Tuesday, May 18, 2010

HQ Fauna

Since we've put in Lake Larson, filling spaces with plants, and using more earth friendly gardening practices, I have noticed a big influx in wildlife in the yard. We have a ton of nesting bird this year...cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, and robins. These little guys are in the blue spruce we planted behind Lake Larson and I think they will be out of the nest by next week. I feel like a slum lord with them all crammed into that little nest like that.


This dude is an import...Eric's friend of a friend owns a pet store and they dropped Mr. Bullfrog off here. He was living in a 10 gallon tank at the shop and he was outgrowing his living quarters. I haven't seen him much since last week...I hope he chooses to stick around. We did have a green frog who hung out last year and sang all summer long, I'm hoping he comes back too.



One feathered guest I am glad not to have seen thus far is the heron. I think since I'm still upstairs in the kitchen as my office, there's too much movement inside the house for the heron's liking. Soon, I'll move the office to Deckzilla then Lars and I can do some serious heron patrol. I can report the foxes are back this spring much to Lars' chagrin. I have been seeing them primarily at dusk and in the morning around 8 - 9 am. I wonder if they are hunkered down with a litter of kits someplace close.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

How does your garden grow - reprised for spring 2010


I had a visit with a client who has been with me for several years a couple of weeks ago. The gardens featured above were designed and planted...oh, I want to say about 7 or so years ago. We have also planned other areas of her yard since then and we have created a wonderful friendship as well as some great gardens. Her gardens are a riot of bold colors in the summer from both perennials and annuals. We went chose this color scheme because her husband is legally blind but can see the boldness and not to mention it works well with the color of the house.

I come over here regularly because Rosemary takes care of the gardens herself for the most part. She is great about asking questions or for help if she needs it. She's a really fun client and I'll show you something really cool about her gardens that you don't notice unless you're up close and personal.


Rosemary is a retired art teacher and is still actively sculpting. It's always a treat to see what's new in her garden or what has been brought back from the gallery she showcases her sculptures. A lot of her pieces have significant meaning and I love to hear her explain why she made something.


How cool are all of these guys!




I think the armadillo has been in the garden the longest...



Hee....a toad abode!