tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post4251835838800532444..comments2024-01-01T10:44:12.727-06:00Comments on The Whimsical Gardener: What Kind of Gardener Are You?Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872899189875117518noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-45940753983164488002011-03-12T13:04:25.842-06:002011-03-12T13:04:25.842-06:00Phenomenal picture!!! I thought the fern was a sna...Phenomenal picture!!! I thought the fern was a snake at first! I am a tough-love gardener. I'm not interested in divas or whiners. If I give the plant everything it needs to survive and it does poorly, I'll move it a few times assuming I've made a mistake, and if it continues to whine, I yank it. I need plants that are resiliant and adaptable. This ain't Hollywood, honey!!Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-24708224730602718342011-03-10T08:33:28.133-06:002011-03-10T08:33:28.133-06:00Cat, great question. Climate has definitely affec...Cat, great question. Climate has definitely affected how I garden. I used to live on the west coast of Canada in zone 8 so I had lots of available plants to use but my lot was completely shaded and I had to learn how to work around that. Now I'm on the east coast in zone 5 so less plants to work with but my lot is incredibly sunny so it actually feels like I have more options than I did before!Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377516887669269657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-50633327072747857402011-03-09T13:20:44.004-06:002011-03-09T13:20:44.004-06:00Optimism will take you to warm weather and more fl...Optimism will take you to warm weather and more flowers. I'm pulling back mulch, looking for new sprouts.<br /><br />I believe in planting where you can bloom, whatever the climate.<br /> <br />That doesn't always mean the same old plants your neighbors have. I discovered that most Texas Gold Stars and other recommended-for- all-of-Texas plants will grow for me in SouthWest Georgia. That's how I discovered Experanza, Duranta, Pride of Barbados and Belinda's Dream rose. Everything that doesn't like my sandy acid soil gets extra lime, wood ashes and humus.Jean Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-30961892921173782172011-03-09T04:18:42.367-06:002011-03-09T04:18:42.367-06:00Cat, your images are so stunning I had to go back ...Cat, your images are so stunning I had to go back and re-read to give the text some attention. I particularly love the light you captured so beautifully with the blossom photos, the fern and the presiscope columbine. <br /><br />As to the rest, your climate is certainly challenging! Going for natives and other plants well adapted to the conditions sounds like a recipe for a less stressful gardening year, I wish you well with it - and with the occasional "lapses" into possibly misplaced optimism. May your Gardenia thrive. I am tending more and more towards gardening with what I have rather than pushing the limits because I fall in love with something not suited to the conditions I can offer. But I would never want to stomp on the playfulness or occasionaly bout of "oh well, I'll just try it and see" because so often plants surprise you, in good ways and bad.Janet/Plantaliscioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605580157193047780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-2497882536297992092011-03-09T02:52:35.363-06:002011-03-09T02:52:35.363-06:00Hi Cat, sorry I've been away travelling and bu...Hi Cat, sorry I've been away travelling and busy building a travel blog. Now I"m back. Missed your blog! You have become an even better photographer since I last visited. Love that columbine shot.<br />RosieRosie Ganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10154191472533578209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-54262953395756448872011-03-09T01:38:59.156-06:002011-03-09T01:38:59.156-06:00I have had little garden only 5 years. I live in s...I have had little garden only 5 years. I live in southern Finland which means the spring starts in April if we are lucky. First crocus will bloom in april. End of May you can buy flowers outside to the bots and hope that all the frost is over. The season ends about in September.<br />We have quite good soil but season is so short that I won't get english cottage garden ever (which is my dream). I love everything beautiful so I bye and but to the ground and hope for the best. I don't know any names of the plants (maybe few) I don't think it is so important I just want watch:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06870853365740708949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-27354241584017081442011-03-09T00:25:10.363-06:002011-03-09T00:25:10.363-06:00I am hopeful each spring too. But I plant a lot of...I am hopeful each spring too. But I plant a lot of agaves and yuccas to be sure of getting through the blistering summer.Pam/Digginghttp://www.penick.net/diggingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-64664280572965279442011-03-08T21:46:50.317-06:002011-03-08T21:46:50.317-06:00Thank you Lee, I really am humbled by your words. ...Thank you Lee, I really am humbled by your words. There is so much to learn about photography and I've only begun to scratch the surface. I look forward to seeing your happy gardening style come into bloom this summer! <br /><br />Ramona, so true...the question "will this plant be hardy in my zone" brings us all back to reality doesn't it? I long to have a dogwood from my childhood but it's not going to happen here! <br /><br />Thanks for visiting Loretta. That is so cool that you have such a history with the land you tend.