Olivia Rose Austin in evening sunlight
These roses need no introduction. I decided to treat myself to the best, and ordered some David Austin roses this past winter. These two pictures are of just one of the plants, called the Olivia Rose Austin. The fragrance is beautiful. I try, when possible, to get plants that also smell lovely! These were so worth it, and I am very pleased with them.
Olivia Rose Austin
I hope you have some lovely scented flowers in your garden, too! 🙂
In peace,
Dana
In the beginning…
I love flower arranging. My husband knows this and he very kindly bought bunches of bright cheerful colored roses for me to “play” with. Isn’t he sweet? 🙂
Adding colors one by one
I started with the orange roses. I trimmed a bit off of the bottom and then took most of the leaves off (just my personal preference). The orange color is really pretty.
Natural lighting in our front hall
The yellow roses were the largest roses and I really like them. I only trimmed the tiniest amount off of the stems to keep them nice and tall.
Full view
I prefer not to have all of the flowers the same height in order to give the arrangement some depth. So I cut some pink roses quite short and have them throughout the middle and the outside of the vase.
Outside lighting
The colors all went so well together. To me, it is quite cheerful!
Cheerful colors for everyday
What a lovely “pick me up”! And so easy to do. The vase is a very plain large opening glass vase, which was perfect for the amount of roses.
lighting just not working for this picture…
It might be St. Valentine’s Day tomorrow, but really, why not have flowers in our lives everyday?
Happy “Flowers Every Day” to you!
In peace,
Dana
Happy Independence Day to my American friends and family!
Stars and Stripes napkins
It is a day to celebrate everything that being an American entails, but most of all our freedom.
Red, White & Blue
It is a day for parades, picnics, bar-b-ques, being with friends and family, and fireworks.
Roses and Iris from the garden
It is a day to celebrate.
Showing my American colours
Happy 4th of July! I hope it is a wonderful celebration for you and your friends and family!!!
our American flag
In Peace,
Dana
Special dinner with flowers on the table
I have lived in Ireland for almost seven years. Really, this is home. But I will always refer to the United States as “home” because that is where my heart also is. It isn’t an either/or thing for me. I love both places. What I miss absolutely the most from my U.S. home are my friends and family.
Selection of Irish Cheeses
It is tough being apart, especially when those people are as special as they are. Do you have friends and family like that? I have been so blessed with the friends and family that I have in my life. Definite keepers.
add some candles…
One group of friends that I made “back home” was through our church. I helped to start-up a women’s group when I first moved to the area and boy was that wonderful! We had a very original name: The Women of I.C. (Immaculate Conception parish). 🙂
Roses & Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla)
We were a diverse group of women. Some were stay-at-home moms with young children, some worked, some were grandmothers and everyone was welcome.
Colm De Ris Pottery
I miss that group of women… lots. So I was delighted when one of those special ladies said she was coming to Ireland! She has also moved away from where we used to live, so there was so much to catch-up on. But what we both realised was how special those bonds were that we had created through the women’s group, that fellowship. It is not something easily replicated.
roses, astrantia, lady’s mantle
Given that it is still going strong 16 years later, I have to say there is something special about it to facilitate that.
lucky to have a sunny day
We had a special dinner for my friend and her husband. A traditional Kerry (lamb) pie. As we set the table I decided that I would like a few flowers from the garden on the table, too.
My roses are just starting to bloom, and the Lady’s Mantle (alchemilla) has popped up in more than a few places! I believe the burgundy coloured flower is astrantia. It is new in my garden as it was given to me from a friend just a few weeks ago.
Yes the flowers were perfect, the food delicious, and the fellowship was priceless.
I hope you, too, have such amazing friends in your life. …and if not, maybe start-up a women’s group!
