!!!!!!!*********

heavily as you can see by this sprawled out version of the same Miscanthus 'Cabaret'

and the saturated deck boards under Meike during one of the few times she's been able to go out this week.

I really wish I had a rain gauge but suffice it to say we got alot,lol. Maybe I'll see some open blooms from the Swamp Sunflower this weekend:)

A Welcome Reprieve

2010-09-06T21:17:00.007-04:00

After a wicked hot summer this Labor Day Weekend was a breath of fresh air~ literally. Blue skies, wispy clouds...

...a relaxing breeze...

What have we here?

A perfect perch!

'Cripple Creek' still going...

Some fresh new blooms on the Dianthus.

and a return to more summer like weather today.

A wonderful three day weekend♥

August's End

2010-08-31T22:02:00.006-04:00

This August has been a month to remember in my personal life and although I don't have much of a subject for this post on the gardening front the simple recording of images- moments in time are comforting and worth sharing.

My last post had a teaser image of rebloom on one of my favorite performers~ Hibiscus 'Red Flyer' has returned for an encore.

My Energizer Bunny analogy for Daylily 'Cripple Creek' is still dead on. It's the only daylily in the garden that's even thinking about blooming right now.

The white form of American Beautyberry is at its brief peak for berry viewing.

This enthusiastic member of the Ipomea clan is trying to claim it's territory in a young Curly Willow.

Since I've learned how to create textures for use in Photoshop from my own photos I've been even more aware than I am normally of this attribute in the garden. The Georgia Aster has always been a favorite for its form~ here it is gearing up to bloom.

And the wabi sabi award for texture goes to this photo of fuzzy yucca seedpods with lovely bokeh.

Bring on September!

Angel Time

2010-08-23T08:31:00.008-04:00

A peak around the corner from the parking area reveals the unmistakable star of the garden this past weekend~ Brugmansia, Angel's Trumpet. I'm not sure if this is a named Brug although it could very likely be 'Frosty Pink'. This plant was left in its large plastic pot against the house over winter a couple of years ago and to my surprise it has thrived ever since- having rooted thru the pot. Benign neglect paid off this once.

Hibiscus 'Red Flyer' is going to bless me with another bloom after taking a brief vacation.

We have lovely spent blooms~ these from the Pineapple Lily~

and future blooms such as these from Hibiscus grandiflorus being guarded by a Green Lynx spider.

A shady spot is always welcome.

My all around favorite garden plant~ Salvia. This is a seedling from S. farinacea 'Henry Duelberg' In its many different forms Salvia pulls my sprawled out garden beds together with something in bloom from start to finish of the growing season.

Bloom Day August 2010

2010-08-16T08:02:00.010-04:00

The past couple of weeks have seen a slight rebound in growth and blooms in the garden despite the continued above average temps. The most evident(and one of the most prevalent in LWG) bloom has been from the salvias.

Cherry Chief

Salvia chamedryoides, Blue oak Sage

S. greggii~ white

S. greggii~ Bright Pink

Even the shy flowering 'Diane' with S. uliginosa, Bog Sage

S. farinacea 'Henry Duelberg' peeking out over thyme and a floppy stem of Euphorbia corolata

Then there's the Budleias- lindleyana

and 'Potter's Purple'

My first Mexican Petunia bloom of the year...

...and the second place price for rooting thru the pot and growing in the wrong place goes to Crape Myrtle 'Natchez' as seen blooming here with the lovely princess Meike.

I hope you are enjoying lots of blooms in your garden this August. Visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for more Bloom Day posts.

The Garden in a Different Light

2010-08-09T08:32:00.007-04:00

The majority of my garden photos have been taken in the mornings. For years I was up and out every am to see what I could see and water the hoardes of potted plants. As I have creeped ever deeper into the world of web enterprise the frequency of my morning outings has changed. My fresh morning mind is directed to the task at hand~ monitoring blogs, posting products, promoting in any way that I can without spending money. All of this has added up to less and less photos being taken in the past month or so. As luck would have it I was in the right place yesterday(at home) at the right time(5ish in the afternoon) with camera in hand to capture a few new photos of the garden. I guess I needed a different perspective to inspire me.

Signs of recent rains can be found in fresh growth.

I have really enjoyed my Arbor Day Foundation Crape Myrtle this year. It was a slight bloomer until the past year or two. This has been the kind of summer here in the Carolinas that makes you appreciate these trees that are so often taken for granted by those of us who have known them all of their lives.

The faithful Rudbeckia triloba has been joined by the little Lantana 'Miss Huff' that could:) I thought I had removed her years ago but she has a strong will to live in the wilds of Rudbeckia and Blue Love Grass(2 heavy self seeders for me)

Daylily 'Volcan Fuego' is not for the faint of heart or the pastel garden but it's a great late season performer nonetheless~ Pretty strong color for a daylily in the late afternoon.

The Japanese Beautyberries ripen in the same order that they bloom ~from the insides of the branches out.

Even 'Diamond Frost' Euphorbia has perked up a little from the rain. Rudbeckia 'Goldstrurm's blooms have been munched pretty badly this year. I made an effort to show you a better looking bloom.

Verbena aff xutha is a textural delight that has taken off blooming in the past week.

Feather Reed Grass blooms in front of an overgrown section of the big bed that is mostly full of 'Fireworks' Goldenrod and Hawkweed. A red accent comes from Malvaviscus, Turk's Cap.

:)))))))

So... when's your favorite time to shoot?

Blasted Garden(Snowflurry in July)

2010-07-29T22:42:00.009-04:00

It's not just me~ since the beginning of June this summer has been a real scorcher. The garden is crying out for attention that I can't give it. There will be casualties but some recent rain has helped many plants revive and a few plants are just survivors anyway.

A little Verbena 'Snowflurry' in July is a wonderful thing. This plant amazes me with its transient nature. It dies out here and pops up there with fresh blooming plants appearing at any time of the year~ willy nilly,lol.

This is what I would expect to see thriving in this weather. This sedum was a special trade with Gardenweb friend Nancedar. I'm afraid I haven't labeled it so its identity is in question. Have yet to see blooms from this one.

You can't keep a good wildflower down. Rudbeckia triloba is a welcome sight with fresh blooms and a visitor.

The bronze fennel has been a pleasure this year for the gardener and the insects. Black Swallowtail caterpillars in all stages were feasting on Tuesday morning.

A little less than perfect but the bees still love the Bog Sage~ Salvia uliginosa.

My casualties from last year's round of new plants from Plant Delights Nursery were numerous~ this new ironweed, Vernonia lettermannii was not among them.

The last of my Bachman seedlings to bloom~ this was the last flower:(

and the Energizer Bunny award for daylilies this year goes to 'Cripple Creek'~ I can't praise this one enough. Mwah!

Bloom Day ~ July 2010

2010-07-15T22:01:00.006-04:00

I nearly missed posting yet another bloom day so I decided to be a purist and post just these 5 images of blooms taken this morning before leaving for work( for the sake of brevity if nothing else).

The ants are happily pollenating the Pineapple Lily~ this is Eucomis comosa I believe. If it's a named selection I've forgotten the name.

Reliable Hibiscus 'Red Flyer' has just started blooming this week. It's not as tall as I've seen it but I'm grateful it's bloomimg at all.

Phlox paniculata has not taken off in my garden so I was delighted to find this one stalk lagging behind and giving new flowers.

I have a couple of blooms from my Sweetbay rugosa.

and the Daylily star of the day was Cindy's seedling.

The weather has been brutally hot and way too dry for the garden to look good as a whole but the beauty of blogging is that you don't have to see all of that:) For more eye candy visit our hostess at May Dreams Garden where you'll find links to gardens around the world.

Daylilies Continued~ The Lates

2010-07-11T19:07:00.013-04:00

It has been two weeks since my last daylily update and the bloom season has definitely slowed to a crawl but I'm thankful for the late season ones that are still going since I have little else in bloom right now. We've had rain but not enough and the temps are still abnormally high. All of these pics were taken simce my last daylily post although just a few are still going~ one of which is...

Cripple Creek from Ned Roberts is my favorite late bloomer. Seen well from way across the garden, its form and saturated color are a welcome sight right now.

Star Asterisk by Stamile is an Early that's giving me another round of perky star shaped blooms.

Volcan Fuego from Brian Mahieu's Volcano series is another tall late hybrid that is well seen from afar.

So Lovely has just begun to bloom. Introduced by Lenington in 1969 it is listed as a Mid season bloomer but has been reliably on the late side for me here.

Peggy Jeffcoat Joiner 1995~ at least I believe I bought this as PJ. The color doesn't really match up to the pics on Tinker's but it's also listed as a Mid late so that part is right.

Pearl Harbor Carr 1997 is one of my few "edged" daylilies.

