Monday, February 28, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - One Day


ONE ...

... Gala Apple Tree Espalier.
Espalier - plant trained to grow against a flat surface and pronounced es PAL yer.  There are three types, of which, Kingwood’s is the cordon. A central trunk with horizontal laterals spaced evenly along the trunk.  Created and nurtured by Don Miller.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - Two Days


TWO...




.... hives of sleepy bees fixin to wake up for spring and do their part at Kingwood

Saturday, February 26, 2011

This countdown is being interrupted for news ------------ of the Kingwood Center 5K…..

Since you have your calendar out anyway to mark off ONLY THREE DAYS TO GO…
… Mark the date of June 11th.              - Kingwood Center 5K -    Second Annual


Tee Shirt from the First Annual Kingwood 5K


I was unable to participate in the first annual 5K last year as the Kingwood Herb Society was hosting a speaker event …at Kingwood Center...at the same time of the race.  Debra Knapke, who writes books on Ohio gardening and is also referred to as The Garden Sage, gave a wonderfull lecture.  A link to her web site: Click to go to web site of Debra Knapke





As I watched last years, participants getting ready for the race, the excitement of my joining them for this year race started.  In Texas we have the CAPITOL 10,000.  It is an AWESOME 10K and some wear costumes.  Thinking the concept should be introduced to the Kingwood 5K.  Of course I would probably be the only costumed participant.  Should I be a worm or a flower?   Having made some sketches it seems both have easy designs, I’m glad I’ll have a few more months to think it over.


Friday, February 25, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers Countdown - Four Days

Tea Garden
FOUR areas in the herb garden (located near the workshop and beside the rose garden).  Tended lovingly by Glenna Sheaffer and the Kingwood Herb Society.


Vertical Gardening
jar designed by Pat H and Carol S
 



Culinary Garden
Thyme Clock Garden

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - Five Days





FIVE...












... lion head fountain sconces in the courtyard



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - Six Days

Dr. Griffin Buck lived and worked in Iowa where winter temperatures are frequently twenty degrees below zero and required a labor intense protection process for his roses.  Since Dr. Buck could not control the weather, his mission in life was to create roses that would survive blistering northern temperatures without the need for radical winter protection.  Below are pictures, taken in the garden last year, exhibiting SIX of his varieties.



April Moon


Golden Unicorn




Earth Song



Country Dancer

Prairie Star
 
Hawkeye Belle


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - Seven Days

Charles Applegate is Kingwood's Sr. Gardener.  He was presented with the Gold Medal Award from the Gardener's of America in 1992.  It is an award given to provide recognition for an individual who has made outstanding achievement in the field of horticulture.  Well known for his daylilies, below are pictures, taken in the garden last year, showcasing SEVEN of his varieties.

Company of Angles
      
Heavenly Places
  
Give Thanks
 
Glorious Things
  
Holy Kiss


Milk and Honey
 

Reverence
   
                      

Monday, February 21, 2011

Kingwood by the Numbers - Countdown - Eight Days

 William H. Krekler was a native Ohioan born in 1900.  An enthusiastic hybridizer who grew peonies for pleasure, not commercial sale, his donations created Kingwood's original collection.  Shown below are pictures, taken in the garden last year, highlighting EIGHT of his varieties. 

Golly
Japanese Peony  1966
  
Illini Jubilee
Single Peony  1965







Jessie
Japanese Peony  1965
 


Karen Gray
Japanese Peony  1965
 
Orlando Roberts
Double Peony  1962


Zenith
Double Peony  1966

West Elkton
Japanese Peony  1958
Tom Eckhardt
Japanese Peony 1965

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Here Lives The Lorax



This tree chair conjures up many childhood images. Located between the peony garden and the back duck pond, Shawn McClain created a great throne from a fallen tree.  Then he added a foot rest.  In the winter, I like to think a Snow King lives close to here and holds court with the wildlife.  Shown here, he would have a red cardinal as a court jester waiting in the wings.  I have seen lots of other wildlife come to see if the King is holding court as well, such as squirrels and rabbits.

One day I went to sit on the great throne and found the the center to be hollow.  Could this be another way into the mystical world of Alice?  I was never interested in that much adventure.

Also brings to mind my favorite Dr. Seuss book The Lorax. Kingwood may not have any Truffula trees, but they do have a nice variety and maybe the Lorax comes now and then to visit and make sure all is well.  As you know, he speaks for the trees.  The chipmunks seen coming and going from this hollow seat are probably taking him messages.  I have yet to see the Snow King, Alice or The Lorax, but there is always the possibility.




Sunday, February 6, 2011

Winter Ducks

Watching my woodpeckers eat peanut butter treats in the back yard, my mind wanders to feeding the Kingwood Ducks.  Shown are a few random pictures that I took in previous years.  These haven't been touched up, but I enjoy them as they are.  I like how they fly toward me and then they sit down in the snow to eat so their feet don't get cold.  Funny.






Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Crows at Kingwood on YouTube


To forewarn this is my first and hopefully last sarcastic blog.  Let's hope anyway.  Well, Kingwood is celebrating the crows at Kingwood.  They are roosting in the trees, so it is fitting of a YouTube video.  Last week and for my past three visits on other projects, I have only seen two ducks.  I know the wild ones have left and I haven't had the heart to ask about the others as I may not want to know.  The other Indian Runners could be safe in back of the Service Building and my despair could be premature.  I guess we should celebrate all types of birds, however, I hope a sign of the times isn't Kingwood becoming known for their crows and Canadian Geese. 

I took this off the internet.....
A group of crows is called a flock, muster or storytelling of crows. The most widely used term is "murder."

This is based on the (fallacious) folk tale that crows form tribunals to judge and punish the bad behavior of a member of the flock. If the verdict goes against the defendant, that bird is killed (murdered) by the flock. The basis in fact is probably that occasionally crows will kill a dying crow who doesn't belong in their territory or much more commonly feed on carcasses of dead crows. Also, both crows and ravens are associated with battlefields, medieval hospitals, execution sites and cemeteries (because they scavenged on human remains). In England, a tombstone is sometimes called a ravenstone.

I chase them out of my back yard by clanging a pot and spoon.  But if you want to check them out at Kingwood - the link is below.

Kingwood Crows on YouTube

About Me

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Volunteer, member, frequent visitor and photographer of Kingwood Center.