The big red watering can.









On a recent visit to Wallmart this is what I found. A big red watering can right next to tables of dry mums.

 

A water hose was nearby too. This hose looks like it has seen better days. Is that old yellow tape on this hose????? WHAT!!!!   No matter, the hose was not being used either, check out the dry plants, and the price.

The sad part is that people will buy these.

 

 

In this corner of the outdoor nursery they have watering accessories for sale. Obviously they do not practice what they preach.

 

This is why it is so important to support independent nursery's

 

The Eclecic garden

 

The weather here in Michigan has been anything but predictable.

 

Here's a visit to a garden that is always unpredictable and

eclectic.

 

This fountain was planted with Scotch moss and Maiden fern

 

Dalia's like fireworks amongst the citronella candle rockets.

 

 

 The gardens front entrance courtyard with seating areas.

 

 

This planting will triple in size by the end of the season.

 

 

 Tera-cotta pots filled with moss and Citronella candles to keep the flying pest away at night.

 

 

 

The back patio


An eclectic mix


 

 

 

In Cloud Light

These would be spectacular in a garden, don't you agree.





First look at a annual planting

Ive just had the pleasure of reconnecting with one of my oldest clients. When she asked me to do some annual planting for her, how could I refuse.

I always look forward to revisiting a garden that has had time to mature,  where you stand back and say "wow...... I remember planting that, look at it now"

It's also nice to know that your hard work has been appreciated and cared for.

 

After a consultation with this client she told me what she liked, but insisted that I have complete artistic freedom. It's nice to be trusted.

 

 

 

Her only son was graduating from High School. Friends and family would be dropping by to congratulate him, maybe even a small party on the back deck weather permitting.

 

 

She wanted to do some of the pots herself, but trusted the planting of the front yard, and the main pots on the deck over to me.

 

 

Five containers were placed along a blank wall on the back deck. Two rectangle baskets with iron trellises, and three round pots were planted.

I had the idea of making this small planting look massive and lush. Even though these were separate containers, I wanted it to all look like one continues garden.

 

 

 

The plants I chose to work with are mostly trailing plants, and plants that would weave in and out of on another. I encourage these plants to miss behave and have a tryst with the plants in the pots next door.

 

                     These pictures were taken right after the pots I planted them I look forward to revisiting this garden and seeing how it all worked out.                    

The month of May

 

There's a saying here in Michigan " if you don't like the weather wait a minute"which described our roller coaster of temperatures and weather perfectly.

We have had beautiful days with warm Summer-like temps at the beginning of a week, and frost warnings by the weekend.

 

The air is filled with the smell of fresh cut grass, Lilacs, and Magnolias. The days are warmer,and longer, but the nights can be down right cold.

 

 

We have had torrential summer like rainstorms and frost.

We have turned on the air conditioners and worn shorts and tee-shirts. Turned on the furnaces and worn winter coats all in the same week.

 

The farmers have plowed their fields, getting ready to plant.

 

 

A spring planting includes red lettuce, Violas, and Snapdragons.

 

May seem to be the transitional month here in Michigan this is our spring and we gardeners, we garden.......we have no control of the weather, we adapt.

 

The tulips are in full bloom and the Daffodils are almost done.

 

Big garden centers are full of summer annuals even if frost is predicted.......they always have buyers too, after all it is May and there are some warm days. Everyone seem to have the gardening itch....including myself.

 

Cool weather plants such as Violas, Kale's, and lettuce love the cool temperatures so I plant them in May.  Tomatoes vegetables and annuals prefer the heat, it's best to wait a while until our temperatures do not fluctuate so much before planting these. I only plant plants that can take some chill.

 

Usually by the end of May our warm weather is steady. The spring annuals will be changed out later.

 

We have our sprinkler system checked, and the birds are noisy in the morning.

 

May, it is the start of the growing season, but be cautious, who knows what tomorrows weather will be, especially here in Michigan ..... this is our spring.

A look at spring trees and shrubs

 Flowering spring trees and shrubs have almost finished blooming lets take a look at some of my favorites.

They were spectacular this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glance at spring 2013

Here's a look at some of the spring plantings I've been busy doing for some of my clients.

Spring has finally sprung.