Summer Quips
Stepping Outside the Box
Debbie Teashon
I LOVE SUMMER’S END!
September 12, 2012 — Yes, I shouted the title! I adore the end of summer in the Pacific Northwest because it's dry, the sun is out most of the time, and so many of my plants are at their best. I love putting a sweater on, sitting in the garden in the coolness of the early evening, soaking up the last rays of sun, sipping tea and petting the pup—it's a great day's end. I especially love the magic hour, right after the sun goes down, when the dreamlike light that photographers love permeates the garden. Even the most discerning eye can easily see how the garden’s kaleidoscope of hues glows in the fading light.
I designed and built this garden, from the rock walls to the containers, and named it my "courtyard garden." It is in the front of the house, and nestled in privacy from the street. The Heptacodium miconoides or seven-sons tree—my pride and joy—is in full bloom right now and as the flowers fade, the bracts will turn red for fall. I borrowed the view of the trees from across the street and made it part of the garden. It is my favorite place to be!
The Autumn Brothers
Three sedums coloring up at the end of summer.
Sedum 'Autumn Charm'
Sedum 'Autumn Fire'
Sedum 'Autumn Delight'
Summer End
Winds blow autumn closer
where the golden rods bloom,
and soon the leaves will fall
when the nights return to cool.
Timber Bamboo
PORTLAND — August 23, 2012 — What's lurking in the rafters at the Farwest Show in Portland, Oregon. Bamboo Garden's display of quite tall timber bamboo reaches beyond the lighting—an amazing display.
Chicken Wire Gown
PORTLAND — August 23, 2012 — At Oregon's Farwest Show these chicken wire gowns were found in the Showcase for New Plant Varieties brought many oohs and ahhs from the ladies that attended the show. Landscape designer, Amy Whitworth and Ann Murphy of Oregon Association of Nurseries formed the dresses from chicken wire. Linda Beutler designed the bodices on each one. This chicken wire gown was named Sunny Girl.
Sedum 'Autumn Charm'
July 31, 2012 — Sometimes flowers say too much; just show me some splendid foliage!
The Silence of the Whine
July 10, 2012 — It’s always time to whine when I am forced to sit at my computer desk with a pile of work looming over me on a sunny summer day. Just like a whiney child, all I want to do is go outside and play. Nevertheless, yesterday I pulled out a container filled with three lilies (Lilium ‘Yelloween’) from my back holding area. I put the one-gallon pot into a decorative container and placed it outside my window where I am working. The window is wide open, and I am catching their fantastic fragrance drifting into the room.
My work is still there, but I’m no longer whining.
July 9, 2012 — I don't play with my images often enough.
July 8, 2012 — I always love to spot our native Pacific Tree Frog. Here he is hanging out on the side of my greenhouse. It looks like my little friend has lost a toe on his back leg. No problem for him, he'll just grow another one.
I looked at those tiny toes and thought they would make a unique font. You never know what's going to wander through this brain at 10:30 at night. Brain said try it—here's the result.
July 5, 2012 — Summer came in with a deluge of rain. It's officially the first day of summer in the Pacific Northwest. Let the heat complaints begin!
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Wendy Tweton and Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners)