Tag: Bluestar

Awkward Allies: Gardening And Chemotherapy

I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy of some kind since August of last year, shortly after I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During that same period I’ve continued to be an avid, some would say fanatic, gardener, as I have been for about the last five decades of my life. The two things are linked in my …

Blue Flowers for June

June is the month of blue flowers, or so it seems in our garden. Sadly, we are missing one of my favorites, Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis), which was lost to sewer repair. I planted a replacement, but it won’t bloom this year.

Garden Keeping Calm for the Moment

This is not one of those times when the garden is a riot of color. It is bursting with lushness and growth, true, but tranquil greens predominate. There are some blooms, but mainly in cool whites and lavenders.

Back And Sides

Most of the horticultural drama around here is in the front garden. But we shouldn’t forget that on either side of the house there are narrow strips within our property lines. And then there’s the back garden. Let’s take a look at what’s going on in those relatively neglected areas.

Spring Onions and Geraniums Gone Wild

These days if you walk by our house the first thing to strike your eye will be the ‘Globemaster’ Alliums blooming in the Parkway Bed.

The Lurie Garden in February (2018)

The snow has melted, and Judy has been anxious to take pictures of the Lurie Garden before all the plants are mowed down. Last Saturday we both had reason to be in the loop, so while I was working Judy took some time to wander Lurie Garden with her camera.

The Lurie Garden in October

October is the golden month at the Lurie Garden.

Perennial Winners and Losers in the Sidewalk Border

The Sidewalk Border was the second border that I added to the garden. We moved into our house in July, 2003. Next day I went to work on the Driveway Border. The following spring I started digging up turf along the sidewalk for the Sidewalk Border.

The Lurie Garden in July

I wanted to capture the Lurie Garden while the flowers of early July, especially the Echinaceas, were still blooming their hearts out. Judy was out of town, so I took the camera to work with me a couple of days ago so I could take pictures during my lunchtime walk to the garden.

Time for Cutting Back, Or Not

During late May and early June I spend a lot of time cutting back my perennials.