The Haunted Gardens

Adding Color to My Haunted Garden

2012-01-10T14:45:00.000-05:00

Adding Color to My Haunted Garden

Color for the Haunted Garden

It has been awhile since I have posted. Life demanded a lot of my time dealing with family issues and Ihave missed my hobbies I'm so fond of. One of them being a "HauntedGarden" every year for Halloween. It's that time of year when theseed catalogs arrive in the mailbox and I always find new plants I want to try.

The one below is a "Rainbow Chili Plant" and thedifferent colors the pepper make as they mature, are like eye candy. Minegrew all summer and was so beautiful last fall I brought it in the house whereit survived up until November (it's not really an inside plant). This year I plan on planting a whole row!

Every year I try to add a couple of new varieties.
I have already discovered a plant I must try thisyear.
It is an "Ornamental Eggplant", Pumpkin on a Stick.

It looksdelightful and I can imagine it adding beautiful shades of green to yellow toorange in my Haunted Garden this year. I imagine painting little faces onthe fruit for beautiful Autumn Bouquets! They could also be used as a funproject with small children like my granddaughters who love to paint with me!

Pumpkin

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"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."

- Henry David Thoreau

Flower bombing

2011-08-10T14:35:00.001-04:00

Ever driven by an ugly field or an empty part of your property and though "flowers would be so lovely here" - well, here is your chance (actually, next spring would be better) to make it happen. They are called Flower Grenades.

The "grenade" is made of clay and full of flower seeds. The clay will dissolve in the rain and in a month or so you should see some wild flowers.

Although this seems fun and throwing them into vacant lots seems harmless....I recommend you keep the "bombing" to your own property...just to be safe :)

These are from the UK - but you can get them here in the US through Amazon.

I guess it is a love/hate relationship

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that I have with spiders....they creep me out (the real ones) but I love Halloween.....so they fit there. That is why a few years ago when I remodeled my patio garden we had these gates made.

Current photo

Looks lovely in the snow also last December

They are one of my favorite things in the yard.

I keep them in the garden

2011-08-05T19:49:00.003-04:00

instead of the closet :) (my skeletons that is)

I just planted the pumpkins around him the other day, by October the vines should just be starting to curl around and through him and the flowers blooming. Makes for a great photo opportunity.

And it confuses the heck out of people that visit the house! I like that.

In the posts are a columnar pear and a dwarf apple. I love fruit, but fruit trees make quite a mess. After the last of them died (my plum tree,) I told myself only small fruit trees in the future. These two are perfect for us!

Dark plants

2011-08-01T18:20:00.005-04:00

I am always on the look out for dark plants.....just fit well with my dark personality :)

I found the new deep red and black begonia called Lorraine Closson. Not a huge fan of begonias, just never could get them to grow without looking all stringy and the stems are kinda see through. Yes, those are technically gardening terms....at least at the Graveyard :D

But this begonia has tight leaves and a lot of of them and the colors are amazing. I had to have it. Thought that it would be a good contrast in the shadier grotto garden area by the shop - it would look good against the cream house color and the red trim. This pot is right outside the shop door....I have second one by the gate, they flank the entrance to the covered patio.

But the pot that I wanted to use as an old antique cast iron thingy in it - probably part of an old fence. So I needed to find something tall. I have enough grasses in the yard, so I went on a search for tall dark plants that can handle pots - at least for a year or two, no luck. So back to grasses and I find a purple millet called Purple Barron. Love it, I think it works well with the begonia. I just planted them so they are going to take a few weeks to fill the pot out.

I am very happy with what I have read about this millet and looking forward to moving it to on of the border beds in a few years. (If I really wanted this pot to look fuller - should have gotten two millets per pot - oh well, live and learn.) As for the begonia.....they usually do not survive our wet winters.....we will see.

Yes, that small plant to the right of the pot has citronella......we spend a lot of time out there so I am going to see if this helps keep the mosquito off us while we are hanging on the patio which we will be doing a lot of while we are building the new abbey facade.

What are your favorite dark colored plants?

The softer side

2011-07-27T17:41:00.000-04:00

of the Davis Graveyard. Here are pictures of the flower garden in our back yard. The fence has been replaced and the arbor has been rebuilt.

A bright and colorful contrast to the black and gray graveyard decor. See, the frog queen likes color too.

I wish you all lived closer, I would love to have you over for tea in the garden!

For more pictures of the yard and the property - check out the post husband did on the Davis House blog.

Is that there all the time?

2011-07-26T13:17:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes it is.

I am constantly surrounded by lovely people that love this Halloween stuff we do. We likely all have different reasons....but we are very like minded that way....and our extended friends and family know that we are really into Halloween so I never feel strange or feel the need to defend my home and yard decor......until outside (non-Halloween) people enter the property.

Enter the property and notice that there is a skeleton in my garden......and then they notice the skulls, and the skeleton door mat...and the....

I always answer their questions the same..."yes, yes I do leave that stuff up all year."

I just started white pumpkins around the skeleton.....I don't grow them for use in the display, more of just a photo opp during the month of October.

Now I gotta put the scary scarecrow back up.....but I am going to wait until after the wedding this weekend.

I love my magnolia tree

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but I hate that it drops leaves everyday.....every single day of it's existence. And they are big waxy leaves and there are a lot of them. Raking them out of the yard became difficult so a few years ago I removed the grass from under that tree and put in a gravel garden to make cleaning up the leaves much easier.

In that garden I put skull faces cast out of concrete and last week I picked up some black glass beads to scatter among the gravel. Continuing with my black and gray theme our Halloween decor :)

We are having a wedding at the house next weekend and had a crew of people descend on the yard to get it in top shape. Some the crew brought their kids.

Kids + concrete skulls + black beads = interactive art!

So now, my skulls have eyes! :D

and in this case a nose! :D

Fairy Garden Competition ~2011

2011-07-13T04:54:00.000-04:00

Donni over at The Magic Onions is hosting a Fair y Garden Competition with prizes to be awarded!

Click here to learn more!

The fence is back

2011-07-06T18:22:00.003-04:00

Put the fence back on the garden last week.

Was able to get most of the vines - I have a hydrangea and a trumpet vine that I sadly had to cut back a bit to remove the fence. They are doing okay and should be back to normal by next spring.

The bench that husband built for around the weeping willow needed to be expanded to accommodate the growth of the tree. The original bench was in two half circle pieces that were bolted together. To make more room, he took his original design and made two "benches" in the same style to expand the size. He put them in the middle of the two circles and then bolted the whole thing back together.

It will take a few years for the cedar to weather to match the original bench....but I can live with it.

I need to paint and repair the arch at the front of the garden and add a few annuals to the garden and we should be ready for the wedding the end of this month.

I also uncovered the skeleton in the vegi beds.....but that is another post :)

Wanna see some undead roses?

2011-07-01T16:17:00.002-04:00

When I first got this rose and it did this I thought....must be the fact that it has been raining so much that it just never opened - just got this creepy undead look.

Davis Graveyard Undead Rose

Now, I am not complaining....that is pretty cool, but not really what I wanted.

I thought....it will be fine next year.

It was not, it did the same thing....has for about 4 years now.

So the Davis Graveyard has a undead rose bush. How cool is that?!

To make up for it almost all the other roses in the garden are blooming.

Gemini

Ferdinand

Queen Elizabeth

Yes, the Frog Queen has a pink rose....I have several of them actually. I can handle pink in very small doses. And this particular rose is on of my favs.

So the lifespan of a wooden fence is about

2011-06-21T15:50:00.003-04:00

See the corner post complete rotted out

8-10 years.

That is when I first put in my cutting garden in the back yard. Since then I have had to replace a post or a panel from time to time. But this last winter the whole north side of the fence fell over into the vegetable beds.

So we had to dig out about 8 of the 14 posts and replace as about as many panels.

Here is the garden in repair mode. We are having a wedding in the garden in July, so we are working hard to get ready. More pictures to follow.

Most of the boards just fell of the fence when we picked them up

Garden view from under the willow tree

front entrance to the garden - archway needs some work too

In that bed on the other side of the miniature potted fruit trees and fountain....is a skeleton, overtaken by mint! :D

Painting the new fence panels

And the winner is....

2011-06-20T17:28:00.000-04:00

Pam over at Labyrinth Creations!

Woohoo!!! Congrats my dear. Just email your mailing address to chris@davisgraveyard.com and I will get it out to you.

Thanks to everyone who entered.....and the fantastic programmers at Random.org....use your site often :)

We have a giveaway

2011-06-13T17:31:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the super kind and gernerous TrickorTreat from Midnight in the Garden of Evil blog we have a special giveaway.

I met her when she came up for the West Coast Haunters Convention this May and she brought me presents! One of them was this lovely book - she said I could give it away on my blog....but I thought this would be a more befitting venue to giveaway a book called "Wicked Bugs"....a signed book no less! That is one awesome giveaway from an equally awesome blogger.

Just leave a comment on this post and we will draw a winner on Friday, June 17th.

Good luck everyone!

Cheers!

FQ

I know you won't believe me

2011-06-08T19:17:00.001-04:00

I would not believe me :) But I have taken pictures of our latest garden remodel I just have not gotten a chance to get them up here.

The reason why is that I am busy with this project. We are trying to raise money for a new neighborhood park - so all us neighbors are having a plant sale at the proposed park location. Lots of fun (and lots of work)

I don't know about you but I love buying local plants from my neighbors gardens - we are mostly into native, non-invasive plants - unlike big box stores that will sell you just about anything, whether it is good for your garden or not.

See, a Halloween gal can design something pretty with lots of white.....and not burst into flames :D

I will be back with pictures of my "scary" garden shortly. (Scary with weeds that is!)

Happy haunted gardening everyone!!

Cheers!

FQ

The Nymph Syringa

2011-05-22T13:11:00.000-04:00

According to Greeky Myth Syringa(Lilac's botanical name) was a very pretty nymph. Pan wanted her and was captivated by her beauty. He chased her through the forests and meadows. She was so not that into him and instead of giving in to him, she changed herself into a lilac bush.
Purple lilacs symbolize first love or not in some cases.
See if you can spot the tiny spider I'm sure he's loving the lilac.

If you guessed .....

2011-05-18T09:31:00.000-04:00

Flip-flops. You're correct!!

I think this installation was in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I sure hope the Artist got a discount on all those flip-flops......

What's it made of?

2011-05-17T10:48:00.000-04:00

Can you guess what this lazy Monster is made of?

Mysterious Fronds

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The ferns are starting to wake. They look almost insect like when the emerge.
There is a folklore tale about the fern. It is said that at midnight go to the dark and deep woods. Look there and you may find a fern flowering. This is a magic flower. It is said to give the finder the power to see beneath the earth to other realms. The realms where treasures are hidden. Good fortune will shine on the finder. Beware this magical flower is said to sometimes be guarded by the devil.

"Alien" Cactus found near Roswell

2011-04-04T10:05:00.000-04:00

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - Little green men are no strangers to Roswell, but now one New Mexico botanist says a little green plant has an out-of-this world connection to New Mexico.

David Salman said he was on a seed hunting trip near Roswell when he noticed a faint glow coming from what appeared to be a meteor crater.

He said it turned out the light was coming from a small patch of carnivorous cacti.

Salman said he found a cactus that eats bugs, glows and probably came to earth on a meteor.

He says he scooped up some samples to see if someone could identify them, so far no one has been able to.

The Perfect Orchid For A Haunted Garden!

2011-03-18T20:54:00.000-04:00

But maybe you will want to wear nose plugs.

Scientists are studing the Saturium pumilum orchid, commonly known as the Carrion Orchid becuase it mimics the "fragrance" of road kill to attract flies for pollination.

Dennis Hanson Photo

It doesn't produce nectar to attract bees or other beneficial insects, so it doesn't smell sweet, depending upon attracting flies, who then pick up the pollen to be deposited into a female orchid..

The scent is close enough to the real thing, to cause female flesh flies to deposit their larvae on the flowers instead of decaying flesh.

So if you have a sandy soil bank on your pond, or a small stream meanders through your yard, you might find this South African orchid a perfect addition to your haunted garden. .right next to the Skunk Cabbage!

If you listen really carefully

2011-03-14T19:26:00.001-04:00

to most of the plants in my garden you can hear them weeping silently and saying, very quietly

"don't move me again.....please, please don't move me again ..."

The more I garden the better I get at putting the right plant in the right spot....but I have to admit that sometimes, it takes more than one placement to find the "perfect" home for a given plant.

Some of the plants that say they like shade, likely meant shade in somewhere warm like California, shade in the Pacific Northwest, often comes with damp and wet. I have had more than one weak plant just completely denigrate. A sad way to go.

So if they live long enough for me to see they are in distress, I will move them.

Other times they just get too big for their current home and since I am digging them up to divide them anyway, might as well see if it will look better over "there."

So the wheelbarrow and the shovels in my garden garage get the most mileage in spring and fall.

I never thought to see if I could get the cats to help me......this is a great idea. :)

Porcupine Tomato

2011-03-14T06:13:00.000-04:00

Solanum pyracanthum

Grown from seed starting in early May, by Halloween it should be 2 feet tall and covered in bright orange spines. Keep this one out of reach of trick-or-treaters, though. The prickles poke if handled roughly and the plant bears mildly poisonous fruits.

Phantom Petunia

2011-03-09T06:19:00.000-05:00

Petunia, "Phantom"

Wouldn't this look lovely when partnered with the Black Velvet Petunia?

WIP from Ron Byrum

2011-03-02T22:15:00.001-05:00

This a peek Ron's WIP

It will be a Witch Doll similar to our Witch paintings but a 8 1/2" sculpture. Next comes the lace, dress and broom. We will be listing on Ebay when she is finished.

Bizarre Botanicals

2011-03-01T03:08:00.008-05:00

Here's A MUST for every horticultural library!!

If you love gardens

2011-02-27T05:40:00.000-05:00

and you are in Cornwall. You must go to St. Just Church. The grounds for the cemetery are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

I could have spent all day in that cemetery. This is what I could manage in the 15 minutes that I had to snap pictures. But as you can see by the amazing flora in the area....the cemetery is stunning.

Red Riding Hood Movie Trailer & Wolfsbane

2011-02-25T12:44:00.012-05:00

The Movie I'd like to see. I'm not sure if Red Riding Hood is using Wolfsbane but she might need too!
Wolfsbane(Aconitum) is a poisonous perennial. Wolfsbane comes in: white, yellow, pink, blue and purple. Folklore says Wolfbane can repel Werewolves or can turn you into one. Sacred to the Goddess Hekate and said to be used in flying ointments in the middle ages.
" Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, An' the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane" from the Wiccan Rede.
"Even those who are pure of heart, and say their prayers at night, can become a wolf, when the Wolfsbane blooms and the Autumn Moon is bright" a poem used in the Werewolf movie for Lon Chaney Jr.
In popular folklore and movies about Werewolves and Witches, Wolfsbane sometimes has a staring role.

Aquarium - (fish+water) = Terrarium

2011-02-23T09:24:00.000-05:00

Click here to read more!

Wearable Plants

2011-02-17T03:53:00.001-05:00

Gone are the days when you have to leave your favorite plant behind while you are away from home.

Colleen Jordan designed this unique item using computer modeling software and a 3D printer to create it. She then paints and finishes each one by hand.

Click Here to go to her Etsy Shop.

A Garden Bed

2011-02-10T06:33:00.000-05:00

image source

Mushroom time lapse Amanita Muscaria

2011-02-07T10:44:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share this amazing clip! Just magical!

Frilly Frosty Ferns

2011-02-03T11:12:00.000-05:00

The BEST Garden Catalog

2011-02-01T06:40:00.063-05:00

If you're like me, your mailbox has been swamped with garden catalogs of every size, shape, and color. Most of them are filled with hybridized plants and seeds. Things that I really wouldn't want in my garden. But there is one garden catalog that I look forward to receiving. The plant catalog from Plant Delights Nursery.

I get the catalog as much for the plants as for the cover art! The Spring 2011 cover is pictured above. (click on the photo to enlarge!)
The catalog is sent out twice a year and every time there is a new and most whimsical design on the cover. And there is a good deal of humor written into the plant catalog.
I have ordered many plants from this company and I highly recommend them! Every plant I have received from them has been large and healthy.

