Simply A Red Rose

Simply A Red Rose

I love photographing flowers!  And since my garden didn't do well this year I decided to  head to a few of my favorite local florist to find some roses, sunflowers, spider mums and football mums.  I didn't find all that I wanted, but I did find these beautiful red roses from our local florist Bangor Floral.  They had an amazing array of flowers, but the roses spoke to me the most.

Roses are such a gorgeous flower! The flower of love, with it's rich red color, velvety petals and elegant fragrance how could you not love this flower.

  You can find this photograph and more flower photography at Cindi Ressler Photography

Be sure to check out my promotion page.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Photo Of The Week "Sunflower Kaleidoscope"

 

I've recently started creating kaleidoscopes and mandalas using photography I've created.  And wow I've been coming up with some really interesting and beautiful designs.  Some of the kaleidoscopes, mandalas and orbs  I have created using my Color Reflections Collection and others, most are using my Nature & Floral Collections.  Some are from photographs that I liked, but not enough to make it to my portfolio. 

 

 

"Sunflower"

The sunflower photograph above created this unique "Sunflower Kaleidoscope" below. 

Like I was saying I never know what will develop when I start piecing these kaleidoscopes together.  I was so surprised with this one.  It was like I almost made a complete sunflower.

 

 

"Sunflower Kaleidoscope" 

Sunflowers are the best flower.  I mean how can you not smile when you see one.  Especially on a gloomy day.

Sunflowers are very easy to grow.  Simply plant the seed in a sunny location cover with soil and keep watered until it pops through the soil.  Sunflowers are all over the US in August through first frost.  They vary in height from just 2 feet tall to as high as 12 feet plus tall!  And the colors, well....besides the traditional yellow you can also get them in cream, red, orange, and a combination of the colors.  Birds, squirrels and chipmunks love em too!

 

The "Sunflower Kaleidoscope" is currently 20% off

Limited Time & Limited Quantities

January 16th-22nd, 2015

 

Have a marvelous weekend! :)

While Waiting For Spring

Like many of you winter has gone on long enough!  I've been waiting for Spring for what seems like forever. I'm now counting down the days until I see my grass again.  I still have over 3 feet of snow in my yard and just when I think we are melting the mounds of snow we get more........YUCK!!!!  The other day driving home from work I saw a sign that spoke loud and clear "Dear Mother Nature, we really need to talk."  I thought that was very appropriate considering our current conditions.

 

So instead of waiting for the crocuses, tulips and daffodils to find their way through all the snow, I decided to pick up some flowers from the grocery store and photograph them in my studio.

Tulips

 

Tulips are beautiful springtime flowers, but there is one small problem that I have, they are known as deer.  Yes they are beautiful, but after a long winter they are very hungry.  And deer love tulips!  I Love having the deer around, but not eating my tulips.

 

Come fall when it's the perfect and best time to plant your tulip bulbs, I try planting some of my own again.  I'm going to try a little experiment though.  For the most part deer don't like daffodils, so I'm wondering if I plant tulips and daffodils together if that will be enough to protect the tulips.  I could also use chicken wire to cover the bulbs, but deer will eat the tulips leaves too.  As a last resort I could get me some coyote urine.........not sure about that though.

 

So with all that said, yes I will try growing tulips for next spring.  I'll add all the necessary deterrents to keep the deer from eating my tulips.  Except maybe the coyote urine.  And in the fall I will post all that I have done to try to protect my tulips.  Then in the spring we'll see what works and what doesn't.

 

In the mean time I will enjoy the tulips I got from the store.

Flower Power Friday

This week I'm featuring Coreopsis "Mercury Rising"



Coreopsis "Mercury Rising"

Coreopsis "Mercury Rising"
Height:  12-15 inches
Wide:  24-36 inches
Blossoms:  Beautiful ruby red with a bright yellow center.
Foliage:  Thread leaves that are bright green
Bloom time:  Early summer through fall
Full sun to part shade
Attracts butterflies and is deer resistant.
Makes for a great cut flower


Coreopsis "Mercury Rising"

First let me just say I love my job, but working in a garden center can have it's disadvantages. 

So I saw this beautiful Coreopsis and I just couldn't resist.  Most coreopsis are shades of yellow and I've even seen some pinks, but this one took my breath away.  I just had to have it.  It has been blooming profusely since I planted it!  This is definitely a great addition to the garden. 

 

Oh and get this if you dislike deadheading.  You won't have to and maintenance is minimal too!  This is a great feature for those of us who are looking for maintenance free plants or for that beginner gardener. 




Coreopsis "Mercury Rising"

The Mercury Rising Coreopsis can be used as a border, in a cottage garden, or any garden for that matter.  If your looking for a plant that stands out.  This is the one to go with!

I've actually have this one with my yellow coreopsis which will look great together.

 

Quote of the week........

Just living is not enough...

one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. 

~Hans Christian Andersen

 

Happy Gardening!!

 

Flower Power Friday

This week I'm featuring my Roses..............

Floribunda roses are a cross between a polyantha and hybrid tea roses.  Polyantha are roses that bloom in multi cluster and of course we are familiar with the hybrid tea roses which are large blooms usually on long stems.  Well when the two were combined if you will you get what is now called the Floribunda, which is Latin for "many-flowerings"  The Floribundas are smaller shrubs with many clusters of roses which can consist of a few flowers or up to 20 flowers.  They do come in all the colors of the hybrid tea roses and in the classic tea rose shaped blossoms and many smell beautifully.

The floribunda roses grow to about 1-2 feet tall and wide.  Prefer full sun to part shade.  They should be fed in spring before blossoms, again during blossoming and again in late August.  After that do not fertilize again as the plant needs to start going dormant. 

Prune your Floribundas in early spring before the warm weather arrives.  Cut back the previous season's growth to about one-fourth and leave as many of the strong canes and stems as possible.

Here in Maine we have pretty cold winters so to unsure that these roses comeback next year I will take and add extra mulch at the base of the rose and then wrap a small wire cage around the rose and fill with either leaves or hay which will provide extra protection.

I've read that these roses are pretty hardy for the most part and can have their fair share of disease and pests.  I will be monitoring them this season to see what I may or may not run into.  So far they have been through several weeks without rain then non stop rain.
 

Angel Face (1969)

 This stunning Angel Face Floribunda Rose was the All-American Rose Selection (AARS) in 1969.
The blooms on this lovely rose are semi double ruffled and are about 3 1/2" and has a wonderful sweet smell.  The Angel Face Floribunda prefers full sun which will make those blooms stay the rich lavender/blue color.

 

Julia Child (2006)

 The beautiful Julia Child floribunda rose is a double bloom 4" rose that has a mild scent of licorice.  The color here looks a little be on the orange side, but let me assure you it is more of a buttery yellow.  In 2006 the Julia Child Floribunda Rose was the All-American Rose Selection (AARS).

Floribundas roses are typically used in hedges, but look great individually too.  You can't use these as cut flowers, because their stems are too short. 

My plan is that if these roses make it through the winter I will be getting a few more.

Have a super weekend!
See you next week!

Flower Power Friday.........

Here are some updated photos of my garden in progress.  Previous photos were taken looking at the garden from the house or the front of the garden.  These were taken looking to the house or the back of the garden.  There still is a lot of work to do, but it is a work in progress right!  At this point I will be adding fewer plants and more mulch.  As the garden starts to take shape I can see where I need to fill in and what I want to put there. 

 

So this is what I have so far.........

 

This is the left side of the garden.  In this photo you can see that in the foreground I have a Herbstonne which will grow about 3 feet tall and wide and have a yellow flower in front of that are the 13 Conflowers which are all a magenta color, they will grow about 2 1/2 feet plus tall and will eventually fill in that area.  In front of them which is are hard to see since they are so small are 3 Blue flax which too will fill in nicely.  Off to the right are some Lady's Mantle which are a mounding plant with beautiful little chartreuse flowers.  If you look in the middle near the cement square are 2 silvery mounds which will get to be a large mound. 

In this photo which is the right side of the garden.  I have in the foreground Ironweed which is a great butterfly attraction and will grow about 3 feet tall and wide and have purple blossoms..  In front of the Ironweed are 4 Butterfly Weed which will grow about 24 inches and are yellow and orange.  Alittle to the right I have a Butterfly bush call Black Knight.  This will get about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide and the flowers (pictured below) are a cone shape cluster which smell fantastic!

Butterfly Bush "Black Knight"

 In this photo near the fence on the right are my Lavender Roses "Angel Face", on the left are my Yellow Roses "Julia Child" and in the center are the Garden Phlox which will grow to about 24-30 inches and the flowers are cluster like.  When they bloom I will photograph them for you.  In the cages are tomatoes, 2 cherry types, one roma and 2 regular.  In the foreground are the Yarrows.  They are pink and red and will grow to about 24 inches or so.  To the right of the Yarrow are my Coreposis which are small yellow daisy like flowers and the foliage are threadleaf.  The Coreopsis will grow to about 24 or so inches and form a large mound.

