CreativeCountryMom's Web Garden

Todays Craft - Handmade Ruffled Barrettes

2012-01-12T06:11:00.000-06:00

After going to a winter craft show I was (again) thinking I could make some of the hair accessories they were selling. I was on a mission, okay, I am on a mission. With my new sewing machine I am truly dangerous. But this seemed like a good practice craft, and I had the supplies, which was a definite plus….

So you need a craft store hair clip…. I have had these setting around forever. Glad I am finally doing something with them.

2nd you need some 1/2 to inch ribbon… I buy the bags of mixed ribbons for $2.00 at JoAnn’s love them for crafting. I cut the ribbon to 18” long.

Then as close to the edge as I could get I did a wide set running stitch… sounds like I know what I am doing, I don’t but it was easy.

Then I tied the top and bottom stings together on one end. Then on the opposite end I pulled on the top stitch carefully making it ruffle… Then when it was as curly as I could get it I tied the remaining end together. Simple huh?

Your finished product will look something like this… Don’t pay any attention to my frayed ends, you can cover them with the glue. I thought about using wire to attach them, but decided the glue gun as easier and faster. They attached really tightly, watch not to burn your fingers!

I ended up making three today, a yellow, silver and burgundy and gold…. Our school colors….

One is much longer, I used about 24” of ribbon for it. I am happy with them, and more than that the girls like them. If I have completely lost you here is a similar tutorial I found….

http://amygigglesdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-hair-bows-day-3.html

Big sister was nice enough to model them for us. Take a look now, by the weekend they may be forever lost down in the sectional or who know where with two girls!

Thanks so much for stopping by….Brooke

Shinning Stars of the Winter Border...

2012-01-11T07:05:00.001-06:00

The sun was out yesterday and I grabbed my camera.
We have been so lucky, but it feels like January today,
it rained hard most of the night.
But here is a few tough plants that still look really nice
here are three favorites to talk about...

First off is my Grandiflora Magnolia ‘Blanchard’ , it is a new addition last summer. But I love it’s glossy leaves and waxy cream blooms. Plus the leaves are wonderful in arrangements and wreaths. It is about 8 ft. tall and narrow, but it will fill out nicely!

Can’t wait till mine gets a bit bigger and blooms! It looks really healthy and has grown quite a bit in a few short months.

My next favorite plant is one I was talking about on Facebook this week. Might just be in my top 5 shrubs to have, that is heavenly bamboo or Nandina. I believe this variety is “Firepower.” It is a dwarf that only gets 30’ tall and wide. This one is known for it’s color, thus the name…. but it does not set flowers or berries. Which is unfortunate. There are several varieties of Nandina, and after seeing how well this has done, I will be adding many more. Plus it is winter interest, this photo is from today, what a wonderful color to have in the garden in January!

Here is a video from YouTube about this plant, it gives you a good idea what it looks like in the garden.

This one many of you will roll your eyes at, I know…. but I love it. It is Manhattan Euonymus. I know Euonymuses get a bad rap, but this one I really like this one. I have found Manhattan to be like most Euonymus, super easy to root…. thus I have made several new starts of this beauty. I love it’s glossy broad leaves and upright form. I will admit, it will get pretty large, but it is easy to trim and I am a heavy pruner anyway, so it is well worth growing for this wonderful display. I will cut this entire shrub down to 12 inches in spring once the plants have filled in. It is now about 4 feet tall and it has put on that growth in 2 years. This one has never been trimmed, this is it’s natural state.

I hope this gives you an idea or two for some winter interest in your own garden! As you can see we’ll take all that we can get!

(The videos are just from YouTube.
I have found it to be interesting to look up plants for videos,
you can see what they really look like and find some
very interesting gardeners on there.
A fun way to spend a winter afternoon!)

Thanks so much for stopping by and please consider becoming a follower.

-Happy Gardening-

~Brooke~

All Photos From My Own Home and Garden ©Brooke Kroeger

New pillows with Vintage Fabrics…

2012-01-10T05:58:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned in my pervious post, I have been having fun learning to sew. I had collected several vintage fabrics last summer. They are so cherry and bright.