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03872899189875117518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-16485592965271259512011-03-08T21:34:07.598-06:002011-03-08T21:34:07.598-06:00I grew up in north Florida and it is my home today...I grew up in north Florida and it is my home today. My parents farmed this land over 40 years ago. My husband and I farm on the land in our back yard. We usually have a good turn out with most of the vegetables and fruits we enjoy.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing,<br />LorettaLorettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07438482000151187328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-7426942407624100802011-03-08T17:15:38.014-06:002011-03-08T17:15:38.014-06:00What kind of gardener am I? I would have to say t...What kind of gardener am I? I would have to say that I'm an impulsive, passionate, nature-loving dreamer! I could spend hours dreaming up beautiful garden designs, but reality hits home when it's time to face the tough questions. Will this plant be hardy in my zone 5, arid, temperature extreme, harsh climate? Yes, you might say that I have had to adjust as a gardener. I grew up a southern Louisiana girl in a hot, humid, luscious green, clay-soiled, zone 8climate. Now I live in Utah in a harsh, dry, windy, alkaline, clay, and silt soiled area. I consider it an exteme gardening zone as well. I tell myself that I will only grow native hardy plants here too, but when I see those beautiful mophead hydrangeas, camellias, southern magnolias, dogwood, gardenias, and the list goes on and on, I long for those beautiful plants in my garden. They remind me of home. Beautiful photos Cat. Enjoy your spring season before the fiery furnace of summer comes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-56825496249298110142011-03-08T16:52:50.128-06:002011-03-08T16:52:50.128-06:00Your photographs are by no means amateur. They ar...Your photographs are by no means amateur. They are magnificient and I enjoy seeing each new addition. What type of gardener am I? A happy one. Our growing conditions here on Long Island are pretty good and I can grow a great variety of plants-color, color and more color!!!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-33215035730104371312011-03-08T16:28:52.386-06:002011-03-08T16:28:52.386-06:00Yes Diana, always the optimist as a gardener! I&#...Yes Diana, always the optimist as a gardener! I've been feverishly transplanting cuttings of the "good" ones this spring, hoping to spread the love! <br /><br />Thank you Diane, your kind words humble me ;) You're a sweet spirit.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03872899189875117518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-52633527095234960102011-03-08T15:30:29.092-06:002011-03-08T15:30:29.092-06:00Cat, your photos are as beautiful as your words ar...Cat, your photos are as beautiful as your words are eloquent. I always *love* visiting your blog. I'm always fascinated and humbled by your posts. Yes, the hot Texas summer will be here very soon, but we can enjoy this wonderful interlude we call spring :)Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293853685174685134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-14455967436329736852011-03-08T15:18:19.157-06:002011-03-08T15:18:19.157-06:00An optimist, taking a reality check, as some plant...An optimist, taking a reality check, as some plants tell me goodbye. The new plants to fill those gaps, are going to be more of the good ones. Probably Cuttings of the Good Ones ;~)Diana Studerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286066768376135880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-45382847858822157032011-03-08T08:14:39.370-06:002011-03-08T08:14:39.370-06:00Welcome Wife, Mother, Gardener! Thank you for you...Welcome Wife, Mother, Gardener! Thank you for your kind words! I couldn't agree more about the sweet anticipation...we have the same feelings here only reverse of seasons...substitute your word snow for heat here! Thanks again for stopping by.<br /><br />Hello One! I would never call you lazy based on your blog! It's filled with love, imagination and joy.<br /><br />Shyrlene, your generous words are so sweet - thank you ;) Maybe someday I will frame some of them...right now just enjoying the gardening season. It could be a good project for the heat of the summer though. I've been following your blog and am looking forward to your posts this spring - sounds like you've got big plans!