Barbie's Tree

This 'Sargentii' flowering crabapple tree was planted in the Spring 2007.
(date of this photo)

taken June 6, 2008

taken Sept. 30, 2008

taken April 17, 2010 (pruned)

next three photos taken Sept. 13, 2010

With Love.

"Memory Tree"

Click on the photos for enlargement!

Each time I glance through the window,

What a sight from the kitchen I see!
'Sargentii' exuding full blossom,
and memories beckon to me.

'Sargentii' "belongs" to my sister.
In her honor I planted this tree.
It's a tribute because we have missed her.
Her life's caught in our memory.

Can you think of anything sweeter?
Could celebration of life better be?
Than to cherish and care for a loved one
by planting a "Memory Tree?"

by Yours Truly with love to my family


*** 'Sargentii' is really Malas 'Sargentii', aka Sargent Flowering Crabapple.

Yes, I realize today is Arbor Day. It's a day I have celebrated each year in a variety of ways.

Many years ago, the Arbor Day Foundation sent (absolutely free of charge) second grade teachers a complete curriculum guide and supplies for preparing for and learning about Arbor Day. One could pick and choose activities that could take up to two weeks or so in learning about trees (I placed it in plant study). One activity of major interest was scarifying seeds, germinating them, and planting them. After 3 - 4 weeks on the classroom windowsill, they were ready to take home as mini-seedless, thornless honey locust trees. The children were so proud!


If you would like to visit the Arbor Day Foundation, click this link to their website. Find out their interests and promotions this year!

In the meantime, if you hadn't thought of it before,
place the idea of planting a "Memory Tree" in your memory bank.
You'll be glad you did.

Have a beautiful day!
SG

I've Been Sorting Photographs!

And walking a bit down memory lane.

This is my sister's tree.

It had been just recently planted when this photo was taken June 20, 2007.

These are 'Lady Sheila Ann Germaney Iris' early Spring Iris bulb plantings.
These were flowering April 6, 2008 around the tree. Daffodils bloomed later.








This photo was taken April 20, 2008.

These photos were taken May 7, 2008.
I was sure the tree was outdoing itself!
:-)

This photo was taken June 8, 2008.

And this photo was taken September 30, 2008.
I didn't take a Fall photo...
it wasn't very dramatic.

Have a great day!!

It's the Berries!

I'm taking a cue from Mr. McGregor's Daughter to post about the berries in my yard. She gives credit to Lisa from Greenbow who posted on Carol's (of May Dreams Gardens) post.

Someday I wish to have lots of berries for the birds! However, at this point, I think I have a fairly good start.

This bush is really turning red this fall.
It has all these little berry/seeds that I presume birds don't eat.
(I have more seedlings growing than you could believe!)

Euonymus alata 'Compactus'
Burning Bush

This plant is now one year and three months old!
And these three berries were all I could find.
I'm anticipating many more next Fall! :-)

Viburnum dentatum 'Blue Muffin'

This is an original planting.
It grows on the very shady east side of the house.
It is a little spindly but it continues to thrive.
It was identified as Arrowwood.
At this site it tells me that Arrowwood is really

Viburnum Dentatum 'Arrowwood'

This is another original planting to the house.
Everything I discover to read about this shrub
describes its Spring Fragrant Flowers (emphasis mine -
which means they're right!).
However, nowhere do I read about berries.
This is what I found, shown below.

Viburnum Burkwoodii 'Mohawk'

Around here, this tree is known as "Barbie's Tree."
This tree was planted in honor of my sister
whose death occurred two years ago this coming Oct. 16.
(The tree was planted June 19, 2007.)

Malus 'Sargentii'
aka 'Sargent Flowering Crabapple'

It is Very Floriferous in the Spring!
Just look at the crab apples! :-)

You, too, could post about your berries!
(If you haven't already done so.)

Have a berry nice day! ;-)
Shady G

Happy Independence Day!

I hadn't planned to plant anything to commemorate Independence Day,

but it dawned on me this morning
that I did have a "little something" patriotic
out there!
Yep, IVG, impatiens! ;-)

And lobelia. It really is a nice combination.
And they look Very sweet under my sister's tree.
:-)

Now, for the doings of a few minutes ago,
Tah-dah!
More "birdbaths!"

My dad will inherit one, as his birthday is July 16.
Below is the step-by-step:

On a sheet of plastic, create a mound of sand.
Cover the mound with plastic wrap (the kind you use in your kitchen).
Lay your leaf (rhubarb, hosta, etc.) over the plastic-covered sand mound.
Then mix your concrete and smooth it over the leaf.Make it fairly thick, all the way to the edges.

Below, I've placed straight-sided flower pots on the back of the concrete.
Then, using handfuls of concrete, I create a "ring" around the pot.
This will be the "foot" or "stand" for the birdbath/garden art.

:-)
A close-up.
Last, but not least, cover the concrete well with plastic.
Then, I used old towels to cover the plastic.
I will let them rest for about 3 days.
By then they should be cured,
and you will see a picture of the finished product later.

Please be safe this weekend.
Enjoy times with your friends and family.

Barbie's Tree

Barbie's Sargent Crab is experiencing its first Spring. It was planted last June 19 (2007) in her memory. It's exploding in bloom! It's wonderful and I'm glad I had it planted!

Enjoy your Spring!

The act of planting creates memories.

Reliving those memories is happens every time you step outdoors and take notice.