Welcome Home, Coneflower

Thought you might like to know what I did with all of that coneflower I had. Far be it from me to keep you in suspense and all. (If you haven't been following along, I had a little bit of a coneflower residency issue.)

In our backyard, we have this old clothes line. We never use it and had considered ripping it out. But, I like the charm it brings to our yard, especially considering our house was built in the 40s. My grand plan last year was to plant lots of Russian sage around it, and let it grow all bushy and wild. I bought the sage last year and ended up just throwing it in a vacant spot because it was getting late in the season, and the clothesline bed never happened. Sadly, their current locale is not very hospitable (see pics below).

But, the coneflower needed a home (couldn't let those beauties go to waste!), at least for the time being. And, since the sage was already in the ground, the coneflower won the newly renovated clothesline bed. I figure I can still move everything around later.

A lot of my flowers eventually take up residence in another flower's previous home. Nothing seems to stay in one spot for long. Sometimes I feel like this whole gardening thing is the plant version of TLC's Moving Up. What about your gardens? Are your flowers nomads or do they take up long-term residence in your beds?

My new coneflower bed, close up and a better shot with the clothesline. They seem much happier in the ground. Something I like to do in my gardens is create repetition by using multiple colors of one type of flower. I have also done this with day lilies. In fact, I love the combination so much, I plan on dividing and continuing the pattern all the way around the deck.

P.S. Russian sage should look like this!

Mine looks like this, barely a few inches tall. I think the spot is too shady and too moist.

Things to Love RIGHT NOW!

Before you know it, summer will be here and gone, as evidenced by store shelves already stocked with back-to-school supplies (shuddering!) There's still time to get your hands on some great summer finds for the home, garden and the beach! Here are a few of my faves this week: 

A new twist on a classic: Swan watering can from Blue Ribbon General Store, which if you take a look around on the site, has some pretty neat stuff. The beak is the handle, the tail is the spout! (It's a heck of a lot classier than the plastic milk jug I've been using as a makeshift watering can.)

Tired of the same old rainbow umbrellas on the beach? Me too. These chair and umbrella sets from World Market are super cute, super affordable and perfect for those who are little more sun-sensitive.

Pentas are annual champs. These were recommended to me by Romence Gardens last year, and will always be a summer annual staple. They've been doing amazing in the scorching heat, even when I forget to water. They are also hummingbird and butterfly friendly! 

Share your summer faves!

Daytripper: Time Well Spent in Douglas/Saugatuck

Those of us who are lucky enough to live in West Michigan are able to take day trips to neighboring Lakeshore communities like South Haven, Holland, Grand Haven and Ludington. On Saturday, my husband and I took a day trip to Douglas and Saugatuck, two little sister cities nestled on Lake Michigan, just about 15 minutes south of Holland. These remarkable little communities are known for their arts, culture, and treasure trove of unique shops and galleries. Saugatuck even has its own film festival.

We had been to Saugatuck before, but this time we incorporated some different experiences. Our day started in Douglas with Running Rivers, who offer kayak trips of varying lengths through the forests and wetlands along the Kalamazoo River. They also offer the now-trendy stand up paddle boards. We went for an hour-long kayak, which ended up at Wades Bayou, and spotted a few blue heron along the way.

Douglas and Saugatuck also have quite the garden club, supporting the communities through  beautification projects and other efforts. Both cities have the most beautiful homes and manicured outdoor spaces, and makes me wish I could join their club!

Both downtowns feature very quaint little shops, especially for home and garden (check out my scores below!) and a variety of restaurants for every taste. We had lunch at Coral Gables, watching the boats come and go in the bay, followed by the BEST (and most expensive) MILKSHAKE EVER at Kilwins.

The last stop for the day was Saugatuck Dunes State Park. To get to the beach, you have to walk about .6 miles through the woods along sandy trails. The beach is worth the hike and the hike is pretty great itself. (And, it was the perfect opportunity to start burning off the shake!) After a late afternoon of frisbee in the water and naps on the shore, it was time to make the trek back. We couldn't have asked for a better day.

Do you have a Michigan State Park Recreation Passport?


The gardens were just gorgeous. I wish I would have been able to take more pics of the homes and gardens. They were just magazine worthy!

Best name for a children's store EVER. (It's from Alice In Wonderland, in case you don't get the reference.)

Secluded, tree-lined beach. You really couldn't ask for a better backdrop. I've been a lot of places and West Michigan truly has some great beaches.

Just looking up!

The oak-lined trail to and fro. I would love to go back and just hike the trails.

Good finds: Iron key from Urban Cottage in Saugatuck, black wood apple and pear (just had to have them!) from Circa in Douglas, and wine rack from Wine Sellers of Saugatuck. I do need to make another trip SOON to visit Amsterdam, a real eclectic mix of antiques, vintage finds, garden treasures, you name it!

The Great Name Game

It's official. Bulbs & Blooms will be changing to a new name!

We'll keep you posted with the details.

In the mean time, we hope you enjoy our fresh look and fresh content.

Change is good!
More info coming soon....

The Rock Garden

So, I like to rock. A lot. At home, at work, in the car (especially in the car). I don't normally wear headphones in the garden, but these songs are typically going through my head anyway.

Counting Crows Children in Bloom
From somewhere in the depths of my subconsciousness, this song has just always meant summer to me.

REM Gardening at Night
I've been known to do container gardening in the dark, with nothing but the driveway sensor light and a bottle of bug repellent (all natural, of course.)