You can subscribe to the catalog by visiting their website. This is what is written above the submission form, To receive a printed copy of our Sales Catalog and Plant Owner's Manual, simply fill out and submit the form below. If you enjoy the catalog, then feel free to send us either 10 stamps or 1 box of chocolates...we prefer the chocolates!
Trust me! It's well worth the chocolates!

Now that you mention it

2011-01-26T15:20:00.000-05:00

I do have bats in my neighborhood, and I could really use more of them in my garden. For years I have been thinking of picking up a bat house at one of the bird shops, but never really found one that I liked. So since Jeanne posted about bats, I thought I would look again.

I found this great site that has free plans for bat houses. Since husband is a good woodworker (when we are not prop building) I thought I would share these with him and see if he is up for the task....and I will share them here with you if anyone is interested in building their own bat house.

This is is the one that I am interested in. I am a bit picky with ascetics - I want to help the bats....but I want it to look good too :D

I will keep you posted if this makes it into the project list this year.

Cheers!

The Frog Queen

The Year of the Bat

2011-01-26T10:07:00.007-05:00

"Together with Bats"

2011-2012 was been deemed The Year of the Bat. The United Nations Environment Programme has joined with various other world agencies to help celebrate the Bat. The only flying mammal in the world.

Bats are mysterious and maligned but they are essential to the environment. They assist with night-time pollination, distribute seeds, and are aggressive in the area of insect control.

Please join with us and help celebrate this denizen of the night.

Click here to read more about The Year of the Bat!

Click here to read (and follow) the Year of the Bat blog!

Gnomeo & Juliet

2011-01-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

This looks to be a "MUST SEE" !

In theaters February 11, 2011.

Click here for the website!

And the award goes to.....

2011-01-13T15:03:00.022-05:00

Recently we received the "You Make Me Scream Award" from Paul at The Cobwebbed Room. A most awesome award. Thank You!

Now I would like to bestow this award to the following two blogs ~

Pumpkinrot - A blog that is a veritable feast for the eyes.

Twisted Cartoons - A blog full of cartoons featuring the not so ordinary.

Be sure to hop on over and take a peak at these good reads!

New Varieties for 2011

2011-01-12T10:58:00.001-05:00

New Varieties for the Haunted Garden

I just received my copy of Birds and Blooms and they
have a list of this
year's 10 favorites.
I saw two that I want to try that are perfect
for the Haunted Garden.

Both are Perennials.

Spring is right around the corner! I can't wait.

The "You Make Me Scream" Award!

2011-01-10T20:34:00.001-05:00

We've had an award bestowed upon us! Yes! Our own little Haunted Garden Blog has been given the "You Make Me Scream" award, from Paul over at The Cobwebbed Room.

Go check out his blog to see some pretty scary things, and some posts that will make you trip back down memory lane. .like the Ghost Castle game that my kids used to play!

Thanks so much for thinking of us Paul! What a fun award!!

Now we are asked to share this award with 10 other blogs that really make you scream with joy, scream with excitement every time they update their blog and of course because you think their blog is most excellent.

But because we are a co-op blog, with four other exceptional women, I think that it would be fun for each of us to award two. And since I'm springing this on them, I'll let them all award first, then I'll add my two!

Thanks again Paul! This is a very nice surprise!!

I just love little seaside villages

2011-01-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

While we were in Cornwall we went to a small fishing village called Mousehole - pronounces "mowzel" not "mouse hole" - don't mess that up :D

This sleepy little town (at least in November) is popular because of a story written in 1995 - based on a local legend, called "The Mousehole Cat" (If you have "wee ones" (young children) and/or a cat person, this book is a must for your collection and worth the cost.)

It is an absolutely adorable Christmas story...our driver who took us around let me read his very worn version of the book. The art is equally enchanting. So you can imagine at Christmas time this city is insane. We were there when they were putting up the Christmas lights and our driver said that they bring people down here by the bus loads to see the village all lit up with lights shaped like the characters from the stories.

So what does that have to do with gardens.

Oh, yeah, because I cannot not take a picture of flowers....I took these pictures of small potted garden in the town.

Since I have been such a slack

2011-01-04T17:34:00.001-05:00

blogger on this blog I am going to post a few pictures of the graveyard of Saint Just of Roseland Church in Cornwall. BEFORE I put them on the Frog on the Pumpkin blog :)

Not sure if it is haunted, but it has to be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful church yards in Europe. The Church dates back the the 13th century and was built on the site of an old church on the banks of a small creek. Because of the climate a 19th century vicar brought in many of the tropical plants that are there today. As the description on the website says the combination of the waters edge and the wonderful flowers makes this one of the photographed churches in Cornwall.

It is amazing. If I could take you all there to see it in person I would. But I cannot, so here are just a few of the pictures of the cemetery - you will see it even looks beautiful in winter. Can you just imagine the view in the summer?

I will do a lot more on my blog at the end of the week. I will be sure to stop by and let you know when there are there.

I promise that this is also the frog queen turning over a new leaf (I just had to say that) and I promise to be participate more in this blog - I do so love gardening and really miss chating about it with all of you!

Dear Santa...

2010-12-01T05:33:00.001-05:00

How have you been? We Girls at The Haunted Gardens have been extra good this year! We are hoping your Holiday is not too stressful.
We have made a list of things we'd like for Christmas this year. And even included pictures. And shopping will be easy (in case your elves can't make the items) because all the items can be found in one spot! What on Earth catalog. Click here to go to their webpage. And because we have been so good, we are hoping that we might find one (or maybe two) of the following items under our tree this Christmas. (Remember there are four of us!)
Please give our regards to Mrs. Claus, the elves and all the reindeer.

Best Wishes,
The Haunted Gardens Caretakers

Bat Weathervane

Sunbathing Alien Statues

Flamingo Skellys

Dragon Sculpture

Hanging Copper Bats

Gnome Skellys

Fungus Peepers

Bookworm with Solar Powered Light

Ogre Heads

Anax Imperator Machina

2010-11-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't this be cool to have flying around in the garden?

Click here to go to Jesse Danger's Etsy shop to read all about this mechanical dragonfly!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-28T13:10:00.000-04:00

Just for fun!

A Pumpkin Flower

2010-10-18T08:49:00.000-04:00

image source

Why carve a pumpkin with a regular, old scary face when you can can carve a FLOWER?

Well it is about a haunted garden

2010-10-07T17:39:00.000-04:00

but not actually a haunted garden.

The imagery in the poem is lovely. Thanks to The Gallows blog for letting me re post this. The blog features all sorts of creepy poem posts, one of my favorites.

HAUNTED

by Louis Untermeyer

Between the moss and stone

The lonely lilies rise;

Wasted and overgrown

The tangled garden lies.

Weeds climb about the stoop

And clutch the crumbling walls;

The drowsy grasses droop—

The night wind falls.

The place is like a wood;

No sign is there to tell

Where rose and iris stood

That once she loved so well.

Where phlox and asters grew,

A leafless thornbush stands,

And shrubs that never knew

Her tender hands....

Over the broken fence

The moonbeams trail their shrouds;

Their tattered cerements

Cling to the gauzy clouds,

In ribbons frayed and thin—

And startled by the light

Silence shrinks deeper in

The depths of night.

Useless lie spades and rakes;

Rust's on the garden-tools.

Yet, where the moonlight makes

Nebulous silver pools

A ghostly shape is cast—

Something unseen has stirred....

Was it a breeze that passed?

Was it a bird?

Dead roses lift their heads

Out of a grassy tomb;

From ruined pansy-beds

A thousand pansies bloom.

The gate is opened wide—

The garden that has been

Now blossoms like a bride....

Who entered in?

Roses in the graveyard

2010-10-03T20:07:00.001-04:00

roses still blooming in the yard. Pink is a nice contrast to all the gray props :)

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Happy October!

2010-10-01T13:00:00.006-04:00

I thought this was slightly humorous. From Monster Jokes and Riddles by Norman Bridwell 1972 scholastic. Have a Monstrously wicked October everyone! If you can't read it click the image to enlarge.

