Weeds, Talking and Latest Bloomers

Yesterday was another great summer day. Spent the afternoon weeding and talking to neighbors. I always take time from gardening to chat with neighbors and sometimes strangers who stop to ask questions, admire the Gardens, or to enjoy the raspberries.  There will be more raspberries in the coming weeks.Weeding is a constant task. Here's what Carl Sandburg said about weeds.
.

Weeds

From the time of the early radishes

To the time of the standing corn

Sleepy Henry Hackerman hoes.

There are laws in the village against weeds.

The law says a weed is wrong and shall be killed.

The weeds say life is a white and lovely thing

And the weeds come on and on in irresistible regiments.

Sleepy Henry Hackerman hoes; and the village law uttering a ban on

weeds is unchangeable law.

Tiger Eyes

The weeds indeed "come on and on in irresistible regiments" at the Prospect Gardens and we abide by the "unchangeable law". Besides weeding and talking, I planted two Tickseed flowers. I also transplanted a small  Japanese Tiger Eyes, a type of  Sumac that is now yellowish-green and will turn a golden color in the Fall. Since we have no room for another Tiger Eyes in the Gardens, the little plant found a home in Ernie's side yard.


Below are several new bloomers. A few years ago Gene donated the day lilies and the lilies.  Gene once lived in the neighborhood just down the block from the Gardens. Gene grew prize winning day lilies in his backyard. Each summer Gene offered a tour of his spectacular gardens. I miss those tours. One day, Gene was thinning his lilies and he called offering some.  I gladly accepted and immediately fetched them and planted them. I remember it was quite late in the day. By the time I finished the sun had set, night had fallen, and the street light in the northeast corner snapped on. 

Gene's Day Lilly

Lilly and Lupine

Queen of the Prairie

 The lupines shown with the lily are from seeds harvested from another garden along the path. These are rather late bloomers. I am hoping that they spread and they probably will as time goes by.

Queen of the Prairie has spectacular and showy pink blossoms that give off a sweet smell. Bees love them. The parent of the pictured plants came from my backyard and  one was there when we purchased our home in 1986.  I recall that my daughter, Emily, as a child stood on her toes to smell the sweet pink blossoms and a bee stung her nose. She recovered quickly. Since then I have been careful when I want to savor that sweet aroma.

So another summer weekend is passing.  More beautiful rain today which is exactly what the newly seeded lawn on the terrace facing the Gardens needed.  

 




 

Cactus, Lemonade, Worms and Cherries

A marvelous Wisconsin summer day is fading into evening. The sun is still out and the sky remains almost cloudless. It's been a great day to be out gardening.

John delivered the Wisconsin cacti from the banks of the Wisconsin River. The Wisconsin runs through his property, which he inherited from his Dad.  John included  a bucket of  Wisconsin River Sand.  What a wonderful gift of sand and cacti.

Together we planted these gems while enjoying each each other's company. I felt happy as we planted and talked. John recalls that during his childhood, the bluffs overlooking the Wisconsin River were home for many of these cacti. It feels so right to have a sample of these Wisconsin natives in our garden.  I will patiently wait for the cacti to grow and bloom.

During these summer days, enterprising kids set up their lemonade stands along the gardens, as did William and his caretaker for the day. It was just after lunch when I noticed the pair setting up their stand. I was immediately offered a free drink because I was the gardener.  I was busy removing an aster plant from among the purple cone flowers. The aster's purple flowers add so much color during the Fall when other plants are almost dormant. However, the hearty aster can crowd out their neighbors.

William and his caretaker set up their table. The two enthusiastically called out "Get Your Lemonade" as they circled and almost danced around their stand. They attracted the little girl (holding the pitcher in the photo) and her family and several other path users. William lives nearby. A few summers ago I met William and his parents for the first time. William could hardly believe that I had the same first name as his Dad.

William sold his lemonade for twenty-five cents, a real deal. Ice included. At those prices, they sold out in no time. In contrast, during the late morning hours two brothers, older than William, charged 75 cents for a whole cup and 50 cents for a half cup.  No free lemonade for me.  While enjoying the cool drink, I asked if they had made the lemonade. They had not. The older brother explained that his Mother made the lemonade because she did not want a mess in her kitchen, but he added that he and his brother helped out. They were gone after I returned from lunch.

