First Hard Frost - Fall Construction

The first hard frost has hit. In two weeks the dahlias will be dug.

 

 In the meantime construction on patio space continues.

 

 

Hybridizing and Planting Iris Seeds

Now I have the bug. After talking to Stephanie Markham at the GRIS region 2 meeting I have decided to try my hand a at hybridizing. A while back we had a lesson on planting seeds. I did as instructed and planted some random seeds I had gathered. I planted the pot and forgot it. Low and behold, digging out the garden I had some trouble wedding and discovered the forgotten container. There was one iris seedling and one daylily seedling. This year I gathered some seeds and labeled them " X bee>" as some of Stephanie's were. Then I headed for the internet to find a refresher on planting them. So here is video for this year on how to plant them and another for the spiny on how to hybridize. Both from Kendall Richard (or Mark Richard as he identifies himself). Very nicely done! I have ordered from Pleasant Valley before. I didn't realize that he hybridized! Now I will look for his introductions.

A Pallet Growing Wall

This is cool.  I am thinking herbs.  Now all I need is a pallet.

Now On to The "Patio"

Water Feature Revised 2013

After a few days of work and searching for someplace that water was escaping, It's done!

The Flowers on the Altar Today..

were given and grown by me, in loving memory of my parents, George and Dorothy.

Dahlias and an Iris Surprise!

The are such wonderful cut flowers, though they don't last for a long time, but you can see how "dinner plate" dahlias get their name.  This "White Perfection."  It displays well

with cobalt blue.

 

Last year I bought two window box size potted dahlias at Wegmans.  They were marked as "annuals," but I hoped that if I dug up and stored the tubers with my other dahlias they might come back.  I was far from disappointed.  They obviously are quite happy!

 

 

 

And as a surprise September  bonus these are the first blooms from irises that I liberated from a neglected garden in a public area next to my house.  They were buried under  taller plants and crowded beyond bloom.  I spread clumps around the gardens as a border accent.  I did not expect a fall bloom.  SDB I think but perhaps MDB or a species.