This is my favorite one so far, love this pattern and I have enough to do another one, but I may keep it for when this one fades. My porch is shaded, but still the only last a few months. But that is part of the fun, replacing them with something new. Plus, if I use yard-sale finds it doesn’t cost me very much. Love that!

While I was out on the porch the kittens were putting on a show. We have 3 three month old Tom kittens, the tiger is Jacob or Jake, the grey and white is Toby and there is another one that didn’t want to be in the pictures an all black one named Bear.

This is our first litter of kittens, and hopefully our last. I have kept all buys for a reason! But they have been a bunch of fun to watch. They are now outside all day and come in of an evening or if it is super cold. Hopefully I will have some good hunters! They are so sweet, very loved.

Okay, hope your day is going good. Thanks for stopping by…. I am off to try to find more pillows to cover!

Happy Gardening….Brooke

Thoughts on a Monday Morning…

2012-01-09T07:22:00.001-06:00

(The photo above is by me… a peony from last Spring. I cannot wait for them to bloom again! I planted 20 peonies last summer, they may not bloom for a few years, but eventually I will have quite a show!!!)

Pretty deep for 7:30 in the morning huh? But truth is, I’ve been awake since 3:30… Oh, tell me about it. It’s going to be a long day… Or a good day. That is what I am writing about, how to remember each day is a miracle….

How did I end up with this free time? Here is the recap. Night shift hubby who never sleeps well comes to bed at 3 am with 170 pound dog, make room for both in king size bed. Both fall asleep breathing loudly. 3:30 I finally decide to get up and go downstairs. 3:45 husband and dog come down to see why I am up. We continue to watch 2 different TVs in two different rooms, the dog goes back and forth. 4:30 I finish reading blogs on my tablet and go back to bed. 5:00 I give up, get dressed and start making breakfast….. Then you get the picture from there…. the school bus comes at 7:30 and the girls are happy that I cooked this morning…. Even did a cute braid in little sisters hair.

So why is this a Miracle? We’ll that is a bit of an overstatement, but I am trying to be thankful for all the little things lately. We all should be. We are able to decorate our homes, garden, travel…. so many are not that lucky. I have been frustrated by the little things lately, and I have been trying to focus on the big picture.

As basically a stay at home mom, it is easy for one day to slip into the next. Cook, clean, haul kids around, groceries, pay bills….repeat.

I can remember people telling me the older you get the faster the days go. Man where they right. I feel like I can just sit still and watch the weeks fly by. What am I so busy doing…. Good question, I am not gardening this time of year, but it is everything. But good things, like actually cleaning after taking down Christmas. I always feel better when this house is picked up. )Even though in 12 hours you can hardly tell.)

Plus I have been making jewelry again. I made several necklaces and earrings as presents and have been really inspired to do more this winter. I make most of the things I wear, I love….love… love jewelry. I will do some posts soon of the things I am making.

But the biggest thing I want to do is learn to sew. My parents got me a sewing machine for Christmas and I am having a blast playing with it. The first week I just fixed things like hems… but yesterday I made three pillows and I have the fever to make about 100 now. I love pillows on my porch swing and for my bedroom…. I am so inspired by the things I see on blogs now and pinterest….

So I am not saying my life is perfect. It is anything but. I have been having headaches and my knee is still a mess. I still haven’t found the perfect part-time job for extra spending money, but I substitute teach when the school needs me. I think in the next few weeks it will pick up, but it is not reliable. I would love to find a local job in horticulture, but most of my favorite places are at least 35 miles away, a bit too far to drive unless the pay was more than I am thinking they will offer.

I have been getting requests to lecture, but that too is more for fun. I have been really active in garden activities around Indiana attending several conferences. I will continue to do so this Spring and have met so many new friends. Really enjoy seeing local/state gardens. I hope to be in a few upcoming publications, I have been asked to do a few freelance pieces this winter. It will be the first time I’d have anything in print, which is very exciting for me.

So what does all this rambling mean? I am a happy, content wife…. mom…. gardener… writer… decorator…. friend…. teacher…. artist…. you name it. I am thankful for this Monday morning and every day before and after. And actually, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I hope you too are feeling the blessing in your life. I am so thankful for your friendship and for your kind words.

Happy Gardening….Brooke

I banished the Snowmen--- but Winter’s still welcome…

2012-01-07T04:51:00.000-06:00

Since Tuesday I have been taking down the majority of the holiday décor. But I leave quite a few things up for “winter” decorations. Usually this includes my snowman collection, but I have to tell you, I was getting tired of looking at them…. And I completely re-did the kitchen. Which is kind of silly, I should have just packed it all at once, but in my mind this is a “Winter Garden Theme”. I brought back out my birdhouses, pots, eggs and all… I did the tree in just snowy pinecones and red berries. I will look for some red cardinals to put in there soon… Sorry this is a long post, but enjoy (another) tour of our country kitchen!

I am quite proud of my birdhouse collection. I use these all over the house and they will be ready to switch out to bunnies and spring blooms in a few weeks. Thanks so much for joining me and if you are visiting please consider becoming a member.

Happy Gardening….Brooke

All Photos From My Own Home and Garden ©Brooke Kroeger

Winter is for the BIRDS!

2012-01-06T08:59:00.000-06:00

Oh what a JOY the sun is out today and I can wonder around in the yard for a bit!

Just the slightest bit of light makes the lake sparkle and shine…

I went around today refilling the treaties for our feathered friends….

You can usually see them down by the firepit against the bright blue sky. But of course as soon as I have my camera there are none to be found.

But that is fine, they will find my gifts to them when they are ready! Until then it looks really pretty here on the deck.

Here is a quote from about feeding oranges to wild birds....

"Many people make the mistake of thinking that wild birds prefer to eat nothing but seeds. The fact is, seeds are just a small part of a wild bird's diet, as many also eat insects, grubs and plant nectar. One treat preferred by several wild birds is an orange. Loved by orioles, cardinals, cedar waxwings, tanagers, finches and woodpeckers, oranges are a quick bird treat that gives them lots of energy."

Thanks so much for stopping by and please consider becoming a follower.

-Happy Gardening-

~Brooke~

All Photos From My Own Home and Garden ©Brooke Kroeger

More kitchen blooms! The show goes on….

2012-01-05T09:29:00.001-06:00

Hello dear readers! Hope today is going well for you. Wanted to share a few more pics of the beautiful blooms in my kitchen this week. This is the first time I have ever tried paper whites and they could not be easier or prettier in bloom. I love white daffodils anyway, so these are perfect for me… But I have to tell you, my family hates them and the smell that drifts thru the kitchen…. I just laugh and remind them they will only be blooming a bit longer. I don’t think it is that bad, but maybe that is just the plant geek in me…. lol….

My beautiful Amaryllis is still blooming, but just for a day or two… This is the last of the blooms, but all three bulbs had two huge blooms and it has been open since Dec 23, so I would call that a really nice show. Will definitely do them again next year.

Are these not just fantastic? I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed them. So much that I have been planting more bulbs for another show….

Here is a hyacinth bulb grown in water in a beautiful glass jar I found this fall. I will be looking for more of these, they are so pretty in the light. My girls think it is pretty neat too to see the roots.

And a few more bulbs are popping up in an antique cream ware bowl I love. Can’t wait for the show… it will be like Spring…. we’ll as close as I can get in January!

-Happy Gardening-

~Brooke~

All Photos From My Own Home and Garden ©Brooke Kroeger

Welcome To The New Garden Year 2012

2012-01-04T22:11:00.002-06:00

All the rose images were taken in my own garden, November 30, 2011.

Happy New Garden Year Dear Readers! One can’t help but to be excited of the wonderful things to come. Spring will be upon us before we know it, I pray. But this is an excellent time of year to gather out thoughts and make plans...

I tend to do New Years Resolutions every year, and seldom stick to them. The usual diet, exercise, spend less money…. don’t we all? But one resolution I plan to always keep is to continue my gardening education…. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on, there are so many great new gardening books out there! This is a great time to dream and be inspired by the lovely images and ideas.