The photo here to your right is of my future peaches.  Last year I only got 2 peaches.  Looks like this year there will be plenty more.  YIPPEE!!!!

 

Tomorrow after work I will be planting some new poppies.  Unfortunately I was able to save only one out of five poppies. 

 

Next week I will tell you about my dogwood trees, also I'll tell you a little more about all the different butterfly plants I've added to my garden and have photos of my roses.  I will also tell you what I use for fertilizer. 

 

If you have any questions or comments just let me know.

 Quote of the week...........

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. 

~Lindley Karstens

See you next Friday!!!

Happy Gardening!

Flower Power Friday......My Garden Continues to Grow

Sorry I missed last Friday.  It has been a little crazy here. 

 

Clouded Sulphur Butterfly on Coneflower

Sometimes the best laid plans don't go as planned.   As I'm finding out with redesigning my garden.  Since we last chatted I had plans on transplanting plants, which I had done and there were more of them than I had expected. 

 

So this is what I had accomplished in the past 2 weeks.  I have transplanted 13 coneflowers, 


Blue Flax

3 blue flax, 5 poppies, 2 silvery mounds, 2 roses, 1 butterfly bush, 2 dogwood trees and 4 lady's mantle. I was going to add some zinnia and poppy seeds, but with the weather calling for heavy rain that would just wash away the seeds.  To break it down, for the most part everything is looking pretty good.  With daily watering everything should be good.  Although I may lose some poppies, because I didn't realize they had a long tap root and I mistakenly broke the roots.  There's still some hope, but it's questionable, it's looking like 2 might make it maybe 3 out of 5.  

Iceland Poppy from last year

As I started looking for the coneflowers amongst the weeds I found 13 in all which filled a space quite nicely and next year will look even better.  Being I work at the garden center at Home Depot I see what comes in for plants and found a butterfly bush, pink dogwood tree and white dogwood tree that were great deals and I couldn't resist.  

This weekend I'm heading to my favorite nursery to get some tomatoes, more poppies and probably something I don't need , but will get anyway.

Unfortunately because of time issues working to get the plants in the ground and the weather I don't have a current photos of the garden, but I will have plenty to show you next week.  I'm making it a priority to get updated photos for you.  Wait until you see........
 

Quote of the week.......

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
             ~Irish Blessing

Happy Gardening!

Flower Power Friday........

I know I said I would have photos of my progress, but due to rain and me feeling under the weather I didn't get really anything done.  The ground got to soft with all the rain we are having and so doing any sort of planting would just compact the soil.  I have to say I'm very frustrated that I haven't been able to get out there.  This when I can easily fall behind, but I'm not going to let that happen.  I just have to reorganize my plans a bit.  Weather permitting I will have many updates for you.

 

So with that said I will still have a Flower Power Friday......featuring my Peach Blossoms.  About 5 years ago I planted a Peach Reliance tree which would handle temperature of -30 degrees, which here in Maine that could easily happen.  Last year we got our first blossoms which were only a few and our one and only peach.  This year I'm thrilled to say there were blossoms all over the tree and I'm hoping for a full crop of peaches.

 

This first photo was taken last year

Peach Reliance Blossom

 

This next photo was taken this year just about a week ago

 

Peach Reliance Blossom

When I got the Peach Reliance I didn't realize it would take 4 years to get any fruit.  With Peach trees they are for the most part self pollinating therefore you don't need a second tree.  Where if I were to grow apples I would need 2 trees and they would have to be different.  Not exactly sure why that is, but I do know that I would only have to wait two years for fruit. 

 

Have a Safe and Wonderful Holiday Weekend!

See you for Tuesday Treasury!!

Flower Power Friday....Watching My Garden Grow Part 2

Last week while working in the garden, I had forgotten how many muscles I used.  So instead of overdoing it, I chose to do a little each day until I knew I could handle more.
  

I started off digging up some blackberry vines that insisted on coming back.  I actually dug up the main plant last year and now I'm dealing with off shoots everywhere.  It isn't pretty.......word of advice if you choose to plant blackberries have a dedicated spot for them.  They are extremely tough to get rid of. 

 

When I got what I could see of them out I started mapping out my paths using small stakes and string.  Once I was satisfied with my paths I then laid black plastic down as a temporary surface.  Not sure what I will use, but that will come later. 

