tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20128917471883806562024-03-16T11:52:20.337-07:00Dirt TherapyGardening in the Pacific Northwest (Vancouver, Washington)Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.comBlogger1160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-44607532499267485892024-03-05T22:34:00.000-08:002024-03-05T22:37:28.800-08:00Professional Pruning<div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k6XTgeITAsjRvJIHI71nx1qAQujAf04UhReGLWC1jscASV1czTn4rq2Sg2LSGFp8vss49bTJqq7xhI3GYWZCUsAQ0im0F_AnqBeS2YHhUi4c0MvyTws0Zxw3HSWGjeQ_u6HSghbl31hKSofaZQeZtoSOtWlr5DPnHSGxTuW-eqxzy6FINcES7RMRNKJy/s1024/pruning2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k6XTgeITAsjRvJIHI71nx1qAQujAf04UhReGLWC1jscASV1czTn4rq2Sg2LSGFp8vss49bTJqq7xhI3GYWZCUsAQ0im0F_AnqBeS2YHhUi4c0MvyTws0Zxw3HSWGjeQ_u6HSghbl31hKSofaZQeZtoSOtWlr5DPnHSGxTuW-eqxzy6FINcES7RMRNKJy/w640-h426/pruning2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I rarely resort to hiring help in the garden but I'm learning that sometimes it is wise to do so and worth every penny. Case in point - some hideous out-of-control trees that were beyond my ability to deal with. If I were smarter, I would have tackled these issues from the beginning but I didn't know better.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The first is a pear tree that was planted along the back fence line. I've worked on this for the past several years, every year with the intent of reducing the height or possibly removing it altogether. As you can see in the photo, I had cut back everything but three limbs and finally realized that it would be dangerous for me to try and bring them down. The limbs grow straight up into the air and the remaining three are about 20 feet tall. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YVsqfIySCuFY_HAzh-vJFc_eXS60oyY0Cy1ekxJaZ124wxBandNMsKXdfldihk4mPiv8rNe-hthGDCGoEp9FA1jorfCN3q0BC9z8yfFD8XUnyxkoMVq8ETFoH7ZR9TosgmqolQg6dp_8CkEgo82wz0134X0dBR9xtl8_av5JoUIySg7UEwLy_JUMIRW9/s909/pruning-pear-before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YVsqfIySCuFY_HAzh-vJFc_eXS60oyY0Cy1ekxJaZ124wxBandNMsKXdfldihk4mPiv8rNe-hthGDCGoEp9FA1jorfCN3q0BC9z8yfFD8XUnyxkoMVq8ETFoH7ZR9TosgmqolQg6dp_8CkEgo82wz0134X0dBR9xtl8_av5JoUIySg7UEwLy_JUMIRW9/s16000/pruning-pear-before.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">After -- there is a hole in the sky view but the tree should fill in nicely for a good screen and I can keep it trimmed down from this point forward.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay2oyD7gkJ3Sws9nz-Pm7SXwsG8ZslAxbCnWZGIXGH0acLMvllNQ6jRFL-1vTGpBboQX2eSJBYPeqYnQzNejE_cUJTYOVvHI7oAIgcybR4_9LVwAvni-SyHn0rIQ0aKZlWP1TaQ4nOphDn5Wu7aCJJvSXdsNgYGJs60OpKshBMJRHWmCUTs6pwi-if3t_/s900/pruning-pear-after.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay2oyD7gkJ3Sws9nz-Pm7SXwsG8ZslAxbCnWZGIXGH0acLMvllNQ6jRFL-1vTGpBboQX2eSJBYPeqYnQzNejE_cUJTYOVvHI7oAIgcybR4_9LVwAvni-SyHn0rIQ0aKZlWP1TaQ4nOphDn5Wu7aCJJvSXdsNgYGJs60OpKshBMJRHWmCUTs6pwi-if3t_/s16000/pruning-pear-after.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Farther down along the fence line, and the view from the deck, are two massive photinias. The one smack dab in the middle of our view has turned into a nicely shaped tree but the thing totally died last year. The one to the right (you can just see the edge of it in the photo below) is fine but much too tall and leaning on telephone lines. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkokXelnLnjOFwarijcRwVTL_x4SdwkzziVrqFqaIhO9VTEIXD6l-GIh5qKXp6fWPnyVI7aOLPYm7xiOugMwJij6O7ZyFUcysl6gzLyKV2ZAcf9QIrLKnkODbWdBxxvBCCogM5Indv_ODnAYDO4rcFx6qJ9S0SeqnayuuMQmzZwgDTdCFL9O4aa3OYt9GR/s830/pruning-photinia-before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkokXelnLnjOFwarijcRwVTL_x4SdwkzziVrqFqaIhO9VTEIXD6l-GIh5qKXp6fWPnyVI7aOLPYm7xiOugMwJij6O7ZyFUcysl6gzLyKV2ZAcf9QIrLKnkODbWdBxxvBCCogM5Indv_ODnAYDO4rcFx6qJ9S0SeqnayuuMQmzZwgDTdCFL9O4aa3OYt9GR/s16000/pruning-photinia-before.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The photinia after - it is a shock seeing all that open space but the plants in front should begin to fill in and more sun can now get in. The trunk remains (the bird house is on it) and I'm thinking of covering it with a vine.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQjDJJp53rl0vYSfLH9p-G_S-axagRcsZoHoUWEmuYEazRyEXvIatKN_jdn2MZf2DxO2PCHTLF_rwLwH1zqdmEgsxxA3abhmvqeA8SOKKGHeV00i2jGYwq4mlBrx2nAqRit3JIoESkIjxggGlTPKbmdF6cV_X0NffTGtJhvyvkcw4IUpPd2bzAq7f1X9v/s1024/pruning-photinia-after.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQjDJJp53rl0vYSfLH9p-G_S-axagRcsZoHoUWEmuYEazRyEXvIatKN_jdn2MZf2DxO2PCHTLF_rwLwH1zqdmEgsxxA3abhmvqeA8SOKKGHeV00i2jGYwq4mlBrx2nAqRit3JIoESkIjxggGlTPKbmdF6cV_X0NffTGtJhvyvkcw4IUpPd2bzAq7f1X9v/w640-h426/pruning-photinia-after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The last problem is a line of arborvitae that runs alongside our deck. Great privacy but getting way too tall and they also get wider. Of course, they are bare inside so you can only cut a few inches into them without having a hideous brown mess. I hate them!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoWxdXkvDzZ_4Vei7ZSb05DeJr3yA5Pj8WhlSGmGx9qc_pFeLQwNzWLF8xoBIgXnoh8-yC8G2vxcZmdGmYJV94DhwJQUafzzRSTp61_poxu4-h9aK1Wz2RZsSeewuLS0ZAIjz6Nje6miJaRBFK2Ff-21wR2sk9z0nlDNLXtlsqGfJQN1IsO7ITeFY8NQF/s1024/pruning-arborvitae-before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoWxdXkvDzZ_4Vei7ZSb05DeJr3yA5Pj8WhlSGmGx9qc_pFeLQwNzWLF8xoBIgXnoh8-yC8G2vxcZmdGmYJV94DhwJQUafzzRSTp61_poxu4-h9aK1Wz2RZsSeewuLS0ZAIjz6Nje6miJaRBFK2Ff-21wR2sk9z0nlDNLXtlsqGfJQN1IsO7ITeFY8NQF/w640-h426/pruning-arborvitae-before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2vSjMSpa8SyngrGulHZy3y0DTdBSEaHRl-piAYNr6UDziPGcPBHUbpjRYgFFuTHZTKIAOXxUutV07FDhuAbaBwrR-kgL-tZVD8GUi43REMBgdb6aKzPFatc_YTXMgJ3v5t7ATtODDWgZSjJWqG6xhB2F2yy4LU8fDtvDd1KzUAQxdE8EakzlcYPaSr74/s1024/pruning-arborvitae-after.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2vSjMSpa8SyngrGulHZy3y0DTdBSEaHRl-piAYNr6UDziPGcPBHUbpjRYgFFuTHZTKIAOXxUutV07FDhuAbaBwrR-kgL-tZVD8GUi43REMBgdb6aKzPFatc_YTXMgJ3v5t7ATtODDWgZSjJWqG6xhB2F2yy4LU8fDtvDd1KzUAQxdE8EakzlcYPaSr74/w640-h426/pruning-arborvitae-after.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The arborvitae is much shorter, right above the roof of the deck. They also trimmed the sides as well. We were beginning to see some die-back near the bottom because of shadier conditions so hopefully they will improve. I was apprehensive about cutting them back this much so I will be taking extra care of them and hope for the best.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I had heard of <a href="https://www.roscoebrotherstreeservice.com/" target="_blank">Roscoe Brothers</a> since working at Yard n' Garden Land and knew they were highly recommended. My walking partner Patty also highly recommended them and said that I didn't have to worry about them damaging the garden. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I could not be happier that the deed is done and Roscoe Brothers did a first-rate job. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Looking at these photos of the guys at work reminds me of one of our favorite <i>Will & Grace</i> episodes (the Barry Manilow one) when Grace keeps saying <i>"Better him than me - Better him than me"...</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRn7skJf-SiQl4e9CxMaGq2b8aU3HMJ3Wz5WkgMQAvoxiyJjvaFgfzghyWlmZWc9iQd7zqVzpb7YVunvTtTAhSWZofWTNfmMzAP_6FLUHJBhkbtnUgxcXymDThXwxtgMpUh5X2E9243h0nUjNn9du4gUaL80e_h213cmglO-74N98Zr0nZCaWZ_czeRSK/s1024/pruning1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRn7skJf-SiQl4e9CxMaGq2b8aU3HMJ3Wz5WkgMQAvoxiyJjvaFgfzghyWlmZWc9iQd7zqVzpb7YVunvTtTAhSWZofWTNfmMzAP_6FLUHJBhkbtnUgxcXymDThXwxtgMpUh5X2E9243h0nUjNn9du4gUaL80e_h213cmglO-74N98Zr0nZCaWZ_czeRSK/w640-h426/pruning1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, </span><a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com" style="font-family: Adamina;"> Dirt Therapy</a></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-79816317033125253722024-03-02T14:02:00.000-08:002024-03-02T14:07:37.058-08:00Neighborhood Walk<div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><fontsize style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj640Urm1bOaYbsY_s_bAgJCwrhzeS8LIsvksGWnrNtpQuwFgBwg7FmoUyAlbZm42VoNA7RF0Vhr-J12dlD6OusZ_szqKzDmt6JAJ_CP51GBSAihGQqJ0l9CYRuSHeFWC8hFFfsELW90_wBRRAKDiEm_CuBD9bfzHMflbnVLww1ERiqWA3YuWrEmbkb8gJg/s1024/lakeview3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1024" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj640Urm1bOaYbsY_s_bAgJCwrhzeS8LIsvksGWnrNtpQuwFgBwg7FmoUyAlbZm42VoNA7RF0Vhr-J12dlD6OusZ_szqKzDmt6JAJ_CP51GBSAihGQqJ0l9CYRuSHeFWC8hFFfsELW90_wBRRAKDiEm_CuBD9bfzHMflbnVLww1ERiqWA3YuWrEmbkb8gJg/w640-h552/lakeview3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></fontsize></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><fontsize style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Recently Kris at <a href="https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2024/02/walking-neighborhood.html" target="_blank"><i>Late to the Garden Party</i></a> shared photos of landscapes around her neighborhood and I thought it was a great idea because I love seeing what others are doing (or not doing) in their gardens. I also love to look at houses. About a month ago, I started walking regularly, something I've never done in the past, and I like it so much that I feel guilty if I miss a day. A neighbor has been walking with me and she introduced me to her 4-mile route (</span></fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;">10,000 steps) </span><span style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;">that goes through a very nice neighborhood that borders our own. </span></div></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">There is not a great deal to see garden-wise because of the time of year so I am looking forward to seeing these in the spring. For the past week, the weather has been awful with cold temperatures barely getting into the 40s and rain, rain, rain. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M70sdL1ZUvADXH1i_GSbe2BMeRjvC_79CY75vEdQBiDhZzrNlT5fG6F3ykQclAo9D3iS1K4wlb5lsWAuX3qdhLCc0FQ3tXq14bY-3RxuLyiHF-oLOOLJ-OE32-sRusVpQjfHhDrJ_sctFiip6MFM8qW-AOwLw50zH_eQOCSXnYrUXvROVydsfi1EyHKs/s1280/walks-1-river-view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1280" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M70sdL1ZUvADXH1i_GSbe2BMeRjvC_79CY75vEdQBiDhZzrNlT5fG6F3ykQclAo9D3iS1K4wlb5lsWAuX3qdhLCc0FQ3tXq14bY-3RxuLyiHF-oLOOLJ-OE32-sRusVpQjfHhDrJ_sctFiip6MFM8qW-AOwLw50zH_eQOCSXnYrUXvROVydsfi1EyHKs/w640-h452/walks-1-river-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This neighborhood is on a bluff that overlooks Vancouver Lake.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnT9Kj9PhjBZpTvhbnU9gh6-F9fR8YkXyax3EYZxXdlSwhJ7UfX0Ej1b_uLb5CzmPJExYg2OVbIZg456fzXAsU2lnMNhjQQZGAyDnTOLss1mE_11O-UguBY1DCDtClt9T2A4omg8kxAJXCFtXC-keRoB9M8FG8qVeK9oRhsJ0vh0t6DGM70b51bUQONfG/s801/walks-1-viburnum.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnT9Kj9PhjBZpTvhbnU9gh6-F9fR8YkXyax3EYZxXdlSwhJ7UfX0Ej1b_uLb5CzmPJExYg2OVbIZg456fzXAsU2lnMNhjQQZGAyDnTOLss1mE_11O-UguBY1DCDtClt9T2A4omg8kxAJXCFtXC-keRoB9M8FG8qVeK9oRhsJ0vh0t6DGM70b51bUQONfG/s16000/walks-1-viburnum.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;">Flowers are beginning to make an appearance, however, such as this <i>Viburnum x bodnantense</i> 'Dawn'. Blue seems to be the "in" color with houses. This one is really nice but there is another that is our favorite but I don't have a photo. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QfavEsnFXxJbh4SNksA48bU6-0tYxI6jFnaCEcehQcjurBLoYWNAgd9SM_fMlvMf2ztY51mvNqOqdajGUjleyVQUQsJX3kqJlPUDbF9RbORDQxboSPVgHbYRYSLWn1EiDyhGOOJbMsc3YnxVduEpkgRebyy-7AZiEhEOTWI680i8IO_AE7RxbTPn9RZW/s939/walks-1-waterfall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QfavEsnFXxJbh4SNksA48bU6-0tYxI6jFnaCEcehQcjurBLoYWNAgd9SM_fMlvMf2ztY51mvNqOqdajGUjleyVQUQsJX3kqJlPUDbF9RbORDQxboSPVgHbYRYSLWn1EiDyhGOOJbMsc3YnxVduEpkgRebyy-7AZiEhEOTWI680i8IO_AE7RxbTPn9RZW/w613-h640/walks-1-waterfall.jpg" width="613" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I love this and I would like to do a smaller version in our front garden instead of the urn water feature that we have now.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D4EY5t27GluC1vl2APTGbxIFjP9bCngvZywGu25EjqNJl5Om2e6trRF925-0gIWtpSAmhyphenhyphenQNK4NFXKglQpFfC7L047RkChVZqp-bXukQp6ZEHz7CqxSNT6AKswYRq80eCy7fTcKzOe-CIIFqbgbLcwpsKvuBTEmZn9ttJg50NhMyXsZ1pxma7ARwkePC/w640-h480/walks-2-asian-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is really nice with an Asian influence. As much as I love it, I would not have the restraint to pull it off. The entry goes into an open courtyard from what I can tell by looking from the street.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D4EY5t27GluC1vl2APTGbxIFjP9bCngvZywGu25EjqNJl5Om2e6trRF925-0gIWtpSAmhyphenhyphenQNK4NFXKglQpFfC7L047RkChVZqp-bXukQp6ZEHz7CqxSNT6AKswYRq80eCy7fTcKzOe-CIIFqbgbLcwpsKvuBTEmZn9ttJg50NhMyXsZ1pxma7ARwkePC/s1280/walks-2-asian-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Kx5mH5yhUfDxvJQkZLEKmLh3Xrwbr2zHkcp9Y0pk5qjDXHM5dlPIvdtJovt4iJpsdxoXn3Fb-Pj9SEOlmhmvhGVMMElw4a3acfZSX3zXqyj52C7Kz7hMDohXU_35a0RLsbZsXjiu-hWv0qzT0IHINovs_6cSbWI0sZ7qr9LBRyZzxB6VkVVxqcwdfgIs/s1280/walks-2-asian-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Kx5mH5yhUfDxvJQkZLEKmLh3Xrwbr2zHkcp9Y0pk5qjDXHM5dlPIvdtJovt4iJpsdxoXn3Fb-Pj9SEOlmhmvhGVMMElw4a3acfZSX3zXqyj52C7Kz7hMDohXU_35a0RLsbZsXjiu-hWv0qzT0IHINovs_6cSbWI0sZ7qr9LBRyZzxB6VkVVxqcwdfgIs/w640-h480/walks-2-asian-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would add more plants to fill in the bare spots although there could be something planted here that is dormant.</td></tr></tbody></table></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYUAhuKWBgj8JVs02P2MmT1LRImrVDGlk3hkRdWwfr0wMZNw3zWEGpG9bF3qAWj0GHVHB0e530v1lCcSh3fjWK4PzSVCZn8-kuZGKqCYxe5wHZmjYb9cxIP2cEJzgIi91sAqgxj9fISTzSX_jIX_LTYwBA7Iog-d-4PhZS82W8UsWvOqZH1894yOdXrTG/s1280/walks-1-ivy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYUAhuKWBgj8JVs02P2MmT1LRImrVDGlk3hkRdWwfr0wMZNw3zWEGpG9bF3qAWj0GHVHB0e530v1lCcSh3fjWK4PzSVCZn8-kuZGKqCYxe5wHZmjYb9cxIP2cEJzgIi91sAqgxj9fISTzSX_jIX_LTYwBA7Iog-d-4PhZS82W8UsWvOqZH1894yOdXrTG/w640-h480/walks-1-ivy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, there is a lot of ivy and juniper here but I think this is so well done. I've seen the gardeners out working from time to time. They are elderly and hats off to them for working on this steep slope. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><u><br /></u></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4AQp6nyvM98X9uhiM2knCLBAYdU7hWEOHoVX1fdMl36ELUxf-VWP2zUGOly9UHoD2qFVaT6slj6Z1rzbJjothAT_AQ-mr7ZkznQVjs09Rn6curYGXjeS3c1UHnvOQbTyaLCODYJanNSWCXmCGtEUNug1L-9fFnejDeupBedBlIY0dFZBjzqBFt2zmNew/s1280/walks-1-stone-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4AQp6nyvM98X9uhiM2knCLBAYdU7hWEOHoVX1fdMl36ELUxf-VWP2zUGOly9UHoD2qFVaT6slj6Z1rzbJjothAT_AQ-mr7ZkznQVjs09Rn6curYGXjeS3c1UHnvOQbTyaLCODYJanNSWCXmCGtEUNug1L-9fFnejDeupBedBlIY0dFZBjzqBFt2zmNew/w640-h480/walks-1-stone-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I first began to plan our garden, my first thought was to do something like this - a low raised bed. I went the cheaper route (a rail fence) but still envision this. I would go with totally different plants though.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu47qyb3vVSaJPfCLIO0hdri7qjiy5lr0uXGhhI7dB3y1aOP8Pb0ysIn12dxTsToFeYMcepYULnf7Bwofw935hQm3gyigB_vC1dTpxnkq6ziN_eU3RDzr1D9GEIm-LnjPmHeciLiXyQq5hPTTBuQIVI2L9E9_7DaILG3ff6zrQjdkKHH4Ca8YPVwVp6Ksa/s1024/walks-1-raised-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1024" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu47qyb3vVSaJPfCLIO0hdri7qjiy5lr0uXGhhI7dB3y1aOP8Pb0ysIn12dxTsToFeYMcepYULnf7Bwofw935hQm3gyigB_vC1dTpxnkq6ziN_eU3RDzr1D9GEIm-LnjPmHeciLiXyQq5hPTTBuQIVI2L9E9_7DaILG3ff6zrQjdkKHH4Ca8YPVwVp6Ksa/w640-h410/walks-1-raised-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite and I can't wait to see this later in the year. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15wcxqYQsNjE0AB6rgmztm0MFLqJZz2Z2sJJRLd9w3qc6d7_fLbL1qYhzrkEx6sjeEz_BoM-HtV3_ui9nt2RR-9TWKaLByA_SX-N0D6BwC67FCBRb_0Tu6KIc7rPs5TwBOC9BM1lYBkJBfBFKt8uWQFT0vGLmPzeWtMO-0XuEP8vsWSTWjJcGsGEmn6tE/s1024/walks-1-raised-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1024" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15wcxqYQsNjE0AB6rgmztm0MFLqJZz2Z2sJJRLd9w3qc6d7_fLbL1qYhzrkEx6sjeEz_BoM-HtV3_ui9nt2RR-9TWKaLByA_SX-N0D6BwC67FCBRb_0Tu6KIc7rPs5TwBOC9BM1lYBkJBfBFKt8uWQFT0vGLmPzeWtMO-0XuEP8vsWSTWjJcGsGEmn6tE/w640-h448/walks-1-raised-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So beautifully done, I hope to see the gardeners out one day and ask them about it. I would change the rocks on the light post to match the darker rock work.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDaZIwflEvVvCmhtbICl1U8a0aozBBDAACqDS-Zoeyi4-pwgS1dVaw4bMkGAGdtqC5PKfENVUvfXvbMaKWgpDvmo8Rq-bGEVy97vQ1XKbrdShbNZxcWYPvpGa_YgMEEWsSphEF6N2-i-bHI-cB8Vxj-IQ7SoaYMmuZ06klpaJy7K7i7zPg_Nn57jrS-wE/s1280/walks-1-bell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDaZIwflEvVvCmhtbICl1U8a0aozBBDAACqDS-Zoeyi4-pwgS1dVaw4bMkGAGdtqC5PKfENVUvfXvbMaKWgpDvmo8Rq-bGEVy97vQ1XKbrdShbNZxcWYPvpGa_YgMEEWsSphEF6N2-i-bHI-cB8Vxj-IQ7SoaYMmuZ06klpaJy7K7i7zPg_Nn57jrS-wE/w640-h480/walks-1-bell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another garden with an Asian design. The column with the bell is a nice touch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cATQCB-nWjNTsUdtv76RPxcEXAnZ8wEFKULwVs5uRyoEfCxF7KbGEqiFExN5c8si_T8d0i1LtfrdAfAQT8HdZO9PhUUxQIZbTe0zAXFAu_Upsdh0gziNiEbhR6bF98GItN_4lrfnRBDpp2aIulGVbrTdnmEbeOUHQh7LaSsZ5T839SzmpsXL1sggkl6f/s800/walks-1-conifer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cATQCB-nWjNTsUdtv76RPxcEXAnZ8wEFKULwVs5uRyoEfCxF7KbGEqiFExN5c8si_T8d0i1LtfrdAfAQT8HdZO9PhUUxQIZbTe0zAXFAu_Upsdh0gziNiEbhR6bF98GItN_4lrfnRBDpp2aIulGVbrTdnmEbeOUHQh7LaSsZ5T839SzmpsXL1sggkl6f/s16000/walks-1-conifer.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I include this one because I love the shrub. I'm not sure what it is. It totally blocks the front door but a very nice specimen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize>So, assuming I keep up the walking, I will include more in later posts.</fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize><br /><br />Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-61620453497307463922024-02-26T12:49:00.000-08:002024-02-26T12:50:44.510-08:00In the Yard n' Garden Land Greenhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW6UmXTn_Rs66Fhlx3JKV4ljoOrtDjF9cHRFmwmpKKrNiAW6GJWPdnE-QwDhxi4B7PBaZush91YD-xKImrBXj6TNuSIc7BeFimfeLjR54XOG2HmdhS6sMIjuul_zzJ9RVnu2VknQxctFGZGjO2EH7_9s24zuOhFnfG5DC6rgvP4ivRdfvpmwg7h1LgiYI/s1024/greenhouse1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW6UmXTn_Rs66Fhlx3JKV4ljoOrtDjF9cHRFmwmpKKrNiAW6GJWPdnE-QwDhxi4B7PBaZush91YD-xKImrBXj6TNuSIc7BeFimfeLjR54XOG2HmdhS6sMIjuul_zzJ9RVnu2VknQxctFGZGjO2EH7_9s24zuOhFnfG5DC6rgvP4ivRdfvpmwg7h1LgiYI/w640-h480/greenhouse1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">My season at Yard n' Garden Land has not started yet but I did work yesterday to help out in anticipation of a busy day. Nice weather was predicted and there were a lot of customers who were attending a rose seminar. </span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The greenhouse was beautiful (Kellie does such a great job with displays) and seeing all the colors and blooms gives a great energy boost this time of year.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkvE7h4bNdvOO6SiPXvvUd_OM8MyGMwT3Tux0kVwtcd9IPZhgt8smBmCEhRKQ3RLqgeKFPwsduXZXNCkmfUnEPk2ivu63TlM3LSCrsfZVL4Srw7ROtd5i9mn21kePNJMl410ziunAs53SIGjw4aAYKgWeCho8nmd-e1qgoO6dxr6FtFWU0hHWuZ3ZLBmE/s800/greenhouse8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkvE7h4bNdvOO6SiPXvvUd_OM8MyGMwT3Tux0kVwtcd9IPZhgt8smBmCEhRKQ3RLqgeKFPwsduXZXNCkmfUnEPk2ivu63TlM3LSCrsfZVL4Srw7ROtd5i9mn21kePNJMl410ziunAs53SIGjw4aAYKgWeCho8nmd-e1qgoO6dxr6FtFWU0hHWuZ3ZLBmE/s16000/greenhouse8.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQwMIgfhNyEoZ0yEF8ZN1-zcOVGRoCMHPzYiSr0prrQAEighuq_InSqIZUYV-Esl9OqgldJSaDpCFOsWyA7kP-b07LDwqRaeyAvFX_CHfx6TdkXmPEKUL2gKL4Hpodb9vHZ0EEo7EfVePbqtxTUoORSoeYssyA77d5O9dXp8VaTauA85MZ5Tzn3wdxTs6/s1024/greenhouse7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQwMIgfhNyEoZ0yEF8ZN1-zcOVGRoCMHPzYiSr0prrQAEighuq_InSqIZUYV-Esl9OqgldJSaDpCFOsWyA7kP-b07LDwqRaeyAvFX_CHfx6TdkXmPEKUL2gKL4Hpodb9vHZ0EEo7EfVePbqtxTUoORSoeYssyA77d5O9dXp8VaTauA85MZ5Tzn3wdxTs6/w640-h480/greenhouse7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize>One entire side of the greenhouse is roses although they will be moved outside in a few weeks. This photo was taken before the rose seminar was over and lots were sold following that -</fontsize></span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6OSu_sayrnQ6aub4BRkM99f_IVruKc6PvY51UQil8Z9LKGVbacW_83leNcgp9MBdIdy8j2DZINH1merXInroyBCclZnVvNQzrskbf0yRabLTTff7LnyI6G6n0rdDta1v1e2lqi2cngdXjJIiPMRYwU0f2O3B_HitL7JRFIXP2nHAclaishFXSZYbb3fs/s1024/greenhouse13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6OSu_sayrnQ6aub4BRkM99f_IVruKc6PvY51UQil8Z9LKGVbacW_83leNcgp9MBdIdy8j2DZINH1merXInroyBCclZnVvNQzrskbf0yRabLTTff7LnyI6G6n0rdDta1v1e2lqi2cngdXjJIiPMRYwU0f2O3B_HitL7JRFIXP2nHAclaishFXSZYbb3fs/w640-h480/greenhouse13.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize>There are many new pots and I'm told that more are on the way. Hopefully, more bird baths and water features too -</fontsize></span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYnXRyQVl5ukOfgQwEoyRb1e-2LprRDiNyqX_cOhX4YEfdAp7P3Urqz5A3-tgtkgk7sCR185h_VTln0Dj-NY8wwYaohx-lBdmPUMYzmmcrOwKZtmIys6Hl3LDyY58LIIextuA_HeEdwAUXRHH3u2JJE4tj9KOu7fZaV55uodPkmuEUWA6spU9svaIhaCI/s800/greenhouse12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYnXRyQVl5ukOfgQwEoyRb1e-2LprRDiNyqX_cOhX4YEfdAp7P3Urqz5A3-tgtkgk7sCR185h_VTln0Dj-NY8wwYaohx-lBdmPUMYzmmcrOwKZtmIys6Hl3LDyY58LIIextuA_HeEdwAUXRHH3u2JJE4tj9KOu7fZaV55uodPkmuEUWA6spU9svaIhaCI/s16000/greenhouse12.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZza-TQb4Qi5Qx6XCiRPS4JTSWKdSIGBzU21MdJk34Kiv097KI2IajhEkKf5NVnJZel6rtkeQkfOVdgkucqilWyAzRUo5-g5ir_V63DAVqlvWf0F0mp2vJjHYlpuB7JSK7LiNw9BvvIz-Eyi8TWdG9otjWRMfPeRsMu1UwrWKb7EZvl20XefTcA4vfu_tQ/s1024/greenhouse18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZza-TQb4Qi5Qx6XCiRPS4JTSWKdSIGBzU21MdJk34Kiv097KI2IajhEkKf5NVnJZel6rtkeQkfOVdgkucqilWyAzRUo5-g5ir_V63DAVqlvWf0F0mp2vJjHYlpuB7JSK7LiNw9BvvIz-Eyi8TWdG9otjWRMfPeRsMu1UwrWKb7EZvl20XefTcA4vfu_tQ/w640-h480/greenhouse18.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuoBESticIvP4PtNkL6PsZBN0WBBo2TnTUyGO5bkqreLYC5sx-jObOzI5NRvCPhD8LFoqjCJMktKWmVmKTxkUvs94y7vVpv-DebUv41ljZ7SxlKq0uwGbSn3Z26IR23KVgERxkn1uVNxQoRGaGsBadV_uM_jbTzGes7Uzec5gDr6eZmHNy6xHy67j6bp7/s800/greenhouse5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuoBESticIvP4PtNkL6PsZBN0WBBo2TnTUyGO5bkqreLYC5sx-jObOzI5NRvCPhD8LFoqjCJMktKWmVmKTxkUvs94y7vVpv-DebUv41ljZ7SxlKq0uwGbSn3Z26IR23KVgERxkn1uVNxQoRGaGsBadV_uM_jbTzGes7Uzec5gDr6eZmHNy6xHy67j6bp7/s16000/greenhouse5.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrpluTOC_6eOMIoe5VlEeeomeig0X1nHdfgmtHPa_izXPzUkO7OSnHf0hkF45h80U-AvEEVQ-KJ7pnHoDf4gISZcBx5YXTqhB6Bz3C98NF0_UawY9Yq8E1vZDq6xgO-9tG6J2LHdGcTMBtzyGdt_Bf9rBRE5VVAnrPsajAjSTi9gOEW_2IauWmve6LcaO/s800/greenhouse9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrpluTOC_6eOMIoe5VlEeeomeig0X1nHdfgmtHPa_izXPzUkO7OSnHf0hkF45h80U-AvEEVQ-KJ7pnHoDf4gISZcBx5YXTqhB6Bz3C98NF0_UawY9Yq8E1vZDq6xgO-9tG6J2LHdGcTMBtzyGdt_Bf9rBRE5VVAnrPsajAjSTi9gOEW_2IauWmve6LcaO/s16000/greenhouse9.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKHHlP254ijT-xi3xVz6YT7cIm9UXrVvkMvztAfSjpKlvJGYIJq4m8qwl0tmXynDDypZqgJLq12vlbgICeQ0cGKPQ95Ql6GxlqWI61MTfmt85qwqPboNmtfRsLzLh-hma0iCxPg8dzcBVFEyjLbGMRiww9L5Du-Kofk0IelbrumkUPmjKysM_BlflAMZW/s800/greenhouse11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKHHlP254ijT-xi3xVz6YT7cIm9UXrVvkMvztAfSjpKlvJGYIJq4m8qwl0tmXynDDypZqgJLq12vlbgICeQ0cGKPQ95Ql6GxlqWI61MTfmt85qwqPboNmtfRsLzLh-hma0iCxPg8dzcBVFEyjLbGMRiww9L5Du-Kofk0IelbrumkUPmjKysM_BlflAMZW/s16000/greenhouse11.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6Tso5SZLZ7Qob-5Nh7dGn_SXGqSqABMy-rtYW8AtqtqNwKq7JqM9dSnw2lX2BX5nCYK7Qg5aik7cfZh2cQRazkStJiesWj_85q9oMgHYBW7mQPWYLrsW5WiE09Co5wRkFkxRwZ_rdSfSOo2t_73MlFr35QQ8mp-prYWoQ8c1uaSmR7hwLcpCk3IOEkqT/s1024/greenhouse17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6Tso5SZLZ7Qob-5Nh7dGn_SXGqSqABMy-rtYW8AtqtqNwKq7JqM9dSnw2lX2BX5nCYK7Qg5aik7cfZh2cQRazkStJiesWj_85q9oMgHYBW7mQPWYLrsW5WiE09Co5wRkFkxRwZ_rdSfSOo2t_73MlFr35QQ8mp-prYWoQ8c1uaSmR7hwLcpCk3IOEkqT/w640-h480/greenhouse17.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">So many camellias! This is 'Yume' and I wish I had a spot for this one. It is gorgeous! -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4bVYTEHjGNGbQdM1jsziSiWB9K2_OrsvRTnKBL_imYrNFp_QIz4MbSir_b7mZRg8UwC1n4enpedk3OAqEPuuDju4Zo09o1ye4_b92JFSjEw_ovBD8FgFqLSwZf3Zmz3GssnWcX6qwYA9_GzINe5WkHRj2vl3TUmmYYk9L4j-5g5g6bwTdzcka9wE9gyk/s800/greenhouse19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4bVYTEHjGNGbQdM1jsziSiWB9K2_OrsvRTnKBL_imYrNFp_QIz4MbSir_b7mZRg8UwC1n4enpedk3OAqEPuuDju4Zo09o1ye4_b92JFSjEw_ovBD8FgFqLSwZf3Zmz3GssnWcX6qwYA9_GzINe5WkHRj2vl3TUmmYYk9L4j-5g5g6bwTdzcka9wE9gyk/s16000/greenhouse19.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><fontsize>And many hellebores as well -</fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAluqYDx8N7dESW6lBdrtWTRo2PputFxz9MiTUE27uRNWEX4EJjluzHyKPa4hpcBBGnXQo5AVUsu5laGU_P7dnf8CJSJ224KfLN3FEdtqvnW-lHFpFFWwwopYjhG-xlhRYPMypVCOWxCD_l-I4Y6vTYKQbTfk4wXE6ZtRDiU9O-OmD8OCt_anQaIEd52x/s800/greenhouse3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAluqYDx8N7dESW6lBdrtWTRo2PputFxz9MiTUE27uRNWEX4EJjluzHyKPa4hpcBBGnXQo5AVUsu5laGU_P7dnf8CJSJ224KfLN3FEdtqvnW-lHFpFFWwwopYjhG-xlhRYPMypVCOWxCD_l-I4Y6vTYKQbTfk4wXE6ZtRDiU9O-OmD8OCt_anQaIEd52x/s16000/greenhouse3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuBk0wJm2r0TuXHBeGC3n2FxNp04Ab8H0kcipkNWnNxdKVD586QjMRsGyOmZN8ghS0benhJiHfku6EBVFxE289g3kBf7EG6ylR9km4J7PUhUEOxVFYiT9RPNCGTyRwifsFkNF1xokS9FR-fRS1xY2exTEg-Ff32HfhuE8YD4nJkbyF0Z-W57L_HG-Qw02/s1024/greenhouse16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuBk0wJm2r0TuXHBeGC3n2FxNp04Ab8H0kcipkNWnNxdKVD586QjMRsGyOmZN8ghS0benhJiHfku6EBVFxE289g3kBf7EG6ylR9km4J7PUhUEOxVFYiT9RPNCGTyRwifsFkNF1xokS9FR-fRS1xY2exTEg-Ff32HfhuE8YD4nJkbyF0Z-W57L_HG-Qw02/w640-h480/greenhouse16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><fontsize>And, if there was room, I would plant a paperbush (<i>Edgeworthia</i>) - </fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPug6jcQfssljw11KceGVc-u7tCNQQiU3mtX-Rhjz53dfhKCdSWz4g8hrC7iKCKK5l7sO970w_rdoV5rYveu4rxNOkkF4WIdivbghW8mHDsgN-FOgxFRX0rrH7nEvfSvhBFbeHW8PBQG8dlpoctJOxFs09Rlc8NJ1CM3EWxAxV82olVgvub7YTBlzWu8n/s800/greenhouse15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPug6jcQfssljw11KceGVc-u7tCNQQiU3mtX-Rhjz53dfhKCdSWz4g8hrC7iKCKK5l7sO970w_rdoV5rYveu4rxNOkkF4WIdivbghW8mHDsgN-FOgxFRX0rrH7nEvfSvhBFbeHW8PBQG8dlpoctJOxFs09Rlc8NJ1CM3EWxAxV82olVgvub7YTBlzWu8n/s16000/greenhouse15.jpg" /></a></div><br /><fontsize>And stepping outside to the trees and shrubs, the area where I work -</fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g9Mnal0BWi5f441H_mVAsAwM9TMr1sTlL6etKv6a32llJUIs6xICsgS72kLMaJ_PmOg8cWLBZM_BmoK54NlNhVoeuOe2Dico22sTV0J9oSADz67aOt98WGX_bCbuwAlN_lmEKbXzHylnzRgN1duaixujjzMSs7-uFcPwlB8wLQLyP4uBtnlS5F_zFaML/s1024/greenhouse14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g9Mnal0BWi5f441H_mVAsAwM9TMr1sTlL6etKv6a32llJUIs6xICsgS72kLMaJ_PmOg8cWLBZM_BmoK54NlNhVoeuOe2Dico22sTV0J9oSADz67aOt98WGX_bCbuwAlN_lmEKbXzHylnzRgN1duaixujjzMSs7-uFcPwlB8wLQLyP4uBtnlS5F_zFaML/w640-h480/greenhouse14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gqtOPC0bo91VOAYTUQ3uDr7cqHBHfRXsXZp5MosB7m0JVlZYtfmWEHUeMekHgnfoSqsQu6D58hfQzQgWLXHKIp75kLFY8eZGO4Ue4MazZHWpscgCNB50Iu3xBPK9T3CE1lMUPFm09Kevte8u7YWlEb1OJxCPezEQhGwnk7rmTthJ9BRajVbnRTCI0fz8/s1024/greenhouse4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gqtOPC0bo91VOAYTUQ3uDr7cqHBHfRXsXZp5MosB7m0JVlZYtfmWEHUeMekHgnfoSqsQu6D58hfQzQgWLXHKIp75kLFY8eZGO4Ue4MazZHWpscgCNB50Iu3xBPK9T3CE1lMUPFm09Kevte8u7YWlEb1OJxCPezEQhGwnk7rmTthJ9BRajVbnRTCI0fz8/w640-h480/greenhouse4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-51141304774137786562024-02-15T12:47:00.000-08:002024-02-15T12:47:57.800-08:00Early Flowers<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgA1b4lan8wRkhSYFN2OJGKChIJTRcYSpXxRW2lNrjz5HCEcbSHZGsL_YbmN_YN1QinTgtskspG9wVESHvf6xUQwD2GAfZ773kDPwq45HxLxVwLS4P7fS03b4QGkDiViprEToMej2ERSBc3q3UHIPevLiNH4n_4LLHTCe1CkgEqaHP3nudKBNDVov59AA/s1024/crocus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgA1b4lan8wRkhSYFN2OJGKChIJTRcYSpXxRW2lNrjz5HCEcbSHZGsL_YbmN_YN1QinTgtskspG9wVESHvf6xUQwD2GAfZ773kDPwq45HxLxVwLS4P7fS03b4QGkDiViprEToMej2ERSBc3q3UHIPevLiNH4n_4LLHTCe1CkgEqaHP3nudKBNDVov59AA/w640-h480/crocus.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>Crocus</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa4WaLislKBgAYW6tEkxRHwA9kT9VA7SkEPMFMQU1YsT7fEExurzVkRwlGOY1LjG1cMaf_xHYprzf6LQawFhv8f2kUTIAKgocp__5NofggKW91hlSKRYLVnRn51Y9q0O6-7KVqZJLE3VF616oF6uoQGbD-mDE1l0oDq3_tYSGKxijCoXxs8EYrtu789qg/s1024/cyclamen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa4WaLislKBgAYW6tEkxRHwA9kT9VA7SkEPMFMQU1YsT7fEExurzVkRwlGOY1LjG1cMaf_xHYprzf6LQawFhv8f2kUTIAKgocp__5NofggKW91hlSKRYLVnRn51Y9q0O6-7KVqZJLE3VF616oF6uoQGbD-mDE1l0oDq3_tYSGKxijCoXxs8EYrtu789qg/w640-h480/cyclamen2.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>Cyclamen coum</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34bMF8PLfHPFbl4dx3py5qCVtBxAaadgw6EUs7_SX_jMUTP8_mRCwEBtQ-Qf48Mkl9gmb2NyE0f1dT7iacVyrDvdS9ZoRg5bJ1O5-X54ZstTCwp593yC2pCvGhJgJQ-gJg4wjXg84ZT7p7GkAriHeRRza5MrYlN1QV1u_BmsxDICZx2CHPi2zzbhzzY38/s1024/cyclamen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34bMF8PLfHPFbl4dx3py5qCVtBxAaadgw6EUs7_SX_jMUTP8_mRCwEBtQ-Qf48Mkl9gmb2NyE0f1dT7iacVyrDvdS9ZoRg5bJ1O5-X54ZstTCwp593yC2pCvGhJgJQ-gJg4wjXg84ZT7p7GkAriHeRRza5MrYlN1QV1u_BmsxDICZx2CHPi2zzbhzzY38/w640-h480/cyclamen.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jnZQgJi28kdfkdezAZhdosFH9dFS2RljHJNC4yYUid-j92zj-c8NaAJo89xoP8iTInV6GfmPNotBrF8nIZt9noCFNvBXyuQ75xQAFV2mDP6x9h_Y4dToDXflmfNpYg4OLXSQRia48UyG_KHmv2J7axEH-C3CTYMn4wYMZeTuVPruXgaT3912BwwYdpk0/s1024/hellebore1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jnZQgJi28kdfkdezAZhdosFH9dFS2RljHJNC4yYUid-j92zj-c8NaAJo89xoP8iTInV6GfmPNotBrF8nIZt9noCFNvBXyuQ75xQAFV2mDP6x9h_Y4dToDXflmfNpYg4OLXSQRia48UyG_KHmv2J7axEH-C3CTYMn4wYMZeTuVPruXgaT3912BwwYdpk0/w640-h480/hellebore1.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>Hellebore 'Merlin'</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDNtenWkvYduJKuOVITyqt-t9ZD-axfEPk-PkfuMlxVNq1BW9iFnuUtROwUkWojjR5o-qdpNomLGse15QTcW-Ay_TPbmAeGarQPqYEQKzxCDKgssARo0w10awWgqNRan86-MIWlnssVgVSOPT-6mKtEscPGepHDky9Rx06uYuyKsyOTxqpjHl1PW17JMM/s1024/hellebore2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDNtenWkvYduJKuOVITyqt-t9ZD-axfEPk-PkfuMlxVNq1BW9iFnuUtROwUkWojjR5o-qdpNomLGse15QTcW-Ay_TPbmAeGarQPqYEQKzxCDKgssARo0w10awWgqNRan86-MIWlnssVgVSOPT-6mKtEscPGepHDky9Rx06uYuyKsyOTxqpjHl1PW17JMM/w640-h480/hellebore2.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mdZAhTUjgDP9uvUHHSNQkp5Eg5VX9k0mUilGH5wPTGRlZKKQqpi4lEPIWkZAz6htJjEugvpnaN4hMWvvw4K52Q9KPg6SfwwbwOPRLPlVbwEqvhQCRCV52xYg_uOuN5ftRrCVYl7NZ2aWSsLag9IFyMSwwrZB9q_iBC-rpLc7BxNuM9qZqylMjEVCwB_8/s1024/hellebore3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mdZAhTUjgDP9uvUHHSNQkp5Eg5VX9k0mUilGH5wPTGRlZKKQqpi4lEPIWkZAz6htJjEugvpnaN4hMWvvw4K52Q9KPg6SfwwbwOPRLPlVbwEqvhQCRCV52xYg_uOuN5ftRrCVYl7NZ2aWSsLag9IFyMSwwrZB9q_iBC-rpLc7BxNuM9qZqylMjEVCwB_8/w640-h480/hellebore3.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ewm_SBKbUDbRoulM2CeSQMwlTN4NyESE0OveXqppuGFc8JLoYsX-EvwOmxGQW51OpoA_a1l3Ei-cLl6lksPhhHTnqInvljJU79AwnVWNNEW1nx0qwo49vLAAMCiigUZ6lzMVHSN-qLpwfR0papk-osC-GC_AQweXIhZMCz0wvAIrFQnnzMw5Gu6TO7pv/s600/snowdrops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="600" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ewm_SBKbUDbRoulM2CeSQMwlTN4NyESE0OveXqppuGFc8JLoYsX-EvwOmxGQW51OpoA_a1l3Ei-cLl6lksPhhHTnqInvljJU79AwnVWNNEW1nx0qwo49vLAAMCiigUZ6lzMVHSN-qLpwfR0papk-osC-GC_AQweXIhZMCz0wvAIrFQnnzMw5Gu6TO7pv/w640-h632/snowdrops.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>Snowdrop</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-56988157336121093492024-02-14T15:59:00.000-08:002024-02-14T15:59:04.483-08:00The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden - a book review<div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMYaBA5YFzOthcfNkae6yt94z4RdW5xoQkxBPVazZJhtGmJY7XnnX6igolIaMhmbqhTBrcZUWj8URF4T3NmZY8IUN80utS3OW9pYYPooXp-HWgxu6dK7QkgahDQ3hpTqSU7qqNBvRhoOChYneD8Dd9g2dK9AOp6tFmbnuxcVtMmRCSNFmc3QlIYZuN2_h/s534/ultimate-wildlife-habitat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMYaBA5YFzOthcfNkae6yt94z4RdW5xoQkxBPVazZJhtGmJY7XnnX6igolIaMhmbqhTBrcZUWj8URF4T3NmZY8IUN80utS3OW9pYYPooXp-HWgxu6dK7QkgahDQ3hpTqSU7qqNBvRhoOChYneD8Dd9g2dK9AOp6tFmbnuxcVtMmRCSNFmc3QlIYZuN2_h/s16000/ultimate-wildlife-habitat.jpg" /></a></div></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">by Stacy Tornio</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Timber Press, 2024</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This colorful guide is a good introduction for beginning gardeners who want to attract wildlife. The focus is on four major groups - birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. There is also an additional chapter on "Other Wildlife" which offers brief notes on attracting dragonflies, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, earthworms, etc. It even mentions squirrels and rabbits, but my question is - who would want these in the garden?!!</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Each section begins with profiles of the major players with a description, photo and list of statistical information such as physical characteristics, nesting habits, diet and range. This is followed by a section of plants that are beneficial. The plants include trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARcwFO1_rcW82Mar3ZHmknaXYcdGXJtC3vYX2m9uZwCWXtsY1vWMrBsAAG19Ie3LSM9y1ik0ZSQhqU52pfL5SlOzsNwf24aU3IYwCVBP4Vb8wgNvSHra4Y7u30RWXNA_SKo8QiPfQTbYWeA99U_uUew419tGTaM3Xanjk3q0kt1xv6d3VpNlK-l2la3Ys/s1280/uwh1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1280" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARcwFO1_rcW82Mar3ZHmknaXYcdGXJtC3vYX2m9uZwCWXtsY1vWMrBsAAG19Ie3LSM9y1ik0ZSQhqU52pfL5SlOzsNwf24aU3IYwCVBP4Vb8wgNvSHra4Y7u30RWXNA_SKo8QiPfQTbYWeA99U_uUew419tGTaM3Xanjk3q0kt1xv6d3VpNlK-l2la3Ys/w640-h390/uwh1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">A section titled "Show Me How to Plan a Garden" features five or six plants with an illustration to use in whatever type of garden you are making (shade, drought-tolerant, songbird, hummingbird, etc.). </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037li0luQFZlvcXepqqRD46ed5KghNnDSbgkO0x0HAfyr7QXMkAjlFwiLTCAiEZG9IoeqyHaygzRFGTE2rxokzH-ceX65alZS7zQvrWAjeGemHvmNTCOrxr5ctCrrzFLRt_g4ziDm0eT0XsI4rPvxqzHuDyPWEcHH7Fin7_ypM6cKBMn6gL6kBZ6riaaE/s1280/uwh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1280" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037li0luQFZlvcXepqqRD46ed5KghNnDSbgkO0x0HAfyr7QXMkAjlFwiLTCAiEZG9IoeqyHaygzRFGTE2rxokzH-ceX65alZS7zQvrWAjeGemHvmNTCOrxr5ctCrrzFLRt_g4ziDm0eT0XsI4rPvxqzHuDyPWEcHH7Fin7_ypM6cKBMn6gL6kBZ6riaaE/w640-h390/uwh2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">A final FAQ section answers questions about native plants, organic gardening and problems one might encounter.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The book is well illustrated with beautiful photographs and drawings. I would recommend the book as a gift for someone just starting out with gardening or for someone who wants to identify birds or butterflies. I'm not sure I would use the word "Ultimate" in the title as the information on both plants and birds is quite minimal, but it is a good starting point.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, </span><a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com" style="font-family: Adamina;"> Dirt Therapy</a></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-20171050643493420922024-02-12T16:33:00.000-08:002024-02-12T16:33:35.690-08:00Pruning Honeysuckle<div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">After months of inactivity, it seems like the "to do" list of chores in the garden is overwhelming. Most of this revolves around pruning. In the past, I've not been good at cutting plants back and I learned in my last garden that it is a mistake to just let everything grow unchecked. I'm much better now but I lack the ability to look at a plant and intuitively know where to make cuts or how to shape it. Michael is a master at this (I think it stems from him being a hairdresser) and he has shaped many of our trees beautifully.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I need guidance so I am continually referring to books and YouTube videos. Here is my stash of pruning books -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLFnyth-O2CWGW53-vRbvtyz9n_pVr2ERUeHTLX3jRHAjFErzzbD3r0B0m7YusUx12yOoXVViY1glFxK4BEXUCEMKZhGtvOP2M3b0LpxXRoQElxGPBUaGfiqmiz7f-ESVr8R0nDF6BVbhjRYBFvShEktulcZzebcvV9QRPuI055cOHhz9cIvylMZwrgly/s765/books-pruning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLFnyth-O2CWGW53-vRbvtyz9n_pVr2ERUeHTLX3jRHAjFErzzbD3r0B0m7YusUx12yOoXVViY1glFxK4BEXUCEMKZhGtvOP2M3b0LpxXRoQElxGPBUaGfiqmiz7f-ESVr8R0nDF6BVbhjRYBFvShEktulcZzebcvV9QRPuI055cOHhz9cIvylMZwrgly/s16000/books-pruning.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">When approaching a plant to prune, I consult every one of these books and compare notes. The American Horticultural Society book is the most detailed although I sometimes find it confusing and hard to follow. A co-worker turned me on to Cass Turnbull and her book is humorous and down-to-earth but she doesn't cover every plant. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I've decided to be more drastic this year and to show no mercy. I first tackled the honeysuckle (<i>Lonicera americana</i>) which to this point, had had very little pruning. I was about to chalk it as a dud because it never bloomed well and of course it bloomed its head off last year. I found conflicting advice on pruning it with some sources saying to cut it back early and others to cut it after it bloomed. I'm taking the early route, and we will see what happens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Before - </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ04OlBuAEhMjlqMXJ-HvL7U09wB_a-n5jCciT4JTWQGjqJOoyN6S90wpTxxaHmmoOK7N3dIVOtPbCg9TrVjujkrIy99hOnJwd0DhKkPEu1KSHuZEno-yymTRHKo_Neu4LxDKPs1tLla4SMwvwuBbnhIKO2DXK6vXTN4dwnAhNQE1fhTmDU3UF-txMZPca/s1024/honeysuckle-before-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ04OlBuAEhMjlqMXJ-HvL7U09wB_a-n5jCciT4JTWQGjqJOoyN6S90wpTxxaHmmoOK7N3dIVOtPbCg9TrVjujkrIy99hOnJwd0DhKkPEu1KSHuZEno-yymTRHKo_Neu4LxDKPs1tLla4SMwvwuBbnhIKO2DXK6vXTN4dwnAhNQE1fhTmDU3UF-txMZPca/w640-h480/honeysuckle-before-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">There was quite a bit of dead wood which is typical for honeysuckle. Leaving it unpruned would eventually result in a tangled mess of dead limbs. I cut back some of the canes hard and others I left longer. After -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo3W7qBC8lR95nTXDvEhLZjIcacytnnw57Po1uIL8y-qu2uBeyfN18919Yx_kVj0rBcW2X64lHCBnwtSjnjuCYrmzbhtolI0-nVqXVXxpj6kVE2kjWtEK33GUWspIZhmdzuDnCETTXvCTeqAEKGV9RLS4YTBWH-6prxGRNttCROIc8ydSomklwG1wpXBC/s1024/honeysuckle-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo3W7qBC8lR95nTXDvEhLZjIcacytnnw57Po1uIL8y-qu2uBeyfN18919Yx_kVj0rBcW2X64lHCBnwtSjnjuCYrmzbhtolI0-nVqXVXxpj6kVE2kjWtEK33GUWspIZhmdzuDnCETTXvCTeqAEKGV9RLS4YTBWH-6prxGRNttCROIc8ydSomklwG1wpXBC/w640-h480/honeysuckle-after.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Scary, right? </span></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-69150834404028487602024-02-07T17:35:00.000-08:002024-02-07T19:36:58.324-08:00Birdwatching<div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We get so much pleasure out of watching our bird visitors that we can overlook the mess they make on the deck.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKaODoIyR8rgURrgHsUKGXr9lXcxPQ6s4oWzZT1Q9Ye9JzszV9x5RA7A615JuMz1GF7RQjVdkYixmsBPm5ajdHtPaL3XxQA0B4gS9cUkGX69u7V3ViWidSyKwYd9q_O8IYTZpWTJhgpq3fEmnMWiz2mCrAi60A5dVt_wrwSYqbPDJOINkfrIoPRhyQ0Cb/s690/birds-finches.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKaODoIyR8rgURrgHsUKGXr9lXcxPQ6s4oWzZT1Q9Ye9JzszV9x5RA7A615JuMz1GF7RQjVdkYixmsBPm5ajdHtPaL3XxQA0B4gS9cUkGX69u7V3ViWidSyKwYd9q_O8IYTZpWTJhgpq3fEmnMWiz2mCrAi60A5dVt_wrwSYqbPDJOINkfrIoPRhyQ0Cb/s16000/birds-finches.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">House finch and Goldfinch </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This feeder pictured above is the favorite and I was disappointed when I could not find another one. You can see this one has been repaired. The top portion holds larger seeds and the bottom part holds small seeds like nyjer. The top part simply unscrews. It is so easy to fill and the birds love it. I got this feeder free as a product to review but it is no longer available and I have not seen any similar ones.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEjYNX7XuXF69VR1l6ILJXtzuyLenYn5MwCFzwHtvtK8XmDc7ZRItW3AQ4qgbjYJZP6QA1frToDI55mq_hZ8o77FGqXIuTsdIT1Ko4FMu38ATW6Is_U6JqCIyzvLt-0MMakmQi88RZkdHdrY9Hjr8sC_wvRUm-3ZL4LDA1dQtt7mim8wb_s5zE5c4hRX9/s1024/birdbath-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEjYNX7XuXF69VR1l6ILJXtzuyLenYn5MwCFzwHtvtK8XmDc7ZRItW3AQ4qgbjYJZP6QA1frToDI55mq_hZ8o77FGqXIuTsdIT1Ko4FMu38ATW6Is_U6JqCIyzvLt-0MMakmQi88RZkdHdrY9Hjr8sC_wvRUm-3ZL4LDA1dQtt7mim8wb_s5zE5c4hRX9/w640-h426/birdbath-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The heated bird bath is another favorite and it is a lifesaver in freezing temperatures.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiTpuHy4TOHrPCsiKT0uhkxvmpxWF9TyhOva6tkzKPTah-b0NgulCtdV1owQY-nTJfUkJj5lfO2ydCazSOTT0FdOz1ljzuW8Qr9s_rJ-j1XaLcwOXT_5aMBiNlqNu10hFrDcGeDzihryKCEa5nLw2aneokelVF5m0lRM0RtaQDpXMEwLPv8cHAGkyWU7p/s1024/birds-woodpecker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1024" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiTpuHy4TOHrPCsiKT0uhkxvmpxWF9TyhOva6tkzKPTah-b0NgulCtdV1owQY-nTJfUkJj5lfO2ydCazSOTT0FdOz1ljzuW8Qr9s_rJ-j1XaLcwOXT_5aMBiNlqNu10hFrDcGeDzihryKCEa5nLw2aneokelVF5m0lRM0RtaQDpXMEwLPv8cHAGkyWU7p/w640-h436/birds-woodpecker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Downy Woodpecker</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">After having our suet feeders rapidly depleted by starlings and squirrels, I purchased one of these suet feeders that have cages around them. They still get into it but not nearly as much as before. The Downy Woodpecker loves the suet as does...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQfO9nup110SFrZvkH_Sf3_Ml0INrqLNwcqAo62cfgp7N_Li1lnGgr_WsVu_EdTsZ1gJS5t-iM_9mpck-ctvXjTV4rtldn0VpDmH8lo6JK_gkSpeZOM1ID3KDoEyEqpMYGaqgPHM9yYPLgURtmWvgX5rWhIPnntWmniv0Ivg2ttY5OfrRFCuPLOUTMLUB/s883/birds-bushtits.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="883" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQfO9nup110SFrZvkH_Sf3_Ml0INrqLNwcqAo62cfgp7N_Li1lnGgr_WsVu_EdTsZ1gJS5t-iM_9mpck-ctvXjTV4rtldn0VpDmH8lo6JK_gkSpeZOM1ID3KDoEyEqpMYGaqgPHM9yYPLgURtmWvgX5rWhIPnntWmniv0Ivg2ttY5OfrRFCuPLOUTMLUB/w640-h624/birds-bushtits.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Bushtit</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The Bushtits! I love these guys but I admit this can be a disconcerting sight. They come through several times a day and are only here for a few minutes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m9KrM-von3ayzAa8PYq53RMD_mbu5ywleNMQRjbHhlqZhlsy6rrMQeR8rqMbJZ2obco9f0nUQDWCDQP_mIzyKI0TgqU2WOf2NiCuMsFyfJ1rY3q7O0tuQ6khoN7ods8NAxyogIZQhVu0IdMOMm5jGsKzbmmKXRz_7xJkQQM5ePQMz8tj74nrbQoA5gvi/s1024/birds-scrubjay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1024" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m9KrM-von3ayzAa8PYq53RMD_mbu5ywleNMQRjbHhlqZhlsy6rrMQeR8rqMbJZ2obco9f0nUQDWCDQP_mIzyKI0TgqU2WOf2NiCuMsFyfJ1rY3q7O0tuQ6khoN7ods8NAxyogIZQhVu0IdMOMm5jGsKzbmmKXRz_7xJkQQM5ePQMz8tj74nrbQoA5gvi/w640-h570/birds-scrubjay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Western Scrub Jay</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Michael says I spoil the Scrub Jays rotten because I feed them peanuts. He hates the sound they make but I actually like it. They are so funny to watch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGBCSo_yUpQOgXpkxKOEfVwpaqVMorVblQXNtyX5FaCahnUmpMMwBVxE73kS4EvoaP_zTfmMI5TxRPWVCEW8C7mvbBo1BB4NMriXuu2NZb5B5KTwXpaXZGkFapIBx4DaHzghPFYNcIIfdpmDzCyGCPbkcxix4bW9_4eUeLSpwTrKTI97kykUistsTlqCi/s1024/birds-towhee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1024" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGBCSo_yUpQOgXpkxKOEfVwpaqVMorVblQXNtyX5FaCahnUmpMMwBVxE73kS4EvoaP_zTfmMI5TxRPWVCEW8C7mvbBo1BB4NMriXuu2NZb5B5KTwXpaXZGkFapIBx4DaHzghPFYNcIIfdpmDzCyGCPbkcxix4bW9_4eUeLSpwTrKTI97kykUistsTlqCi/w640-h522/birds-towhee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Spotted Towhee</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I think the Spotted Towhee is my favorite. Very shy and they tend to stay at ground level although I've seen them often lately in the bird box on the patio table and even at the feeders from time to time. So beautiful!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I did not get photos of the nuthatch and warbler which are also frequent visitors. To attract them, be sure and buy the nut and fruit bird mixes.</span></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-79046165367747766442024-01-28T15:16:00.000-08:002024-01-29T08:00:44.717-08:00A Guide to Medieval Gardens - a book review<div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7CVqfj63oB9nLdfOTffqzo2GXT4ME9jKlU8prUm_PI7Dy1EHUUenQEWiXPLIeC8PRsaW8qpaaMgziR3SoJIdp99w1BcFZ7YtEcx3yPKvT6cPhhOnqIOxupCatXQ_Bt7pl-x6uVBG7HYxv-SOeSq3IgKF_ONzbNPW2VpZcbZ4kArcM3JiCOlU6Fo-232x/s581/mg6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7CVqfj63oB9nLdfOTffqzo2GXT4ME9jKlU8prUm_PI7Dy1EHUUenQEWiXPLIeC8PRsaW8qpaaMgziR3SoJIdp99w1BcFZ7YtEcx3yPKvT6cPhhOnqIOxupCatXQ_Bt7pl-x6uVBG7HYxv-SOeSq3IgKF_ONzbNPW2VpZcbZ4kArcM3JiCOlU6Fo-232x/s16000/mg6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3u7wVLh" target="_blank">A Guide to Medieval Gardens - Gardens in the Age of Chivalry</a></b></i></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">by Michael Brown</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">White Owl Books, c2022</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I would imagine that working as a garden historian would be a wonderful job. European gardens during the last few centuries would offer plenty of resources, records and physical evidence to draw from. However, going way back in time to the medieval period, presents many challenges. As author Michael Brown notes, there is just not a lot of sources to consult. There are precious few books and records that survive (and probably not that much written in the first place). Archeological excavations are rare and what is discovered basically reveals only the framework. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNtiRYoQ0VayZGpO3RQMxI9JLxgKNRyFQL6ojs4VQwm6y7lc8fW_Wri3KfgMuDemOe-SBhNv3F8XzQ5w7x-F2R9RbgNz8iMtD7Y1BJrbvWfcdiD-gyGdEzAmBzYG9VH3ICR4vxORzuVdO9TQoQV1oaA_xeqeaXqf38llf2qaqxv0-EkqDhLldunGw6dTD/s600/m2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNtiRYoQ0VayZGpO3RQMxI9JLxgKNRyFQL6ojs4VQwm6y7lc8fW_Wri3KfgMuDemOe-SBhNv3F8XzQ5w7x-F2R9RbgNz8iMtD7Y1BJrbvWfcdiD-gyGdEzAmBzYG9VH3ICR4vxORzuVdO9TQoQV1oaA_xeqeaXqf38llf2qaqxv0-EkqDhLldunGw6dTD/s16000/m2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>The remains of the garden at Tintagel Castle <br />near the village of North Cornwall. (Photo by Michael Brown)</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Most evidence of these gardens come from visual sources such as paintings and tapestries. And even then, only two survive that we painted in England.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_Dyepe4VnV04rdf0MAjjXvJHzHJ351tvQCZXY6hkd6OIstkMH4KCLFLQrl-awHPUUgZpuZKeHaYLUn-WVHFqsDVdihztohY0ITrFI1OKj4aMNHDRKgYAnXnwp8it3r1kk-KZ46ge2KxgtJh1LAekVIQDiZ8oDsTUTKhFxaKHqJsv_hPyVusKpxX70Ykq/s1280/mg3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1280" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_Dyepe4VnV04rdf0MAjjXvJHzHJ351tvQCZXY6hkd6OIstkMH4KCLFLQrl-awHPUUgZpuZKeHaYLUn-WVHFqsDVdihztohY0ITrFI1OKj4aMNHDRKgYAnXnwp8it3r1kk-KZ46ge2KxgtJh1LAekVIQDiZ8oDsTUTKhFxaKHqJsv_hPyVusKpxX70Ykq/w640-h498/mg3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The Virgin Mary, baby Jesus and various Saints in<br />"The Little Garden of Paradise" by an unknown artist referred<br /> to as "Upper Rhenish Master"(c.1410-20). The painting is an <br />important one as it is the earliest to depict flora and fauna<br /> that is recognizable.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">In all probability, unless you were rich, most gardening was done as a means of survival. This is especially true in monasteries, where specific monks would grow food and herbs to feed their residents as well as to supply flowers for holy services.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwZuiVWf86FcwWoYnDUXgEy55GVtAtRxs4pCMzDYZeFK5aFTSAFhiN7ljk_FCeec-FcL0nztiJ6yM6rp7TiiBu_EVFAEWO8v46tD9wPOpWIaUxNCDWYOKkqjzAXAgbQs4cDY4hEHs2NJpphubZZfHnyEzFeIjS0Mw4aPKV3DDRWDm0sv9I3RrO6F7OwAA/s600/m7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwZuiVWf86FcwWoYnDUXgEy55GVtAtRxs4pCMzDYZeFK5aFTSAFhiN7ljk_FCeec-FcL0nztiJ6yM6rp7TiiBu_EVFAEWO8v46tD9wPOpWIaUxNCDWYOKkqjzAXAgbQs4cDY4hEHs2NJpphubZZfHnyEzFeIjS0Mw4aPKV3DDRWDm0sv9I3RrO6F7OwAA/s16000/m7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>A medieval vegetable garden (Photo by Michael Brown)</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This well illustrated book provides a brief history of these gardens and their influence. Chapters focus on monastic and secular gardens, specific design characteristics (water, bedding, turf seats), plants and cultivation techniques. A concluding chapter gives tips for modern gardeners on how to create their own medieval garden.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Surprisingly, many of the gardening techniques are the same as we practice today. There is a fascinating chapter on garden tools that illustrate this fact but also some surprises.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQipLOf8iNJ3Qj_BlPYkW4KpBwoShTPTmwP4mm7mueOzCek6mH2E8p7fxFPXsBChANWRDb4LKtVh1Xf399d_WRbi-tpq20pd8WIp2YK5Jzr4PJmj33N0ovHDvgEtIie2KbtBa-ndui6RzF1rPSzb1SXofepE9dNqyCh0cpNx2AXQy0daQIso4HV6z8ZipP/s600/mg1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQipLOf8iNJ3Qj_BlPYkW4KpBwoShTPTmwP4mm7mueOzCek6mH2E8p7fxFPXsBChANWRDb4LKtVh1Xf399d_WRbi-tpq20pd8WIp2YK5Jzr4PJmj33N0ovHDvgEtIie2KbtBa-ndui6RzF1rPSzb1SXofepE9dNqyCh0cpNx2AXQy0daQIso4HV6z8ZipP/w640-h476/mg1.jpg" width="640" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">A medieval wheelbarrow (reconstructed). Note there are no sides. <br />(Photo by Michael Brown)</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I received this book as a Christmas present and I enjoyed it. It is not a scholarly book and is written in a very accessible style. This book was published in 2022 and the author mentions that he hoped to write a follow-up about the specific plants. And apparently he did so with "<i><a href="https://amzn.to/49cAsa0" target="_blank">Medieval Plants and Their Uses</a></i>" published in December of 2022. </span></fontsize></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-75940120773962715742024-01-25T13:41:00.000-08:002024-01-25T13:41:29.755-08:00After the Freeze - a check on the more delicate plants<div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt9i0I3bHItdlNeFGSMuYUpsnQcnEUrwX0cLD-ResAuPuLsyhvIIaS8YE7cqAvYc6Y6tCLMIhV83_qXFjgcuBZBuIrYPo6o6_kKVp7T-NIPwQ9ZKrGNVGGG1MgW5dXco8d1LKwCZuZnI-2m06HCARDwNvN2cBLyCnZBmdJ1TLI4r__DVkQF8VSFDArba_/s4032/cyclamen-coum-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt9i0I3bHItdlNeFGSMuYUpsnQcnEUrwX0cLD-ResAuPuLsyhvIIaS8YE7cqAvYc6Y6tCLMIhV83_qXFjgcuBZBuIrYPo6o6_kKVp7T-NIPwQ9ZKrGNVGGG1MgW5dXco8d1LKwCZuZnI-2m06HCARDwNvN2cBLyCnZBmdJ1TLI4r__DVkQF8VSFDArba_/w480-h640/cyclamen-coum-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Cyclamen coum</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The snow and ice are history (for now) and the weather is a lot different this week. Yesterday was a balmy 50 degrees and sunshine. It was a great time to work in the garden and assess what the storm left.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Whenever freezing conditions arrive, my mind always goes blank when it comes to what needs to be covered. I know I should make a list but of course I never do. A few plants automatically come to mind but there are those that have been in the ground for years and I assume they are safe.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Here are some that I made note of after it was all over and finished. For the most part, I think most everything looks okay but of course, damage sometimes takes a while to show up.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEheesLybvUGDMBrwIu-yKve7_xBMME1NeRGiLYgtNBJNGnCSSbyUglCXqOv2DwQxfJgkCiE0gl8r7-aZmyar6nValL3z4itg0zCNfOz_Gl4Htl3Y9kpiuxMoz8mq1P9PkjN4QlNJNEUc_I_iDwhvS17vOF4qpdJl24R5WxVbYGF2tyJhNNElqKHFmNQj/s800/anise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEheesLybvUGDMBrwIu-yKve7_xBMME1NeRGiLYgtNBJNGnCSSbyUglCXqOv2DwQxfJgkCiE0gl8r7-aZmyar6nValL3z4itg0zCNfOz_Gl4Htl3Y9kpiuxMoz8mq1P9PkjN4QlNJNEUc_I_iDwhvS17vOF4qpdJl24R5WxVbYGF2tyJhNNElqKHFmNQj/w480-h640/anise2.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Illicium parviflorum </i>'Bananappeal' (Anise)- <br />I just planted this last year and it isn't in a protected area with the exception of a fence, but it is on the south side. I covered it with protective cloth.<br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPPFJW6vqAnXnqeSe6M1IpQjiTAivlz3z9wA3J6QQ67Lane1Zdqbbmq6XVHPhMDxf0JfJIqa2ZfLQUUl1Wr9vYAChoJGcwHzqUNibo4b8A2oYybmhyphenhyphentDqFucgSEZmI_VH_L-FWIctRFNYvGV1w_ifYxbRsVH845ig2fdgGr1NXCRVw9GWl2t3UmVq1Y_y/s800/anise-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPPFJW6vqAnXnqeSe6M1IpQjiTAivlz3z9wA3J6QQ67Lane1Zdqbbmq6XVHPhMDxf0JfJIqa2ZfLQUUl1Wr9vYAChoJGcwHzqUNibo4b8A2oYybmhyphenhyphentDqFucgSEZmI_VH_L-FWIctRFNYvGV1w_ifYxbRsVH845ig2fdgGr1NXCRVw9GWl2t3UmVq1Y_y/s16000/anise-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;">I was very concerned about the other anise - </span><i style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;">Illicium floridanum</i><span style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;"> 'Woodland Red' - I noticed that the leaves were all shriveled up on the really cold days. This has been in the ground since 2018. It is in the back garden, along the back fence. This got no protective covering whatsoever. Afterward, it appears fine.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><fontsize></fontsize></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN12WIgaDMl6OAjfCc8GjL-emHh-a_MBnNL6P85NnLfJ9Yb2M1F9qAmkxlsAJ7Db6qr1fYlJ_05IVt7f3l8N3D-LQ_YrflgAQOV8DibysFXFwUuO4ArX7e5478uMf0M8b3P8lKsh-vALs4Rb59YkloZCTGKu6PqcOrie9Y1vf6FqJL_3CqSFnBKQADhzzI/s1024/aspidistra-elatior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN12WIgaDMl6OAjfCc8GjL-emHh-a_MBnNL6P85NnLfJ9Yb2M1F9qAmkxlsAJ7Db6qr1fYlJ_05IVt7f3l8N3D-LQ_YrflgAQOV8DibysFXFwUuO4ArX7e5478uMf0M8b3P8lKsh-vALs4Rb59YkloZCTGKu6PqcOrie9Y1vf6FqJL_3CqSFnBKQADhzzI/w640-h480/aspidistra-elatior.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Cast Iron Plant (<i>Aspidistra elatior</i>) <br />I didn't think about this plant at all until I saw a post from Loree at Danger Garden. I think it is fine and I read that it can survive temperatures down to -5. This plant has been somewhat of a disappointment although it finally seems to be growing. We used to admire this plant when we went to Florida.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdGX7E54pC9ps69s8X3ItYz8_ZcnP_jWyyJMU2sAXLgXQaFbWHnc5f5cp1-WbtAVTJsCla9OJ_WQqAY9cTEQkVyizKqb0pTl_1nA5gY5KQW754eAHcP7ijh680VfV1-nmdGFZJTvfSUYFXT-BmMLNDXe6yG9pxV_OD5srET-7mqDEuInrejef8ZBtydku/s800/acacia-rubida-red-stemmed-wattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdGX7E54pC9ps69s8X3ItYz8_ZcnP_jWyyJMU2sAXLgXQaFbWHnc5f5cp1-WbtAVTJsCla9OJ_WQqAY9cTEQkVyizKqb0pTl_1nA5gY5KQW754eAHcP7ijh680VfV1-nmdGFZJTvfSUYFXT-BmMLNDXe6yG9pxV_OD5srET-7mqDEuInrejef8ZBtydku/s16000/acacia-rubida-red-stemmed-wattle.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Acacia rubida</i> (Red Stemmed Wattle)<br />Here's one to be filed under "Totally Forgotten". This plant, purchased from One Green World in Portland, is a zone 9 plant. I do have it in the warmest spot available, against the south wall of our house. It is also surrounded by other plants. This is what it looks like after the turmoil. I have no idea what condition might be.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHbpICN_vfxAgyBvMHnhFEusUx7W4DVtAo_7YFTvFhL0wxpWXF8HG9aV-Q1MAm8KWpbDF0j76TWlmlZ7vEFtnVF5gomiYUb8DvzFMQya7m8UzwLBEQXumXKiS09SX_Pe3RzJo1GlpBEPMh9YN2a3GgtkSMijyapIiMBqF5vXCTLGeYCtnT8cdM85l1N_N/s620/eucalyptus-neglecta-omeo-gum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHbpICN_vfxAgyBvMHnhFEusUx7W4DVtAo_7YFTvFhL0wxpWXF8HG9aV-Q1MAm8KWpbDF0j76TWlmlZ7vEFtnVF5gomiYUb8DvzFMQya7m8UzwLBEQXumXKiS09SX_Pe3RzJo1GlpBEPMh9YN2a3GgtkSMijyapIiMBqF5vXCTLGeYCtnT8cdM85l1N_N/s16000/eucalyptus-neglecta-omeo-gum.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Eucalyptus neglecta</i> - Omeo Gum<br />Appears unfazed and it is planted along the driveway in an open northern exposure. It was planted in August of 2022. It was leaning so I did put a larger stake behind it. This is a plant, like the Azara, that tends to want to go horizontal after events like this. There is a big one in a garden that I work in that has so much damage with broken and leaning branches. It will have to be cut back and neatened up but I'm sure it will be fine. I love these trees!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-oGXG6WtL2wn2Q-YabzErAZas92aaCIY4fwNmGPj2_nR0DEj5yg9UwG6o0CRwjx448WrMtwFDB6fT1wtHSDjf3ClSqGyQtjbmyWyAeKguZ0VqEdPxHCRTl_Y8Zj36CDE5WkUSJwkN4q-64SpNeKoWv_Ve3gbvEcTKZlm1Kw6Wc0cS44CB6I6ZYeiZyol/s800/grevellia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-oGXG6WtL2wn2Q-YabzErAZas92aaCIY4fwNmGPj2_nR0DEj5yg9UwG6o0CRwjx448WrMtwFDB6fT1wtHSDjf3ClSqGyQtjbmyWyAeKguZ0VqEdPxHCRTl_Y8Zj36CDE5WkUSJwkN4q-64SpNeKoWv_Ve3gbvEcTKZlm1Kw6Wc0cS44CB6I6ZYeiZyol/s16000/grevellia2.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Several grevilleas to look at. The latest to be planted (just last year), 'Poorinda Leanne', is along the south wall of the house and it was partially covered by a heavy tarp that is being used to cover a bench. It looks ok to me, there are even flowers on it. It was mostly on the ground so I had to stake it.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllFkv61v8wjeGMKUzkSLWT1B_6wh04jAHY5h82pNlqoHbW_R5dfiI8L4pCu5pBhW79LtZgu0uRS3n1Koaq2TIkz-DbfBm-3O1eyUHCjxnuwDnoiSW04HMFcVIP2WQTlCIw0izRp7eFmb7igjJxL2S3CqBGqnd0MdgJgeVlHvSesEPETKAmIhyZoPIO24t/s800/grevellia-juniperina-low-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllFkv61v8wjeGMKUzkSLWT1B_6wh04jAHY5h82pNlqoHbW_R5dfiI8L4pCu5pBhW79LtZgu0uRS3n1Koaq2TIkz-DbfBm-3O1eyUHCjxnuwDnoiSW04HMFcVIP2WQTlCIw0izRp7eFmb7igjJxL2S3CqBGqnd0MdgJgeVlHvSesEPETKAmIhyZoPIO24t/s16000/grevellia-juniperina-low-red.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Grevillea juniperina </i>'Low Red' is the first grevillea I ever planted. It has been in the ground since April 2019 and is located along the streetside facing north! Last year, it took a beating and I thought I had lost it but it is a survivor. I did cover this with a plastic sheet this year. I would love to move it. Not sure how grevellia does with transplanting. Anyone know?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaOjzDP4YlXDvPpH4GeRADDYOvMa_DrE7b6vkCrezfA64GWxdfxr0l2Kvgr-jDQokXwgATz8Yl4yJBUdN4Bp_ry-zBjsCns74DM9PrOByEw3OtC1SM0ycJkMZLCyUlDz57pIcNCmDLG4YxQ_RAzgMlcceJLbq0xl7yzvQage020e-ROmmk5bdH9_gCowb/s800/grevillea-rosmarinifolia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaOjzDP4YlXDvPpH4GeRADDYOvMa_DrE7b6vkCrezfA64GWxdfxr0l2Kvgr-jDQokXwgATz8Yl4yJBUdN4Bp_ry-zBjsCns74DM9PrOByEw3OtC1SM0ycJkMZLCyUlDz57pIcNCmDLG4YxQ_RAzgMlcceJLbq0xl7yzvQage020e-ROmmk5bdH9_gCowb/s16000/grevillea-rosmarinifolia.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Grevillea rosmarinifolia</i><br />We carried this one at Yard N' Garden Land and I planted it in the fall of 2022. This is also along the street with a northern exposure. I covered it with a bucket.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxqV55eY4M_mr3rh8_GYEq5V9lUsCmNIcxsGk9lEFz-WmQPyf2hcJB9sL_zyRZv7UqtsbYrBj_yMfThBR2eClAZ9vrf4jBQ2a5zTftwqcAOAA7Mk8JxFE1dUnqJvkAUOuKJCA5WVhPQA1SvjuEgBDWo2BQ1XVFWCjPM0J0nsrdKUjzihyL9RuN1hxjh8s/s800/pineapple-guava-after-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxqV55eY4M_mr3rh8_GYEq5V9lUsCmNIcxsGk9lEFz-WmQPyf2hcJB9sL_zyRZv7UqtsbYrBj_yMfThBR2eClAZ9vrf4jBQ2a5zTftwqcAOAA7Mk8JxFE1dUnqJvkAUOuKJCA5WVhPQA1SvjuEgBDWo2BQ1XVFWCjPM0J0nsrdKUjzihyL9RuN1hxjh8s/s16000/pineapple-guava-after-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple Guava (<i>Feijoa sellowiana)</i>, planted in 2016, the first year of the garden. It was not covered but it is located in the back garden which is somewhat sheltered and of course it is heavily mulched. Fingers crossed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHY8ypUuNEOgkwCgHOPIwKs0MOQov1pGKoqKs0VHRNmX2414fNsHnjI5OBXpGLiaHt7R_alc54SjHThxPQJZ7kovppAljHimAzvHKGbF7rhlyNfbjpt8TZoB9LfLLXbv3sgWardThRf1cmLvYG59zVovGO2CRxalXIrBeShLP9-jdHiJkI6DDA8LkMB45/s800/pineapple-guava-after-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHY8ypUuNEOgkwCgHOPIwKs0MOQov1pGKoqKs0VHRNmX2414fNsHnjI5OBXpGLiaHt7R_alc54SjHThxPQJZ7kovppAljHimAzvHKGbF7rhlyNfbjpt8TZoB9LfLLXbv3sgWardThRf1cmLvYG59zVovGO2CRxalXIrBeShLP9-jdHiJkI6DDA8LkMB45/s16000/pineapple-guava-after-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at the leaves on the Pineapple Guava, showing some discoloration.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflX0_FnmaEqXc7DAldPagV0BEWOW5xMXOmgQVNSVIKlnRVH5vDxgllWlYX0tDwO2xKPk9VANuj4JAaJNTOabz0E0WRn6lFR_ZQBDxfkShFBwSOrchQ8FE2XiRVX_UibxrAvfppHcx5qvKwy5V0PumURHvaDMTl4PzzuI_BPbuUNl6boapy8T3A4YLu5QN/s800/mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflX0_FnmaEqXc7DAldPagV0BEWOW5xMXOmgQVNSVIKlnRVH5vDxgllWlYX0tDwO2xKPk9VANuj4JAaJNTOabz0E0WRn6lFR_ZQBDxfkShFBwSOrchQ8FE2XiRVX_UibxrAvfppHcx5qvKwy5V0PumURHvaDMTl4PzzuI_BPbuUNl6boapy8T3A4YLu5QN/s16000/mystery.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Senecio greyi</i>, a new plant, was covered with a bucket. This is a zone 8 plant.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWfoNlLI0eNLV44LnAqUsGrwz3GOD4snYUq-n68ozxXPpXbY7mLPPb3DAU4gTlKr8guYgtCiK-ABYKop6FPDn6QoFTaOmS4tA99q-eVtNZbe8u1Np36Qr6BI1OGzAPz7Xpfu7XYRQjSWRXSVHAMPr4Vjc3FFCebXAKdmDlNY7RXJUZuGEKOtBc9fFL-0m/s800/convolvulus-cneorum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWfoNlLI0eNLV44LnAqUsGrwz3GOD4snYUq-n68ozxXPpXbY7mLPPb3DAU4gTlKr8guYgtCiK-ABYKop6FPDn6QoFTaOmS4tA99q-eVtNZbe8u1Np36Qr6BI1OGzAPz7Xpfu7XYRQjSWRXSVHAMPr4Vjc3FFCebXAKdmDlNY7RXJUZuGEKOtBc9fFL-0m/s16000/convolvulus-cneorum.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Convolvulus cneorum</i> (Silverbush), planted in the back garden and covered with a bucket. Obviously not as happy but perhaps will make it. The plant label says "10-20 dgrees".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghujRMvDxoo7q93GcLfungiJCdwfJ8v4l47QcAaC7Cy99Xw4SE9SQ98P3l62eTbAC_c6TcUGfyA18jwzEUVvr3MusjO2hqdzmmaCUnBTpXy-Dq0WBafuk83sL-QbPIiZG_DPtpJREgZl66Q6zQD__8afiBb4TGVSAwGyLtraVYLGzeHw2qd8TAoyi16wj8/s800/mahonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghujRMvDxoo7q93GcLfungiJCdwfJ8v4l47QcAaC7Cy99Xw4SE9SQ98P3l62eTbAC_c6TcUGfyA18jwzEUVvr3MusjO2hqdzmmaCUnBTpXy-Dq0WBafuk83sL-QbPIiZG_DPtpJREgZl66Q6zQD__8afiBb4TGVSAwGyLtraVYLGzeHw2qd8TAoyi16wj8/s16000/mahonia.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahonia 'Soft Caress' - This is another plant that I wasn't too concerned about but then saw locals posting photos of their black leaves. I have this located on the north side of the house, in our front garden. It is a few feet away from the foundation so it has some protection. I see discoloration on the leaves.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfImHMNeYJgQfOVtR0Gm2hAO-E2Z9MtmqTUmsjJXY9tRRSCvVQzit7mrqPXQmRI1zrITQiG8U0-sWb0l1BBWczpsQ9OQEOg41KiNzEi2og2oDm7uP2_9n8YH-nysPTZfuCAiAsXbVEe5v1k7fJTuUwF9I_Go-xUzaeALG1xLa4CmLUvY_b_VrpGKekWGP4/s800/phormium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfImHMNeYJgQfOVtR0Gm2hAO-E2Z9MtmqTUmsjJXY9tRRSCvVQzit7mrqPXQmRI1zrITQiG8U0-sWb0l1BBWczpsQ9OQEOg41KiNzEi2og2oDm7uP2_9n8YH-nysPTZfuCAiAsXbVEe5v1k7fJTuUwF9I_Go-xUzaeALG1xLa4CmLUvY_b_VrpGKekWGP4/s16000/phormium.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phormium</i> (New Zealand Flax) - This is definitely a "wait and see" situation. I've grown phormium since I started gardening here. The oldest plants are seven years old. They usually look pretty rough at the beginning of spring but they have always bounced back with time. I have been tempted to cut them completely to the ground and watched a man do this on YouTube (he was in England) but I've not had the courage to do that. I usually remove the outer blades. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></div></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-71953915210886815582024-01-19T17:05:00.000-08:002024-01-19T17:09:17.935-08:00Operation Azara<div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><fontsize><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz17Zfd_NE67qtOC94K2XXlN7Lmkm1IjU3PRvfQC1Tj_T7HLofDlBez5vTVg_cT0HoOVstz_cKD1Zo1dIVQIlJHv7TjuUaVR9XM7wbthfWwiMp0idbDetInGxZ7lr4Ayn7fTrjNf43P0FnlzI0L9dOkijkR_QZrNuRfBPcYn9rv1H5q-XAjeLui9dUCACj/s800/snow-011924-aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz17Zfd_NE67qtOC94K2XXlN7Lmkm1IjU3PRvfQC1Tj_T7HLofDlBez5vTVg_cT0HoOVstz_cKD1Zo1dIVQIlJHv7TjuUaVR9XM7wbthfWwiMp0idbDetInGxZ7lr4Ayn7fTrjNf43P0FnlzI0L9dOkijkR_QZrNuRfBPcYn9rv1H5q-XAjeLui9dUCACj/s16000/snow-011924-aa.