Muscari Musings

Tillandsia and friends

2023-05-30T22:03:00.000-04:00

When our company moved into a new office suite, this large container had been left in the suite by the previous occupants. I believe that before it had held a large artificial tree or something like that.

No one wanted the container, so I gladly claimed it! But rather planting a tall plant in it, I have enjoyed growing low plants in it! Currently I have this collection of five different air plants. I'm sorry I don't know their names, but I really like the variety!

I mist the plants every day or so and I keep a saucer of water in the pot to release moisture into the air for the air plants.

The locally owned independent garden center where I bought all of the plants also carried the little metal stand that one of the plants is in. I think it is very cool! The little frog came from the local garden center also. I think it's fun to have a little frog friend at work, too!

The garden center also had the Baby Tears plant (Soleirolia). Baby Tears was one of my first favorite plants when I was a little girl. I have tried to grow it a few times during my life without much success but it is doing very well in the pot with my air plants!

Have a beautiful day!

Ruth

String of Pearls

2023-05-27T21:10:00.001-04:00

When I lived in California, I had a beautiful String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) plant hanging on the north side of the house. It loved the California weather and even bloomed for me!

After we moved to North Carolina, I tried to grow it outside here as well. There were a couple of problems, though! The chickens that I had loved to eat it! And it was simply too humid for this dry-air-loving succulent.

But, since it is one of my favorite plants, I have to keep trying! I have discovered that it tolerates my office! So, I have it growing in an African Violet pot on the window sill in my office! (That little glass dish is a candle holder. Yes, I do light candles in my office sometimes!)

It keeps growing longer and longer across the window sill and I am hopeful that it will be happy enough to bloom one day! And the little bird figurines do not eat it! : )

Have a beautiful day!

Ruth

Leptinella

2023-05-21T10:22:00.001-04:00

I love this low dish that I found at my local independently owned garden center. For a couple of years, I had Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus) growing in it but the squirrels finally dug it up one too many times.

I was looking for something else to try and found Brass Buttons (Leptinella). I have grown this plant before as a ground cover for a small area and I think it is very charming.

I planted it with chicken wire, as you so, so hopefully it will grow in peace without interruption from the squirrels!

Have a beautiful day!

Ruth

Bluebirds

2023-05-20T09:52:00.002-04:00

When I moved to the apartment, I saw that a neighbor had up a bluebird nesting box. I also occasionally saw that bluebirds would come drink out of my birdbath. So, I did a little research and put up my own bluebird nesting box!

I've had the bluebird nesting box for several years now, and even though it hasn't been used every nesting season, it has been used numerous times. This makes me so happy! And one time, I found a chickadee in there, sitting her tiny eggs!

I was careful to position the nesting box where is would be attractive to bluebirds, facing in the right direction and so they would be able to have a clear view of their surroundings. It turns out, they also really like to make use of the handicap parking sign that is near the box! When they are nesting, I will often see one of the couple, usually the male, sitting on the parking sign.

I have a critter guard on the pole so things, including snakes, can't get to the nesting box.

While these photos aren't the best, I'm glad to have them as the bluebirds usually fly away when they see me!

The bluebirds make me happy!

Have a beautiful day!

Ruth

A Hydrangea (post) for Mother's Day

2023-05-14T17:42:00.009-04:00

Somehow it seems appropriate to post about my Hydrangea (one of them) on Mother's Day, although I'm not sure why. It wasn't a Mother's Day gift.

This is a Hydrangea called Mini Penny. It was one that was advertised has having a longer blooming period. And since it's always nice to have lots of Hydrangea blossoms, I thought this was worth a try!

I grew it in the ground when I lived in the house and it did well. When I moved to the apartment and transplanted it into a container, it struggled.

(Hmmm - maybe like me at the time?)

It's in the shadiest corner of my shade garden behind my apartment and it does pretty well now. I'm glad I have it!

Have a beautiful day!

A Blooming Hosta

2023-05-13T17:46:00.023-04:00

So, I don't know the name of this Hosta. I'm sure I have the plant tag somewhere.

I bought it a couple of years ago because I loved the large variegated leaves. I've collected a few Hostas for when I have a house.

Now it's going to bloom! It will be the first Hosta I have at the apartment to ever bloom! I'm so excited!

Have a beautiful day!

An Old Friend

2023-05-07T09:21:00.034-04:00

We were able to buy our first house at age twenty-one (long story) many years ago when we lived in California. This Campanula was growing under a tree in the front yard of that house. It makes a beautiful ground cover even when it is not in bloom. Of course, when it is in bloom, it is so enchanting!