But honestly, I believe I enjoy the gardening community online more than anything. I have met so many wonderful friends and talented gardeners. I am amazed at the quality of the work they share and feel as though I am walking with them as they stroll thru their garden by the images they share.

I strive to have this site be a similar experience. My husband jokes and says everyone who gets out of their car has to to the “garden walk”. And it is mostly true, I do enjoy sharing the blooms with anyone whom admires them. But more often than not, it is just me noticing the vivid colors and delicate displays. It seems a shame not to capture and share such lovely things, I am so glad that I can do that here.

And that is why I am so thankful to have you, my readers. I know so many of you are just as plant crazy as I am. I love knowing you are doing much the same things as I do, and you keep me on my toes! My garden has never been as well kept as since I have been blogging and taking so many images. And I am thankful for it, it has made me a much better gardener. It has been a joy.

I am always amazed at the comments I receive from the posts and the feedback from Facebook and Twitter. I am not a professional in any way, but I strive to learn more every day and make up for any lack of experience with sheer ambition and a bit of dumb luck I guess. I am the definition of the home gardener. Okay maybe the out of control, over the top, in over her head home gardener.

But I can honestly say doing this makes me the happiest I have every been. I feel blessed to live on this beautiful hill and be surrounded by my garden. I know I have something wonderful to look forward to and each season keeps getting better.

I look forward to what will develop in this coming year. I hope to have the chance to meet more of my gardening friends in upcoming events. I feel as though I know you already, but it will be nice to be in the same room as so many others I admire so much. Like I said, we may never meet, but I feel as though I know you thru your gardens.

These first few days of the year have already been exciting for me. Today I was featured on the Knockout Family of Roses Facebook page for my post on Pink Double Knockouts. It was very unexpected, a big thanks to them for the mention.

Then later today I found out I was the Costa Farms Garden of the Month for January 2012. How cool is that? They did a nice little write-up about me on their site here…. Then this evening I had an email invitation to be a guest speaker at a local garden club in April. Which I love to do… they are letting me choose my topic, so that will be fun to plan.

So many exciting things to look forward to, thanks so much for joining me in my journey… And if you are visiting, please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Gardening and Happy New Year,

~Brooke~

All Photos From My Own Home and Garden ©Brooke Kroeger

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T20:36:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year Dear Garden Friends, hope all your garden resolutions for 2012 come true!

This is not the best picture, but it is my "Happy New Year" iris from May of this past Spring.

Happy Gardening Everyone.... lets make it a wonderful new year!

~Brooke~

Holiday House Tour 2011–Christmas Kitchen

2011-12-31T11:53:00.000-06:00

Hello dear friends…. and Happy New Years Eve!

Today it is cold, windy and grey… and loud. Why? Because we have had 4 extra girls overnight and they are SUPER wound up…. but that is what it’s all about isn’t it? This is the kid house and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have been eating junk food, playing video games and even making feather earrings and tile necklaces. All around driving my husband crazy, but the girls love it. Anyway, in-between all that mess, I snapped a few pictures of the kitchen to share…. Enjoy!

As you can see I am loving having bulbs on the table blooming, my paper whites will be open in a few days.

Thanks so much for stopping by and please consider becoming a follower….Brooke

What’s blooming in my Kitchen!

2011-12-30T06:44:00.000-06:00

Wanted to show off my bulbs blooming for a bit! I love having them this time of year. Planting more this week to try to keep the show going till spring!

Thanks for visiting….Brooke

The Kitchen Snowman Tree…

2011-12-30T04:57:00.000-06:00

This is the tree for all the kids homemade ornaments and the country-style things I’ve collected. Somehow it is always my favorite. I will post more pictures of the kitchen and all the snowman soon.

Thanks so much for visiting….Brooke

Christmas Memories

2011-12-29T16:31:00.001-06:00

Here are a few pictures from our holiday… it has been a wonderful Christmas.

I usually host Christmas Eve dinner with my side of the family.

This year I did a homemade candy buffet with my crystal, so pretty.