Pale Moon Windmill Crochet 1996 ~ this is its last bloom of the year:(

This beauty is an unnamed cross that I received as a bonus from Cynthia Tyrrell~ hemlady on Dave's Garden forum. Her Rebekah's Gothic Spider is partially responsible for leading me to the path of daylily fever.

Another seedling~ this is one of four that I purchased from Dan Bachman at Valley of the Daylilies. I have its parentage here somewhere...

Easy Ned Brown 1987~ is classified as VL(Very Late). This is the first year I've had blooms from him since I got him in 2007. He must like a colder climate than mine.

Hearts of Fire Stamile 1998~ if you love true red this one's for you.

Lemon Berry Frost Bell 2002~ classified as Mid. Has bloomed earlier for me in the past (probably tired of life in a 3 gal nursery pot:0)

Double Pompon Miles 1972

Autumn Wood Dougherty 1991~ a favorite that I need to move out of the Bog Sage surrounding it.

As I finish up this post on Monday morning July 12 I have in bloom: Galaxy Explosion, So Lovely, Cripple Creek, Twister Time, Lady Neva, Volcan Fuego, rebloom from Vintage Bordeaux and Cindy's seedling. Not too shabby for a Monday:)

Holiday Snapshots in the Garden

2010-07-05T08:11:00.005-04:00

Since the Fourth of July fell on Sunday this year it was really like just another day for me... other than the grilling of hamburgers for lunch and some celebratory adult beverages in the evening. Before heading off to work I thought I'd share some of the day in photos.

The garden is in a lull for blooms with daylily season almost over and many perennials on strike for lack of water and TLC from the gardener. Buddleia 'Potter's Purple' is the place to be for all of the butterflies in the neighborhood.

Old faithful Echinacea 'Magnus' is blooming now too. I never thought it would make it this many years but it is a true stalwart.

The Bronze Fennel contributing fireworks to the garden with the shape of its flowers and umbels.

For everyone who has this week as vacation~ Enjoy! (and for everyone else: hang in there,lol.)

Daylilies 2010~ Part Four

2010-06-26T11:48:00.014-04:00

Daylily bloom season is past peak now in my zone 7b garden but not over by any means. Although some plants are through blooming there a still others that have yet to begin. Rain is getting precious again as summer really heats up fast. I have yet to hook up the sprinkler this year but will probably break down and do it this weekend if we get no showers.

This daylily ~ Kilauea ~ from Mahieu is classified as a ufo, crispate. The blooms are large and real presence in the garden.

Dream Catcher ~ from the late Ned Roberts. I love the shape and variability of these blooms.

From Gilbert Wild~ Painter's Splash

A classic spider from Rosemary Whitacre~ Red Rain

Jo Barbre Holman 1974 is a spidery double in a clear lemon yellow. An inexpensive choice for something a little different in a daylily.

Curt Hanson's Primal Scream is well named and unmistakable. I really must plant this one but can't decide where...

Flutterbye from Frank Childs~ I love it but wish it performed better for me.

A strong performer here~ Desperado Love from Stamile

After a couple of years to settle in On Silken Thread ,a Lambertson, is really showing off. Nice and tall.

I just noticed that Tinker's Gardens Database needs one of my many photos of Twister Time~ Pyne 1995 DOR Re. I can't remember if I ordered this one or if it was a bonus but it came from a Dan Bachman at Valley of the Daylilies where I found a good selection of spiders and unusual forms that are off the beaten path.

Smaller than parent Moonlit Masquerade(in my garden) but I'm sure a much better performer than its other ancestor Cleopatra is Dan Trimmer's Egyptian Queen. She has behaved more like a dainty diploid for me than a EV TET.

Another Valley of the Daylilies find was Lillian Kathleen by Fred Manning. A great performer for me~ she is elegant and tall with a large sculptural bloom.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend ~ Stay cool:)

Daylilies 2010 ~ Part 3

2010-06-19T17:59:00.013-04:00

It's been quite a week here with bloom season still going strong. The days are so long now that by the time I finish deadheading and defogging the camera lens the sun is higher in the sky than I would like for it to be for shooting.

Spindazzle Wilson 1983 DIP SEV ext Mid Spider

The first year blooming for this one I think~
Spider Spirits Brown-E.W. 1987 DIP EV Re Mid

Raspberry Candy Stamile 1989 TET Dor Re Ext Early

Ra Hansen Talbott 1986 DIP Ev Re Early Mid

Pale Moon Windmill Crochet DIP Sev Re Early ufo Cascade

I've waited a couple of years for this one to start blooming. I planted it in the middle of my small bed because it was a favorite of mine~ at least in other people's photos.

Helaman Roberson 1981 DIP Ev Re ext Early Mid

These are the first blooms for me on this one too.

Dragon Flight Hansen, Dan 2003 TET Ev Re Early Mid

Bengali Princess Mahieu 2001 DIP Dor Early mid

So Many Stars Kaskel 1999 TET Ev Re Mid Late

For those of you who may be new to daylily love I'll share with you my reference for all of the stats on these daylilies.Tinker's Gardens daylily database is a treasure but be forewarned~ that many daylily photos have been known to lead to irrational lust for these addictive flowers.

I Heart Daylilies T-Shirt by littlewingdesign

Daylily Season 2010~ Part Two

2010-06-12T23:07:00.010-04:00

The bloom season is in full swing and may be at peak now. Thank goodness there are some late season bloomers here since it would be depressing for it to end so soon. I don't feel like I've done the garden justice with my pics this year but I'm happy to share some of them.

Blue-eyed Butterfly ~ Lambertson 1996 TET sev ext Early Mid

Star Asterisk ~ Stamile 2002 TET ev re Early

Jolly Red Giant ~ Stamile 1999 TET ev re Early

Jan's Twister ~ J. Joiner DIP ev re Early mid

Galaxy Explosion ~ Burris 2003 DIP dor re Mid

Eyed Twister ~ Lambertson 2000 TET sev re Early mid

Moses' Fire ~ Joiner 1998 TET dor re Mid ~ This photo was taken very late in the day. The color is gorgeous when fresh in the mornings but the blooms don't open completely until I've already left for work.

Bela Lugosi ~ C. Hanson 1995 TET sev Mid ~ This is *the* finest dark daylily I have seen. Outstanding:)

As I sift through all of the pics I'll be posting more here. If you're already a daylily addict check out my daylily section on zazzle.com for some cool stuff made just for us.

It's the Most Wonderful Time: Daylilies Part 1

2010-06-10T08:52:00.012-04:00

Daylily season is an exciting time in my garden. I open the back door every morning with anticipation to see what's blooming today. Due to an unbridled obsession with daylilies in 2007 I have loads of them both in the ground and still in the pots. Many I've never seen bloom and often they take turns with some blooming this year and others the next. Since the obsession has passed I no longer go around and check to see which ones have buds I simply enjoy each day as it comes.

Not untypically many of my first blooms where blotchy, ugly ducklings which is why you often see daylily pics classified as FFO- First Flower Open(of the season). Many are in full swing now though so lots of photos will be coming.

This small bed close to the house was my first. I never even tried to border any of the other freestanding beds since they are ever expanding. Over the years this one has evolved to be mostly daylilies and salvias.

'Wispy Rays' TET EvRe Mid Joiner 1998 ~ This is a favorite of mine.

'All Fired Up' TET EvRe Early Stamile 1996~ a reliable bloomer for me. This one hasn't taken the year off yet:)

'Chesapeake Crab Legs' DIP DorRe Ext Reed 1994 Early Mid Spider variant. This is FFO this year. Not in the small bed~ LOTS of buds:)

'Vintage Bordeaux' TET EvRe Ext Early- Kirchoff 1986~ This is a great dark daylily. It's tall, holds its color well and could be purchased inexpensively if you can find it.

Another view of the small bed with 'Kindly Light'(DIP Dor Ext Bechtold 1950) in the foreground and 'Bahama Butterscotch'(TET SevRe Salter 1990) behind it with Blue Oak Sage and 'Wispy Ray' backing it all up.

I'll be back with more of the show as soon as I have time. Until then, take a cue from Hemerocallis and live each day like it's the only one you've got~ life sure would be interesting if everyone did:)

Remember

2010-05-31T08:26:00.003-04:00

~Give thanks today for those who died in service to their country~

Daylily Season~ FFO 2010

2010-05-25T20:22:00.004-04:00

The very first daylily flower open this year in the garden. It's an unnamed cross by a Garden Web plant swap friend. I have alot of "Dana's" plants in the garden~ daylilies and other kinds of plants as well. This one I call Dana's Purple and it's always an early season bloomer for me. This is the first picture taken this morning just as it came from the camera.

I love daylilies:)

Why It's Called Butterfly Weed

2010-05-22T20:43:00.010-04:00

This past week brought some much needed rain but the garden seems to be in a lull when it comes to flowers. The one flower that really pops right now is Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa.

This morning with Salvia farinacea

This afternoon with Black Swallowtail

Gray Hairstreak

American Painted Lady and Gray Hairstreak

I've never noticed any larval activity on my plants but they sure do a good job of providing nectar.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day~ May 2010

2010-05-15T21:08:00.018-04:00

This month's GBBD finds the garden parched. Some plants have gone on strike while a few stalwarts keep keeping on. My garden is high and dry and I haven't used the sprinkler at all so far this year. I was pleasantly surprised to see some daylily scapes have appeared also. If we don't get rain soon it will really put a damper on daylily season:(

And the bunny says...

I've gotten only two new plants this Spring~ Pineapple Sage and
'Diamond Frost' Euphorbia. I just love the airy & delicate blooms plus it'll take some abuse.

A short Nigella next to a Sedum whose name I've forgotten

Arachnid camouflage at work on the Blanket Flower

The second generation of this Sweet William is all white. I had never grown this before last year. All of my dianthus have born single blooms per stem.

There are a few holdouts on the last Siberian clump.

Salvia 'San Carlos Festival' is blooming in one location but not others.

I have a couple of variations of Larkspur blooming. Peak bloom hasn't come yet:)

Rudbeckia triloba blooms somewhere in the garden the whole season.

Lychnis coronaria with Asclepias tuberosa in the center getting ready to bloom. I need to pull all of the Lychnis very soon~ it has reached critical mass here and must be stopped. It even grows in the lawn!

My azaleas always wait until May to bloom. These were planted as foundation shrubs by the builder and I would love to replace them one day~ this photo is flattering.

Salvia 'Christine Yeo' is not a heavy bloomer but I like the overall habit of the plant.

Viburnum bracteatum 'Emerald Luster' ~ it bears repeating that if you want a full sun Viburnum in the south then this one is worth tracking down.

Open flowers on my one and only Knifophia bloom:)I hope that this clump will be a sleep/leap one for me.

Happy garden Blogger's Bloom Day to all of you! To see what's blooming in gardens all around the world visitMay Dreams Gardens.

First and Last

2010-05-12T08:20:00.012-04:00

I've had some firsts since my last post~ one good and one bad plus some ffo's for this year. My bad first was digging up a yellow jacket's nest. It could have been much worse since only one yellow jacket got a couple of stings in through my sweats. Having never been stung by one I didn't realize that the pain gets worse instead of better as time goes by. I proceeded to pull a few more weeds cautiously on the other side of the bed until I finally understood that I'd better look after that sting now! Ouch!

My good first ever is this bloom on a Knifophia that was shared with me by a friend who grew it from seed 2 years ago. Of two non hybrid Knifophias that I've planted this is the first to grace me with a bloom. The fancy one from Plant Delights Nursery bloomed one year but took last year off too. I love the symmetry, color and uniqueness of the blooms.

I have an abundance of Nigella- Love in a Mist- this year.

Self seeded Larkspur

Delosperma- Ice Plant

This Salvia is very similar to 'Indigo Spires' and may be but I recieved it as an unknown division.

Verbena/porterweed look alike

Penstemon- Eastern Smooth Beardtongue

New growth on Cryptomeria japonica 'Globosa Nana'- still very nana

The bright clean new growth of Illicium parviflorum- Small Anise Tree

My only rose in the garden- a rugosa from Sweetbay which I am enjoying tremendously this year.

I have a hard time getting a good shot of this Geranium sanguineum which is settling in after a couple of years in this spot. I love this plant!

And now for the "last" part of the post. I don't think there will be many more Iris pictures this year. Unless I'm shocked by a second bloom stalk these are my last blooms from 'Titan's Glory'

The Iris virginca- Blue Flag Iris is not having a very good year. This first bloom has been the only one worth taking a photo of.

I have three clumps of Siberian irises from three different sources. This is the last one to bloom. It is completely engulfed by Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' and probably needs a bit of attention. I was happy to see blooms this year as I would not have been surprised if it went on strike.

I don't know if I'll get around to another post by Garden Bloggers Bloom Day or not. I am woefully behind in my garden maintenance but I do love to play on the web!

Very Pink

2010-05-04T09:03:00.022-04:00

The overcast skies of the last couple of days have made it very apparent that I have alot of pink blooming in the garden right now. some of it is eye popping, screaming pink actually,lol. I grew this Salvia greggii from seeds shared by a generous California salvia collector. It's been here for a couple years now and does seem to improve with age.

I acquired this Penstemon 'Elfin Pink' in my very first mail trade a few years back.

I have some more subdued pinks blooming as well but will share those next post- took some great pics this morning but had no time to prepare them for this post. The Rugosa rose is beautiful now:) Of course the perfect compliment to pink is purple...

'Titan's Glory'- my first ever blooms from a division I planted in summer of 2008

Another wonderful iris from Nancedar~ this one has smaller blooms than the one from Carla

I've never really noticed this Yaupon in bloom before. It's 'Shadow's Female' and it's really thriving now after quite a few years of settling in~ should be plenty of berries this year.

I accepted a few Campanula 'Cherry Bells' from a friend last summer thinking that maybe my dryish conditions would keep it in check. Apparently the bunnies find it quite tasty at the stage just prior to blooming:(

And here's one of the satisfied customers now...

I wanted to share with you some freebies I have to offer on my other blog
Little Wing Photography & Design. There are 5 different desktop wallpapers available for easy downloading. Two of them have May 2010 calendars for convenience. If you use one let me know what you think.

Happy Tuesday! back to work...:(

A Farewell to April

2010-04-30T08:21:00.025-04:00

For her final performance April has cast irises, pinks and phlox with a small supporting cast:)

The first Siberian iris to appear is this beauty from Carla of My Back Yard. It was a special trade that also included by tall noid daisy mum.

Japanese Roof Iris ~ Iris tectorum ~ grows side by side with Epimedium in my best part shade spot in the garden.

Rabbit's view of Iris 'Rare Treat'

Mom's low Dianthus

'Firewitch'

Penstemon 'Elfin Pink' buds next to Dianthus 'Bath's Pink'

Amsonia tabernaemontana~ Eastern Bluestar

Phlox pilosa var ozarkana still going strong

Have a great weekend!

The Fragrant Spring Garden

2010-04-24T20:22:00.016-04:00

Fragrance has never been a priority for me in choosing plants for the garden. The appeal for most plants that I choose is purely visual. I guess that shouldn't be surprising given my history of obsessions with the visual world.

Nevertheless I couldn't help but notice the fragrances wafting in the garden yesterday as I worked~ and all from just two Spring beauties, Dianthus & Phlox.

Bath's Pink is extremely fragrant. I have a few different types and varieties of dianthus growing in the garden since they love my conditions here but none are even close to being that fragrant.

This is the first bloom that I have seen from this self seeded plant. I don't detect much fragrance from this one or it's likely parent.

The fragrance is not as strong from Phlox pilosa var ozarkana but the size of the planting makes it quite noticable. This is a vigorous spreader for me. I have to keep it from overtaking its neighbors despite the assistance I get from the rabbits in reigning it in.

Of course this specimen and its ilk were a big focus of my time spent in the garden yesterday.

I finally got a couple of decent shots of the Geranium maculatum. The plant is only a couple of years old and has to lean out to the sun from a jungle of Buddleia lindleyana suckers and a Ruby Glow barberry. I had to cram it in there for a little shade since it's scarce here.

The iris show has begun~ Japanese Roof Iris

A very prolific passalong with small blooms for its tall stems. I'm not fond of its proportions but it works okay around the mammoth Miscanthus 'Cabaret'.

I'm still waiting for this favorite to open~ Rare Treat( indeed! lol. It hasn't multiplied nearly fast enough for me)

It's a cloudy and windy Sunday here. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of yesterdays tornados in the Gulf states.

A Message from my Pot Ghetto

2010-04-23T09:12:00.004-04:00

Click on the photo to see the message.

Have a great weekend!

Late to the Party

2010-04-18T09:51:00.014-04:00

I must admit that I completely forgot Garden Bloggers Bloom Day this month. In all honesty I had barely paid the garden any mind at all last week. I shudder to think what it will look like if I don't get up from this desk and get to work soon! I have pulled some weeds and removed some old stalks from last year but I have way too much garden for "some" to be enough.

What I have done is collected some images to share of what's blooming now despite my neglect:)

Dianthus 'Firewitch'

Coral honeysuckle

California poppy

An unidentified iris from a great lady

Viburnum bracteatum 'Emerald Luster'

American Fringe tree ~ Chionanthus virginicus

Sweet Betsy ~ Calycanthus floridus

Sweetbay Rugosa rose

Indigofera amblyantha

Salvia 'Maraschino'

Have a great week!

New Growth, New Links

2010-04-13T22:33:00.019-04:00

Everything seems new again when the garden comes to life in Spring. Fresh leaves, wildflowers...

I've been busy with new growth of my own. In the past couple of weeks I have added a new blog~Little Wing Photography & Design, a Facebook Fan Page , and my very own domain littlewingphotoanddesign.com. My website still needs alot of work but I'm one step in the right direction(baby steps...).

Tell me what you think about this new blog template and/or all of the above links. I'd love to hear your opinions:)

Facebook Fan Page

Every Day...

2010-04-07T22:46:00.009-04:00

brings more new growth. It's popping out everywhere!

Bottlebrush Buckeye

American Fringe Tree

Prague Viburnum

Pippi Longstocking

The dogwood flowers are at their peak.

Hope everyone has a very enjoyable Spring weekend!

The Little Things~ Small Flowers

2010-04-05T11:17:00.006-04:00

My Spring challenged garden is still far from showy at this point in the season but I can always find something to enjoy up close and personal~ like these small flowers now blooming.

This viola was a hitchhiker with a large salvia that I brought home from a Garden Web plant swap a few years ago. These are the first blooms that I have seen from it~ I had forgotten it was there. Could this be 'Freckles'?

The epimedium is really going now. I love the common name~ Fairy Wings ~ which I would think describes the foliage more than these dainty blooms.

Two more little things that I love:)

It's time again for the Garden Web plant swap that I mentioned before. I do not plan to attend this year. It will be the first one that I have missed since I discovered them a few years ago. If you live in central NC and think you'd be interested in going the information can be found here. Introduce yourself and join in~ you'll be glad you did:)

Blooming Friday~ Good Friday too

2010-04-02T12:33:00.011-04:00

After the sixth coldest winter recorded at RDU Airport Spring is moving along at a rapid pace. In two weeks we went from buds to blooms to almost fully leafed out on the Weeping Cherry trees.

This pink dogwood tree is planted very close to the house on the north side. The flowers are just opening~ this is our Easter tree since it's almost always in bloom on Easter no matter when it falls on the calendar. The shady location makes it really hard to get good photos but I try and try again.

The Red Maple is in bloom. This tree is young enough to be able to see them closeup.

The epimediums are also hard to capture because of their small size and location- I backed right into all kinds of limbs while getting these shots.

This is the fullest display that I've ever had from the Veronica 'Georgia Blue'. It was moved here a couple of years ago and was hidden under the Muhly grass pretty much until this year.

I've never seen a display like this on from my young Loropetalum. It must have enjoyed all of the rain.

The hellebore is winding down but has a very good year.

I've done alot of organizing over at Little Wing Photography & Design. I'd love for you to visit!

This is the last Bloomimg Friday to be hosted by Katarina at Roses and Stuff. Be sure to visit and bookmark her beautiful blog.

Happy Easter!

Blooming Friday ~ Trees!

2010-03-26T07:55:00.006-04:00

It really feels like Spring when the trees start flowering. Last Friday I posted pics of Weeping Cherry and Bradford Pear flower buds. The next day was very warm and both trees started blooming.

The graceful cherry

The hellebore still has blooms and plenty of plump flower buds waiting their turn.

Lorapetalum 'Ruby' has the most bloom buds this year that I've ever seen. A couple of flowers were open deep in the foliage. I'm not sure if the flowers will open in procession or all at once.

Our hostess Katarina at Roses and Stuff asked if we were enjoying anything pink. I guess the last two bloom pics were pinkish so~ yes. The pink that I've enjoyed the most this week though did not come from blooms. I broke my shades probably a month ago and since it has been so gloomy I had not bothered to replace them until our beautiful sunny day last Saturday. I have to say that the world really does look better through rose colored glasses:)

Blooming and Almost Blooming Friday~the late, late edition

2010-03-19T23:23:00.012-04:00

It has been a beautiful day in my part of North Carolina, the kind of Friday that you dream of having off from work. Alas to work I went after taking photos up until the last minute before dressing to leave. I've finally stole enough time to share them here for my first Blooming Friday of 2010.

Katarina at roses and stuff asks us this Friday what photo means Summer the most to us. This picture from June 2008 in my garden is one of my favorite summer images~ Daylily 'Twister Time' with liatris and Salvia 'Black and Blue' in the background.

Presently I have nothing new blooming since my last post. The hybrid hellebore is still blooming. I was blocking the sun in this first shot so I decided to give it a glow to brighten it up a bit.

Same hellebore backlit.

The Forsythia is in full on bloom.

and the Helleborus foetidus is still hanging in there.

For the ~almost blooming~ part I have Prunus subhirtella, Weeping Cherry...

and daffs in the shade(!)...

and the ubiquitous 'Bradford' Callery Pear.

This last blossom is maturing at an alarming rate~ at least it seems that way to her caretaker;) Meike is starting to look like a little Pom instead of a fur ball. Here she is on the deck this morning, on the move...

and looking out at the garden that she is just learning her way around...

Happy Blooming Friday- well almost, I think I may have missed it by a smidge,lol.

Bloom Day~ March 2010

2010-03-14T22:20:00.010-04:00

I'm very happy to be participating once again in the Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. I don't have many different blooms but I'll gladly share them. We've had some great mild days and the garden is coming alive again~ like Phoenix rising from the ashes since I haven't finished Spring cleaning yet.

Helleborus foetidus is still sporting her green bells with raspberry trim. The foliage is a beautiful contrasting dark green. This is not your typical cottage garden plant but I find it beautiful nonetheless.

The foliage can be seen in this photo.

This Forsythia was grown from cuttings from the bush that has grown at my Mom's house since sometime in the 1970's. Forsythia is very easy to root from softwood cuttings- probably the reason for a fellow garden blogger's "Hedge". This first photo is of the handsome fall foliage.

Can't you just feel how beautiful it was on Saturday?

The hybrid hellebore has made its grand opening. This is a passalong and probably not a named cultivar or strain~ if so I'm unaware of it. I do like the dramatic dark mauve blooms.

To see what's blooming in gardens near and far visit Carol at
May Dreams Gardens.

Who am I? and other stuff

2010-03-08T21:22:00.011-05:00

Spring is right around the bend now and thankfully we have mild temps on the forecast for the next few days. I have tons of work to do in the garden since I haven't really done any this year. A short survey on Saturday found nothing new in bloom since my last post. The hybrid hellebore will open its flowers soon and the Forsythia is in full yellow bud. The main thing that I see when I look out there is~ yikes!~ the ornamental grasses need attention NOW. I love grasses but truly hate the mess that they can make, especially Miscanthus 'Cabaret'

See what I mean?

The reason for the title of this post is this little tuft of grass. Does anyone recognize it? I have a clump of Nasella tenuissima, Mexican Feather Grass or Silky Thread Grass about 3 or 4 feet away. I have not had reseeding from it before to my knowledge but could this be my first? For scale reference the plants surrounding it are common tiny winter weeds.

And now for something completely different~ photo play! This first image is of the winter stems of garlic chives( when do those seeds germinate, btw? That was a big oops.)I used a filter here.

Rudbeckia triloba seedheads~ what should have been my Feb GGW Photo Contest entry for winter light. A different filter used here as well.

I've been having alot of fun with those scripts that I mentioned in my last post. Like giving this garden bunny's fur some rich new highlights...

and making those same garlic chives look sophisticated in bloom...

A fairy tale glow for the Ruellia buds...

and softening this October garden scene.

For these scripts and more visit sheilsoft.com. I purchased the whole collection but many of the individual scripts can be downloaded for free.

Flowers in February~ Hellebores

2010-02-28T09:31:00.011-05:00

I've never been much of a winter gardener. The cold air and wind makes my nose run and my head ache. It is nice however to have a plant or two with something going on when the mood strikes to take a brief walk with the camera. This is the first year that I've had flowers on my Bear Claw Hellebore- Helleborus foetidus. It was planted in 2008~ a swap plant~ and I really enjoyed the foliage in its own right. The large bloom stalk began forming in the fall and these flowers may have been here for a while before I discovered them. This first photo was taken last Saturday...

...and these yesterday.

My one mature Helleborus x hybridus is still in bud.

I found some really cool scripts for my PSPX2 yesterday. I thought this one was pretty cool on the Hens and Chicks.

Our dogs are rather spoiled by being able to do their business indoors on p-p-pads and so they don't spend alot of time outdoors during the week either. I let them out of the back door onto the deck all of the time because Chewy will not go down the steps into the yard and so far Meike too~ knock on wood. Here are a few shots of the duo from yesterday.

My mom lost her best friend to ovarian cancer yesterday. This is in honor of Gail ~ she will be greatly missed.

Her name is Meike

2010-02-20T09:39:00.013-05:00

From the beginning we decided that our new baby would have a relatively appropriate name for her breed. Since Pomeranians were bred from the German Spitz we started looking at German names. The internet is a great tool for name searching but in the end we chose a name that was familiar to us. From a very sophomoric movie no less,lol. If you've ever seen Eurotrip you would know why the name Meike(pronounced meekah) was memorable. She still doesn't have her middle name for registration but at least she has a name to learn now. I like to call her Meike Poo(rhymed with Peek-a boo) but I can't get my husband to agree on that officially. I don't know why...

