Mosaic Monday #88: Glory in the Garden

You knew it was only a matter of time (oops, that was last week's post!) guaranteed that I would wax lyrical about my garden again.  Can you believe it has been 8 weeks since my last garden post?  Muchos cambios, mis amigos, so let's take a look!

Overall, I have been pleased with the outcome of my seed planting (7 out of 13 have come up, and 3 of those were sown in the spring).  54%, barely better than "average", may not seem a palatable result, but, given all of the seeds were hand-collected from last year's garden and that this was my first attempt, I am satisfied.  It has already taught me a thing or two about how thickly (or not) to sow the seeds.  As you can see in some of the pictures below, I could have been a little more judicious.

I sowed Rocky Mountain Bee Plant in multiple locations, and although it came up gangbusters in every one, since then only about half of them are thriving.  Last September, I wrote about these plants, which showed up in our "prairie" on their own.  I collected a bunch of seeds, but left the rest, assuming they would sow themselves.  I have not seen a single one in the prairie.  Go figure!  (In the mosaic above, there must be 20 individual plants in that cluster.)  I am thrilled with the number of columbines that have sprouted, especially since this is a seed sown in the spring.  Given this response, I will focus on seeding columbines rather than trying to transplant little ones.  If you are paying attention (!), you may be asking why there are only six pictures in the mosaic, when I said 7 have sprouted.  Good for you!  

Rocky Mountain Penstemon has also sprouted in half of the locations where it was sowed.  I so admire this hearty plant, and its deep-throated purple flowers, that I am over the moon with this result.  You may also be wondering about the little blue markers you see in the mosaic.  Inquiring minds must be answered!  Three weeks ago, I used these skewer sticks and blue painter’s tape to create little flags denoting sites with emerging plants.  This meant I didn't have to continually reference my seeding plan, and more importantly, prevented me from accidentally "weeding" something I would like to preserve!  (Sometimes, I am not sure, and the flag merits a question mark!!!  I am now pretty confident this is a Rocky Mountain Penstemon - time to update the flag.)

Rocky Mountain Penstemon when it's "all growed up" 

When we first installed our landscaping in 2018, I built a relationship with the Center for Native Plants in Whitefish.  Hailey Moore, the Nursery Manager, has been immensely helpful in a variety of ways – from identifying native and invasive grasses to connecting me with other resources.  In the two years that we have had these sand cherries, I saw significant die-off in the spring.  The first year, I thought it might be “normal”, but I decided not to make any assumptions.  Hailey let me know that Montana State University (Schutter Lab) offers up to five free lab tests per year for Montana residents.  So, per the lab’s instructions, I sent off a healthy sample and a “diseased” sample of the sand cherry.   I also emailed pictures to the lab. 

In less than a week, I had the results from Dr. Eva Grimme: "I suspect that the shrubs are affected by environmental factors like a late frost this spring.  I also found very minor browning/discoloration in the vascular system, which could indicate a fungal canker.  I recommend you check if the branches are still green underneath the bark - this means that they are still alive and may recover.  Prune out the dead branches.  Make sure to sterilize your tools between cuts.  Focus on supporting shrub vigor by providing adequate water and nutrients during the growing season."  As you can see, the pruning was dramatic, but hopefully it will improve the vigor of the shrubs (I have four of them) in the future.  I will also make a note to protect them from frost next spring!

Lower right: after pruning  Other two: "NORMAL"!

If I was self-indulgent, I might be inclined to tell you about EVERY ONE of my plants, but this post would be as long as War and Peace!  A few of them deserve to be called out (and I will, below, but for now, I will let these mosaics speak for the plants.) 

And now for the plants that deserve a special mention.  First up is aspen fleabane.  It has spawned at least 7 volunteers, one as much as 20 feet from the original plant.

 

Given my upbringing in the Midwest, the maples are near and dear to me – I already am in love with their shape and can imagine the day when they tower over the house and cast plentiful shade!

The shape of this Catmint is wonderfully symmetrical – a perfect choice on the part of our landscapers for a position next to the flagstone path that leads to the front door.

The scarlet Gilia is a fascinating flower.  When first installed, the three plants appeared as you see in the mosaic below - tall and spindly with flowers scattered along its arch.  The next year, we had many volunteers, but they never rose much above an inch tall.  And this year?  Shazam – blooms all over the place.  It turns out that this two-year cycle is normal for the plant. 