The Gardens and the Path also enticed three young boys, who I think were friends. They struck me as being eight or nine years old. The trio first attempted to wiggle into the storm sewer while I kept a cautious eye on them. I was relieved that the lattice covering the end of the storm drain prevented entry.

As I crossed the path to work on the south side of the gardens, one boy told me they were looking for earthworms. I showed them a spot with abundant worms. On my return to the north side, I noticed a stack of wiggling worms on the concrete pad.  They covered the worms with dirt after I told them to do so or the sun would hurt the worms. They also readily agreed to my offer to go home and get a container.  The boys gently placed the worms in the container between layers of dirt. One assured me that it would be alright to take them home because they often go fishing with his Dad. As they departed, I called out  "happy fishing" and one of the boys responded "happy gardening."

Indeed it was a happy day of gardening, plus it was a very productive day. Besides planting the cacti,  I re-seeded areas of the terrace along the curve where Prospect and Fox intersect. The grass had died because of us stacking plant waste from the gardens underneath the tree. We will now place the garden material in another area with little or no grass.

Barb and her Grandson J.P. came by.   J.P. was in his stroller and was initially somewhat shy. This disappeared when Barb asked if he wanted to help plant. So all three of us tossed lawn seed.

I ended my time at the Prospect Gardens with picking some cherries. All three trees had some to offer. Tomorrow morning I will enjoy this bounty with my breakfast.            

Lupines and Miss Rumphius

 As the sound of thunder rumbles above -- the predicted storms are arriving--- my thoughts turn toward a patch of lupines and a favorite child's book of my daughter, Emily. As you travel west on the commuter path and as you begin climbing the incline to the bridge crossing the beltline, look to you left for an open space full of magnificent lupines. When the lupines are in full bloom you will witness a rainbow of colors. As I passed the scene a few days ago, many were already developing seed pods. Last summer I harvested some of the seeds for the Prospect Gardens and now we have a few lupines.

Every time I see the lupines, I think of Emily and one of her favorite childhood books, Miss Rumphius.  The book is based on a person who actually spread lupine seeds along the coast of Maine with the result being many fields of lupines.  I so enjoyed reading this book to Emily and she eventually read it to herself. It's a beautiful story of  Miss Rumphius, working and traveling all over the world, while recalling that one of her parents told her to do something that would make the world more beautiful. I can't remember if it was her father or mother.  After Miss Rumphius retired and stopped traveling, she settled along the coast and recalled what she was told. So wherever she went she spread lupine seeds.

The book was a gift from Shari, a  friend from Massachusetts. We once lived in Massachusetts(3 years) and where Emily was born.  We often visited with Shari, Jack, and Emma, their daughter, and Jesse, their son,  including when we returned to Boston after moving to Wisconsin. Emma came to Madison and visited Emily when both were in high school. Those were happy days and before Jack valiantly succumbed to cancer.

So much has changed since reading that inspiring book.  Yet the lupines planted by Miss Rumphius surely return every year, as do the lupines here
along our commuter path.




  

June 20th Work Session: Stalwart Volunteers

Joyce

Today four stalwart volunteers once again joined Ann and I to work in the Prospect Gardens. Pictured are three: Joyce, Ken and Claudia. Laura joined later and continued to work after we left. A special thank you to these dedicated volunteers.

We managed to get a lot done with the outcome being  a large pile of material near the sand barrel. The city will pick up it sometime early next week. The crew is so responsive and I greatly appreciate their contribution to the Gardens.

I also trimmed back the Tall Coreopsis that border the picket fence that crosses the southwestern side of the gardens. Cutting off at least five inches prevents them from getting too tall and flopping over. We have learned that these plants need more room than our small area. They need wide open prairies rather than serving as a hedge as they do in the gardens.  Plus they readily seed themselves which means we are constantly pulling up the seedlings.

Claudia and I also removed Rudbeckia from the southwest side of the gardens. We planted them about two years ago. Usually they grow about 2 to 3 feet tall, but these have become aggressive giants. The progeny of those first year plants have even spread to the neighboring raspberry patch. Now that's aggressive!  So Claudia and I are putting a halt to the Rudbeckia invasion.  The predicted rain came about ten o'clock but stopped in time which allowed Laura to continue working. 