This is her benefactor~ Chewy, shown here as a baby...

and on Friday morning right before I left for work.

They are getting along beautifully. Chewy is a real sport for a nine year old. She wears him out but he doesn't seem to mind.

I've barely taken any pictures since the end of the growing season in November but I couldn't pass this indoor bloom yesterday morning without grabbing the camera. I'm not sure if this is a Christmas cactus or an Easter cactus. It has bloomed in February for 2 years now in a bright indoor location. I don't take it outside any during the growing season since I'm just not into that.

This Jewel orchid is a Plant Swap survivor that is still in the little plastic pot it came home in but healthy nonetheless. Thanks Tom!

I took both of these next pictures for a weekly challenge at .Daily Pics- I just missed the deadline but I enjoyed taking some indoor pictures for a change.

This was done using the Rough Pastels filter in Photoshop( I think. The light was just barely too low for shooting without a flash but I liked this effect in lieu of clarity.

I'm learning digital photo editing by the "stumble upon" method. This particular method of converting to grayscale was new to me~ my first lesson for today:)

It's actually sunny and going to warm up a tad this afternoon so I think I'll put on my Sloggers and check out the garden for a change. I've missed it.

And for a litlle bit of shameless self promotion~ you can check out everything else I've been up to at littlewingdesign

Flashback April 2009

2010-02-18T07:30:00.010-05:00

April 16th to be precise. Digital cameras are a great substitute for a garden diary. Since I didn't post a Bloom Day entry for April 09 this can serve as my year to year comparison for 2010.

Coral honeysuckle

Salvia 'May Night'

Japanese maple~ I believe that this is just Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

A prolific noid Bearded Iris

Salvia 'Cherry Chief'

Epimedium

Eastern columbine~ Aquilegia canadensis

Mom's passalong Dianthus

Just a little sunshine to brighten this cold, dreary, WET winter!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In loving memory~ Pudder 10-04-91 - 01-28-10

A New Member of the Family

2010-02-05T05:27:00.003-05:00

On 2.03.10 we came home with a new addition to the family. She doesn't have a name yet but after getting up at 4:50 am with her I might as well call her Boss. At 9 weeks old she is super tiny and all baby.

She was lovingly raised at T/A Kennels- Home of the Tidbit Pups .

Infatuation of the Digital Kind

2010-01-12T06:39:00.011-05:00

My adult life has pretty much been ruled by a series of obsessions: interior design/antiqueing in the early to mid 90's, dieting/beauty/fashion in the late 90's and early part of the last decade, gardening ruled supreme from then until 2008 when I began my infatuation with digital photography in the garden and discovered POD( Print on Demand). Given my nature I fear for what is happening to my garden and pot ghetto. With the unusually cold weather I'm not even taking any new pictures ~ my backside is glued at every opportunity to my desk chair working willy nilly on everything I can think of trying to design in Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro. Since I have no training in graphic design this is a constant adventure of discovery.

I find the greatest pleasure in creating even the simplest things such as these dots...

I'm experimenting with layered images. This was created from images of Swamp Sunflower and a mum & aster combo.

I spent tons of time creating cards for my nieces for Christmas with their names- each one unique. Since a greeting card is 5x7 my thoughts were that they could be framed for their rooms.

In the holiday rush I missed out on sharing a few late autumn images. This dogwood tree is just off my front porch allowing for some great perspectives.

I like the soft focus of this oak leaf that was carried into my lawn by the wind.

I was thinking of creating something with this image~ quintessential North Carolina ~ Loblolly Pines and Carolina blue skies:)

Here's hoping we can all stay warm and enjoy the opportunites that winter

does bring.

A Brand New Year- 2010

2010-01-03T08:42:00.013-05:00

I can hardly believe that I went an entire month without making a blog post. I do apologize for not even posting Christmas greetings~ how rude! I have no excuse that you haven't heard already. Come December I have a tendency to throw out all of the rules and just try to keep my head above water so to speak. So...

I would like to welcome all of my fellow Zazzlers who have recently become followers. I have been hesitant thus far to use this blog to directly promote my Zazzle gallery but that may change in 2010. I'll try not to get too far away from the garden theme.

I'm thrilled to have a brand new pc for Christmas this year- my very first new one~ my husband has always given me his hand me downs. Now if I can manage to get my first new camera I'll be sitting pretty.

One of my resolutions for this year is to use my reusable shopping bags more often. They work really well and I hate all of those plastic bags we get saddled with every time we buy anything. So many times I think about it when checking out- why didn't I bring in my bag??!! Gonna do that less often this year. I have one of these and I love it- used it to take dishes to both of my family Christmas dinners this year.

Spider Lily Shopper by littlewingdesign
Create your own bags at Zazzle

After a couple of years without buying anything new to wear to work( and quite a few extra pounds) I went on a pre Christmas shopping spree this year which inspired this design.

BYOB Shopping by littlewingdesign
Create a make a tote bag at zazzle.com

The current promotion on Zazzle-

20.10% OFF Binders, T-Shirts, & Mugs! 2 DAYS LEFT! Use Code: NEWYOUZAZZLE

I know that so many of you have gorgeous photos to preserve and yummy recipes as well. These custom binders would be a great gift to yourself~ and just think what you'll be giving to your family one day by preserving those things. By custom I mean that you can add your own images and text to the covers.

Sycamore Leaf Photo by littlewingdesign
Create your own 3 ring binders using zazzle.com

One of the many new things that I'm discovering with my new computer is fractal freeware. This image was created with software downloaded from Apophysis. The resources available for creating new images are broader than I'll ever have time to explore. Isn't it grand?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:18:00.010-05:00

Just a sampler of what I have to be thankful for today. All photos are from my garden in November. I hope everyone has an enjoyable day!

End of the Line

2009-11-22T17:34:00.005-05:00

The deadline is drawing near for the November Gardening Gone Wild Photo Contest~~http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=9088. (BTW- did they change how to post links?. Just when you learn how to do something they change it.) I was holding out just in case I came up with something profoundly symbolic but I guess that just wasn't meant to be. When I first read the subject for this month's contest I immediately thought of this photo and a friend's suggestion for using it cinched it.

My contest entry:

This is Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' on the morning of our first frost this year. Please follow the link above to see all of the entries for the contest. Thanks to Gardening Gone Wild for holding these contests. I really appreciate the opportunity and enjoy learning about garden photography on your blog.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day- November 2009

2009-11-15T09:07:00.019-05:00

Even with such a mild autumn this Bloom Day finds the garden pretty disheveled. Our first killing frost~just barely~ was last Saturday morning and was followed shortly by four straight days of rain/wind/gloom caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida which morphed into a Nor'easter and a half.

This was Chrysanthemum 'Single Apricot Korean' aka 'Sheffield Pink' last Saturday morning.

And here it is yesterday~ sporting some cute insects:)

A couple of new buds and flowers remain.

These sweet little flowers belong to Tinantia pringlei, Spotted Wandering Jew. I had a hard time getting a good picture yesterday but I had to try to post this neat little plant. It's still in a pot since I'm going to try to overwinter it in the garage. I planted one of these last fall and lost it so I'll try a spring planting for this one.

Verbena 'Snowflurry' is a transient in my garden ~ it seeds around at will but the plants don't have a long life. I've just been sharing and moving the seedlings around. This one is peaking now.

Rudbeckia triloba has a few flowers dotted around on young plants. My laziness has ensured that I will have legions of these next year.

My noid aster was the last to bloom and the prettiest still.

The Muhly grass still has some color.

The tall mums are looking a little the worse for the weather but are still a pleasant sight probably just from the size of the clump.

Celosia spicata doesn't show much sign of the frost and still has a few seeds for me to collect.

The Mexican Bush Sage only has its showy bracts remaining. I couldn't resist showing off this colorful autumn bokeh.

I'm pleased to see the winter foliage of Lycoris radiata making an apperance. I had no bloom from any of my Lycoris this year but from what I've heard the genus is rather fickle that way. Here it is with the few remaining Aromatic aster blooms.

I'm sure that I'll see some sporadic blooming from Dianthus and the verbena as winter approaches but what makes me happiest is seeing the signs of next year's garden already sprouting:)

Visit the smorgasborg of posts from the garden blogosphere found at
May Dreams Gardens on this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

Blooming Friday~ Winding Down

2009-11-06T08:57:00.010-05:00

It's Blooming Friday again! This is probably the last one before our first freeze ~ predicted for tonight. Our hostess Katarina has lots of flowers blooming out of season. The only out of season bloom I found in the garden was this lone Forsythia bloom still in bud. Forsythia is normally a harbinger of spring- so much so that it's used as a timekeeper of sorts. Too bad I haven't put that pre-emergent weed killer out on the lawn yet;)

This is the same type of mum that I've posted earlier planted in what's now a very hard to reach area under the Buddleia lindleyana. It blooms without me touching it all from year to year~ very carefree:)

A young Salvia regla 'Jame'~ I've tried this plant several times. We gardeners are an optimistic bunch aren't we?

