Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

Our camera and our computer have been having an argument so sorry for the delay in updates.  After some negotiations and threats to both of them, they are back to working and I am back to blogging!

Last weekend the famdamily visited Cheekwood so that I could catch up with an old co-worker who is now in charge of the color gardens and also so we could walk the grounds (for free even!)
We had a very fun day and took lots of photos.  We are going to try to go back once every two months to see the changes.

February 20, 2011

One of the two Contorted Filberts on the Grounds

Golden Oregon with Creeping Jenny

Never thought of using Golden Oregon, but since Lindsey liked it, I think I have a spot to add some, if I can find a grower around here

Silver Dollar Gum

I think these are zone 8-9 plants?  I need to check.  I love the winter leaves and would LOVE to have one in my garden, but do not think I can give it the attention to make it live.

Plum Yew

I never give this plant much though, but really looks good in the right environment.  They always remind me on an old Co-Worker who used them on every project.

Boxwood and Magnolia (Can you go wrong here?)

Espalier Mags are always up my sleeve for residential projects. This is a great example!

Lavender and Rosemary

Coming to a garden near me!

Dogwoods

A few of the extensive collection!

I currently have over 10 myself!

Winter Jasmine

I have lots of places I have been wanting to use this in my yard, but can not find a grower for it around here.

Entrance to the fantastic Color Garden!

I can not wait to see it with all the different vines in bloom!

Ellison and Elic Enjoying the time in the Environment!

Corylus avellana Contorta 'Red Majestic'

I went to true value to grab some materials for hanging the drywall this weekend.  Anytime I am there (or Lowe's or Home Depot) I am pulled into the garden section looking for deals on plants I do not need.  Well today I happened across a rare gem.  A Contourted Filbert or Harry's Walking Stick, is a little gem in any garden.  I have never really thought about using one since they are usually priced as high as most mid range Japanese Maples.  Well this one looked a little lonely in the sale line at True Value sitting there with a Birch missing 2 of his 3 canes and a redbud that was missing most her branches.  This Filbert stood out like a green thumb.  She was perfect and for $20 needed a new home!  After a little debate with my buddy J.T. Cunningham, Grassland Lawncare, (some of the best tree knowledge out there people, seriously give him a call!) I decided it would live in the desired location in front of the house.
And without further adieu, Here she is (please disregard the lack of mulch, I just cleaned the leaves out of the beds and have not remulched)

House and stressed inkerrys in the background.  Day Lillys coming up in the foreground

Inkberry in the back Rose Creek Abelia in the front

Rock wall needs some work behind that are my "Never Bloom" Hydrangeas " :(

Oh yea and my seeds are sprouting!

Starting the Garden...April 15th is right around the corner!

All this snow is really making me antsy for spring.  I am also look for a little revenge in my garden this year.  Last year I was defeated by my garden.  I planted 7 tomato plants, 4 bell peppers, 8 hot banana, 8 sweet banana, and 4 jalapeno plants.  I also have an asparagus fence and a grape vine.

Last year I picked 2 tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, and 30-40 hot & sweet peppers, and 20 or so jalapenos.

This year I am hoping for a much better result.

I think Ellison has reached an age that she might appreciate the garden this year and so I wanted her to help me from seed to table.  This will be the first year I have done this, so it will be a learning experience for both of us.  Along with having a gardening partner, I will be able to teach Ellison where food comes from, and hopefully by the end of summer, she will not respond "Publix."

I picked up a seed tray from the Habitat House for about $3 and my boss gave me seeds that he kept from his garden last year.

Ellison added the water

And we used some tweezers to add the seeds

We planted 72 pots with tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet and hot banana peppers, and jalapeno peppers and placed them in the window to grow.

About 15 minutes after we walked away, I went into the living room and found Ellison looking at the box intently, "Ellison, what are you doing?"  "Daddy, they not grow yet."

It is going to be a long 2 months....