Sassy Sassafras

2010-09-08T10:21:00.003-04:00

If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?
I'd be a Sassafras. The Sassafras is an aromatic delight to the senses! The leaves, roots and branches have a wonderful and sweet aroma when crushed. The roots were once used as the original source of root beer. The leaves come in three shapes: footballs, mittens and ghosts. Everything about this tree screams Fall! It's a little early for leaves here to be changing but they are!

Spider Lilies

2010-09-06T15:09:00.001-04:00

Spider Lilies

The spider lilies (Lycoris radiata ) are blooming again.

Also known as hurricane lily—it blooms during hurricane season—Lycoris radiata
stands, like a resting flamingo, on a long, bare stem. Ours are just
gorgeous this year and we have hundreds of bulbs, I think its time to split some
of them up and replant them! Hope you enjoy the video!

Let a JOL Warm Your Yard

2010-08-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Are you needing a Chiminea for your yard? Check out this Ghastly Gourd!! Wouldn't he make a nice addition to a yard? He's not only fun to look at but he'd keep your hands (or tooshy) warm as well! These Jack-O-Lantern themed Chimineas are also available with Goofy or Smiling Faces. And they come in Luminary size! Click here for more info!

No technically "in my garden"

2010-08-12T03:20:00.001-04:00

But it was on the property, and it was amazing to behold. This was on my antena this past weekend. I just love dragonflies! Thank you Dawn for grabbing my camera and snapping this picture.

I will have to tell you the story of my last garden tour....it involved Hal (Halloween Cat) and group of garden tour visitors....and a dragon fly.

Let me think of the best way to tell that tale. :)

Lillies and apples

2010-08-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

Just a quick look at what is blooming the Frog Queen's garden this week.

I just love all kinds of lilies (Casablanca - white and Stargazer - pink...not sure about the yellow ones) and I got a new columnar apple tree this year...looks like I might get a few apples!

The pumpkin garden

2010-08-09T19:26:00.001-04:00

in the graveyard.

Last year I got this wild idea to put one of my skeletons in the graveyard. I just left him there and the pumpkins that I left there rotted and went to seed. So we have skeleton in the graveyard version 2.

Hoping for more cute Sugar Pie pumpkins for October....although they are flowering a bit late. Cross fingers!

Moon Vines and more.....

2010-08-02T10:33:00.003-04:00

Our favorite Halloween Flower is the Moon vine!
This year we have planted them in several places!
They have begun their climb along the deck railing,
where we already have our clear lights strung.
Orange lights will be added soon!

More with Morning Glories mixed in!

We also love using Coleus for borders!
One of the prettiest colors is this orange one!

Countdown to Halloween has begun!!!

They're Here!

2010-07-30T12:47:00.004-04:00

I have two and need only one more to make my little monsters happy at Halloween! Maybe the Great Pumpkin will shine down on my garden and give me just one more! I'll keep you posted.

So, I tore the

2010-07-13T08:04:00.000-04:00

heck out of my garden a few weeks ago....very few plants were spared and those that were.....looked mighty terrified.

I don't think I can get a shovel near them again with out them sobbing.

I think the lupins are trying to dig there way out and into the neighbors yard....cowards! :D

Poor remaining plants. I told them if they behave I promise not to dig them up until next year. I don't think they believe me. :)

Now...to plant all my new purchases!!!

Corpsing in the garden

2010-07-13T00:05:00.005-04:00

We had our first ever "corpsing" class this last Saturday in the Graveyard - our good friend and fantastic photographer Marci took pictures. Loving gardens as she does she snapped this picture of one of the students through my hanging flower baskets.

Made me smile, so I had to share.

My Haunted Veggies

2010-07-06T12:47:00.003-04:00

Well my pumpkins are doing pretty well. The scarecrows don't really work. The deer don't seem to mind them. The rest of our veggies are on the deck. Keeps the most critters away!

The Cemetery Lily

2010-07-02T17:13:00.000-04:00

When a person speaks of a Cemetery Lily, an image of a Calla Lily usually comes to mind. But in The South, the term Cemetery Lily refers to a Crinum Lily.

The Crinum belongs to the Amaryllis family. It can withstand drought, poor soil, scorching heat and the native Swamp Crinum Lily even enjoys soggy soil. Yet, despite what Mother Nature (and Man) throws at it, this hardy bulb will provide years and years of blooms. The Crinum will have long strap-like leaves with multiple blooms borne on a stalk. The blooms are quite fragrant, especially as evening draws nigh.

Crinum originally migrated to America via ships arriving from South Africa and other tropical areas. It adapted well to the Southern climate and was planted around homesteads and grave sites. Today, these Crinum can still be seen blooming.

There was a surge in popularity in the 1920s and again in the 1950s, with many new varieties being bred. Preferring hardiness zones 8-10, some Crinum will survive to zone 5-6 with mulch. All Crinum can be grown in a pot if enough room for bulbs and roots are provided. For more info go to The Bulb Society .

Who's Yo Daddy?

2010-06-17T03:48:00.054-04:00

DNA is now a part of our every day lives thanks to TV shows like "CSI". And finding out who our relatives are has become even more popular thanks to shows like "Who Do You Think You Are?"

(Or was that The Maury Povich Show?)

Well, the plant world is not being left out. Plants are now being classified by their DNA rather than their appearance. This is the result of a 10 year collaborative effort by taxonomists from around the world - the APG III (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group) Project.

And the results are amazing! Indian Pipe is related to the Azalea and Sycamores are kin to the Protea.

But then, aren't we always amazed at who we're related to??

A Goddess in the Garden

2010-06-15T09:56:00.006-04:00

This is a shot of Aphrodite Frittillary resting on some Lime Oregano. When it's wings are open this beauty is Orange and Black. The Oregano is an ornamental I don't cook with this kind. I love the color! I've been tucking this in between my rock beds and this year it's looking wonderful.

Husband compared it

2010-06-07T13:21:00.007-04:00

to taking an etch-a-sketch and shaking it to what I did to one of our gardens.

This is the first of many posts showing the rebuild of my gated flower garden in the back yard that has eight plots all about 3 feet deep and 10 feet wide, with gravel down the middle and in between the beds. I planted in or around 2000 or 2001. The idea very much inspired by the garden in the movie Practical Magic.

Last year I completely ignored this garden in order to get props finished for Halloween. And the year before....well, I let it slide more than I should have. So this year I knew that I really had to tear up a big chuck of the invasive perennials dead roses (I think the daises choked them.....daises are evil that way :D )

This project is a whole lot easier to do when husband comes along and digs them up rather than me spending 20 minutes trying to get one plant out....he can remove most everything in one of beds in a few minutes. So he was out there on one of the sunny days (we have had a few) and dug up most of the garden.

Now you might say...you should have given some of these away - I would have if all my gardener friends did not already have a yard full of this stuff from my previous "giveaway parties" :D

We tore out:

A butterfly bush tree (really, it was about 6 inches around)
several other butterfly bushes volunteers (there is a reason they are not allowed in to be sold in our area anymore)

A way too friendly Cape Fusicha that not only took over the bed it was planted in....but at least three other beds and I could tell by the way it looked at me when it saw the shovel, that it was on its way across the street to the neighbors garden

Purple Coneflower - lots of purple coneflower - also very friendly and made home in just about every bed in the garden.

Shasta Daisies...again another plant that had managed to take over an entire bed or two

Fever Few......I remember reading once that fever few is important for safe travel charms.....I believe them...all you have to do is plant one small bit and pretty soon it will cover your property to keep you from leaving.....which I guess is helping you travel safe since you cannot leave your house anymore :)

Grape Hyacinth - I am sure I will never be done pulling that out of the yard

Tickseed - I left one small plant in the garden....and I am keeping an eye on it....well, maybe both eyes :)

Some very sad Blaze climbing roses that never really did much climbing

Very neglected lavender, that looked like it had been trotted upon by a giant....but it did smell lovely when I dug it up :)

Mint....my mortal enemy, but very important for mojitos....and after a few of those...I don't care so much that it has taken over the yard again :)

Many, many volunteer cherry tree starts.....note to the twin cherry trees that flag my vegetable garden...your days are numbered. :)

Then we pulled out several walnut and hazelnut tree starts along with moving some tulips from the veggie beds back into the garden....I know the squirrels thought they were being helpful :)

Pictures of the garden after the tear out on the next post.