Yumm! As usually we eat thru the holidays!

We’ve had a bit of snow to get us in the mood, but it soon melted.

The tree Christmas morning….

Maddie…. my big girl…

Morgan and that silly hat she has worn every day this week.

Merry Christmas to everyone, our house is full of kids and hubby is off this week. Been loving every minute of it. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Love, Brooke

Holiday House Tour 2011- The Two Story Foyer

2011-12-24T07:08:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve!

My whole house smells like turkey! Delicious!!

Here is another room on the tour, our entryway. I leave this little tree up all year and change the colors a bit for the seasons. I love to see the lights twinkle thru the beveled glass of our front door. This is another good area for my houseplants and you will see more of my vertical spikes as accents. I love to use natural elements, one of my favorite fillers in this area is the stems from annual baby’s breath.

Hope you are enjoying the holidays and my little house tour. I will be posting more rooms until the New Year. Our big family Christmas is tonight here, so I will be busy cooking today.

Again, Merry Christmas and thanks so much for stopping by….

Happy Holidays….Brooke

Holiday House Tour 2011- Living Room

2011-12-23T16:51:00.001-06:00

Hello again and Merry Christmas! Lets continue the Holiday Home Tour with my Living Room. It is the room I spend the most time in to watch tv and look at the garden and the lake. It overlooks the Rose Garden and our backyard. This year I have it decorate in a bird/nature theme. I will leave most of this up until I redecorate for Spring. Lets take a peak!

But as I said, the best part about this room is the view!

The sun setting over the lake this evening.

Thanks for visiting and please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Holidays….Brooke

2011 Holiday Home Tour–Vintage Christmas Master Bedroom

2011-12-20T23:52:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas To All My Readers!

I cannot believe it is only 4 days till Christmas!

So I think I will….(finally)….. do a Holiday House Tour… And instead of starting at the front door, I am starting at our Master Bedroom. It got a Yuletide Makeover this year. Our last home was a Victorian, so for many years I decorated my entire home in Vintage holiday. But with our new farmhouse style home, many of the Victorian things are now in our Master Bedroom and Bath and our Dining Room. The wall color is a soft lavender with a hint of grey. I love it, it makes a great neutral for any new accessories. One of my favorite things to collect is vintage prints and mirrors and this is where most of them are displayed. I found it hard to photograph this room, so please excuse my blurs… but you get the general idea!

A bit more about the room, my headboard is two VERY old vintage doors with brass hardware. I drug these home 2 years ago from a neighbor who was going to BURN them! They are fantastic, but I have to tell you my husband hates them and wants a more traditional headboard. But I love the scale of them and it balances out the room from the large armoire across from it.

Okay, I will have lots more to show you, come back again tomorrow for a new post!

Thanks for visiting and please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Holidays….Brooke

Favorite Flowers – Pink Double Knockout Roses

2011-12-13T10:22:00.000-06:00

I will admit, I use to turn my nose up at knockout roses.

Yes, I may be a bit of a bit picky about my roses.

But last year before my house was on tour I made a quick decision to add three ‘Pink Double’ Knockout Roses in the area near my arbor. It is one of the first things you see when you drive up and I wanted a big splash of color there.

And I liked the look of the Pink Doubles, they look a bit like a hybrid tea.

Plus I knew it was just the right addition to the blue, light pink, silver and white I had blooming there.

I never expected I would enjoy them so much and they would do so well. I don’t think they were ever out of bloom this year. I deadhead them when I wait on the mail every morning. But they are super easy to care for, and I did not spray these roses. Just normal fertilizer and watering.

Plus, they are reasonable. I purchased two more for in front of each side of my picket fence by the rose garden for $10 each. They had been $20 and that was before the fall clearances began. I would not hesitate to add more. I also have they Sunny Yellow, Double Red and Original Knockouts…. but the pink double is my very favorite. Hope you might consider adding it to your gardens!

Thanks for visiting and please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Gardening….Brooke

All Photos From My Own Home and Garden ©Brooke Kroeger

Favorite Flowers–' ‘Clementine Rose’ Columbine

2011-12-12T17:01:00.001-06:00

Today I am writing about one of the best examples of beautiful plants to start easily from seed. That is Columbine, in this case, a pink variety called Clementine Rose. It is an early bloomer that begins in Early May about the same time as the lilacs and irises. A welcome addition after months of waiting, it is a true sign the garden is coming alive again.

But the foliage has been up for weeks. Cute little puffs of a delicate grey-green beginning in Early April as pictured here.

I know most of you probably grow Columbine in abundance, it is a wonderful pass along plant to share with friends. I too have had it in several gardens over the years. But I must tell you, some varieties I do not care for. So when I first saw Clementine Rose, I was not quick to purchase.

Then I realized this variety was quite different than the other wildflower type varieties I had known. It was a very delicate multi-layered bloom. It is so soft and delicate. And it is quite dwarf! It has never fell over for me and stays at around 18 inches in bloom. Not to 3 feet or better the wild ones grow to.

As you can see here, it fits neatly as an under-shirt for shrubs. I also enjoy the foliage for its all season interest. It reminds me of Shamrocks, all curvy and sweet.

I have it in several places now after growing it for about 3 years. But my favorite is here my my rock steps, it is a good spiller and filler. And the best part is, once the seed pods start to open up, you can just shake them over the areas you want new ones to grow. My girls did that for me a couple of years ago and they loved the noise they make. I now have several colors of new hybrid Columbines, but I think Clementine Rose is hard to beat…. don’t you?

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Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Clementine Rose’

Common name : Clematis-flowered Columbine

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Shade

Blooming Time
Early Summer
Late Spring

Height
12-18 inches

Spread
10-12 inches

A unique series of Columbine, featuring fluffy double flowers that resemble a small Clematis bloom, held up facing on stems, well above the lacy green foliage mound. This selection produces blooms in shades of rose pink with a yellow center. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Great in containers. Removing spent flowers will increase the blooming time. Great in containers. Since Columbines are relatively short lived, allow some of the plants to go to seed and self sow, however, resulting seedlings may not resemble the mother plant. Leaf miners or sawfly may disfigure the leaves around flowering time. Simply trim off the ugly foliage and the plants will grow fresh leaves. A Fleuroselect Quality Award winner -- More Info

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Thanks for visiting and please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Gardening….Brooke

Favorite Flowers–Peacock Orchids

2011-12-11T20:50:00.001-06:00

After attending the Indianapolis Spring Garden Show at the Fairgrounds in March of this year I was very excited to try several new bulbs. I had specifically looked for late summer and fall blooming additions looked forward to new blooms as other blooms in the garden were finished.

So when I came across this delicate looking bulb at a vendor I knew I had to try it. If anything for the name, Peacock Orchids. Anything with the name Peacock must be beautiful right? I had seen these growing in masses in photographs from botanical gardens, but until this year have never grew them.

They came up rather quickly, with thin blades of grass like foliage. They remained rather unnoticed for many weeks, taking up little space, and I had actually almost given up on them. Then I had a gardening friend post pictures of hers blooming and I rushed out to check on mine…. sure enough it had several ready to open!

I instantly fell in love and watched it bloom for about 4 weeks from Mid-October until Mid-November. I have been waiting for the foliage to die back and I will harvest the bulbs to dry in my basement to replant next spring. I have plans to add it to several new places in my gardens. I have been told I might try leaving it be, but I hate to risk loosing it. It is hearty in zones 7 and above. Below is more information, hope you will give it a try!

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Abyssinian Gladiolus, Peacock Orchid, Fragrant Gladiolus, Sword Lily
Gladiolus murielae

Category:
Bulbs
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Spacing:
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Bloom Color:
Scarlet (Dark Red)
Maroon (Purple-Brown)
White/Near White

Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

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Thanks for visiting and please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Gardening….Brooke

A Fond Farewell….

2011-12-02T04:43:00.000-06:00

Although I really don’t think this is something to CELEBRATE… lol… since this DEFIATELY means the end of my growing season…. I did rush out to take some pictures of the frost on the roses. They had a very good run….

