Beth tilling our new garden in 1976

This winter is cause to take note of this old photo of a very pregnant Beth demonstrating her best one handed tilling technique with what was our most expensive purchase at the time, outside of car and house.  In the background is our neighbor’s house and along the fence line he had grapevines against a wire fence with metal posts.  And the pine trees in the picture were our neighbor’s as well — there was very little planted on our part of the hill, though you can see the deep trench where I was putting in asparagus.

Moving forward 35 years to last spring and you can see that a substantial crop of weed trees and vines grew up over time in addition to our garden crops.

Garlic row with Weedy boundary fence

Strawberry bed with boundary weeds in the background

When our neighbor’s husband passed away, the vines and trees simply flourished and the grapes went wild.  I had put in a deer fence with double height T-bar posts and they ended up falling over into my neighbor’s grapes.  Some of the weed trees were 15-20 feet tall and were the only thing holding up the fence.  With the collapsing fence it no longer stopped the deer and I was getting really discouraged about the deer situation in general.  They started eating our 35 year old blueberry bushes for the first time in Nov and Dec and for several years they have frustrated my attempts to start a new orchard.  This week I discovered the biggest of the new trees has just about been girdled by deer.

Deer damage on Apple tree

We have finally come to the conclusion that the years of coexistence on the hill are at an end.  The only way to garden here is to exclude the deer.  And to exclude the deer we had to begin with the mess on the side of the garden.  Fortunately a few things conspired to help.  We found two willing and able workers who have greatly magnified my effectiveness, the weather has been great,  and we’ve finally come up with a concept that will at least give us a start at excluding the deer from a lot of the area where grow valuable plants. When done (hopefully within the next month) we will have about 3/4 of an acre fenced in protecting the blueberries, the lilies, the azaleas, the tulips, etc. while still leaving the orchard protection as a future task.  In just the last week and a half we now have a totally cleared boundary for the garden with split rail fencing installed, deer posts in, and weed fabric laid down.  It’s been a really satisfying way to start the season.

New split rail and deer fence

They even preserved my neighbor’s grape vines

Neighboring 35 year-old grape vines

In fact it went so well that we decided to eliminate some additional sources of vines and extend the split rail/deer fence concept up the side yard.

Continuing the split rail

Others might enjoy skiing but I’m finding this a really delightful way to spend the winter.

It’s partly been made possible by sunny weather that is also moving the plants along ahead of schedule.  The Winter Aconite are just about ready to pop.

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) ready to open

The Anemone Coronaria, which has not flowered since it was planted in 2009, is looking beautiful in bud.

Anemone coronaria 'Governor' in bud

Heck, the bud is so pretty I will make do with that…

And the Lungwort is already showing color.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) in bud

Hey, life is good…

Hellebore viridis

Well it’s time to report on the flowering plants around our hillside for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day.  I briefly thought about just giving in and sharing indoor plants as I looked at the thermometer this morning.  It was a very cold 32 degrees and the ground crunched under my feet no matter where I walked.  We’ve had more warm days than we deserve for this time of year so it was hard to complain and I figured it was at least worth checking to see what had survived the last few nights of sub 20 degrees.  As it happens the plants are continuing to make progress toward spring independent of what the weatherman may have in mind.  All of the Hellebores are putting out buds and some are beginning to open flowers such as the pretty green viridis above.  The overnight cold had made the flower stems limp but they prefer to look downward anyway so it’s not unusual for me to have to hold them up for the camera.  Hellebores are on our purchase list for the next year — there are so many color variations, the flowers last forever, and green foliage to boot.

I did find our first daffodil in bloom looking a little beaten down by the cold but hey! a daffodil in January beats most years I can recall.

First Daffodil

I don’t know the variety.  This one came as part of a mixture but it is our first daffodil every year, beating out some that I know are February Gold.

I’m afraid I have to share our red Camellia sasanqua again.

Camellia sasanqua continues in bloom

This fall blooming Camellia has been non-stop in bloom for us since late October.  Since we can see it from the kitchen window it gets a special prize for persistent beauty around here.