 

Garden fork and Broad fork
my tools of choice for soil prepping

Then I started tilling, but I chose to do it the hard way which is also environmentally friendly.  I use a broad folk....it has 5 tines and goes along pretty smoothly, but it is hard work.  By Thursday (last week) I had about 1/3 of the garden tilled. 

 

At the end of that day I sat outside and could visualize what my garden would look like.  I also  experienced something I hadn't experienced in a long time.  Just sitting there feeling the wind, listening to the wind in the peach tree I sat under, hearing a woodpecker pounding on a near by Maple tree, feeling the warm Spring breeze.  It was pretty amazing.

 

I have three birdhouses 2 in the garden and 1 just beyond the garden and while working in the garden I would often hear the sounds of the Tree Swallows chirping about and collecting the nesting materials they need for the birdhouse near by.  In the distance I would hear the Bluebirds chirping back and forward waiting for me to leave so they could get their nesting material for their birdhouse.  There is still one birdhouse not spoken for yet.  I will be curious to see if it's another Bluebird or Tree Swallow.  The Tree Swallows don't pay any mind to me, but the Bluebirds don't trust me yet.

 

So that was all last week.  This week I did more tilling and got rid of a lot of sod and weeds.  I also dug 10 holes to transplant 10 peonies.  Typically Peonies don't get transplanted until fall, but if you can get them when they are first popping up they should be okay.  I've done it before with no problems.  The weather forecasters are predicting light rain for today, so I think that would be a great time to plant.  I will also add some compost to the soil to help the Peonies along.  Below I have 3 circles at the top of the garden that is where the Peonies will be going.  If things move along nicely I will also transplant my Lilies.  Which will go in front of the birdhouse on the right of the photo below.  I decided to move the Lilies and put sunflower in their place.

 

 

While tilling the soil with my broad folk these are the critters I save that are super beneficial to any garden.  The earthworms are abundant in my garden and the one below is for a lack of a better word pooping which are also known as castings which are a great source of nutrients for your garden.  I realize I could have bought a powered tiller, but I don't like all the loud noise and having to be careful to control it and watch for flying rocks, which there are plenty of.  I'd rather work and listen to the birds and other sounds of nature.  Besides the work will keep me fit.

 

Earthworm producing castings

 

I have to say I had gotten frustrated on more than one occasion on why did I take on such a large task, but I'm determined to have a beautiful garden.   I have tried for many years to create this garden and failed.  This year there is no failing and I will be patience, persistence, and persevere.

 

 

Quote of the week.......

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
                                                  ~Author Unknown

 

 

Next week I will be removing the plastic that you see in the photo on the lower right side and transplant 2 Siberian irises and a Hydrangea.  I also hope to move 3 Poppies and Yarrow.

 

Still lots of work ahead, but it will be done by mid June.  This year I expect everything to be set up and just about in place.  Then next year it will be just a matter of filling in and maintenance.

 

Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!!

 



Flower Power Friday

This week I'm not featuring any one flower, but I will tell you alittle bit about the flowers I do plan to grow in my garden this year. 

 



Iceland Poppy

Sunflower



 

 

My garden is my true inspiration with my photography. As well as flowers I also photograph the birds and insects that visit my garden. I'm will also be photographing the vegetables that I grow in my garden too.  



Blue Flax



 

 

I've always enjoyed gardening and in the beginning of the season I have good intentions and get my garden cleaned up and looking wonderful......that's until I start doing art shows then the weeds manage to find their way in.  So this year I've had to cut back on my shows and have taken on a part time seasonal job to help me make my garden and photography even better than in years past.  I have lots of ideas for photographs and I really want my garden to be the best ever this year.  I will be the first to tell you that I really lack any sense of design, but I'm going to give it my best effort.  Next Friday I will post a photograph for you of what my garden looks like now.  Then I will post additional photographs of my progress.





 

Lisianthus

 

 In my garden now I have alot of perennials.  These are flowers that come back year after year and bloom at various times of the season.  To name a few perennial I have are....poppies, lilies, coneflowers, shasta daisies, yarrow, bee balm, blueberries, phlox, blue flax and their are a few more.  One thing I haven't done in the past is added annuals.  Annuals are a one season flower, another words they are good for one year, but they bloom all year providing you deadhead (remove the dead flowers) often.  These are the annual I plan on adding to my garden this year.....zinnias, sunflowers, love in the mist, cosmos, larkspur, snapdragons, bachelors button and lisianthus.  Most will be started by seed sown directing in the soil after danger of frost.  The lisianthus and snapdragons I will purchase in the popular 6 packs.  Some of the flower like the sunflowers, love in the mist will re seed themselves for next season.  I will say I have grown sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos in my garden before.  The lisianthus you see here on the right I photographed at a garden at one of the shows I had done. 



