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It’s a Holly Jolly Christmas

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I took this photo at the beginning of October. It’s of my Holly bush.

The holly (really a male and female Prince and Princess Holly planted together) is planted in the back corner of my garden. I can’t say that it’s grown much in the four or so years that it’s been planted there, but it’s healthy and flowers then produces lovely red berries each Autumn. I think the holly has only grown about half a foot since I planted it. At this rate it will take 20 years to reach a decent height!

Looking out into the garden from my kitchen window I can see that there are still red berries on the Holly. I guess the birds haven’t eaten all of them yet. Perhaps I’ll bring the camera outside later and take a photo of the Holly with a little snow on it.

I hope that everyone has been enjoying the holiday season and I wish you a Happy New Year!






Spectacular Toad Lilies in the Fall Garden

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I think the Toad Lily is one of the most unusual flowers that I grow.

In the Spring the plant appears as small sprouts emerging from the ground with several oblong green leaves. As summer passes the Toad lily plant grows to about two or two and a half feet in height in the form of long stalks with oblong green leaves.

To tell the truth it doesn’t really look like much for most of the growing season. However, when many of the other flowers in the garden stop blooming the Toad Lily is just getting started. By late September most years the buds begin to appear and then by early October the Toad lilies begin to bloom with their lovely speckled flowers.

Aren’t they pretty?

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Perovskia little spire

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Wordless Wednesday

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Well the snow is still here, covering my garden and making it difficult to walk around, but it’s a bit warmer outside today (above zero!) so it’s starting to melt a bit.

Still … I prefer to remember how pretty my garden looks when it’s not covered in snow.

The flowers above are Russian Sage. It’s formal name is Perovskia little spire. I grow it at the very end of my front garden near the walkway and sidewalk. It sends up delicate woody shoots that bloom late in the season. In fact, this photo was taken October 1st and as you can see it’s blooming happily away.

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