Weird Angles

Because my balcony is only 10 feet by 3 feet it is very hard to get perspective. I find my best viewing angle is to lean out my daughter's window and look at the balcony from the side. If I try to look up from the street you can't see much, because it is on the third floor. And if I try to take it in sitting out there, I am so close I am seeing all trees and no forest. For taking pictures, I often find I like the shots from above a container, because it gives you that sense of layers that an actual garden has.

Portulaca love

I am loving my portulacas. I wish my camera could get the color right. They are a spectacular orange, like a mango blended with a tomato! Not nearly as pink as they appear here.

 

Portulacas



Stubborn Clematis

The trouble with clematis on a balcony is that they always want to turn their faces away and look outward...a stubborn and independent child. I have to force them to address me by tying, twisting and bending them so that they are looking at me when I sit on the balcony. Well, at least one or two. The rest just do what they want.

 

Ernest Markham Clematis



OH NO!!!!

I have just realized to my horror that a window box of what I assumed were anemones taking their time to bloom, is instead full of some unidentified and I fear unwanted invader. I am freaked out!!! Two gardening freak outs in a row. I am posting pictures of my anemones from last year to make myself feel better.

 Sylphide Anemone, Crocuses, Pansies and Hyacinths

 

 

 

 

 

 



Planternal Instincts!

How did I know? Yesterday morning I was infused with a protective anxiety for my clematis. Since it just unfurled you would think that I would  relax and glory in it's gloriousness for a week or so. But no, yesterday morning I was writing about saying goodbye to it and what happens...Last night we are hit with a high wind advisory. Total werewolf city. Clouds rocketing past a full moon, wind moaning, trees bending. And when the light comes on this morning, what do I see on my balcony? A very battered newly hatched Ernest Markham Clematis. Poor baby...

 

 



Flower Anticipation

My problem with perennials is that you are always saying goodbye. I have been waiting and waiting for this clematis to open. Now that it has obliged, I want it to stay forever. As soon as my flowers appear I am beginning to say goodbye. I almost prefer the anticipatory stage before they bloom because I don't want to see them fade! Thank goodness for happy little annuals that will bloom on endlessly!

Ernest Markham Clematis

Subtle/Spectacular

I am naturally drawn to spectacular color choices in garden and container plantings. But when we moved into our coop the board made it clear that they did not want me to go too crazy with the balcony plantings. This has forced me to simmer down and explore some subtler options to mix in with the showy stuff. I can go either way on this necessity, happy to be pushed in a gentler direction or royally pissed off that I can't create a jungle up here!

                                    Stone Crop, Bacopa, Violas (and some fading Hyacinths)

 

 

 

And here is my more spectacular self: 

                                                    

 

 

Dahlias, Scaveola, and Pelargoniums

My maiden post

My first post! In an effort to avoid inundating my Facebook friends with countless posts about my obsessive gardening, I have started this blog. Then I will be able to reach only the equally obsessed and leave out the poor souls who can't tell a clematis from a clementine! Now let's see if I can figure out how Blogger works. Not sure if you can teach an old gardener new tricks!

 

Grape Hyacinths,Heart's Delight Tulips, Ruby Giant Crocus