When we moved to North Carolina, almost twenty years ago, I brought a number of my plants with me, including this one. It is one of only two (outdoor) plants that I still have from when I lived in California.

When I moved out of the house and to the apartment, I brought it with me again. It grows in containers now, one in front of the apartment and one in back of the apartment, but it is still as lovely.

Have a beautiful day!

Ruth

Frog friend

2023-05-06T09:08:00.004-04:00

Do you see the tree frog?

One surprise that came with our apartment was ... frogs! I never imagined that we would still get to enjoy frogs when when my daughter and I moved to our apartment! But we do have frogs, including this cute little tree frog!

Have a lovely day!
Ruth

Chicken wire

2023-04-30T21:05:00.002-04:00

The apartment complex where I live has lots of trees which I think contributes to there also being lots of squirrels. And the squirrels LOVE to dig in my flower pots! One of my neighbors puts out peanuts in the shells for the squirrels to eat and I often find these peanuts in my flower pots!

The only way I can keep the squirrels from digging in my pots is to protect the dirt with chicken wire!

Today I bought the Coleus at my local garden center. (Support your local garden center!) I didn't get home with the plant tag on this one, but I sure do like the colors in it!

This one is called Black Dragon.

And this one is Chocolate Drop, for the chocoholic in me!

So, yeah, chicken wire, so I can live in peace with squirrels!

Have a beautiful day!

Hope

2023-01-15T17:56:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I've posted on this blog. A lot has happened in my life since I last shared here.

For one, I now live in an apartment. Thankfully, I still have places to garden.

I would not have survived without my plants.

Today I went out to clean up one of the spots that I have. It is the only spot that I have that is in the sun.

It's in a raised bed (that someone else built) that is 3' by 8'. I fenced it last year to keep the deer from eating my plants.

One of the plants that I have there is a red miniature rose that was given to me after my first hip replacement surgery (in 2021.) Last year it didn't get pruned in the winter like it should have, but today I pruned it.

Years ago when I lived in California I had a few full size hybrid tea rose bushes in front of my house and I diligently pruned them every January so they could give their best each year.

Each year, pruning the rose bushes reminded me that there is hope. These beautiful bushes seemed empty of life in the middle of winter. But as I got in each one with my clippers, I would always find the small red leaf buds that held the promise of a full leafy bush and wonderful roses in the spring.

Today again I felt hope as I saw those tiny red leaf buds on the small branches of my miniature rose.

Have a beautiful day!

A garden denizen...

2015-08-01T12:41:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I discovered a garden denizen who was hanging out near my back steps. Can you spot her?

It's been a few years since I've seen a Golden Garden Spider in my garden, but obviously they still live here!

I don't know where she's been up until this point, but she looks pretty healthy to me! There are plenty of insects in my garden for her to eat.

Here's her belly. I mentioned to my daughter that it was interesting that they hang they hang upside down. She said, like Spider Man. Hmmmm....

She was eating when I took the above picture. I think she's pretty cool. But she does make my skin crawl just a little!

If you get too close to a Golden Garden Spider and it feels threatened, it will start swinging its web to try to scare you away. This one didn't seem to mind me taking pictures of her. Maybe she knew that I like having her in my garden.

Have a beautiful day!

New Dawn...

2015-08-01T12:36:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite places in my garden is my rose arbor.

New Dawn grows over the arbor, and in spring, it is absolutely breathtaking.

I'll just let you enjoy the roses.

(You can click on the pictures for a larger view.)

Have a beautiful day!

A day in spring...

2015-08-01T11:20:00.000-04:00

Hi, there! It's been awhile!

These pictures where from back in May. I think.

I don't remember the name of the iris, but I think it is one of the most stunning ones I've ever seen. The rose is Ballerina.

Look who's hanging out in a rose blossom!

Oh, so lovely!!!

Have a beautiful day!

So much Muscari...

2015-04-18T19:07:00.000-04:00

There is one spot in my garden where my Muscaris have multiplied prolifically. (I don't think that "Muscaris" is truly the plural, but I like the way it sounds!)

Each year they have reseeded and now have created such a lovely view, regardless of the thorny canes of a New Dawn rose.

I love the color combination of the little blue Muscari blooms with the green of the fuzzy Lamb's Ear.

Oh, so much Muscari!

Have a beautiful day!

Hanging fuchsia...

2015-04-10T16:26:00.000-04:00

I bought a hanging fuchsia at Lowe's this week.

Fuchsias don't do well with the summer heat here, but each year, I think I want one. So this year, I bought one and I'll give it a try.

