Blossom by Blossom

On this damp, chilly day, I am remembering my gardens. My spirit soars as I think about warm spring days, my hands plunged in the dirt, flowers spilling out of plastic flats. 

Continue Reading »

Shady Lady

Traditional Landscape by Bolingbrook Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."
                                                                                      -- Jane Austen

I have a great fondness for shadowy gardens. Yep, I'm a shady lady for sure.

On the bald hilltop, it took eight years for the crepe myrtle to become a shade tree. As a novice gardener, it took me a while to catch on about what to plant where. In the fall, I'll be busy moving sun lovers to another area.

Until then, I've been reading about shade gardens.
Hydrangeas thrive in dappled light.

Traditional Landscape by Santa Barbara Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Donna Lynn - Landscape Designer

Traditional Landscape by Chesapeake Landscape Contractors Edward Gosman & Associates Inc

Traditional Landscape by Dc Metro Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Katia Goffin Gardens

Traditional Landscape by Kansas City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Richard Clayton Barrett


This home was designed by Linda Floyd. It's a fairy tale house, with ferns and ivy growing like crazy.

Traditional Landscape by San Jose Interior Designers & Decorators Linda L. Floyd, Inc., Interior Design


Another look at the shade garden. The foxgloves are in full bloom.

Traditional Landscape by San Jose Interior Designers & Decorators Linda L. Floyd, Inc., Interior Design

A path curves through a green-and-white shade garden. 
Doesn't it look calm and inviting?

Traditional Landscape by Dc Metro Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Katia Goffin Gardens


Blue hydrangeas grow next to a blue shed.

Traditional Garage And Shed

Don't they look luscious against cedar shake?

Rustic Landscape by Andover Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Paul Maue Associates Landscape Architects


A border that delights the eye and imagination. The "before" and "after" is amazing. Not only did the hydrangeas add color, they gave a privacy layer.

Traditional Landscape by Warwick Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Summerset Gardens/Joe Weuste

This year, I bought several "endless summer" hydrangeas, 
and I have fretted over them like a new mom.

Traditional Landscape by Canton Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Leslie Rohrer

Ajuga is another good choice for shady areas. 
My mother says it's a bit invasive, but she adores the purple blooms.

Traditional Landscape by East Hampton Landscape Contractors Whitmores Landscaping

Hostas are reliable in the shade. I love to plant them in front of huge hydrangeas so they'll form a green border. Below, they hug the edges of a path.

Traditional Landscape by Kennett Square Photographers www.KarlGercens.com

A fern border is ladylike. . . yet untamed (like Jane Austen's characters).

Traditional Landscape by Canton Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Leslie Rohrer

In this border, purple astilbe and pink-purple hydrangeas tower fetchingly over boxwoods.

Traditional Patio by Canton Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Leslie Rohrer

Gardeners love the shade-tolerant foxglove, which is the mainstay of English cottage beds.

Mediterranean Landscape by Van Nuys General Contractors {environmental concept}

A shady path beckons, drawing you past white birch trees, where alliums float above lamb's ear and purple catmint. 

Contemporary Landscape by Winchester Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC


There's something to be said about a monochromatic bed. It's so pleasing to the eye, with shades of green and a charming mix of shapes and textures.

Traditional Landscape by Vancouver Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Glenna Partridge Garden Design

For moist, partly-shaded beds, you can count on the primrose.

Landscape by Vancouver Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers CYAN Horticulture

Hand's down, I love hydrangeas the most.

My impatiens are in part-sun, and they struggled until the crepe myrtle leafed out. Now, they've grown into a poofy border.

 My garden buddy, Zap, waits patiently while I pull weeds.

 What are your favorite shade plants?



Foodie Friday -- May 16th

Welcome to Foodie Friday.

It's Advil Season. 

A time for sore muscles, blisters, and sunburn--the best time of year if you are a gardener.

 I've spent the last few weeks cleaning the flower beds, checking to see what survived the severe winter and what needs to be replaced. 

The potted plants are starting to take off.

And the irises are in bloom.

