Garden Walk: Middle of November, 2021
This stroll through the Alumni House Garden occurred on the morning of November 15. We had been enjoying beautiful fall weather, and the garden was a beautiful blend of autumn colors mixed with lingering summer greens and even a few flowers still in bloom. We were fortunate to have several more weeks when it was possible to continue working in the garden, without any significant snow or frigid temperatures until the end of December. I have labeled a few of the 80 photos, but in most cases I will allow the images to speak for themselves. ~Bob
This stroll through the Alumni House Garden occurred on the morning of November 15. We had been enjoying beautiful fall weather, and the garden was a beautiful blend of autumn colors mixed with lingering summer greens and even a few flowers still in bloom. We were fortunate to have several more weeks when it was possible to continue working in the garden, without any significant snow or frigid temperatures until the end of December. I have labeled a few of the 80 photos, but in most cases I will allow the images to speak for themselves. ~Bob
Garden Photos: 21 October 2021
Because I spent most of my time in August and September harvesting produce from my vegetable garden and addressing the immediate needs of two other gardens, I only took a few photos of the Alumni House Garden in August and September. Thus we have a two-month jump from the photo sessions in July to the morning of 21 October. Needless to say, the Coe garden had become a less exuberant, more subdued landscape. But fortunately for those of us who love fresh flowers, we had not yet experienced a hard freeze, and several tender flowers (such as the dahlias and cleomes) were still in bloom. I found the garden an appealing mix of late summer greens and early fall browns. This is one of my favorite times in the garden year because of the emergence of so many fascinating seedheads, particularly in the aster/sunflower family. The next slideshow will focus more intently on those autumn attractions. ~Bob
Because I spent most of my time in August and September harvesting produce from my vegetable garden and addressing the immediate needs of two other gardens, I only took a few photos of the Alumni House Garden in August and September. Thus we have a two-month jump from the photo sessions in July to the morning of 21 October. Needless to say, the Coe garden had become a less exuberant, more subdued landscape. But fortunately for those of us who love fresh flowers, we had not yet experienced a hard freeze, and several tender flowers (such as the dahlias and cleomes) were still in bloom. I found the garden an appealing mix of late summer greens and early fall browns. This is one of my favorite times in the garden year because of the emergence of so many fascinating seedheads, particularly in the aster/sunflower family. The next slideshow will focus more intently on those autumn attractions. ~Bob
Alumni House Garden Photos: July 19-26, 2021
These two slideshows are comprised of photos taken July 19-26. The first slideshow provides a broad survey of the garden's perennial flower beds and a more intimate sample of the flowers in bloom during that week. The second slideshow concentrates on the 25+ varieties of daylilies in bloom a month after the summer solstice. These slideshows represent the garden when it offers the year's most diverse range of flowering plants. The 2021 summer garden had a distinctively "wilder" demeanor than in previous years, in part because the August 2020 derecho meant that most of the normal fall cleanup did not occur. Several wildflowers--such as fleabane, Queen Anne's lace, and Joe Pye weed--adeptly took advantage of this state of affairs. We are fortunate, however, that many of these guests produce some attractive blooms that can work nicely in this relaxed, naturalistic, English-style garden.
With regard to the daylily slideshow, my biggest regret is that I do not know the names for many of these varieties--and in most instances I should know because I purchased and planted them. This is particularly frustrating for the daylilies in the two perennial flower beds in front of the terrace. When I first started taking care of the garden in the summer of 2014, those beds were dominated by New England asters and rose bushes--which were probably from the root stock for grafted roses planted when the garden was first created. Unfortunately, many of the labels installed with those plants have been lost or destroyed or in several instances the hand-made labels have faded and become illegible. And then there are the many daylilies throughout the garden that were present when I came on the scene, and we have no record of their purchase or identity. In the slideshow I have provided names for daylily blooms when I feel reasonable certainty what they are. And I continue to try and track down those without a name. If I am going to spend some time with a flower--whether a daylily or whatever--I would prefer to know its name. ~Bob
These two slideshows are comprised of photos taken July 19-26. The first slideshow provides a broad survey of the garden's perennial flower beds and a more intimate sample of the flowers in bloom during that week. The second slideshow concentrates on the 25+ varieties of daylilies in bloom a month after the summer solstice. These slideshows represent the garden when it offers the year's most diverse range of flowering plants. The 2021 summer garden had a distinctively "wilder" demeanor than in previous years, in part because the August 2020 derecho meant that most of the normal fall cleanup did not occur. Several wildflowers--such as fleabane, Queen Anne's lace, and Joe Pye weed--adeptly took advantage of this state of affairs. We are fortunate, however, that many of these guests produce some attractive blooms that can work nicely in this relaxed, naturalistic, English-style garden.
