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| Summer 2020 - Where did the time go? |
This Thanksgiving weekend I made a list of some of the plants that I appreciated most in 2020. Of course, I am thankful for all of the flowers and vegetables in my gardens, but the following stuck out for various reasons. I chose at least one for each season, starting with the striking red-twig dogwood in winter and ending with the beautiful Sheffield Pink chrysanthemums of fall. I wonder if you would agree with my choices or pick something quite different?
Arctic fire™ red twig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera 'Farrow'). I think you can see why I chose it.
Last year I installed a rain garden, and planted it with native plants
that don't mind wet feet. At the beginning of April, the marsh
marigold started to bloom for the first time. Such joy ...
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| Marsh marigold Caltha palustris |
I am excited each year to find dwarf crested iris flowers on the edge of the Serenity Garden. Spring 2020 was no exception. This is one of my all-time favorite native plants.
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| Dwarf crested iris Iris cristrata |
My David Austin rose, 'Lichfield Angel,' has thrilled me every year since I bought it in 2010, but it was particularly beautiful and prolific this summer. It has special meaning for me because I attended school in Lichfield, England. David Austin named the creamy-white rose for a limestone carving of an angel in that city's cathedral.
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| David Austin's rose 'Lichfield Angel' |
I am extremely thankful for my Limelight hydrangea for a good reason. When it came time to make the bouquet's for my friends wedding at the end of the summer, most of my flowers had faded. I am happy that Limelight was beautiful still. The perfect focal point of blooms for the bride to carry.
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| Hydrangeas 'Limelight', sedum 'Autumn Joy', pale pink zinnias, a rose bud, and sweet autumn clematis. |
I enjoy growing zinnias for their cheerfulness and reliability. This year, I added versatility to its attributes. For the first time, I planted them in pots where they made stunning displays of color. They didn't last quite as long as those planted in the ground, but they were a very inexpensive way of filling my many large containers.
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| Zinnias in tubs |
A surprise this fall was an abundance of chrysanthemums near the back porch. I believe it was due to the removal of the catalpa tree letting in more sunlight. I had a new appreciation for their pretty color, too.
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| Hardy mum (Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink') |
Finally, I must include a vegetable. Each year, I devote a raised bed in the Kitchen Garden to red beets. Previous years they have won prizes at the local fair. While there was no fair this year due to Covid, the beets were winners in my house. As always, I pickled and canned several jars. We will enjoy them all through the winter months.
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| My Red beets 'Detroit Dark Red' at the local fair. |
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| Shelf of pickled beets in the jelly cabinet. |
This was a different end-of-month view of my garden; it is now 'sleeping' with not much to show. I am linking with Sarah who invites us through her garden gate -- please visit her wonderful seaside backyard. Thank you Sarah for hosting each month.
I keep reminding myself of all that I have to be thankful for in spite of the stresses of a pandemic. Family, friends, flowers to name a few.
Stay safe and well,
Love,
Pamela x
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| Doodles, Taz, and Bilbo enjoy the November sunshine |
I love reading your comments. I hope you leave one so I’ll know you visited!
I look forward to visiting your blog in return.
Thank You, Pam, for this post. It gave me some ideas of different plants to try in 2021. I plan on trying the dwarf Iris and Marsh Marigold at the new garden we started at the WP Memorial Park. Thank You for sharing your gardening tips and the beauty of your garden through every season.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Pat. Where is the WP Memorial Park? I would be glad to advise you on plants for the conditions there.
DeleteThat peach-colored hardy mum is really something special! I can see why all of these plants are favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteI may do this annually,Beth, because I have different favorites each year.
DeleteThose are some great plants and pickled beets are one of my favorite treats. Yummy!
ReplyDeleteI just told Beth that I have different favorites each year, but red beets are my best-loved vegetable every year.
DeleteI have Marsh Marigold in my little pond and it performs so well each year. The pond is a mass of yellow when in bloom and the leaves provide welcome shade for the frogs too. I love beetroot, either pickled or roasted, yum.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your marsh marigold enjoys the wet conditions of the pond. I hope mine spreads. I didn't mention roasted beets, but love those, too.
DeleteHi Pam, That's a great idea looking back at the best plant in your garden in 2020!I thought looking through your post I could choose my favourite out of the ones you had showcased but it is too difficult! I love the rose and the link back to your school days, also the flowers you used in the bride's bouquet during such a strange year! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThe wedding was a highlight in this terrible year. A small group, socially distanced and masked, outside in a garden. It was amazing. I wrote a blog posting about the rose here: https://pamsenglishcottagegarden.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-search-of-angel.html
DeleteHey Pam, nice blog. I have grown plenty of beets this year but I am not sure if I can pickle every variety?
ReplyDeleteI have grown plenty of beets this year but I don't know how to pickle them. Especially, I've got lots of Cylindria beets (https://gardenseedsmarket.com/beetroot-cylindra-750-seeds.html). Could you share your recipe with us?
The globe-shaped beets are best for pickling. I see on your website that you have some beauties: 'Bona' looks perfect or 'Napoleon.' My recipe is simple:
Delete7 lbs of (approx.) 2-inch beets, 4 cups vinegar (5%), 1-1/2 teaspoons pickling salt, 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar.
Trim and wash beets. Cover with boiling water and cook until tender, drain and discard liquid. Slip of skins and slice. Combine the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil. Add beets and simmer for 5 minutes. Fill clean jars with beets leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Add hot vinegar solution, allowing 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process.
I process mine in a boiling water canner.
I enjoyed your post Pam. Autumn is always a nice time to reflect on the garden and plan ahead. I love the beautiful hydrangea in the wedding bouquet and special because they were grown by you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. I was so honored when the bride asked me to make the bouquets. She specified that she wanted flowers from my garden. What an honor!
DeleteFrom your garden - unique, and with love.
DeleteI envy the marsh marigold and join the beetroot fans!
I like this concept, of highlighting exactly what plants are your favorites. Will have to think about which would make my own list. I've had Sheffield mums on my wish list for years, only this time I've placed it into my calendar to order them in early spring. I've seen them shine so beautifully in other garden blogs, and I can no longer do without them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a warm and cozy post for such a gloomy December morning. Doing this on an annual basis sounds like an excellent idea, I really enjoyed the trip back through the seasons! You really do have an amazing garden, and the wedding bouquet worked out perfectly.
ReplyDelete