As an obsessed gardener, I can sense right away when I am visiting a garden belonging to fellow fanatics. Dianne and Dan Latham’s garden gave me that feeling right away during the visit that took place as part of the Minneapolis Garden Bloggers Fling back in July. In fact, I’m compelled to say that their dedication is awe-inspiring.
Rhonda Fleming Hayes is the author of Pollinator Friendly Gardening, and we were able to visit her Minneapolis garden on the first morning of the fling.
Another place we visited during the Minneapolis Fling was the Lyndale Park Gardens. This is a Minneapolis public park with multiple gardens that collectively include quite a few diversions for people who love plants.
Scott at Rhone Street Gardens had the idea of posting a picture of seedheads on every Sunday. The inspiration was well-timed, as fall and winter are the seasons for seedheads in the garden. I was struck by some of the seedheads I saw in the garden this afternoon, so I’ve decided to shamelessly imitate Scott’s idea.
So I think the time has come to start posting about the Minneapolis Garden Bloggers Fling, which happened back in July. Let’s start with our visit to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden.
First, I have to say that I am heartsick over yesterday’s election. Heartsick, and worried about what the future has in store. However, I don’t want to write about the election. I spend a lot of time on politics, and one of the reasons I started this blog was to get my mind onto other things.
Also, I believe that in dark times we need our gardens, and all the things that give us joy, more than ever.
So for today’s post I’m going to extend some recognition to the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis). Not one of your glamour trees, the Common Hackberry. The name itself sounds rather blunt and utilitarian. However, this is a tree with some important virtues.
There’s some decent fall color in our garden right now, though it’s an area I’ve identified for future improvement. This long, mild autumn has given us more time to enjoy the seasonal hues, though for some plants it may have delayed the arrival of fall color.
This is Bluestar’s big moment at the Lurie Garden, particularly Arkansas Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii). The big billowing plant with needle-like leaves has turned from green to gold. When I took these pictures yesterday, they were scattered around the garden like golden clouds come to earth.
On the day before Halloween, Judy and I decided to walk around the neighborhood to check out whatever autumn color was close at hand. There are some nice parks and forest preserves that are not too far away but we just didn’t feel like driving.
It’s a good thing I got the 200 daffodil bulbs from Colorblends planted pretty fast, because hard on their heels (do bulbs have heels?) came the tulip bulbs from John Scheepers.
gardeninacity 