Monday, August 11, 2014

The gardens at Ham Lake

It was just a matter of time before the urge to beautify my own little corner of the world took over.



The family expressed their interest in having us stay for three months next year, so since we will be spending a fourth of our time in Minnesota, I figured I may as well put down roots...literally.


So it was off to Lowes and Wal-mart to scoop up some of the left over hostas they had on hand.


Then I took the shovel I borrowed from the kids into the woods in search of ferns to add at the back.  

Nothing like shopping in your own backyard...literally.

I really only intended to plant a couple of hostas between the two trees, then they sort of meandered around and soon the bed was much larger than I expected.

I guess old habits die hard.



I don't want to spend a lot of money on this plot, but I just had to have the astilbe and this Cherokee Spirit coneflower for the area that gets a little more sunshine.





Now I have the bird feeder up as well as a little hanging water station and the finch and chickadees have begun to show up.  

So, the hummingbird feeder was hung as well.  


Last year I had no birds so didn't bother, now I wish I'd have put them up sooner.


It's fun to sit in my rocking chair and admire the beginnings of a nice shade garden that I can watch grow year after year, adding some of my favorite plants as I go along.

Long Live the Queen of Roots

9 comments:

  1. At least you didn't sew a tree skirt... It looks very nice and I hope it will be awaiting your return.

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  2. Old habits do die hard, but I don't remember year end sales and Wal-Mart in our shopping adventures!

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    1. Yup...this was a first for me. I was amazed to find the rainforest sunrise hosta and the drinking gourd - a couple of my favorites. I guess they must be getting more common now. I was wishing they had ligularia and astaboides tabularis for both Steph's and my garden. Hmmmm. Might need to run to Flower Factory again anyway next year.....of course I have no idea where in the world you might be.

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  3. sure hope you get to keep that same space year after year!

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    1. We do. This is our third summer and we reserve the same spot each year.

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  4. I agree, make sure to reserve this same space in advance for the years coming up. It really does look nice and homey. There's nothing like a garden and birds to make a place home. Enjoy your space and have a super day. Hugs, Edna B.

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    1. We always have this same shady spot - reserve it every year.

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  5. If you go back year after year, I hope you will post updates with copies of the previous years. We can watch it grow with you. Did you find anything local to transplant into your secret garden?

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  6. I like that idea. I'll have to start a Ham Lake Garden file to show the progression from year to year. Good idea! Now remember not to get crazy and try to ride that new bike with Andrea on the handlebars. Remember those days? I don't know how we ever did that.

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