As always, the “In a Vase on Monday” meme is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the garden. Stop by and see what other vases people have created from flowers in their gardens. https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/in-a-vase-on-monday-summer-breeze-makes-me-feel-fine/
In Peace,
Dana
friendship
In a Vase on Monday; Roses & Ivy & other lovely stuff
Honestly, I never would have thought I could produce so many varied arrangements from materials gathered in my own garden! I am so glad to have been challenged to look at everything in the garden as potential “In a Vase on Monday” material.
A single pink Hydrangea flower is just barely visible in the centre
I do have to say that I make my arrangements on the weekend. My life is way too crazy to do it on a Monday (do you know that feeling???). I’ve been lucky so far, always having some form of sun to photograph with. Can I just say that I love the sun? I’ve lived in some cities where the sun didn’t always come out as often as I would like. Let’s just say that those cities aren’t known as sunny locations: Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Dublin, Zurich, even Poughkeepsie where I’m originally from. All are great places to live and probably the reasons why I so appreciate seeing the sun when I do!
Ivy. Isn’t it lovely?
I digress. Back to flowers. I had it in my head that I wanted to use my ivy. This is the same ivy that I have spent countless hours removing from my hawthorne trees and ditch wall! It is completely invasive! I do remember that when I lived in Zurich I noted the greens used by florists were so lovely. It was indeed this very same type of ivy that was used to make the most amazing arrangements. So I might just keep a little bit of it. I’m sure the ivy itself will have more say about it staying than my actually doing something about it. 🙂
Ivy, roses, snapdragon, schizostylis (or rather: Hesperantha), Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
What to add to the greens? The snapdragons have had a good run. Those in the arrangement are a lovely fuchsia colour, although they are very near the end of their lives. I’m still a little shy of cutting fully beautiful flowers when they can be enjoyed outside. I feel less guilty if they are nearly done anyway.
Snapdragon in the late afternoon sunlight
an awkward view of the roses
The roses are my climbing roses. I don’t have the variety, since I was sent the wrong type when I originally ordererd them. It was a dead giveaway since these guys have thorns and I ordered thornless… Nevertheless, their blooms are lovely from June through until late fall.
Schizostylis (new name Hesperantha) members of the Iris family
O.K., so I posted a picture of these guys, see pink flowers above and below, on my Facebook page (have you clicked on my Facebook “LIKE” button yet? 🙂 ) and someone commented that this plant has just had their name changed. What? Really? Seems there was some confusion about Hesperantha having corms versus Schizostylis having a short rhizome. Honestly, I read the article and I still think mine are Schizostylis. I might just use both names to cover all of the bases.
Schizostylis (new name Hesperantha)
It is a banner year for wild blackberries in our yard! They are everywhere. Those brambles live in the same area as the ivy, and I have also spent countless hours trying to get rid of them! They are unruly, have terrible thorns, and are invasive. Ah well, but while they are still here we at least get to enjoy their fruit. I do like having some fruit in the arrangement. Just something different.
blackberries galore..
What I really liked about this arrangement was all the different items, just a few of each, that worked together. Well, they do in my eyes! It is a rather messy, maybe I’ll say free flowing (?), arrangement.
a little messy looking
I’m sure I mentioned in an earlier post that my father-in-law grew my snapdragon from seed for me. This one variety, which has a really nice multi-tone colour, has variegated leaves. It didn’t make the main vase, but is sitting nicely in its own Irish pottery vase.
snapdragon with variegated leaves
Snapdragon
One last view
Thank you, Cathy, of Rambling in the Garden, for hosting “In a Vase on Monday”! You can visit her vase, and many links to others by visiting her page here: http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-stars-from-another-galaxy/ (that one isn’t working, so please try here: http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com)
Have you thought about making a vase yet? 🙂
Dana
Rosa Jacques Cartier (1868) My favorite rose in the garden.
The dreaded blackspot has returned to my roses this year. Oh how my heart sank when I first saw it on those pretty rose leaves that seemed to be so healthy! But treating blackspot with milk? Really? Are you sure??? Well, here is my story so far! I love roses. So much so that they were the first flowers that I planted into my first flowerbed. That was way before I knew anything about blackspot. or roses. The next rose plant I buy will definitely be blackspot resistant. But for now I must deal with what I have, and that is rose plants with blackspot…
Blackspot damaged leaves
I gave Fruit Hill Farms in Cork a call last year (https://www.fruithillfarm.com/). They are an organic center and they suggested that I try and build up the health of the plant to prevent blackspot. I wasn’t too surprised to find that what they suggested, Mucofol, was quite smelly to use!
Rose plant early in the season
Rose plant (still healthy looking)
For those who wish the details of the Mucofol, here you go:
Mucofol (L) is absorbed by the leaves and the soil. Thanks to its root stimulant and crop care ingredients the roots, leaves and soil are increased with endogenic capacity and develop its own immune system. The ingredients in the product are working as soil conditioner, plant strengthener and have an indirect effect on pests and diseases. It consists of a highly concentrated composition of specific herbs based on water. The product is natural and of vegetable origin, non-toxic and not persistent. The product will be degraded in the soil and leaves no residues in nature.
Keeping track of rose plants…
The Mucofol is in liquid form which you then dilute with water. We sprayed the roses a few times early this spring. They initially seemed to be doing well. But unfortunately, the blackspot has appeared.
One of my climbing roses still looking good.
The same week that I noticed the blackspot, one of the blogs that I follow had a post about treating blackspot with milk. Kevin Lee Jacob, blogging from the Hudson Valley in New York (which is where I grew up), has a wonderful blog called A garden for the house. You can click on his post about treating blackspot here: http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2012/05/got-black-spot-get-milk/ It seems easy enough: add one part milk to two parts water, and spray once a week. The feedback on Kevin’s blog is quite good. I have my fingers crossed that it will keep the blackspot from spreading.
Rosa Jacques Cartier (1868) late May early June (getting enough air circulation???)
I do know, as I am sure all of you do too, to clear away all of the bad leaves (and never put them in the compost). I pruned the roses this past winter to help with air circulation. I might have to revisit that, though, as my old fashioned rose plants (the Rosa Jacques Cartier) seem quite crowded despite my pruning.
Rosa Jacques Cartier (1868) on June 14th (after two milk & water treatments)
Speaking of pruning, I am filing this other blog post away for next winter as I think there are quite a few good points to it. Have a look and let me know what you think: http://www.hometalk.com/3816372/the-10-biggest-mistakes-people-make-when-pruning-roses
Quick, take some pictures while still looking good!
For now, I have cut off as much of the blackspot affected leaves as possible, and I will continue to spray once a week with my water and milk spray. Oh, and I’ll be taking as many pictures as possible while they still look pretty!
Climbing rose in June
Climbing rose in June (evening sunlight)
It is amazing how different things look with different lighting! Our evenings can be so beautiful, with sunlight right up until 10 P.M.
Rosa Jacques Cartier (1868) and bee
My garden has been buzzing for a few weeks now, with the busy sound of bees. Early this spring we had millions (really!) of lady birds (or called lady bugs, depending on where you are from). It was neat to see them all as they were everywhere! And unlike last year, I didn’t have any issue with aphids. At all. Just blackspot…
Rosa Jacques Cartier (1868)
I hope if you have roses, they are nice and healthy! If you happen to get blackspot and try the milk/water solution, please let me know how that goes for you.
Dana
Flowers from the garden Wreath
It has become rather popular on Thursdays to post pictures from the past on facebook and refer to “Throw back Thursday” on the post. Sure, when isn’t it fun to look through old photos? I found myself doing that today, and decided to join the Throw back Thursday movement and post about a wreath I made last summer.
My lavender
I have to say that I am a rather practical gal most of the time. If it is possible to recycle or reuse something I will try to do so. That includes what I grow in the garden! I like growing flowers which can be dried. I love my lavender for this reason! I’ve learned how to make lavender wands, and last year I made a lavender wreath for the first time. (of course I posted about it! https://mominthegarden.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/lavender-wands-my-first-lavender-wreath/ ).
Roses & hydrangea
Roses and Lavender from the garden
I have some lovely old fashioned roses that are beautifully scented. I dry them in my clothes closet and it smells so lovely every time I open the door!
Roses from my garden
lavender, roses, and hydrangea
The wreath is easy to make. I use Spanish Moss as filler between the smaller flowers. The hydrangea comes from my friend Susan’s garden. I have planted some hydrangea plants though, so I am hoping I’ll be able to use them (eventually)!
Susan’s blue hydrangea
Look at that blue! I know in my yard they grow pink, and I’m happy enough with that. I just might visit Susan around July though, and see how her blooms are doing! 🙂
My pink hydrangea
Annabelle hydrangea
The Annabelle hydrangea is the next plant I’m going to try growing. It is simply majestic!
Flowers from the garden Wreath
At the top-right of the wreath is some dried allium. I’ve used allium before, but only after spray painting it silver for a Christmas arrangement. So using it plain was something new for me. I like the different texture it gives the wreath.
Allium from my garden
I’ve had the wreath hanging in my kitchen throughout most of the year. It is getting time to replace some of the flowers, though, as they’ve lost their vibrant colors. That is O.K. as I like to keep things looking fresh!
Throw back Thursdays – I think I like that theme!
Happy Thursday!
Dana
Echinacea Salsa Red
It really was such a lovely summer. I have so many pictures that I’ve taken that I want to share! There have been a few new additions to the garden. The Salsa Red Echinacea is one of my favorites! A red cone flower, it has been blooming since I bought it in late summer. I have it near my Black eyed Susan flowers.
Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) in evening sunlight.
Butterfly enjoying the Black eyed Susan
Paniculata hydrangea
The Paniculata hydrangea is another new addition to my garden and another one of my favorites! 🙂 I bought it late in the season while it was still mostly white. But as it ages, it turns pink, and mine turned quite pink in the end. It is just about ready for me to give it a really good pruning. I’d like to give it a nicer shape for next year as it is quite gangly at the moment. But the blooms were so lovely and delicate!
Paniculata hydrangea – reminds me of lace.
Paniculata hydrangea
The Paniculata hydrangea likes lots of sun. Other varieties of hydrangea don’t require as much sunlight as this one does. It can grow to about 8 to 10 feet tall and wide, but can be kept at the size you want with regular pruning. Pruning can be done at any time of year as it does not affect the blooms like other varieties of hydrangeas. I’m excited to see how this one does in our sunny front yard!
End of season Paniculata hydrangea with its new pink color.
Speaking of pink! My roses are going for another round of showing off! We had really bad black spot this year, and I was away when it should have been looked after. I am still trying to find organic ways to prevent/treat black spot. (Please let me know if you’ve found something that works!) I’ll be growing something from the onion family in the rose garden next year. But I think I’ll need to find some kind of spray, too, as the conditions for black spot are simply too perfect here. In the meantime, I’m enjoying the (rose) show!
Floribunda rose Queen Elizabeth (fragrant) with about a million flower buds!
Floribunda rose Burgundy Ice
Floribunda rose Burgundy Ice
Hybrid tea rose Pink Peace (fragrant)
A tiny stemmed rose bouquet.
Dahlia
I’ve planted a yellow Dahlia next to my Asters which have a bright yellow center, or at least they will when they finally bloom later in the fall. This little plant is very cheerful right now!
Dahlia
This redish Dahlia plant I received at the same time as the yellow one. It seems to be much happier in its location as the plant size more than doubled in a very short amount of time!
A very happy Dahlia plant covered in blooms.
Blue hydrangea
Sure it wouldn’t be summer without a blue hydrangea picture! This plant is growing just down the road from me at my neighbor Jerry’s house. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of it, as the color is so lovely!
Pink hydrangea
Things in my yard tend to grow pink! This hydrangea is in my yard. That is ok with me.