A dear friend sent me some rhizomes last fall, and I was so worried that the Polar Blast

had hurt them. But the mighty iris prevailed.

This flower bed has sunny and shady areas.

Bandwidth planted 18 mandevillas today.

He is helping me mulch tomorrow. 

The bald hilltop is "Pretty in Pink" this year.

We've also planted a large potager, but I'll save that for later.

Meanwhile . . . 

Are you familiar with the MYSTERY INGREDIENT CLUB?

Here's how it works: A secret ingredient is assigned to members, and they incorporate it into a recipe (sweet or savory). 

The next club meeting will be held Monday, June 2, 2014. 

** Participating members can host the party. This means that you don't have to follow any rules or do any "hosty" things. You'll be mailed the Inlinkz thumbnail code prior to the event, which you can add to your post. This is totally optional.

**You can add your link at any participating blog. Your thumbnail/link will be seen on all MIC clubbers' blogs

** Other than using the secret ingredient in a recipe, there are no rules. 

** If you'd like to play with us, just leave a comment (or email me at designsbygollum@gmail.com and type MYSTERY CLUB in the subject header. 

** The secret ingredient will be unveiled via email.

** If you'd like to host the party on your blog, you'll be mailed the Inlinkz thumbnail code prior to the event.

**This isn't a weekly meme. The MIC meetings happen mysteriously!

Come on and join us. We'll have a great time!

Are you contributing a recipe to this week's Foodie Friday?

 If so, locate the blue Inlinkz icon in the lower, left-hand portion of this post. Click on the icon and follow the directions. After you complete the process, you will see a red "x" beside your name. This allows you to delete your link if you made an error; the red "x" is visible to you only.

You can read a complete guide to this linky party HERE.


It's pretty simple: there are NO RULES.


You don't need to "like" our Facebook page or be a follower of this blog to participate. Nor do you need to include a backlink or Foodie Friday button in your post. Add as many recipes as you wish, old or new.

If you'd like to share your food photos--or photos of other FF participants on Pinterest, join the Pinterest foodie board, Consuming Passions. Leave a message on the most recent "pin" if you'd like your name added to the list.

Every Friday, we are joined at this big, virtual table--thank you for stopping by today. I'm grateful to all of you who spend your days cooking. I'm grateful to old and new friends who contribute recipes every week. I'm grateful to friends who leave a comment. I'm grateful for the silent folks, because you are brought here by your love of all things culinary.

We are food people. And that's a marvelous thing.

Add Your Recipe:

Have a great weekend!

Social Bookmarking

Russian Sage



 My husband looked up from the garden and yelled, "Oh, no! Dear!"

"Yes?" I called.

"No, not you," he said. "I meant the four-legged variety."

Oh, deer.

The critters had ransacked Will's garden.

 

The oak leaf hydrangeas had taken a hit also.

Bandwidth and I pulled the remains out of the ground and replanted them at Bald Hill,

a mostly deer-less place.

 

 

My mother said, "Buy Russian Sage. The deer won't eat it...usually."

Perovskia atriplicifolia is noted for its deer resistant and drought-tolerant qualities.

It likes sun and can grow 48-inches tall and 30-inches wide.

 

I've spotted large and small pots for sale at Home Depot and Lowe's.



 

 

Russian sage is lovely when paired with Black-eyed Susans,

but it remains to be seen if the deer will nose through the sage and take

small yellow bites out of the landscape.

 

Traditional Spaces by Millbrook Landscape Architects & Designers R Design Landscape Architecture Inc. P.C.

Traditional Landscape

If it thrives (and I've been told it's hardy and forgiving), look what can happen: a dream hedge.

Traditional Landscape by Seattle Landscape Architects & Designers AHBL

The best dreams start small . . .



 

 

  

... and grow into bigger dreams.

Contemporary Landscape by Minneapolis Landscape Architects & Designers Windsor Companies

 

Traditional Landscape by Pittstown Pools and Spas Liquidscapes

  Upcoming: Additions to the Path Garden:

 

   A Metamorphosis Monday  contribution.