We have a number of snowdrops in bloom

A snowdrop clump

I don’t know of a definitive way to tell whether these are Galanthus elwesii or nivalis, particularly when the flowers are closed.  But a newcomer arrived on the scene this year.

Galanthus nivalis 'Viridi-apice'

It’s pretty green tips are very distinctive.

The other items outside are mainly promises of things to come.  The Ogon Spirea is actually showing some flowers though it’s reserving the main show for later.

Spireae thunbergii ' Ogon'

The Winter Aconite are showing color and all it will take is a week of warmer weather for them to really pop out (not likely tonight – headed down to 14 degrees).

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) peeking out

Similarly the Adonis are beginning to show color but have the good sense to stay under ground while the weather is still in the extreme.

Adonis amurensis first color

It’s kind of like they are peeking out of the foxhole to see if winter’s icy fingers are done probing the soil.

Lastly I noticed the Muscari macrocarpum is putting up little flower heads.

Muscari macrocarpum 'Golden Fragrance'

I was very unimpressed with this plant last year, but it survived my neglect to try again.  The idea of a yellow muscari was very intriguing.  I remember it sort of flowering half-heartedly and then flopping over.  Maybe it’s because it comes out very early in a climate quite unlike it’s Mediterranean roots.  Just think how many plants we ask to grow outside the zones they are comfortable with and then toss in climate change just to shake things up…

Mardi Gras Apricot Hellebore showing first gorgeous buds

And so the year begins — with a flush of color and many green things poking up through the winter landscape.  Our New Years day was in the fifties, following a pretty warm December.  The Daffodils are waking up all over the yard and presenting their promise of blooms.

Daffodils on the rise

And Trout Lilies have begun to show their tips in the leaves.

Trout lilies rising up

The Japanese Quince is covered in blossoms and buds.

Japanese Quince in early spring attire

The Camellias (both Fall and Spring bloomers) have never really ceased blooming.  Our double Flowered Pink is a japonica but seems to be intent on finishing its spring bloom early.

Double Pink Camellia

There’s even an Anemone coronaria that is proving why they don’t seem to last here on Ball Rd.  It’s way early for this plant.

Anemone coronaria in bud

By the end of New Years Day the sun set in glorious fashion against the horizon leaving a promise of interesting things to come.

Sunset for 1st Day 2012

But all of this growth seems not to have paid much attention to the weatherman.  As I sit today, there have been snow flurries, the daytime max is going to be around 31 degrees with a prediction of 16 degrees for tonight.  It’s like a quick slap across the face for the plants that have forgotten about winter and then like a tease the temps should go up to the fifties again by the end of the week.

In a post script I should mention that we had a curious visitor last week.  A small Cooper’s Hawk was in the garden sitting on the ground.

Cooper's Hawk all fluffed out

When we approached him he was very loath to be disturbed by us.  We wondered whether he was sick.  Then after posing in very hawk-like fashion he lifted off into the air with all his capabilities seemingly in place.

Cooper's Hawk (immature)

It did give me a chance to try out my new camera…

New Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Well in contrast to two weeks ago there is actually very little blooming outside for this months Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day.  So that’s why I chose to lead off with a spectacular new little Phalaenopsis which graces our kitchen counter at the moment.  This is a recent purchase but all the old orchids are coming into bloom right now so we’re in the midst of kind of an orchid frenzy which may go on for weeks (one of the nice things about orchids).  The red Cattleya is another especially striking specimen — and it has a marvelous fragrance as well.

Red Cattleya Orchid

Outside one of the few flowering elements is the red Camellia sasanqua which can be found in flower just about every year at this time.

Red Camellia sasanqua

There’s also a Verbena hanging on in a pot by the driveway that doesn’t realize it should have died back long ago.

Verbena hanging on in a pot

What I find particularly remarkable are a patch of Allium that we are growing here for the first time.  The Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’ did not bloom until October but they were absolutely striking when the appeared.  Now, two months later we still have the pleasure of their pink blossoms.  They are more like dried pink blossoms but lovely nonetheless.  This is a real winner.

Allium thunbergii 'Ozawa'

There would also be pictures of the Snowdrops to share, but some critter (I suspect deer) chopped all the snowdrop flowers off.  In addition they are chewing on blueberries that have never had any animal damage in the last thirty years.  I’m contemplating building a new house that is of Roman design with a totally walled exterior and a large central atrium, say about 7 acres in size, that is not accessible to deer.

I would also like to note that the Calendula in the herb garden are poised, buds at the ready, waiting for the slightest thaw.

Calendula in bud

And as a final farewell to this day let me share the Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ which still has it’s seed heads waving in the wind.  It’s another plant with a long season of delight.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

I encourage you to visit the center point for all Garden Blogger’s Bloom Days at May Dreams Gardens and see what other gardeners have to share.

Double Pink Camellia japonica

When I got back from a Thanksgiving holiday in New York City (Macy’s Parade and all) I was startled to see how many things were flowering or about to flower.  I guess after playing in the sunshine in Central Park I shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was truly amazing to see how winter was playing a delaying game.  The Double Pink Camellia shown above is a spring flowering plant, not even an early spring flowering plant, and it’s covered with buds.

The Algerian Iris was also fully in bloom.

Iris unguicularis

This is at least a very early spring flowering plant.  But it’s still surprising to see it in December.  I had planted it in 2010 and this is the first time I’ve seen it in flower.  This works much better than the reticulatas for us which rarely give much of a show.  The clump looks vigorous and seems to be spreading.

I also saw a Shasta Daisy out front.  A Shasta Daisy!  Come on, these guys should have packed up there bags and moved south long ago.

Very late (early) Shasta Daisy

The Japanese Quince was well budded up and ready to flower at the slightest provocation.

Japanese Quince budding up

I also like the look of the fern-like foliage of the Columbine which shows green against the Japanese Maple leaves.

Persistent Columbine against the maple leaves

And in the woods I discovered why the Narcissus ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’, a tazetta variety, is not really hardy in our region. Its fully budded up and ready to flower.  Notice the animal damage.  I haven’t seen that with daffodils before.

Narcissus 'Grand Soleil d'Or'

In the house we found the Orchids are having a field day.  Apparently we did well by them outside on the porch this year because they all look fat and happy.  The fragrance of the White is absolutely wonderful.

White Cattleya Orchid

Yellow Cattleya Orchid

Last Knockout Rose Pink

It is indeed another GBBD and I find myself returned from both Spain and California since the last posting and badly in need of getting back to my normal routine.  I have to say that it’s been a particularly beautiful fall, interrupted only by one surprise snowfall which knocked a lot of branches off of trees that weren’t expecting to carry a load of snow on the leaves.  But the leaves themselves have been very colorful and many of the plants have had an extensive run of mild temperatures.  The two knockout roses have outdone themselves hanging onto as much of the blooming season as they possibly could.

Last Knockout Rose Red

The real stunner for us is to look out each day and see the fall camellia blooming against the garage.  Usually we’re lucky to get a few flowers before winter sets in.  This year the fall camellias have really had an extended run (I think they are pitching for us to add more).

Red Fall Camellia Bush

Red Fall Camellia

Another stalwart for this season is the Cyclamen hederifolium.  This little gem has been flowering since late August and is totally unfazed by the frosts we’ve had so far.

Cyclamen hederifolium

In the herb garden, which seems to be slightly more sheltered than the rest of the yard, we still have one last calendula brilliantly holding forth.

Last Calendula in the herb garden

And the Pineapple Sage, which is always very late to flower, seems very reluctant to call for the season’s end.  The bright red flowers are always a standout worth waiting for.

Pineapple Sage

One surprise this year is the Creeping Phlox on a hillside by the garage.  It has decided that this weather is enough like springtime to warrant putting out some very cute flowers.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subhirtella 'Candy Stripe')

In the same bed we have the most of our grasses.  This year the pink muhly grass seems to have taken hold and may actually establish itself.

Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

And it’s been a marvelous finish for the larger and more vigorous Morning Light.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’

I should finish this posting with a little advertising for things to come next year.  The Leucojum and Snowdrops are already thrusting forth.

Leucojum emerging

Snowdrops are showing their tips

If winter doesn’t get more serious these guys are going to be blooming before long…

Dahlia bud

It’s GBBD again and I find myself in Spain today with pictures that I snapped before I left just to update you on my Maryland garden.  I found a number of plants that I expect to be flowering now were just coming into bloom (like the Dahlia above).  On the other hand besides all the fall annuals like the sunflowers, zinnias, mums, asters, and the like, there are also some particularly nice flowers worth singling out.

Particularly special was the discovery of a yellow toad lily that resulted from my trip to Plant Delights last spring.  A yellow toad lily is really unexpected and this one is indeed special.

Tricyrtis perfoliata

It’s quite different than all the other toad lilies that we have.

At the same time another surprise bloomer is the petite daphne that I brought back from Stonecrop’s alpine sale this spring.  It is not only a charming little colorful element at this time of year but the fragrance is wonderful.

Daphne 'Lawrence Crocker'

Also in the surprising category is a little double white camellia hybrid that sprung from a recommendation from Les at A Tidewater Gardener.  He suggested ‘Snow Flurry’ as a good white fall blooming camellia.  He did not tell me that it would bloom so early and so prolifically in it’s first year.

Camellia 'Snow Flurry'

A few other nice items growing this week include a nice late blooming allium that son jonathan gifted us with.

Allium thunbergii 'Ozawa'

and some other notables

Japanese anemone 'September Charm'

Japanese anemone double white

Fall Crocus

and finally one of the last flowers to surprise us…

Pineapple Sage

Bee on Dahlia

I spent last weekend at a garden photography workshop at Chanticleer Garden outside of Philadelphia.  The weather was intermittently mixed clouds and sunshine but we got enough good lighting for some interesting photo opportunities on Saturday.  The workshop was conducted by Alan Detrick and Roger Foley with a small group of enthusiast photographers who were really pleased to get early morning access to the gardens (with good lighting and before the public showed up).  Roger and Alan gave regular and helpful advice as we tried to isolate our own respective visions of what was worth photographing in these early fall scenes.  Both of them have extensive garden photography experience and have previously been judges for the Gardening Gone Wild photo contests.

Chanticleer is truly a pleasure garden in every sense for a gardener.  They have seven horticulturalists who specialize in different sections of the garden and the attention to detail really shows throughout the garden.  A weekend of photography might sound like a lot, but it barely scratches the surface of what is possible at Chanticleer.  By the time you set up your shots the light is already moving on, not to mention the bees and butterflies.

One of the benefits of a small workshop like this one is that you get to share and comment on the other visions that people bring to their photography.  I’ve seen time and again that different people will always bring different photos away from the same scene.  And it only takes a few times of people pointing out the annoying branch you left in the composition before you start to think about it before you click the shutter.

Anyway, despite the weather being less than ideal, I had a great time and I’d like to do it again.  If the thought appeals to you they are likely to run this workshop again next year.

Here are some selected photos from the weekend.

Bee on Dahlia - Version 2

Grasshopper on Celosia

One of the points that Alan emphasized was the way the early morning light can delicately light the edges of a subject like the grasshopper in this image.  And if it’s cold enough, they don’t run from the camera.

Celosia sans grasshopper

Backlit Celosia

Bee on Celosia

Toad Lilies ( Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki')

The Toad lilies are almost shrub-like and completely line the path through the Minder Woods.  They are flagrantly in flower at this season, shaming all those spring blooming flowers that have long gone by now.

Colchicum

I’m generally not a big fan of the Cochicum which flop all over the hillsides at Chanticleer, but they do have their moments.  Mostly I prefer the less gaudy fall crocus which are just now showing up in our lawn.

Perennial Gotta Pea (Amicia zigomeris) detail

Sulpher Butterfly with Proboscis unfurled

Clitoria ternatea

This is tropical vine that was up on the terrace in the house garden.  I think it has to be started from seed each year.

Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata)

I really liked the detail on the Callirhoe — it would be well worth adding to our hillside garden.

It’s also time for another Gardening Gone Wild Photo contest.  Saxon Holt has selected a theme of filling the frame.  I’m going to take this opportunity to enter a photo that I think truly fills the frame, though perhaps not in the way that Saxon Holt originally conceived.

Aibika (Abelmoschus manihot) detail

This close-up image of the Aibika, a relative of okra, will be my entry for the October Picture This Contest.