Autumn Joy sedum
My Autumn Joy sedum is turning a pretty shade of pink. The butterflies like it too! I cut this plant down early in the season so that it wouldn’t be so leggy. That worked great and I think it’s now neater.
Old fashioned geranium
Geranium on a foggy morning.
Marigold
A snapshot of a perfect summer day … already a distant memory.
I love sharing my pictures of flowers with you! I hope you’ve enjoyed the look back on summer. I next have to show you a look back on the vegetables from the summer!
Happy end of summer 🙂
Dana
My favorite flowers!
We are having quite a wet, gray winter. Or maybe it just feels that way at the moment, but none the less, I would enjoy seeing some sunshine and flowers! So I’ve put together some of my favorite pictures of flowers from the past year. I hope you enjoy them and they bring a little sunshine into your lives!
Dana
Burgundy Ice Floribunda Rose.
Silver Anniversary Hybrid Tea Rose.
Queen Elizabeth Floribunda Rose.
Tulips.
Anemone Mr. Fokker.
Anemone Mr. Fokker.
Zephirine Drouhin (1868)
Zephirine Drouhin (1868)
Poppies.
Poppies.
Marigolds.
Marigolds.
Afternoon sunlight on black-eyed-Susans.
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans).
There, that feels better! 🙂
A frosty rose.
We had our first hard frost the other day. Winter is here! I won’t complain, as it really hasn’t been cold, and even today it isn’t too cold (today it is 6 degrees C/ 42 degrees F). I was able to capture some of the flowers in the garden on the frosty morning. I love how they look covered in crystals!
A frosty Silver Anniversary Hybrid Tea rose.
The roses seriously have my heart. I just love them. My little rose garden has pinks and whites. But I’d really like to expand the color scheme to have corals, yellows, and reds! I think that is going to call for another flower bed…
A frosty Pink Peace Hybrid Tea Rose.
Even the greens of the rose plant look pretty to me!
Frosty rose greens.
I have some London Pride plants almost hidden in a very small garden. I want to bring them out to a more showy place next year. They have a lovely tiny, delicate pink flower when in bloom. Their greens are quite nice, now, too.
London Pride in November.
Our grass is quite long! It was just too wet at the end of the season to give it that last needed cutting… Should be interesting in the spring.
Yes, I even took a picture of the too long grass.
End of November view of the Fruit Orchard.
The fruit garden is being expanded. So I have newspapers and cardboard down to kill the grass. I am using large flower pots filled with stones to hold down the cardboard, oh, and an unused slide! I am not too impressed with how this looks, but thankfully, it is only for a short time!
Frosty November morning. Garden bed in the making.
This garden bed in the making looks like a triangle, doesn’t it? I am planning on making it into three circles, but I have a good bit to go still! On the far side of it, I have quite a large rock. I have yet to figure out how to incorporate that into my garden. For now, it is just “there” and my kids enjoy climbing on top of it.
A frosty view of our front yard.
It looks like snow, doesn’t it? I’m glad I trimmed the hedges for all of these photos.
Hawthorne berries.
The Hawthorne trees which have been freed from ivy are doing so well! I love seeing all of the berries!
Calendula Apricot Twist.
I will definitely be planting Calendula again next year. What a hardy, pretty flower! As for hardy vegetables, I am told that parsnips taste better after a frost. We dug up a bunch of ours for Parsnip & Maple Syrup soup for our Thanksgiving celebration. I was very pleased with the size, shape, and taste of the parsnips!
Frost loving Parsnips.
For me, November is for giving thanks. This past weekend we enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving feast with some lovely American friends of ours (and Polish, too!). It is a perfect way to finish up the month… before diving into the Christmas season!
I have to go and take down all of my fall harvest decorations now. Although, maybe I can work a bit in the garden first. 🙂
Dana
See mom, I do still have the turkey! I just used a candle instead of flowers. 🙂
Mom in the Garden 