"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

What I've been working on and a thank you.

I thought I would take a few pictures of the area behind my pond that I've been working on. One reason was that hopefully next summer I'll look back at these pictures and think, "Wow, look how much everything has grown." The sun is so low now there really hasn't been a good time of day to take pictures in the backyard so I thought I'd run out and take some while the clouds were covering it.
I removed almost everything but the hardy fuchsia in this area. I added lots of compost to the soil before I replanted anything. It looked so strange to see that much bare ground in my yard, but I've quickly filled in a lot of that empty space.

The Oakleaf Hydrangea looks awful in this picture, but in person it doesn't look so bad. The reddish shrub is the Ninebark (Physocarpus) Coppertina 'Mindia'. There are Heucheras, Echinacea 'Sundown', Penstemon 'Husker Red', Phygelius 'Coral Princess' and other perennials.

This is the corner of the pond where I added Japanese Blood Grass 'Red Baron' and some more Heucheras.

Phygelius 'Coral Princess'

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) 'All Gold'

I'd also like to say congratulations to all of the Blotanical award winners. I didn't win any, but I have to say the excitement of seeing my blog nominated was as good as winning to me. I started this blog as a way of keeping track of things I worked on in my garden and a way to connect with other gardeners who felt the same way about gardening as I do. Gardening has been such a wonderful way to teach my girls about how important taking care of our world is. That by what we do in our small yard can benefit animals, birds, insects and our neighbors. It has been fun being able to share what we do and that so many people have found it interesting is just unbelievable to me. I want to say thank you to all of you that take the time to visit my blog whether it's daily, once a week or just when you have time. Thank you also to everyone that voted for my blog, especially when there are so many wonderful blogs to choose from, and thank you to all of my garden friends I've made since I started this blog.
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33 comments:

  1. Congrats to you for all your nominations, they are well deserved! You still have a lot of goodies blooming, but I hope they hang on for awhile yet. We are expecting our first frost tonight, and well before schedule. I'm not ready!

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  2. Hi Catherine, It has been a pleasure to have met you thru blogging and to follow you and your girls' passion for gardening. Your photographs are so amazing and I have learned so much. Congrats on your nominations.
    I sure hope frost in your area holds off for a while!

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  3. Hi Catherine,
    When I read the results I don't know why I didn't notice you didn't win any of the categories. I voted for you more than once. Being in the top 5 for that many says a lot for the quality of your blog.

    I enjoyed reading about the work you've been doing, and seeing the photos. I normally do my moving of plants in the spring, but had decided I wanted to do some this fall. Now that my knee is injured, I am not sure when I'll be ready to dig.

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  4. Ditto Ditto Ditto I agree with everything everyone said. Now that was lazy wasn't it? But I really was happy to see that you were nominated for so many categories. I probably learn more from you than anyone because you are so detailed writing about what you do in the garden. And when I grow up I want my gardens to look just like yours. Of course I don't plan on ever growing up so they probably never will!
    I love what you've done around the pool area and I think I even saw my favorite of the summer Plum Pudding!

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  5. Catherine, The work you do in your gardens is really paying off! You know what? You have to be a friend to make one. And you are and you do. Congratulations, again! Have a nice celebration! :-)

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  6. I'm sure you will be able to look back and see all the growth next year. It looks great already.

    Always happy to read your blog. :-)

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  7. I feel the same way as you Catherine, so nice to have at least been nominated. What an honor.

    I've been busy rearranging a front foundation bed myself. A friend just gave me a huge tree so that changed a few plans. Gardening is fun for the changes but exhausting for the work sometimes. I am looking forward to seeing the after pictures once it has all grown in.

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  8. Catherine I don't know how you didn't win, your blog is beautiful! I always see the most interesting plants here.

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  9. A blue geranium! It's a stunner, for sure. I love reading your blog!

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  10. I love reading your blog too. You always post such beautiful photos and your posts are always interesting.

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  11. Catherine... winning or not winning may not be as important as the achievement all of us have arrived at in connecting across regions and emphasis we had made about gardening creativity. We had in fact become part of the bigger gardening world that encourage and support each other. And we really learn from one another....