Claudia

Ken

Nate's Generosity

A few days ago the gardens once again benefited from the generosity of Nate, the Oregon teacher. Nate lives near the Prospect Gardens in the Regent Neighborhood. The tray holds Little Bluestem, a grass, and five prairie plants: Purple Cone, Yellow Cone flower, Liatris , Butterfly Weed, and Alum Root.

I didn't wait to plant them. They are now part of the gardens and have surely benefited from today's gentle rain. Now I wait with some anticipation to learn if the conditions are right for them to thrive and reveal their inner beauty. Time will tell.

Let It Go

While enjoying tea in our backyard this morning, I noticed the rose bush releasing its petals in the gentle wind. This reminded me of how letting go is a part of life and a poem from a friend.
          

let it go - the

smashed word broken

open vow or

the oath cracked length

wise - let it go it

was sworn to

go

let them go - the

truthful liars and

the false fair friends

and the boths and

neithers - you must let them go they

were born

to go

let all go - the

big small middling

tall bigger really

the biggest and all

things - let all go

dear

so comes love

~ e. e. cummings ~

(Complete Poems 1904-1962) 

Current Bloomers

The summer solstice is happening next week Saturday. As spring fades, the Prospect Gardens continue to reveal their splendid secrets for those who take notice.  Here's nine plants that are currently on stage. Enjoy.

Pale Purple Cone Flower

Elderberry Shrub

The Pale Purple Cones can be found throughout the gardens. They are more airy and delicate compared to their deeper purple cousins. Neighbors have been very generous in providing these flowers from their mature gardens. Purple Cones are fairly easy to grow and spread quickly, even when surrounded by rocks as is the case here in Prospect Gardens.

The Elderberry shrub, planted during the first year of the garden and nearly six years ago, produces many berries. Janice, who lives just down the street, and her husband harvest the berries for a tasty but tart sauce, and with plenty of sugar, a sweet pie.

False Foxglove

The False Foxglove (Pestemon Digitalis) is a newcomer to the gardens, blooming for the first time. Nate, who lives in the Regent Neighborhood, provided these lovely hardy plants.

Nate teaches for the Oregon schools and is in charge of a school prairie that serves as an outdoor classroom. Nate has the good fortune of combining his love of teaching with his passion for gardening. His wife also teaches. Nate has beautiful gardens surrounding the couple's stone home that reminds me of a cottage surrounded by prairies.

Goatsbeard

The Goatsbeard comes from my backyard garden. I don't understand why it has that odd name, considering the delicate and lacy blooms. Plus the blooms have a wonderful mild smell. Old fashioned lace may be a better name. How would you say that in Latin?

Hosta

The Hosta is one of many that make up the shade garden. Like many other plants in the Prospect Gardens, this hosta and several others like it, was donated. In fact, the entire shade garden consists of donated plants.

The shade garden began one sunny day when a neighbor, while getting ready for a patio installation, was removing her hostas. I walked by and the neighbor asked if I wanted them. Saying "no" would most likely doom the hostas to the landfill. So I said "yes" and immediately hauled the plants down the street and dug them into the ground under the trees on the southside of the gardens. Over the years, friends gave Jack-in-the-Pulpits and a neighbor provided Jacob's Climbing Ladders.  I also added a few shade loving plants from my backyard gardens. The result now is an attractive shade garden.

Meadow-rue

The source of the Meadow-rue is also from my backyard garden. I love the gossamer flowers that sway in a gentle wind. This one is more stately than its older parent, which tumbles over its supporting cage. This young plant will most likely need to be caged and supported as it ages. A form of assisted living?

Milkweed

The Milkweed joined Prospect Gardens last year in an effort to increase habitat for the Monarch Butterflies. The Monarch population is decreasing. A local group provided the plants. They are part of a national effort to increase habitat for the Monarchs. Urbanization and advanced agriculture are reducing habitat. I got the plants at a local Saturday market where the group had a table. A few regal Monarchs usually come visiting.  I will welcome them again and this time with sweet nectar from the blooming plants.

Primrose

You can't miss the flashy Primrose as it heralds the coming of summer.  What a bold announcement  for upcoming sunny and warm Wisconsin summer days!  Reflect on these yellow flowers long enough and you will surely forget about the cold Wisconsin winters.