I have been buying, native or at least zone friendly and less invasive plants for the garden! More pictures of my progress to follow.

Frog Queen

Invasive Species Alert

2010-06-04T19:13:00.000-04:00

I think that all of us should be aware of this very aggressive invasive species, and especially those of us who have Faerie Gardens!

Wishing everyone a great weekend!

Daylilies and Bee Balm

2010-06-02T13:09:00.002-04:00

This is the time of year when we have hundreds of daylilies blooming. In just about every color you can imagine from yellow to orange to red to pinks to purples. We have the Common Tawny Daylily planted in borders around several trees and flower beds. We also have a hundred or more hybrid daylilies. The flowers of most species open at sunrise and wither at sunset, possibly replaced by another one on the same stem the next day. If only the oranges and purples were still blooming in the fall what a beautiful display it would be for the Halloween garden but their blooming will have ceased by then. So we also plant dozens of marigolds, orange daisies, orange and white impatiens, verbena and Bee Balm. We thought we would share just a few of our beauties with you!

Bee balm is an herbaceous member of the mint family. It is commonly grown in gardens and can be found along roadsides and in fields across the United States. Bee balm is also known as bergamont or horsemint. Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies are strongly attracted to the aroma and colorful flowers of the plant, hence the name bee balm. more

Swamp Rose

2010-05-25T03:52:00.001-04:00

If ever there were two words that didn't go together, Swamp and Rose are the two. But despite the images that come to mind when one hears those words - dank, humid, thorny - viewing this plant will quickly disperse them.
The Swamp Rose (rosa palustris) is a native American Rose which grows across the South and East in moist, swampy ground. It's graceful, arching and nearly thorn-less branches bring architectural beauty to the Garden at any time of year. And is especially beautiful weeping into a pond or stream. The Swamp Rose will tolerate dryer conditions, but not grow as large.

The Swamp rose will bloom in late Spring after many other species have finished. The flowers are often double and generally a vivid pink and heavily perfumed. This Species Rose is disease resistant and its Hardiness Zones are 5-8. With a spacing of 3ft.- 4ft. and a height of 4ft. - 5ft.

Redoute' painted this rose in the garden of Empress Josephine of France.

Pumpkin Seedlings!

2010-05-18T13:55:00.006-04:00

So far so good! This variety is Big Max which can grow up to 100 lbs. I'm just hoping for a few good ones to carve. A great book on Pumpkins is The Compleat Squash A Passionate Grower's Guide to Pumpkins, Squashes and Gourds by Amy Goldman.

When Good Food Goes Bad...

2010-05-15T09:04:00.000-04:00

Could this food have come from the Haunted Garden?

It always seem like someone

2010-05-05T16:51:00.008-04:00

is watching me. :)

At one of the local garden shows I was introduced to a plant called Doll's Eye (Actaea pachypoda). Creeping looking thing and we all know how much I like creepy :)

And I come to find out deadly. Since I do not have kids or dogs, and I always wear gloves that I wash after each use. I usually do not worry too much about deathly toxic plants or plants that make you ill....but I generally try to avoid them.

I would have done this with this one too if I would have known how toxic it is, but I was too distracted by how interesting it was. Here is a bit more information on the toxic properties:

It's a good thing the creepy-looking berries of this plant aren't enticing*, because consuming the fruit of a doll's eye plant (or white baneberry) could kill you. The berries contain cardiogenic toxins that can have an immediate sedative effect on cardiac muscle tissue. Ingestion of the berries can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

Yeah, I am a bit concerned now too. :)

I have one in the front garden area of the house where my friends kids play when they are over (all of them over the age of 7).....I am going to move it to the back of the yard, where very few people visit and make sure I let my friends know about it, just to be safe.

If it is anything like the Datura (Angel Trumpet) and Monkshood plants that used to be in my garden....it won't last long. I have not been able to get either one to like the northwest climate.

Either way, I would never recommend putting a toxic plant in your garden...because you just never know. For a quick run through some of the most toxic plants check out this site.

* I beg to differ on that point of the description...I think the fact that they are white berries that look like eyes is going to make the extra intersting to toddlers...although this is coming from a lady with no children, so I could be mistaken.

Adder's Tounge

2010-04-28T09:13:00.006-04:00

Adder's Tongue(Erythronium americanum) is also known as Trout Lily or Dogtooth Violet. A magical herb which is actually a member of the lily family. You will find these beauties forming very large colonies in moist rich woods. Their leaves give them away the shape is of an Adder's Tongue and does look very reptilian. The molting also looks similar to a trout's markings.
Adder's Tongue also has a Magic history in literature.

In Macbeth (IV, i, 14-15)
2nd Witch
"Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and howelt's wing--
For a charm of trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble."
- Shakespeare

In Ben Jonson's Masque of Queens
in this verse
"I ha' been plucking, plants among,
Hemlock, henbane, adder's tongue,
Night shade, moonwort, libbard's-bane."

Adder' Tongue can be found in speciality bulb catalogs. They come in yellow, pink and white forms. I don't suggest digging them from the wild. After all their name is Adder's Tongue so be careful!

Spring! Preparing the Haunted Garden!

2010-04-26T10:27:00.001-04:00

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Spring!!!
Time to start preparing for my Haunted Garden! First I pick the seeds and plants I want to use for a glorious Halloween Color Garden! Orange Marigold, Orange, White, Purple Impatiens, Coleus, Cosmos, Sunflowers are just a few I plant Some I start from seeds and the annuals like Marigolds and Impatients I buy. We have a special trellis for our Moonflowers. As they begin to grow we'll add white lights so the Moonflowers will grow over the lights! Moonflowers germinate best when the soil has had a chance to warm from the sun, so plant them according to your location. If you live up North you might want to wait until the end of May! It looks bare to begin but by August all our Orange Daylilies will be blooming and the Marigolds, Impatiens and Coleus will be mature plants. Oh and don't forget to make use of Chrysanthemums,they are wonderful and because they are perennials no need to plant every year!

Daylilies, Part Deux

2010-04-25T19:34:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone for adding a few to my growing list! Some I already had added, but I learned of a few new ones too.

And I just HAD to go look up a Lily Munster! Of COURSE there should be one named after her! Isn't it gorgeous? And so delicate, just like Lily! Hmmm, I wonder if there is one named for Morticia. .but then, she favored her rose stems, with lots of thorns, didn't she?

I haven't had a chance to do some more digging, but this is my list that I composed, when I posted my first few selections, adding the new ones that were suggested. (And I'm definitely going to look for the Jack O'Lantern Pansies. They are one of my favorite flowers!)

So, for your reference, here they are:

Daylilies

Annabelle’s Ghost

Apparition

Bat Signal

Bella Lugosi

Brown Witch

Creature Of The Night

Ghost Fingers

Ghost Of Thunder Road

Goblin Moon

Grey Witch

Halloween Harvest

Halloween Hocus Pocus

Halloween Kisses

Halloween Magic

Halloween Masquerade

Halloween Party

Halloween Trick

Happy Halloween

Lily Munster

Little Witch

Madam Spider

Merry Witch

Midnight Magic

Moon Witch

Nosferatu

Pagan Passion

Pagan Ritual

Pumpkin Blast

Pumpkin Kid

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Prince

Pumpkin Roast

Pumpkin Time

Salem Witch

Spell Binder

Swamp Creature

Third Witch

Water Witch

Vampire Lestat

Witch Hazel

Witch Stitchery

Witches Coven

Witch’s Brew

Witch’s Stick

Witch’s Thimble

I'm going to continue my search, and will add new ones as I find them. If you know of some that aren't on here, please let me know so that we will have THE listing of daylilies perfect for Haunted Gardens!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Don't Forget The Daylilies!

2010-04-21T18:02:00.001-04:00

What is this I'm saying? What place do Daylilies have in a haunted garden? Well, do names like Halloween Masquerade,

Or Ghost of Thunder Road entice you?

How about Pumpkin Blast,

or Happy Halloween?

I have delightfully discovered a whole flock (what do you call a whole BUNCH of daylilies, anyway? lol) of Halloween related daylilies. I was asking a friend of mine who lives in PA, if she has any Salem Witch daylilies,

and she replied, "No, but I have some Hocus Pocus!"