With regard to the daylily slideshow, my biggest regret is that I do not know the names for many of these varieties--and in most instances I should know because I purchased and planted them. This is particularly frustrating for the daylilies in the two perennial flower beds in front of the terrace. When I first started taking care of the garden in the summer of 2014, those beds were dominated by New England asters and rose bushes--which were probably from the root stock for grafted roses planted when the garden was first created. Unfortunately, many of the labels installed with those plants have been lost or destroyed or in several instances the hand-made labels have faded and become illegible. And then there are the many daylilies throughout the garden that were present when I came on the scene, and we have no record of their purchase or identity. In the slideshow I have provided names for daylily blooms when I feel reasonable certainty what they are. And I continue to try and track down those without a name. If I am going to spend some time with a flower--whether a daylily or whatever--I would prefer to know its name. ~Bob
Alumni House Garden Photos: The Morning of 29 June 2021
On the morning when these photos were taken in late June, most of the foliage in the garden still had a fresh, spring-time vibrancy, prior to the arrival of the dry and exhausting mid-summer heat. Although there were still a few flowers that were in bloom during the previous Garden Walk in the middle of May (e.g., the Rozanne cranesbill), most of the flowers featured in this slideshow were relatively new arrivals. Except for a few late allium, all the spring-flowering bulbs were finished blooming, and except for the elderberry, the flowering shrubs were also finished. When these photos were taken, the purple coneflowers were the garden's most dominant flower, with their close cousins the perennial sunflowers and black-eyed Susans just a step behind. The daylilies are also emerging and beginning to assert a presence that will dominate the garden in July.
On the morning when these photos were taken in late June, most of the foliage in the garden still had a fresh, spring-time vibrancy, prior to the arrival of the dry and exhausting mid-summer heat. Although there were still a few flowers that were in bloom during the previous Garden Walk in the middle of May (e.g., the Rozanne cranesbill), most of the flowers featured in this slideshow were relatively new arrivals. Except for a few late allium, all the spring-flowering bulbs were finished blooming, and except for the elderberry, the flowering shrubs were also finished. When these photos were taken, the purple coneflowers were the garden's most dominant flower, with their close cousins the perennial sunflowers and black-eyed Susans just a step behind. The daylilies are also emerging and beginning to assert a presence that will dominate the garden in July.
Alumni House Garden Photos: The Morning of 17 May 2021
These photos were taken four weeks after the photos in the previous slideshow, capturing a garden with a distinctly different set of flowers on display. Nearly all the spring-time flowering bulbs are finished, except for some late daffodils and several large allium with their spherical blooms. Many of the major players in the May garden are adept self-seeders, most notably the native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and the ox-eye daisies. The latter are prolific expansionists and are often considered an invasive species, but they are easy to pull up (their roots are never deep in the soil) and so far we have had no problem restricting their adverturous tendencies. This morning walk was also notable for the "M1" bed north of the terrace, where the false indigo (Baptisia Australis) with its gorgeous blue flowers and the red peonies were both in bloom--a rare synchronicity in timing that would only last for a few days.
These photos were taken four weeks after the photos in the previous slideshow, capturing a garden with a distinctly different set of flowers on display. Nearly all the spring-time flowering bulbs are finished, except for some late daffodils and several large allium with their spherical blooms. Many of the major players in the May garden are adept self-seeders, most notably the native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and the ox-eye daisies. The latter are prolific expansionists and are often considered an invasive species, but they are easy to pull up (their roots are never deep in the soil) and so far we have had no problem restricting their adverturous tendencies. This morning walk was also notable for the "M1" bed north of the terrace, where the false indigo (Baptisia Australis) with its gorgeous blue flowers and the red peonies were both in bloom--a rare synchronicity in timing that would only last for a few days.
