Little Yellow Corydalis

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Little Yellow Corydalis

Corydalis is a wonderful little mounding plant to add to your shade garden.  It has gray-green leaves that are fernlike and has a close relationship with bleeding-heart (Dicentra).  The flowers, though, are distinctively different; small clusters of down-hanging, nearly tubular 3/4 inch long yellow blossoms dot the foliage for a lengthy Summer blooming period.  They start their bloom time in early Spring.

It normally reaches a heigth of 12 to 15 inches high making this a fine foreground plant in locations where soil is always moist and high-branching trees cast light or filtered shade.

You should provide it with good, organically enriched soil that is steadily moist (but not soggy).  Under these conditions, volunteer seedlings will enlarge the planting.

I purchased a small plant about five years ago for my shade garden and the last two years it has produced babies.  This year I have donated some to my Garden Club's Annual Perrenial Plant Sale. 

When the weather warms up a bit, I need to purchase organic composted manure for my garden.  It is very rich and has a black like quality.  The whole garden needs to be enriched this year.  I have posted some pictures of the Corydalis in my garden.  Hoping you enjoy them and the information that I have provided.  Until next time.

Rosemary, Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com

Palm Fern Finally Coming Up!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Palm Fern Finally Coming Up!

This morning I would like to share a picture of my Palm Fern in my shade garden.  This tall fern variety is so very different from most ferns that you will see.  It is tall and elegant and has tiny leaves that are short on its tall fronds.  They stand vertically throughout its growth period.  This variety dies back in the late Fall, unlike other ferns that will stay green in your garden all year long. 

I just transplanted it from my back garden that was given up for our deck expansion last year.  Just praying that it would thrive and come back this Spring.  So, without further adoe, here is a picture of the elegant lady.  I will post of pic of it when it is fully grown.

I purchased this plant over 10 years ago at the Hudson, Ohio Garden Tour.  They always have a plant sale at one of their Elementary Schools.   Along with that a cookie and tea sitting that is always nice.

Hope you enjoy the picture.

Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Just wanted to wish everyone that follows my blog and who occassionaly takes a peek a very Happy Easter Sunday.  Spring is reborn!

Here are pictures of my Lenten Roses that have been blooming for about 2 months now.  The smaller one is a hybrid that only had three leaf stems and hardly any blooms last year.  This year she has grown so much.  The before and after pic are here.

Lenten Roses, or Heliobores start blooming around Christmas, underneath the snow cover.  As Spring approaches, they have an amazing array of flowers.  I own an Apple Blossom variety as depicted by the larger one in the pictures.  It is slightly greenish in color.  The other is a hybrid.  Cannot remember it's name but it is almost black in color with dark leaves.  They have a mounding effect and should not be divided.  Hope you enjoy the pics.

Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com

Early Spring in the Shade Garden

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Early Spring in the Shade Garden

For those of you who have followed my blog, you know that I always post pictures of my shade garden as it progresses through the season.  This Spring, my shade garden has lots of empty spots due to my Brunnera plants taking over the garden once again and having to get rid of many of them.  Once they are established in your garden, they will reseed endlessly.  So, now I have room for some new plants this year.  Maybe Astilbe?

My shade garden overlooks a beautiful ravine with flowing stream.  There are little waterfalls all down the stream, and the sides of the ravine have been naturalized by periwinkle, daffodils, and pachysandra.  This all blooms in the early Spring and is quite beautiful.  I have many wild animals that live in the ravine, groundhogs, squirrels, fox, opposum, raccoons, etc.  So many birds that come to my feeder stations.  It is just a idylic area to stop and stay awhile in. 

I have included a picture of the Mother Plant Brunnera.  At 2 feet around and 8 inches tall, she is quite a beauty.  Right now she is blooming away.  Unfortunately for me, all those seeds from the blooms will turn into little ones!  I will be tossing more as the season progresses!  They would take over my garden completely if I did not.

I have much to do yet in this garden if the weather ever get's into the 60's again.  It has turned chilly here in Northeast Ohio.  Adding organic material to the garden this year and weeding like crazy again.  Until next time, hope you enjoy my "little peace of heaven".

Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com

Turquoise and Jade Dangle Chain Necklace

Friday, April 6, 2012

I just love the "edginess" of this beautiful Turquoise Teardrop and Faceted Sapphire Blue Jade Rondell dangle necklace featuring black chain.  The black chain picks up the distressed veins in the Turquoise Pendant Beads and the Faceted Jade is a good foil for the Turquoise.  What a great way to spruce up a denim outfit!.

See this an other "Statement" necklaces in my ArtFire Shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com

Happy Easter Everyone!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Just in case I don't have time to wish everyone a happy Easter, I am doing it right now!  And, I am posting a picture of my Easter Display in my dining room.  It features a miniature real goose feather tree that I have wrapped in ribbon and decorated for the special day.  The bunny on top of the tree is so precious. 

The chalkware rabbits on the glass tray are all reproductions that I have owned for years.  I used to purchase one a year from the same craft dealer until she stopped making them.  She and her husband would travel all around the U.S. selling them at craft fairs until they got tired of traveling.  I would have liked to own more, but, that was not to be. 

The chick and egg wagon filled with duckies is so cute.  The ducks beaks are actually pistachio nut shells.

Hope you enjoy my Easter Scene!

Garden Gate Designs

www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com

What is Grey with a Golden Glow?

Monday, April 2, 2012

What is Grey with a Golden Glow?  Golden Pyrite!  This is my latest creation that you can check out in my ArtFire Shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com.

When I found the black diamond faceted rondel crystals, I just knew that they were perfect with the golden Pyrite teardrop beads.  The black faceted glass rondels are the perfect foil for both of them.  And, delicate textured gold chain was just the item needed to complete the dangle necklace.

Perfection!

Rosemary, Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
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