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The snow and ice melt has been slow going but it looks like it might finally be out of here this weekend. There has been some sunshine today but temps are only 36 so the ground is still covered.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Every time we have weather like this, the two plants that suffer the most are my favorites (of course!) - the Azara (<i>Azara microphylla</i>) and the Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i>). I had major damage on the Strawberry Tree from the heavy snowfall <a href="https://phillipoliver.blogspot.com/2022/04/got-snow.html" target="_blank">we experienced in April 2022</a>. The poor thing has emerged from that onslaught nicely although it still looks out of whack. This time, there was no damage that I can see.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The Azara had been staked with heavy-duty supports following that 2022 snowfall after it was literally laying on the ground. This time, it remained vertical. However, the long branches were splayed in every direction -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTMbU_gCNLFQZU72Hyv25OjTlSygIZD0zc9y8wemTVCCGew2MTbHM7lQQcaE8hlSPX8mZ7NKERXVr44HzdMamDKrmAE991qgTAlPFO5DOXLBjHO_ApBWogoslVQ5A-f4TIGWUd-3qLvkma3FQqiD34Ra11BDLvnIi-Y0xiTMTWXANvGFSmvJobRkV8WF7/s1024/snow-ice-01-17-24-azara.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTMbU_gCNLFQZU72Hyv25OjTlSygIZD0zc9y8wemTVCCGew2MTbHM7lQQcaE8hlSPX8mZ7NKERXVr44HzdMamDKrmAE991qgTAlPFO5DOXLBjHO_ApBWogoslVQ5A-f4TIGWUd-3qLvkma3FQqiD34Ra11BDLvnIi-Y0xiTMTWXANvGFSmvJobRkV8WF7/w640-h426/snow-ice-01-17-24-azara.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I knocked the ice off the best that I could but was worried that the branches would break on Thursday night considering we were under the threat of yet another ice event. So, I braved the elements, got out the tall ladder and started pulling the branches together. I secured them with the outer layer of a flexible hose. The flexible hoses do not last, in my experience, but I'm glad we saved them. Michael had earlier removed the inner, rubber hose with the intention of using it as a tie but it desintegrates when exposed to the sun. Fortunately, the outer lining is more durable, and it is being put to good use. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">So the poor Azara lives on! That is, until we see what the next storm will have in store for it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXtyksdw-JPQRm-zf56sqGsvvdYZkObuFyRQuePmk6BS6qIaQ-cq014likkW8zpJZ_l2FgFqnQWGJEHMDSUdufEq3bJ5aCCpvQ14mTk6cpMU6ZWpLMppCaqw7ffLaydTmbpQc1HBJuk7zEzOw8AoMaAe8ejR1lPhMUUCdSVubE1xLWb50NUYymsm66WA-/s900/azara-after.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXtyksdw-JPQRm-zf56sqGsvvdYZkObuFyRQuePmk6BS6qIaQ-cq014likkW8zpJZ_l2FgFqnQWGJEHMDSUdufEq3bJ5aCCpvQ14mTk6cpMU6ZWpLMppCaqw7ffLaydTmbpQc1HBJuk7zEzOw8AoMaAe8ejR1lPhMUUCdSVubE1xLWb50NUYymsm66WA-/s16000/azara-after.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, </span><a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com" style="font-family: Adamina;"> Dirt Therapy</a></div></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-54735291161022243272024-01-17T11:48:00.000-08:002024-01-17T11:48:22.579-08:00First Snow, Now Ice<div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44srqDG4lUeD9pA8QBPkU-A2_fQ9sq1YnrhcSaBpModP5iVZGyLiyQ3DffjpSsXY4QRoX1Pg03nROxTm4aijelupoOXRLrSBrq1FN-w6bDOWfpXreMyi9PR34kNJC4GJ1CB9R7MngkgwFW69N5-cJiLjIc1lB_Efxvvprc1RkFWnKx1tL7-Uw3VzSBmRB/s1024/snow-ice-01-17-24-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44srqDG4lUeD9pA8QBPkU-A2_fQ9sq1YnrhcSaBpModP5iVZGyLiyQ3DffjpSsXY4QRoX1Pg03nROxTm4aijelupoOXRLrSBrq1FN-w6bDOWfpXreMyi9PR34kNJC4GJ1CB9R7MngkgwFW69N5-cJiLjIc1lB_Efxvvprc1RkFWnKx1tL7-Uw3VzSBmRB/w640-h426/snow-ice-01-17-24-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Winter weather continues as the snow remains on the ground from the weekend. Last night, we got ice. Here is how it looks this morning -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1lOcA14Tuj8qvS74ZpqIQxIARTvlQ71goI5GkT6tUpmBfZxH_W-qOAOaaVE9hID27Bo0Z1HVEsvw_cdoQdMyJ_iEGQ_Z9x2vlUtYTrt3SyQ7xlo4vKTIGMCkcBViPgg-hnKTtCJ4IvXKdR-h24OcRU9Vp4EEzLx02DPSZ5BghBGda-rl-dnZZF-wiYP3/s1024/snow-ice-01-17-24-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1lOcA14Tuj8qvS74ZpqIQxIARTvlQ71goI5GkT6tUpmBfZxH_W-qOAOaaVE9hID27Bo0Z1HVEsvw_cdoQdMyJ_iEGQ_Z9x2vlUtYTrt3SyQ7xlo4vKTIGMCkcBViPgg-hnKTtCJ4IvXKdR-h24OcRU9Vp4EEzLx02DPSZ5BghBGda-rl-dnZZF-wiYP3/w640-h426/snow-ice-01-17-24-a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjfdP7G4bdywriVfwya72X1HGx9g8RRMLFQNHZqVvWB42ZeS7FKpYOEJAChBgiG3XeMm9jfWVH3D7Wt1Yo7SrXk9_gSvS_9KypbABNRB9wqvqQ-Fb09_z8KDiIWYtXqgsQkpd2WXZMAflgRpJF0TyFf7K0jJxOiUvjoLSPhoMqP9OmtPfV17sKEHCX_18/s900/snow-ice-01-17-24-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjfdP7G4bdywriVfwya72X1HGx9g8RRMLFQNHZqVvWB42ZeS7FKpYOEJAChBgiG3XeMm9jfWVH3D7Wt1Yo7SrXk9_gSvS_9KypbABNRB9wqvqQ-Fb09_z8KDiIWYtXqgsQkpd2WXZMAflgRpJF0TyFf7K0jJxOiUvjoLSPhoMqP9OmtPfV17sKEHCX_18/s16000/snow-ice-01-17-24-c.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZRv-O3vWfamH_bpccbyP8NShUpQmr3SDLkPC7CUD72-7hGbrqQVojFCD_tiFl5LHq238bKzahKw3pK2HaIVbYvmkPbdDb75QYxc7CcPlZ4PepP2NR9l3YcyzTmtIPqbMDWOLDTvZF94kDD07wuAQ35mlauZnNAFhy3NRzoQd8x1nkhFcX6eiggcYBKp-/s843/snow-ice-01-17-24-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZRv-O3vWfamH_bpccbyP8NShUpQmr3SDLkPC7CUD72-7hGbrqQVojFCD_tiFl5LHq238bKzahKw3pK2HaIVbYvmkPbdDb75QYxc7CcPlZ4PepP2NR9l3YcyzTmtIPqbMDWOLDTvZF94kDD07wuAQ35mlauZnNAFhy3NRzoQd8x1nkhFcX6eiggcYBKp-/s16000/snow-ice-01-17-24-d.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Today, we are finally climbing above 32 degrees after being below freezing for five days straight. Temperatures in the 40s are predicted today and it should be all be over for now.</span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Alabama got some snow too. Although our winters are similar, snow is a rarer event there. A lot of times it is predicted and nothing happens. I can't tell you how many disappointments I had as a kid, waiting for that predicted snow and school closing, and waking up to bare ground outside. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">In reading comments on social media, I find people's reactions amusing. First, there is excitement and anticipation. Then a day after it comes, they are ready for it to be over. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">As long as I have power, food and books, I'm fine with it and I don't mind being cooped up for a few days. I'm like a cat, as long as I'm cozy, I'm happy. I'd prefer not to go out in it. The biggest drawback is worrying about the garden and the birds.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Once again, it is the Azara that brings the most anxiety. Last year, the poor thing was completely on the ground after the huge, wet snowstorm. I reinforced it with the biggest stakes I could find. This is it today -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPjEkQcckbpoI9-zdxVa8MCWEB4PfSrcBK1vfYiIPnRsv0m_ISj7i9o4P6ExD3RHNDI6JBJ5Ihrtbp8dei5JONw8jpiWS9gIYdCwh5Q5yw4mhWrHTh01DZEol7ubgMaUUe2v5ipeXT8jeWy9JIxpmZ7Z5oeP8-PjWKyRrhB3aSidvqd2V-j-nqQi7DDxn/s1024/snow-ice-01-17-24-azara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPjEkQcckbpoI9-zdxVa8MCWEB4PfSrcBK1vfYiIPnRsv0m_ISj7i9o4P6ExD3RHNDI6JBJ5Ihrtbp8dei5JONw8jpiWS9gIYdCwh5Q5yw4mhWrHTh01DZEol7ubgMaUUe2v5ipeXT8jeWy9JIxpmZ7Z5oeP8-PjWKyRrhB3aSidvqd2V-j-nqQi7DDxn/w640-h426/snow-ice-01-17-24-azara.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I'm hoping the branches will not break before the ice melts. After that, it looks like I will have to figure out how to tie it back up to endure the next one.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Is there a next one? Probably so, considering this is just January!</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Stay warm and cozy!</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kqwGx8wkjiCyC6ZJduNopv2_4zc3VOh5sS0cRJzjmOwY2zm4yjBN5qkbyc29T65KLNlUCs4AX_n3f6D_fyRJvZmEKBN6wNJPhCC9ly2buwwA_zp0hwmJSeLELEdNSPMqQJEuwlzdqNhlVT5PjnvsolG27u5mNqB-v9qfLZJ4qieq0nETvGIRNSDIUxKD/s1024/snow-ice-01-17-24-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kqwGx8wkjiCyC6ZJduNopv2_4zc3VOh5sS0cRJzjmOwY2zm4yjBN5qkbyc29T65KLNlUCs4AX_n3f6D_fyRJvZmEKBN6wNJPhCC9ly2buwwA_zp0hwmJSeLELEdNSPMqQJEuwlzdqNhlVT5PjnvsolG27u5mNqB-v9qfLZJ4qieq0nETvGIRNSDIUxKD/w640-h426/snow-ice-01-17-24-b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><br /></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-86067732589700968442024-01-14T22:23:00.000-08:002024-01-14T22:27:11.987-08:00The Deep Freeze<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTIJwZlIETUlHPhg-wHXMHSXZ1sb_Y2c5xECC8Zm0KrAcv95pq7jDjvvnz4G4dEcSLMFtVmRuCaj4Tek0iHC1Jw5wknZqVYEj6OEOEMaRLFEFHwMuVEVflpsYIF9YBTKxASEd4ImggU6MkRYeoSXb2RgvyVrF4OUuIhV0Dpwe_-UqGw8iHBXxLBDFueHz/s800/snow0114b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTIJwZlIETUlHPhg-wHXMHSXZ1sb_Y2c5xECC8Zm0KrAcv95pq7jDjvvnz4G4dEcSLMFtVmRuCaj4Tek0iHC1Jw5wknZqVYEj6OEOEMaRLFEFHwMuVEVflpsYIF9YBTKxASEd4ImggU6MkRYeoSXb2RgvyVrF4OUuIhV0Dpwe_-UqGw8iHBXxLBDFueHz/w480-h640/snow0114b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We are in a prolonged freeze with snow cover (I am guessing 3-4 inches). Thankfully, this was a dry snow. It all started on Friday night with the majority of it hitting us yesterday. The temperature plunged to 18 where it remained all day with a constant snowfall. Actually, I am appreciative of the snow since it will help insulate plants during this long cold spell. It may be Thursday before we climb above 32 and freezing rain is predicted for Tuesday.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We had advanced warning and I covered some plants on Friday. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBZZEhhz2Of1LW3NkywtU1ayUAzePCW3jualPR5iB1nhul_HlmuaEGt6qPZieX7NXJsKpU6n_fCmN8Ro-yPUWD0g7xtNI57R87MKvT-ShyIVAE1ltwnpBiJkb7VrSRKm_6hp9I3PliiP_w47R0hxtv9_n90i2CQGclVx0gZ2ux4ZORqGL-AccWuMlixxe/s800/cold2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBZZEhhz2Of1LW3NkywtU1ayUAzePCW3jualPR5iB1nhul_HlmuaEGt6qPZieX7NXJsKpU6n_fCmN8Ro-yPUWD0g7xtNI57R87MKvT-ShyIVAE1ltwnpBiJkb7VrSRKm_6hp9I3PliiP_w47R0hxtv9_n90i2CQGclVx0gZ2ux4ZORqGL-AccWuMlixxe/w480-h640/cold2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I was more concerned with the hummingbirds and it is an endless job trying to keep them unthawed. At present, we have six feeders in the garden. I brought four of them inside for the night and the other two, the ones that are the most difficult to access, I covered with fleece that Michael rustled up for me. The next morning, the two feeders left out were frozen the next morning, but not solid and the hummingbirds were using them. I've been following that same cycle since then but today I put Christmas lights one of the feeders and hope that will do a better job. After all this, I'm seriously thinking about trying the hummingbird feeder heaters. It is rare, however, to have such a long stretch like this of freezing weather. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7WaJftU2gX3JWlPKipQMgWE4sfYEBHcv2MROXBvs6Y1oS7DlFZrJ_Ua7TxjqN9WP3roCDS5J_7Ctc_utWeu56GDaoU0sJDGJbbuyS4fQV2nNeTcCD0eWNntpTtcDKiHrfm0J5-rwfIVofF6wSsiK_E-J3iyvwS8z5TAafYOl9PujQSrMZmnVSxHHhzmV/s800/hummingbird2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7WaJftU2gX3JWlPKipQMgWE4sfYEBHcv2MROXBvs6Y1oS7DlFZrJ_Ua7TxjqN9WP3roCDS5J_7Ctc_utWeu56GDaoU0sJDGJbbuyS4fQV2nNeTcCD0eWNntpTtcDKiHrfm0J5-rwfIVofF6wSsiK_E-J3iyvwS8z5TAafYOl9PujQSrMZmnVSxHHhzmV/w480-h640/hummingbird2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We are fortunate that we did not get the harsh winds that Portland got and so far, we have not lost power. There have been power outages in our county but the worst areas are in Portland.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXzyKpJkdVp71UG_6tIRkFttOWsbzPCi0JSuvP36Wy4G1hC7shonapy1eC3zupOabQtDwmvZRj464iOPVXQvsaeF-GPxmwia0G5mELFYGwvlZgTcGDeUI1UinPByLy6upe8EOMH8EBS1u31Xz_6-MlZUEpDNTwU-5SeYbqGqrmTNS2R9mYpbKxmIjqMmd/s1024/snow0114-terraces-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXzyKpJkdVp71UG_6tIRkFttOWsbzPCi0JSuvP36Wy4G1hC7shonapy1eC3zupOabQtDwmvZRj464iOPVXQvsaeF-GPxmwia0G5mELFYGwvlZgTcGDeUI1UinPByLy6upe8EOMH8EBS1u31Xz_6-MlZUEpDNTwU-5SeYbqGqrmTNS2R9mYpbKxmIjqMmd/w640-h480/snow0114-terraces-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyW280IY620HUn-giaueTSuqAnvLQ4rK2DUrpYP8x1HvcI5EWfMxni-qmr3hdhx8FE4HCaAs4h1AQBOOSoI05ymenzkS_gwMrJXnayCcifo1tSGFLNEysKdVe4rLOvGc4buJA4cloFAV2Z_Y5gd0qDq8AltkfCwHXi8YJ-S4kLuIaAv14syOcyR6Aqbz2/s1280/snow0114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyW280IY620HUn-giaueTSuqAnvLQ4rK2DUrpYP8x1HvcI5EWfMxni-qmr3hdhx8FE4HCaAs4h1AQBOOSoI05ymenzkS_gwMrJXnayCcifo1tSGFLNEysKdVe4rLOvGc4buJA4cloFAV2Z_Y5gd0qDq8AltkfCwHXi8YJ-S4kLuIaAv14syOcyR6Aqbz2/w640-h426/snow0114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></fontsize></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></div></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-1279078200516578972024-01-12T14:54:00.000-08:002024-01-12T14:54:12.714-08:00Drunken Amaryllis<div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLbzO3H-WCx7PV3R3KoMwe7uRkFqvO1CD104miKL3Iut8OKf6FXgO1Y0E6ZsKM7mKL11jhHDF3KSab5iH_IzTARGgLcSqB6NkKpVnXL1mdPVMuuG29q8OOpmTG1Zuw4q45_dvcWtn3bRsFljCUVWUu9G4R4rQPNfbWMAa7BEtc7PQSGUHuKwlMoSVTn6Q/s800/amaryllis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLbzO3H-WCx7PV3R3KoMwe7uRkFqvO1CD104miKL3Iut8OKf6FXgO1Y0E6ZsKM7mKL11jhHDF3KSab5iH_IzTARGgLcSqB6NkKpVnXL1mdPVMuuG29q8OOpmTG1Zuw4q45_dvcWtn3bRsFljCUVWUu9G4R4rQPNfbWMAa7BEtc7PQSGUHuKwlMoSVTn6Q/s16000/amaryllis3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Growing amaryllis is easy and fun but every year it is a fight to keep them upright once they begin to bloom because the stems are too tall. I read about a technique, discovered by Cornell University, and it works.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The trick is to give them a dose of alcohol. Any alcoholic beverage is fine - vodka, whiskey, etc., anything but beer. Wait until the stalk has emerged two or three inches and then water with a solution of 1 part alcohol to 7 parts water. You can also use regular rubbing alcohol, but the ratio is different - 1 part alcohol to 11 parts water. The alcohol limits the growth of the stem to one third of the normal growth and results is thicker, sturdier stalks. And, who knows, maybe it makes the amaryllis happier?</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></div></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-9185554645793185632024-01-09T15:35:00.000-08:002024-01-09T15:35:32.700-08:00Sycoparrotia semidecidua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKxANgL9Z0R0x42iAd8vUt9w3JBYERtciziY3xUewj05cKxdm2Be7JLXEMhTD-CHw1fE755O6cJo06TUdqi3sA_2GojMAHVOy4pZLDGtx50imsVgrlW1K044ISD8cbhYeUO6Wx_VLUwQGF_y23uq5_1HDyyqtGYG-iQtVkFIXmWnZMDnpYzBf1k7il-p3/s1069/sycoparrottia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKxANgL9Z0R0x42iAd8vUt9w3JBYERtciziY3xUewj05cKxdm2Be7JLXEMhTD-CHw1fE755O6cJo06TUdqi3sA_2GojMAHVOy4pZLDGtx50imsVgrlW1K044ISD8cbhYeUO6Wx_VLUwQGF_y23uq5_1HDyyqtGYG-iQtVkFIXmWnZMDnpYzBf1k7il-p3/w478-h640/sycoparrottia2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This unusual tree sat unnoticed at <a href="https://yardngardenland.com/" target="_blank">Yard N' Garden Land</a> for at least two years before I finally rescued it and brought it home. I had admired it for a long time but knew nothing about it and found very few details about it online. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">It is <i>xSycoparrotia semidecidua</i> - I have not seen a common name - and it is a cross between the <a href="https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sycopsis-sinensis/" target="_blank">Chinese Fighazel</a> (<i>Sycopsis sinensis</i>) and <a href="https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l480" target="_blank">Persian Ironwood</a> (<i>Parrrotia persica</i>). As the Persian Ironwood is one of my favorite trees in the garden, this looked promising. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">During the growing season, the leaves are thick, dark green and glossy, very similar to the Ironwood. For me, the fall color has been bright yellow, but orange is mentioned in descriptions. The fall color arrived very late, well into November, and the yellow color has become brighter with time. The leaves are beautiful now, in early January, and brightens up the wooded border along the back fence. I have yet to see flowers, but they should appear after the leaves finally fall off in late winter (February or March). They are described as "red-brown" and adorn the bare branches.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We like to call this tree "The Norman Bates Tree" as an homage to my favorite film "Psycho" and it is indeed pronounced "<i>Psycho Parrotia</i>". </span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-41754620422013868822024-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:002024-01-06T18:12:31.194-08:00A New Cake Pan and Walnut Rum Raisin Cake<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfhjqdBujc9wLDWlIvfTpSkEJYtChOp5sughz_M59uC9o-GTtSPOXCnKS4vGh3KyEIewCwIYZPvqdIfvqGbRprxH0ZW1BJnutGup1_rEdsv5UamhxIW2zAaF1OGnslgZLS4n9C9wzo-pb35d-aqi-J-jMWvAS8J6hW2nOhA2reI9Jul7kflBfJJxcWPA/s642/walnut-raisin-cake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfhjqdBujc9wLDWlIvfTpSkEJYtChOp5sughz_M59uC9o-GTtSPOXCnKS4vGh3KyEIewCwIYZPvqdIfvqGbRprxH0ZW1BJnutGup1_rEdsv5UamhxIW2zAaF1OGnslgZLS4n9C9wzo-pb35d-aqi-J-jMWvAS8J6hW2nOhA2reI9Jul7kflBfJJxcWPA/s16000/walnut-raisin-cake.jpg" /></span></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span></b></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu; font-size: x-large;"><b>Walnut Rum Raisin Cake</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">A Christmas present was this beautiful Nordic Ware cake pan -</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8F8t5o56hugFNMkBDeo-zah3NsXhTqLQolt0Cxhoaw2x-7uAO6VyaMUk7R3fNNT10GGV8yR9m6Z7gWWnni0uYWXVunfSBLB-iPJKj6LR8zFIaT8NTD7juJVZU8v8nuY0LkXMolQgpOp3doPgF-g1JGfV-KiXpeVSoG8-O2-m_2qKnmaJfJouzwuefMI/s542/wrc1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8F8t5o56hugFNMkBDeo-zah3NsXhTqLQolt0Cxhoaw2x-7uAO6VyaMUk7R3fNNT10GGV8yR9m6Z7gWWnni0uYWXVunfSBLB-iPJKj6LR8zFIaT8NTD7juJVZU8v8nuY0LkXMolQgpOp3doPgF-g1JGfV-KiXpeVSoG8-O2-m_2qKnmaJfJouzwuefMI/s16000/wrc1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">I could not wait to try it and finally decided on the Walnut Rum-Raisin Cake to share with company on New Year's Eve. It was a great success and I was thrilled with the pan. I prepared it well (see my notes) and there was no sticking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">This is a delicious cake and the orange and lemon hints make it especially wonderful.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">The recipe calls for dark rum and I only had golden rum on hand. I'm not sure how much difference that would make in the recipe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">1 cup light or dark raisins (or a mixture of both)<br />1/3 cup dark rum<br />2 1/4 cups (8.5 oz.) chopped walnuts (3/4 of which are finely ground)<br />2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour<br />2 teaspoons baking powder<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />1/4 teaspoon nutmeg<br />8 oz. (2 sticks) butter<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />1 cup granulated sugar<br />2 eggs<br />1 cup buttermilk<br />Finely grated rind of 2 lemons<br />Finely grated rind of 2 oranges<br />Optional: confectioners' sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Preheat the oven to 350 and use the bottom third rack.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Prepare the pan. With an intricate-patterned pan such as this, I wanted to be extra careful since Bundt cakes are notorious for sticking. Maida recommends butter but after some further research, I decided to use shortening. Melt about 3 tablespoons of shortening and brush it thoroughly around the pan and the center column. Sprinkle the 3/4 cup of ground walnuts over it and also the column. I also added a few tablespoons of sugar to the walnuts for extra protection.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP29McwgWznTrSS2N6GRk1cc16yLDwAswzDdWd3yVrzwrPZBzhvS4CassUyJOgNkhe2avpva80TveDjFZnY-9b2T1SzO44hAQx3jnQbKJtK85DagKHeVv6uZRXne5FyhXe36Wlo1mNWABFFri5_VfXFSt46Mhr8k4o-dLFgKXp15p0lmh7lZxPU4uvMk/s600/wrc2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP29McwgWznTrSS2N6GRk1cc16yLDwAswzDdWd3yVrzwrPZBzhvS4CassUyJOgNkhe2avpva80TveDjFZnY-9b2T1SzO44hAQx3jnQbKJtK85DagKHeVv6uZRXne5FyhXe36Wlo1mNWABFFri5_VfXFSt46Mhr8k4o-dLFgKXp15p0lmh7lZxPU4uvMk/s16000/wrc2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JHfJKarhOc7KO1Y9Phr5GfbXPcqyAbgYsL8q-raBx3lh0Sr2Qt0mgsSRkqXI6g_urYx2WfZLSe_4umCK53cNGosjnpGLuI68tdHQzOEUSDbiU_1yKq2UBm7NKVV9Jn7HYMPjzJpmEjdIRtcl4ymQP_HkK9_gW-6VYqf6pyuTTMiNrY9llwotpPuYCVs/s493/wrc3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JHfJKarhOc7KO1Y9Phr5GfbXPcqyAbgYsL8q-raBx3lh0Sr2Qt0mgsSRkqXI6g_urYx2WfZLSe_4umCK53cNGosjnpGLuI68tdHQzOEUSDbiU_1yKq2UBm7NKVV9Jn7HYMPjzJpmEjdIRtcl4ymQP_HkK9_gW-6VYqf6pyuTTMiNrY9llwotpPuYCVs/s16000/wrc3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Beat the butter until soft. Add the vanilla and sugar. Mix well.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2SqznNXdBraVRGRc6gui3Oz6UFuznMtEROABX3_8Hsshg4FYNW2gGFXfOg0Rp6443P6S50RSuie-2PmxYN0O0FkYj-_k5DCQSdGiNcAGEPNbk69QswD9RigdU3lz5EDLYspS372ZdeEpZOGBkOv4vCe2FuuG40v21plPiCetgoCrq6OjNdTqVsHe1Ks/s600/wrc4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2SqznNXdBraVRGRc6gui3Oz6UFuznMtEROABX3_8Hsshg4FYNW2gGFXfOg0Rp6443P6S50RSuie-2PmxYN0O0FkYj-_k5DCQSdGiNcAGEPNbk69QswD9RigdU3lz5EDLYspS372ZdeEpZOGBkOv4vCe2FuuG40v21plPiCetgoCrq6OjNdTqVsHe1Ks/s16000/wrc4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Beat in the eggs.