Last Remnants of a Gorgeous Fall

This has been quite an unusual fall for many of us. Seems like the winter was in no hurry to arrive, so we've been treated to one of the warmest and longest falls in a long time. With that, many trees are still showing colors and many plants in my garden are still going strong. … Continue reading Last Remnants of a Gorgeous Fall

Beautiful Hibiscus of Kauai

I was fortunate to recently spend a week on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. As you would imagine, the flowers are gorgeous and I especially loved all the hibiscus growing everywhere. No wonder they are the State Flower of Hawaii. There are seven wild hibiscus found on the Hawaiian islands. We came across the Hawaiian … Continue reading Beautiful Hibiscus of Kauai

Fall Seed Gathering Means Beautiful Summer Zinnias

Zinnias are a great splash of color in the dog days of summer. My friend Susan has a fabulous hedgerows of zinnias and she shared her secret as to how it looks great year after year. Every fall she gathers the dead seed heads, dries them and stores them in a bag over the … Continue reading Fall Seed Gathering Means Beautiful Summer Zinnias

Hummingbird Nectar

Once you've filled your yard with pollinator friendly plants and a hummingbird feeder, you need to make some nectar to put in the feeder. It couldn't be easier! Recipe: 1 part granulated sugar 4 parts water Bring to a boil and boil for 2 min (longer can make it too concentrated). Cool before filling feeder. … Continue reading Hummingbird Nectar

Hummingbirds and Monarchs

While I've planted a lot of flowers and plants that attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies at home, my WI garden is much more natural, but equally full of attractive plants. This wild columbine at the woods' edge is a natural attractant, while other native and cultivated flowering plants can be found in the garden. … Continue reading Hummingbirds and Monarchs

Welcoming Pollinators to the Garden

Every year I wonder if any pollinator friends will visit my gardens. I usually can count on the bees arriving early, but how about butterflies, hummingbirds and hummingbird moths? I've tried to plant mostly pollinator friendly flowers and over the years I've seen a steady improvement in the number of pollinators in my yard. Bee … Continue reading Welcoming Pollinators to the Garden

What’s In My Door County Garden?

As a gardener, one of the fun things about our new cabin in Door County WI is seeing what is going to come up in the gardens this spring and summer. I love taking a walk around the property to see what's changed since the last time we were there. I know the previous owner … Continue reading What’s In My Door County Garden?

This Year’s Garden Planters

Each year I head to the local garden store to pick out flowers for the planters. The results are rarely the same from year to year since I just pick what I like at that moment. Sometimes I might like yellows, other times maybe purples, sometimes more upright, others lots of vines. This year for … Continue reading This Year’s Garden Planters

Mother’s Day Flowers (A Little Late)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day last weekend! I meant to get this post out earlier, but my week got interrupted picking up one of my boys from college. A trip that included a flat tire and some nasty storms. But I have my boys home from school so all is good! I spent … Continue reading Mother’s Day Flowers (A Little Late)

Anticipation (and a Stray Migrating Dragonfly)

Spring is such an interesting time of year in the garden. What survived the winter? When will the spring blooms begin? It seems every year is different in how and when the growing season unfolds. I thought it was going to be an early spring, and then we had quite a cold snap and slowed … Continue reading Anticipation (and a Stray Migrating Dragonfly)