Monthly Archives: July 2008

Front-Yard Garden Blooming

Posted on July 12, 2008 by Mary Schier

It still looks a little sparse, which is to be expected for the first year, but my front-yard garden is blooming at last. The Russian sage in the photo at left is light and airy. The ‘David’ phlox at right … Continue reading →

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Garden Party Time!

Posted on July 11, 2008 by Mary Schier

If the weather cooperates, July is the perfect time for a garden party–and I made it to two beautiful ones this week. Thursday night I got a chance to swing by Bob and Trish Johnson’s garden near Hampton, where they … Continue reading →

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Bloom Tuesday No. 9

Posted on July 8, 2008 by Mary Schier

Lots of blooms are out, but I have to book-it up to the Twin Cities now, so here are a couple of garden regulars that have appeared. Left, Rudbeckia; right, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). More later on other bloomers.

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Bee Condo Occupied At Last

Posted on July 8, 2008 by Mary Schier

I was starting to feel like one of those high-end Minneapolis developers, thinking no one would live in my condos, but some insects have finally moved in. I just hope they are bees. Earlier this spring, I built a bee … Continue reading →

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'Mona Lisa' Smells

Posted on July 6, 2008 by Mary Schier

Not the bad kind. The good kind–the kind you smell walking on the lakeshore on breezy day, putting your nose close to a baby’s head after a bath, the kind from flowers you love. Lilies are new to my garden … Continue reading →

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Inside Look at Knecht's

Posted on July 5, 2008 by Mary Schier

Northern Gardener’s publisher, Tom McKusick, visited Northfield and Faribault last week, as part of his efforts to stay in touch with nursery and garden center owners around the Midwest. I joined Tom for a tour of Leif Knecht’s nursery. Leif’s … Continue reading →

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Summer Visit to Squire House Gardens

Posted on July 3, 2008 by Mary Schier

Yesterday, I took a side trip on my way home from the Twin Cities to Afton, Minnesota, to visit Squire House Gardens, a garden center specializing in unusual plants and accessories for home and garden. I visited the store last … Continue reading →

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Bloom Tuesday, No. 8

Posted on July 1, 2008 by Mary Schier

With the extra heat we’ve had, more and more blooms are popping. I was particularly excited to see the English larkspur (Delphinium elatum ‘Pagan Purples’) I planted last summer blooming. This is a plant I had given up for dead … Continue reading →

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