Dried arrangement

This August I cut flowers to dry in my shed. Some of the plants I used were Peony seed heads, Penstemon seeds heads, Lavender, Joe Pye Weed and Panicum. I tied them into small bundles and hung them up side down in my shed. The shed is a dry dark place. It is perfect for drying flowers. This is the first time I tried drying Joe Pye Weed. The trick is to cut it before the flowers open.

I used a white pumpkin to make my fall dried arrangement. I also added fresh Lavender and a small amount of fresh Golden Chamaecyparis. I am hosting a bridal shower this weekend and few dried arrangements will add an elegant touch.

Fall Window Box

Yep! It is time to change the planters and window box for Fall. One thing to keep in mind, do you want to water? This has been a dry Fall so, Mother Nature has not been much help in keeping things green or alive. By omitting live plants I have created a maintenance free window box. I trimmed a few Juniper branches and added them for something that appears alive. Then I added two small pumpkins and an old bird house. There was some ivy still growing so, I left it in place.

Fall Color

For a brief time each year the colors are amazing. As an artist, I would love to be able to save color in a bottle. I can imagine holding the intense red leaf of a Burning Bush and having it melt in your hand. I don't think there is a name for every color in my yard.

Fun Decorating for Fall

This year, like every year since 1988 I cut up one white sheet and create a large spider web. The first spider web was at our house in Lemont, Illinois some twenty years ago. We have made it at every home since. When we lived in Indiana, we made a large web with our neighbors and connected our two houses. It has become a Halloween tradition, along with our very cool pumpkin carving. I started carving pumpkins when the children were small. I would surprise them when they got home from school with some type of extreme jack-o-lantern. Vicky has done a great job of taking over the pumpkin carving. I can't wait to see what she surprises us with this year.

August with the two Linda's

August was packed full of fun excursions. I spent one day a week with one of my Garden YaYa's, Linda. Not only are we both named Linda but our last initial is "H" too! Upon meeting some many years ago, we found we have lived parallel lives.

Trip #1 A train ride into Chicago. We visited the Farmers Market on Daly Plaza. I bought a wonderful Garlic and Cheese spread and Linda bought Chocolates. We shopped and had lunch at a sidewalk cafe. Later we strolled around the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park and finally, drinks and live music at the outdoor Park Grill. A Perfect day in the City!

Trip #2 A visit to the sustainable farm of the "Queen of Gardenista's" and founder of Market Day, Trudi Temple. She is one of the best "life" story tellers you will ever be inspired by. I promise you every gardeners wants to be apart of "Trudiland". She is not just a kindred spirit,

she is more of an energy, unique and exciting to be around.

Trip #3 What month would be complete without another trip into Chicago. This time my Irish twin and baba sista, Lisa and her friend Liz joined us. Yes, it was Linda, Linda, Lisa and Liz walking and embracing our look of suburban tourist lost in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. One gentlemen called us the Golden Girls (I am sure it was not about age, we are all blonds). We shopped and laughed. We had dinner at a wonderful Mexican Restaurant and of course there was more laughter. After dinner and two pitchers of Mexican mojitos, we were on our way to see the garden and outdoor entertaining area at the home of Rick Bayless. I love being me!

Next month, the Renegade Craft Fair in Bucktown. I am really going to try to shake the suburban house wife look. Wish me luck!

Trudi Temple farm walk

Last year we had the pleasure of having Trudi Temple speak at the Nursery. She also graciously welcomed us into her Hinsdale garden. This year Trudi has invited us to tour her Northern Illinois sustainable farm. One thing for certain, when Trudi is sharing her gardening knowledge, it is a memorable experience. I can't think of any other speaker I have enjoyed listening to more. Trudi is a kindred spirit. On Thursday August 12th we will be taking a chartered bus from Spring Bluff Nursery to Trudi's farm. We will enjoy lunch at the farm and Trudi will be our guide for this rare opportunity.

Nodding Onion

Last year I propagated Nodding Onion from our farm. I am excited to see it getting ready to bloom. This is a plant native to north east Illinois. The latin name is Allium cernuum. Unlike other allium, it has flat leaves. In early spring it is amongst the first plants to appear and it has a blue color to the leaves. The name comes from the nodding habit of the flower.

Early Morning in the Garden

The rain last night and the cooler air temperature made for early morning fog. What an enchanting setting for the garden. The garden is much work when you work full time but definitely worth it!! I am almost ready to mulch and like any gardener I know, I have thoughts of changing things. I am trying to talk Doug into making the patio bigger and moving the grilling area. We have a brick patio so it is easier to enlarge and keep the same theme. I think I have a good chance of a win this time.

Simple container

I put Sedum and Lantana together with an old bird house and left over curly willow branches. This container sits at my front door and everyone comments about it. I am having fun this year using odds and ends instead of all plants in my containers.

Window Box

Last year Jake built me a window box for Mother's Day. I planted it with a ton of beautiful flowers. This year my feelings are "keep it simple". I love the way it looks and the new Pretty Much Picasso petunia looks fabulous in it with red cabbage. Great job Linda!