>

The Muhlenbergia is as colorful and fluffy as it will get this year. The color fades quickly after the first freeze.

The plumes of Miscanthus 'Cabaret' have reached the puffy stage that they will wear from here on out.

For more Blooming Friday posts visitRoses and Stuff.

Upon Closer Inspection...

2009-11-04T08:43:00.007-05:00

... the gardener sees the little things that can't be seen by passers by. At a glance my garden is all grasses and mums and asters. With a second glance you might notice Salvia 'Indigo Spires' and maybe Salvias 'Cherry Chief' and 'Hot Lips'. Just a stroll around the corner would reveal the blue flowers of Salvia 'Black and Blue' which survive but do not thrive in my garden and are therefore special.

A deeper look reveals that newbie Salvia disjuncta is gonna produce at least a couple of blooms before the first freeze.

Of course the tiny inhabitants are not noticed unless you look closely...

nor is the lone flower of the ambitious bindweed that has survived on this site since it was farmland.

As the gardener I am truly blessed to be able to see these things and so much more simply by walking out of my back door.

Blooming Friday~ October 30, 2009

2009-10-30T08:48:00.012-04:00

The late show continues here with plenty of flowers still in bloom. The leaves are colored up and falling. It's a beautiful time of year. The mornings have been dreary this week so all of my photos are from yesterday morning since it was fair.

The Angel's Trumpet was still very fragrant on Wednesday evening.

Mum 'Sheffield Pink' or 'Single Apricot Korean' is still looking great even if its neighbors aren't.

A couple of dreamy morning shots- Swamp Sunflower

Georgia Aster

Most of the salvias are still going strong ~ 'Cherry Chief' blooms from Spring until hard frost hits.

Salvia madrensis, Forsythia Sage is new to the garden this year. It was planted out in July. A few blooms are just opening on this very late bloomer.

I have been pleasantly surprised at the fall color of the foliage from Hibiscus 'Red Flyer' this year. The "aster" in the background is my noid that was labeled Climbing Aster.

The "aster" closeup

My tall noid mum and Aromatic aster

Finally some real color from the Muhly grass ~ I really need to buy some next year just to see if I'll have an earlier show from the new clump.

This is the same noid mum as above only in another location in the garden. This clump is in part shade and not as vigorous. It just started blooming this week.

Visit Katarina @ Roses and stuff to see more Blooming Friday posts.

Camera Critters- Bees and Butterfly

2009-10-24T18:40:00.010-04:00

Bees braving the wind and cool weather.

One more visit from a Monarch today ~ Salvia 'Indigo Spires' was the main attraction.

Follow this link for more Camera Critters.

Blooming Friday ~ The Late Show

2009-10-22T22:05:00.009-04:00

The late, late show has begun here with the last daisy mum coming into bloom this week. This is a passalong old garden mum that I would love to be able to identify. It's very tall and is partially supported by the encroaching Aromatic aster.

The "asters" are still going.

Chrysanthemum 'Single Apricot Korean' is in its glory. The first picture is to show the height as compared to the Mexican Bush Sage and Siberian iris foliage. Is this the same as Sheffield Pink?

Please visit hostess Katarina atRoses and Stuff for more Blooming Friday posts.

Keeping It Real

2009-10-20T08:06:00.014-04:00

Like all other garden bloggers I take alot of pictures of my garden. I want the glamour shots as much as anyone does but this post is more about the garden the way it really is- imperfections and all.

This is a good example of what the weekend was like here. Sunday was cold and windy with drizzle on and off all day.

My noid aster that was supposed to be Climbing Aster. It appears to be a variety of Aromatic Aster.

This Groundsel bush seeded into a foundation bed right at the corner of my house. I'll probably have to get rid of it after this season because of its size but I really like this native and I'm enjoying it this year. At least I now know what a young one looks like for future reference.

This is what the individual volunteer Georgia Asters look like- not much of a statement but still irresistable to me.

The spring show has been meager on this Forsythia but I really love the fall color.

A distant view of Chrysanthemum 'Single Apricot Koren' from a cross the big bed.

More Swamp Sunflower:)

This Muhly pic is from Monday 10.19- we had a light frost this morning(10.20). Arrggh- here's hoping!

This Nolina suffered some winter damage and was bedraggled for much of the season this year. I'm glad to see it looking this good with a bonus self seeded Aromatic aster as a companion.

My offering of wabi-sabi: Hibiscus grandiflorus.

For a more polished views of the flowers in my garden stay tuned...

October 2009 Bloom Day

2009-10-15T23:37:00.007-04:00

Being a newbie to garden blogging I completely forgot that the 15th of every month is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Had I remembered it this post would certainly have been made earlier in the day since none of these pics were taken this dreary, drizzly morning. All are still in bloom along with hopefully a couple of other late bloomers that I have been waiting for.

Just coming into bloom is Chrysanthemum 'Single Apricot Korean'

This Salvia farinacea is one of my first self sown babies from 'Henry Duelberg'. Henry's still alive but needs to be saved from some Mother of Thyme that has completely engulfed him.

This Brugmansia is still going. I'm guessing this is 'Frosty Pink' but haven't really investigated.

Salvia 'Indigo Spires'

Georgia aster with sleeping bee

Another brug that blooms later with a more pendant bloom habit- also a passalong with no id.

Salvia chamaedryoides, Blue Oak Sage

Aromatic aster- a volunteer.

These big box mums have been in my garden for several years.

Swamp Sunflower- Helianthus angustifolius

To see what's blooming in other gardens visit Carol at
May Dreams Gardens.

Autumn Continued...

2009-10-12T08:38:00.009-04:00

I can barely believe that it is almost mid October. All the usual signs are present but I keep wondering... did this bloom this late last year? It could frost anytime you know. It would be early but very possible. Hurry up mums! Unfurl Muhly! I have a new aster to ID that's still only budded( was labeled Climbing Aster but is not- it's just tall,lol).

This aging Eucomis definately looks like late fall. The golden hues complement the Blue Oak Sage which is finally starting its fall show.

I've titled this shot- "Why I Love the Fall Garden"

The Swamp Sunflower is crowded I think- I'll remove the giants after they're done blooming to make room for the continuous spread.

Autumn Sunshine

I can finally stop lamenting on no Monarch sightings this year. I saw this one from my back door floating high above the big bed. I grabbed the camera and went in search, finding it just in time to get one shot before it went on its way.

Muhly watch: it's unflurling ever so slowly.

Happy Columbus Day!

Blooming Friday~ Happy Day!

2009-10-09T11:34:00.006-04:00

What is particularly happy about this day is that I am at home! On Friday. Unheard of for me in the past couple of years. Ah freedom...

to spend hours behind the lens...

to forget what time it is...

and enjoy the late arrivals...

to take a kajillion pics of these asters and still not do them justice...

and take the time...

to appreciate it all..today.

For more blooms from around the world visit Blooming Friday.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-07T08:31:00.003-04:00

Camera Critters~ The Little Butterflies

2009-10-03T10:09:00.015-04:00

The last Sunday in September was an enjoyable one for me with pleasant weather and some new photo subjects in the garden. As soon as I ventured out with the camera I spotted this Pearl Crescent but I could only capture it while it was sunning in the grass.

I believe that this is an Eastern Tailed Blue. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this or any ID here.

Gray Hairstreak

Bees

A dewey Ladybird Beetle or Ladybug

A wasp of some sort

These bugs are everywhere in the garden but I'm not sure of an ID.

In a recent post over at clay and limestone there was some discussion about pokeweed. This is Mockingbird heaven- Wax Myrtle AND pokeweed,lol.

For more pics like this visit Camera Critters.

Blooming Friday- As Time Goes By

2009-10-02T09:00:00.018-04:00

For Blooming Friday this week our hostess Katarina had two examples of flowers aging beautifully from first opened to the end of its life cycle. I also have two examples of bloom cycles from my garden. Both have a long season of bloom with the first photos coming from July/Early August and the last two photos taken this morning.

Rudbeckia triloba

Salvia uliginosa, Bog Sage

For more Blooming Friday posts from around the world visitroses and stuff.

Sunny September Farewell

2009-09-29T06:58:00.016-04:00

The last Sunday in September brought some much appreciated sunshine. Don't get me wrong- my sandy soil appreciates all the rain it can get but my spirit was in need of some light. Most of these pictures were captured on Sunday morning as the clouds were trying to clear out~ after lunch we had glorious sunshine!

I guess I haven't quite caught the hang of having distinct topics to my posts. The way I see it, winter will be here soon enough and their will be plenty of time to think about subjects. I want to revel in the wonders of the autumn garden until they're gone.

I believe these are the first blooms this year for Zephyranthes citrina. These are not heavy blooming rain lilies for me but the blooms always produce seeds that germinate readily if sown fresh.

More of the Vernonia lettermannii

And more of Viburnum bracteatum 'Emerald Luster'~ I really need to learn how best to propogate this one because it's a real winner.

This is a Spirea that was given to me marked 'Beryl Road'. It has been passed thru a couple of gardeners hands and I do know that it originated from NC State in one way or another. Either from the PAX Sale or the Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum annual plant grab. The arboretum in on Beryl Road. It blooms for me in Spring and again in Fall taking the Summer off.

My Rugosa rose that Sweetbay grew from seed.

This passalong pink Brugmansia has really bloomed its heart out this year. I walked by it one night last week and was treated to its wonderful fragrance that's not there in the daylight hours.

Stokesia 'Peachie's Pick' is still blooming even without deadheading from this lazy gardener.

A landscape shot of my newest bed. The building in the background is the back of my neighbor's house.

I love the foliage of Geranium sanguineum ~ which is a good thing since it hasn't bloomed alot for me.

A fully opened Georgia aster bloom~

Persicaria 'Firetail' blooming in the pot I brought it home in over a year ago(blushing).

Streptocarpus 'Falling Stars' is still blooming its little heart out while hidden under a swing on my deck for sun protection.

Can't remember the new name~ I know this as Gloxinia 'Evita'~ a new addition to the garden this year from a plant swap.

Salvia greggii 'California Sunset'~ just because I love it:)

I also caught some pretty cool butterfly pics but I'm saving those for Camera Critters since I haven't posted there in a couple of weeks.

Happy Fall Gardening!!! Bring on October:-)

Blooming Friday~ Favorite Wildflower

2009-09-25T21:02:00.012-04:00

For Blooming Friday this week Katarina at roses and stuff asks us what our favorite wildflower is. My favorite wildflower may be different on any given day. I would not say that any flower currently blooming in my garden would be my favorite but I do have one on the verge of blooming that's a contender.

I received the seeds for Georgia Aster from a generous Garden Webber and native plant enthusiast from Georgia. I hope that all is well with her given the current state of affairs in parts of Georgia. I didn't even know what the plant and flowers would look like. I love it! It reseeds like a good wildflower too.

This is a new acquisition from Plant Delights Nursery in July 09~ Vernonia lettermannii. I wish I still had some of the tall ironweed that is blooming in the wild here in NC.

Eupatorium coelestinum aka Wild Ageratum ~ definitely a "wild' flower.

I discovered these blooms for the first time this morning on this mystery Salvia. I suspect it's a microphylla but I don't remember planting it and I've had lots of salvias as trades and from seeds. An ID would be most welcome!

Morning Sauna

2009-09-23T21:09:00.007-04:00

It's been a rainy week so far and I didn't even go outside on Monday and Tuesday mornings but necessity took me outside this morning and I couldn't help but look around. Through the morning mist I could see the showy blooms calling me. I thought- of all mornings to see such pretty blooms~ such unfavorable conditions. So I took the camera out to the garage to adjust to the outside temps and left it for as long as I could while I did other morning things. As soon as I stepped out of the shelter of the garage the camera lens fogged. I had no time to waste so I decided that I would take the pictures anyway- maybe the lens would defog before I was done. The backyard sauna prevailed and these are my offerings.

The approach~

'Red Flyer' Hibiscus with a surprise bloom- just when i think it's done.

"posterized"

regular hazy image

My attempt at salvaging one of the Canna 'Journey's End' shots

Full Haze

Daylily 'Cripple Creek'~ I have one more bud after this one.

One last shot before I'm off to work. Still foggy but at least I tried.

Appreciation

2009-09-21T05:58:00.006-04:00

Even though Autumn is a wonderful season in NC the shortening days have a way of bringing on the blues. I decided the best way to combat them on this Monday morning is to look for the beauty in the season.

Daylily 'Cripple Creek' is still going.

Viburnum 'Emerald Luster' and White American Beautyberry

Rudbeckia triloba

Mexican Bush Sage

More blooms from 'Journey's End'

Japanese Beautyberry

Miscanthus 'Cabaret' towers above it all.

Contest Entry

2009-09-18T08:58:00.008-04:00

As suggested I'm entering this photo of Miscanthus 'Cabaret' in bloom for the GGW Picture This Photo Contest.

I have quite a few ornamental grasses and would welcome more into the garden should I win the contest. 'Cabaret' is the largest grass that I grow and makes a real impact in my largest perennial bed.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day~ Another First

2009-09-15T06:50:00.012-04:00

Until very recently my blog posts have been erratic and I have not attempted to participate in the Garden Bloggers community. I'm very happy to be posting my first GBBD!

Salvia 'San Carlos Festival' is finally putting on a show in my garden. It has barely bloomed through the growing season saving it all for a fabulous Fall Season~ I hope.

Salvia uliginosa, Bog Sage, has been a workhorse this year.

Garlic Chives are still pretty and attract all sorts of pollinators.

Buddleia 'Potter's Purple'- the first full year in the garden and I love it!

Caryopteris incana, Blue Mist.

Lespedeza

Anisicanthus quadrifidus var wrighttii

Miscanthus 'Cabaret'

Visit May Dreams Gardens for more about Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Camera Critters~ A Dog's Day

2009-09-12T15:39:00.010-04:00

September 11, 2001 is a day that will remembered forever for a terrible act of terrorism. It was also my sweet little dog's very first birthday. Here he is on his
9th birthday.

Chewy

The Wax Myrtles in the garden are home to Mockingbirds. They watch over everything I do out there,lol.

I took lots of butterfly pics over the holiday weekend. I like this one of a Black Swallowtail for its different angle.

And another couple of bunny pics from this AM:)

"Hiding"

What's up?

Visit Camera Crittersfor more pet and wildlife pictures.

Blooming Friday~ Shades of Purple

2009-09-11T08:47:00.014-04:00

Our hostess posted lilac colors for her Blooming Friday entry so I decided to follow her lead and share some of the different shades of purple that are currently blooming in my garden.

The lovely Buddleia 'Potter's Purple'(courtesy of a trade with Sweetbay) and a visiting Painted Lady butterfly.

The first flowers opening on Salvia leucantha, Mexican Bush Sage.

The ever blooming Perennial heliotrope

Another Sweetbay trade- Salvia greggii 'Diane'~ a very reddish purple.

A personal favorite for performance~ Salvia 'Indigo Spires'

Thanks to Katarina at roses and stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Camera Critters~ A Few Visitors

2009-09-05T12:41:00.010-04:00

I saved up a few photos this week for Camera Critters. This is one of my best hummimgbird photos so far for this year. I just haven't been able to capture many.

Me and my shadow

Ladybug in the Lespedeza.

Pot sitting.

A sleeper

Right at home on the bunny beam.

Check out more pictures here~ Camera Critters

Blooming Friday- FFO

2009-09-04T08:35:00.005-04:00

First Flower Open of the season on Daylily 'Cripple Creek' Ned Roberts 2005, late bloomer.

Thanks to Katarina at roses and stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

First Day of September 2009

2009-09-02T07:09:00.011-04:00

After a hot weekend and a gloomy Monday the first day of September dawned to one of those perfect fall weather days. The air was crisp and the sky beautifully clear. It was gut wrenching to get dressed and leave for work but it had to be done.

I started Salvia transylvanica from seeds a few years ago and it has reseeded around my garden nicely since. The main bloom is usually in Spring but I have sporadic blooms throughout the season. This one has the "wings" of an Asclepias seed captured at the bottom of the bloom stalk.

A wide view.

Pretty when blooming but one to be watched. I've managed to keep the Garlic Chives from reseeding for a few seasons now.

Cameron at Defining Your Home Garden had an article featuring Feather celosia- Celosia spicata- Fluff and Stuff. This is the foliage of one of mine that has reseeded for a few years here.

I finally planted Salvia greggii 'California Sunset' this weekend. Here it is in the garden with a visiting bee.

For some reason my Abutilon megapotamicum stays small even though it's had a few years to settle in. I still like it in this location though and think I'll try another plant elsewhere to see how it fares. The bunnies love to nibble the stems in cold weather and may be the reason it's stunted.

September 1- Prelude

2009-09-01T09:03:00.006-04:00

It's a beautiful day in North Carolina! Enjoy it if you can:)

To be continued...

Blooming Friday- My First

2009-08-28T09:03:00.000-04:00

Some of my favorite blooms as requested by Katarina.

I wasn't sure I would even see bloom this year from Canna 'Journey's End' so I'm happy to see these flowers.

Hibiscus grandiflorus is a real treat when it starts blooming in August.

Zephyranthes 'Grandjax' has been a frequent bloomer for me in its first year in my garden. I LOVE rain lilies and these were a generous gift from a friend.

This Caryopteris incana is another victim of my pot ghetto habit but it has survived when others planted out in the garden have not. I have terrible luck with Caryopteris so I'm thrilled to have this one return again this year.