So that prompted our hunt. .so far we have found 44 different cultivars named for Halloween, pumpkins, witches, Pagans and more. (I'm going to keep looking!) There is one called "Swamp Creature",

and another "Creature of the Night".

I love the exotic look of Vampire Lestat!

Or how about a Bella Legosi in your garden?

I don't know who is naming these wonderful blooms, but I sure like the way that their minds think! I'm on a quest now. Some of these are rather pricey, but I plan on carving out a spot somewhere in my garden to plant some of these beauties. Add my cracked iron cauldron (the original leaky cauldron!) and maybe an amber Faerie Light or two. How delightful!

Wishing everyone a lovely, enchanting evening!

Toadshade

2010-04-15T10:46:00.005-04:00

If you live in the North East like I do Toadshade or Trillium sessile fits in a Haunted Garden! They are a perfect fit for a shade or woodland garden. Mine aren't blooming yet but I wanted to show you the leaves. A single maroon flower sits above 3 mottled leaves. In some areas they are threatened and I don't recommend wild harvesting unless that area is being developed. Many native plants are threatened and endangered as home gardeners we can make a difference.

Something dark and lovely

2010-04-12T15:27:00.007-04:00

at one of the local plant shows I picked up a Burgundy Sparkling Pineapple Lily. Now, I am not bit fan of the Pineapple Lily in general and the reason is the color, the light green does not do much for me. But this burgundy version is beautiful (not meaning to offend the Pineapple Lily fans....lovely plant, just not my fav) in its dark burgundy foliage that turns a deep olive green.

I have always wanted one in the my garden and I am looking forward to mixing the tropical foliage against my other plants and adding a splash of dark color.

Want to get your

2010-04-08T19:11:00.006-04:00

goth kid into gardening? I found this cute but creepy gardening kit called Graveyard Gothic Garden.

It has five creepish plants

Aloe
Dragon Tree
Sensitive Plant
Black Dragon Coleus
Moonflower

and the planter has the you plant them in "graves" with "gravemakers" to specify the plants. Although this is not something for anyone other than a beginning gardener it is kinda fun and clever.

You will love this picture where it shows Moonflower blooming inside on small leaves....same with the coleus....wow that looks nice. And these plants can live in this terrarium for years? (the Aloe maybe) We all know Moonflower wants a lot more space than that! :D

I am guessing there may have been some issue about that because the description page also shows this image....which is more realistic.

Anyway, cute gift or in my case likely a door prize for my Halloween party.

The War Over Fairydom

2010-03-31T04:31:00.063-04:00

On some of the islands off the coast of Maine, a war is raging. And it has been going on for quite some time. Decades in fact.

It is a clash between the Fairies or rather Fairy Sympathizers and the 'real world' Witches. For you see, the Witches believe that the Fairy Sympathizers are destroying the fragile eco-system of the islands to create little homes, little worlds for the Fairies. Bark and small branches may be stripped from a tree or moss may be moved to create the Worlds the Fairy Sympathizers envision in their minds.

Should enough of this occur, then the disaster of which the Witches foretell would come to pass. But the building of these Fairy Gardens, these Fairy Worlds, is kept to a minimum (and local building codes obeyed) and pose no real threat to the local forests.

In fact the moss which is so often used to create these little Fairy Worlds thrives on traffic - animal, human or other-worldly - to spread it. It can take hold anywhere there is a bald spot beneath the pine canopy. This particular kind of moss is Leucobryum glaucum or more commonly known as Pincushion Moss.

Pincushion Moss, on close examination, appears to have tiny little stems and even tinier leaves. It can commonly be found in pine forests and will give the appearance of being dead if conditions become too dry. But will quickly become green with the addition of moisture.

The magick Moss holds over Humans is universal and seems to have no age boundaries. So take heed on your next trip into the Woods! You may fall under a spell and find yourself wanting to create a small realm for the Fae Folk.

Glorious Moonflowers

2010-03-30T10:29:00.001-04:00

Moonflowers

Moonflowers are one of my favorites for the "Haunted Garden".

Blooming during the night, its large white blooms seem to illuminate the garden... beckoning you to come closer. They are splendid for enjoying evening relaxation. Planted near a deck or porch, its heavenly fragrance
permeates the air, adding to its appealing beauty. Relatively easy to grow depending on location. I plant mine in the ground growing on a trellis,
below the deck we have that is about 10 feet off the ground and in pots.
To get them started on the deck I attach strings to the railing to the ground below and they begin their climb to the top. They grow about 15' feet. For the best effect plant multiple seeds about 2" apart in a row in the location you want them to grow. By October ours are usually wrapped around the railing and we add orange lights right before they begin traveling across the railing for a splendid display by Halloween!

We begin by soaking our seeds over night in a damp paper towel to help with the germination. The seeds are best planted in warm soil so depending on where you live they are ready to plant from April to May. I've already started mine as we live in Zone 9 in the Ozarks so spring has arrived. If we have another frost I will keep them covered to protect the new seedlings. We accent our Moonflowers with orange Marigolds and Impatients.

Winter Aconite

2010-03-27T18:43:00.003-04:00

Eranthis(Winter Aconite) is a member of the buttercup family. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Mine just showed up I didn't plant them. They are the first blooms I have here. I welcome them and the deer leave them alone! According to Greek myth Winter Aconite was thought of as the saliva of Cerberus. Cerberus is the three-headed dog that guards the underworld. He made a trip upstairs and where his saliva hit the ground up sprang Winter Aconite.

American Mandrake

2010-03-21T09:45:00.056-04:00

What self-respecting HAUNTED GARDEN wouldn't have MANDRAKE in it??

Here in the WildWoods, there are huge patches of American Mandrake. It is also known by the names Mayapple, Devil's Apple, or Indian Apple. It is a perennial native herb which grows in the moist, rich soils of woods, thickets, and pastures in Eastern North America - southern Maine to Florida and as far west as Texas and Minnesota. American Mandrake prefers deep shade and spreads by a creeping rhizome. It can be cultivated by sowing seeds in Autumn or transplanting seedlings in the Spring.

The May Apple grows to a height of 18 inches with a stem that resembles an umbrella. The large, white blooms grow right in between the leaves and will appear in April to May. The fruit ripens in early summer and will be crab-apple size.

American Mandrake is also known as the Witch's Umbrella and was thought to be employed by them as a poison. Which is not far from the truth as the roots of this plant are quite toxic!! I have not 'yanked' any of these plants from the ground to see if their screams are ear piercing or would render a person insane - like it's English Cousin.

Sources For Boots & Sunglasses

2010-03-19T17:14:00.000-04:00

I've gotten several inquiries as to where I found the skeleton & roses rainboots, and the coffin sunglasses.

I originally found the boots in another catalog, but now both items are available from The Pyramid Collection catalog.

I haven't received any sort of compensation or benefits from mentioning this company (although it would be nice! lol)

How Eye-Catching!

2010-03-19T07:49:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I posted some boots that are perfect for Haunting Gardeners to wear while interacting with the botanical friends.

In the continued effort to keep all Haunting Gardeners looking their absolutely fetchingly best, I have once again found something that is a must for not only protecting those precious eyes while in the gardens, under the hot sun, but is superlatively perfect for touring poison gardens, or even to wear while having their picture taken in front of the poison garden gate.

Just think of how your beautiful eyes would look behind these transparent coffin shaped glasses,complete with embellishment!

Not to mention how beautiful the world will look through those rose colored lenses!

Enjoy your day!

Let's Go On Some Field Trips!

2010-03-15T19:40:00.002-04:00

Does everyone have their passports up to date? It is time for a field trip! And where do Haunting Gardeners go to learn more about the plants that are perfect for spooky gardens?

Why to England, and more specifically, the Alnwick Poison Garden, in Northumberland. Click on the link to see their site, and watch a short video!

This garden, which has been described as Gothic and Frightful, grows plants, as their guides will tell up upon entering for the tour, don't ingest, touch, or even smell them. They even have Mandrakes growing! (I wonder if Hogwarts supplied them with their specimens)

What a wonderful garden this would be to explore!

Too far to travel right now? Well, how about Urbana, Illinois, at the University of Illinois?

They have over 90 species of toxic natives, landscaping and house plant species growing for your learning pleasure.

