Filling in the holes

New plants going in where the black walnut was

Sunday night we had a pleasant rain. Everything needed it - we were getting a little short for September, so was glad to see a long steady rain to water in the plants and getting them ready for the transition into winter.

Today I'm going to continue to work on the lawn. I have to repair the lawn from when the tree was taken down so this'll be a good time for getting the seed started. And I was glad to see the finches landing on the brand new arbor I put up for the climbing hydrangea. So it was a dual purpose - an arbor and an arch for the entryway into our pond area for the climbing hydrangea, but also the finches have found it for a resting place. So October is here and it is getting closer to fall clean up.

Yesterday I built another arch for a climbing hydrangea that's been taking 2-3 yrs to grow.. going to give it something to go over. Also working again today on an arbor on the entryway to the pond that I started yesterday.

It's the one that was unfortunately knocked down when the black walnut branches were falling. I'm going to accent it with a pyramidal yew, and then in the background I'll use a global arborvitae. I'll try to scrounge and plant some ferns and woodland phlox in that area if I can, and maybe a hydrangea.

I have to re-create a garden that was destroyed when the black walnut came down. I'm going to go around today and try to get the beds to rest the best I can. Start to edge & transplant a little bit before I go off to do another landscape site analysis & a little bit of work for somebody else.

Rainy August

Huge black walnut limb that fell into pond


Another day, another limb - broke my arbor!

We had unusual amounts of rain in August - 14 inches, which was way above the normal and causes plenty of problems for my yard and everybody else's yard. We had rust on the lawns and fungus and blackspot on many of the plants making it necessary to clean them out and let them dry out. So mother nature gave us too much. Everybody needs a balance and the plants can tell you when they have too much.

The rain also caused our black walnut tree to be heavy and overladen with nuts. We had 2 and 3 inch branches fall. They knocked down my one arbor and a lot of it landed in the pond which caused an acidic problem we had to take care of. So because of that we've had our 83 yr old black walnut tree taken down. It's kinda sad to take an old, old tree like that down, but it was a necessity. The wood is going to be used and recycled into furniture which makes us feel a little bit better that the tree is still serving a purpose. I will have to rebuild my arbor and also the garden that was behind it. So just one more project in hand.

It's getting close to putting the gardens to rest. I've been called and asked to give a garden talk all about putting beds to rest. September's here - time to think about letting everything go to sleep for the winter. I've enjoyed a couple of installations using ornamental grasses, which are becoming real popular. Looking forward to writing a book and doing some lectures this fall. I hope your garden beds are looking good for now with the fall color. Let's start thinking about putting them to rest.

Garden Feelings

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Prairie Garden July 2007


Butterfly - Hummingbird Garden July 2007

As I walk our gardens I am pleased with the feel generated about me. The butterfly - hummingbird garden is a splash of color. It is filled with pinks of phlox paniculata while the heliopsis stands tall in its summer yellow. The many colors of the hemerocalis make the garden have the effect that someone had splattered color here and there.

Whenever I walk thru our prairie garden I feel a comfort with nature. A feeling that nature's natural beauty has a soothing effect, yet provides a food source for the many birds and animals that visit regularly.

This past week I created some natural gardens with winding paths thru them for owners to enjoy on their lakeside home. While on their boat to view the gardens I pondered the thought, "which is the front door?" When creating curb appeal is the dock another form of a curb to their home?

Our pond on the 17th had a crash unexpectedly when a large branch from a walnut tree was blown loose. Crack, crash and ka-boom - landing right in our pond between an arbor and bench! I cut up the branches and pulled them out of the pond when I arrived home. Janet next day cleaned up the mess left all about and in our pond. She is a conscientious caretaker of our pond, and our koi appreciate all her matronly efforts.

Yesterday I started the layout of a memorial garden being installed for reflection of two loved ones. Of course stripping sod for the future courtyard fountain and bench in midst of colorful perennials is tedious and not one of my favorite chores. Yet I just think to myself the beauty being created with each section cleared.

May you find beauty and serenity as rewards to your labor in your gardens.

Country Bench Gardens

Country Bench before plantings

New garden additions have been added to our home. With the purchase of a new bench with country charm came a need to provide a pleasing view. So now 4 varieties of hosta, 3 new hererocallis and a hydrangea macrophylla accent the bench. Looking up the hill towards another new arbor - you now see a pleasant curve and a new garden bed with new hosta wide brim and heuchera.

I walk the prairie garden each morning and for the past week I have been greeted with the bloom of something new. Ahh, monarda & heliopsis can sure start my day with a good morning cheer.

May you enjoy the greeting of summer color as you stroll your gardens in the next day or so.

Great-grandma Hubbard's Peony

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Rachel's great-grandma Hubbard's peony, originally planted in 1884 in Iowa. Rachel has propogated and multiplied it over the years and has moved it five times as she has relocated.

Potting secret

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Rachel's secret to quick pot planting: buy hanging baskets on sale, then transplant into large pots.

Digging In

I have been busy planting for other homesites and ours as well. In past few days a new berm installed along street side. A log used to stabilize slope and then junipers, hostas, and hermerocalis planted. So now mulched and ready to fill in over time.

For the past few days I have been edging all the gardens so they could be mulched. Getting ready for our June 11th garden walk has me tweaking the gardens by dividing, transplanting, and pruning.

Today I prepped a new bed along side our house to create a pleasing curve. Planted two new hydrangea macrophylla to compliment others nearby along with hosta gold standard and lamiastrum (yellow archangel) for its color/texture. Anxious for this bed to flourish! As always working in our gardens gives me peace & joy!

New beds

Monday May 14th

Today I created a new curve at the beginning of a new arbor to invite the walk of a new path. I planted lilacs to frame the corner along with a clematis vine called, "Niobe." Hopefully Niobe will adorn the arch beautifully.
Also worked my arms hard by edging several hundred feet so that once mowed, the yard has a finished look.

Tuesday May 15th

I started clearing a new bed today of years & years of undergrowth. Always hardest part is preparation of a bed before planting. So many saplings to meet the axe before my shovel can create. I weeded and pruned in a gentle rain today, and though wet, found work pleasant.

Food and more...

Tues May 1
Work in our garden started with weeding ten 5 gallon buckets of weeds then transplanting 12 trillium and 12 native cranesbill to accent a hydrangea. I was excited to see & smell the first bloom on the lilac off our deck. The green and blooms of Spring seemed to take forever to arrive, but now that life is emerging in full force I am revived also.

Wed May 2
Hours of work in our vegetable and flower garden has it ready to produce. I added some hollyhocks to give it some country charm. Also planted more strawberries for Janet, and do hope I can harvest them before the birds have a feast!

Sat May 5
I planted the hemerocallis (daylilly) sent to me from the American Horticulture Society (AHS). Then was quickly sidetracked by need to eradicate wild garlic mustard in a few beds. I decided to stop pulling them up "for now" at 500.

Three Days In Door County

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I just spent 3 days in Door County, WI creating arbors and paths for a woodland and evergreen lane on approx. 2.5 acres. The plan now is to naturalize this created woodland with native perennials. I look forward to transplanting & planting mertensia, trillium, a variety of ferns, phlox divaricata and so much more.

The use of local moss covered stone and branches from a variety of trees to build the arbors made them appear to have been there for years. I am pleased with progress thus far to create a very natural setting for the family and friends to enjoy over the years!

Spring fix-up

Today attention given to pond area in early morning. Checked water temperature and was pleasantly suprised - 58°! Thus first feeding of koi.

The arbors that provide entry needed to be stablized. I pulled them back to square, then packed in crushed limestone. Wind in Midwest can often howl with gusts that cause shifting.

The entry to pathways into our swing and woodland garden needed to be addressed. Now flagstone marks entry with less “bump” for those not paying attention.

The compost pile that has aged for 2yrs was put to good use today around evergreens as mulch. Secured a woodcarving of bird we bought in North Carolina to the post at entry of vegetable/herb garden. A friendly greeter, indeed!

Also this morning as I ventured out I could hear frogs at the pond. Though I could not see them, I definitely heard them. Janet was able to see them, and her camera caught them in action. Wildlife adds much charm to our gardens, and hopefully are always made to feel welcomed.

Spring catch-up

Tuesday (4/17)
I fertilized 27 hydrangeas and pruned them. Then followed with generous leaf mulch. Dug out 3 rosas lost to upheaval “crown rot” from warm to freeze one too many times. Always sad to lose any of my plants. However, divided some monarda that spread profusely!! Yeah!
Wednesday (4/18)
Today I weeded my iris and peony bed. The phlox and shastas in same bed poking up as if to say, “be patient - I am on my way, too!” Repaired and added to arbor that invites one to walk path, but rugosa roses need to be put in their place since now 6-7ft tall and want to hang over into path. Spring is finally a reality in Illinois, for in 60’s yesterday.

April snow setbacks

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April Snow at Rachel's Gardens (photo by Janet Shingleton)


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American Goldfinches at feeder (photo by Janet Shingleton)

I am way behind on fertilizing and dividing because of our unexpected snow. About 10 days behind. Usually by now my roses would've been fed and pruned. The heavy wet snow caused limbs to snap, so I have to do some unexpected pruning of trees and shrubs.

For the birds... (note from Janet)

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Red-bellied Woodpecker at Rachel’s arbor (photo by Janet Shingleton)

Janet’s note: I set up a tripod in our kitchen this morning armed with my Dad’s borrowed Nikon DSLR with a Sigma 100-300mm telephoto lens.
It was a chilly morning, and my first glimpse of the bluebirds today saw them puffed up to stay warm. Of course by the time the camera was set up they were gone, but other birds were anxious to sample the suet feeders on Rachel's arbor.

We use a cable clip to keep squirrels and raccoons from opening the cage. We’ve also secured the cage to the arbor with a locking clip. We had several suet feeders go missing, only to turn up under our deck, where a family of raccoons hangs out each spring & summer. I think we finally found solutions to keep the suet feeders intact!

Emergence of Spring

It is once again time for our hands to come to the aid of our gardens. Weeding out invasive garlic mustard and grasses. Fertilizing shrubs and trees with proper “food.”

My hydrangeas were calling to me this past week. We have 27 hydrangeas in “foster care”. Oh, they also enjoy my coffee grounds.

Spring care for lawn - first application prior to Easter is the general rule of thumb in our area. Ornamental and prairie grasses should be cut back by now to six inches. New growth visible by now. Enjoy the emergence of Spring!