Primroses are bold in other ways. They spread easily and according to one of my neighbors they could be weeds. They can be aggressive and need to be controlled. However, the brilliant yellow flowers easily make up for such transgressions.

Spiderwort

Tucked away in the shady parts of Prospect Gardens are the Spiderworts; although they also like a little sun. This one has deep purple flowers. Another species has white flowers. On my way to Qigong this morning, I noticed that a neighbor's garden has one with pink flowers.

Steve, an instructor of Qigong, led us in a series of slow meditative movements on the shores of nearby Lake Wingra.  The practice involves moving meditation, along with slow flowing movement, rhythmic breathing, and hopefully a calm meditative state of mind.  The sunshine and blue sky added so much to the meditative state and to the practice.

As the summer proceeds the gardens will change. The Purple Cone flowers will burst into full glory, reaching  peak color in July and early August. Goldfinches, one of my favorite birds, will return and feast on the Purple Cone's drying seed pods. The Goldfinches will put on a fine show as they dance among the flowers while ignoring the passing commuters. Commuters who are paying attention will notice the show.

Picnic Point and Neighborhood Gardens

 Yesterday my friend David and I walked Picnic Point as planned. Its been some time since I walked this peninsula that juts into Lake Mendota and is part of the UW Madison Campus. The changes made to the land area making up the eastern tip pleased and amazed me. The thick under brush is removed revealing spectacular views of the lake. We passed an inviting council ring with a fire pit as we made our way to steps made of limestone leading down to a viewing area at lake level.

At lake level we were greeted by a young woman and her two male companions.  The young woman pointed out three baby ducks resting on a moss covered rock, obviously enjoying the summer sunshine. Flanking the ducklings and standing guard were two female ducks and a male. Together the three formed a protective triangle with the babies in the middle of the triangle.  The young woman remarked that one of the females was the aunt. David responded that perhaps this is a lesbian couple and their family. She replied that the male was the sperm donor.  We all laughed while we enjoyed our brief encounter on a warm early summer day.

The lake lazily lapped up against the shore as David and I found a comfortable rock and settled in for a talk.

Flower Box Full of Pansies

Now for pictures of neighborhood gardens.  Prospect Gardens is situated in neighborhoods with a variety of beautiful gardens. Here's a small sample starting with two pictures of Katie's shade garden that covers her front yard. Attached to the house and overlooking the garden is a flower box full of pansies. The pansies are still fresh and colorful, protected form the sudden summer like temperatures.  Katie also has a spectacular backyard garden and another garden that flanks the northside of the house.

Katie's Shade Garden

 

Diane's Garden

Next to Katie's house is Diane's gardens. The picture shows a portion of the side yard and its gardens. Diane is a dedicated garden. Her husband Ken is in charge of assisting Diane in mulching. You will recognize Diane by her deep laughter.

The couple tore apart the side yard, removing the lawn. They then created beds interspersed among brick spaces and walkways, which I think Diane and Ken laid. A brown picket fence surrounds the garden.  Their house is an English Tudor and with it's surrounding gardens looks like a picture from Better Homes and Gardens.  Perhaps I should contact the magazine.

A few years ago we transplanted blue indigo from Diane's gardens to the Prospect Garden. We discovered that blue indigo has a tough fibrous roots system that finally yielded when I took an ax to break up the roots.

I learned later that successfully transplanting false indigo through roots is nearly impossible. All three transplanted clumps survived and now are the size of the parent plants. These are some tough and hearty plants that add a beautiful blue to Prospect Gardens during the spring. Their blooms are now starting to fade. 

Janice's Rain Garden

Several years ago our streets underwent major improvements, including new sewer, curbs and gutters and sidewalks.  If there was enough space on your terrace, the city provided some funds for developing rain gardens.

This is Janice's rain garden.  Janice also has a beautiful backyard garden.  A few years ago we transplanted flowers from the rain garden to the Prospect Gardens. I can't recall the species and I think they are in the daisy family: tall  with yellow flowers that are thriving while offering a splash of yellow in summer to the Prospect Gardens.

Janice also has donated butterfly weed. For several years, this flashy orange beauty graced Prospect Gardens. Only a few survived this last winter.

