Snow in Kansas

Yes that's Right! Snow as in Snowbank. 

Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank'

Isn't that a great combination. Boltonia asteroides 'snowbank', Miscanthus sinensis 'variegatus', Salvia guaranitica 'black and blue', and Rosa 'flower carpet red'.

This combination should really pop when the foreground asters begin to bloom. The hollyhocks on the left finally succumbed to the dreaded rust miester curse.

When I first read a description of snowbank, about their daisy flowers and late summer blooming period it peaked my interest. I was in the process of designing a new perennial bed. Snowbank's size and growing conditions met the requirements needed. So I ordered a kit garden from a mail order nursery as this was a way to add quantity and save money. And so the story begins.

Before: January 2010 New Perennial Bed - Mostly vinca minor and volunteer seedlings and of course loaded with nutgrass, the bad carex.

March 2010: Defining the Bed outline. Removing sod and moving it to raise grade in front of bed.(bottom of photo)

April 2010: Adding Flower Carpet Rose, underground drainage pipe with catch basin (below), and field stone border.

April 22 2010: Plants arrive one week after normal last frost. That's Boltonia bottom right.

May 2010: Perennials Planted, more field stone edging added and stone drainage feature added over drain grate.

June 2010: Good growth and removal of nutgrass.

July 2010: Our 1st year in our cottage anniversary. Perennials begin to push. Removal of nutgrass, arghhh.

Boltonia behind, near the house and behind the rose.

April 2011: a new spring. Boltonia is sleeping. No nutgrass yet.

May 2011: Additions to Perennial Bed, an Alaskan of all things. Why not?

This post is about snow.

Late May 2011: Roses are in their glory. Boltonia peeking from the top.

Late May 2011: Son of a Biscuit! What's that yellow grass appearing?

June 1 2011: taking shape. Notice the nice temporary perennial rye grass?

Middle June 2011: Above and Below

July 2011: Above and Below. Boltonia foliage to right.

July 2011

August 2011

Late August 2010: Snowbank in its' starring role as a backup or I should say backdrop.

No need to get the snow shovel out. Even though it's 63 this morning after 50 days of 100. Awesome!

Mornin' Glory - GBBD

I have two stories to tell this day. Whenever I hear the term Morning Glory it reminds of two gentlemen that influenced my life. One gentleman used to come into a business I worked at and always said "Morning Glory!", with much inspiration and positivity. He always made me smile and always lifted people up in a spiritual way.
The second gentlemen I met just recently. John loved to talk to people and had the gift of hospitality. Him and his wonderful wife ran a bed and breakfast in town. He also liked to paint signs which he would install  in his outside gardens. You know the country signs with slogans and verses. He liked to quote scripture most of all. But the one sign I always remember is "Mornin Glory" that he installed on the back fence. He would see the sign every morning when he looked out the kitchen window or back door. John passed away a little over a year ago after struggling with cancer. I miss him and his gracious smile and grandiose humor.  Mornin Glory!

Gallardia aristata - common blanket flower

 Achillea millefolium 'Teracotta'

Salvia fairnacea, Achillea, and Schizachm scoparium 'the Blues'

Top Left to Bottom Left: Echinacea 'White Swan', Asclepias tuberosa, Rudebeckia 'goldstrum' with Miscanthus variegatus, Salvia guaranitica 'black and blue' with Alcea leaves.

Left Top to Left Bottom: Bougainvilla, Lagerstromea, Alcea, and Bouainvilla with Sedum.

Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue'

Join others in the world at Carol At May Dreams Garden to view other bloogers blooms. 

 And Mornin' Glory to you!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day-July Heat

It's that time of the month again. Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, where gardeners from all over the world share what's blooming in their garden. Go to May Dream Gardens, and join Gail and links to gardens sharing their treasures! 

While your here, enjoy my Hot July Garden Photos.

Alcea rosea 'Summer Carnival'

First year in the cottage gardens for Hollyhocks. Planted these from seed this winter in jiffy pots under lights. Always like the hocks in my grandmothers and mothers garden. I respect their height and large leaf texture contrast. The Summer Carnival variety pictured above is a frilled double bloom variety I purchased at a big box last winter. Along with the pink variety, a few old fashioned single bloom yellow varieties came along for the ride.

I prefer the single bloom. How about you?

Street Entry Garden-Gladiolus, Achillea Terra Cotta, Echinacea purpurea, and Salvia farinacea.

Hell Strip 2

Gallardia in Hell Strip

Hell Strip 1 and end of Meadow Garden

Meadow Garden fillers, Little Bluestem, Prairie Splendor Coneflower and annual fanflower.