Tall Tales from Kansas

the fragrance alone is reason enough to plant one

This snow queen oak leaf hydrangea was planted in 2005.  I had seen one on a garden tour and thought it was so pretty.  It appealed to me because in the fall the leaves turn a deep bronze-red color and the flowers change from white to a subtle pink.  It's about 5 feet tall and has turned out just like I hoped it would.  Except for one thing.

One really, really, good thing.  It smells divine!  I don't know why I never noticed it until this year.   Maybe it needed to have enough blooms on it to generate enough fragrance for me to pay attention.   Whatever the explanation, the aroma alone is reason enough to plant one. 

a hearty hibiscus to try in a pot on the back deck

This is just my way of saying that in addition to the animals, there were also PLANTS at Henry's Plant farm.  I don't think you can buy a donkey or an alpaca or a peacock but you can talk them out of some plants.  Very healthy looking ones at that.   They had some tiny Zinnia's that will be perfect for inside flower arrangements.  I also got a hardy hibiscus to try in a pot on the back deck for something different.   There will have to be another trip made very soon to get more of the rich, dark, potting soil they had as well.   What can I say?  I made friends out there.  I'm going to have to visit often. 

it's a miracle I tell you

The fun part of gardening 2012 is officially underway.   Filling up the pots with soil and beautiful plants.   This year I selected fuchsia geraniums.  Same color in both pots.  I liked it so much I decided I needed 2 helpings instead of 1. 

For these pots that usually hold ferns I instead selected boxwoods.   I have never put boxwoods in pots before.  It was high time I did.  I might even try to winter them over.  Might being the operative word.  Or maybe the emphasis should be on try.

I can not rest without a pot of caladiums somewhere on the front porch... 

... and last but not least I am here to report the fountain has STOPPED leaking.  It's a miracle I tell you.  Or maybe they all just leak at first and then stop once the cork thing that has to be sealed takes on a little water?  All I know is I turned it on.  Left it on.  Lifted my eyes to the heavens and crossed my fingers.  When something this good happens I don't question it. 

on account of poor planning

If you have not staked your hollyhocks yet, and you live in the midwest, and yours are shooting up like mine are, you better get busy.  IF you want to avoid this I mean.  This is what happened to me last year.

Not this year.  No siree Bob.  I am ready this year.  Tall stalks have been provided with support.  More tethering may be needed as they get taller but for now there will be no falling down to the ground on account of poor planning.   

I don't intend to let you go it alone out there

Hello Husker Red Penstemon.  You are so reliable.  It's good to see you again this year in all your glory.  I notice you have expanded further in your attempt to take over the entire back garden.   

I don't plan to stop you.  In fact, I was wondering in a head to head competition with the bindweed which of you would win.   

Not to worry.  I have your back.  There is no way I would let you go it alone out there against that savage beast.  

corks and stoppers and sealing gel and sticky putty stuff

How hard can it be to put together an outdoor fountain?  One with a pump that must be plugged in.  The sort with a base and a bowl and a finial (or whatever the thing on top that the water comes out of is called).   Mind you, each part weighs like 50 to 75 pounds, and you have to almost turn over on your head when you connect the pump to the hose.  Those of you who wear glasses just try hooking up a pump to tubing in a place that is hard to reach with your bifocals totally mis-aligned.  Did I mention there are corks and stoppers and sealing gel and sticky putty stuff involved?  

Against all odds my research assistant/personal chef and I got it all assembled.  We let it sit overnight so the sealer stuff would be all waterproof.  This morning we filled the bowl and held our breath. 

It leaked. 

I will only show a photo once it is working.  I hope that will not have to involve a service call of some sort. 

it was the only thing I could think of to make things right

Sunday I had big plans to go to a nursery and get a flower pot refresher.  I figured I would get some tips on how not to drown my geraniums this year.   

I awakened to rain. 

Rain that we need, so it's hard to get cranky about it. 

But when the weight of the rain threatened to pull down the already top-heavy alium I had to do something about it. 

I went inside, got out the strawberries, made a chambord lemonade, and sat on the porch.  It was the only thing I could think of to make things right. 

yesterday I engaged the enemy

Do not let this tranquil scene fool you.  It was the site of what I believe will be many battles in the months to come. 

Yesterday I engaged the enemy.  His name is bindweed.  I stabbed him in the heart.  I tore him limb from limb.  I cursed his name and hexed him.  This latest squirmish was started by the need to place my new bird bath on a level surface.   

Score:  Carol 1 - Bindweed 0.  I will not be resting on my laurels.  I am sleeping with one eye open and I am not afraid to resort to Round-Up. 

It's hard to beat 3 seasons of pretty

This little japanese maple provides shade for the hostas and the columbine in the front garden area.  The georgous red color of the leaves is a striking contrast to all that cool green, blue, and purple below.   I love that it's pretty in the spring, pretty in the summer, and pretty in the fall.  It's  hard to beat 3 seasons of pretty.

forcefully forced

I have been forced to sit in my chair on the porch.  Forcefully forced.  That means serious forcing.  I do not want to miss a single second of the unfolding beauty that are these.

Because once they start it just keeps getting better and better.

And then there is the matter of the front row seat to the whole spectacular display.

I think you can probably see what I mean.