On Little Limes, Pond Scum and Deer Control

in my daughter’s garden. Just because I didn’t think to take pictures of mine before coming up to CT.

Plant of the Week:

Little Lime Hydrangea

This plant… it’s a success story. Bred from H. ‘Limelight’ and another paniculata type hydrangea, it is a perfect size to provide color and interest, but not towering bulk like its big bro ‘Limelight’ . The flowers are iridescent green when the appear, then fade to a soft white or pink, then age to a subtle burgundy, like a fine fall wine.

No hydrangea ever needs any pruning, but if you get scissor happy, you could take it down to its sturdiest stems in winter. That will result in more compact plants and larger flowers.

Easy to grow in full sun or part shade, its blooms last and last— you can cut them, dry them, or let them hang on all winter to collect some snow for your winter interest.

This is the magic that happens in fall. Summer limes; fall burgundy.

Painting and Plant Pairing

from

Karen Blair

You heard me mention my friend Karen Blair on the pod this week. Karen is a Charlottesville based painter whose work I know you would love. She is known for her joyous use of color and for exuberant mark-making. Her own garden and those of friends inspire the flowers and trees also prevalent in her paintings.

My Hyacinth bean vine and either Moon Flower or Morning Glory. Either way its an Ipomoea.

I am so excited to have this partnership with Karen, and each week I will feature here one of her paintings with a corresponding garden photo! Follow this link to see more of her paintings.

And follow her on Instagram here.

Once again, this is not mine. Not only did I forget to take picture of my pond before I left, but my pond is not as clean as this. Yet.

Pond Patrol

Pond scum— an insult that identifies the victim as a very low form of life indeed. Not only primitive, but also noisome, my scum was bringing me down. I didn’t enjoy sitting by my little pond, and I could not locate my fish.

So I went shopping, and I found this!

OASE 602401853010 Pondovac Classic Pond Vacuum Cleaner!!!

And I got to work. Such satisfaction. As you can observe in these photos, there is a clear plastic section of the hose attachment. It turns very brown as the scum goes on its merry way.

Before long I will be back to being able to sit by my pond and see my fish. .