As faithful readers know, we planted wild grass/wildflower seed mix our first fall in the house.  I have been very pleased with the results – many types of grass, flax, poppies, black-eyed susans, coneflower.  And a few lupines.  One of them actually bloomed this year, which is not too bad for only its second year!

Now that my garden is really coming along, “big picture” pictures are more appealing.

Nature continues introducing her own plants to my garden as you can see in the collage below.  I have shown you arnica in the past; this month I have been able to collect seeds and hope that will be another successful experiment next year.

The circular bed around the Douglas Fir in front of the house has been growing so vigorously that my metal moose was getting lost in it.  So, I shifted it and the other decorative lawn art about 5 feet to the left.  Voila!

Doesn't it look like he is chomping on the yarrow?

After an initial slow start, the flower pots on the deck, as well as the flower baskets on the jackleg fence, are thriving.

Of course, my battle with critters is ongoing, from ground squirrels to rabbits to deer.  It was intense for a week or two, including the morning I chased a bunny around the entire house while still in my pajamas!  And then suddenly, no bunny.  Dramatically reduced numbers of ground squirrels.  Maybe the badger family is having an impact!  

The picture at left is the one and only apple blossom we had this spring - no fruit this year.  And don't ask me about the aphid infestation on our golden currants!  

But then I wake up this morning and see this.  Every gardener has her trials, but they all fade into the background when a new bloom erupts in all its glory.  

(I may be slow in commenting due to an overnight camping trip.)

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.

The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time). 

Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog. 

Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back. 

As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by. 

Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully. 

Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.  

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Mosaic Monday #37: Pottering, Patience and Poppies

Poppy that came by way of wildflower seed mixed

in with grass seed

How I adore pottering in my garden.  Examining the plants closely - are flowers imminent?  Is this sprout a non-desirable or a specimen to be nurtured?  How can I improve the look of the landscape?

Since my last garden report, my knowledge about the plants has exploded.  I have fought off a few infestations.  We've made improvements to the drainage system as a result of rain and hail storms.  Perhaps most importantly, I have become adept at reminding myself that we are in this for the long haul, this garden and I.  One day's disappointment will not be remembered a few years from now, when the garden has been transformed through patience and perseverance.  So, here's the State of the Garden, July 21, 2019.

POPPIES

I must start with the poppies. Last fall, when we scattered the 30 pounds of grass/wildflower seed, I knew not what to expect.  Imagine, then, my delight when red poppies began to bloom!  I especially felt redeemed because I had painstakingly weeded these areas and ensured that these fragile-looking sprouts were not disturbed.  Voila!  The poppy.

I always tear up when I think of my husband's

grandfather, and how he always called me "Flower"

It seems that they begin the classic red color and fade as the days pass - hence, the pink poppy above.  At the first sight of the red poppy, I immediately thought of my husband's grandfather, who fought valiantly for his country and returned home safe and sound.  Many were not so blessed.  How fitting, I thought, that we should have red poppies in our prairie garden! 

The red poppy is worn in many western nations as a symbol of 

remembrance of those people who lost their lives during WWI

and other military conflicts

Well, I am not sure anything can quite follow that act, but we shall Keep Calm and Carry On!

CHIVES

Most of us are familiar with this kitchen staple.  What I didn't know is that rabbits also find it tasty!  Head Chef has co-opted some chives for his cooking, and I am puff-out-my-chest proud.

"Volunteer" chives are coming up around the main plants

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PENSTEMON
Have you heard of penstemon? I first encountered this western United States native during our first hikes in Glacier National Park 13 years ago.  Found in many colors and sizes, all penstemon share tubular flowers on spikes.  This prairie plant thrives in hot, sunny conditions, and another common name is beardtongue.  As you can see in the collage below, this variety features large purple flowers.  Its stalks are thick and strong - maybe that is how it earned its name.

YELLOW PENSTEMON

This penstemon is much more delicate, with abundant stems and smaller flowers.  In early June, I discovered black aphids on the burning bushes, which prompted a close inspection of ALL plants.  I pulled open some yellow penstemon flower buds due to their gnarled appearance, and found small white caterpillars inside.  Another one of these plants had such an intense aphid infestation that I took the radical step to remove all flower heads.  Over the next couple of weeks, I fought black and green aphids by removing parts of plants, spraying others with soapy water, and scattering Sevin on others.  It only took about three weeks to declare victory.  Next year, I will be mindful to start checking for the little devils sooner!

THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD FENCE 

This is as good a time as any to write about de-fence, and no folks, I am not referring to football.  Over the winter, I read somewhere about stringing fishing wire and cans between posts in order to fend off deer.  This idea is based on the notion that deer are creatures of habit - they follow the same routes every day to feed.  Since the deer can't see the fishing wire, walking into it will knock down the cans and make enough clatter to scare them off.  Even one time is probably enough to ensure your garden is not part of the breakfast or dinner buffet!

Wild Alyssum

I am pleased to report that we have not had deer in the garden until very recently, but neither have we had the cans knocked down.  Maybe just the sound of the cans clinking in the wind may have been enough to put them off.  (I have joked to some guests that these are Hillbilly Wind Chimes!)  Recently, we've had some deer activity on the southeast slope, which did have a gap in the defense to allow access to the firepit.  I have since reinforced this area and we have not had any recurrence.  Stay tuned for further reports.

PEARLY EVERLASTING

Isn't this just a delightful name for a plant?  I surmise that the color of the flower, plus the fact that the flowers last for weeks, inspired the name.  I should have three of these in my garden but only one has come back with vigor.  The other two have only one small sprout of the blue-green leaves.  In mid-June, I fertilized them without much effect.  Maybe they will get a sudden spurt on with the warmer weather we are having.

NORTHERN BEDSTRAW

The bedstraw shot up quickly, and showed growth away from the base.  Unfortunately, two of the plants fell victim to either nibbling or aphids, which has affected the blooms.  My consolation here is that we have many native bedstraw plants around the property that I can draw on if need be.

MOCK ORANGE

This shrub is so named in reference to its flowers, which look similar to those of oranges at first glance, and are purported to have a perfume akin to orange flowers and jasmine.  This spring, I was pleasantly surprised by the vitality of the leaves, since last summer this was the shrub that browned up quickly in the face of no rain.  The flowers are reminiscent of oranges, but I am not catching the scent.  And now that the plant is blooming, the leaves are browning.  Perhaps this is the normal cycle.  But the butterflies do not seem to mind!

SALVIA MAY NIGHT
I was skeptical about this plant at first - the basal leaves over-winter well, and therefore it's hard to determine if any growth is taking place in the spring.  But by June 2, it had new leaves and had already started to form flower heads.  A week later, it had fully bloomed, and I am sold on it.  It has a rounded, symmetrical look, and tall purple flower spikes - a striking plant!

NODDING ONION
Initially, only my landscaping design with the names of the plants helped me to distinguish the Nodding Onion from the Chives.  However, as both plants start to develop flower heads, you can tell the difference at a glance - the buds on the chives stand straight, whereas those on the Nodding Onion droop.  A member of the genus Allium, the Nodding Onion is also known as the Lady's Leek - I love that name!!!

Near Many Glacier, July 2018

BLANKET FLOWER
This plant is the opposite of the Salvia - sprawling and disorderly.  But I can embrace disorderly in exchange for the prolific and stunning blooms!  (Fertilizer on the two scrawnier plants did not seem to have much impact - maybe they are meant to be skinny!)  The plant gets its name in areas where fields are filled with them … they "blanket" the field in blooms.

You can imagine my dismay the morning I saw a small bunny hop over to it and start to nibble away.  While the deer defence system is pretty effective, warding off rabbits and Columbian ground squirrels is almost impossible unless you take the impractical step of installing chicken wire around every plant.  In the future, I am confident I will have a garden with more than enough for everyone to have a nibble, but for now we have had to take some dramatic steps with these nibblers (and no, I won't go into details here).

WALKER'S LOW CAT MINT
I was unfamiliar with this plant, but it has earned a place of honor in my garden - the foliage has a unique color and texture, and when blooming, it has an understated elegance that befits Montana.  It was one of the first plants to bloom, and it has lasting power that impresses even work-aholic me!

LEAFY ASTER AND ASPEN FLEABANE
As I journaled about these 2 plants, it took 4 weeks for me to realize I was mixing them up.  Clearly, my hand-drawn landscaping "map" was not very clear!  The leafy aster has some basal leaves and quickly devotes it energy to producing tall stalks that will eventually bear flowers.  This was another set of plants beset by green aphids; soapy water was quite effective to eliminate them.

The aspen fleabane is a shorter, bushier plant that produces abundant blooms.  I am fascinated by the narrow, plentiful petals that radiate out from the head of the flower.  I must admit (but don't tell the rest of the plants) that this is now one of my favorite plants in the garden - it is fast-growing, has required no protection from critters or other special treatment, and has stunning flowers. 

Yes, the rewards of patience and pottering (verb particle: to move around without hurrying, and in a relaxed and pleasant way).

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter