Home and Garden

by

Three Out of Four Cats Agree: Nepeta Cataria Rocks!

The verdict is in, at least as far as our cats are concerned. It’s a resounding “yes” to fresh-picked catnip. I performed this highly scientific test in random order. In other words, whatever feline showed interest first. Since Lindy, 10, had her eye on the plant, I started with her. She immediately dove into the lawn where I placed the catnip, rubbing her chin against the leaves.  I pulled my hand away to take the picture, and she continued to nuzzle the leaves. Next up, Beijing, 15,who came by to see what all the fuss was about. She leaned down to smell it, rubbed it a bit, then picked it up and took a nibble. Tasty!  Slinky, 2, is a wild one, frightened of just about everything. She took some coaxing, but once she got a whiff of the catnip she immediately took to the scent as well.

Neighbor kitty hung out on the fence, observing the tests and making sure I didn’t falsify the results and jeopardize my catnip seed funding.

Lindy-Lu gives it a Paws-Up

Beijing Finds it Tasty

Slinky Says Yes to Catnip

Neighbor Kitty: I’ve got my eye on you!

You can read more about the properties of Nepeta cataria, also known as catnip or cat mint here.

by

Rearranging the Plants: A Welcome Home Surprise

Rearranging the furniture was a favorite pastime when I was a girl.  My sister and I would move things around while Mom was at work, then yell surprise when she walked through the door.  This week, I decided to rearrange some plants.

In March we planted five glorious pink Azaleas beneath the living room window.  Sadly,  once the temperatures rose, one of them rapidly dried out.  Hoping for the best we held on for another several weeks.  I hate giving up on plants. We finally laid it to rest in the compost heap last week.

My husband has been wanting to buy more Azaleas for the back corner, to intersperse with the hydrangea. I suggested we move the surviving plants, then buy pink hydrangeas to go under the window.  Azaleas make me happy, but blooming hydrangea make my heart skip a few beats.

While I was away, Mike made the switch.  He tucked the Azaleas around the sword fern near the blue hydrangea, then planted pinkish purple hydrangea under the window.  The plants will grow taller, doing a better job hiding the house’s foundation, and as they grow they’ll pop their pretty pink heads above the window.  Can you feel me smiling from ear to ear?

New Hydrangea

Azaleas (Back in March)

Relocated Azaleas

by

Father’s Day: Lost and Found

I celebrate two fathers today, my dad who died when I was nine, and my husband, wonderful father to our sons.

My dad was a horticulturist by trade, but loved all things gardening so much that he gardened on the weekends as well.  We took turns on the one-way wheelbarrow rides, while he hauled rocks to our London, Ontario back yard.  He built a meandering brook throughout the garden, then added trees, flowers, and in the short summer, vegetables.  I tasted my first cherry tomato from that garden.  I remember walking through the back door of our kitchen with a handful of tomatoes and giving them to my mom as she prepared lunch.  Is it any wonder I inherited Dad’s green thumb?

Eric Milner
Father, painter, gardener, hobbyist, animal-lover

My husband loves the garden and the gardener, but not the actual day-to-day joy of gardening.  That said, we’ve spent many an hour together planning, creating, digging, and simply enjoying our garden.  Like anyone who truly loves you, my man celebrates and embraces my joy of all things green.  Our sons love and admire him.  He’s smart, kind, clever, generous and most days, a kid at heart.  The greatest gift to any son is to be a stand up guy.  What lucky boys!

Mike Francini
Husband and father, self-described computer geek, Renaissance man
He’s traveled the world, speaks with fluency in two languages, sails, tinkers, and loves his family.

Happy Father’s Day to the dad I lost and to the dad I found.  Happy Father’s Day to you and yours.

by

Sharon’s Way: Accessible Landscaping

Our landscape designer recently asked for video of my sister using the garden ramp.  From what I gather, it is fairly unusual to see ramps incorporated into landscaping.  The more I’ve thought about it, the more it makes sense for all of us.  We’ve worked hard as a society to create accessibility in the work place, on the corner sidewalk, in schools and even sporting events.  I think there is a wonderful niche market for creating inviting landscapes that also allow all our friends and family to visit with ease.  It’s also an investment in our own future; a way to age in place.