Thank you Katarina at roses and stuff for hosting Blooming Friday:)

Fun with Garden Photos

2009-08-27T07:31:00.000-04:00

I enjoy working with garden photos as much as I enjoy gardening. When I was going thru this week's photo files for blogworthy images I couldn't help but have some fun with them. This particular method of digital enhancement is currently my favorite and I would welcome opinions on it from fellow Garden Bloggers.

This is Japanese Beautyberry which has just taken on its full purple berry color this week. I did not cut this bush back at all from last season and it's ahead of my other one even though it gets less sun. The first photo has been adjusted for brightness/contrast only with a touch of sharpening.

This is my Arbor Day Foundation (noid) Crape Myrtle that is just beginning to bloom well. It's always a late bloomer. Same adjustments were made to the first photo.

I admit to not having spent alot of time grooming plants this year so you probably won't see many wide landscape shots posted here but I liked the way this turned out~ no weeding or tweaking required:)

Captured at the Scene of the Crime

2009-08-26T07:56:00.000-04:00

Caught this guy right after his breakfast. He never saw me coming...

A Grand Debut

2009-08-23T16:15:00.000-04:00

It has been a typical August week in the garden with hot temps and not much new to see except for the debut of flowers on Hibiscus grandiflorus. It seems as though the tight little flower buds transform magically overnight. I love this plant for its greyish green velvety leaves almost as much as these powder puff pink blooms. Another plus is the Japanese beetles and Sawfly larvae don't like the velvetey leaves.

Stokesia laevis 'Peachie's Pick' was divided and transplanted in several different locations in the garden last fall. The result has been a nice staggering of bloom time among the plants this summer.

My one stalk of Sedum 'Matrona' in bud. The voles ruined the original clump and this is a start over plant.

I thought I had removed Lantana 'Miss Huff' a couple of years ago but it has persisted amid the new plantings. I leave it to see who will win out.

My first clear shot of a Silver Spotted Skipper( I wish it had been captured with the newer camera).

The bunnies kept this new planting of Mexican Petunia trimmed back until recently. It's nice to finally see flowers.

Galaxy Explosion is reblooming.

This clump of Blue Love Grass didn't get a trim this year and is in full fluff.

And to finish~ my wonderful patch of Bog Sage~ still keeping the bees happy:)

No flowers allowed...

2009-08-19T07:53:00.000-04:00

in this blog entry. This one is all about foliage and its diversity.

I haven't had very good luck with planting Elephant Ears as perennials although I know it can be done here in zone 7b. I do have decent luck stashing potted plants in a cool dark place. They often don't come out of dormancy for me until July so I'm just beginning to enjoy some of them now. This one has been traded around and doesn't have a positive id. Garden Webbers know it as TJ's EE:)

I've had this Colocasia 'Illustris' for a few years now but this is the first leaf I've seen like this.

A combination of fuzzy and succulent~ Kalanchoe 'Jaws'

New growth on a potted Hyacinth Bean vine. I planted one in the garden for the bunnies:(

Some new growth on my Japanese Maple.

It's taken a few years but I finally have a good patch of these Hens and Chicks that my mom shared with me. The voles like them so they're a little scattered out but I like it that way.

This and That

2009-08-14T20:53:00.000-04:00

Summer seems to be flying by me this year. I've spent precious little time in the garden this year but I'm glad that I take at least a few minutes almost every morning to capture what is happening there.

I have been less than pleased at times with Yucca 'Golden Sword' but it's looking pretty good at the moment. This enhanced photo shows it on the left with Verbena aff.xutha~ I call it Porterweed~ in the foreground. This is one of those garden views that is hard to capture just right in a photo but is pleasing to my eye as I walk around it.

The rugose texture of the leaves of Salvia madrensis~ new to me and planted recently.

Crape myrtles are such workhorses in this part of NC that they are often taken for granted by the locals. This is 'Natchez'. My pot ghetto habit has resulted in this one rooting in next to my deck so the flowers are front and center every time I step out my back door.

Bursting seed pod of Butterfly Weed~ Asclepias tuberosa

This Brugmansia has refused to die and rooted through its container which was left to the elements over the last 2 winters next to the foundation of the house in a very exposed location. This spider~ Green Lynx?~ was stationed at eye level on this trumpet and is probably still there days later.

The Perennial Heliotrope is beginning to look a little untidy but the small butterflies still love it.

Tender Gifts

2009-08-10T21:14:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that gardeners are among the most generous people on the planet. Given the opportunity they will gladly share plants with others. Having said this I can also clue you in on two reasons that this is so- compulsive plant collecting and propogation. I have fell victim to both and it does make you very generous~ Here take this, please! The internet opened up for gardeners a whole new avenue for this ailment: Plant Swaps. Gardening forums have made it easy to organize these events and to even prearrange plant trades so that you know you'll be coming home with new treasures before you even leave home. The following plants came from an event organized through the Dave's Garden Carolinas forum. If you've never been to one I highly recommend it. It's like a family reunion only better because you have an interesting topic of conversation built right in.

I have limited experience with tender tropicals or houseplants. When my cats were young they would eat any plant I brought inside indescriminately so I just didn't try to grow any until recently. This is the first bloom from my first Cape Primrose~ Streptocarpus 'Falling Stars'. Upon researching I see that there are many hybrids available and collecting could be a definite possibility- if I can get this one to live through at least one winter indoors:)

I have added 2 more photos to do better justice to this tiny little flower.

This one was in bloom and gorgeous the day That I brought it home: Adenium obesum, Desert rose. I have a little more confidence in the prospect of overwintering this succulent indoors but still, wish me luck,lol.

If you plant it they will come

2009-08-08T09:57:00.000-04:00

I had wondered if they would find my one Bronze Fennel plant this year and as you can see, they have. To my knowledge this is the only host plant for Swallowtail butterflies that I currently grow in my garden. I should probably plant parsley for them as well but I probably would have only been feeding these guys.

I didn't have any time to take pics on Thurs or Fri morning. I did walk out to take a quick survey Friday morning and just as soon as I stopped at the first bed a huge Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly came by my head and a hummingbird stopped to drink from a spent daylily flower. It was a gentle reminder to me that the garden is not just about what photos I can capture from it.

August Blooms

2009-08-03T08:09:00.000-04:00

I learned a valuable Blogger lesson yesterday morning: don't assume your draft has been auto saved and never use the back button while composing. It's been a whole day since I lost my first blog post so this one won't be quite the same~ my memory is not what it used to be.

I'm not sure I can really remember a summer since I started gardening with as regular rainfall as I've seen this year. I wish I could have known it would be this way earlier in the season. I would have planted more moisture loving plants.

I've never had Brugmansia to bloom before September here- usually they are very late blooming but this noid pink brug is full of blooms now.

In 2007 I bought 4 clumps of unregistered daylilies from Dan Bachman's breeding program. This one is by far my favorite. I love the animated character of the blooms and would love to give it a name but since I'm pretty sure that I didn't get all of the plant it would be best left unnamed. This is the last bloom to open this year:(

This neglected clump of Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' is showing its appreciation for the rains. It's planted in my front foundation bed and I'm pretty much a backyard gardener so I've been pleasantly surprised at its performance this year.

This is the very first bloom stalk from this Eucomis pole-evansii that I planted in 2006. Not sure if it's "sleep,creep,leap" or the rains that are responsible but I'll take it,lol.

I bought this a couple of weeks ago on the day of the Dave's Garden Roundup and PDN open house~ Crocosmia 'Walrhead'. A funky name for a gorgeous flower;)

I'm sure that I'll never again be without this plant. It reseeds agressively but is a great filler plant so I just try to reign it in occasionally~ Eupatorium coelestinum aka Hardy Ageratum or as I prefer, Wild Ageratum

Hibiscus 'Red Flyer' is still blooming too. I love this plant! The bugs leave it alone and the flowers are huge.

What's Happening

2009-07-30T08:01:00.000-04:00

I have been trying all season to get some photos of the black Swallowtail butterflies that flutter through the garden. I'm not the best at IDing these but I believe this may be the dark form of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. I've been very surprised that my Bronze Fennel is still untouched since it's a larval food source for the TSTs which are so plentiful here.

Daylily 'So Lovely' is an older hybrid that is a good late bloomer for me. It and Volcan Fuego are the only two registered daylilies still blooming for me now.

The Dave's Garden Round Up that I attended almost 2 weeks ago was planned around an Open House date for Plant Delights Nursery which is a very reasonable drive from LWG. Lucky for me my DH had given me a gift certificate to PDN for my birthday and I could shop;) This was one of my acquisitions~ Salvia 'California Sunset'. I've had my eye on it for quite a while and hope it will settle right into the garden to stay for awhile.

These are the very first flowers for me from Zephyranthes 'Grandjax', a hybrid rain lily that a fellow DGer shared with me last fall. I just love these little guys who are shaped just like Z. candida.