Endless Summer Hydrangea

"Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer'
USDA Cold hardiness Zone 4 to 9

These Hydrangea were planted in early September 2011, in a raised bed bordering a driveway in Lansing, New York on a hillside lot overlooking Cayuga Lake.  The bed with sandy soil was freshened with topsoil and peatmoss.  Mulch was spread over the area.


This plant is the first repeat blooming mop-head Hydrangea to be developed.  Spent flowers should be removed to maintain blooms from spring to fall.  Cut the emerging spring growth back to half to increase the number of blooms.  The color will vary from blue (acidic) to pink (alkaline) depending on the soil. The shrub will reach 3-5 feet tall and wide.  Water regularly, when the top 3 inches of soil is dry.  Filtered sun is best.  During the first growing season follow a regular watering schedule to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer before spring growth.  Prune to shape after flowering.  

August 2013
Plant about two feet tall

'Black Sprite' cornflower

USDA hardiness zones 3-9
Centaura montana

Centaura montana

This perennial grows in a bed bordering the front porch in sandy soil in Lansing, New York. Two plants were put in.  It is deer resistant and an old fashioned favorite that can  be used for cut flowers or in dried arrangements.  This hybrid (new this year) has purplish black flowers that bloom July to August on plants growing up to 14 inches tall.  The centaurea is also available with white, pink, yellow or blue flowers.

In 2012, the first full growing season, the plants bloomed at the beginning of June.
The  plants are about 10 inches tall.

Crimson King Norway Maple Tree/Erable

USDA hardiness zones: 3B through 7

This showy tree is the  feature tree in a front yard in Lansing, New York.   The Crimson King Norway Maple grows to a height of 35 to 45 feet with a spread of about 25 to 30 feet.  It is popular for its purple-green foliage throughout the summer and its dark maroon or bronze colour in the fall.  It is the most commonly planted street tree in the U.S.  It is shade tolerant and deer resistant.  The oval to rounded crown has  maroon-yellow flowers in the spring.  It is native to Europe and was introduced in Philadelphia in 1792 as an ornamental street tree. 

Acer platenoides "Crimson King"

The Maple Tree Swing May 2012

Tide Hill Boxwood

"buxus miccrophylla"  
Cold hardy to Zone 5
This low growing evergreen shrub  grows alongside other perennials in a bed bordering the front porch in Lansing, New York. There are four plants, spaced among several hostas, bordered by rocks and covered with mulch.  These plants are young and right now measure about 8" high and 8" wide but should grow to about 1 to 2 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide.  They should be fertilized each spring.  Their small oval leaves retain their dark green colour throughout the year.  The plant is known to be hardy, easy to grow and deer resistant. 

August 203
About 12 inches high

Woodside Rhapsody Daylily/Hémérocalle

hemerocallis

This Trophytaker Daylily grows by the pond in a partly shady garden with an eastern exposure in Red Deer, Alberta.  This plant usually waits until August to flower.  The first bloom arrived in mid-August this season.  The 4 inch flowers are deep purple with a green-white throat.  They have a high bud count. They are known to be fragrant ( must remember to check that out next year). 

Hush Little Baby Daylily/Hémérocalle

hemerocallis

This Trophytaker Daylily grows by the pond in a partly shady garden with an eastern exposure in Red Deer, Alberta.  This plant usually waits until August to flower.  This year the first bloom arrived in mid-August.  This lily has beautiful ruffled and rose colored flowers.  The blooms measure 5" across.

Hush Little Baby August 7 2012

Benny's Apple Tree/Le pommier

Late May/June 2011 blossoms

Apples ready to pick August 13, 2011

Loaded with apples summer 2011

This apple tree grows in a large backyard with a southwest exposure in Red Deer, Alberta.  Surrounded by other large trees it gets good sun in the morning and early afternoon but by evening it is mostly shaded.  The name of the tree is still under research but it is well suited for the Alberta climate.  The peel of the apple is green and transparent and is well suited for apple pies and apple crisps.  There is no need to peel the apple for baking but the larger apples can be peeled if desired.  The grandchildren like to nibble on the fruit but generally speaking these apples are a bit tart for most tastes.  As soon as the apples are ready it is wise to begin the harvest.  They don't store well if left on the tree too long as the peel begins to yellow and the flesh of the apple begins to soften and bruise easily.  

August 15, 2012   Yellow Transparent Apple Crop

In the spring of this year, 2012, we saw no blossoms and assumed that there would be no pies or other apple treats from Benny's tree this year.  A close look at the beginning of August small groups of apples were spotted and now the middle of August and we are getting ready to harvest.

May 27, 2013 Benny's Tree is full of blossoms.

The bees are very busy in the blossoms.