<br /><br />Rick it's almost impossible for me to comprehend so much winter! I read a few gardening blogs from Florida and it does look they can grow just about anything! <br /><br />Frances, Yes, you've definitely got the quality of optimism. Salt laden gales I can imagine would kill just about anything. Isn't it funny how we would all have the perfect weather if only...the gales would go away, the heat, or the cold...it's always a juggle to work with the climate and the unexpected.<br /><br />TG, Yes, get a gardenia and we can compare notes! <br /><br />Thank you Ginny! Life lessons abound in the garden!Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03872899189875117518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-84071835231355599272011-03-08T07:42:11.275-06:002011-03-08T07:42:11.275-06:00Beautiful bloom photos! That gardenia is so lush. ...Beautiful bloom photos! That gardenia is so lush. And the redbuds in flower around town might be my favorite right now, with their clouds of pinkish lavender. I've similarly come to appreciate the native and low-maintenance plants and try to avoid anything that has to be carefully tended. I'm excited to see which ones you work with this year.Amy Farrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-21042980788417623452011-03-08T06:51:42.865-06:002011-03-08T06:51:42.865-06:00Another wonderful life lesson from the garden - to...Another wonderful life lesson from the garden - to be realistic about our limitations, embrace our gifts, and joyously celebrate the good times! Your photos are so beautiful!Ginnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14949235207762990894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-13710993609814701692011-03-08T06:37:01.235-06:002011-03-08T06:37:01.235-06:00I agree lovely photos. I am so getting a gardenia ...I agree lovely photos. I am so getting a gardenia this year. My Central Texas gardener friends tell me it does well with just a little more water. So I figure a spot that does not dry as quickly and I will add some coffee grounds.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12140773202280570336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-17141195070684525622011-03-08T02:35:49.416-06:002011-03-08T02:35:49.416-06:00hello Cat, interesting post and I can understand y...hello Cat, interesting post and I can understand your feelings, I've just started to think about Ericas and Conifers ~ not my favourites ~ but more suited to my weather conditions, what irritates me about the zoneing is it only seems to account for cold, not salt laden gales that I get or very hot tempertures that you get, being surrounded by sea water warmed by the Mexican gulf stream I don't get the extremmes inland gardeners get and my climate would be wonderful if I could only turn the salt gales off, there is one blowing as I write this and my beautiful crocuses have been flattened, I'd never even heard of wind burn until I moved here, I love your Gardenia and with my acid soil would be able to grow them but for the wind, I have a Camillia that is in a pot in the shed by the window for winter I daren't plant it out, I think you have to be an optimist to be a gardener, FrancesIsland Threadshttp://islandthreads.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-31213555243077388462011-03-08T00:08:10.176-06:002011-03-08T00:08:10.176-06:00First off - great shots of what's already happ...First off - great shots of what's already happening in your garden. I especially liked that one of the Japanese holly fern - reminds me of a green mamba !<br /><br />My most challenging gardening had to be out in Calgary where snow could be expected in any and every month of the year !! No planting of any frost-sensitive plants before the end of the 1st week in June ! Some years annuals would have to be planted a 2nd time after frost killed everything the first time ! And as soon as tender annuals were planted, count on steady winds of up to 50 mph ! BUT - in the veggie garden, root crops did extremely well.<br /><br />In Florida - a gardener's delight. We're getting our first taste of gardening in the WINTER ! I just fertilized our 20 palm trees - in MARCH (see - still hard for me to believe ;-) Looking forward to seeing the first signs of spring when we get back to Canada in April.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07483295526635664974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-80045075865214781962011-03-07T23:48:51.527-06:002011-03-07T23:48:51.527-06:00Cat - your post title pulled me in (I was just goi...Cat - your post title pulled me in (I was just going to log off and saw your post on my RSS feed.) but your photos held me in place. Promise me you frame them and have an art gallery opening!! <br /><br />As for 'what type of gardener' am I? Midwest topography lends itself to 5" of topsoil over clay...greasy in Spring - like concrete in Summer. After amending soil like crazy - I'm working on 'negative' (grassy) and 'positive' (garden beds) spaces... we'll see how it goes? :)Shyrlenehttp://thebunniesbuffet.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-82258996672921686912011-03-07T21:57:42.532-06:002011-03-07T21:57:42.532-06:00Cat,
