flynn070

The month of May has flown by in a flash. We have had a record-breaking dry May which makes me sad. I cannot remember the last time we had a good rain but the garden looks pretty lush nevertheless. The Pan Garden (above) has not filled in yet and I keep tinkering with the planting, moving things around and replacing others. Since this photo was taken, Michael pulled out the edging and buried it deeper. It looks so much better...  The major project - the terracing of the slope (below) - is finally drawing to a close. I think one or two more loads of rocks will complete it. The middle set of steps will be planted in grass, or at least that it my current plan. I think there is enough going on in the side beds and the eye needs a place to rest.  Standing at the top set of steps (at the far right in the above photo) gives this view - a sense of accomplishment -  Over on the opposite side is our only shady spot and we refer to as the woodland path - About a month ago, we moved ...

My father's favorite cake was Carrot Cake and my mother made it often and always on his birthday. I could not find my mother's recipe. While searching, I kept coming across recipes that had pineapple and hers did not have that. Maida Heatter to the rescue! She actually has several different Carrot Cake recipes but this is the one that I remember. I decided to make this as a loaf cake so that it would be easy to share. I don't believe it made any difference in taste and it made two loaves. I also used pecans instead of walnuts. The cake is very, very moist and delicious. Of course, the icing is arguably the best thing about the cake! The recipe calls for corn oil but you can use vegetable or saffron oil. (Recipe from Maida Heatter's Cakes  (Andrews & McMeel Publishing, 2011 ed. , pg. 176). Cake 1 cup dark raisins 4 cups shredded carrots, firmly packed 2 cups minus 2 TBS. sifted all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 TB...

Spirea 'Ogon' with New Zealand Flax (Phormium 'Rainbow Queen') in the background. Foliage Follow-up is hosted by Pam at Digging and is a follow-up to Bloom Day. Everything is greening up nicely here despite the fact that we are notably behind on rainfall. Physocarpus opulifolius 'Amber Jubilee' (Ninebark) We have two Ninebarks in the garden. The other is 'Coppertina' and it is covered with a white powdery substance that I figure is powdery mildew. I plan to get out and do something for it later this week. Cotinus coggygria ' Royal Purple ' (Smoke Tree) and  Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki' (Dappled willow) Deschampsia flexuosa 'Aurea' (Tatra Gold Hair Grass) Yes, there are flowers but I think the leaves are the highlight of  Cornus kousa 'Celestial Shadow' (Dogwood) Picea pungens (Colorado Blue Spruce 'Globosa' Picea orientalis 'Skylands' Abies pinsapo ‘Glauca’ (Blue Spanish Fir) Juniper 'Daub'...

Spanish Lavender, Barberry 'Orange Rocket', California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Black Diamond') Spring is officially here (or is it Summer - it was 90 yesterday, ugh) and seemingly overnight, the garden is full of so many blooms that I can hardly keep up with all of them. An embarrassment of riches or a hot mess, I am not sure which I have. One thing is for sure - plants grow fast here in the Pacific Northwest. I am pleased that there seems to be very few losses in the garden. We did have a mild winter. The advice from local gardeners that excellent drainage is the key to success for a wide range of plants is well taken. We have good drainage on our property already and I always add lots of additives as well as planting slightly above ground level. The terraced beds are elevated and very dry although our clay-ish soil probably holds more moisture than I realize. Here are some of the plants in that area - Cerinthe purpurascens (Honeywort) is a new plant for me. I got it at last...