You live in the East? Then how about a visit to the Cornell Plantations Poison Plant Garden? They have nearly 100 species that are in some way toxic to humans and animals.

All of these places would be fun and fascinating to visit, and to learn. And while we may embrace the spooky here, we also want everyone to be responsible gardeners. If you have children, or even neighorhood children that could easily get into your garden, or pets, you need to be a safe and savvy gardener.

We will be delving into herbals periodically, both those that were used safely, and, ahem, those that were not. We are not endorsing that anyone plant these, but are sharing what we know to broaden everyone's knowledge of the plant world. As as we learn more, we will find out just how powerful the plant world is!

And in the meantime, if anyone has a question about a plant, you can leave it in the comments, and one of us will either already know the answer, or will find it for you!

I'm off to pack my bags for dear old England! (In my dreams)

Mazes

2010-03-14T09:41:00.103-04:00

Mazes are quite often a component in Horror movies (remember the Hedge Maze in Stephen King's The Shining ?) and are often associated with Castles and Medieval Europe. A fair amount of patience (and a good chuck of land) would be needed if a person wanted to construct a hedge Maze similar to those of days of yore.

Mazes have been around since the Middle Ages, if not longer. Many legends attribute the Minotaur of Greek mythology to living in a Maze while other accounts say it was a Labyrinth. (remember, Labyrinths have one path to the center while a Maze may have many paths, some of which are dead ends, leading to the center).

The Mazes of Medieval Europe were quite often constructed in gardens using hedges as the walls. As time passed, the Mazes became more difficult. These early Mazes are what is called, Simply-Connected Mazes. They are created from one continuous wall to the center. A person can solve the Maze by keeping one hand on this wall and heading toward the center, with numerous detours along the way, of course.

In the early 19th century, Maze design became more difficult. The center goal of the Maze was isolated by a wall of barriers, physically unconnected to the rest of the Maze. A person could not solve it by the 'hand-on' method. These Multiply-Connected Mazes can be developed into very intricate designs with very few dead-ends.

The next evolution of the Maze was the Three-Dimensional Maze. Most Mazes may appear to have three dimensions but in reality they have only two. The third dimension was added by including bridges and underpasses to the design. These types of Mazes have been around since the 19th century but have only become popular in the last 30 years. Many of the Corn Mazes that can be found around the country in the Autumn are three-dimensional Mazes.

The Conditional Movement Maze has also become a reality in the last 30 years. The next move of the participant is dictated by rules or instructions that pertain to the current position of the participant. These Mazes are quite intellectually challenging. (Kinda reminds me of a Freeway Mousetrap!)

And the latest in the evolution of the Maze is the Interactive Maze, quite often found at Amusement Parks. In these, the Maze will respond to the actions of the participants using motion sensors, timed barriers, and other mechanisms that provide a difficult journey to the goal.

To read more on Mazes, click here.

Black Hollyhock

2010-03-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

For Christmas a gardener friend of mine gave me Black Hollyhock seeds. Does she know me well or what? :)

I have planted Hollyhocks before, but never this black (actually dark purple) version before. That being the case I did a little research on them before I started the seeds for the garden.

The "Nigra" variant of Alcea rosea is as nearly black as any flower gets. It is an heirloom variety which Thomas Jefferson grew. The species is native to the Mediterranean region, & has been gardened throughout Europe since at least 1500. The black form was described in 1629 by John Parkinson as, "Of darke red like black blood."

It is an easily self-seeding biennial or short lived perennial which will live two to five years. It grows swiftly to an enormous height. The main plant is only a foot & a half, but the gigantic flower spikes are "small" at five feet, & frequently eight or ten feet tall!

The individual maroon-black flowers all over these spikes are two or three inches across. It blooms from May or June; deadheading extends bloom to summer's end.The flowers make excellent bouquets & are liked by butterflies, bees, & hummingbirds.

Toward autumn the basal foliage begins to look spotted & poor, hence is usually regarded as a back-border plant not only because of its extreme height, but because it is not "specimen worthy" as a center of attention, though splendid for ongoing bloom in the background.

It's other fault is the flower-weighted spikes are apt to fall over in hard weather so will either need staking or preferably to grow against a fence or barn wall. It should be cut to the ground early autumn when the final blooms go to seed.

Black Hollyhock requires a dryish light or poor soil in full sun area to do well, & where it will be low-maintenance. To get them started, seeds should be sewn in the summer. Rosettes of big hairy leaves will develop by autumn then die back before winter. It will bloom the following summer. And how it will bloom!

Sounds like the perfect plant for my yard. The soil in my area is not great, mostly clay, which requires me to bring in lots of mulch and compost every year to keep the soil health. Any plant that likes "poor soil" is welcome in my garden!

I will put the seeds in the garden shed until next month when I will start them in pots. Looking forward to this added contrasting color in my garden this summer.

I am going to make my own

2010-03-10T07:20:00.001-05:00

one day, but if I came across a pile of money hiding under a rock somewhere, I would definitely buy a garden folly from Redwood Stone. They have several Gothic garden follies that would be perfect for the yard.

Would this folly not be perfect as part of a yard haunt? I would put a ghost effect in the window..either FCG or video effect....I wonder if I can convince husband to let me put this in the Halloween budget :D

I love the layout and how it looks like they have several different type of vines growning on it. As expensive as it is, it is the only way I am going to get something like this, as that there does not seem to be many ruined abbeys, churches or castles in my area :D

Cheek out their line of garden art pieces....they are a bit spendy but cool! I don't even want to know what the shipping from the UK would cost :D

The Labyrinth

2010-03-07T09:39:00.000-05:00

Labyrinths have been around for hundreds of years. It is an ancient symbol which relates to wholeness. They were used as a meditation tool as well as part of the spiritual process for many cultures throughout the world.

The most famous Labyrinth is the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth near Paris, France. It was constructed in the early 13th century and is quite complex, measuring over 40 ft. in diameter. It is known that Labyrinths located in the French Cathedrals were the scene of Easter dances which were carried out by the clergy.

But Labyrinths are not unique to the European culture. They are an important theme in the culture of the Native Americans located in the Southwest portion of the United States. The "Man in the Maze" motif can be seen in the pottery, basketry, silverwork and petroglyphs of this region.

Anyone can create a Labyrinth in their yard or garden. It can be as simple as cutting the pattern into an over-grown lawn with your weedeater, or outlining the pattern with rocks, painting on concrete, or even installing plantings around the walkways. For more info on how to create a Labyrinth, click here.

**Special note** Labyrinths should not be confused with Mazes (we'll have more on Mazes at a later date). Labyrinths have only one pathway to the center while a Maze will have choices in the pathway, many of which are dead ends. To read more on Labyrinths, click here.

Our Newest Haunting Gardener!

2010-03-06T18:42:00.000-05:00

Becca, The Frog Queen, Jeanne and I would like to welcome Sherry Byrum into our Haunted Gardens to help us create the majikal place where wild things grow, flowers bloom extra long, with fanciful colors, and scary or spriteful follies lurk just beneath the cover of grasses, or hidden behind sheltered branches.

Sherry has her own garden blog, listed on the sidebar, and as you can tell, she has both the experience and the space to create some wonderful Haunted Gardens!

We hope that you all will welcome Sherry here as well. We're very excited to see what delights she will share with us! (but no pressure Sherry!) :-)

Member

2010-03-06T17:40:00.001-05:00

I am so excited Suzie asked me to join! I am really looking forward to participating in this blog!! Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my love for Halloween and gardening!

A Bright New Flower!

2010-03-06T07:57:00.001-05:00

AT&T are putting in lines for television, which for some reason is disrupting our DSL service, so I'm even further behind in catching up than I was before!

So this VERY thoughtful and sweet gift from Sherry at Byrum Art is a couple of days late in sprouting, but no less the beautiful!

What a day brightner this award is! Just the colors make you want to burst out in song. Maybe that's the way the birds feel when they see the sun, and the temps start rising.

And the meaning is sure humbling. It is awarded to people whose positive attitude and creativity inspire others. Wow! That's pretty heady! But I already know that I'm here with some of the most innovative and cheerful people that you'd ever be so fortunate to meet!

