Studiology

A Romp Through the Garden

We hit 100 degrees the day before we received 1" of rain. With the state of Virginia in a drought, that rain was delightful. The big front meadow looks a bit crispy and how plants have survived, I don't know. The 45 solidago I planted have stayed alive despite that fact that they went in on a rainy day and never saw rain again for over a month (and basically lived in an oven). The wet meadow is supplemented, and the center of activity with pollinators. So here are a few highlights from the gardens:

Of the 50 plugs of filipendula, this single plant was far richer in color. I have isolated it for seed collection.

The birdbath is just over 4' tall. The most frequent visitors are honeybees, wasps, and house finches.

I was hoping to mix a couple of daylilies with echinacea or cone flower, and this one is a winner. From Woodhenge Gardens.

Gloriosa lilies are indeed glorious! I plan on leaving these in the ground to see if they survive the winter. Fine tendrils are used at the tip of each leaf to climb. I've noticed that the tendril will unfurl and curl around something else as the days go by. Fascinating plants.

In due course I will have lots of summer vegetables, the tomato plants have never looked this good! Honeydew melons, watermelons, corn, and zucchini are just around the corner. Despite the current drought situation, days that are long with the occasional temperatures in the 80's are superb!

Some Like it Hot, Some Don't

The lettuce is bolting and the bitterness makes it inedible. But it was a great run, one of the best salad greens stretch ever! Root crops are also finishing, the beets will be the last to open space to plant something else. The best greens came from the All Star Gourmet mix which had butter heads and romaine. Very leafy, it gives a long run with early harvest and a good run in early heat. The first to turn bitter for me were Alboreto baby leaf (clearly labeled for early small leaf harvests), and Lollo (heirloom variety). 

The question comes up a lot, what do you put in the space that cool crops leave as they finish? Sweet potatoes, bush beans, a second crop of corn, or flowers; zinnias, sunflowers, annual scabiosa, even eucalyptus (surprisingly easy from seed). These guys all like it hot, just be ready to water. 

The mini wet meadow is incredible. There has been no appreciable rain for a month, so I have had to supplement. Planted only 2 years ago, I am in awe of how it has matured. I have set a chair next to it for entertainment, always in motion, even the sound is amazing as a constant buzzing.

Sadly, I have only seen 2 monarch butterflies despite the fact that I have plenty for them to eat and nectar on. My very large front meadow is for dry, upland plants and it's oh so dry. I dribble water on new plants and am amazed how they are even alive since many were put in and then the rain stopped.  Certainly not for wussy plants, time will reveal who can take it!

Lastly, I have purchased a pass for Monticello which is only a few minutes' drive from my house. This allows me to go as often as I like. Between the vegetable garden and flower beds around the house, it's a real treat! So here's just a few photographs from my last visit, there will be many more.

Heirloom blue peas.

and my trail cam took a picture of me strolling the gardens in my PJs.

Send rain.

 

 

If the Shoe Fits

In Mary Jane style shoes, I finished an art piece. The shoes were fabric, so there was a bit of uncertainty as to how the paint would cover and hold. After a few coats of gesso, all worked out well, really well. Like so many recent projects, I have a head which is usually something I fabricated from wire, clay and aluminum foil, and the right head guides the direction for scale. The shoes were adorable, but tight in the toe box - as shoe people say. My direction was loose, my thoughts were only on building until it was done and then I would think of a name or theme. In the end she became a young Lady that Lived in a Shoe, Alone. The title hinting to one of the oldest of nursery rhymes about an old lady that lived in a shoe with 12 children (and that had to be a tight fit!). 

Next up was a shoe with a whale coming out of it. To really do it right I decided to work with a humpback whale, the largest and most gentle of sea creatures. Their accordion like underside or chin can expand to collect large amounts of sea water which is then filtered through fibrous plates which take the place of teeth. To make it a bit more interesting, a baby humpback was added to ride on the side.

The third of my most recent builds was not a shoe. Maybe one of the weirdest things I have ever created, just a zombie and his pet dog. The title is "Even a Zombie Needs a Pet". 

Of course I do spend some time thinking "who would ever buy this?". Well applications are not too farfetched, the lady in the shoe would be great for a funky hotel lobby and the zombie would be perfect in an animal shelter. Perfect!