Do you think this trend could catch on?

Design by Bergez & Associates.
Installation by Natural Bridges Landscaping

by

Blooming Thursday: Flowers that Shouldn’t

Flowering Basil

I checked on the basil a day ago and all was well.  Today it flowered!  Maximum production requires more pruning then I realized.  The flowers are pretty but the prize on the basil plant are those delicious leaves.  They are at their best, before the flower.

One of my favorite uses for basil is caprese salad, made with basil, mozzarella and tomatoes.  It’s also delicious in pesto.

So when the sun goes down, the pruning shears come out.  Can’t you just smell it?

How to make Caprese Salad.

Easy Pesto: Step by step

How to dry Herbs: I’ll stick with it fresh, but all you cooking gurus can give this a go.

by

Bringing the Garden Indoors: Fun Vase, Flamboyant Flowers

Hydrangea and Fern in the “Fish Bowl”

I darted into the grocery store yesterday to pick up a few things, and found myself at a stand-still in front of these clever vases.  What a great idea!  Most of the designs were dark floral prints, but I fell in love with the goldfish.

The premise is such a simple one: a non-breakable but sturdy vase that stores flat in between uses.  I may pick up a few more to have on hand for gifts.  They’re perfect for taking flowers to someone in the hospital as well.  No breakable vase to deal with when you head home.

The vase is also surprisingly stable.  I consciously tried to knock it over without success.

My gardening hat is off to you reva™ vase!

Reva Vase™, Expanding Flower Vase

Reva™ Vase

I’ve been saving small bottles and jars to use as flower vessels as well.  For some reason the squared off jars (from spices and sauces) really appeal to me.  When my husband brings me a mixed bouquet, they start out in one large vase.  As the blooms dry out (the roses are always the first to go), I toss the spent flowers, and consolidate what’s left into small jars.  I get a lot of mileage from one bunch.

Floral Bouquet Deconstructed

Closeups

by

Photo Finish: Maple Squeaks By

Thank you for voting!  What a supportive community I’ve found in the Blogosphere.  Every comment and every “like” highlight my day.

Here is the final tally, compiled from votes on WordPress and Facebook:

(a) Alys and the fern – 13

(b) Alys in front of the Maple – 14

(c) Alys looking up – 2

So…the winner is:

My New Photo: Anne Daiva Photography

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ♥ ♥ ♥

Anne Daiva Photography

by

Container Garden Update: Flowering Pots

Last call for votes

Thank you so much for casting your vote yesterday.  I have a few responses still trickling in so I’ll give it one more day before sharing the results.  If you would like to weigh in, I’m asking readers to help me select one of three photos; what you think best reflects Gardening Nirvana.  I’ll use the most popular photo on my site.  Please leave your vote in the comments section here.  Thank you!

Container Garden Update

I checked on all my container plants this morning.  We’re expecting temps in the high-nineties today, so the pots are more likely to dry out.  A few of the containers are on a drip system, but most I still water by hand.  It’s a nice way to stay connected.

We have a planter out front with our address etched into the ceramic, a gift from my friend, Marcia.  It’s been home to a pink geranium for several years, but the plant is looking tired and cramped.  I’ll need to find a bigger pot, and a plant to replace it. Oh darn…a trip to the nursery ;-).

See how pretty it looked in April? Not any more.

The plants on deck are looking healthy.  The coleus had a growth spurt, and the trailing flowers surrounding it should have enough weight to start cascading down the side of the pot.

Coleus

Yellow Snapdragons grow one pot over, but they may not be getting enough sun.  Only one side of the plant is flowering.  They look healthy enough.  I’ll keep an eye on things.

Yellow Snapdragons Peak Over the Back of the Chair

The miniature yellow rose survived the transplant and is recovering from dusty mold.  The pot is finally full enough to keep the squirrels from digging.  Well, mostly.

12-Year-Old Miniature Roses

We have three, over-sized pots grouped together on our back steps.  The pink hydrangea has grown quite tall, no doubt grateful for the extra room in the planter.  I had a pair of fuchsias in there for a few years, but they developed some sort of blight and I couldn’t get them to come back.

Three Flowering Pots: Hydrangea, Sweet Onions, Lambs Ear

Today’s high temps will be good for the tomatoes, berries and pumpkins. Summer solstice is almost upon us!

What’s growing in your planting pots these days?

by

Portraits in the Garden: Anne Daiva Photography

Smooches for Lindy

My friend Heather often mentioned her kindred-spirit, Anne and what a talented photographer she was.  We finally met a couple of years ago at Heather’s baby shower.  Little did I know I would one day be on the receiving end of Anne’s talents.

In need of some professional head shots, I scheduled a photo shoot with Annie, who captured these photos in my garden.  She specializes in infant and early childhood photography, but was happy to offer her services to capture my…less than youthful image.  I’m so grateful.

Anne’s presence behind the camera is one of calm reassurance.  She gives wonderful cues and works hard putting you at ease.  Her mission as a photographer is as follows:

“My fulfillment of capturing people in portraits goes far beyond the love and emotion we all share. It has evolved into a journey of observing and capturing connection with each other as well as connection to this wondrous planet. While photography has always been my biggest passion and brought me endless joy, my mission has become clear. My most favorite quote is Gandhi’s “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and I am finally doing just that. My awakening to what I can do has been sudden and substantial. Since late 2011 I have made major changes in my home life and business practices, for the times we live in call for it. I pledge to do my part for our kids generations and all future generations by living a healthy life and make conscious choices that are best for our planet.” Anne Daiva

…read more about Anne Daiva Photography here

It takes awhile to let go of your inhibitions in front of a camera.  You are literally the center of attention for over an hour.  Her style of quiet reassurance helped me relax and it got easier as time went on.

So…I have a favor to ask.  Will you take a look at the three photos, below and let me know  which photo you think best reflects Gardening Nirvana?  I’ll use the most popular photo on my site.  Please leave your vote in the comments section below.  Thank you!

(a) Alys and the Fern

(b) Alys in front of the Maple

(c) Alys looking up

by

Ornamental Grass: Feathery Wisps, Garden Gifts

A few years ago, a landscape designer mentioned the benefits of using ornamental grasses in garden design.  I wasn’t sold on the idea.  A few years before, I read an article on invasive grasses in our state, nearly impossible to destroy and prolific to the point of taking over native plants.  Would my garden also be overrun by the invasive grassy beast?

One of our neighbors had a beautiful ornamental grass in her garden, but it eventually overtook an entire corner of her backyard.  It required heavy pruning which in turn created a homely plant.  Well.

As you may have guessed, I eventually reconsidered!  We now have several varieties of ornamental grass, each uniquely graceful and one of my favorite garden elements.  The shortest of the grasses is a stand-out for its lemony-green striped leaves, soft and no more than six inches tall. Known as  ‘Aureola’ Japanese Forest Grass,  the plant grows low to the ground but spreads about two feet wide.  It turns brown when dormant, but bounces back to its beautiful self in the spring!

‘Aureola’ Japanese Forest Grass

Along our property line, we have a swaying wall of New Zealand Flax.  Full at the base, the plant gives way  to tall, feathery grasses that change color with the seasons.  Last fall and winter they were golden-yellow.  The Flax now boasts several deep shades of purple with a bit of gray.

New Zealand Flax

We have a single specimen known as Giant Feather Grass bumping up against the steps.  The grass arches over the top half of the ramp and catches the afternoon sun.  It reminds me of an over-sized dandelion with its tall stalk and ball-like grassy top.

Giant Feather Grass

I’m always trying to capture their beauty with my camera, but the movement and wistfulness make for a lot of blurry pictures.

If your climate supports growing ornamental grasses, I urge you to consider one native to your area.  The constant movement and the play of light are stunning.