Morning Garden Moments

 

I so enjoy checking-up on the back garden with an espresso in-hand on a quiet weekend morning. The dappled sun inserts bright pockets of uplifting light throughout the garden...

 

A relaxing reading corner and bench on the deck catches all of the morning sun. Such a perfect spot to start the day.

Another project completed by our outstanding contractor, Iron Owl. Justin and his team were able to squeeze us into the schedule and hammered out this beautiful Roman Euro stone path in just two days! Thank you again, Iron Owl! It is such a relief to see this area that was formerly dead grass (we tried and tried) turned into some thing attractive and useful. There is more room on the driveway now, and the path leads straight to the garden gate. We love it!

 

 

~ Remember to enjoy those summer moments - it never lasts for long! ~

 

 

Summer's End



With leaves already starting to turn to deep yellows and shades of amber, paired with some cooler mornings, it's apparent that summer is coming to an end. It has been a long, hot, dry, crispy, smoky (forest fires) summer. I admit, I'm very much looking forward to cooler temperatures and some precipitation.

 

This guy will need to get used to going without his summer romps in the garden !

 

With all of the problems we've had with the William Baffin climbing rose being skeletonized by insects, we made the decision to move him into this corner. I did some research on insects and surrounded the rose with cat mint and sage. Some birch branches were also added to attract helpful insects. The final touch is this charming insect hut for garden friends to thrive.

So far, these changes have had a tremendous difference. Here's hoping that next year, the rose will be back to its former glory.

To welcome in the new season, I've switched our summer front door décor to something more late-summery, early-fall.  Are you ready for the new season ahead?

 

~~~

 



Summer Gardening

 

 

It has been a difficult season for gardening this year. Our William Baffin climbing rose from 2014 is just not making it and has all but died. We added a second substantial bush of the same type but it has been ravaged by sawflies.  This type of rose was almost growing out of control at our last home, so, we're a little frustrated. Meanwhile, we have a zone 8 white rose from the grocery store (meant to be indoor decoration) that is thriving after we planted him in our west facing garden. I am determined to make it survive the winter!

 

Otherwise, our Virginia creeper has also been ravaged by sawflies, my containers are doing OK, but not great, and I can't figure out why, and one of my newly-planted clematis died after it climbed half-way up the trellis. I suppose there have been a few successes though;  our shade garden (pictured above) is filling-in nicely once again, and my first year 'Cheyenne Spirit' cone flower is finally happy and growing beautifully after relocating it a couple of times.

 

With several 50ft trees on our property, it may be difficult to believe we have planted two more trees. The trees are smaller decorative columnar 'Gladiator' crab apples that have gorgeous crimson flowers in springtime. We had a space along our east fence that had been overtaken by (the neighbor's) raspberries and looked somewhat barren and  lacked privacy. After removing the raspberry patch (if you know raspberries, you know they never really leave) and some grass, we added the two trees along with creepers and shrubs. The trees et al should grow in nicely and the trees will grow to be approx. 4-5ft wide and about 15ft tall.

 

Here is a 'before and after' of that area:

 

 

 ~  How's your garden growing this year? I hope you've had more success than I have! ~

 

 

My Beauties

The garden is really filling-in now, and the first show-stoppers of the year are my purple and yellow bearded irises! 

Our next door neighbor passed them on last summer when she was thinning hers out.  

I love how they are reaching toward the south facing sun in this photo.

 

 

Is it just me? Or, do you think she's trying to say something?

 ~~~

 

 

Signs of Autumn

Autumn is most definitely here, as our resident hare, 'Piccadilly', has finally left our back garden. He's been living back there since he was a baby and has finally hopped away to be out on his own.

A strong windstorm blew-in last night and brought a little sprinkle of snow with it. Yes, at 3000 ft above sea level, this is not unusual. I went out to survey the neighborhood this afternoon and took a few photos evidencing my beloved autumn around the community.

 

 A spectacle of colors on Cotoneaster hedges around the neighborhood is just beginning to emerge.

I must have a Virginia creeper (like this one) draping over our fence next year. What color! 

The Ash trees always seem to be the first to lose their leaves and so quickly too.

Pretty pale yellow leaves stamped into a charming flagstone path along a mossy ground.

 The fragrance of the cedar mulch in our front garden whisks me away to the countryside.

 After a bit of birch tree pruning, Andrew trimmed down some perfect-sized branches for my planter.

 Benjamin Moore's 'Fallen Leaf' was the perfect color to refresh our front door.

 

 

It's Canadian Thanksgiving next weekend....Can't wait!

 

Backyard Progress

 

With a lot of work this season, and still more to do, we're finally enjoying our efforts in the back garden. The best part is more privacy as a result of a beautiful new fence built by Union Jack Decking. A few 'before' shots taken in the spring, followed by some 'after' shots taken both early and late into the summer season. Looking forward to some fuller blooms next year... Here's hoping our clematis and climbing rose steal the show!

 Before:

 

 

After: 

 

 

Are you still on summer vacation and sleeping-in tomorrow? I'm envious!

Befores and Afters

(Our 'William Baffin' roses pictured above are real climbers!)

We all enjoy a good before and after comparison. I like looking back at the transformation of our own home. Neglected and bland,  the owner had never moved in as he was transferred out the country before completion. Right away I had a vision of what we could create with this little 'cottage' in the city....

The front before and after.....

 

 

 

 The back before and after....

 

 

 

 Have you been documenting the improvements to your own home? It's a wonderful way to realize your accomplishments and hard work. Also, it makes a lovely set of memories for if you ever move. Give it a try! Happy gardening, renovating, decorating or landscaping this weekend!