So Here is a summary of The Rose Garden this year…..

First Rose Bloom 2011 = May 7

Killing Frost 2011 = Dec 1

Not a day in between I did not enjoy beautiful blooms!

Here is a highlight show for us to remember them by…

Click to play, Thanks!

Thanks for visiting and please consider becoming a follower!

Happy Gardening….Brooke

Woke up to a Winter Wonderland!

2011-12-01T08:45:00.003-06:00

Burr!!! Old Man Winter busted thru the garden last night leaving a sparkling glittered trail. I had to rush out and capture it as best I could in my pajamas and garden clogs! (Thank goodness my children were already on the bus and my hubby is use to my craziness!) I wish you could see it in person, it is so beautiful here at the lake. Pictures never give it justice…. Enjoy!

The Dock.

The rock garden/firepit.

Our backyard.

Across the road, view from my yard.

The Butterfly Garden

Grasses on the hill.

The Front Walk

I wished I had taken pictures of the first snow on Tuesday, the house looked like Christmas.

While I was taking these a huge flock of birds flew over! They were so pretty and LOUD! I got a few shots…

Here they are circling the lake…

And flying over me…. Thousands of them going south. Maybe I should too! Sounds like a good idea it is FREEEZZZZIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGG here! Literally!!

Happy Gardening….Brooke

As November Ends….

2011-11-30T22:06:00.001-06:00

A little card for you today. I was in the mood to be creative. I hope you had a wonderful November, the month of Thanks, and will continue to feel the holiday spirit throughout the year. I am especially thankful for all of my gardening friends and readers, this is for you.

Much Love….Brooke

Roses in December!

2011-11-30T18:08:00.002-06:00

Notes from a Country Garden…. Roses in December!

December 01, 2011

Last year I remember writing about frozen roses in December, but this is something altogether different! Mine are still blooming! Well, not as lovely as before, actually they look quite sad, but they are still going!

Most of my garden has been finished for about 10 days now since we have had some hard frosts. But this area is slightly protected with the house and wing-walls. It keeps the winds from the plants and soaks up whatever sun we have been getting.

We have had SEVERAL inches of rain and yesterday it snowed over an inch, then quickly melted.

I at first thought the roses were frozen in bloom, then noticed that new ones were opening in the sun today.

Many were facing downward, and I think that is what protected them a bit.

But as you can see many of the roses have over 15 blooms still on them and buds ready to open.

It is a rare treat to be putting up the Christmas decorations and roses still blooming.

I have been drying a few blooms this year and I think I will go back out and collect a bouquet.

I can then mix them in with my dried hydrangea blooms in my bedroom.

One thing I enjoy about cool season blooms is the color changes, you never quite know what they will be.

Pink roses look peach, yellow turn cream….

And the cool days make them last much longer…

So delicate, I had many petals fall as I photographed….

The light was just magical, just enough moisture to glisten…

Petals so thin they were almost transparent….

And quite a few had good scent this late in the year. It was quite cold, low 40s today.

This is one of my favorites, just every shade of pink/peach/yellow/cream all blended in one.

But there is something about yellow roses, they just glow in the late fall.

You can see these from across the yard, they are beacons of light.

Rose hold such promise, the promise of blooms to come in the Spring, each one more beautiful than I remembered. Thanks so much for stopping by and sorry for such a long post. But in Indiana this is quite a rare thing and I wanted to make sure to remember it.

Happy Gardening….Brooke

Thanksgiving Blooms…. for #FF

2011-11-24T05:03:00.000-06:00

Well, I did make it one more week with a bit of color in the garden. I will go out and take a few pics of how the beds look now since all this rain has blown in. We have water standing in our yard and gardens. It has rained all night and day and they say we could get 4 inches or more. Flood watches all around us. We are lucky we are up on a hill, but it is a sloppy mess. I keep thinking it is watering in the new bulbs and shrubs off to a good start! We’ve had quite a few killing frosts and my perennials are mostly done, but a few tough late bloomers are still going…. Let’s take a look.

The mums and blanket flower put on quite a show, as well as the ornamental grasses out at the drive. My evergreens in this area are really filling in, giving me some interest in the long winter months ahead.

Victoria Blue Salvia, one of my very favorite reseeding annuals is still striking in the late fall garden. I started with just one little start of this and now I must have it in 10 different places. It reseeds and is very easy to transplant. I love it because it is only about 12 inches tall and does not tend to flop as the larger salvias do.

A few of my annual dianthus or pinks that have been happily returning for three years now. I keep adding more of these, they are such good doers. They are a bargain at 6 for $1.25 in the spring. I strongly suggest adding them if you have not already. They don’t look like much when you buy them, but they spread and fill out and bloom their hearts out. Plus they are semi-evergreen here in zone 6.

A close up of the last few blooms of the mums. I think every mum I planted last year returned. The key it to plant them as soon as you buy them. If I have them on the porch or window boxes, then plant them in the ground they don’t make it. I hate to see them just die, they are very hearty and easy to grow.

“May Night Salvia” is perennial and will repeat bloom all season if deadheaded. This is also an easy one to divide and puts on a fantastic spring show that last thru November. That is the kind of plants I want more of, don’t you?

The hollyhocks are still quite lovely. They have suffered a bit with all this rain and wind. They are mostly fallen over, but I cannot bear to cut them back when they are still opening… This one is “Aunt Brownie Fig Leaf”.

This is the prettiest pink variety. I almost doesn’t look real, it seems to glow… This is “Indian Spring” and it is available from Renee Shepard's site here…

“Windsor Castle” French Hollyhock or Malvia is a rare one and often hard to find. This is my 2nd year growing it and it is just a fantastic plant. It is much deeper and larger than Zebrina, a rich deep pink that is a fantastic color in the cottage garden.

If I could I would have vines growing up every vertical surface. And one I would never be without in a garden is Goldflame Honeysuckle. I know the name honeysuckle scares most gardeners, but it is a tame, slow growing beauty that blooms for months and months for me. IT’S SCENTED TOO--- I notice it more on cooler mornings, fantastic colors of deep pink with yellow centers.

These little pink petunias have reseeded quite a few years for me. They are sweet and require almost no care. They grow in a pot that is left out all year happily.

Another seed I did for the first time this spring was White Cleome. This one is called “Sparkler White”. It was later to bloom that the pink varieties, but well worth growing and the petals are larger. Pure white and striking in the borders.

For the first time this year I grew my annual verbenas from seed as well. I usually buy these from a nursery, but they were quite easy from seed. I will try to collect enough seed this year to have them in even more places next spring.

Other things that are blooming…

Reblooming Irises – Roses – Blanket Flower – Pincushion Flower – Penstemons – Dianthus – Guara -Yarrow – Sweet Alyssum – Moss Verbena – Marigolds

Thanks so much for stopping by… and please consider becoming a follower as well.

Happy Gardening and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone….Brooke

Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea in the Fall…

2011-11-22T15:59:00.002-06:00

Notes from a Country Garden… November 22, 2011

Every year I fall in love with a new hydrangea. This year has been no exception. Many times we see beautiful images in our glossy garden magazines and lust after the luscious blooms. I can honestly say that I have not been disappointed with “ Strawberry Vanilla”. It was a very small plant when I received it and it took off and bloomed the first year. I have it directly between two windows in hope it will fill out and be seen from both rooms. It starts out pure white and then slowly turns pink as it ages. I especially enjoy the look of it this week with the mottled, faded colors. This is one to find next spring and enjoy for years to come!

First Editions™ Vanilla Strawberry® Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy' (PPAF)

Full sun
Height: 6-7'
Spread: 4-5'
Zone: 4-8
Foliage: Medium green

(Following photos from the web)

This one reminds me a bunch of Limelight Hydrangea. It is super tough, strong upright blooms and similar in size. Give it lots of room to stretch out and grow. It can be the highlight of your garden for weeks on end. Plus, it can be grown in the sun…. so for hydrangea lovers like me that are running out of shade, this is one for you!

Happy Gardening…..Brooke