Plum Tree

This plum tree, planted summer 2012, grows in a sunny backyard overlooking Cayuga Lake, at a home in Lansing, New York.  This summer it has produced a multitude of tasty plums which are just beginning to ripen in the second week of August.  They have, so far, escaped the hungry deer that are prevalent in the area but have not escaped the hungry hands of the "little ones" who are anxious to taste the fruit off their very own plum tree.  More research is needed to determine the variety of plum tree but clicking on Plum will lead to a link on growing plum trees.

August 2014

August 2014

"Pastel Splendor" Itoh Peony

Fast forward to spring of 2016.  The Itoh Peony has moved to Norglenwold after spending the fall and winter in Kuusamo, both on Sylvan Lake.  The lake was out the earliest as far as available records could be found, April 15, and it seemed like a good time to move the Itoh.  We have been preparing the front flower bed and moved the Itoh on 

Sunday, April 17, 2016.  Stay posted for further growth. 

April 17, 2016

July 2014

This Itoh Peony was planted near the end of July in Benny's garden (southwest exposure).  

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July 6, 2019 First blooms of many more to come this year

July 6, 2019 First blooms of many more to come this year

July 7, 2022 (First planted in Red Deer 2014) 

8 years old now

July 7, 2022 (First planted in Red Deer 2014) 

8 years old now

Forget- Me -Nots in the Bruce Heart Gardens

These Forget-Me-Nots are growing in the Bruce Heart Gardens in Kuusamo Crest, Sylvan Lake.

July 2014

Blue Himalayan Poppy in the Bruce Heart Gardens

This seedling, the beginning of a Himalayan Poppy is seen in the "Bruce Heart Gardens" on a hill overlooking Sylvan Lake.  Growing the Himalayan Poppy can be challenging and I have been told, yet still need to verify, that the Himalayan Poppy is a biannual.

Early July 2014

Rhubarb

1. We now have eight rhubarb plants in the yard and are hoping for a good crop of rhubarb for pies, jams and crisps.

   

   The two newest plants, seen below, (July 2014) are "Canada Red".

   Click Rhubarb for a link to more information.
   

   
   

   

   1. 

   Of the other six plants, six of them are Strawberry Rhubarb (three clumped together), which is similar to the Canada Red.  The sixth rhubarb is a greener, hardier, yet less sweet variety (perhaps a German Wine).  
2. Rhubarb is a vegetable, but it is often cooked, sweetened and combined with other fruits as a dessert.  It is an ancient plant traced back to China in 2700 BC.  It was used for medicinal purposes as a laxative, to reduce fever and cleanse the body.

I have always cut the rhubarb stalks when harvesting but recently read that it is better to pull the stalks rather than cut them.  The stalks detach easily and this way doesn't leave a stump to rot.  The leaves are poisonous and should be discarded.  It is best to pull the young tender stalks, leaving three or four strong stems.

Spruce Trees

These very tall spruce trees provide a window to the lake.

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

Irises in the Bruce Heart Gardens

These irises are blooming in the Bruce Heart Gardens which is across the road from the cabin. 

They are growing in full sun. 

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 30, 2019 Photo by Reegan

Lupins in the Bruce Heart Gardens

These lupins are blooming in the Bruce Heart Gardens which is across the road from the cabin.  

They are growing in full sun.

June 29, 2014

Lupins do well in neutral to slightly acidic soil.  They don't need rich loam which can lead to root rot, especially if they are planted in an area that is not well drained.  Sandy and/or rocky soil promote the growth of the lupin's deep tap root.

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 30, 2019 Photo by Reegan

June 30,2019 Photo by Reegan

June 30,2019 Photo by Reegan

Bugnet Roses in the Bruce Heart Gardens

These heritage roses are blooming in the Bruce Heart Gardens which is across the road from the cabin. 

 They are from the "Bugnet Collection of Roses".

The "Thérése Bugnet" rose, named after Mr. Bugnet's sister (a nun in France), is a hybrid from the native Alberta rose, a Russian double wild rose and several cultivated species.  It is a very hardy 5 to 6 foot shrub rose which produces double pink blossoms starting mid-June and on until a killing frost in the fall.  Other hardy double flowering shrub roses he developed are the "Marie Bugnet", a double, white very thorny rose,  the "Betty Bugnet", a double, deep pink, the "Louise Bugnet", a double, white, very fragrant, rose with sparse thorns, the "Madeline Bugnet", a double, pink, very thorny, compact rose bush.

The roses pictured below are from the Bugnet Collection but I have not yet been able to identify them by specific name.

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 30, 2019 Photo by Reegan

June 30, 2019 Photo by Reegan

Pine Tree

This is Tristan's grade one tree.  He has been looking after it at home for a year now and today (June 2014) he is planting it at the cabin in the back yard with sandy soil.

Canada's nine species of pine can be divided into two groups; the soft pines with needles in bundles of five, and the hard pines with needles in bundles of two or three.