Dirt Therapy

January Generally a quiet month, with cold temps and rain, but occasional dry spells and sunshine. This year was no exception. I do love the winter garden, not only for the evergreens but also to observe the birds. A highlight of January is the 'Chief Joseph' pine. It is growing fast and now about 5' tall. I also have a small one in a pot. We have a lot of nice evergreen plants in the garden. One of the first posts I did this year was about the various evergreen plants in the garden. February February is usually when snow and ice arrive, although sometimes it happens in January. According to my post , we got 4 inches of the white stuff on Valentine's Day.  March It doesn't sound possible, but by mid-March , the garden was off and running, with camellias, pieris, hellebores, daffodils and crocus bloomings. It was also a record year for the Azara, which was loaded with the little vanilla-scented flowers. April I'm always amazed that the garden can change so much ...

This is another one of those gardens in England that requires lots of nerve and careful footing. Even more surprising is that this garden is tended by an elderly couple. The house was built in 1908 by  two suffragettes from London who founded the Women’s Social and Political Union. The house was used as a refuge for women leaving prison. The house had been empty when Robert and Carol Moule moved into it in 1997. The following year, they began work on the neglected garden.  Chygurno is located in a leafy neighborhood with very narrow streets. Our tour bus could only go so far, so we had to park and walk a good distance (about 1/2 mile). It was fun, though, and there were neat things to see along the way.  Like this -   Getting closer and the last stretch was uphill - The garden is on a steep hillside that leads down to Lamorna Cove. The first thing Robert and Carol did was to install terraces, pathways and staircases in order to safely navigate the terrain. The garden...

Icebox Fruitcake I spent some time in the kitchen baking during the past weeks. I made more involved recipes than these two, but I wanted to share them and archive the recipes. Peanut Brittle was a staple in my home growing up and the Icebox Fruitcake was special in Michael's family. My mother was a wonderful cook and baker and I remember peanut brittle being one of her specialties. She made tons of it every year and not just during the holidays. She did it the old-fashioned way, which involved a cooking thermometer and lord knows what else. It wasn't until I was an adult, that I became aware of a much simpler method... Microwave Peanut Brittle  This recipe came to us from Michael's cousin and it is so ridiculously simple. You can make a batch in 10 minutes or less! Use a large pan and a large piece of foil. Butter the foil. (I use a large, rimless cookie sheet and it works great). The pan needs to be warm. (I preheat the oven to about 100, turn it off and place the pan ins...

I remember being surprised when I spotted this Red Hot Poker ( Kniphofia ) at Cistus Nursery a few years ago and was told that it bloomed in winter. Appropriately, it is named 'Christmas Cheer'. I planted it in a bad spot, in too much shade and hidden behind a huge pot. I promptly forgot about it. Earlier this year, I came across it languishing and clearly unhappy in its home. Not really having a good place for it, I dug it up and put it in a pot and set it in a sunny spot by the driveway. About a month ago, I brought it up to the deck to give it some winter protection (it is hardy to 15 degrees). Imagine my surprise when I noticed an emerging stalk that kept getting taller and taller and viola, slowly-opening flowers! The flowers appear to be yellow and the photos I've seen of it are red or orange. Time will tell if the color goes through a progression. I'm just excited that is is blooming and what a time to bloom! I don't know how kniphofia does in pot culture but...

Fuchsia 'June Bride' This is December 22nd and we have not had a freeze yet! Unbelievable! I've not heard the weather people say whether or not this is a record, but surely it is. The hummingbirds are loving this. We keep our feeders filled, but I know they enjoy the additional flowers. We have a clump of three Salvia 'Amistad' outside the bathroom window and every time I look out the window, I see one buzzing them. Salvia 'Amistad' Salvia 'Hot Lips' They also love the fuchsias, and many are blooming at the moment. Last week, we got the exciting news (not!) that we need a new roof. When the inspector came out, he kept commenting on the big 'Lady Boothby' that is covered with blooms next to the front window. He kept saying he didn't realize flowers bloomed in December... Fuchsia ' Lady Boothby' Fuchsia 'Trailing Lena' The Mexican Orange (Choisya 'Sundance') is especially pretty this year - Choisya 'Sundance...