Pathways, Vines & Groundcover

I don't think I've taken many pictures of the west side of the cabin as seen from the porch. Mainly because I never liked the way they looked, or maybe it's the junk in the background that I need to collect and burn. Too much trash here and there in the woods. That because of the local trash collection place. A few years ago they had a huge dumpster one could toss anything into. Not anymore. I understand they have another place somewhere in the county but I don't know where.

Several types Azaleas and Hosta, including some perennial Vinca vine started two years ago. Ajuiga or something like that in the second picture on the right middle. Lot's of ferns that just grow here and there and a wild hydrangea (lots of those around here) in the foreground of the second picture about to bloom.

Yep, it's turtle season...again. Hefty looking claws eh?

The other side of the cabin; pathway leading into the woods. Blue Star Creeper filled out great, but takes work keeping the weeds from taking over. Blooms in May. English Ivy full. Probably get completely out of control if I don't cut it back twice a year.

Third year for this climbing hydrangea on a poplar tree next to the creek. It finally appears to be spreading rather than climbing. Hopefully it will bloom next year.

More ivy I started two years ago taking over this poplar also down near the creek.

Time To Divide Hosta

Yea, it's the wrong time of the year but I figured I could get a few smaller ones out of the way that includes these three. The one in the bottom left had been living in a muck pond on the west side of the house in part shade for the last three years. It always seemed like it could do better elsewhere because the leaves get a funky ruffled appearance to them. Original tag does not indicate that. Anyway there were two, now  four with the one shown being the smallest.

After three good years of growth around here I'm now realizing some of my planning is off. Not only Hosta spacing but size of Day Lillies. Smaller ones in back shown above. This is an area I also filled with annuals in past years, but now are being populated with Daisies and Coneflowers from seed, plus an unknown from seed last year barely visible. Must be a fall flower; slow growth all spring.

These guys down near the creek have taken off. Note the milk jug for size. Definitely need dividing next March or April when they're barely out of the soil. I also stuck an elephant ear in the back this year, but noticing they do need more sun to reflect their name; Mammoth.

Another elephant ear moved This one will get about four hours of sun. Could overwhelm the entire area within a few months. Also shown is another divided Hosta. Notice Azaleas getting crowded out; more poor planning, along with the next Hosta picture. Nice clumps of Ferns here and there about three foot high.

Creeping Jenny spreading all over. Fine with me, but I hate weeds growing through it.

Endless Summer Hydrangeas. These were the first two planted in of May 2010. Hoping they remain that bluish color after earlier treatment. Why one is white and the other blue is a mystery so far. I count seven now on the property, with five coming from the original two. Only a foot or so high.

Clematis that I thought I had killed off last year after I cut it back, eventually to four inches above the soil line. It needs some screening to spread out. That's it for this month.

More Spring Blooms

A few highlights from the past few weeks before they disappear...either from the brisk wind and cold the next few nights or just done. I've never been a fan of these things (Bearded Iris) but some love them. They almost look a deformed plant. I should get more Dianthus in front this fall.

This spot has become more of a let's put it there for awhile location and small seed starter area that's been working great. Case in point; I've never been able to get 4 o'clocks going around here, but then I've started most seeds in flats. Anyway, I must have a dozen and a half good looking 4 o'clocks this year.

Seen every year, but more of a mid May bloomer, Dianthus near the porch steps. I usually have to replant 2 or three each fall, but several are going on three years this fall.

Down by the storage shed, it's those low growing bunch type whatch combs.

Foam flowers taken from the woods.

Off to the creek area. I had one Hosta that had to be removed and the reason for the gaping empty spot. It had the HVX virus, which I had no knowledge of until last week.

My proud and joys for the spring. Foxglove...

Finally after three years and who knows how many seeds...some Columbine

Half of my rooted Coleus and Angelonia planted in soil in an improved version  of the original hoop greenhouse in the woods. Covered with straw for the next few cold nights. Stays nice and toasty in there with the warm soil.

Caladium Pictures

These were taken in late July, or just about when the Caladiums peaked in color. Since, they've faded and some are beginning to lose their former luster. I don't know why, but none of these were fertilized, same with all my Hostas. They'd probably keep chugging along had I actually fertilized them.

The original Caladium garden back in the spring..

Full color...a bit bright though...

Maybe a closer look. The white ones are either White Christmas or Candium while the reds in the foreground are...lost the tag. Kind of ugly ruffled type. Same for the ones in the middle...lost tag.  Drat.

Here's my favorite growing about 15 inches high. I think they're Fannie Munson.