Our Rose Bush

Gardens grace the  front of our house and in the backyard. Pictured is a shrub rose. This beauty is definitely on steroids. Every year I cut it back, preventing this potential giant from covering the roof of our neighbor's garage.

As the picture suggests the gardens in the backyard circle the lot and our on all three sides. When we purchased our house in 1986, the gardens were only about two feet deep and  ran along  two sides plus a fern garden along the garage. Needless to say, the gardens have expanded as the years have slipped by.

April's Garden

Our last featured garden is about three quarters of a block west  of Prospect Gardens and also borders the path. It's April's garden and is located in the Regent Neighborhood.. The beautiful garden blooms the entire season, starting with crocuses and daffodils.  The art work of April's husband graces this graceful and serene garden.  An old fashioned platform swing, seating at least four, is in the top area of the garden.

I have enjoyed talking with April as we gently swayed on the swing. April, before she retired, was the librarian at our daughter Emily's elementary school. I volunteered a lot at the school as Emily completed the third through fifth years. I met April when Emily was in the third grade.

There are other beautiful gardens in the two neighborhoods. This is just a small sample and indicative of how we love our close westside neighborhoods.    

Replanting Peg's Memorial Garden

 As I mentioned in my last post, today I finally visited the Flower Factory, where I purchased plants to replace those that did not survive the winter.  Last year we created a small memorial garden for Peg Arnold. Peg was one of  the original gardeners and according to her husband Steve, the force behind his involvement. Steve wrote the grant that provided some city funds that helped launch the garden. I provided feedback and the rest is history.

Peg and Steve installed the very first plant (a forsythia) in the Prospect Gardens from their own garden. When Peg passed from cancer in the summer of 2013, friends donated funds to be used for the Prospect Gardens. My little committee of advisers decided that rather than use the funds for maintenance we would create a small garden which we did last summer.

The boulder was donated by a Regent Neighbor. It was in the trunk of my Honda Civic for a day before Claudia and I took it to the engraver. I nicked the back bumper while hoisting the small but heavy boulder into the trunk. No back injury and I didn't drop it. Just grazed the bumper while moving the boulder into the trunk.

Last summer, we planted three different plants and only one species (winecups) survived the winter.  A species of short coreopsis and another species that I can not recall right now, didn't make it.  The staff member from The Flower Factory thought maybe road salt killed off the coreopsis. I followed his recommendation to plant the salt tolerant Gaillardia. So we will see how this colorful dwarf blanked flower likes its new surroundings.May it thrive and delight those who pass by and who take notice.

We had enough funds to include two cherry trees. These two are thriving.  However, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the third and older cherry tree was under some stress. Ann and I consulted with staff of the Bruce Company. Disease was ruled out. The very knowledgeable but direct staff member thought last year's dry fall caused the leaves to drop early and that the trunk was somehow injured. Overall, she thought the tree was in good shape. But we will watch what happens over the summer and the fall.

Here's a view of the memorial garden after the planting. The surviving winecups have spread nicely and make a beautiful ground cover. They should bloom all summer.  In the background are purple cone flowers waiting to bloom. I may put in some yellow moon flowers (primrose) in the back and to the left.  I will dig them up from our backyard garden.

However, doing so will wait until at least tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow, good friend and I will walk Picnic Point and then stop by Memorial Union for a cool drink and maybe lunch.

Time for a long walk and talk with a good friend. We no doubt will talk about my online course about early Buddhist text and applying the messages to everyday life. The second week of the 12 week course just started. I may say more in future posts.

Flower Factory

 Rolling thunder along with gentle rain  passed through on this now quiet evening. I finally made it to the "cathedral"  of nurseries, The Flower Factory.  It's located about 12 miles south of Madison just past Oregon.There is still open country between Oregon and Madison.

Worshiped for over an hour in the heat of the day. Temps were in the low 80s with a cooling breeze.

I loved wondering through the dozen different green houses while selecting the ten plants in the wagon. Seven are slated for the Prospect Gardens to replace those who did not survive  the winter.  A staff member was so helpful in locating one Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe Invoucrata) and in selecting six Gaillardia grand Arizona Zone. A Shasta Daisey and two oriental lilies are also in the wagon and will fill in a few holes in our backyard garden.

