Fall experiments

If you live on Long Island (just east of New York city) or in a similar zone, you are probably in the midst of fall clean-up.

With 1.3 acres here at Old Country Gardens, it's going to take me right through to New Years to get the garden closed up. Some chores though need to be done sooner than that.

One of my experiments this year was to plant Hosta, Ivy and Lamiastrum in the two hanging baskets at the front of my breezeway. To be honest, I've had prettier plantings in there but these required little care at all and since I had an over-abundance of these plants, they cost me nothing to pot up. It will be interesting to see if these plants start growing again in the spring.

The breezeway still looks summery but even on warmer days I'd prefer to sit out in the sunshine now, not here in the shade. In the next week or two I'll have to pack up the cushions. Another thing I need to do (maybe later today) is take cuttings from my tender plants to bring inside.

This is also the first time I've ever grown Colocasia (Elephant ears) thanks to my neighbor Cynthia. I'm going bring this whole pot into my garage with the Phormium too and see if they'll overwinter in there.

So many things still to try. Tomorrow's my first day working at J.Crew. That's what I love about life, always another adventure waiting around the bend!

Late October Blooms

Well, I certainly can't say this is a very attractive photo. Still, it does show something that's blooming in my garden today, October 25th. A beautiful single, white Anemone japonica, I believe the variety is 'Honorine Jobert'.

One consideration I should have had was to place very late blooming perennials in spots that would be more noticeable. So take note from my mistake, this beauty is in the back yard well behind the pool and I don't spend much time back there at all this time of year.

Here's a pretty pass-along Chrysanthemum given to me by my friend Gianna. It's name is long lost but it's beauty still shines. Thankfully I had a bit more forethought with this one and there's a clump along my driveway.

Of course the grasses are blooming like crazy. Today we had the most wonderful fall weather, tons of sunshine and the birds were everywhere. After yesterday's storm the ground was littered with branches and leaves and I spent at least 8 hours outside raking and cleaning.

Can't say my arms, shoulders or back are feeling that great. To tell the truth though, my hands hurt the worst. I'm not looking forward to doing the entire fall clean-up on my own. Believe it or not, I got my 16 year old daughter to help rake today! I don't think she's ever held a rake before so I was truly grateful for her help.

Melanie