Kingwood is decked out for the Pumpkin Glow. A great idea started by John Makley a few years back and now designed each proceeding year in more of a fashion as a money maker endeavor. Buckeye Garden Club decorated the front gate for a couple years, but this year they switched out decorating the front gate with the Kingwood Hall Doors. So Late Bloomers, who in past years did Kingwood Hall doors decorated the front gate as well as the corner of Trimble and Park Ave. What a great job.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tricky Spring Blooms in Autumn
Hanging out at Kingwood yesterday morning. I noticed that some of the flowers were trying to trick me that Autumn hasn't arrived. Luckily, I know these flowers well and was not fooled by their blooming trickery.
Autumn Crocus |
Double Blooming Iris |
Then I happened upon this 'Erin Prairie' Daylily. What? A daylily budded and blooming in October? This I don't remember. Looked it up on backyard gardener and it does say bloom time is early spring to fall (but in October??). Well, there ya go. Guessing what time of year this picture was taken could be very tricky!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
at the Duck Pond
Headed over to Kingwood today to see what was going on. Looks like one of today's projects was to clean out the duck pond. The duck pond was originally built as a water reserve for a fire to the house. But as it is now a duck pond, it needs regular cleaning. I had a high school friend who did this as a seasonal worker many years ago. It was his least favorite project at Kingwood. I imagine the task has not improved over the years. They were in the draining phase during these pictures.
I always think it funny that originally it was used to prepare for fire and now it is used to make sure the fire hydrants are working properly. As that is how they fill the pond back up.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Sunken Garden
Holly bushes on the outside boarder of the Sunken Garden were removed last year at this time. The Sunken Garden is one of Mr. King's original gardens. Plans are to plant a non-invasive Privet outside boarder to bring the garden back to its former planting for next year. Although originally planted in roses, I would think the plan is to continue planting in tulips and annuals. Without the Holly bushes the area seems much more open.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
I SPY
Walking back to the parking lot...
one of the peacocks was making quite a commotion.
Can you spot him?
No? Ok, can you spot him now?
Well, here he is, high up on the tree branch....
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Peacock Family
Baby is turning into an Adolescent.
Entire family was out at the feeders this morning.
Not the best picture, but to get them together was like hearing cats..
or well peacocks!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Momma Duck - Part II - Nesting
Followed (to be) Momma Duck for the next week to see where she would end up. She had created a nest earlier in the spring beside a cold frame near the greenhouse. That nest was discovered by a predator. Everyone was hoping she would pick a better nesting spot this time. Glenna was the one who first spotted her tucked next to the brick wall in the courtyard. Everyone agreed that this was a good spot away from predators, but how about visitors? She seemed to blend right into the wall. I walked right by her once. Using feathers and mulch, she made herself quite a nest next to the begonias.
It would seem in the next few pictures that she was saying hello or go away, but in fact, when those bricks warmed up in the heat of the day, she started to pant.
Here I would just say she looked like she needed a drink of water, but wouldn't leave the nest in the heat of the day.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Momma Duck - Part 1
This story starts as part one of ten. An exciting experience from last year and a marvel to me that I was able to document the entire event as it took place over time from conception to baby ducks swimming in the pond.
One day last spring, the Rose Garden Crew was taking a break under the tree. I had as usual been snapping some photos of the peacocks, so coincidentally, my camera happened to be on my lap.
A cry for help goes unheeded .... |
I just kept snapping pictures ... |
... as the rest couldn't decide to watch or look away. |
We all felt sorry for the poor thing ... |
... though none of us made effort to help. |
And then it really happened .... |
and just about the time you wanted to look away ... |
... about fifteen seconds from the first moment ... |
.. it was over. |
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Master Gardener Training & Snowflakes
My Bestest Bud Kathy and I are taking the Master Gardener Training. Our name tags actually say "in training." Todays training was a full day scheduled at Kingwood Center. Ms. Mona did the first half of the day with Propagation and Chuck Gleaves did the afternoon with Pruning. It was a cold snowy day. The kind I wish I was just hanging out at Kingwood taking pictures of the fat fluffy snowflakes instead of being in class.
Here is a picture of what a snowflake looked like in Kathy's hair.
And here is a cluster of snowflakes on a Magnolia Bud
Seed Propagation
The following pictures are actually from a facebook post I did of Mona last year transplanting seedlings. It shows one method of propagation we learned during training that day.
|
|
Seeds are started by filling a 4 in. pot with seed starting mix. After wetting the mix thoroughly, seeds are sprinkled evenly in the pot. Watered gently, to get seed to soil contact, seeds will germinate in three to five days with a plastic bag over the pot in a sunny location.
|
|
Gently hold the stem of the seedling being careful not to pinch it.
Lift gently to remove seeding from small pot.
Transfer seedling to tray by making small hole in soil.
These are pansy seedlings. They will take two months to mature enough to plant.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Dr. Seuss's Garden
Sometimes as I walk Kingwood, I stop in my tracks and think to myself, I have been transported to Dr. Seuss's Garden. My last encounter was in the Greenhouse with the Sensitive Plant. But again just yesterday in a walk from Kingwood Hall to my Jeep, I experienced it again in the Perennial Garden when I saw this seed pod. I pay close attention, because Dr. Seuss's Garden only shows itself for brief periods of time.
Grape-leaved Anemone
A. tomentosa
Robustissima
Here is a picture I took of the flowers last September.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Kingwood Center Observer
- Volunteer, member, frequent visitor and photographer of Kingwood Center.