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRGI3AWXeQ6gj9Hl5iCiKI0JioE5qoSi8zozH6Wxl97_eU4Z6i1p9t_wpRma5fSeNvny1nW8RkNQPdRkW7GTVg9ketSPaLvk0A4zSe_K3D1jZGqwlIzaTqeCc2DxwMEmZvtQp0xEsDsL1s2mJ5J8JFqb7ZgYQ4fzLtRRpE8exG9rjarR2FmQTxX6CSQs/s600/wrc5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRGI3AWXeQ6gj9Hl5iCiKI0JioE5qoSi8zozH6Wxl97_eU4Z6i1p9t_wpRma5fSeNvny1nW8RkNQPdRkW7GTVg9ketSPaLvk0A4zSe_K3D1jZGqwlIzaTqeCc2DxwMEmZvtQp0xEsDsL1s2mJ5J8JFqb7ZgYQ4fzLtRRpE8exG9rjarR2FmQTxX6CSQs/s16000/wrc5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Add the sifted flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk on low speed.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHFZPIveNIF2K9devYVADEFhE91-UeOCDTmBpz4Mtwk2ubmBtbovS5K6Ro_fyBVTZ9uT84dknGMI3cc0_p_3LbJsTyJidzeQuzsmrjJMIYAtvkEAy_0vUMF9bUaNhw81E5Vlq4w7f8QdE-BwLMLX9M5zXtyf-x3ajsxjPNmlT1K-vJh6RHN2ppxh_LwA/s600/wrc6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHFZPIveNIF2K9devYVADEFhE91-UeOCDTmBpz4Mtwk2ubmBtbovS5K6Ro_fyBVTZ9uT84dknGMI3cc0_p_3LbJsTyJidzeQuzsmrjJMIYAtvkEAy_0vUMF9bUaNhw81E5Vlq4w7f8QdE-BwLMLX9M5zXtyf-x3ajsxjPNmlT1K-vJh6RHN2ppxh_LwA/s16000/wrc6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6iNLBbXHnw1SaAl1tydSWFA3Kx_Dy2HoIbzc0LBGLSgYDNVdWR7-0dtiiFkZNx5mqTDgG4yxvn9nNgfWuggXBdqcg4SdnzwXYEbU5xG2mReKiVJ-Gjv6gzXl9xf_4EuK-zvEaeUuyDIOqDywOICRTM8RBGUeGQHJTQK5mCldE9kLXGcLAaL6PQj5Qi0/s600/wrc7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6iNLBbXHnw1SaAl1tydSWFA3Kx_Dy2HoIbzc0LBGLSgYDNVdWR7-0dtiiFkZNx5mqTDgG4yxvn9nNgfWuggXBdqcg4SdnzwXYEbU5xG2mReKiVJ-Gjv6gzXl9xf_4EuK-zvEaeUuyDIOqDywOICRTM8RBGUeGQHJTQK5mCldE9kLXGcLAaL6PQj5Qi0/s16000/wrc7.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Stir in the lemon and orange zest and the raisins. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Stir in the nuts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Transfer to the prepared pan and smooth the top.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lJX5Jt0-Q8DWxY3xExWb7RAMxhiLNNqxub_laNqCN4Ntcbrn_KheazFCWmfDYX7tiEpBVscK_3HCrdSgXJyT2GMpPqe2dLUytzd_mwIimJMLV-e6yIuZUFZpghPQN1mYfwA8RYpt-DWhHA97-uRcNMUs53F06m5Xe30hSWrcSwy79Kuo817wP4DYd2o/s600/wrc8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lJX5Jt0-Q8DWxY3xExWb7RAMxhiLNNqxub_laNqCN4Ntcbrn_KheazFCWmfDYX7tiEpBVscK_3HCrdSgXJyT2GMpPqe2dLUytzd_mwIimJMLV-e6yIuZUFZpghPQN1mYfwA8RYpt-DWhHA97-uRcNMUs53F06m5Xe30hSWrcSwy79Kuo817wP4DYd2o/s16000/wrc8.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w2DqJfEd9uJmAifiT2t7V4XWgjoYa7a25vIIdao2pVmoT1oEqgbz0Wp5CYmZ3SYX5qs5DsOfEIgip4Hd0CMEXXZ_NeyQmMhD2ezv8I4aiFNBLEyzm4NUVk865Q543XfNAr6SJDRD5B6bUIxPUEYiCbPpgldj6yKJ3pNRm9ivLEnjHfJFtG3ikKlPcGk/s600/wrc9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w2DqJfEd9uJmAifiT2t7V4XWgjoYa7a25vIIdao2pVmoT1oEqgbz0Wp5CYmZ3SYX5qs5DsOfEIgip4Hd0CMEXXZ_NeyQmMhD2ezv8I4aiFNBLEyzm4NUVk865Q543XfNAr6SJDRD5B6bUIxPUEYiCbPpgldj6yKJ3pNRm9ivLEnjHfJFtG3ikKlPcGk/s16000/wrc9.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zkHMdWkv116pMDnOtzQwFpwFTCrPY6fyuMTEaIoHhML-9kDGDbGOBM4rZXNSDVcQnEw4BaEosVu2bw01gPfIgDSkkVKeRgb26jv5McT8pjgR0HtXcxxYXhtZTLhG4SHL-DpauYg_6FgigTtxJYIy6esOoPX7MIiUsnVqZ6BL2GWgNeJAD4aE25H9o5c/s600/wrc10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zkHMdWkv116pMDnOtzQwFpwFTCrPY6fyuMTEaIoHhML-9kDGDbGOBM4rZXNSDVcQnEw4BaEosVu2bw01gPfIgDSkkVKeRgb26jv5McT8pjgR0HtXcxxYXhtZTLhG4SHL-DpauYg_6FgigTtxJYIy6esOoPX7MIiUsnVqZ6BL2GWgNeJAD4aE25H9o5c/s16000/wrc10.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXX1Q_B_DvxVN70TI4us8Ssai0QIWa16FvpTUgTkBluu7KNm0O4RDROl6Ihoq-3u2b-Wi7_80BQwf2wGBpfFRea21Iy4XAsy1H5Mq1j0brwh4v-1MOoMyPWTOzTT991Dm-1tHRnvQpJ7G2sSlSMXW0ayrko4gZCzrngGqKxx74LN07OkZXrnk5gFtYSGc/s470/wrc11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXX1Q_B_DvxVN70TI4us8Ssai0QIWa16FvpTUgTkBluu7KNm0O4RDROl6Ihoq-3u2b-Wi7_80BQwf2wGBpfFRea21Iy4XAsy1H5Mq1j0brwh4v-1MOoMyPWTOzTT991Dm-1tHRnvQpJ7G2sSlSMXW0ayrko4gZCzrngGqKxx74LN07OkZXrnk5gFtYSGc/s16000/wrc11.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Let the cake stand in the pan for 10 minutes. Prepare the rum sauce.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGF9ZNFd-9jmMHur8OysTL0LjMRwyZsNCDNn5bzXjeFEy1jhAlP087rsUVtLotDF3iijrKE-GSTziCO2FyzUcnh5Hfb5mQp92u6NyRcbV7OqHfjKvTzcdEwQUUK3s9qVngDHiMG2v99qCsG7sKa9C_AkrW8Wf1uqTbQgzUlS7C3rR3UHHK9nL-bXtffE/s450/wrc12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGF9ZNFd-9jmMHur8OysTL0LjMRwyZsNCDNn5bzXjeFEy1jhAlP087rsUVtLotDF3iijrKE-GSTziCO2FyzUcnh5Hfb5mQp92u6NyRcbV7OqHfjKvTzcdEwQUUK3s9qVngDHiMG2v99qCsG7sKa9C_AkrW8Wf1uqTbQgzUlS7C3rR3UHHK9nL-bXtffE/s16000/wrc12.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><b><u>Rum Sauce</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />1/4 cup water<br />1/4 cup orange juice<br />3 tablespoons lemon or lime juice<br />1/4 cup dark rum</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir the sugar and water until it comes to a boil.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Remove from the heat and sit for a minute or two to allow to cool slightly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Stir in the orange and lemon juice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Finally, stir in the rum.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Carefully invert the cake pan onto another rack to slide it out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">Brush the sauce over the cake with a brush (you can also pour it slowly over the cake).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;">After the cake has completely cooled, confectioners' sugar can be sprinkled over it if you desire.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgtN3PQWNorRMo-3ijwQDNwfnRnIGtZAwQxKufdNELTV1_OP_svtx2dMtJ3o2taDzjHBv78FfVBrqV7L8YqlrKqZRyA5g26NEgc6INte4CGySSet9k533uCZHHde3hFDVLm0n7__2Q81wZdGKfvAMfqxObDZpfWdLoJCxWsaiW2Y8CRXDZLiTe9x-7Og/s450/wrc13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgtN3PQWNorRMo-3ijwQDNwfnRnIGtZAwQxKufdNELTV1_OP_svtx2dMtJ3o2taDzjHBv78FfVBrqV7L8YqlrKqZRyA5g26NEgc6INte4CGySSet9k533uCZHHde3hFDVLm0n7__2Q81wZdGKfvAMfqxObDZpfWdLoJCxWsaiW2Y8CRXDZLiTe9x-7Og/s16000/wrc13.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJwdywOQPhf75OV4O3-PX_IAt3kjU1wnWcqAAds7okvC6afnh4wNcYeaDbj_IJuL9AicKsixar-3rohc0ubg4OuulwUQXR6yrCQME-66GUcGP_ESZwfKqMnzZuNuhlyXAuq8Oy6657R2QbUhbnL8mGTatwxb4ck8y9WF74ZfhZnhoxZ2-ItNYGoOp9bQ/s600/wrc14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRihvAzZQztoCJW1yvTnU0zHn8AFNMW2Bq3CCAcwwXbu2zL_gZluC-1zhyphenhyphen1CsS5-Mo1QSz_GvE6NYDBz7KrkvLQ0LL0Doqmuk9BEpdR-IO214PJaJFcBN80gXf7QJaDYzTupGjBWqFD4VcOhGMXImBKxBHvNnV0xVZ17-jKzTVG3ixLAlP1W4XetuHUQw/s663/walnut-raisin-cake-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRihvAzZQztoCJW1yvTnU0zHn8AFNMW2Bq3CCAcwwXbu2zL_gZluC-1zhyphenhyphen1CsS5-Mo1QSz_GvE6NYDBz7KrkvLQ0LL0Doqmuk9BEpdR-IO214PJaJFcBN80gXf7QJaDYzTupGjBWqFD4VcOhGMXImBKxBHvNnV0xVZ17-jKzTVG3ixLAlP1W4XetuHUQw/s16000/walnut-raisin-cake-3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Ubuntu;"><br /></span><p></p>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-56205528544663229402024-01-02T17:44:00.000-08:002024-01-02T17:47:17.570-08:00A New Year and a Morning Walk at Burnt Bridge Creek Trail<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVSmlOZGHSa9ZwIhDBTqULBIPVmkWRcLxqTknkz7o4I0wEE-oaGmpQCkJMh3XFWTGvBLm4AtM7drxlUotoDlhhFyZfURTLB8qO93wBWhkFUmdtuntY5e_fUaEOrtdp8C5MPixMP2eD4QtVjeYbIxXTAb1BB7FaXufhIlJNHlUL2TAc2FOag72ZS6l2QIh/s1290/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1290" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVSmlOZGHSa9ZwIhDBTqULBIPVmkWRcLxqTknkz7o4I0wEE-oaGmpQCkJMh3XFWTGvBLm4AtM7drxlUotoDlhhFyZfURTLB8qO93wBWhkFUmdtuntY5e_fUaEOrtdp8C5MPixMP2eD4QtVjeYbIxXTAb1BB7FaXufhIlJNHlUL2TAc2FOag72ZS6l2QIh/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">2024 has arrived and it was such an unusually sunny day. Just gorgeous! I stopped making resolutions years ago but one thing I want to do (I'm not calling it a resolution) is to do more walking. I've been walking around the neighborhood for the past few weeks but decided to try a nearby trail and so happy I discovered it. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Burnt Bridge Creek Trail is only 1/2 mile from our house. I've passed by the entrance a million times and never realized how beautiful and extensive it is. The trail actually stretches about 8 miles, all the way over to the east side of Vancouver with breaks along the way. I walked the first trek, which ends on Hazel Dell Avenue with a total distance of 1.5 miles. Turning back made a total of 3 miles so I felt pretty good with myself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAdJSZN3ar2A8S5tnIOa4_KHqDEASWAX-dcrVRr0FlCK9Fc20X1cyfVQFYfedGY-CvDFLNOtffO2nDu1YaeOnqktv6tQHr8XH1fd0ccqXxA4ct9eom1uwjdaQrnu1FbKg5ajIKxcfaKMbie-NFR_z5XaWoRy7OruL4wRstN0ihr62LY7ukS4X4q1oD8GI/s1290/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1290" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAdJSZN3ar2A8S5tnIOa4_KHqDEASWAX-dcrVRr0FlCK9Fc20X1cyfVQFYfedGY-CvDFLNOtffO2nDu1YaeOnqktv6tQHr8XH1fd0ccqXxA4ct9eom1uwjdaQrnu1FbKg5ajIKxcfaKMbie-NFR_z5XaWoRy7OruL4wRstN0ihr62LY7ukS4X4q1oD8GI/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The trail is fascinating because there are a number of varying characteristics along the route. It starts out at the Fruit Valley Road entrance where there is a boggy area that is populated with ducks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The paved trail leads eastward through trees, rocks and ferns. There is something to see even this time of year. I imagine it is even more beautiful in spring and summer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqvnAzwcXWRidUUJXxsnew5LidzMC2uqGDQ7395zW_JxP36cx67-_y17rPJi68FetEexL1H6WDMVIEB1lT1jhGXvXPoNtxj1jn74ZzbmV5-8PB5zwjDxe2s56JhVIMwCDctXxcTydzfMmeYIgBAJyWouNUaklIpGQ_kTQevOJ2l7SsRI-r1V7wPXwj9Ur/s1290/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1290" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqvnAzwcXWRidUUJXxsnew5LidzMC2uqGDQ7395zW_JxP36cx67-_y17rPJi68FetEexL1H6WDMVIEB1lT1jhGXvXPoNtxj1jn74ZzbmV5-8PB5zwjDxe2s56JhVIMwCDctXxcTydzfMmeYIgBAJyWouNUaklIpGQ_kTQevOJ2l7SsRI-r1V7wPXwj9Ur/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQZdPjIspRcjPQm7oqshW9EF5FGu1iuJe59vKK_DQ3wG-tNim2wizjeEULg5sz-niCShcYU6WD8nGYv6wrWwT5ygnuihpzCi36ts_VlBbzHYlY40blJFG0_aF3uSOIPHKG9RHurGhvXdI2IC12CW0bPjxFq6KS8cViClOwQYCpxDKHNZAWytDXMNTt5lZ/s1280/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQZdPjIspRcjPQm7oqshW9EF5FGu1iuJe59vKK_DQ3wG-tNim2wizjeEULg5sz-niCShcYU6WD8nGYv6wrWwT5ygnuihpzCi36ts_VlBbzHYlY40blJFG0_aF3uSOIPHKG9RHurGhvXdI2IC12CW0bPjxFq6KS8cViClOwQYCpxDKHNZAWytDXMNTt5lZ/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">An open meadow-like area has a number of newly done island beds that looks to be planted with native plants.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCXLbuLv0rB44tn68-j90MFAR_KbHQK_O3NYQ8VbLr1hEB9YYdpF2bjkFX6_nkMmPhQoaTuqXcVewvq5ewH3NDJNuz5PwYI62CTEhxFSZuwtjYbXFB08Q4TYWFInn4B_NscVzCH75oeH-rIYM-YlqveTfQLJQlVIVBh7mA4RhCSnrYjOoSoRjueS_b74h/s1280/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCXLbuLv0rB44tn68-j90MFAR_KbHQK_O3NYQ8VbLr1hEB9YYdpF2bjkFX6_nkMmPhQoaTuqXcVewvq5ewH3NDJNuz5PwYI62CTEhxFSZuwtjYbXFB08Q4TYWFInn4B_NscVzCH75oeH-rIYM-YlqveTfQLJQlVIVBh7mA4RhCSnrYjOoSoRjueS_b74h/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RfakcpAxhs7VaaGjjDB3l744fsRLhbjoqdCVtWfVpsFpxgs2N46dmQqtCxHno_yQHvCFz8Vl5gG4cz8ZiFZ-LI2EdM_aYGEvVcWIEGEVe5mVhlBfzNEBCgDHMHeP8q1IzNVaWPhCKq0gKpF1pfVMxesvw7l3GWtqb3LKlmtkh4uSBHb67hrOoKEiGQ6U/s1280/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RfakcpAxhs7VaaGjjDB3l744fsRLhbjoqdCVtWfVpsFpxgs2N46dmQqtCxHno_yQHvCFz8Vl5gG4cz8ZiFZ-LI2EdM_aYGEvVcWIEGEVe5mVhlBfzNEBCgDHMHeP8q1IzNVaWPhCKq0gKpF1pfVMxesvw7l3GWtqb3LKlmtkh4uSBHb67hrOoKEiGQ6U/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">About half-way down the trail, there are bridges and a small creek.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrWjQfc6e7GlkHPNx5oZ7CuRZkPaxBanGr8BR9LWpPa5__wzdsExUYiC7eeAMjivbE3A1ovwJODtK45FHa0vRyN3_gWP2bDkBKkIfj9I-bn5zvCsdXx4C0Hdq5X9O5F-2exstV7HbBC6F4g6dZi7XbbezlKmqLdGEYn7xB1qdgOGOCHKaOT8leHfHoulN/s800/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrWjQfc6e7GlkHPNx5oZ7CuRZkPaxBanGr8BR9LWpPa5__wzdsExUYiC7eeAMjivbE3A1ovwJODtK45FHa0vRyN3_gWP2bDkBKkIfj9I-bn5zvCsdXx4C0Hdq5X9O5F-2exstV7HbBC6F4g6dZi7XbbezlKmqLdGEYn7xB1qdgOGOCHKaOT8leHfHoulN/s16000/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-5.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Also, some interesting touches along the way -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzXEzJzSHbUv0is9V3UNOH__qUPpSmEfVl3LqG2Wg5thn8A0SmZthBziSd4YJ2z5yAsdKzmfGIysreK7PUYBG9gHJ8DMPxlbt0S-2Np5lhcrrHZAEWIalwowyCr1cT4rRvZSkjhFBSofFyjlUL3F-PQGPKP5wldIpQJjPuup7iEuMdcKXaGnNQPMEvGmm/s800/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzXEzJzSHbUv0is9V3UNOH__qUPpSmEfVl3LqG2Wg5thn8A0SmZthBziSd4YJ2z5yAsdKzmfGIysreK7PUYBG9gHJ8DMPxlbt0S-2Np5lhcrrHZAEWIalwowyCr1cT4rRvZSkjhFBSofFyjlUL3F-PQGPKP5wldIpQJjPuup7iEuMdcKXaGnNQPMEvGmm/s16000/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e-c_fraW_XN6ydsCYSbRokMrMV7YPnh3EjfVXNOnlYUKfqjrNJg9jYS27E3LGSP8tGvDa1a-hnoAltwdN2_ksTEiC7f9iHQLwwFO4stduk7tqIJkpiU5kqIgIoki0t-CDeF4-RZoGoexRNmz9HPmAFnDQrYw8ZJ7vRIfZObwrw5oZa4VhRRn87NMc05e/s1280/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e-c_fraW_XN6ydsCYSbRokMrMV7YPnh3EjfVXNOnlYUKfqjrNJg9jYS27E3LGSP8tGvDa1a-hnoAltwdN2_ksTEiC7f9iHQLwwFO4stduk7tqIJkpiU5kqIgIoki0t-CDeF4-RZoGoexRNmz9HPmAFnDQrYw8ZJ7vRIfZObwrw5oZa4VhRRn87NMc05e/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8vKHtwqwYxGZmuugpCV3761PCAJbviKRYD6DFF8xZZkKPhly6KxiIpwwVfQUTP6oR_umRC4B-NXM17PtocpWaleWbllpoEPpuEAfaO19rYj8y7LX0m1dKKPKYtZEjeIPO8qVD3gOP2O0RNPqfICYoI0S5PqHqY5TsGJdctdtTVChOXoWo0YtPDm3uSKI/s1290/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1290" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8vKHtwqwYxGZmuugpCV3761PCAJbviKRYD6DFF8xZZkKPhly6KxiIpwwVfQUTP6oR_umRC4B-NXM17PtocpWaleWbllpoEPpuEAfaO19rYj8y7LX0m1dKKPKYtZEjeIPO8qVD3gOP2O0RNPqfICYoI0S5PqHqY5TsGJdctdtTVChOXoWo0YtPDm3uSKI/w640-h480/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">You can find more information on the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail on the following websites:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/burnt-bridge-creek-trail" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Washington Trails Association</span></a></li><li><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/burnt-bridge-creek-greenway-trail" target="_blank">All Trails</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/burnt-bridge-creek-greenway-trail" target="_blank">City of Vancouver Washington</a></span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsExowGF9jJx-GhOz7vLcV2J7BZbR2Bz1_7nOoyrOD9n1CjKh4CueSJ7oOrtCTB5f3CFbHXzlqSip7H8OwKDlYMGnyJNOSxuVF1IHGtWCMvyeH5-_epZYVrwt3HAy6X66vw78wHAcdRsEax7zv8C5sq-upCRLw0WK7n8P57N3NxLaSUU0QL8uDn_4GMu1/s800/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsExowGF9jJx-GhOz7vLcV2J7BZbR2Bz1_7nOoyrOD9n1CjKh4CueSJ7oOrtCTB5f3CFbHXzlqSip7H8OwKDlYMGnyJNOSxuVF1IHGtWCMvyeH5-_epZYVrwt3HAy6X66vw78wHAcdRsEax7zv8C5sq-upCRLw0WK7n8P57N3NxLaSUU0QL8uDn_4GMu1/s16000/burnt-bridge-trail-vancouver-washington-3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, </span><a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com" style="font-family: Adamina;"> Dirt Therapy</a></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-77952170173616087572023-12-29T08:42:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:42:12.803-08:00The 2023 Gardening Calendar<div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">A look back at 2023 and one image from every month of the year -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yOIlvIVUapqZ9JwyvuYs4wRpfptd5uGY7KQihuhGHQv_bx_XjL5r69M7N-8EQdY74di7iY6GMdW-jci5MdQvSJ1EEfqn_7cWoRiKiTc2c0Ip1RNXhFBaehOoAqT50kCxEUI2yrKHNYfdjY2PCOWX3OBo3NhA5WqNVAtmOU7l89oGIxPttJlACrx1foma/s1500/chief-joseph.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yOIlvIVUapqZ9JwyvuYs4wRpfptd5uGY7KQihuhGHQv_bx_XjL5r69M7N-8EQdY74di7iY6GMdW-jci5MdQvSJ1EEfqn_7cWoRiKiTc2c0Ip1RNXhFBaehOoAqT50kCxEUI2yrKHNYfdjY2PCOWX3OBo3NhA5WqNVAtmOU7l89oGIxPttJlACrx1foma/w480-h640/chief-joseph.JPEG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><u>January</u> </b><br /> It can be a challenge to find worthy garden subjects to photograph in January but 'Chief Joseph' Lodgepole Pine is at its most glorious time of the year. (Photo taken January 11, 2023)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><fontsize><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLdUGqRnmzL2VEpFmCpPsI3DQIIDhX1JLcNS2Upv63gGTnDEQFgDF8dcYl5gtI9c0gGGJaTfryyxIX24fxS4wW4KXcEr7tjBmoSD0jr2uSNGX3FmsvoFwnDwvNdL_ZbuDta5Q4_31G7wa9ZdIohUsKtIG-TqbV_Jd-ZJaez-iMamJI07an84Cgm5C13Of/s1024/snowdrops3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLdUGqRnmzL2VEpFmCpPsI3DQIIDhX1JLcNS2Upv63gGTnDEQFgDF8dcYl5gtI9c0gGGJaTfryyxIX24fxS4wW4KXcEr7tjBmoSD0jr2uSNGX3FmsvoFwnDwvNdL_ZbuDta5Q4_31G7wa9ZdIohUsKtIG-TqbV_Jd-ZJaez-iMamJI07an84Cgm5C13Of/w640-h480/snowdrops3.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><u>February</u></b><br />Snowdrops are usually the first blooms of the season<br />(Photo taken February 9, Michael's b-day)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ_MbavIWirCJmTJhZjSn6kDUo42JmD4Q-y-5VCcrPBfHT3SoEietvFn0l0FES0IiZ6-3rim223DfEEvp2I1mzaByLVW6nzTVB1Blx_HenzLkr0LXBcNnlFsoabN8HykSQJS9iUMAj7BvQ6jUDya6Aqp7isHmXM5jZAjxcXv_CFKM_rq2UxKz7HFNYdpP/s800/azara3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ_MbavIWirCJmTJhZjSn6kDUo42JmD4Q-y-5VCcrPBfHT3SoEietvFn0l0FES0IiZ6-3rim223DfEEvp2I1mzaByLVW6nzTVB1Blx_HenzLkr0LXBcNnlFsoabN8HykSQJS9iUMAj7BvQ6jUDya6Aqp7isHmXM5jZAjxcXv_CFKM_rq2UxKz7HFNYdpP/s16000/azara3.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><u>March</u></b><br />The Boxleaf Azara put on the biggest show yet this year. The tiny yellow flowers are hardly noticeable except for the vanilla/chocolate scent that perfumes the entire garden. (March 27)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQbbcXThwWKq5WK6_eBL26JseZBZUwvZAehX2-1GC3grr-8p_qFJLDXpe7JInWhTKt1fvjsSphPn4Y5gOpagskstWsZzzg7tdblM8S-xLf6INwgRUtMdzQeV891Ka70ntQ9o4RvBDJbNDQ7nmZ8at1iFVy16VXFbFVx4N8u6IZ_XbNFphXuAalvPS7sCU/s800/pathway.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQbbcXThwWKq5WK6_eBL26JseZBZUwvZAehX2-1GC3grr-8p_qFJLDXpe7JInWhTKt1fvjsSphPn4Y5gOpagskstWsZzzg7tdblM8S-xLf6INwgRUtMdzQeV891Ka70ntQ9o4RvBDJbNDQ7nmZ8at1iFVy16VXFbFVx4N8u6IZ_XbNFphXuAalvPS7sCU/s16000/pathway.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><u>April</u></b><br />The pathway in the front garden - things are beginning to look a little greener.<br />(April 11)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFe0oqo4_2q2Pb0XBLk1gBRu2WhgW_Yf_HkYPeXq7BJrgQQhfnxmdtqao-E5wcnHbw5KhUNcvXSp4WEksyQcQ7M9a0Pn_3KeqGpOZ6-emxrSbEWJ_Dnij0usW_8S8krKi3xKed_tkYab0HoGhD5HKSTnEsFMBu8RtIPSRl_pL6LPwE8ZaKIO2F8DjEOh7/s1280/pergola-wall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1280" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFe0oqo4_2q2Pb0XBLk1gBRu2WhgW_Yf_HkYPeXq7BJrgQQhfnxmdtqao-E5wcnHbw5KhUNcvXSp4WEksyQcQ7M9a0Pn_3KeqGpOZ6-emxrSbEWJ_Dnij0usW_8S8krKi3xKed_tkYab0HoGhD5HKSTnEsFMBu8RtIPSRl_pL6LPwE8ZaKIO2F8DjEOh7/w640-h488/pergola-wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>May</b><br />Taken on the last day of May, roses on the pergola and arches (May 31)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2NhQ51vd__cTa630qUATZhlqrn1JACx2IGOTPP1m6EGQJ7cboTnwBJ5tjPRHLPXD3upgZXjB4EMvAMVex0aWrq3BYNDYk00speBwUwuuYHYsaloUqbSR4oGpjuPMFs1AekhyphenhyphenILknhNSqQz5ar6ChRIrP44FbqIgNdNyGj7kXUHiAka9DFXiFen119kwj/s1440/garden-front.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2NhQ51vd__cTa630qUATZhlqrn1JACx2IGOTPP1m6EGQJ7cboTnwBJ5tjPRHLPXD3upgZXjB4EMvAMVex0aWrq3BYNDYk00speBwUwuuYHYsaloUqbSR4oGpjuPMFs1AekhyphenhyphenILknhNSqQz5ar6ChRIrP44FbqIgNdNyGj7kXUHiAka9DFXiFen119kwj/w640-h480/garden-front.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>June</b><br />The front pathway again, seen from the opposite side (June 10)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH72v-HAOxnifaIxdUJdi0puEkog07D8OXLV1fbP_4cDpGLFRtdUGKUGPsWX4jrgf-jeNOCOwVwVmG2jtpEWWTe9QnN7nw94G6qWcVonDs3goJITvWQt3GxI8yatUBaBMhEc9_jcIx48MKSXa0P_saaA4EreR-ivSm8PUOqRjiNsN9LbFRE3PZxNhVWTe/s1280/courtyard.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH72v-HAOxnifaIxdUJdi0puEkog07D8OXLV1fbP_4cDpGLFRtdUGKUGPsWX4jrgf-jeNOCOwVwVmG2jtpEWWTe9QnN7nw94G6qWcVonDs3goJITvWQt3GxI8yatUBaBMhEc9_jcIx48MKSXa0P_saaA4EreR-ivSm8PUOqRjiNsN9LbFRE3PZxNhVWTe/w640-h480/courtyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>July</b><br />The gravel garden in front of the pergola (July 17)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbqNK2AxXVeWrG4w_Z3PLvTs3F_sSKrXAcjbbXMMrsAt5K-HXiDRsKv5wAEnPu7yHHVPSHS4LCyDU3lrIWlMI5f32VfHLl5uBUMqbMQ4tUgadi8Ffk4kSW1F9449w5u8z4ZjIJ0RDOONj1NABVY_Ej4iBsi6ejTYShlRWyaVbGkkn0MrktakxlrgVnQSX/s1280/terrace4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbqNK2AxXVeWrG4w_Z3PLvTs3F_sSKrXAcjbbXMMrsAt5K-HXiDRsKv5wAEnPu7yHHVPSHS4LCyDU3lrIWlMI5f32VfHLl5uBUMqbMQ4tUgadi8Ffk4kSW1F9449w5u8z4ZjIJ0RDOONj1NABVY_Ej4iBsi6ejTYShlRWyaVbGkkn0MrktakxlrgVnQSX/w640-h480/terrace4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>August</b><br />By the time August comes around, the borders begin to take on that overgrown look. (Aug. 9)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpukPTRfiAZxlC9dHiNKcIw_L9thQLhVYMJ91bgpM9tiv3J-NyjXXWs7MxFBLy3vo9cog6xOOfpJZpEZh8L9ZvLG12vZu_6PoihOo_XlK7i00p8eQKo9HrRFltwkvRzZGDI5IbjiViEEICkb7DRK2T3uyiQBz1dA13W6okfds58TeJfW0G7Dxgd6V9aPX/s800/wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpukPTRfiAZxlC9dHiNKcIw_L9thQLhVYMJ91bgpM9tiv3J-NyjXXWs7MxFBLy3vo9cog6xOOfpJZpEZh8L9ZvLG12vZu_6PoihOo_XlK7i00p8eQKo9HrRFltwkvRzZGDI5IbjiViEEICkb7DRK2T3uyiQBz1dA13W6okfds58TeJfW0G7Dxgd6V9aPX/s16000/wall.