Photos of hummingbirds bathing early in the morning
Author Archives: mike
The artist’s garden
Artists know that a light color only looks that way when surrounded by dark colors to give it contrast. Likewise, artists use form, line and texture to keep things interesting and depict their subject. These things work in the landscape, too. Most of the time, we start with foliage color, since it’s present most orContinue reading “The artist’s garden”
Ladybug, ladybug
A bit of information on ladybugs and ladybug larvae, your allies to control aphids.
Hey! They told me this was a BIRD house!
This birdhouse is one of the finishing touches on the garden. It’s not really placed to attract nesting birds; it’s too low and too close to the path. So, the reasoning was that it would just be another piece of garden art, occupied by spiders. The day after installation, I noticed something fly out ofContinue reading “Hey! They told me this was a BIRD house!”
Penstemon!
Our penstemons are swinging into full bloom, and providing a nice bit of color to fill in for the departing blue-eyed grass. Native bees visit the flowers, as do hummingbirds. The plants don’t need much, if any, water – depending on the species they’re bred from. Penstemon spectabilis should thrive with no additional water; MargueritaContinue reading “Penstemon!”
Gravel Paving II
With the garden tour happening the next day, we decided that the paths should have some kind of relatively level walking surface. So, instead of relaxing and letting our muscles recover from the previous work, we moved two yards of road base, tamped it down and wet it to reduce dust. The road base shouldContinue reading “Gravel Paving II”
Camassia!
Flower of Camassia quamash growing in the rain garden.
Installing a gravel path
How to lay down gravel paths in the landscape.
Fun with new concrete
Concrete steps with a decorative swirl pattern now link the deck to the landscape.
Recycled concrete, Chapter 2
Recycled concrete slabs in the landscape