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

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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! :)

Just Peachy!!

This beautiful peach blossom belongs to my peach tree. 

Peach Blossom "Peach Reliance"

It is the Peach Reliance.  The Peach Reliance is an excellent choice for the northern gardener as they can with stand temperatures to -25 degrees and here in Maine that temperature isn't unlikely.  In fact this year it will be interesting to see how the Peach Reliance does with all the sub freezing temperatures we've had.

 

Peach trees in general take about 4-5 years to start producing fruit which can be a negative for those who want to grow peaches and want them the same year, but on the positive side you don't need 2 trees for pollination as some fruit trees do.  One is sufficient. 

 

Last year was my first full year and we easily got enough peaches to can over 24 pint jars with plenty left over.  Probably would have gotten a lot more if I had known how to treat the tree with some of the issues it had.  I had a hard time figuring out issues such as spots on the fruit, sap on the fruit, canker. 

 

You know I have to say I found it difficult to find the information I needed to know about my problems with my peach tree.  So this year I will try harder to stay on top of things and try to get any pests or diseases as soon as I see them.  In fact I think I will get in touch with some local growers to see what they have done to deal with such problems.

 

I'm going to be pruning this year pretty heavily clearing out branches that are crossing each other and thinning out the whole tree in general.  I will be leaving one year old branches that have three buds on it.  The center bud is the leaf bud and the two outer buds are the flowers.

 

I'll fertilize in May.  When the tree starts producing fruit I will start thinning them out to one fruit every six to eight inches on a twig.  This will be the hard part as I don't want to get rid of any fruit, but to ensure a healthy tree I need to get over it an do it.

 

Growing peaches as with any fruit or vegetable is through trial and error.  I do make it a habit to use as much organic materials as possible including any pest control I may and hopefully may not need.

 

Below are a few products that you can purchase from my Society 6 site.  Beautiful décor for your home or office.

 

iPhone & iPod cases and skins  iPad cases and Laptop & iPad skins

 

 

Mugs, Tote Bags and Pillows

 

Wall Clocks and Shower Curtains

 

Great gifts for that gardener in your life or you!!

Happy gardening!!

 

 

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....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

Watching My Garden Grow

Okay......So here is what I have done in recreating my garden....

Since I have so many plants to transplant I needed to list all the plants that I have, then I had to remember their height and blooming time.   After I completed that I need to take measurements of the garden so I could determine where I was going to put everything.  My garden is quite large and I want to include my flowers with my vegetable garden.

 

Just want you to remember what I said last week.  I start my garden with good intentions then time gets away from me because of work or art shows, but this year I want to change that.  So here is what my garden looks like now.  Pretty darn pathetic I'd have to say.....I hesitated on whether to show you this or not, but wait til you see the finish product. 

 

I've marked up the garden a bit to show you where everything is kinda going.  On the left I will be putting my veggie garden which measures about 35 feet long by at it's widest part 14 feet wide.  Which is plenty of space....

Blueberries from my garden

I also have a space that is 20 feet long by 5 feet wide for blueberries, I've also marked a spot where both my Asiatic and Oriental Lilies will be staying in between the veggies and blueberries.  There are just too many bulbs to move the lilies right now.  The circle in the lily bed is the Hydrangea I have.  Now if you look to the right you will see 4 small circles, those are my bearded Irises and in the middle of them I will be moving my Walking stick tree, then on either side of the walking stick I will be moving my Siberian Irises 1 yellow and 1 purple.  Now take a gander up to the 2 larger circles.  The one on the left are Peonies that are already established, the circle on the right I will be moving up to 7 more peonies.  Just an FYI if you have peonies use peony supports.  They will look so much better.

On either side of the garden I have 2 birdhouses with fencing near them.  The birdhouse on the left is pretty will set, but the one on the right is a horse of a different color.  I already have Garden phlox around the base of the birdhouse.  Along the fence I will be adding Cosmos, Larkspur, Sea Holly,

 Globe Thistle, Snapdragons and Columbine.  Putting the tallest against the fence and shortest coming out in front of the birdhouse.

Sea Holly

 

Oh I did forget to mention that in front of the Hydrangea I will be transplanting poppies and on the back side of the lilies I have 1 Shasta Daisy plant and will be transplanting more daisies near them.  Then in front of the blueberries I will be transplanting Yarrow.

 

Everything else will be cleared out and getting ready to lay down paths and start transplanting plants.

 

Peony

Some plants like the Poppies and Peonies can be transplanted within the next week or so, but most everything else will have to wait a bit longer.  Same with seeding my annuals.  Here in Maine I really have to wait until the end of May the earliest to start planting.

 

Oh in case your wondering the black plastic was to kill off grass from last year.  So when I take it off all I'll have to do is till.  Wait until you see how I do that!

 

Next week I will have photos of a cleaner garden and all the problems or critters I may have encountered.

Hey if you have any questions feel free to just ask!

 

Stop in on Tuesdays to see Tuesday Treasury!

 

Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!!

Tuesday Treasury

 

 Take a look at all the wonderful shops in these treasuries!
Also don't forget to visit the curators of these treasuries shop ProsperoJoe, adamsandadams and CindiRessler.  Just a side note for those who don't know.  The curators of these treasuries are not in the treasuries they created.  Enjoy!

 

'I'm ready for some Gardening....' by CindiRessler

This is the time to start getting excited about gardening!

Gardening Paper Pot Mak... LeeLeesCloset $20.00	Organic Heirloom Nantes... kenyonorganic... $2.75	Gardening Jewelry - Lov... BeautifulByCh... $9.00	Gardening Journal with ... HappyDappyBit... $8.00
Organic Seed Tape- Any ... trio3 $20.00	Organic Louisiana Purpl... nimblenitecap $2.40	Culinary Indoor Herb Ga... HandyPantry $39.95	Back to the Roots Grow ... BacktotheRoot... $19.50
Set of 15 Hand Drawn Ga... BowenDesign $30.00	18 Seed Bomb Balls Wild... RenaissanceBo... $19.90	Gardening Gift Set , Ha... gardentools $221.00	12 SEED BOMBS, mostly p... Shantiplantsa... $10.00
Vintage Antique Waterin... mbracestudios $15.00	Wisconsin 55 tomato CER... PrairieRoadOr... $3.00	Gardening Apron - embro... oktak $98.00	Vintage Terra Cotta Gar... OneDecember $12.50

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 

'Tender Shoots and Nectarine' by ProsperoJoe

With a dash of African Violet

YIKES Tangerine Dream O... Yikes $32.00	Sorting Bowls and Acorn... CakeInTheMorn $15.00	Stained Glass Box - Je... WelcomeJewelr... $39.00	Peach Blossom, 5x7 Fine... CindiRessler $14.50
Chartreuse Green and Co... TraceDesigns $22.00	Hot Pink Lime Green Bla... BeadzNBling $27.00	Your Name Personalized ... AdroitJeweler... $12.00	Peach and Pink Rose Cab... JSBArts $12.00
Yellow Mother Of Pearl ... BeadsMe $23.00	Cornucopia Lucite Baubl... Leetie $32.00	Hanging Clay Leaves - S... MissPottery $8.00	Apple Green Jade Pumpki... JemsbyJBandCo... $16.00
NECTARINE VANILLA BEAN ... AJsCountryCot... $8.00	Handmade Citrus Felted ... FlatlandersSo... $9.99	2013 Calendar Shakespea... ImmortalLongi... $6.49	HALF OFF SALE Nectarine... in2purses2010 $5.99

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'You Color My World' by adamsandadams

ACEO Flower Sepia Dream... LTphotographs $5.00	Fine Silk Floral Arrang... SkyDesignsUSA $15.00	Flower Photo Botanical ... HeyHarriet $10.00	Floral Photography, Flo... DragonflyPhot... $35.00
Coloumbine flower photo... WiMDesigns $35.00	2013 CALENDAR SALE, min... MaritebeePhot... $12.00	Water Lily's in the... WiMDesigns $35.00	Sunflower 5, 5x7 Fine A... CindiRessler $14.50
Black and White Photogr... CarolynCochra... $30.00	Fine Art Photography, V... cottagelights... $15.00	WINTER SALE 30% OFF Fl... LawsonImages $17.50	Floral photography, nat... RivergroveDes... $40.00
Shabby Chic Floral Phot... JessaMaePhoto $40.00	Black and White Orchid ... SugarloafStud... $25.00	Black and White Photogr... CarolynCochra... $30.00	Daisy Floral Photograph... VanillaExtinc... $20.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 

 

I've enter my "Springtime Lilacs" in the "Lavender Contest" on Fine Art America.  I wondered if you could take a moment to vote.   Thanks!

 Click here to Vote!


 

 Thanks!!!!

 

Thanks for visiting! Have a great week & watch for Flower Power Friday!