Notice the flower covered roof on the building which I think is the pump house.  There are several other unique gardens on the grounds including one featuring a model train and another a rock garden.  I think the train tracks are under repair because a large tree that it circled came down causing damage.

Several years ago friends, Ann and I would visit up to a least five greenhouse/nurseries throughout Dane County during a day long tour. We traveled in several cars forming a cavern and the Flower Factory was usually on the itinerary.  Its been several years since we stopped touring greenhouses. Our gardens have matured and we also have aged.  

I have special memories of visiting the Flower Factory during one of those ventures along with Jennifer (Jenn), the daughter of good friends, Jane and Gary.  Jane and Gary were most likely with the hostas. They have an award winning garden of hostas and are always on look out for that special one.

Jenn and I were causally strolling through the greenhouses on that sunny spring time day. I remarked that I selected plants if they spoke to me and a pink flowering one was indeed addressing me at that moment. Both of us shared a hearty laugh while I put the plant into my wagon. The beautiful soft blooms of the Summer Beauty Allium will once again speak to me sometime in early summer and long after it's cousins, the tall purple allium have disappeared.  I look forward to what they have to say.





   

Peonies

Neighbor's Peonies

Prospect Gardens has two or three peonies discovered when we cleared out an area late last fall. They are not as lush and healthy as my neighbor's peonies. In honor of all peonies here's Mary Oliver's poem titled "Peonies".

This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready

to break my heart

as the sun rises,

     as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers

and they open-----

pools of lace,

white and pink----

     and all the day the black ants climb over them,

boring their deep and mysterious holes

into their curls,

    craving the sweet sap,

        taking it away

to their dark, underground cities-----

and all day

    under the shifty wind,

      as in a dance to the great wedding,

the flowers bend their bright bodies,

and tip their fragrance to the air,

    and rise,

         their red stems holding

all that dampness and recklessness

gladly and lightly,

     and there it is again-----

        beauty the brave, the exemplary,

blazing open

do you love this world?

      Do you cherish your humble and silky life?

         Do you adore the green grass, with its terror beneath?

Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot into the garden,

And softly,

   And exclaiming of their dearness,

         Fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,

With their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,

their eagerness

    to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are

      nothing, forever?

Replanting and Children's Playhouse

The Transplants

Playhouse

 Today moved  two plants from our backyard garden down to Prospect Gardens. The one overflowing an old bucket (top of the picture) is a dwarf astilbe. In the brown plastic pot is the indestructible and versatile ajuga. This purple wonder makes a great ground cover, tolerates shade and part sun light and will survive in any soil type. I love the ajuga's texture plus the purple plume-like flowers that appear at this time of the year. Plant one or two and in no time  you will be sharing the surplus with friends and neighbors.

The transplants are from my backyard garden and specifically a garden to the left of a lovely playhouse.  The playhouse has a long and poignant history. The former owner of our house, Bill, took it in trade for work he did. We don't know exactly what year. However we do know that Bill's and Delrosa's daughters played in this sturdy house. Our daughter Emily and her friends spent many happy hours during long summer days in this house. They enjoyed a table and chairs, plastic dishes in a built-in cabinet, and a small kitchen stove.  Pictures were on the light blue walls and a small cuckoo clock that no longer worked.  If walls could talk I am sure there would be many happy childhood stories.

Ann and I recently scraped and repainted the interior and exterior. Now that Emily is an adult, I sometime joke that we should rent the playhouse to some very short university students. A friend suggested that I use it as a potting shed, but the interior is not high enough for my six foot frame.  Our two young neighbor boys and their friend recently took turns hiding in it while playing a version of blind man's bluff.  

The Destination

The astible and ajuga joined impatiens, purchased from the Bruce Company. Its a shady area of the gardens, just around the corner as you go down the ramp located where South Prospect curves into Fox Avenue. Walnut pods bomb this area in fall and city crews remove the top soil as they plow and push the snow.   Some plants survive such as the jack-in-the pulpit which hug the walls. They disappear as the impatiens take hold.

The impatiens are two shades of pink; adding a splash of color to the furthest southwest corner of the gardens. In the nature of gardens, the impatiens will be long gone before the snow and the city crews return. In the meantime, I and others will enjoy the impatiens and other flowers that make up this rather enchanting corner garden.