Alumni House Garden: Photos from April 19, 2021
A majority of these photos focus on the spring bulbs in bloom during the third week of April. Many of the early spring flowers were already finished (such as the crocus, winter aconites, reticulated iris, and some snowdrops), but the daffodils were at their peak, and there were also satisfying displays of tulips, snowdrops, leucojum, grape hyacinths, alliums, fritillaries, and a few hyacinths. Since 2014 we have planted over 6,000 spring-flowering bulbs, and while many have not survived, each year we make a little progress. One regret with the daffodils is that for several years I purchased bags that mixed together bulbs of diverse varieties. While this approach did have distinct advantages, enabling us to purchase more bulbs for the same amount of money, it also meant we were planting bulbs without knowing what we were planting. In this slideshow I have offered my best guess on identifying some of these daffodil cultivars, but in many instances these are just "best guesses." ~Bob
A majority of these photos focus on the spring bulbs in bloom during the third week of April. Many of the early spring flowers were already finished (such as the crocus, winter aconites, reticulated iris, and some snowdrops), but the daffodils were at their peak, and there were also satisfying displays of tulips, snowdrops, leucojum, grape hyacinths, alliums, fritillaries, and a few hyacinths. Since 2014 we have planted over 6,000 spring-flowering bulbs, and while many have not survived, each year we make a little progress. One regret with the daffodils is that for several years I purchased bags that mixed together bulbs of diverse varieties. While this approach did have distinct advantages, enabling us to purchase more bulbs for the same amount of money, it also meant we were planting bulbs without knowing what we were planting. In this slideshow I have offered my best guess on identifying some of these daffodil cultivars, but in many instances these are just "best guesses." ~Bob
Photos from the Morning of Thursday, 8 April 2021
This is a period in the spring when most of my gardening efforts focus on my vegetable garden, either preparing the beds for planting or the actual sowing of seeds. The day before these photos were taken, I planted five varieties of lettuce (romaine, red iceberg, red looseleaf, Black-Seeded Simpson, and Rouge D'Hiver), several short rows of radishes, three kind of carrots, and a 16' row of Opal Creek Yellow Snap Peas. While all of this work is occurring in the vegetable garden, the Alumni House garden operates on automatic pilot. The majority of the perennials have been in the garden for years, and most of the new arrivals were bulbs planted in the fall. For a couple months I'm basically an observer--though I do on occasion pick up broken limbs, rake the oak leaves I didn't capture in November, and remove plastic bags snagged under the yews. With a few exceptions, the garden is dominated by the visual exuberance of non-native, spring-flowering bulbs. Earlier in the spring it was the snowdrops, the crocus, the Dutch iris. In the middle of April the daffodils take over, accompanied by the fritillaries, the tulips, the hyacinths. The natives will emerge later in the year as the spring-flowering bulbs disappear from view. ~Bob
This is a period in the spring when most of my gardening efforts focus on my vegetable garden, either preparing the beds for planting or the actual sowing of seeds. The day before these photos were taken, I planted five varieties of lettuce (romaine, red iceberg, red looseleaf, Black-Seeded Simpson, and Rouge D'Hiver), several short rows of radishes, three kind of carrots, and a 16' row of Opal Creek Yellow Snap Peas. While all of this work is occurring in the vegetable garden, the Alumni House garden operates on automatic pilot. The majority of the perennials have been in the garden for years, and most of the new arrivals were bulbs planted in the fall. For a couple months I'm basically an observer--though I do on occasion pick up broken limbs, rake the oak leaves I didn't capture in November, and remove plastic bags snagged under the yews. With a few exceptions, the garden is dominated by the visual exuberance of non-native, spring-flowering bulbs. Earlier in the spring it was the snowdrops, the crocus, the Dutch iris. In the middle of April the daffodils take over, accompanied by the fritillaries, the tulips, the hyacinths. The natives will emerge later in the year as the spring-flowering bulbs disappear from view. ~Bob
Photos from the First Three Weeks in March
Photos from 22 February 2021
On the morning of February 22 I was shoveling snow in the Coe garden, trying to make it possible for a human to walk around the garden’s perimeter without trudging through the 12-18" thick layer of snow covering the gravel walkways. Approaching the SW park bench I noticed a beautiful orange lichen spread across the top of a bench leg, a discovery which led me to start looking at the lichen specimens covering the bench’s seat and legs. The orange species was always located in protected areas, always on a vertical plane, never on a flat horizontal surface. Given my limited knowledge of lichen species, it’s impossible for me to determine how many different species are on the bench, but I feel reasonably confident I found at least five other species. Here was a lichen garden, thriving in the middle of the winter, requiring zero assistance from any gardener. Actually, I am due some appreciation from the local lichen community. When I first started taking care of the Alumni House Garden, someone offered to bring in a jet-spray washer and clean up the park benches. I’m thankful I said, “no thanks.” I like the benches’ rustic, weathered look.