Cosmos

I'm looking forward to some serious hard work, very dirty hands and beautiful flowers this year.

I hope you will follow me on my journey and learn with me as I master my skills as a gardener and photographer.  I will do my best to offer some tips I have learned and of course show you my progress.

 



 Quote of the week......

 In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful. ~Abram L. Urban

Siberian Iris

 

Tuesday Treasury!

Another Terrific week of treasuries!

This week we are featuring the curators of "The Perfect Garden" by Kelly of Covered in Glass, "My Summer Garden" by Anne of Carrington Lane Bakery, and "The Beginnings" by Deidre Wasenius of The Ombre Poodle.

Be sure to take some time to visit our curator's shops and all the other shops in these fabulous treasuries!

 

'the perfect garden' by coveredinglass

just lovely... thank you for your talent!

Gerber Beauty-Blank Pho... ONEMAGICALMOM... $4.5	Chuckles The Rose - 4X6... margaretlilli... $10	Nature Photography, Fin... cottagelights... $15	Purple Flower, Daisy, F... AngelaRosePho... $30
A Dark Flower - 4X6 Fin... margaretlilli... $10	Flower Photo Greeting C... EchidnaArtand... $5	Dahlia Flower-Blank Pho... ONEMAGICALMOM... $4.5	CALIFORNIA RED POPPY- N... ONEMAGICALMOM... $20
Dandelion photo - fine ... mylittlepixel... $25	Soft Pink Spider Mum, F... NelsonRietzke $40	Black-eyed Susan, 5x7 F... CindiRessler $14.5	8x10 Print, Macro Photo... NelsonRietzke $35
Nature Photography, Ger... KathyFornal $25	Red Dahlia 3 -- Fine Ar... SugarloafStud... $25	Flower Photography, blu... moonlightphot... $30	Fine Art Photography 8 ... GidgetsPhotog... $30

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 

'My Summer Garden' by CarringtonLaneBakery

My Etsy flower finds!

Hydrangea, 5x7 Fine Art... CindiRessler $14.5	Long silk chiffon scarf... DEsilk $75	Purple Flower Photograp... VictoriaEngli... $25	Queen Anne's Lace M... BeneathNorthe... $30
Mint green flower hair ... HitomiDesigns $12	Botanical with Butterfl... BelleBotanica $10	White Daisy Photograph,... JudyStalus $25	Vintage Connoisseur Fin... VintagebyKani... $22
Hollyhock Peaches n Dre... CheapSeeds $2.5	Vintage 1940's Carv... FarisMandyEts... $79.99	Copper Cauldron. French... GoshnPoche $80	A Blush Baby Pink Flowe... Marolsha $32
Original acrylic painti... EditVorosArt $90	Succulent Wreath, Featu... SucculentDESI... $78	Antique Lace French Vin... AntiqueDeligh... $60	Flower silk dress hand ... ArmeniaOnSilk $120

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 

'the beginning' by deidrewasenius

Nautical Thimble Plante... DoodleBirdie $20	zips - wide bold stripe... yorktownroad $36	Garden Marker - Hand St... DazzlingDezig... $6.5	Vintage 1960s Men's... NevermoreVint... $22
Modern Wedding Ring monkeysalways... $44	Birdhouse Shells and Mo... SandisShellsc... $48	Abc art - Vintage Alpha... artminotaur $7	Moss Necklace, Terrariu... LoveGemStudio $28
Whole World : Africa- F... dearmachine $7	Woven Tote Bag, Linen T... IndependentRe... $142	Deadstock 90s High Wais... NoteworthyGar... $24	Organic Heirloom Rainbo... BoxGardenOrga... $2.65
Pears, 8x12 Fine Art Ph... CindiRessler $25	Copper Watering Can Vin... veraviola $45	PICK 3 Cheesecloth, New... SnassyCrafter $18	Rustic Barn Wood Weddin... SecondNatureW... $130

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 

  

 

I'd like to thank the curators for including my photography in these wonderful treasuries!

Have a spectacular week! See you for Flower Power Friday!