Now, I'm supposed to list some people to pass it along to, but I'd rather make a large bouquet from this one gorgeous flower. So please, if you don't already have this bright spot on your blog, gather the seeds from this one now, and plant it. It will make smiles grow!

So on behalf of Becca, Jeanne, The Frog Queen and myself, we thank you with all of our collective hearts, Sherry! You are a pretty fantastic flower in the garden of life, yourself!

What Would A Haunted Garden Be

2010-03-03T20:49:00.001-05:00

Without Bloodroot? Sanguinaria Canadensis, or what is commonly known as Bloodroot, or Bloodwort, or Red Puccoon Root, is a native springtime bloom that loves the mottled sun of canopy trees, when they are just beginning to leaf out.

It is native to the eastern portion of N. America, from up in Canada, down into Florida, but I'm finding various sub-species in catalogs selling the rhizomes, and from native plant nurseries selling potted plants, that are adaptable to a variety of micro-climates. Please do not every remove these from the wild. It is not only unethical, but the plant is likely to not survive.

Bloodroot is a perennial, meaning that it returns each year. Each delicate little plant produces a charming white flower with large petals, and a sunny yellow fluffy looking center. They can begin blooming as early as March in the warmer climates, and are usually through with their show by the end of May, going completely dormant by late Summer.

They spread by rhizomes, and can create large colonies over a span of a few years. It is a delight to find these blooms coming up through leaf litter when the days are hinting of Spring. They also produce long green seed pods, with black to reddish seeds inside, that insects covet.

You can find them growing in a multitude of habitats, from moist to dry woods, or along streams, and bordering ponds. They do prefer the ancient layered, littered floor of a woodland, or enhanced garden bed, rather than a stark, cleared piece of ground.

Bloodroot got it's name because of the deep orange to red sap that is stored in the stem and down into the rhizome. It is wise to wear garden gloves when handling this plant, because the sap is toxic to a human's skin. It produces the toxin sanguinarine, which when coming in contact with skin cells, may destroy tissue, and lead to the formation of open sores, or large scabs.

I still see ads for Bloodroot paste as an alternative treatment of some kinds of skin cancers, but it is extremely dangerous to use, and can wind up serious disfiguring of the skin, while not curing anything. And what is even scarier, is that for a time, just a few years ago, certain manufacturer's were using sanguinarine in their toothpastes and mouth rinses, which can cause leukoplatia, known as oral lesions. If you have any concerns over the products that you use, I would suggest googling for more information.

Back on the plus side, it was used by the Native People as a dye, producing a wonder earthy red color. Also, the bees and other beneficial pollinators love it. It is one of their first food sources of the growing season.

So please don't let the ideas of unscrupulous people keep you from growing this delightful little bloom. I've personally had bloodroot for years, and it remains one of the favorites in my Spring garden. I'm sure that you would enjoy growing it too!

A Wonderland

2010-03-03T19:25:00.001-05:00

Ok, I'll admit, I'm thoroughly wrapped up in anticipation over the new Alice In Wonderland movie that is coming out this weekend. From the stills and previews that I've gotten to see (in 3D no less!), it is going to be a major creative eye candy feast for me, and I'll probably have to see it more than once so that I can concentrate on all of the details that go into the sets, costumes, and props.

I've already posted some movie stills on my other blogs, and found one that is rather appropriate for this one too. Not haunted maybe, and definitely not spooky, but we are also including enchanting, and this one definitely fits that category.

Aren't these awesome blooms?

The Perfect Gardening Boots!

2010-03-03T18:33:00.001-05:00

We've been home for a few days now, and I'm still trying to get caught up on everything, including a stack of mail.

I was ready to toss a pile of junk mail, when one catalog fell open. Whenever that happens I take that as a sign that I NEED to see something on the open pages.

These are what I first laid my eyes upon.

THE perfect boots for rainy weather and working in my Haunted Garden! What? You doubt the usefulness of the higher heels for the garden? Why, they're perfect! Snakes can slither right through without worry of being stepped on!

And when they finally wear out, I can snuggle them together, open ends under a low evergreen shrub, to let the toads have a nice little shelter, and the Skellies & Roses can R.I.P.

Weird Tomato

2010-02-26T14:27:00.000-05:00

I was looking forward to eating this tomato in a salad. When I cut it I was shocked to see the seeds inside this tomato had sprouted. Yes inside the tomato and as you can see the seedlings are green. I watered it for a couple of days feeling sorry for these sproutlings. I don't start my seeds until the first week of March so I wasn't going to bother trying to save them. I guess if seeds inside of a tomato can sprout Spring must be around the corner. In fact 22 more days!

The Lenten Rose ......

2010-02-24T18:54:00.000-05:00

By any other name, would be called Hellebores. It is one of the first flowers to bloom here in the WildWoods. The buds begin to appear in February and by the time that Lent arrives, the buds will have begun to open or maybe even be in full bloom. The foliage is green year round and provides nice coverage under the trees during the winter months. Hellebores like moist but well-drained soil in light shade. They are deer resistant and can be divided quite easily.

Hellebores is believed to help summon demons in witchcraft. It is thought that Alexander the Great was poisoned using Hellebores. And it is said that the species, Hellebores Niger, aka Christmas Rose, (a white Lenten Rose that blooms closer to the Yule Season), was to have sprung from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give to the Christ child.

Hiding in the

2010-02-22T17:49:00.001-05:00

Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are these two follies, the first one is called 'The Mud Maid' -isn't she just lovely - and the second one is the 'Giant's Head'. This garden belonged to the Tremayne family for more than 400 years - It was almost completely lost in the 1990's - but has now been restored. The garden has an interesting history, you can read more about it here.

I am planning a trip to Cornwall this November, if this garden is open, I will definitely be there for a visit.

Aren't they both just magical looking. :D

In the dead of winter

2010-02-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

one of my favorite plants is Edgeworthia Chrysantha. (Oriental Paper Bush), although native to China, it grows well in the Northwest climate. It likes part shade (in the NW our lack of sun, makes that is important feature) it blooms in the winter and smells heavenly. Several of my other gardening friends have it and I have always wanted one, but up until this last weekend when I attended our local garden and patio show, I did not own one myself.

The girls told me that it was time I stopped coveting their plants and get my own. In the past I shy away from it because of its lack of foliage, but as my friends reminded me....a plant that looks dead most of the time is kinda creepy and perfect for your decor! Why did I not see that before!!! :D So I broke down and purchased my very own. It is just now starting to open and it smells fantastic.

Anyway, this weekend I will be planting mine in one of the beds on the back side of the house, next to the Hellebore that are also blooming....looks like I am starting a winter garden....just need to put a skull in there somewhere and I am set :D

What is that?

2010-02-18T14:39:00.001-05:00

This is one of the most famous example of what is known as a garden folly. The skeleton that is in my garden is an example of such a folly. The item severs no purpose in the garden except to entertain the gardener. Garden follies are one of my favorite garden features. I have a long list of things that I would love to put in the yard, if I get to have them all, I will need a bigger yard :D

This particular one is in Scotland near Falkirk (between Edinburgh and Glasgow) and although I have been there and have taken pictures....this is not my photo. I can build Halloween props and garden....but I am not a talented photographer :) The pineapple is carved on the top of what was a garden pavilion, but can now be rented for holidays (vacations.)

Here is a little background on this particular folly.

The Pineapple (photograph by Ronnie Blackadder)

The Pineapple is one of Scotland's most famous follies. It is a huge stone replica of the fruit, beautifully carved to reproduce all the features of the real thing. It sits on top of a garden pavilion erected in 1761 by John Murray the 4th Earl of Dunmore, and stands some 45 feet above ground level on the south slope and 37 feet on the north. The pineapple part was probably added around 1777 when the Earl returned to Scotland after serving as Governor of the colonies of New York and Virginia. On the east coast of the American colonies the pineapple was a symbol of welcome and often the planters from the West Indies, who had big mansions in New York and New England, would place a real pineapple on their gate post as a sign that they were home and ready to receive visitors. Murray returned to the Americas after the War of Independence as Governor of the Bahamas where pineapples were a major product. It is just possible that the stone Pineapple was erected during or after his time there which would place it in the late 1780s or early 90s.

This is not a particularly creepy example, but it is one of the better examples, I will be sharing some more creepy follies in the coming posts.