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Adamina;">September</b><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> <br />Flamingos, hydrangeas and fuchsias by the garden wall (Sept. 21)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6Tw056kAtx1TR-bDYik-aErw_aGEVpkuiUzKu27RfnDa2vWCI74mnsAS627jEusQVkQ6yci_ef-21YPdIijDTuoNTa8YAiHh-SkaqlxCqAIFNKSqip6Lf1nC0xTIPCDVz21sH9M_3doSd5x83J93iLHNwepew5lOIhxg74eAN8Z6m1SwOcJG289PxwaJ/s1280/driveway3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1280" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6Tw056kAtx1TR-bDYik-aErw_aGEVpkuiUzKu27RfnDa2vWCI74mnsAS627jEusQVkQ6yci_ef-21YPdIijDTuoNTa8YAiHh-SkaqlxCqAIFNKSqip6Lf1nC0xTIPCDVz21sH9M_3doSd5x83J93iLHNwepew5lOIhxg74eAN8Z6m1SwOcJG289PxwaJ/w640-h454/driveway3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>October</b><br />Planting along the driveway (Oct. 13)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozjrdTLoYgLxqvyZkDfZLTs4dkx437v345cDKJFeEBaJ4NukjCcT6XMW89dIZ-U-qcJwLJ9tI2Gc68gvAsGOhNo2rszzhbw-Qy0sIDCpUY5hflOgQvKAcFzg91jJnhjF-a8bElLTBqeC6qzNEVaI_ldyKQKSIf_xZmwPeKeagv70X26Mp6rqqNbMwhkSZ/s800/acer-osakazuki-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozjrdTLoYgLxqvyZkDfZLTs4dkx437v345cDKJFeEBaJ4NukjCcT6XMW89dIZ-U-qcJwLJ9tI2Gc68gvAsGOhNo2rszzhbw-Qy0sIDCpUY5hflOgQvKAcFzg91jJnhjF-a8bElLTBqeC6qzNEVaI_ldyKQKSIf_xZmwPeKeagv70X26Mp6rqqNbMwhkSZ/s16000/acer-osakazuki-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>November</b><br />The fall colors were amazing this year. This one is 'Osakazuki'. (Nov. 9)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrNFkgSGX7kOJYTmihMI5ASikAZon35KBbYRTIwgThD84nnF6XLMne-6-yNR123O6osXIbbOejKvrR0dmYv6EX9-nU9k6Sr_pMRSJLJU_vPi3TVcIhpSiGDsP-ruKPW2AmvUoSntHMwr3hBIaWijfJYLvwoijkiZrHbdlp9gXITgBJAWJdnu-wuFacREU/s1280/euphorbia-miners-merlot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrNFkgSGX7kOJYTmihMI5ASikAZon35KBbYRTIwgThD84nnF6XLMne-6-yNR123O6osXIbbOejKvrR0dmYv6EX9-nU9k6Sr_pMRSJLJU_vPi3TVcIhpSiGDsP-ruKPW2AmvUoSntHMwr3hBIaWijfJYLvwoijkiZrHbdlp9gXITgBJAWJdnu-wuFacREU/w640-h426/euphorbia-miners-merlot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>December</b><br />Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot' (Dec. 8)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-86616240403958616252023-12-27T10:21:00.000-08:002023-12-27T12:41:19.291-08:00Reading Books in 2023<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzSuA9rAS9pMiIjTQxARwhip3xB90BBNMp-M8m_2riIjdEZDVXN0gZEphQMQE4gzva6F9myVqDvUh2Xlb8XT5GbSD0owSX5p2Lp-pD6O_M1QnS0NYgQeSovsQf6QsB0lG9_BF1Ewa-HSBIg7fSNTKjZmZVI_JjdQ5YtHF7wysEq9VwFNfzMDEgwoIl0pz/s800/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzSuA9rAS9pMiIjTQxARwhip3xB90BBNMp-M8m_2riIjdEZDVXN0gZEphQMQE4gzva6F9myVqDvUh2Xlb8XT5GbSD0owSX5p2Lp-pD6O_M1QnS0NYgQeSovsQf6QsB0lG9_BF1Ewa-HSBIg7fSNTKjZmZVI_JjdQ5YtHF7wysEq9VwFNfzMDEgwoIl0pz/w640-h440/books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div>I seem to be back on the reading bandwagon after spending the last decade not reading that much except for books I was having to review. This year I was constantly with a book and according to Goodreads, I've read 89 books this year. Not bad considering that my goal was 60 books.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I enjoy reading year-end lists and always interested in what people are reading. Let me know what you read this year in the comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Here were some of my favorites and least favorites -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><u><b>BIOGRAPHY</b></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kyoNkNvtDeHHw9V_a5qv0RfKcB2NL92UZrETJqrtCadnkl5sGKF7sg4y2yFQ0QxtVQEhm0ahCnmC7LjGif-mnP7uAFYyJzz4bt_T30nBFDBhrXBUx1n4op7sqeD8ZzTFqb4_iyJ4kzuk6KWvypd4W9U4KiTBj3Sr9EL9VzhyphenhyphenfEdAjmTMzXDUDojTn7jY/s345/asiaam.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="277" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kyoNkNvtDeHHw9V_a5qv0RfKcB2NL92UZrETJqrtCadnkl5sGKF7sg4y2yFQ0QxtVQEhm0ahCnmC7LjGif-mnP7uAFYyJzz4bt_T30nBFDBhrXBUx1n4op7sqeD8ZzTFqb4_iyJ4kzuk6KWvypd4W9U4KiTBj3Sr9EL9VzhyphenhyphenfEdAjmTMzXDUDojTn7jY/w161-h200/asiaam.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>I read a lot of biographies, especially those related to film and the entertainment world. The one I enjoyed the most was an old one - <i><b>AS I AM</b></i> by <b>Patricia Neal</b>, published in 1989. She experienced a long string of misfortunes in her life but she endured and kept going. After a promising start in Hollywood, her career and reputation was tarnished by an affair with the married Gary Cooper. She later married British writer Roald Dahl. They had several children together, a daughter died from measles and their son almost died after being struck by an automobile. A series of debilitating strokes took years of recovery in which she had to learn how to walk and talk again. Dahl was very supportive during her recovery but later treated her terribly. As terrible as things were, Neal relates with candor and sometimes humor.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I also read a lot of new biographies, notably <b>Barbra Streisand</b>'s <b><i>My Name Is Barbra</i></b>, a 900+ page extravaganza that was admirable, just lacking many juicy details that you know are out there! <b>Matthew Perry</b>'s <i><b>Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing</b></i> was compelling but excruciating (what a trainwreck of a life!).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I also enjoyed </span><i style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>True West</b></i><span style="font-family: Adamina;">, a biography of Sam Shepherd by Robert Greenfield, </span><b style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Charlie Chaplin vs. America </i></b><span style="font-family: Adamina;">by Scott Eyman, and </span><i style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon</b></i><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> by Kate Anderson Brower. I adore Phyllis Diller and read her autobiography <i><b>Like A Lampshade in a Whorehouse</b></i> and a memoir by her assistant Robin Skone-Palmer, <i><b>Beyond the Spotlight</b></i>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: Adamina;">HISTORY / CRIME</span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuq7E4h8aKoMaL0XdeDtpbwy2ZzGf3CWG1dbtzE7LLYnJxY7A3FHVFiF1ZaTAtBByDhKwHDHadq3Iipfbuc1-D68rJiu2JnHC7Yq7dwxjJvkrjgqbAWdj50sfyVHr0rmg7KFA6lBJkdJS3xzQtuwPW590Ky9O4TgIVZ5PC3cSHlrinejObhls5JSDUwaX/s346/mshw.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="229" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuq7E4h8aKoMaL0XdeDtpbwy2ZzGf3CWG1dbtzE7LLYnJxY7A3FHVFiF1ZaTAtBByDhKwHDHadq3Iipfbuc1-D68rJiu2JnHC7Yq7dwxjJvkrjgqbAWdj50sfyVHr0rmg7KFA6lBJkdJS3xzQtuwPW590Ky9O4TgIVZ5PC3cSHlrinejObhls5JSDUwaX/w133-h200/mshw.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />I am generally not interested in certain topics, especially the Civil War, Slavery, Wars and Nazis. That said, when I saw the author<b> Ilyon Woo</b> discussing her book <i><b>Master Slave Husband Wife </b></i>on a morning show, I was intrigued. It is the story of William and Ellen Craft, two slaves from Macon, Georgia who made a daring escape in 1848 with Ellen in disguise as a wealthy white man (she was light-skinned) and William posing as "his" slave. Their 1,000 mile journey by train & boat is as suspenseful as any action thriller and even knowing the outcome beforehand, my nerves were on edge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I was also not familiar with the story behind <i><b>Killers of the Flower Moon</b></i> by <b>David Grann</b> (as you might have already guessed, history is not my strong point) and I was particularly fascinated by the Osage tribal community, who had amassed fortunes by renting their land to oil drilling companies. The book covers an extensive period when several people were murdered and the cover-ups that followed. This has been made into a film by Martin Scorsese and is getting rave reviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><u>FICTION</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJyuNR_VJ9nVlYGvR44hBvNIDL77Kg5NU7k3hDbTANM-CecGUblmD0YqzsxuRSb1-m1ENIClIhr2XtkdfA4nxkLqjxE-eLjL8_UUmf3tQ0um94jypdS4R3eJ61CXhjqc_hA3yHCPIzF-R3PdEzlrXTh5iJv1ep89Ao-EdmV-jJ8LQcCeqzqESKXVry0Mm/s900/holly.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="595" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJyuNR_VJ9nVlYGvR44hBvNIDL77Kg5NU7k3hDbTANM-CecGUblmD0YqzsxuRSb1-m1ENIClIhr2XtkdfA4nxkLqjxE-eLjL8_UUmf3tQ0um94jypdS4R3eJ61CXhjqc_hA3yHCPIzF-R3PdEzlrXTh5iJv1ep89Ao-EdmV-jJ8LQcCeqzqESKXVry0Mm/w133-h200/holly.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>In my high school and college days, I devoured every book <b>Stephen King </b>wrote. Later, as he delved away from traditional horror and more into sci-fi territory, I abandoned him and have only read a few of his books since. I need to catch up though because his latest, <b><i>Holly </i></b> was such a page-turner that it was all I could do not to read the whole thing in one setting. The villains are repulsive and sinister, and King's prose effortlessly flows from the page. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">When it comes to fiction, I probably like crime-fiction the best. A co-worker recommended that I try <b>S.A. Cosby</b> and I'm glad she did - <i><b>All The Sinners Bleed</b></i>, about a black sheriff in a small southern town (yep, more racial prejudice again) was a good one. As in <i>Holly,</i> the subject matter is graphic and unpleasant. I'm on the list for his earlier novel, <i><b>Razorblade Tears</b></i>, which I hear is even better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIJwTx-7DTilcCrMmew54TTCpEMt4HsXi1wHraQ3UtSOhLq8KSobmOH2Zn-7JV_slATuGaBleie1DuRiUHEwnLzKdxzRc1xcS5FVH7COLfpP3rOmq_lbqPRGGEL2MvsDBrAX-n1pzDQCD4LL41LNrd-xn0mkC8ibm7d9CZ_VDMG1wf4voV9ycMT56szMm/s2126/newlife.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="1400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIJwTx-7DTilcCrMmew54TTCpEMt4HsXi1wHraQ3UtSOhLq8KSobmOH2Zn-7JV_slATuGaBleie1DuRiUHEwnLzKdxzRc1xcS5FVH7COLfpP3rOmq_lbqPRGGEL2MvsDBrAX-n1pzDQCD4LL41LNrd-xn0mkC8ibm7d9CZ_VDMG1wf4voV9ycMT56szMm/w132-h200/newlife.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>The New Life by Tom Crewe</i></b>. This is by no means a fast read and I had to take it at a slow, deliberate pace. Set during the Oscar Wilde period (he even plays a role in the book), it is the story of two unconventional Victorian marriages. Hard to believe that this is Crewe's first book. The writing is exquisite.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>Middlesex</b></i> by <b>Jeffrey Eugenides</b> is an earlier novel that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2003. I like big, multi-generation family stories and this one traces a Greek-American family through three generations. For something different - the lead character is intersexed, starting out as female and ending up male. I enjoyed the book, some parts more than others, but overall, quite excellent. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><i>Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters</i></b>. Waters is one of my favorite writers and her writing style reminds me so much of Ruth Rendell who I miss terribly (she died in 2015). There is something about the way they write that draws me into their books like I'm in a hypnotic state. This was Waters first novel and I'm just now reading it. Unfortunately, Waters is not anywhere near as prolific as Ruth Rendell was and it has been seven years since her last book. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>Disappointments</b> - <i><b>The Marriage Portrait</b></i> by Maggie Farrell, <b><i>The Sister</i></b> by Poppy Adams, <i><b>The Boy Who Followed Ripley</b></i> by Patricia Highsmith</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: Adamina;">CLASSICS</span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">One of my retirement goals was to read great classics that I missed earlier in life. Although I majored in English Literature, there are a lot of books that I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read. This year, I decided to tackle that!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicueQyexB0FmvmxHi8yfSxsLYfSxu0NsxOxqWVr7VpQ0h16se3AwZgxblqu36UrRx11PpxMLTSz-xpH7etZLBey4ZPgpPZHZG4O7j3c5CDJBqlwThX8t-S19tBEpM-TcVTzEBnml66B19aUR5vJ22bTkPD5XPPJhZosw59kd_3E8o0HoXnA-kovxbeb85R/s180/maurice.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicueQyexB0FmvmxHi8yfSxsLYfSxu0NsxOxqWVr7VpQ0h16se3AwZgxblqu36UrRx11PpxMLTSz-xpH7etZLBey4ZPgpPZHZG4O7j3c5CDJBqlwThX8t-S19tBEpM-TcVTzEBnml66B19aUR5vJ22bTkPD5XPPJhZosw59kd_3E8o0HoXnA-kovxbeb85R/s16000/maurice.jpg" /></a></div>First, I wanted to read two authors that I have never read before but whose works I am very familiar with, mainly because many of them were made into favorite films. The first, <b>E.M. Forster</b>, has had many of his novels filmed by the great Merchant/Ivory team and include <i>Howard's End, A Room with a View and Maurice</i>. I've always wanted to read <b><i>Maurice</i></b>, since seeing the film back in the early 80s. The novel was not published until 1971, after Forster's death. He had written it 60 years earlier but would not publish it because it was a homosexual love story. I loved it and am looking forward to reading more of his works.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The second author was <b>Somerset Maugham</b>, a prolific writer whose works were widely adapted in Hollywood films, most notably <i>The Letter</i> and <i>Of Human Bondage</i>. I read two of his books this year and look forward to more. The first, <b><i>The Painted Veil</i></b>, involves a missionary and his unhappy wife, dealing with marital infidelity and battling a cholera epidemic in a rural China village. The second book, <i><b>The Razor's Edge</b></i>, was immensely popular in the 1940s when it was first published, and it was also filmed (with Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney). Of the two, I liked <i>The Painted Veil</i> best. Maugham was one of the most popular writers of the twenty-first century and I'd like to find a good biography on him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXLAtm-lluGhcEGqVJo4Wi7QsN_rcsppHHIyswWqljV-K3B4kzBfztGBurbFyUwgfD6wDkxXIjbQlkvixxxtd1N05SLNjQxJFQRVOm9dWopGhVoj-PfGHTa4g3O_BaRMW_hyphenhyphenFtbstBruNBxN9ja1NaJnqXz42H5clFccT3x86Xy4XNq6o4VWPhVpFsQkg/s500/gonetoearth.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="348" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXLAtm-lluGhcEGqVJo4Wi7QsN_rcsppHHIyswWqljV-K3B4kzBfztGBurbFyUwgfD6wDkxXIjbQlkvixxxtd1N05SLNjQxJFQRVOm9dWopGhVoj-PfGHTa4g3O_BaRMW_hyphenhyphenFtbstBruNBxN9ja1NaJnqXz42H5clFccT3x86Xy4XNq6o4VWPhVpFsQkg/w139-h200/gonetoearth.jpg" width="139" /></a></div><b>Gone to Earth</b></i><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> by </span><b style="font-family: Adamina;">Mary Webb</b><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> - I was familiar with the book because Jennifer Jones, my favorite actress, played the role of Hazel Woodus in 1949. It is the story of a simple girl living in the Shropshire countryside whose life is ruled by ignorance and superstition. The book excels at describing the beauty of nature, but the dialog is not the easiest to read. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b><i>Out of Africa</i></b> by <b>Isak Dinesen</b>, a memoir of her years living of living on and managing a coffee plantation near Nairobi. Lyrical writing and so descriptive, I enjoyed it for the most part but I found it very sad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfexctFZFhytIcNKIyBbY7ZE2vwhXSRWCJCK_VqKS0i88pkbOzyOeWmGALz3-E4i0zn9kXi_l-TWEnpzyfTm7IwFOIvm74Qjqo265WopSkugn8_gFJWdzfwlb6sNZScMRShqvCyYYFIfFju7KWs7iIuEjAxNCKln2uzXfzwE8sEjTEYScTWXEWdfVuduj6/s475/goodearth.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="296" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfexctFZFhytIcNKIyBbY7ZE2vwhXSRWCJCK_VqKS0i88pkbOzyOeWmGALz3-E4i0zn9kXi_l-TWEnpzyfTm7IwFOIvm74Qjqo265WopSkugn8_gFJWdzfwlb6sNZScMRShqvCyYYFIfFju7KWs7iIuEjAxNCKln2uzXfzwE8sEjTEYScTWXEWdfVuduj6/w124-h200/goodearth.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><br />And finally, a re-reading of <i><b>The Good Earth</b></i> by <b>Pearl Buck</b>. I'm pretty sure I first read this in school or I may have discovered it on my own. Another multi-generational tale, this one depicts the rise and fall of peasant farmer Wang Lung in twentieth-century China. It was wonderful the first time I read it as a kid and even more so now. (With the exception of the poor wife O-Lan, who never gets a break!). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>Disappointments</b> - <i><b>City of Night </b></i>by John Rechy, <i><b>Fanny Herself</b></i> by Edna Ferber</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: Adamina;">GARDENING / NATURE</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">It appears that I did not read many gardening books this year. These days, new gardening books seem to be few and far between. However, there are many older titles on my shelves still waiting to be read.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMUvpqR4-OzK8wOuSNkTA_lELZmRUz-wYi5oC5QM2Ee4IyZQeESpoZknSPztmQ8UwInbXup2OBi0kPNWHouyktNECenDD0Da0EF6G8JubF9PpLJ1RFddVukYGK3Ky7GC68NbXsbt3MUTu5IBjhMfbr1Lg2dAp0c9bA1rc8aDgkgbzUYE5c0lmyiC5dSgT/s2705/nativeplant.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="2399" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMUvpqR4-OzK8wOuSNkTA_lELZmRUz-wYi5oC5QM2Ee4IyZQeESpoZknSPztmQ8UwInbXup2OBi0kPNWHouyktNECenDD0Da0EF6G8JubF9PpLJ1RFddVukYGK3Ky7GC68NbXsbt3MUTu5IBjhMfbr1Lg2dAp0c9bA1rc8aDgkgbzUYE5c0lmyiC5dSgT/w178-h200/nativeplant.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><br />The Pacific Northwest Native Plant Primer </b></i>by <b>Kristen Curren</b> and <b>Andrew Merritt</b>. I would choose this book as my top favorite simply for the fact that it is an invaluable reference for gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. It is an attractive book, very well organized and the photographs are very nice. I haven't read it from cover to cover but refer to it often.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>We Made a Garden </b></i>by <b>Margery Fish</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I just wrote about this book in my <a href="https://phillipoliver.blogspot.com/2023/12/margery-fish-we-made-garden.html" target="_blank">last post</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>The Writer's Garden</b></i> by <b>Jackie Bennett</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This is a beautiful coffee table that profiles famous writer's and their gardens, such as Agatha Christie, Virginia Woolf, Edith Wharton and Roald Dahl (yikes!). (And yes, Patricia Neal did mention the garden many times in her book. She herself found weeding very therapeutic as she was recovering from her stroke).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><b>Disappointments</b> - <i><b>The Comfort of Crows</b></i> by Margaret Renkl - I thought I would love this. The writer is from my neck of the woods (she grew up in south Alabama, I grew up in northwest Alabama). It is a collection of 52 short chapters that dwell on the nature/ wildlife happenings in the garden. It is so beautifully written (I would love to have a fraction of that talent) but alas, I found it relentlessly downbeat and depressing. There is a lot of reflection here on loss (parents dying, children leaving home, etc.) and the "nature" parts were equally bleak - insects and birds being poisoned in neighborhoods across the U.S. and trees are being cut down everywhere. And she is 100% correct about all of it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i><b>A Gardener's Guide to Botany </b></i>by Scott Zona - Too technical for my feeble brain to comprehend!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">And The <b>Worst</b> Book I Read This Year-- <i><b>The Humble Lover </b></i>by <b>Edmund White - </b>Trashy, vulgar, offensive, disgusting - are just some of the adjectives I would us describe this book. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-794551605715893292023-12-14T16:03:00.000-08:002023-12-15T07:02:38.793-08:00Margery Fish & "We Made A Garden"<div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHVFZv7VwqRe8ZYVKj3iOchCjXPxBqTbg1YiIzHhoHnEqmIQjapcs04mzravtBpc1GNXhVORXcBFAEdy0bGsr1u3aMFJ3raJb9QpD5oaJua9eN8YaZlkLU8nhkKZio5wVQm_Iq3iU7ye0ZAruNNN8DGCLRaOmrM2bg9itAiuUQNAl2_tCArcOvUP2kdGh/s625/fish-book-cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHVFZv7VwqRe8ZYVKj3iOchCjXPxBqTbg1YiIzHhoHnEqmIQjapcs04mzravtBpc1GNXhVORXcBFAEdy0bGsr1u3aMFJ3raJb9QpD5oaJua9eN8YaZlkLU8nhkKZio5wVQm_Iq3iU7ye0ZAruNNN8DGCLRaOmrM2bg9itAiuUQNAl2_tCArcOvUP2kdGh/s16000/fish-book-cover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>We Made A Garden, </i>published in 1956, is a classic in gardening literature. It has been on my shelf for 25 years and I've just now got around to reading it. I had finished Barbra Streisand's mammoth 1,000 page biography (good but wore out its welcome around page 700) and was looking for something lighter to read next. This fit the bill nicely and it is a gem.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Margery Fish was not a trained horticulturalist, and she would be in her forties before she started gardening. She attended secretarial college and following that, she worked for twenty years for magazines and newspapers under British publishing magnate Lord Northcliffe. She would serve as secretary to six editors of the <i>Daily Mail </i>and she would marry the last one, Walter Fish, in 1933. Margery was 40 and Walter was 18 years her senior.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuXbSZM8zl4LGV6iJQ7eTDyU1bO12-cFZdntsh9rbIU-f1RkUzFcj6rmAR1NrTmZrxm5cxQkZHDuUaeLZFsmSMeSSvwxxhkDzxQqK_p7d8rJgffax7b-hI_mvVueO0_py9axG5hAFlfx8Dq0Ly0ozuD1Lo4wrzB_TY8p4i7OE6zC0IZgbZpZdvi3rnqve/s590/walter-margery-fish-wedding-19333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuXbSZM8zl4LGV6iJQ7eTDyU1bO12-cFZdntsh9rbIU-f1RkUzFcj6rmAR1NrTmZrxm5cxQkZHDuUaeLZFsmSMeSSvwxxhkDzxQqK_p7d8rJgffax7b-hI_mvVueO0_py9axG5hAFlfx8Dq0Ly0ozuD1Lo4wrzB_TY8p4i7OE6zC0IZgbZpZdvi3rnqve/s16000/walter-margery-fish-wedding-19333.