Those guys are tucked away in the Hosta garden started last spring. The supposed star of the show did not fare well this year. The lime colored Hosta in the center. Named Gold Standard. Apparently this one creeps along for a few years then takes off or so the consensus says. Hopefully next year it will fill in.

Another favorite and yes the tag has mysteriously disappeared...it's an unknown.

Pink Beauty...

A few other areas...

John Peed and Aaron (white)

Florida Cardinal

Caladium Gardens

I thought Caladiums were such a waste of time two years ago, thinking why would anyone want these things? Down right fugly I thought. That changed after an initial dabbling with them last year. Finally I can do something with the area in front of the creek as it gets mostly shade but not the deep type. Should be ideal I hope. Found some nice crooked logs to keep them contained too. Plenty of nicely composted wood chips brought in from the recycling place for a healthy Caladium diet.

Problem is I've picked up about 120 of these tubers/roots/bulbs, so I'll have to find more areas for them. And who knows, if I mulch it enough they may survive the winter? My attempt at saving some last fall failed as they rotted. Didn't allow enough drying time I suppose.

Lawn looks like carpet eh? Finally pleased, but what happens when the Rye dies out? It's been mowed four times since my return.

Thinking about perennial flowers and such. I have more patience now and working on getting a half dozen of this and that sowed in my porch garden started two days ago. No seedy soil full in these flats. With temps only in the low 50's today with cold winds this place was warmer than indoors.

These things gave me the idea to try some perennials. Started last spring a few of them survived and now flourish. Should be interesting to see the first blooms this year. Dianthus Sooty. Oh and look some Bearded Iris (background) planted in October of '09 may do something this year.

And who says I eradicated the violets? They're all over this spring. Even in places I practically bulldozed.

Yessir. Fall Is Here

But very pleasant weather the last week or so and not those frigid mornings where the temps hovered a tad above freezing. Finally finished off the insulation under the house and noticed this on the dust mask I've been using. Do these things expire? Notice the use by date. There must be a reason for it.

Peak foliage is very close around town, but you'll notice I have a number of bare trees, notably many Poplars that surround the lawn area and a few black cherry trees that never leaf out well to begin with.

Hostas are showing their fall color, some of them. My climbing Hydrangea has done well this year with one shoot or branch making it to six foot up the tree. Barely noticeable in background.

"First frost" hosta living up to it's name so far...No frost yet.

Mexican Sunflower finally bloomed. Surprising, because it get's very little sunshine this time of the year. I expected blooms by August when the location gets oodles of sun.

And those crazy Paperwhites planted last November love to appear early. I assumed they would sprout at the time many other spring bulbs do..in late winter..not mid fall.

Upon removing some Gladiolus bulbs from a shady spot where they never bloomed I came across dozens of itty bitty bulbs. By dumping them in a few holes about two inches deep up the drive maybe a surprise will show next summer.

DL Hosta Farm - Pictures

I'm off the Day Lily addiction for now, but now it's Hostas! Mother told me about a local nursery she found in the phone book while she was here. Who looks there these days? 21 miles northwest of my home or 9 from the center of Ellijay and nestled in the hills. Beautiful drive going out on 52 east and then north on Zion Hill Road to higher elevations and this little place is almost near the end of the road. The sign said closed when I arrived. Hours 10 AM but I didn't spot the days Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until later.

Quarter to ten, I figured I'd wait and have a look around. It didn't take long and someone came through the woods explaining they were closed. "I drove 30 miles and the place is closed? I couldn't find any information on the web, nor did it say anything in the phone book," I said to Fred whom I later found to be the owner's son in law. I had to stretch the truth a whee bit to get some compassion; I was here to buy some stuff! His mother in law in her late seventies runs the place while being originally from the Homestead, Florida area thirty years ago.

Hostas and more Hostas! I said to Fred... "I see price tags and I have cash." Unfortunately we couldn't find a smaller Blue Angel but here's one that is probably fully matured. Gotta love these bigguns.

Big ones and there are little ones. I didn't buy any miniatures and it's probably going to take time to consider putting any of these in around here. After all, I like bushy stuff and not dinky stuff. I did buy some Mouse ears a few weeks ago though. Still don''t know where to put 'em.

Some more dinky stuff..

Some pics of the "farm". Incidentally, a great location for one. It sits right near a good sized running creek, loaded with shade trees, damp, and moist.

So what was purchased..and more important where will they go? I'd been eye balling a large wet area on the west side of the house in the woods and a new area I've been working on the last few weeks. Still not sure about this project. Maybe a few smaller hostas here...and... I dunno.

Great Expectations
First Frost
Vanilla Cream - Smallish
Krossa Regal - Could be larger than five feet across
Undulata Mediovariegata (not an easy name)