The flies like it and so do I. There is something in the brightness of orange California Poppies have.
Easy to grow and tolerate dryness.
I have other colors coming this year just waiting for them to start blooming as well.
Author Archives: Kari Koskinen
Cosmos
The first cosmos started to bloom today and many more will follow soon.
As always the ones that start the show are the ones that originate from the seeds that I got from my mom.
It is a quick and resilient form of cosmos that suites well for this climate. I have other varieties growing and want to see how those will do.
Water Lily
Sometimes gardening is easy. You just go and sit by the lake and watch what Mother Nature has done.
Water lilies are doing well this year.
It is so relaxing just to sit and look what there is. Though now wondering from where to buy red ones to bloom by the white ones.
Blueberry
One of the great benefits of living up here in the north is that you can just go to your backyard and start picking wild blueberries.
Spending some time in the summer cottage and relaxing by harvesting berries.
Just cannot wait to bake a blueberry pie. One of my favorites. Must fill my fridge with the berries.
Giant Blue Hosta
Hostas are doing extremely well this year. I am a bit surprised because it has been dry. I guess the warmth suites them.
The Giant Blue Hosta is my favorite. Unfortunately do not have many good spots to grow them.
Trying a new variety by the lake this year. Hope it makes through the winter.
Elke
This is the first time I have planted bloody geraniums and they seem to do well.
Elkes’ blooms are larger than I expected and they seem to do OK even in the wet spot I have put them.
Must buy other colors next year. This flower might be a perfect choice for the summer cottage.
Bordeaux Barlow
I have tried and tried to grow Barlow series columbines but with modest luck.
I guess the winters up here are a bit too much for the Barlows.
Currently I just have one Bordeaux Barlow blooming. Well it is a good thing that there are so many columbine varieties available and many more to test and try.
Yellow Queen
The Yellow Queen is blooming beautifully and it is my first yellow aquilegia. It has required many failed attempts and plenty of waiting to get here.
For aquilegias it has been a perfect start of a year. No heavy rains to ruin their flowers.
To be honest it has been extremely dry up here in the north. All the other plants look that they have been beaten by the sun and the lack of water.
According to the weather forecast it should rain today. Now I am just waiting and hoping.
Million Bells
May was the warmest in living memory. Million bells have enjoyed the warmth and blooming beautifully.
After three cold summers I do not even care that it is too dry and everything needs constant watering.
Luckily I had two long weekends and was able to spend the time in the summer cottage swimming and sunbathing. And of course planting and tendering the garden.
Let’s see how the rest of the summer turns out to be. Now I just enjoy and spend my time outside.
Gardening in the North 