    Cheers, Have Fun,
    ~bangchik

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  12. Hello Catherine. You will need to post your before and after pictures of the garden at this time next year. I look forward to seeing them.

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  13. Hi Catherine~~ I didn't participate in the voting because I have a terrible time with "favorites." All my blogger buddies are winners as far as I'm concerned...and of course this definitely includes you. Because we're both Northwesters and we've got very similar gardening styles, I feel a special kindship with you.

    Your new banner photo is delicious. I love the pink and purple combo, of course.

    I didn't realize how much room you have behind your pond. You've got a wonderful array of plants. Next year you won't be able to see the compost and it will be stunning. :]

    I'm going to have to be on the lookout for 'All Gold' Hakonechloa. Nice.

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  14. Catherine, you are always a winner in my eyes. You post regularly with grace and humour about your lovely garden..what more can a devoted reader want? Im so looking forward to see your new area develop( for I love a plan!)

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  15. Hi Catherine, and congrats to the nomination. I did my part by voting. Thanks for charing your wonderful garden with us all. I'm really fond of it and; Wow! You've really been working in that backyard! It looks so great! I did click the picture up and think it looks wonderful! The reason for bloging is the same for me. And the bonus, finding friends from all over the world to chare and enjoy this wonderful gardenblog life with. Have a great day / kram gittan

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  16. Hi, it's me again =) I forgot to say that I really liked your new header / gittan

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  17. Catherine, congratulations for getting nominated. I am not a member, otherwise I would have voted for your blog.
    I saw two different coloured hydrangeas being planted together in Sikkim in the monastery gardens. Purple and blue flowers bloom together from the seemingly same plant. Looked stunning.

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  18. Congrats on getting nominated Catherine!!! Your gardens and hardwork are always inspiring...

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  19. Ooh that area is going to be beautiful! You have made so much of your backyard's space. I agree with Darla, it is inspiring.

    Love the new header picture!

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  20. You are definitely a winner in my book! Congrats on the nominations! Your garden looks great even at this time of year. Hugs, Jackie

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  21. Congrats! on your nomination. I love to follow your botanical works in progress. I love the Japanese grass. Beautiful photos.

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  22. What a lovely post and how true. I have so enjoyed visiting your blog Catherine.

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  23. Girl you really went on a remake didn't you ;-)It is always fun to move things around and change things up. Secretly I do it to make room for new plants.Don't tell anyone ;-)
    You Japanese Blood Grass looks so pretty with the purple Heucheras nearby. They will be so pretty around the pond.

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  24. Congratulations for your well-deserved award! I liked the look of your blood grass so much I looked it up online - darn, it's an annual in my zone!

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  25. That corner area is so nice. I can already picture it with your new additions. Congratulations are your nominations. I agree. that's as good as winning. Good for you.

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  26. Hello Catherine,
    You've been a busy gardener! You have so many wonderful plants in your garden. That space is going to be gorgeous next summer.
    The Clematis bloom in the post below is exquisite, and your roses aren't too shabby either :) Both truly beautiful!
    Congratulations on your Blotanical nominations, and well deserved.

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  27. ooh, I love that coral phygelius Catherine! I've never seen that color. So much hard work going on in your garden. I'm sure it will really pay off next year.
    I really enjoy reading your blog too. You have such a easy way of relating/writing, it's always a pleasure to read.

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  28. Catherine hi

    That number of nominations is as good as any win- fullstop!

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  29. Warm Congratulations on your nominations Catherine!

    Your renovated garden looks wonderful! I see we have a lot of plants in common. Rozanne (what's not to love about a perennial that blooms spring to frost,) and the Japanese forest grass are special favorites of mine.

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  30. Love the work you've done around the pond and the plants you have chosen! It's a work of art! I voted for you at Blotanical. You've got a wonderful blog and I love visiting it!

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  31. How wonderful that you got all those nominations. Well done you, brilliant. I love your flower photos, it's surprising what's still in flower in my garden even in October.

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  32. congrats!! time to pat yourslef on the back for all your hard work and sweat.

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