You have so many beautiful photos that I got...Cat,<br /><br />You have so many beautiful photos that I got carried away and forgot your original question.<br /><br />I have clay soil here too. Quite impossible to dig as there are also many rocks. I prefer to grow trees since maintenance are quite low. I think you call that a lazy gardener. :) Anyway, I do grow veggie, herbs and flowers as well.Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919719601969345138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-78983496074373882342011-03-07T21:34:03.815-06:002011-03-07T21:34:03.815-06:00Cat,
Just gorgeous photography. Inspiring. Love ...Cat, <br />Just gorgeous photography. Inspiring. Love your blog name too.<br /><br />I happen to have many friends from TX, though I have lived in western PA all my life. They all speak with such warmth about their homeland. <br /><br />I feel torn about living in Zone 5... no visual growth for over 3 months is hard to deal with, and yet I know that I would miss (just a little) the snow and the dramatic change of season. There is so much poetry in the death and rebirth that happens each year. And anticipation grows sweeter in the waiting. <br /><br />Thanks for asking!<br />JulieWife, Mother, Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601987822088200476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-19378168227387081352011-03-07T20:05:43.215-06:002011-03-07T20:05:43.215-06:00Hi Tracey, thanks for visiting. Pam over at Diggi...Hi Tracey, thanks for visiting. Pam over at Digging has quite a few succulents and has inspired me to try my hand at them this spring. Best of luck with yours!<br /><br />Thanks Meredith, Oh so true, it ain't easy being green! <br /><br />@HHG, thanks for your comment. I love the foliage on the oxalis too. It sometimes dies completely back in the heat of summer only to revive itself in the fall. Spring is on its way to you! <br /><br />@HolleyGarden! Ha yes, those times when we feel invincible has probably cost me a pretty penny in plants. Looking forward to seeing how your blooms for all seasons project works out!<br /><br />Thank you Katina!<br /><br />Hi Donna...I'm a bit eclectic too. I think this will show up (for better or worse) in my sunny bed this summer - I only have a small bit of full sun and have crammed it full! I look forward to seeing all the variety in your gardens this season! <br /><br />Hi Laurrie, yes I would definitely say you are patient...hang in there. I hope you're not flooding - I heard on the radio that there was severe flooding in CT today...<br /><br />@Lisa and Robb, Thanks for visiting - welcome! Congrats on having your own plot to garden! I look forward to seeing your progress.<br /><br />@RBell, thanks for the info on the gardenias...I really don't know what to expect with this variety I bought at HD. All I can say is that bloom is amazing - it scents the whole patio! I found a freebie oxalis today on my rounds through the garden. I've had these for 5+ years and never had a volunteer so woohoo!<br /><br />Bom, You've put together an amazing garden under such restrictive conditions. Your tillandsias fascinate me and you photograph them beautifully! I would say you've adapted beautifully.<br /><br />Sue, I can relate to the just loving flowers and herbs and stashing them just anywhere to have them! I have a very limited amount of full sun and have crammed that bed full...I'm wondering how it will look this summer...maybe not so well designed but I have a feeling it will bring me a great deal of joy! That's what gardening is all about right? Bringing joy?!Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03872899189875117518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527178868601047846.post-9745876100830283582011-03-07T19:25:41.170-06:002011-03-07T19:25:41.170-06:00I love your photos! I think the columbine is my f...I love your photos! I think the columbine is my favorite. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about gardening, too. I try to call myself a cottage gardener, but really, I just like to plant flowers and herbs that catch my attention, and don't do a great job planning ahead where I want to put things. I am not a landscaper, that's for sure. I do like to have some native plants, and grow plants I know will attract butterflies and bees. I even grow some plants, like rue and parsley for the caterpillars.<br /><br />As far as the climate goes, I try to stick with plants for my zone, but will sometimes stretch my 5b to try zone 6 plants. I need to do a better job grouping plants with similar needs for water.<br /><br />Thanks for your comment on my last post. I love setting up those train tracks! Who knew that I had a knack for that? I don't put in as many bridges as I'd like to, because KJ knocks them down on purpose as part of his play. Silly boy!<br /><br />Oh, speaking of different plants for different climates, our son is in Florida for job meetings of some kind, and is amazed at all the different kinds of plants he is seeing. He said he knows many of them as root bound house plants.Corner Gardener Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10631500918579405664noreply@blogger.com