I hung it on the shepherd's crook under my big tree near my table and chairs. It will like the shade. And the hummingbirds will love it.

Have a beautiful day!

Johnnies in July...

2014-07-26T18:37:00.001-04:00

I discovered something this week that I just have to share with you! But first - when I went out this morning to photograph my find, I saw a black swallowtail butterfly! He - or she - sure was hard to get a picture of, but I did manage to get this one of the butterfly on one of my Morning Glory blossoms.

Now, back to my wonderful discovery!

A Johnnie has reseeded itself in one of my pots and is blooming! In July!

The pot that the charming little Johnnie is in holds a Bat-Faced Cuphea.

I love Bat-Faced Cupheas!

As you have probably noticed from photographs on my blog, I'm not really into red flowers. But I started growing Bat-Faced Cupheas several years ago because the hummingbirds like them.

Now I seek them out because they are so unusual and I like them! (Can you see the bat face?)

Have a beautiful day!

Earthstar...

2014-07-20T09:59:00.002-04:00

Don't you just love Google? I did a little research and found out what my amazing fungus is. It is an Earthstar. What a romantic name! And very appropriate, I think! If you want to see more pictures of Earthstars, you can follow this link: Earthstar.

Have a beautiful day!

Catching up...

2014-07-19T18:46:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been a few weeks since I've posted so I'm kinda playing catch-up. This first photo is from a week ago. Last Sunday, I spent several hours cleaning up and transplanting in my hummingbird garden. The next morning when I came out to look at my work, I found this fungus growing - blooming? - underneath a clump of Salvia "Black and Blue." It only lasted that day and was gone by the time I came home from work in the evening. I have no idea what it is but it is amazing! (You can click on the picture for a larger view.)

My Balloon Flowers have finished blooming, but when they were blooming, they sure were beautiful.

You can see why they are called "Balloon Flowers" - their buds look like little balloons!

Oh, so lovely!

Along my path to my back door, I have planted Mealy Cup Sage and "Coral Nymph" Salvia. Both these Salvias are treated as annuals here, but sometimes the Mealy Cup Sage (the blue one) will over-winter. The "Coral Nymph" Salvia is very good about reseeding.

The yellow flower is Threadleaf Coreopsis. I love the color combinations!

Even though I have several Hydrangeas, I only have one blooming this year. I think it got too cold this past winter for the other ones, so although they survived, they aren't going to bloom this summer.

This Hydrangea is called Mini-Penny. It is a smaller bush and very charming!

Have a beautiful day!

Answers...

2014-06-21T18:11:00.000-04:00

In a comment to my previous post, I was asked a few questions. So, here are some answers:

Thank-you for your blog post! Your planter combos are gorgeous! Just a thought about your expensive pre-designed combo: when you consider the number of days its beauty will give you joy, its "cost per day" may not be so very expensive after all! What is the plant growing at the base of that pot?

The plant growing at the base of my pot is chocolate mint. I've had it for quite a few years and I love it! It doesn't really taste that chocolate-y, but I enjoy picking a leaf or two to eat as I walk by.

And what kind of mulch do you use?

My mulch is sold as "soil conditioner." It is small pieces of pine bark and when worked into the soil, it helps break up the clay a little. I like using it as a mulch because the chunks are smaller than regular mulch and I think they look less "mulch-y." It also breaks down a little faster and adds a healthy layer to the soil.

Your herb pot is gorgeous too! Do your herbs overwinter in that pot, or do you buy them new each spring (or start them from seeds)?

I buy the herbs new each spring. I plant Johnnies in the pot for winter and new herbs in the spring look much fresher than ones I have tried to overwinter. It may not be as frugal, but it sure is pretty!

Also, what is the diameter of your herb pot and how tall do the herbs in the back usually grow to? (I'm trying to figure out how to do something similar with what I already have.)

The pot is about 20" in diameter and the basil is about 20" tall.

Is your tobacco plant poisonous to the touch, as in did you have to wear gloves to plant it?

No, the tobacco plant is not poisonous to the touch; I didn't have to wear gloves.

Is the wall next to your herb pot fairly recent? I would love to see what you have in that bed....

The wall is a couple of years old. It has a Buddleia planted in it. And at the base of the Buddleia is Dianthus. When the Buddleia blooms, I'll post pictures of it.

Have a beautiful day!

Back door steps pots...

2014-05-31T14:08:00.000-04:00

I received a very broad hint that I needed to do another blog post. So today I am going to share with you the pots that are the bottom of the steps that lead to my back door. The first one in on top of the retaining wall I built several years ago.

