Cut backs

Finally able to spend some quality time in my garden today, I went in and did some deadheading, as well as cutting back anything looking remotely ratty. Feeling vicious, I clipped out bunches of Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum' and trimmed out the tops of some salvia and coleus.

A fantastic plant with great form and a wonderful wildlife attractant. I love the scent of the foliage when I happen to rub up against it at the opening of my path and am beginning to think this cultivar may be one of the best.

Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' continues to bloom...

A look at my garden after my little hack session. I'm especially curious to note how quickly certain plants flush back or set blooms. I feel much better knowing there is more air and light circulation in my garden so as to avoid pests like white fly.

Hot Stuff Coming Through!

A lovely evening picture of the sun hitting upon a few pumpkin leaves cohabitating with an unknown cultivar of Solenostemon and the Gloriosa on the fringes.

An example of one of my labels. An arduous task but well worth it.Hibiscus acetosellus at about 4 and a half feet tall, looking fantastic with a Cyperus papyrus.

The endearing little nooks my garden has are naturally created by my rock wall. This adorable plant is Asarina scandens 'Joan Lorraine' and she's just about to bloom.

This Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana' just won't give up. It continues to be a show stopper in my garden and a fun one to photograph.

A cute Knifophia I've been waiting on. The first bloom was nibbled off by deer and I'm glad this one has made it. With a great habit and a wonderful texture to the foliage at the base, I will definitly buy Knifophia 'Border Ballet' again.

Still growing

The Lobelia cardinalis is in full swing! I don't think it would have made out so well in this site if not for all of the rain we've received this year. This plant and the Coreopsis tripteris were a gift from my former place of employment, Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware.

I managed to make this sign one evening. It took me a few hours but it will last a lifetime. The copper was very thick and thank goodness my name is only 4 letters!

Its been quite the busy week and have only gotten out into my garden to weed for the upcoming garden evaluation. Things are looking good and I've been working on hammering out a few copper labels using an old fashioned type set. I must admit, though, my mind is already turning to what I will do next year in this space....

Get it while the growing is good

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row."
-English nursery rhyme

My Gloriosa superba with my Echinacea 'Tomato Soup' is still looking superb.

My Ipomoea lobata has finally put off some blooms! I started this plant from some seed a friend had collected and given to me so I was quite happy when I saw this plant on its way to looking good. It's a nice accent on the eastern side of my garden wall, just where the stones start to slope downward. Hooray!
Gladiolus bulbs I had planted on the western side of my ornamental plot have finally come to fruition and I must say they look fantastic. There appears to be a bit of spider mite damage on the foliage which is to be expected since I can see a similar situation on my neighbor's glads.

This week my first Dahlia I've ever grown bloomed! I had started 'Bishop of Llandaff' from a tuber in the greenhouse and, once started, planted it out with another tuber of the same cultivar next to it. The one started in the greenhouse is the one blooming and the other tuber has sprouted now. I am hoping the two varied times will produce extended Dahlia blooms for me.