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Walter and Margery on their wedding day, March 2, 1933</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">In 1937, with war imminent on the horizon, Walter decided that they should get out of London and move to the country. After months of searching, they settled on a small 15th century manor house that had been renovated in the village of Somerset. </span></fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">After a year of further house renovations, they shifted their focus on the garden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-V7frs9jp7PR_-Q8QReqBPTbqz6FD0m6JaajM_kAOrMqY-yzzusA2mQrYF9-1Z8RAkJJfTw53k7l1m14s7ql4qA9f_w4BnJvlThb_O1FuGEmxNWKvKUj1_aQ6MgPt0IR-xH6P0EPfgTvG464wGlE8tqO2hYkdPNQVT_46_q_iuRNyHAhYG83RnCCBYVK/s1024/margery-fish-house3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1024" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-V7frs9jp7PR_-Q8QReqBPTbqz6FD0m6JaajM_kAOrMqY-yzzusA2mQrYF9-1Z8RAkJJfTw53k7l1m14s7ql4qA9f_w4BnJvlThb_O1FuGEmxNWKvKUj1_aQ6MgPt0IR-xH6P0EPfgTvG464wGlE8tqO2hYkdPNQVT_46_q_iuRNyHAhYG83RnCCBYVK/w640-h434/margery-fish-house3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>A view of the front of the house after the garden was established</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I'm not sure how harmonious their marriage was inside the house but the garden was definitely a spot of contention and one of the most interesting aspects of </span><i style="font-family: Adamina;">We Made a Garden</i><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> is the passive/aggressive actions of the two and the trials and tribulations that Margery had to endure while putting up with the cantankerous and domineering Walter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Their gardening tastes were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Walter was obsessed with pathways and grass which he impeccably maintained. Many hours were spent maintaining the "barton" (driveway) which involved leveling, rolling and watering. This had to be repeated frequently, especially following heavy rains. "I had many lectures on how to achieve perfection," Margery writes. </span><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Despite his faults, Walter was instrumental in giving the garden much-needed structure and design.</span><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdP9exNUBNjwjWXd-05PcazZmw1CpzdRADqkljUa0k3lrf_PbNB4ZJTzT0H-h24xE9nMMuWRw0iZry-FeN6KvFhXxHlYwD6a2UA7428qws4bwOlqD2x5MSlJuaBSfxFbJGjaK0qWWPkQcJDQ35138oepNzlv3KG1NeaPZ0WDylBYmKKfsubmdF6b6nQ4M/s1024/margery-fish-house-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1024" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdP9exNUBNjwjWXd-05PcazZmw1CpzdRADqkljUa0k3lrf_PbNB4ZJTzT0H-h24xE9nMMuWRw0iZry-FeN6KvFhXxHlYwD6a2UA7428qws4bwOlqD2x5MSlJuaBSfxFbJGjaK0qWWPkQcJDQ35138oepNzlv3KG1NeaPZ0WDylBYmKKfsubmdF6b6nQ4M/w640-h442/margery-fish-house-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>The cow house and the barton</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">As for flowers, Walter loved dahlias which provided sufficient bang-for-the-buck satisfaction. He was not interested in year-round flowers and he maintained that anything that bloomed in the off-seasons was a waste of time and money. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Margery, whose gardening interests had burgeoned since they acquired the property, wanted interest in all seasons and she had a fondness for rockery plants and old-fashioned perennials. Walter insisted that money not be spent on frivolity and Margery cleverly found a way around this by telling him that new plants were gifts from friends and neighbors. Ha! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6jJcamNnSrsyc6V8L6GFE_5AptJ7Po667Y8HK4ov34HBAtchNZBlpw-lkTYpCIfEQsyV9psbu10nR27eqv-gahw-ggA5mKC934ssp7juKxGno89q3cJsR-IYKMkzVBTgEFOFa90ZcqQ6P36dCq7k_yhr4Lzjtsl51PEpvx5007SWA6gv6YMBH0e4LLrY/s1024/margery-fish-house-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6jJcamNnSrsyc6V8L6GFE_5AptJ7Po667Y8HK4ov34HBAtchNZBlpw-lkTYpCIfEQsyV9psbu10nR27eqv-gahw-ggA5mKC934ssp7juKxGno89q3cJsR-IYKMkzVBTgEFOFa90ZcqQ6P36dCq7k_yhr4Lzjtsl51PEpvx5007SWA6gv6YMBH0e4LLrY/w640-h482/margery-fish-house-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>The path to the privy</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Walter had a way of staking plants to the point of torture and was always criticizing</span><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> Margery's efforts, whether it was how she staked plants, used manure (not enough, in his opinion) or watered plants (again, not enough). If the dahlias did not look their best, it was because Margery had not watered properly. Worst of all, if any plant looked like it was struggling, he would cut them back and leave the cuttings for her to clean up. After Margie had faithfully coaxed a finicky plant (I believe it was a delphinium) to develop buds, she discovered that the plant had been cut back! Walter thought it was going to seed and had whacked it back. :(</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This black comedy continued for a decade before, lo and behold, Walter kicks the bucket in 1947. After that, Margery was free to do what she wished. She paved the driveway, got rid of the dahlias and turned the garden into a world-renowned cottage garden. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">In the process, she became a well-respected garden writer and plantswoman, akin to Vita Sackville-West. In addition to <i>We Made a Garden</i>, she wrote six more books as well as magazine articles and lectures. Her approachable style and knowledge of plants was highly regarded. John Sales, former National Trust Gardens advisor said, "...in the second half of the twentieth century, no garden has yet had a greater effect and no garden writer has had a more profound influence."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Margery Fish died in 1969. The garden was maintained by her sister and brother-in-law after her death. A succession of owners followed. Since 2008, it was owned by Mike and Gail Werkmeister who lovingly preserved and did some restorations. <a href="https://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/a-gorgeous-medieval-home-in-dorset-with-grade-i-listed-gardens-are-up-for-sale-including-their-own-tea-room-and-gallery-260715" target="_blank">The property is now back on the market. </a> <a href="Despite his faults, he was instrumental in giving the garden much-needed structure. " target="_blank">East Lambrook Manor Gardens</a> is listed as "Grade 1" status by English Heritage and is open to the public. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiOWae_b1tFXpxSQmlTLhoQMi3oDD1NPq3HfVGyAGNf9SA09ovLbDYprM4bFwsUAOEOrQy1LNXfTaNrdf4uABSHudRmKKawSaAT7qjF4VfyJFs9QHWpRFxVABQUeaG0UywytWA_wWO4EbwFMOf1wlKcJKUUdunG58enSyRmVi7nEohxhEXaS8FQbFmV73/s600/margery-fish.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiOWae_b1tFXpxSQmlTLhoQMi3oDD1NPq3HfVGyAGNf9SA09ovLbDYprM4bFwsUAOEOrQy1LNXfTaNrdf4uABSHudRmKKawSaAT7qjF4VfyJFs9QHWpRFxVABQUeaG0UywytWA_wWO4EbwFMOf1wlKcJKUUdunG58enSyRmVi7nEohxhEXaS8FQbFmV73/s16000/margery-fish.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Margery Fish in her element</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div>Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></div>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-48436900995579599402023-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:002023-12-08T16:33:13.886-08:00Spirea 'Ogon'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9wUoUS0RSpHbT-ShCvj16k08aZxPEPhzIXcWAIBG6OhEQ1FdLjSy129WW8OxbXd2ay1aTnJbQvY_SS0tXCgNfHBcm4-FkhW1VGjC0l5dAr_WXOR-dGgb6w-sac9aEe_ykXye6ckffrqG7zml-BIu_viU4934bVn2qFLeUtFJIjJ_WH6uQvTjq1dGotM/s1280/spirea-ogon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9wUoUS0RSpHbT-ShCvj16k08aZxPEPhzIXcWAIBG6OhEQ1FdLjSy129WW8OxbXd2ay1aTnJbQvY_SS0tXCgNfHBcm4-FkhW1VGjC0l5dAr_WXOR-dGgb6w-sac9aEe_ykXye6ckffrqG7zml-BIu_viU4934bVn2qFLeUtFJIjJ_WH6uQvTjq1dGotM/w640-h426/spirea-ogon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: Adamina;">For the past month, <i>Spirea thunbergii </i>'Ogon' has been the most beautiful plant in the garden. A blaze of burnt yellow and orange shades that remains unfazed by freezing nights and a deluge of rain. It has been particularly stunning during the recent long stretch of gray days. It is what I see from the window when I'm sitting at the computer and it brings much pleasure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This particular spirea is commonly known as the "Baby's Breath Spirea" due to the tiny white blossoms that cover it in very early spring, before the leaves appear. It is the first blooming shrub and a sure sign that spring is on the way. The structure (upright and twiggy) and narrow leaves are reminiscent of a willow. Needless to say, spring is not the only time that it is beautiful.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nPzSDojMzarTd5jRhf6JS1skldF1VNPE-e_Yj16E_yiowG49cehNLvThsCnMbeD4Q-NmOnKpktj4R7TPWQCfhTTyyGAlvXv9ImOatYMZ8ROeH-nhreF6MSaW1ZQMrfc6uuPTj27_V_mPCQR2mDvYLPwci-B7Ewfcep-lZHeNVRdItL4PKdRRUH91YPk/s1280/spirea-ogon-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nPzSDojMzarTd5jRhf6JS1skldF1VNPE-e_Yj16E_yiowG49cehNLvThsCnMbeD4Q-NmOnKpktj4R7TPWQCfhTTyyGAlvXv9ImOatYMZ8ROeH-nhreF6MSaW1ZQMrfc6uuPTj27_V_mPCQR2mDvYLPwci-B7Ewfcep-lZHeNVRdItL4PKdRRUH91YPk/w640-h426/spirea-ogon-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-83987875317066582772023-12-02T13:37:00.000-08:002023-12-02T13:37:18.625-08:00Some Evergreen Shrubs<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MBsFGceRz4R6qciiYMcw39IaG7-evEIsGrpkZ2uNGKYOcMWM2nP9_Db_lJXGGGs1dEHDWhaGeF5gJSX6ipzrj0kuKvsJumCa9qvqaFnAFg9ygeDFWJ5yB7vBRavcEM8D79_1vLa46Jx5SGr1YKQYA7R8Z2BpCls1AyXHy4kH7guHdsPQqnx5ph2yvXlw/s1280/mahonia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MBsFGceRz4R6qciiYMcw39IaG7-evEIsGrpkZ2uNGKYOcMWM2nP9_Db_lJXGGGs1dEHDWhaGeF5gJSX6ipzrj0kuKvsJumCa9qvqaFnAFg9ygeDFWJ5yB7vBRavcEM8D79_1vLa46Jx5SGr1YKQYA7R8Z2BpCls1AyXHy4kH7guHdsPQqnx5ph2yvXlw/w640-h426/mahonia2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Mahonia repens</i> (Creeping Mahonia)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I can never over-emphasize the importance of evergreen shrubs in the garden. Otherwise, you have nothing to look at during the winter months. Here are a few of my favorites.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Talk about a carefree plant! The PNW native <i>Mahonia repens</i> (Creeping Mahonia or Creeping Oregon Grape) requires nothing special and will even tolerate drought after it is established. I tend to think of this plant more as a groundcover but after many years (six to be exact - it was planted in April of 2017) it is beginning to look more like a low-growing shrub. The height is less than 2 feet tall. Growth tends to be more horizontal and it has spread 3-4 feet. Not a fast grower. Sun or part-shade.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The leaves are an attractive blue-green and they become tinged with red and purple when the weather is cooler. Flowers have been sporadic but every year they increase. It usually blooms around April -</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAjttwdZlZwaEh2z_rtXZERckHWps1PDVzVB4hcaumL-_84SGWLvQECN3geCSgz4OVXH1xYrHWXpFfN9C4oNwrnPzKzDtiSn0vRq8cIcFSRJe20ZYukypt-xWOtb86d2fM5tSfCDzc_xHpJ2uh1X3rxTNUGtIM7hZ8wobR1WGwBeF68ef2miGAkb6vv2-/s1024/mahonia-repens-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAjttwdZlZwaEh2z_rtXZERckHWps1PDVzVB4hcaumL-_84SGWLvQECN3geCSgz4OVXH1xYrHWXpFfN9C4oNwrnPzKzDtiSn0vRq8cIcFSRJe20ZYukypt-xWOtb86d2fM5tSfCDzc_xHpJ2uh1X3rxTNUGtIM7hZ8wobR1WGwBeF68ef2miGAkb6vv2-/w640-h480/mahonia-repens-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The flowers are then followed (around July) by the berries or "grapes" -</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F-bhPV5QgZrs4J0tSOKvFr53HfK_EzD3GU2L34SyXoShRkD7AOkk3aRmzGRygKCzp321uuZ0z7zlRdlsYMpjvudN37SBLNmBgG4HOOx7QhaPRZsAFOYyfGdU2HnWnbEQOQ_t8dsQkP3Qz5W7Ai-AQ8JyFyUV1PaeYCf1Nn309Nq_LAa5sIEs1ja0-26f/s639/mahonia-repans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F-bhPV5QgZrs4J0tSOKvFr53HfK_EzD3GU2L34SyXoShRkD7AOkk3aRmzGRygKCzp321uuZ0z7zlRdlsYMpjvudN37SBLNmBgG4HOOx7QhaPRZsAFOYyfGdU2HnWnbEQOQ_t8dsQkP3Qz5W7Ai-AQ8JyFyUV1PaeYCf1Nn309Nq_LAa5sIEs1ja0-26f/w512-h640/mahonia-repans.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></span></div><fontsize><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF30OQvKQwgSljfb1mFyEhLQG3Yky-qceIj862TpGS4_0rxGncs403rqvxErlfonbADdJPvSR2E7OFGQa9WhfeVim85reQh0mqs0Tz5oS0R7kkLaSTjgVHK0yMSQMavipg6Bg_VwqbDQEibb0_8xcWZZsKqAqmffMmVRr89dGkzcHhk1IPwueApi2XEv9/s1280/goshiki2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF30OQvKQwgSljfb1mFyEhLQG3Yky-qceIj862TpGS4_0rxGncs403rqvxErlfonbADdJPvSR2E7OFGQa9WhfeVim85reQh0mqs0Tz5oS0R7kkLaSTjgVHK0yMSQMavipg6Bg_VwqbDQEibb0_8xcWZZsKqAqmffMmVRr89dGkzcHhk1IPwueApi2XEv9/w640-h426/goshiki2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Adamina;">Osmanthus heterophyllus</i><span style="font-family: Adamina;"> 'Goshiki' (False Holly)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><i>Osmanthus heterophyllus</i> 'Goshiki' looks very much like a holly - in fact, the common name is "False Holly" - false because it is in the olive family. But to add even more confusion, it looks nothing like the other tea olives. The difference in hollies and this plant is that the leaves on hollies are set alternate from one another and they are opposite on this plant. As to why this tea olive looks very different from the other varieties of <i>Osmanthus</i>, I have no idea!</div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize>This seems to be a very popular plant in the Pacific Northwest. I see it in almost every garden I visit. It is common though only in abundance as the leaves on this plant are so attractive. 'Goshiki' means "five colors" in Japanese and I'm mentally trying to count the colors in the leaves. In early spring, the new growth appears red or reddish-brown, changing to creamy white and then a mixture of light and dark greens. My favorite thing about the tea olives is the intoxicating fragrance that comes in the fall. I've yet to see (or I should say "smell" as the flowers are miniscule) 'Goshiki' blooming.</fontsize></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;">I've seen some very large specimens of this plant which makes you stop and wonder what you've planted in your small garden. When I say large, I mean about the size of a Volkswagen. I would not say I see that often and they respond well to pruning. Sun to partial shade is recommended. Ours get mostly shade and is situated underneath the big pink dogwood tree that was already here when we moved in. I see that I planted it the first summer we were here - July 1, 2016. That makes it seven years old and it is about five feet tall and six to seven feet wide. I've lightly sheared it a time or two.</div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77VMJIIkDd8Fk4BGXGH6xAYcuhXFs2DpJHy5jNkdfKLHfohiUV2tZUyxNhZdVqUqr2V4K2X2Ah5peJADZYmPVsyndMitXtRqwf70i4sXreZYT5JSh7YfqLeIPZBIg5cd9gf1MRPD1z_GSSFZPb8xLuxX3uJWxhV0ecaOtaU_TxrAqYYIDOnuStJQcdCSn/s1280/daphne-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77VMJIIkDd8Fk4BGXGH6xAYcuhXFs2DpJHy5jNkdfKLHfohiUV2tZUyxNhZdVqUqr2V4K2X2Ah5peJADZYmPVsyndMitXtRqwf70i4sXreZYT5JSh7YfqLeIPZBIg5cd9gf1MRPD1z_GSSFZPb8xLuxX3uJWxhV0ecaOtaU_TxrAqYYIDOnuStJQcdCSn/w640-h426/daphne-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Daphne 'Carol Mackie' covered in Japanese Maple leaves</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;">One of the nicest things about gardening here is that <i>Daphne</i> is easy to grow. Of course, they need the right spot - I suggest partial shade, especially in the late afternoon. I grew one daphne in Alabama and it survived and even bloomed but it never gained any dimension and then it promptly died. Sudden death is a common characteristic of daphne in any climate. Knowing that hopefully eases the pain and guilt when it happens to a gardener (It's not your fault!)</div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZCNkofJlZuTQQLXHapN43b4lY35alIkVm8wtYdfsbdXMRdUn3N-t5AiCiXqjrsIermYwux4Y1ZG8QNSk1Wk5uplzPCMMgcyyONEzqCeKXyrurKb1C8ix2P8J4QyFd5qwruxxkAfqcSrD15-7Uxnr_W8wxmK1oh8lto3Tw2US9ymohbL-JNdte3kj8Wd1/s1280/euonymous2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZCNkofJlZuTQQLXHapN43b4lY35alIkVm8wtYdfsbdXMRdUn3N-t5AiCiXqjrsIermYwux4Y1ZG8QNSk1Wk5uplzPCMMgcyyONEzqCeKXyrurKb1C8ix2P8J4QyFd5qwruxxkAfqcSrD15-7Uxnr_W8wxmK1oh8lto3Tw2US9ymohbL-JNdte3kj8Wd1/w640-h426/euonymous2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Adamina; text-align: left;">Euonymous albomarginatus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize><i>Euonymous albomarginatus</i> is my favorite shrub that was left here by the prior owners. There were not a lot of plants here but the few that were still retained the tag from the nursery which was very helpful. I don't think I've ever seen this one at the garden center where I work. It is a fantastic shrub. It always looks good, especially during the winter months. It is located in a mostly shady area and gets only dappled sun. It is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. </fontsize></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpJB_mJBYzOy985UmQSh6ia_q4z3OMJYZpKRj9bUK3sU0nOBD1uXWpvQUPT2-s2Ht5gQgLBzVI-piL7R5lQO0EBEN2HH1-pvhZMHrcVKeHa8syoOLKsB3JhFO47we3jbCH6HNz3vsfDReTDn_UDhMmhP8mc9lAVeJXNV1cAp_B-9NeDHqcfo2ebxVQCY7/s1280/juniper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpJB_mJBYzOy985UmQSh6ia_q4z3OMJYZpKRj9bUK3sU0nOBD1uXWpvQUPT2-s2Ht5gQgLBzVI-piL7R5lQO0EBEN2HH1-pvhZMHrcVKeHa8syoOLKsB3JhFO47we3jbCH6HNz3vsfDReTDn_UDhMmhP8mc9lAVeJXNV1cAp_B-9NeDHqcfo2ebxVQCY7/w640-h360/juniper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniper 'Daub's Frosted' <br />with Barberry 'Rose Glow' and<br /> <i>Clematis montana '</i>Freda' on the fence, covered in frost.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize>When I was planting the strip outside the front fence along the street, I knew that I wanted some type of low-growing evergreen on both ends to anchor. I impulsively chose Juniperus 'Daub's Frosted' and it has turned out to be a good decision. I've never had any trouble with it with the exception of it continuing to spread more than I would like. Descriptions say that it can spread out to 6 feet and that is certainly true. It has stayed very low, however, and it always looks attractive in any season.</fontsize></div><div style="font-family: Adamina;"><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, </span><a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com" style="font-family: Adamina;"> Dirt Therapy</a></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-29782154959911978322023-11-29T18:14:00.000-08:002023-11-29T18:14:42.455-08:00Frosty Mornings<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapJp-p6kZTCeq74VnYBI5YLlfEWSgVAk-DrDhL6912gjz2SeZ033_vz-SPj5MZ2oMs8IRpSHUzIiJs6GJZmVyVSfAc1_bDbSzJypKcaZEN_W6HNhLDgV0eC6AMr7ihddQ12GnDsgvagVfrmQMXSDYsHqsv7DEO2ruAFnEOWVXuALF-TMgr_XimjPqsmXg/s1280/rose-dublin-bay-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapJp-p6kZTCeq74VnYBI5YLlfEWSgVAk-DrDhL6912gjz2SeZ033_vz-SPj5MZ2oMs8IRpSHUzIiJs6GJZmVyVSfAc1_bDbSzJypKcaZEN_W6HNhLDgV0eC6AMr7ihddQ12GnDsgvagVfrmQMXSDYsHqsv7DEO2ruAFnEOWVXuALF-TMgr_XimjPqsmXg/w640-h360/rose-dublin-bay-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></span></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div>I think this was the fifth morning in a row that we've had a heavy frost. The lows have been getting down around 25, much lower than the local forecasters have been predicting. </div><div><br /></div><div>'Dublin Bay' (above and below) has a few blooms lingering...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC2h3B-x0ZqqUidqBGHoQwWmMccCv6GsNfQvswoLAXb3_QzrvxWJOdJeMVNDKMQCJ5OVdSoZYqrX6drR-zevp7a1Yb9VTBOaZgk81MkKHTzvaKidvffcQxn3i84kCdBguah8_5sIA3uho4P9HNhKEiVFNnqQDUjDCLjICmpE9LJmtNXrBCAoX-phuerQf/s1280/rose-dublin-bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC2h3B-x0ZqqUidqBGHoQwWmMccCv6GsNfQvswoLAXb3_QzrvxWJOdJeMVNDKMQCJ5OVdSoZYqrX6drR-zevp7a1Yb9VTBOaZgk81MkKHTzvaKidvffcQxn3i84kCdBguah8_5sIA3uho4P9HNhKEiVFNnqQDUjDCLjICmpE9LJmtNXrBCAoX-phuerQf/w640-h360/rose-dublin-bay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And so has 'Tequila Sunrise'...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w1D2hqbWg10OVmxTwWacckjfy3kLgzYrbXyEw3IWWbqUCLjjkNwk85DOm-pVEEChF6BD1YipfZ9PCtb8eq5zI4a6_0U9k-HewlRoh4BrMnOF_rvXbehiJCJpPGkKDdNaybvfS9UGAQ2pWxUp-lHCIefmzokPMeFXGd7xwoasEeMWc7OMRleWn7SEYHlf/s1280/rose-frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w1D2hqbWg10OVmxTwWacckjfy3kLgzYrbXyEw3IWWbqUCLjjkNwk85DOm-pVEEChF6BD1YipfZ9PCtb8eq5zI4a6_0U9k-HewlRoh4BrMnOF_rvXbehiJCJpPGkKDdNaybvfS9UGAQ2pWxUp-lHCIefmzokPMeFXGd7xwoasEeMWc7OMRleWn7SEYHlf/w640-h360/rose-frost.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>It has been a dry week but rain returns tonight.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL306bhT0Fp78p7jqLnb3yW3p2ksbBQJNsnflPXE_TQ7erk_mX3zFBlTQlbg-ziZ0NtUoMgUrmOIF9mMvXt35sI1mVKiOb4NhDy7G39EiDp0of89fkEp7M3XwzSKWqOrOFZbKZD6gRx-qekcYbmuIrWppRJh7RzJk8OTySs0KwPLcavtKV-duz8iCh0fn/s1280/pennisetum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL306bhT0Fp78p7jqLnb3yW3p2ksbBQJNsnflPXE_TQ7erk_mX3zFBlTQlbg-ziZ0NtUoMgUrmOIF9mMvXt35sI1mVKiOb4NhDy7G39EiDp0of89fkEp7M3XwzSKWqOrOFZbKZD6gRx-qekcYbmuIrWppRJh7RzJk8OTySs0KwPLcavtKV-duz8iCh0fn/w640-h360/pennisetum.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pennisetum</i> 'Karley Rose'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke6p-lbCoIZJ6zoSFCm64UTYCCuX763xn5WbDN4Dp1CvJgfdIfF-QKB7_MlNKYf5TpptNc4gNO130UpnJUvQ-2-LhyVg-jjmjG-K2Fs3FWbYuz1ojS4gHy0Z3TABVtrkX55Zqky7X0nh7SPsdh2HqjwOe3dQlaDT1WnpvApdCGPynviqks5S4EBB07CVZ/s1280/beautyberry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke6p-lbCoIZJ6zoSFCm64UTYCCuX763xn5WbDN4Dp1CvJgfdIfF-QKB7_MlNKYf5TpptNc4gNO130UpnJUvQ-2-LhyVg-jjmjG-K2Fs3FWbYuz1ojS4gHy0Z3TABVtrkX55Zqky7X0nh7SPsdh2HqjwOe3dQlaDT1WnpvApdCGPynviqks5S4EBB07CVZ/w640-h360/beautyberry2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty Berry (<i>Callicarpa</i> 'Profusion')</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVGmEKU472CZyi_H8DzXcDIsCiT0OXxegmxqZrY4ZRhKrHClnht6dV7Fhpe0fhel9nEmsRn76FtUQ5vz3vASGh6HBUFlOCYvtPIhlkW1wl9rHwLmH3IcC4dr_D4H-ytrUtU6NXUTl8D71_DgFSkHSVLnjE4oiBauDvQTzRenOkkdK4lk3C1UJEAMOVDNn/s1280/coralberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVGmEKU472CZyi_H8DzXcDIsCiT0OXxegmxqZrY4ZRhKrHClnht6dV7Fhpe0fhel9nEmsRn76FtUQ5vz3vASGh6HBUFlOCYvtPIhlkW1wl9rHwLmH3IcC4dr_D4H-ytrUtU6NXUTl8D71_DgFSkHSVLnjE4oiBauDvQTzRenOkkdK4lk3C1UJEAMOVDNn/w640-h360/coralberry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Coralberry (<i>Symphoricarpos
