Grandma's Gardens #18: One Last Gift ...

oh what a wonderful surprise!!
Gorgeous.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

They are gorgeous, GrandmaT. ... a nice blend of many strong colours. I like the magenta.

Is that a Japanese Maple in the 3rd last photo?

-- jroot

Thank you …

Yup, that is a Japanese Maple. We (okay really hubby) planted it Spring of 2007, our first summer in the house. “She” seems to be doing really well, lots of new growth last year and this year. Rounds out that corner of the porch quite nicely, I think.

This is the first garden that I didn’t worry about colors blending or matching … I just planted whatever I wanted or was interested in growing. A real change for me.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Gram.. In the second picture, pink tree form looking thing. What is that?

-- Planting Daylilies in Kentucky, zone 6b

It is a Weeping Rose Tree … the bigger of the two. Color is Raspberry. I have them both staked, hence the white near the bark. Ordered them from Jackson & Perkins the first summer we were here. You can see it clearer in the first picture … the rose tree that is the furthest from you.

(Sorry the pics are kind of blurry …)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

IF you move, can you take them with you?

-- jroot

My understanding is that roses grow quite well in Arizona. It is a terribly long drive out there, so not sure I want to really mess with taking them with us. And, I am already stressing about taking all my African Violets, along with my Piggyback Plant. It would be worth the money to just purchase the Rose Trees once we get out there. They were not outrageously priced and Jackson and Perkins do run some good sales.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Roses are grown for california in Texas. I’m not sure how much hotter you are in arizona we get about 110 here in the central valley and my roses stand up to it. Whites and some of the purples don’t like it to much but the others do really well. We grew about three thousand roses at the nursery I ran. I could probably put together some of my favorites for hot weather Grandma. Always Lulu

That is great to actually hear and speak with someone growing them in that environment … so much better than just seeing the roses out there in many of the yards. Would love to know some of your favorites when you have the time … I’m quite excited to know you are gardening in the zone we will eventually be moving to. :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Beautiful shots GramT.The colour is amazing in those gardens.I think gardens that just come together instead of plannning where each colour will go are the best.Shake em up and plant em I say.Just keep the size and height in mind when doing so.I think they are trying to thank you for all your TLC one last time before frost comes.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Grandma this is just quick note. My friend Fred actually grew in the arizona area so there are things he has talked about and I’ll be quizzing him too. I love this thanks for your note. Always Lulu

Thanks Bon!! Been a fun year in this garden … have loved every moment of it!!

And Lulu, I’ll just wait to hear from ya in the future. Thanks for all your help!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Oh Gran’T ….. what a splash of colours to welcome you home! Beautiful, beautiful indeed.

-- blooz 5b - You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~author unkown

Thank you Blooz … it was a nice surprise indeed!!! :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

NICE TO SEE YOU ARE BACK FROM YOUR TRAVELS GRANDMA, WHAT WAS THE NIGHTLIFE LIKE IN ARIZONA?
I RECENTLY WENT TO A POLE DANCING CLUB AND A LAP DANCING VENUE AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DID NOT MEET ANYONE FROM POLAND OR LAPLAND!!!!
REGARDS MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

ROTHFMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I can type between the laughter … thanks Mike, it’s kinda nice to be home (okay, I’m missing our kids and grandkids something fierce at the moment) ... Nighlife in Arizona … have to ask my children, they hit Frontier Town one night for some “clubing” (food, dancing and a bit of liquor). They had a blast. Me and hubby, well we stayed home and babysat. Hmmmmmm, I think we are sounding like “old farts” ... hahahaha!!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Oh these are just gorgeous

So pretty

I would give anything to harvest seeds this year

But it is rain rain every single day since over a month

I can’t even get my lawns mowed

The boys had an hour tonite and got a little bit done then it began pouring again. It takes 3 hours to mow and whipper snip my place

sigh!!!!

-- NS Zone 5B 200 KM East of Halifax cheers Bunting------Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family.

Mike, too bad, I’ll miss “Pole”land and “Lap”land when we are on our cruise. From a man of experience, Mike, it sounded potentially good. I’m sure my wife would be interested. .... NOT LOL

GrandmaT, you are never too old to enjoy a little night life. ;) .... just a little …. wouldn’t want to stress the heart …. or whatever… :)

Actually, when my wife and I were in Arizona, we did enjoy the night life. The restaurants were excellent (mostly), and the night temperatures were quite enjoyable. A city is quite different at night. You see a completely different side of it.

-- jroot

Yes, you are quite right jroot … it is very enjoyable to be out during the evening hours in Arizona … beautiful, beautiful nights there. Hubby and I love the clear skies filled with stars. Even Christmas time, with a sweater and fire going, evenings are very pleasant. I imagine once we get there permanently, we will explore a little more during the nights. Our evenings were mainly filled with family and grandchildren—out on our daughter’s back porch; watching those twinkling stars and just enjoying each other’s company. Wonderful … :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

beautiful and quite the change from what you first posted when you bought the house

-- Central northish Ontario

Thanks Greenthumb … I really appreciate your kind words. And yah, it is a HUGE change from our first summer here. I added quite a bit this summer to the “foundation” plantings that I planted last summer. And then the roses really took off too. I have enjoyed working this little garden very, very much … maybe why “she” rewarded me with this last beautiful display of color!! :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Beautiful pictures of beautiful plants GranT!

I am sure that when you are in Arizona, your gardens are going to be the envy of your neighborhood
with all of your containers, and your green thumb!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Thank you so much “E”!!!!! You are so sweet!! We shall see what happens in Arizona … all I know is I am looking forward to our new journey when my good Lord sees fit to begin it. :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b