loss in the garden

Every season the garden teaches me something.  Whether it be patience, perseverance or simply to be still, I always come away changed from what unfolds.  This season has brought about some loss in my garden.  The biggest loss to swallow is my maple that is in the center of my shade bed in the front garden.

  I began to notice that large branches were dying and with this being the second year that it has not produced seeds I knew that something was wrong.  After consulting with an arborist we have come to learn that one of my favorite trees in our garden has girdle root which means that 20 something years ago when this tree was planted someone most likely planted it incorrectly by leaving it in its metal basket.  The roots are basically suffocating the tree by wrapping themselves around itself instead of growing outward.

I will miss the change of seasons with this tree and all of the memories that have come with it.  When my son was born I would look out his window into its canopy on cold November days as I fed him in his room.  Its brilliant autumn color when the beans were headed out to go trick-or-treating will be missed as well.  Yes,  I am mourning my tree.  Comes with the territory of life.  Nothing is permanent and we all have to adjust our sails to the changes that come.

So you shift and get busy heading in a different direction.  Or as Liz Taylor would say....

Though I don't wear much lipstick I do think this quote is fantastic and so it has been my mission the last few days to walk around my imperfect space to look for beauty.

 {my newly planted Oenothera tetragona by my bird statue}

 {quick combo...Campanula and Foam Flower}

{My new shrub Calycanthus Floridus....Allspice is beginning to bloom brilliantly}

 {long view of the back bed as it unfolds this spring}

 {golden rod, phlox, butterfly weed, roses and sedum filling in and getting ready to bloom...almost covering utility box...finally!}

 {Rambling Red climbing rose and Hyacinth Bean which is an annual vine to fill this season as the rose grows}

{the little guy cutting lettuce for dinner}


Beauty elsewhere

{a visit to the arboretum}

And today we went down to visit some family and enjoy the farmers market.  So many organic farmers selling their beautiful vegetables and plants.  And whatever your stance is or isn't on GMOS,  any crop that is sprayed with crap is bad for the Earth and all who inhabit it....bottom line.  

and to take in a little of this....

my brother entertaining the whole market with his tunes...

{photo taken by my lovely sister}

John Till Music

My tree was special.  The garden is ever changing as nature is.  It's our job to keep on going and seek out the beauty.

I hope that whatever your garden, whether it be a window box or a farm, that you pass on your love of it to just one person.  Together our seeds will transform the future.

Pass on the garden folks and make it a great weekend!  

Happy Growing!  

Quick Combo...

Just a quick combo to share before heading into the weekend.  These three trusty plants will be dug up and replanted into my new garden area.......

Lamb's Ear

Montrose White Catmint

Ornamental Onion

Happy Gardening Friends!  

quick combo

Sometimes I stumble upon a plant combination that feels just right..... 

Joe Pye Weed----Switchgrass----Coneflower  

I'm thinking the coneflower is Pow Wow Wild Berry Echinacea? 

I like this combination so much that I'm going to use it as a starting point for our new side yard.

 Have a lovely weekend everyone!

tea party in the garden

I whipped up some lemon brownies for a party and they were YUMmmmmmmy! 

  Working in the kitchen brings me great joy, though, this is what it looks like 99 percent of the time...

Kids playing on the floor if they're not helping me or eating the batter like this guy!

And some how toys always end up in the mix! 

If you have a weakness for lemon desserts you must give this recipe from Bakergirl a go! 

Linking up with Sarah at...

So with dessert wrapped up it's time to take a walk around the garden!

Yarrow is a blooming with pink Salvia

Knautia macedonica "Mars Midget" or pincushion plant and Platycodon grandiflorus "Fairy Snow" or Dwarf Ballon Flower

Thanks to my night gardening hobby I was able to create my island bed up front for my redbud, and in time, more plants!  

Here is some inspiration from the current issue of Garden Making of where I would like to take this area.  The grasses paired with evergreen shrubs in the foreground make for a lovely design in June McCutcheon's garden. 

And just some plain old pretty color!  Simple combinations like Coreopsis and Salvia make for a stunning show at the Morton Arboretum.

A big thanks to Sher from Momcaster 

for featuring my palette path in her garden craft round-up!

randomness

Ok, so it has literally been raining nonstop here and they are calling for more severe thunderstorms tonight.  It's enough to make me crazy!  Crazy because I would love to get out in the garden but even more crazy because I find myself watching the sump pump like a hawk to ensure that no water thinks of soaking the new walls that were just put up from the last go around!  Which leads me to this post of random pictures I have collected over the past few weeks.

Refinishing and sealing an old crayon drawn cabinet to use for my gardening supplies on the back patio....

Watching the budget by splitting and planting grasses in pots for the patio...

Admiring a couple quick combos while on a walk...

Catmint and Knockout Roses

lime green Coral Bells paired with Hostas and Phlox

A sweet little front yard garden...

And the beans first music festival to see this guy...

their talented Uncle John

The fresh air combined with amazing folks and great music made for a perfect day.  

Dancing, skipping, and singing are all you need sometimes to make life super sweet! Ha..and a little less rain!
 Hope it is lovely where you are!