A Trip to the Countryside

Marnie's garden near Bracebridge, ON

Summer is at its best and this the perfect time for a little trip to the country.

Hollyhocks in a garden near Uxbridge

Hollyhocks

Beth Powell's country garden

Daylilies

Culver's Root in Marnie's garden

Marnie's house

Delphinium with raindrops

Marnie's garage

 Rudbeckia in Marnie's garden

Private garden near Mahone Bay, N.S.

Tiger Lilies

Private garden in Uxbridge

Rudbeckia and red Monarda in Marnie's garden

Verbascum in Marnie's garden 

Heather's back porch

Japanese Anemones in Heather's garden

Marnie's vegetable garden and shed

Marnie's shed

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

To be or not to be a Master Gardener? That is the question.

I don't mean to rush things, but I have started to think about the coming shift in the seasons. There is still plenty of summer left in the warm afternoons, but fall has already laid claim to the evening hours. In the middle of the night, I awoke shivering and reached out for a blanket for the first time in weeks.

Perhaps because of all those early years in school classrooms, September seems like a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. I have begun to think about college classes and the directions in which I want to move my life.

Should I take a class in small business accounting? It is bound to be terribly dull, but has practical purposes. I have no idea how to balance the books or manage the money my jewellery making and photography has begun to bring in.

Maybe I should take a class in photography? That certainly sounds like way more fun. I do fine enough with my camera, but imagine what I could do if I really had a clue.

And how is gardening going to fit into my future? Though a life-long passion, gardening has always taken the form of a hobby, not a vocation. But as the years have slipped by, I have begun to feel a bit restless. Is blogging about gardening enough?

In the late spring, I investigated becoming a master gardener and I now must decide soon if I want to proceed. The challenge of mastering something I love to do seems very appealing to me. And even after years of practical experience, but there still are gaps in my knowledge.

The only thing that gives me pause is the direction. If you look at what I like to write about most in this blog, it is garden design that seems to capture my imagination. Maybe it is actually landscape design I should study?

Do you ever feel this conflicted about the direction your life should take? Tell me I am not alone!

Anyway... it is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, the last such celebration of the summer and we should take a look at what is blooming in the garden.

The recent rains have really refreshed the garden.

My roses have begun to re-bloom. This one is an Austin rose: L.D. Braithwaite.

The phlox along the white picket fence have been blooming now for a number of weeks. They are just starting to fade a bit and will need to be pruned back to coax a second round of flowers before fall frosts arrive.

Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata 'Laura': Has purple flowers with a cream colored eye that have a very subtle fragrance. Height: 90-107 cm, Spread 60-75 cm, Care: Full sun and average soil.

Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum': Has clear pink flowers with a maroon colored eye This phlox also has a very subtle fragrance. Height: 60-80 cm, Spread 60-75 cm Care: Full sun and average soil. My only issue with Eva Cullum is that the leaves are susceptible to brown spots. Both these phlox wilt if not watered during times of drought.

Ballon Flower, Platycodon grandiflorus: This star-shaped flower is one of my last perennials to emerge in spring. The young shoots look almost asparagus-like and the plant's carrot-like roots mean it is difficult to move. If you like this tall, late bloomer, there is also a white and pink colored single, as well as double varieties.  Height: 45-60 cm, Spread 30-45 cm, Care: Will grow in normal, sandy and clay soils. Best in full sun, but can take light shade.

Daylily, 'Evening Gown'

Brown-Eyed-Susan, Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstum': I actually have a couple different varieties of Rudbeckia and find one as good as the other. They like morning sun and a bit of afternoon shade best. Height: 60-75 cm, Spread 45-60 cm, Care: Will grow in normal, sandy and clay soils.

Dwarf Calamint, Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta is a close cousin to garden mint, but without the spreading habit. The plant forms a neat mound of mint-scented leaves and has been covered in pale blue flowers for several weeks now. Height: 20-30 cm, Spread: 30-45 cm, Care: This is a flexible plant that will tolerate average, dry to moist conditions and will grow in normal, sandy and clay soil.

Calamint, Calamintha grandiflora variegata: I love this plant for the foliage, which is a beautiful variegated mix of cream and soft green. If trimmed, the plant will bloom with tiny mauve flowers for an extended time. Height: 30-45 cm, Spread: 45-60 cm, Care: This is a calamint will tolerate average to moist conditions and will grow in normal, sandy and even clay soil.

Agastache 'Blue Fortune': After admiring this perennial on several blogs last summer, I finally added 'Blue Fortune' just recently. The bees go mad for it!  The leaves have a slight licorice scent and the flowers and leaves are supposedly edible. Height: 60-75 cm, Spread 45-60 cm, Care: Will grow in normal, sandy and clay soils.

Dwarf Perennial Sunflower, Helianthus 'Happy Days'

This plant is relatively new to the garden and is still very much on probation. Helianthus 'Happy Days' forms an upright mound of pointy dark green leaves and has daisy-like, yellow flowers on strong stems. Height 55-60 cm, Spread 45-60 cm, Care: Average to moist, well-drained soil. My plant is doing well in half-shade, but I imagine it would do fine in full sun.

Sadly, I have discovered that Porcelain Vine is a favourite with Japanese Beetles. 

Annual: Lavatera

Sedum 'Purple Emperor': Height: 40 cm, Spread: 30-40 cm, Care: Full sun for good foliage color. 

Happy GBBD everyone!

I am going to link this post to May Dreams Gardens GBBD and Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time. 

To see some other beautiful gardens, please click the link.

The Royal Manor B&B Garden in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake, located at the mouth of the Niagara River and overlooking Lake Ontario has a long and distinguished history. Site of a major battle during the War of 1812, the town was burnt to the ground by invading Americans forces and later rebuilt.

Today, Niagara-on-the-Lake is filled with tree-lined streets and beautiful century homes. Surrounded by fruit orchards and vineyards, it is often referred to as "one of the loveliest town in Ontario".

Certainly, you would be hard pressed to find another place in the Provence of Ontario that has dedicated as much public and private property to the art of gardening. "Gardening is a hobby and a passion here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we are fortunate to have an abundance of wonderful gardens and gardeners too!", explains Vicky Downes, host of the Royal Manor B&B in the historic district of "Old Town".



The B&B is a handsome two story Georgian home that was built in the early 1800's as a tavern for the ships arriving at the docks at Navy Hall. In recent years, the house has been lovingly restored in a way that is faithful to its 19th century origins. The original pine floors still remain and are in amazingly good condition.

The B&B is surrounded by mature trees and has a lovely perennial garden complete with a small waterfall and pond. "The gardens have all been built over the last decade.", Vicky tells me, "They continue to evolve yearly, as the plants grow and need to be trimmed, separated or moved."

Let's take a peak around, shall we?

"Perennials are my passion and I have planted as many varieties as I can afford over the years. After a decade, I now have colour throughout the growing season and lots of textures and greenery too.", says Vicky.

Main border looking back towards the driveway.

A pretty hosta and Giant Fleece Flower, 'Persicaria polymorha' in the near background

Giant Fleece Flower, 'Persicaria polymorha' and Black-eyed Susan, 'Rudbeckia hirta'

Black-eyed Susan, 'Rudbeckia hirta'

Many of the perennials have a sentimental history for Vicky. "Plants that have been acquired from neighbours and friends are a constant reminder of that friendship whenever I'm working around them in the garden."

"I am always delighted when I am asked to share a cutting, because I know that that person will always remember where the original plant resided, and hopefully think of me too."

Toward the back of the property, is a large pond that was designed by Clearwater ponds to be low maintenance.

"The pond was built over a large hole that the previous owners had called a sunken garden (but was filled with weeds) and that I believe was the location of a former building/shed on the property. The pond plants were a new endeavour for me and I'm still learning how to get them to bloom and how best to locate them for maximum growth.", Vicky tells me.

The pond and the adjoining patio is a perfect spot to relax and recharge. "The fish are a delight for my Mom who watches them from her windows and calls them to feed daily in the spring and summer.", Vicky says.

Red Hollyhock

A pretty combination of several Hydrangea shrubs and a Japanese Maple.  

As well as a wide range of perennials, there is a nice selection of trees and shrubs. "I have many trees around the property, but always wanted a Japanese Maple and a Dogwood, both of which I now have."

Purple Smoke Bush, Cotinus coggygria 'puroureus'

A beautiful mixed of plants and shrubs welcomes guests at the front of the house.

Large container plantings flank either side of the front door. (Love this mix of Coleus, Sun-loving Impatiens and golden hued Creeping Jenny!)

"The hydrangeas at the front were planted in 2000 just as the 18 month renovation was being completed on the interior and now need some severe trimming yearly so that they don't cover the windows. I am not sure of the name of the variety, but they are an 'old' variety that bloom off the old branches, so they can't be trimmed too much or no flowers will appear the following year.", explains Vicky.

I found colours in these hydrangeas so pretty that I couldn't stop taking pictures of them. I think I must have over 20 shots!

"I scatter aluminium sulphate on the soil annually in the spring to create the colour variations.", Vicky tells me.

Many thanks to Vicky Downes for allowing me to show you her beautiful garden.

Further information and Links: 

Thinking of visiting Niagra-on-the-Lake this summer? You my just want to time your visit to include the Shaw Garden Tour. Visit: www.shawfest.com/gardentour for more details.

For general information on Niagra-on-the-Lake: http://www.niagaraonthelake.com  and http://visitniagaracanada.com/

For information on the Shaw Festival visit: http://www.shawfest.com

A bit more about Royal Manor Bed & Breakfast:

The B&B is located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake and is a few minutes away from shops, theatres, and restaurants. The manor offers three spacious and beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with a private ensuite bath.

The B&B promises the visitor an array of gourmet breakfast options including "eggs benedict, omelettes & quiches, fluffy buttermilk pancakes with maple sausages, or apple french toast" which are served in a bright and airy breakfast room. 

Royal Manor has central air conditioning, is smoke-free, pet-free and adult-oriented. Manor House Photo gallery.

I have never had the pleasure of staying at Royal Manor, but did note an abundance of favourable online reviews that spoke of the B&B as a "true gem" and described the hospitality as "gracious" and "welcoming".  

Royal Manor Bed and Breakfast

905-468-9145

http://www.royalmanorbb.com/