Since I had never paid much attention to the garden bench lichen, I decided to scrape a small chunk of the orange lichen onto a white note card and examine it under my small 10x loupe magnifying glass and a 40x microscope in the garden shed. I lack the skill or knowledge to accurately describe or draw the fascinating and complex landscape revealed by the magnification, but it was fascinating to see all the tiny yellowish-green globules that covered the tips of the individual lichen “leaves.” Inspired by the lichens’ complex and visually beautiful terrain, I pulled out my Canon camera and took two dozen close-up photos of lichen on several different benches and on the limbs of an apple tree. I was surprised to discover that all the lichen on the flowering crab trees were at higher elevations, beginning about 6' above the ground. Once I downloaded and magnified those photos, I found two lichen species that I had not initially seen with the naked eye, and in one area–perhaps a 2" square--I could identify four different species.
On the morning of February 22 I was shoveling snow in the Coe garden, trying to make it possible for a human to walk around the garden’s perimeter without trudging through the 12-18" thick layer of snow covering the gravel walkways. Approaching the SW park bench I noticed a beautiful orange lichen spread across the top of a bench leg, a discovery which led me to start looking at the lichen specimens covering the bench’s seat and legs. The orange species was always located in protected areas, always on a vertical plane, never on a flat horizontal surface. Given my limited knowledge of lichen species, it’s impossible for me to determine how many different species are on the bench, but I feel reasonably confident I found at least five other species. Here was a lichen garden, thriving in the middle of the winter, requiring zero assistance from any gardener. Actually, I am due some appreciation from the local lichen community. When I first started taking care of the Alumni House Garden, someone offered to bring in a jet-spray washer and clean up the park benches. I’m thankful I said, “no thanks.” I like the benches’ rustic, weathered look.
Since I had never paid much attention to the garden bench lichen, I decided to scrape a small chunk of the orange lichen onto a white note card and examine it under my small 10x loupe magnifying glass and a 40x microscope in the garden shed. I lack the skill or knowledge to accurately describe or draw the fascinating and complex landscape revealed by the magnification, but it was fascinating to see all the tiny yellowish-green globules that covered the tips of the individual lichen “leaves.” Inspired by the lichens’ complex and visually beautiful terrain, I pulled out my Canon camera and took two dozen close-up photos of lichen on several different benches and on the limbs of an apple tree. I was surprised to discover that all the lichen on the flowering crab trees were at higher elevations, beginning about 6' above the ground. Once I downloaded and magnified those photos, I found two lichen species that I had not initially seen with the naked eye, and in one area–perhaps a 2" square--I could identify four different species.
Photos from February 3, 2021
Reflecting on these photos, I'm reminded of several passages from Mary Oliver's "First Snow." While these February photos do not focus on the winter's first snowfall, Oliver's poem speaks of the snow's "white rhetoric" and its "immense" silence, qualities that continue through the winter months. Here are two passages from a poem I first encountered in The New Yorker in March of 1981, over 40 years ago.
The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what the meaning--such
an oracular fever--flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb. . . .
The silence
is immense. . . .
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain--not a single
answer has been found--
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.
The last two photos in this slideshow are of two unexpected snowdrop blooms, the first flowers of the new year. Their presence feels like an answer to our questions, an answer to our prayers.
Reflecting on these photos, I'm reminded of several passages from Mary Oliver's "First Snow." While these February photos do not focus on the winter's first snowfall, Oliver's poem speaks of the snow's "white rhetoric" and its "immense" silence, qualities that continue through the winter months. Here are two passages from a poem I first encountered in The New Yorker in March of 1981, over 40 years ago.
The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what the meaning--such
an oracular fever--flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb. . . .
The silence
is immense. . . .
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain--not a single
answer has been found--
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.
The last two photos in this slideshow are of two unexpected snowdrop blooms, the first flowers of the new year. Their presence feels like an answer to our questions, an answer to our prayers.
January 2021 "New Year" Photos
These photos were shot on January 2 & 4. Since the garden had received a substantial snow, the focus was on a few garden objects (Little Free Libraries, benches, plant supports, plant sculptures) and a few perennials that had remained and risen above the accumulated snow. The garden has a special beauty in the winter, enhanced by its quiet, steady, atmosphere, conveying a message of endurance and confident resilience.
These photos were shot on January 2 & 4. Since the garden had received a substantial snow, the focus was on a few garden objects (Little Free Libraries, benches, plant supports, plant sculptures) and a few perennials that had remained and risen above the accumulated snow. The garden has a special beauty in the winter, enhanced by its quiet, steady, atmosphere, conveying a message of endurance and confident resilience.