Beastie Boys Root Down
My personal theme song for digging, dividing and planting, especially the tough stuff.

LCD Soundsystem Losing My Edge
I finally dug out my edging this year...it was just a smidgen overgrown...

Talking Heads (Nothing But) Flowers
You got it, you got it...

Guster Backyard
With four sides to focus on, I've probably been spending the most time in the backyard this summer. Oh the plans I have!

Doves Catch the Sun
These longer days are sadly already getting shorter and shorter.

Postal Service Brand New Colony
Too many ants...

What's your summer soundtrack?

Drops of Jupiter

In Ireland, there is this prevalent pinky-red flower that can be seen just about anywhere...growing in fields, out of rocky Burren cliffs, even outside of castle walls. I almost forgot about this flower, until I saw it growing in the MSU Kent County Extension Grand Ideas Garden.

The common name is Jupiter's Beard, but it is often called Red Valerian, or in Ireland, Slán Iomaire. Here's what you need to know:

• Originally from the Mediterranean
• Adaptable to dry or moist soil, some shade or bright sun
• Rosy red long summer bloomer (June through September)
• Drought resistant and can be used in xeric landscapes 
• Self seeding
• Fragrant

Want to know more?

One of my life goals (besides becoming a Master Gardener) is to go back to Ireland to photograph the quaint homes and gardens across the country. All photos below are from my first trip in 2009.

PSA: An Important Lesson in Planning

You know how before you do something major outside, you're supposed to call Miss Digg to "know what's below," as to not do any damage to gas and utility lines? Well, the same can be said about gardening. (And, no, my house didn't blow up, and yes, the street still has power.)

I have this little hot spot. Literally, full sun, all day, every day. So, last week I had the grand idea to plant a coneflower garden of all types and colors. I go to Romence Gardens last Monday when they were having 40% perennials (score!) and pick out 10 of the best, in traditional purple and also fuschia, green, orange and yellow.

I get home and I go to work to break up the sod and soil. It's tough, it's hot, I'm working, the grass and weeds are breaking up, and I start to churn the dirt and THUNK. I try a couple more times, THUNK. I haven't quite figured it out, but apparently, that's STILL driveway underneath that narrow strip.

So, the lesson learned is, "know what's below" BEFORE you go out buy your flowers, and/or have a back up plan if your space doesn't work out. Seriously, where am I going to put these?

My "hot spot" pre-dug, now eyesore.

What am I going to do with all of this coneflower?

Jack of All Trades, Master of... Something...To Be Determined...

I'm behind, like WAY behind. In case you didn't know, MBA school, gardening and blogging don't mix. The good news is (other than Mother Nature being behind as well--my coneflower still hasn't bloomed), there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as I'll officially be done with grad school in December. The even better news is, I've taken the summer off to devote to my gardens AND my blog. And the EVEN WAY better news is, I hope to start the MSU Master Gardening Program in January. The application is in, I'm just waiting for my acceptance.

In the meantime, keep reading, I hope to post as much as possible. Also, look forward to some positive changes in terms of look, feel, content...maybe even a name change, who knows? (Got any ideas?)

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Master Gardener Tour (Wanna see last year's recap?). You can expect to see my house on the roster in a few years.

Enjoy!

Japanese lilac, I think!

Backyard envy...

Loved the ripples and ridges of this hosta.

I can't remember if these little twisted clematis balls are pre or post flowers, but interesting, eh?

Winding wisteria.

Last iris of the season?

Amazingly, perfectly manicured beds, although I wondered, why no mulch?

Interesting use of old/dead tree branch for a clematis to climb.

There's something very whimsical about poppies.

 Ginko!

Potting shed (and organization) envy...

Oranges! One of my master gardening classes will be about fruit trees.

Black petunias were uber trendy this year, love them paired with that coleus.

Also love the multi-hostas look, paired with astilbe. Sharp shady combo!

 Urban oasis...

Why I Hate Container Gardening...And Why I Still Do It Every Year

July 4th marked another poor execution (a very late execution) in my yearly obligatory display of annuals. Gardening confession: I don't even really like container gardening. In fact, I may hate it and here's why:

Buying annuals is like doing inventory. First, I have to take stock of all of my containers and try to estimate how many annuals will fit in each container. Then, I have to go through the process of picking out size, texture, type and color combinations, and I start to have a petunia panic attack in the garden center. Even after counting, recounting and all of my planning, I'm still usually left with too much or too little.

Containers are like being in a high-maintenance relationship: You don't water me enough, you water me too much, cut back my stems, I'm looking leggy, don't put me in the shade, I'm way too hot, get me out of the sun, I have root rot, you didn't give me enough drainage... It's enough to make any modest gardener feel inadequate.

Annuals are like crack to pests. I just hope the four-lined bug that overdosed on my dahlias last year got some professional help.

My expectations are way too high. In my mind, I create these lush, overflowing vessels of flowers that have BHG knocking on my door for a photoshoot. (It's good to have aspirations, right?) In real life, not so much. This year, I have various begonia mash-ups. Who knew that their jutty stems would make them so difficult to make nice arrangements? Reminds of the summer I planted geraniums. I think I was glamored by their colors...

Every year I seem to experience these same issues. Every year I think it will be different. (You know what they say about people who do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results.) So why do I put myself through the agony? Containers are temporary. Annuals only last one season. And, one of these summers, we'll figure out how to make this love-hate relationship work.