x doorenbosii </i>'Kolmcan' 'Candy')</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzCdhnGLU3uO4ZRi63g2TExD8gj4vEYjroF6ZmcaPmj-59_FCg3NjLWHEpSXacSUEwNzt6X3aB1H3xjN6dM94qEjI7lVEINqT0UPV-Ut3G7Xt87dXaBx3shXZxS1TqOD8G6UsbSKNWOUMtNA8lzLRrJZBFuV7Pq0q5IgHiUmHibwPC-0D92C_yuZM9bFT/s1280/ferns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzCdhnGLU3uO4ZRi63g2TExD8gj4vEYjroF6ZmcaPmj-59_FCg3NjLWHEpSXacSUEwNzt6X3aB1H3xjN6dM94qEjI7lVEINqT0UPV-Ut3G7Xt87dXaBx3shXZxS1TqOD8G6UsbSKNWOUMtNA8lzLRrJZBFuV7Pq0q5IgHiUmHibwPC-0D92C_yuZM9bFT/w640-h426/ferns2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZOVqwW0G3ux6LPuTmGywcT3fWP2fr4_OqK6J4kNB88cCRJLnQbFw90J5-JUOhtKK8Rm__HchlxYzzhGbb2Oc91-aJAmkavQ5hiN5qtbXw2WbgyzJfsTStYx0qZn7ZkdwyMmCeqCKyOO8uIlsjJwybn2-plxSg_ZsmxpjBinDUJi4_jlAgTU7wCLhzIBa/s1280/genista-lydia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZOVqwW0G3ux6LPuTmGywcT3fWP2fr4_OqK6J4kNB88cCRJLnQbFw90J5-JUOhtKK8Rm__HchlxYzzhGbb2Oc91-aJAmkavQ5hiN5qtbXw2WbgyzJfsTStYx0qZn7ZkdwyMmCeqCKyOO8uIlsjJwybn2-plxSg_ZsmxpjBinDUJi4_jlAgTU7wCLhzIBa/w640-h360/genista-lydia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia Broom (<i>Genista lydia</i>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAyYqI8OezmyMVOZhzViQq2DbXMX8F3Ac8yUaBGA8o0IzlXhaX4sOTL8dNh0Fcc8A7bu-yEXEjSyfEoVrzmqFTr0kp5DKaDHlcnHZ0lzQT45qaOMvkjNm5tFkyEiP9l2ygMJa4C0lonAuf4XActzRBetRK0n8unv_ZdWnoQcE2fxzi-xNG-e9veasQpfC/s1280/hebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAyYqI8OezmyMVOZhzViQq2DbXMX8F3Ac8yUaBGA8o0IzlXhaX4sOTL8dNh0Fcc8A7bu-yEXEjSyfEoVrzmqFTr0kp5DKaDHlcnHZ0lzQT45qaOMvkjNm5tFkyEiP9l2ygMJa4C0lonAuf4XActzRBetRK0n8unv_ZdWnoQcE2fxzi-xNG-e9veasQpfC/w640-h360/hebe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood' leaf on the Hebe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBfYMDlPsXosTi6KsscSw4epFZLayEBTJrAPlMUQWRaciC2en8f2bSRc2XtzWAXpbqkXPwBAoxZVQzEdmJ-tb123A1t17dQadCYFuEN2O79bI34HG30bRlMVgpldtsAnsI99Nno-basLWOMHxm15idbowgFsm1BadE0N-AiK6s-I3uvaL3d8-LPdwXLa6/s1280/juniper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBfYMDlPsXosTi6KsscSw4epFZLayEBTJrAPlMUQWRaciC2en8f2bSRc2XtzWAXpbqkXPwBAoxZVQzEdmJ-tb123A1t17dQadCYFuEN2O79bI34HG30bRlMVgpldtsAnsI99Nno-basLWOMHxm15idbowgFsm1BadE0N-AiK6s-I3uvaL3d8-LPdwXLa6/w640-h360/juniper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniper 'Daub's Frosted', Barberry 'Rose Glow' and <i>Clematis montana</i> 'Freda'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbr7nie9GyvVdHGxId6zQRQvfkfnqp6N6O3d7UrXLp3BPnaWPAntYvN5C-WgRMMP0aAP3aAWaCZzfRR0-avlu5a4S6UDaPttNsv1oen8XIWrzNE1cEID7l2t5-cM9YeWqmdmg5yfgHJ0uKMuNHckbeYtAtjbNgtrIbMVtoj8oBw3VLNqaC0sfACSuiOhX/s1280/phlomis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbr7nie9GyvVdHGxId6zQRQvfkfnqp6N6O3d7UrXLp3BPnaWPAntYvN5C-WgRMMP0aAP3aAWaCZzfRR0-avlu5a4S6UDaPttNsv1oen8XIWrzNE1cEID7l2t5-cM9YeWqmdmg5yfgHJ0uKMuNHckbeYtAtjbNgtrIbMVtoj8oBw3VLNqaC0sfACSuiOhX/w640-h426/phlomis.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>Phlomis</i>
‘Quilted Leaf’ (Jerusalem Sage)</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbuzvIBK3XWswQEyeBC9Tn0S9oJUOO5R_YDqT-9Jx58HBz8I4u9axseXn8z6OvsP7aR5Hvz3QVCtyu188Zy-3-IRtbPEPzSLOiHc4nq5t7tpdnkK_putayRW1IQntPmJZo5upFDYYw2ZYZECykUpXizK-zir4TPVtDpWOsggvxK2a1RHJN_WC82ML8ElQ/s1200/phormium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbuzvIBK3XWswQEyeBC9Tn0S9oJUOO5R_YDqT-9Jx58HBz8I4u9axseXn8z6OvsP7aR5Hvz3QVCtyu188Zy-3-IRtbPEPzSLOiHc4nq5t7tpdnkK_putayRW1IQntPmJZo5upFDYYw2ZYZECykUpXizK-zir4TPVtDpWOsggvxK2a1RHJN_WC82ML8ElQ/w640-h426/phormium.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phormium '</i>Rainbow Queen'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmz6PdzB1Fbwwcjeet7U_rFdU1J3Ts-LmvfCwyt6Zt0AuheajZ26rtPKUIV0rO6KDOnIGTF_SOc3r-LDqXI1PiKxXmsl6IS7wwxInBfCe_kBLxNSxhkqjL8isk0-EZCVWWDtzDSe3t8jYbr7wk0KPa2P5Q3mew0fWxoHSfo4aFth_VHmwTBkJ0pvQbC2h/s1280/silver-lotus-clover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmz6PdzB1Fbwwcjeet7U_rFdU1J3Ts-LmvfCwyt6Zt0AuheajZ26rtPKUIV0rO6KDOnIGTF_SOc3r-LDqXI1PiKxXmsl6IS7wwxInBfCe_kBLxNSxhkqjL8isk0-EZCVWWDtzDSe3t8jYbr7wk0KPa2P5Q3mew0fWxoHSfo4aFth_VHmwTBkJ0pvQbC2h/w640-h360/silver-lotus-clover.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Silver Lotus Clover (Hairy Canary Lotus Shrub) (</span><i>Dorycnium hirsutum)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><fontsize><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></fontsize></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64iMEDFxlR-UPKzErqMUgCquOu8AaSfFb_aPH6INIs1Ptnv_unkoRejTE9l9YL4HLXjMAhIdQjnRr404mCEcQq1b32Kvx6E40Kr1gKq3fCVObY2brceQo2iPIjTPaaSUpH4zohLuuHpM5rJJ-ixFbtkwLAS0sefrPGTXLYzAt-uzajlOlYft7W9DXnD9P/s1280/euphorbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64iMEDFxlR-UPKzErqMUgCquOu8AaSfFb_aPH6INIs1Ptnv_unkoRejTE9l9YL4HLXjMAhIdQjnRr404mCEcQq1b32Kvx6E40Kr1gKq3fCVObY2brceQo2iPIjTPaaSUpH4zohLuuHpM5rJJ-ixFbtkwLAS0sefrPGTXLYzAt-uzajlOlYft7W9DXnD9P/w640-h426/euphorbia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZgtgOU3l_RQyzY1EqRF-YjwsQwandrbsCKHvD6WGDR8gz1sn4wN4pyJCU2Wb4o6kGk-Fnxfub8yBqsFja9uE11V0sHo0mBVnsg-MFXnWtzphFUCHqpkFQBCaTtfTVNivWmEAV9uUIwmIa1QQDyEYLeRktE75282aIfd5VUJG_uPnpwwiGCpo0PdufE0q/s1280/leaves2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZgtgOU3l_RQyzY1EqRF-YjwsQwandrbsCKHvD6WGDR8gz1sn4wN4pyJCU2Wb4o6kGk-Fnxfub8yBqsFja9uE11V0sHo0mBVnsg-MFXnWtzphFUCHqpkFQBCaTtfTVNivWmEAV9uUIwmIa1QQDyEYLeRktE75282aIfd5VUJG_uPnpwwiGCpo0PdufE0q/w640-h360/leaves2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-13504032402179920352023-11-23T22:06:00.000-08:002023-11-23T22:10:30.602-08:00Sweet Gum 'Slender Silhouette'<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo9HS3ay60dlIAW7gx9pBsKRHLimrAfYX8RZvOcMuDGpYRwoOOT754RtFpHMIxbN4hIKbMggt0xURr0KPIVjtb1QFHx8St3xY3MX-TE8bwHkifdnres8TACzgRhnLt1PuDFyTjMNUXungWiXKAyFvgQ9f3mn5dgzx1_poW_j0xl3OuGa1J2RsoH9XxEEw/s800/Liquidambar-styraciflua-slender-silhouette-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo9HS3ay60dlIAW7gx9pBsKRHLimrAfYX8RZvOcMuDGpYRwoOOT754RtFpHMIxbN4hIKbMggt0xURr0KPIVjtb1QFHx8St3xY3MX-TE8bwHkifdnres8TACzgRhnLt1PuDFyTjMNUXungWiXKAyFvgQ9f3mn5dgzx1_poW_j0xl3OuGa1J2RsoH9XxEEw/s16000/Liquidambar-styraciflua-slender-silhouette-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><fontsize><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">There is still some fall color left in the garden. A late comer is Sweet Gum 'Slender Silhouette' (Liquidambar styraciflua). The attractive star-shaped leaves have turned into a kaleidoscope of orange, yellow and red. Very pretty! </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">If you are looking for a super-skinny tree for a tight spot, this would be a good contender. It is said to achieve a height of 50-60 feet with a width of just 5-8 feet. The growth is uniform so there is no tapering at the top or bottom. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">So, when one thinks of Sweet Gum, the greatest drawback is the messy, spiky balls that fall everywhere in the fall. This variety is supposedly light and sporadic on fruit production so time will tell. So far, I've not seen any but this is a young tree, planted almost exactly four years ago - in November 2019. Assuming that there is fruit, the slender shape of the tree should keep them from covering a great distance.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iXYvBad8CCI?si=xUFK3wbQcHAdo37y" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HDTztBJ3ZSDZdKJ39K02l8_Id4MzJqTdwAbdPO-chDrqsNyxH1OuU93AWfm7Sk2sxjeg2EA44c_4JG0CpSOuQISGhJRLHl901w3UaJ6bzEM2MsHlHRcbrBiHJjit9jp1ChiiYXG_J1MlzQ1xEvzrY9l6HYf2kJ7svVrJKCmju1nA589SX6Q8Qwv0pk7X/s800/Liquidambar-styraciflua-slender-silhouette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HDTztBJ3ZSDZdKJ39K02l8_Id4MzJqTdwAbdPO-chDrqsNyxH1OuU93AWfm7Sk2sxjeg2EA44c_4JG0CpSOuQISGhJRLHl901w3UaJ6bzEM2MsHlHRcbrBiHJjit9jp1ChiiYXG_J1MlzQ1xEvzrY9l6HYf2kJ7svVrJKCmju1nA589SX6Q8Qwv0pk7X/s16000/Liquidambar-styraciflua-slender-silhouette.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-81949443691547892352023-11-19T12:02:00.000-08:002023-11-19T12:12:42.362-08:00Transplanting Cascara & Buttonbush<div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">There are so many plants in the garden that I want to move but finding the motivation is a challenge. Part of it stems from the fact that simply moving something in this garden usually involves moving other plants. It is a game of musical chairs. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">An eyesore that I have been contemplating all year is the large photinia along the back fence directly in back of the Pan garden. It appears to be dead although I am not certain about that. Whatever the case might be, it is totally leafless. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQx0rOAActzSSTFzIqCWw5nLlNao6MrvRVdTUXc8KBsSUIPin_vjK5yXpOV6ZIqvW3w3urZdyCtBxnaSoUGP-Px_Y_zHBfU3GTCk5Ey5IyDk_nPxa36ApqQaG6_Gvarrha2mekYwrMjeihTuXzG1tYvdS-8Blj8rJipaIVHWEMsIONq5s6tew62I5KF9Y/s800/photinia2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQx0rOAActzSSTFzIqCWw5nLlNao6MrvRVdTUXc8KBsSUIPin_vjK5yXpOV6ZIqvW3w3urZdyCtBxnaSoUGP-Px_Y_zHBfU3GTCk5Ey5IyDk_nPxa36ApqQaG6_Gvarrha2mekYwrMjeihTuXzG1tYvdS-8Blj8rJipaIVHWEMsIONq5s6tew62I5KF9Y/s16000/photinia2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Photinia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">I envisioned more evergreens along the back fence line but another idea emerged. I had planted a Cascara (<i>Frangula purshiana</i>) (native here) in a truly awful spot along the fence line on the opposite side of the garden, down by the garden shed. Might this tree work where the dead photinia is? I know that it is a fast-growing tree and while it is not evergreen, it is beautiful when the leaves are on and it attracts all kinds of birds and insects.</span></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Planted smack-dab in front of the photinia and really the only feasible spot for a tree was the Button Bush (<i>Cephalanthus occidentalis</i>) which was planted in 2017. It has been doing really well in that spot although you can't see it unless you walk back into the border. But if I moved it, where would it go? You can see my dilemma.</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Finally, I decided to relocate the Button Bush to the shady border closer to the pergola. There, I dug up the 'Geisha Gone Wild' Japanese maple and put it back in a pot (this is a good thing as the spot in the border was not the best location for the maple). </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZyOcR3BSKpeiaM92aJ7tut7-5-vepCeA2AxxU6K77SoV6dujz4mEPz7zaU-s2FPD-rvQN9HV0XliwZOvvtEWgT9sesmzrungjRK_w2KCqqGURhvbnkMyaao57C8k-uHR4MEympUykQl-z-vhK9IEyCd-YKJ6sc7BCtFKI2Wl3sMTYNUBgELL283bz81g/s800/buttonbush2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZyOcR3BSKpeiaM92aJ7tut7-5-vepCeA2AxxU6K77SoV6dujz4mEPz7zaU-s2FPD-rvQN9HV0XliwZOvvtEWgT9sesmzrungjRK_w2KCqqGURhvbnkMyaao57C8k-uHR4MEympUykQl-z-vhK9IEyCd-YKJ6sc7BCtFKI2Wl3sMTYNUBgELL283bz81g/s16000/buttonbush2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The transplanted Button Bush (it is hard to see because of the twig fence)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">And now a spot for the Cascara!</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnaf2CZIzSiuXTyuT8gjHRcJzMQMCp1wuMdJHZKaHaABplqLET2_Ypzyxo_uMNA56GPUlbiYyZDSqRLb_EV51-s32FbIMqC_vh2M2W-OnsdT8-VsVHy6mKsOh0Be3Vg2rvso-qMqPF2NEKaW3BgBBl4cjCaGfwsR6MmgRykFjGmc8vt0UFtFN3Lnpr4eG/s800/cascara2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnaf2CZIzSiuXTyuT8gjHRcJzMQMCp1wuMdJHZKaHaABplqLET2_Ypzyxo_uMNA56GPUlbiYyZDSqRLb_EV51-s32FbIMqC_vh2M2W-OnsdT8-VsVHy6mKsOh0Be3Vg2rvso-qMqPF2NEKaW3BgBBl4cjCaGfwsR6MmgRykFjGmc8vt0UFtFN3Lnpr4eG/s16000/cascara2.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Adamina;">The transplanted Cascara which will hopefully thicken up and <br />provide a nicer backdrop in the border.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></fontsize></div><div><br /></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012891747188380656.post-72893065449266913252023-11-15T16:08:00.000-08:002023-11-15T16:08:03.988-08:00Cape Lookout (Tillamook, Oregon)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bMQCTLp1mBLp8ovefCfaHPpL7KZuYKTjEcgaPuPB_lVjGFiNwKqljpLF0U_e_oYeB11WBU3bZcjrsmT7DHwJFib26Q75tfP0kJIg3UpEolnJBHhVVI1rwZix7dOtICecNr1lRHuWkMT8el3SYo-S0QHt4horGcNfGXMjllayEZRWUyydN6njZPtAF6bL/s1280/cape-lookout-ocean-firs-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bMQCTLp1mBLp8ovefCfaHPpL7KZuYKTjEcgaPuPB_lVjGFiNwKqljpLF0U_e_oYeB11WBU3bZcjrsmT7DHwJFib26Q75tfP0kJIg3UpEolnJBHhVVI1rwZix7dOtICecNr1lRHuWkMT8el3SYo-S0QHt4horGcNfGXMjllayEZRWUyydN6njZPtAF6bL/w640-h480/cape-lookout-ocean-firs-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Last week a friend invited me to go on a hike to Cape Lookout State Park in Tillamook, Oregon. We chose the only day last week when rain was not forecast. It had rained the previous night but, after a foggy start, the sun came out and it was beautiful. </span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">This was my first trip to Tillamook. It is about a 2-hour drive from Portland. Arriving at the parking lot, the filtered sunrays were coming through the trees -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcN8_vlqwqqodilNfz8cguL7DpsETtjBPHGVwHxmhtUpDy3P3uro2XRGOhkq-Ug_elnGvPHZWv4JLQ0fKMls-021nSlBcx8IWYwPH6aGqOPf28CcawrdUlpSFErL4E0zqDe0DRjh1W_eGqXip57gKHTLrNPnD6f7jpDh3rKWz8gZIC8sAJLI-u_UReQje/s1204/cape-lookout-parking-lot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1204" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcN8_vlqwqqodilNfz8cguL7DpsETtjBPHGVwHxmhtUpDy3P3uro2XRGOhkq-Ug_elnGvPHZWv4JLQ0fKMls-021nSlBcx8IWYwPH6aGqOPf28CcawrdUlpSFErL4E0zqDe0DRjh1W_eGqXip57gKHTLrNPnD6f7jpDh3rKWz8gZIC8sAJLI-u_UReQje/w640-h480/cape-lookout-parking-lot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We walked down to the beach first. The water was clear blue, a really stunning sight -</span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimEmeUd24BMielt9xIiSg7fzoe1V24PTkoHrH4iv6MLf2VKUM-W_yNFTFunR5xoe3bkm7mRLuZ3BO5haYHlkRh0bc6psmVD7xehz6iHu-5IwbR7sHO6iS9cRa-rHak7B0eL2LSyDqWvYsYlChRZ0fvTA2dePM8hZZkwEw-KZ067Q2BAqRjebomxwDgwvI/s1024/cape-lookout-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimEmeUd24BMielt9xIiSg7fzoe1V24PTkoHrH4iv6MLf2VKUM-W_yNFTFunR5xoe3bkm7mRLuZ3BO5haYHlkRh0bc6psmVD7xehz6iHu-5IwbR7sHO6iS9cRa-rHak7B0eL2LSyDqWvYsYlChRZ0fvTA2dePM8hZZkwEw-KZ067Q2BAqRjebomxwDgwvI/w640-h480/cape-lookout-beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></fontsize></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Just off the beach was a pile of driftwood amidst a stream of water coming down from the mountains -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mCHX6ysBw3dw8YRIPjigIbytyvw4tje1FXUpOFDmOZeg3wfE1qJlS_kJfvmLBCTSc1mgBVl6ZGJ8Jhzj_epDN-FUXUFTkVI8QaJw9jGvYGU2q12mO2vPes2YnniMZSOf_Swdbaiwy3TbTucp8ZcuLEPT4TJU8CmMxF9Ps5tmWfyp4I2jNyG_MCv7XvhS/s1280/cape-lookout-driftwood-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mCHX6ysBw3dw8YRIPjigIbytyvw4tje1FXUpOFDmOZeg3wfE1qJlS_kJfvmLBCTSc1mgBVl6ZGJ8Jhzj_epDN-FUXUFTkVI8QaJw9jGvYGU2q12mO2vPes2YnniMZSOf_Swdbaiwy3TbTucp8ZcuLEPT4TJU8CmMxF9Ps5tmWfyp4I2jNyG_MCv7XvhS/w640-h480/cape-lookout-driftwood-b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">A rocky bank and water pipe deposit -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ydCS4n0je2o70mz5ZHN3usUWhyphenhyphenzxTBqGZJUnh4WVL0ILgx-odTjx_CXvpq7qQi8JAcG7THsXfKQMiWT7MLZkIKdeEJx3xGo5aghncTsivGSpiqMTWeKulRX09lG0izagUko8gkkjN7QEnAeGWfcKaLXq1Rk82mgxlZzcwHolTUU-SivRFBu7SfTW1t5C/s1280/cape-lookout-rocky-bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ydCS4n0je2o70mz5ZHN3usUWhyphenhyphenzxTBqGZJUnh4WVL0ILgx-odTjx_CXvpq7qQi8JAcG7THsXfKQMiWT7MLZkIKdeEJx3xGo5aghncTsivGSpiqMTWeKulRX09lG0izagUko8gkkjN7QEnAeGWfcKaLXq1Rk82mgxlZzcwHolTUU-SivRFBu7SfTW1t5C/w640-h480/cape-lookout-rocky-bank.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We headed for the wooded forest next to the beach where there are numerous trails -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin04FwASb7-f1RuIP2C4PHMdmBqFAv0lOz3ym3w7ZrnMTVJcsrthkaOtIz89gm1zbmvgCQ8rbOIVQX7RUpIulUe0Yemep7kZcARGy0Ij9Y1WH0g8k_zIB-E1ZZ2QFHZE7MkGVdg_RNlEMbjRPpOnSMSC59mUqET7jm3PvqLfsjK1AFHKAlsj0_oFMpJ26I/s1280/cape-lookout-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin04FwASb7-f1RuIP2C4PHMdmBqFAv0lOz3ym3w7ZrnMTVJcsrthkaOtIz89gm1zbmvgCQ8rbOIVQX7RUpIulUe0Yemep7kZcARGy0Ij9Y1WH0g8k_zIB-E1ZZ2QFHZE7MkGVdg_RNlEMbjRPpOnSMSC59mUqET7jm3PvqLfsjK1AFHKAlsj0_oFMpJ26I/w640-h480/cape-lookout-forest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">It was quiet with the exception of bird song and the sound of a rushing stream headed toward the beach -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYPge9rHKPzX0POZCbr9ty8JjZKPCMV4Osk5DASRYXN9LSyRVtpNfvTfsJ7gwYgj79XmDbDtT2ZFRl14sf5NSknsc-t-iD_ZbVC8TutKhnxBMmdXDd1OzmVbvCRjfnrfWQNVTgNINfAcEVXjBzcFF95Tfg59rLsTyjOQOKrQAw65941tmQ36Hsn_7oXDs/s1280/cape-lookout-stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYPge9rHKPzX0POZCbr9ty8JjZKPCMV4Osk5DASRYXN9LSyRVtpNfvTfsJ7gwYgj79XmDbDtT2ZFRl14sf5NSknsc-t-iD_ZbVC8TutKhnxBMmdXDd1OzmVbvCRjfnrfWQNVTgNINfAcEVXjBzcFF95Tfg59rLsTyjOQOKrQAw65941tmQ36Hsn_7oXDs/w640-h480/cape-lookout-stream.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcumYiwSJEqO9iIcsVvegnrjpljGzaV5FP2RigpD7ve-Bi4X1AOOEupqJBF8KZBoZa5YTiI-wW2udmLxzAKcBOWbxFJbmFLzlRBtnCFjKPDIk13z58e5lMtRb6CpkNkXJXZQsGQoTEAhGSdzMmUzDgb-f7WfaSMIEGYzvO9CRb8K3ESlddegMURSN1-op/s800/cape-lookout-salal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcumYiwSJEqO9iIcsVvegnrjpljGzaV5FP2RigpD7ve-Bi4X1AOOEupqJBF8KZBoZa5YTiI-wW2udmLxzAKcBOWbxFJbmFLzlRBtnCFjKPDIk13z58e5lMtRb6CpkNkXJXZQsGQoTEAhGSdzMmUzDgb-f7WfaSMIEGYzvO9CRb8K3ESlddegMURSN1-op/s16000/cape-lookout-salal.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Todd heads through a split tree trunk -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tQVSt0AbDV1G2gl2gH7Y5gV_3pS8-w4Ct62NCfuZmyAfCTWnlFLWkra7GtfxA3Xy8nx1p4Cs7yr1a4k6_VBu5_VJcp8VQIJ4cIpfeC8bM_wxEe3labRRj0fI9Dq9EflDjaFk_ZYvpm0TR7i0OC1xZNvmaBPgmFRldY4zvIF4pDLpme9ewOGTGa82obR-/s800/cape-lookout-todd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tQVSt0AbDV1G2gl2gH7Y5gV_3pS8-w4Ct62NCfuZmyAfCTWnlFLWkra7GtfxA3Xy8nx1p4Cs7yr1a4k6_VBu5_VJcp8VQIJ4cIpfeC8bM_wxEe3labRRj0fI9Dq9EflDjaFk_ZYvpm0TR7i0OC1xZNvmaBPgmFRldY4zvIF4pDLpme9ewOGTGa82obR-/s16000/cape-lookout-todd.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">After trekking up the hill among gigantic trees and lush undergrowth, we came back down to views of the ocean through the trees -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL45m8S2JAwEARb3fMaQehJ8G9dLLSnfyamI2aKG5vM-kYKs8VbwsOD5JAUUnXljUTDGSmUoYWsafHiASFJ7g5Q0mqgxm8bfrC3WKKjQE6LwTOfYHr6kUpB0wM8pKg5we_QGy9iPCAfA9HSGxZlq77YtbuURmt_qTTghf8Wj16aEoOu8Lixs6hT9DQIR4P/s1280/cape-lookout-trees-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL45m8S2JAwEARb3fMaQehJ8G9dLLSnfyamI2aKG5vM-kYKs8VbwsOD5JAUUnXljUTDGSmUoYWsafHiASFJ7g5Q0mqgxm8bfrC3WKKjQE6LwTOfYHr6kUpB0wM8pKg5we_QGy9iPCAfA9HSGxZlq77YtbuURmt_qTTghf8Wj16aEoOu8Lixs6hT9DQIR4P/w640-h480/cape-lookout-trees-beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">And a lookout point on a small bluff -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5Uq6us3dY_nFmiIiWw6Phfg_NLWPcYqcX9JEmEE7Y7-nLyi6BXtIPO68TKg5YvrbH7EiremM6WIQ7RT_c-Q6ODOMP6u7tHUy3Yi_nhFE2iyKfTD4oVxbaUXJEmkIzSI6M6Rg6XI382QbUQiQidHT1j98HeNlfIHA7s4i0zbbGyBu14OmveChdZQQv3_-/s1280/cape-lookout-ocean-bluff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5Uq6us3dY_nFmiIiWw6Phfg_NLWPcYqcX9JEmEE7Y7-nLyi6BXtIPO68TKg5YvrbH7EiremM6WIQ7RT_c-Q6ODOMP6u7tHUy3Yi_nhFE2iyKfTD4oVxbaUXJEmkIzSI6M6Rg6XI382QbUQiQidHT1j98HeNlfIHA7s4i0zbbGyBu14OmveChdZQQv3_-/w640-h480/cape-lookout-ocean-bluff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">We got back in the car and headed up the road to a higher point with more trails. One trail hugged the mountainside with stomach-churning descents along the sides until an area was reached that offered stunning views of the ocean -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dEvamV37Cnp5MO_tUl1mr7ZLA_Jwcs0PVHgBfFJW99MgNS6QGMuFrHP9O4cQFNHOC6Oipmc9z26Lwul7L7GNwtkwLO3heODc52AcsYHtjj_WFspBkx1Jnda5Go571OUo0krHqNEzZhtjLg47ihqBOQI1ViKbaXyxpdCBTqmi7BPqj2UUbG2WjIRn0CJR/s800/cape-lookout-ocean-firs-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dEvamV37Cnp5MO_tUl1mr7ZLA_Jwcs0PVHgBfFJW99MgNS6QGMuFrHP9O4cQFNHOC6Oipmc9z26Lwul7L7GNwtkwLO3heODc52AcsYHtjj_WFspBkx1Jnda5Go571OUo0krHqNEzZhtjLg47ihqBOQI1ViKbaXyxpdCBTqmi7BPqj2UUbG2WjIRn0CJR/s16000/cape-lookout-ocean-firs-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYQbaH36FTKuMQwe_V2RWwVAYmeg9LJGFG1h-_M6IoUuO6VaQfhbZfoctLf9O3wAUc_MrsaEjU7mRDFZqbK7lCnhjFtpNglznTnWCUoR5J6ismLBxBzeGiKJQuAa9ZpH3bCyV9sPYVm6njURAo_KGhl2FVLAZoxiLywT2athn35WslgyPFR_cZ7EkOLuC/s800/cape-lookout-ocean-firs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYQbaH36FTKuMQwe_V2RWwVAYmeg9LJGFG1h-_M6IoUuO6VaQfhbZfoctLf9O3wAUc_MrsaEjU7mRDFZqbK7lCnhjFtpNglznTnWCUoR5J6ismLBxBzeGiKJQuAa9ZpH3bCyV9sPYVm6njURAo_KGhl2FVLAZoxiLywT2athn35WslgyPFR_cZ7EkOLuC/s16000/cape-lookout-ocean-firs.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Adamina;">Hoping to do more of this as there are a ton of places to see here and so far, I've done very little exploring.</span></div><fontsize><span style="font-family: Adamina;"><div><fontsize><br /></fontsize></div>Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, <a href="http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com"> Dirt Therapy</a></span></fontsize>Phillip Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com3