For this summer, it holds Lobelia (the blue one), Verbena (the red one) and Petunia (the yellow one).

I bought these flowers as a pre-made combo in a hanging basket. I paid a pretty penny for them because 1) they were a pre-designed combo 2) they were "locally grown" 3) they were in a hanging pot and 4) they were at an up-scale grocery market.

But I decided it was worth it because they were so pretty and were exactly what I wanted.

Just to the left of the above pot, but sitting down on the path, is this little container. The plant is an alpine geranium named "Charm." It's new this year. I've grown an alpine geranium in this pot for several years, but it finally died out. I liked it so much that I wanted to replace it with the same thing.

Isn't it charming?

My yellow pot is against the house, right at the very bottom of the steps. It's a hard place to get anything to grow well in the summer. However, last year I discovered that ageratum grows very well there. And I like ageratum a lot, even though it is unassuming.

Finally, my big pot at the bottom of the steps. It sits in the bed that goes along the pathway. A couple of years ago, I started growing herbs in this pot. They do very well, not minding at all the hot afternoon sun.

This year, I have three different basils, thyme, tri-color sage, and Cuban oregano. And Nicotiana. Nicotiana is a tobacco and all of the plant is poisonous. Is it diabolical to put a poisonous plant in the middle of edible herbs?

Anyhow, I like the effect. The purple hues in the tri-color sage pick up on the reds and pinks of the Nicotiana.

And how 'bout that Cuban oregano! It's thick and fuzzy and variegated. Yes, it is usable, like other oregano, but apparently, it is much stronger.

A variegated Lirope grows below that pot. One of my sisters gave it to me several years ago.

Cemetery Sedum has planted itself in front of the Lirope. I think they look very cool together.

And the whole combination looks very lovely.

Have a beautiful day!

Dear Mom...

2014-05-11T15:18:00.002-04:00

These daffodils are for you.

They grow in a field near my house. Every year they spread and are more beautiful.

I always think of you when I see them because you love daffodils.

We both know that our relationship over the years has not been what either of us would have chosen.

We both have regrets. Deep regrets.

But we also have the future.

So, here's to the future ...

... and a closer relationship than we have had in the past.

I love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Have a beautiful day!

So much beauty...

2014-04-19T17:29:00.000-04:00

The pot at the bottom of the back door steps has been so lovely the past few weeks. Enjoy!

Have a beautiful day!

Hummingbirds!!!

2014-04-19T17:16:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday, my younger daughter and I were sitting out at my table and chairs under the tree and she whispered, look up. I looked and there was a hummingbird sitting in the tree!!! I've never seen a hummingbird this early! I usually see them starting about the middle of May. The next day, Sunday, my daughter and I were looking out on the deck and a different hummingbird was checking out my native honeysuckle vine. The vine has buds on it but no blooms yet. Apparently, the hummingbird was looking to see if there were any flowers for it to eat from.

Since there were obviously hummingbirds here, I pulled out my hummingbird feeder and filled it and put it out. I took Monday off from work and at one point I was sitting at my table and a little hummingbird came to my feeder! Another hummingbird came and sat in the tree and then chased the little one away. But then the little one came back. I haven't been home and outside this week to see hummingbirds anymore, but I sure did like to see them those three days!

Have a beautiful day!

Princess...

2014-04-19T17:03:00.000-04:00

We have a white cat. Or, more correctly, a white cat lives at our house. Her name is Princess. We got her when she was a kitten, about nine years ago, but she has never been tame enough to pet. However, this is her home and we feed her. She'll come hang out with me when I am in the garden, but she won't let us touch her. Here she is, taking a nap on the deck with my blue pots and yellow Johnnies.

(The "etching" that you in the glass of the sliding glass doors is actually white paint, stenciled on so the birds that I feed right outside don't fly into the glass.)

Have a beautiful day!

A spring day...

2014-04-05T18:11:00.000-04:00

Finally! The Tulip Poplar trees are getting their leaves. This is such a welcome sight!

My chickie dudes like the spring day, too. Here they are, back in their pen ~ for safety. But earlier, they got to wander around the yard, scratching and pecking. Yes, they are hens, but I still call them my dudes.

Daffodils! So sunny and cheerful. I didn't realize that I had a white one.

A Muscari has seeded itself at the edge of the stone path. Isn't that how we are sometimes? Trying to grow in a difficult, "rocky" place?

Another brave little plant growing in the rocks. A reseeded Johnnie.

The blooms on this Veronica are tiny, but oh, so beautiful. I love the blueness of them.

These are Tete a Tete Daffodils that I planted in the fall. I think they are so charming.

Have a beautiful day!