Mid-Michigan is still experiencing chilly days even though our Spring flowers are blooming. Today it is only in the 40’s, and we are expecting rain. My garden is producing a spectacular display of flowers this year, perhaps because it is aging. We moved to this home ten years ago this coming Fall. Just saying that…
Tag: gardening
Indoor herb garden
Last month I planted an indoor herb garden using the culinary herb kit which came with the Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Classic 6. Even though I am an Advanced Master Gardener and enjoy growing edibles outdoors, I have not been a fan of indoor gardens. What attracted me to this system is the soil-free hydroponic features of…
Seed Season
My mailbox is full of gardening catalogs and the excitement of spring and summer is almost here. So many new ideas every year are contained in these great publications. Yes, there is something to actually having a printed catalog in hand, when searching for my lettuce seeds for my summer kitchen garden. Most often, I…
Summer garden flowers
So as the Summer is ending, my garden is winding down as well. Many of my favorite flowers are faded or have ceased blooming. I still enjoy photos of them and just had to post some of my new favorites for this season. Every year is a different experience and a chance to try a…
drying summer flowers
Not only do I enjoy my summer garden while it is in bloom, but I usually try to save some of the flowers of the season. I simply use my garage greenhouse and old sheet pans. I put out flowers from summer floral arrangements and also from my garden throughout the season. I allow them…
Flowers in Chicago
So during my Chicago visit, I could not help but to really take notice and appreciate the lovely street flowers along the Magnificent Mile. The floral and landscape designs were well planned and diverse along the road. They were not only planted nicely, but very well maintained which impressed me for a big city. Chicago…
Rhododendron
One of my all time favorite shrubs is the rhododendron. Sometimes I have heard gardeners call them “rhodies”, which may refer to a variety of many different types of shrubs in the species. There are also various sizes of these plants, but my memory takes me back to some of the most beautiful rhododendron that…
Summer garden update
Our Michigan chilly Spring temperatures moved slowly into pleasant Summer weather and suddenly, I looked up, and my perennial garden was back in bloom. Anyone who gardens with perennial flowers and herbs knows the feeling when the garden looks flat just after the Winter season breaks. I look outside and think, will my garden come…
A new botanical garden
This past week we visited a new and developing botanical garden located in Traverse City Michigan. On the grounds of the old Traverse City State Hospital farmland, the garden areas are coming together after century old buildings are being re-purposed and refurbished. On the site are plans for a variety of healing gardens, educational gardens,…
Lenten Rose
Well worth the wait is the Lenten Rose or Helleborus. It has taken around three years for my plants to really take hold and offer up beautiful flowers. I love my three plants, and this Spring they have produced a lovely effect in my shade border. Michigan is a great location for these plantings, as…
A garden walk on Old Mission Penninsula
Last week we had a wonderful day touring gardens along the Old Mission Peninsula in northern Michigan. The annual garden walk was organized by the Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City, which is a member of Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. The garden club has many community service projects which…
Up North flowers
Each summer when we travel up North, I am always delighted to admire the lovely window boxes and street flowers that fill the shopping districts of the Northern Michigan towns. Here are some of my favorite flower boxes — but, realize that there were so many more that were equally beautiful. The…
