Scanner art by Craig Cramer, gardening & more
In the 30s here last night. Â It looks and feels like fall outside, and everything looks (as jug band musicians say) ragged but right on the scanner.
Whites, including Sorbaria (reblooming again this year), Eryngium yuccafolium, Eupatorium purpureum ‘Joe White’, Artemisia, Miscanthus.
Dahlia, Solidago.
Aconitum, Ligularia, Physostegia, Achillea, Lantana, Chelone, Verbena bonariensis.
Ditto above with some wild Eupatorium thrown in.
Here’s my contribution to blackswampgirl’s (aka Kim) Not In My Garden meme over at A Study in Contrasts. Long-time visitors (both of you) might recognize that the above image is a PhotoShopped combo from two earlier posts, Pink Filipendula and Honey, does this peplos make my butt look fat? The image came to mind as I thought about Kim’s meme. And I realized that I could make it even with my modest imaging skills. Hopefully it will relate to the text.
What you won’t find in my garden:
Formal design. No straight lines here, or proper spacing between plants. I love visiting a great formal garden because I can’t do it myself without a team of OCD hired help. It would drive me mad because I’d notice every plant out of line and every weed between the plants.
Real garden statuary. Not that I don’t like it. Just my taste exceeds my means. I would love to put real, classic garden statuary in wilder spots of the garden. Such ornament would give it that kind of ‘nature taking over’ look. Just can’t afford it. If anyone wants to donate a real Venus Kallipygos or the southeast Asian statues that Nicole shot at Chiang Mai (and more Budha park) or any of the Laotian art she shot, I’ll give them a proper home. You donate, I’ll pay the shipping. Hurry, or I may resort to tacky modern imitations (right).
Stylish garden wear. Sloggers make great hanging planters. But when I garden, I don’t want to look good or worry about getting something dirty or ripped. That includes footwear.
Deer candy. Well actually I’ve got quite a few tulips and hostas. But I either moved them from our old place or came by them for free. With our deer pressure, I won’t spend any more money on ornamentals deer like. The more poisonous the plant, the more I like it.
Weed-free lawn. I would love a putting green or croquet court. I love the look of athletic turf. But don’t have the time or the energy. I’ve invited our turf guy to bring his class to my place to do turf weed identification, because I’ve got them all. I just run the rotary mulch harvester through it every week or so and put a little nitrogen on it most falls.
Enuf for now. I’m sure I’ll think of more this weekend. Stop back.
Update for Kim. Better?
It’ll be the third time Elly and I have seen Nanci: Allentown, Pa., circa 1984 and Minneapolis, Minn., circa 1988 being the other two. (Opening act in the Twin Cities was a young James McMurtry backed by a much older David Bromberg.) Way too long since we’ve seen her and way too many YouTubes to choose from.
I’m goin’ back where my garden blooms all year
Where the wintertime speaks softly in the fallin’ rain
I’m goin’ back to my green eyed lover there
and we will dance along the banks of old Lake Pontchartrain
Across the Great Divide:
It’s a Hard Life:
Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
Some heavy showers this weekend and lots of dark, gray weather. Interesting light effects on some plants that are peaking now. Â Click images for larger view.
Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’
Hibiscus mosheutos (don’t know the cultivar)
Eupatorium purpureum ‘Joe White’
Eryngium yuccifolium
Snark from Americas favorite humor magazine: