One Bed Ready

It appears that we plan to garden here next year.  Some areas are not in horrible shape while others are nightmares.  The weed-free perfect looking bed  was a horrible mess just a few days ago.  Serious weed removal was followed by an application of screened aged Black Angus manure.  Well aged compost from the garden by the woods completed our preparation.  Soil near the woods contains a decent amount of clay so this compost will improve moisture retention here.  Of course several years of continued application would be needed to make a difference but all we can do is try now.

The iris at bed's end are a family treasure.  Becky's maternal grandmother grew these at her home in Gatchellville, Pa.  Every time Becky's mother moved, these plants went with her.  Time in Pennsylvania was followed by living in Georgia then New York.  The pictured plants were divided and replanted this summer.  They have sent out healthy new growth so we expect to see impressive flowers come summer.

This bed clearly needs attention.  Stone paths between planting beds clean up quickly but the beds will take longer.  Next year's growth will include many weeds since these were allowed to go to seed.  I can no longer work outside in the heat so little time was spent in the garden.  Recent temperatures have been more reasonable so time working in the garden is now possible.  Perhaps we will check back after this bed has received some attention.

On occasion help comes from unexpected sources.  This in-the-ground bee's nest is directly adjacent to where I mow but the bees' presence remained a secret.  The digging was done by a skunk in search of what must have been a tasty meal.  How they endure the stinging bees while eating both bees and their honey is completely unimaginable.  Some bees remained but they were in no mood to attack me when these pictures were snapped.  Sifting this compost will definitely wait for another day.  Hopefully I will remember then that bees may still live here.

  

This self planted Grandpa Ott's morning glory is beyond impressive.  The center of that flower looks like it contains an electric light.  We have grown this aggressive weed for years but these are self planted in a rich garden bed.  Never before have we seen such large flowers and leaves.  Our weed will hold this ground until frost ends its growth.  Here again the dropped seed load will be huge but if caught early new plants are easily removed.
 

Simply Beautiful

Pinxter is a native plant that captured our interest many years ago.  It has been in our garden for more than one quarter of a century since it became ours while I was still teaching.  Pat and I worked together and she knew of a location where I could snatch this plant.  Initially it was placed in the woods but that location was dry.  The plant did not die but it did not grow either.  Moved inside of the stone wall, it found the moisture released nightly by wall stones following hot summer days adequate and has increased in size.  Wire cages fill this area each winter to prevent deer from eating the fall formed flower buds.  The scent released by these flowers is sweet beyond description and always calms my mood.  This plant is without question a treasure and we always remember Pat for sending this plant our way.

This old fashioned Iris also has a personal connection to us.  Becky's maternal Grandmother grew this plant in her garden located in Gatchellville, Pa.  Whenever her family moved, Becky's Mother took some of this plant with them.  Now it is with us.  This plant has a number of positive characteristics that set it apart from more modern plants.  It is hardy and not troubled by disease like more modern varieties are.  It is sweetly scented and extremely hardy.  One of our older clumps is in desperate need of division.  Then there is the thin white line that edges each petal.  This is without question an attractive flower.

As with many of our plants, there is a personal connection that brought it into our gardens.  This Rugosa rose was a gift from Elle   Early on she helped us in so many ways.  That history dictated that her rose be placed prominently directly in front of our home.  She also gave us a red rose that we have since lost.  One of the planting beds that has been taken over by tenacious weeds still sends two single rose stems toward the stone path.  Perhaps this will be their year of their rescue and one of them might have red flowers after the plant is given adequate care.

This section of NYS route 8 passes next to the retaining wall for a bridge abutment where the NYO&W Railway crossed over the highway.  It can be seen on the left edge of the road in the distance.  This occurrence of the non-native Dame's Rocket is extensive.  Much hated by natural plant purists because of its vigor, we remain drawn to it by both its beauty and tenacity.  Its evening scent is also a huge point in its favor.  As a result, we intentionally introduced this plant into our gardens.  Why then did I go roadside to get decent pictures?

 This plant is a true biennial.  Its first year of growth consists of a low rosette of leaves supported by a deep taproot.  These young plants fill both our planting beds and the stone paths between them.  We will have a generous display of mostly purple colored flowers next year but this year is nearly empty.  To break the cycle of flowers every other year, plants would have needed to be brought in for two consecutive years.  I simply did not take the time to guarantee great displays every year.  We do have a few plants in flower this year so eventually the problem will self correct.