THE POWER OF THE PLANT

The Variegated Dogwood which was a favorite shrub of mine throughout spring and summer is now a favorite winter shrub as well. It's long bright, red branches (which are brown in the summer) give a nice contrast against the green holly. I have a nice grouping of three birches which are showy and while leafless still provide interest.

Well into December here on the east coast and shrubbery is still giving us an autumn show! It's a little late for this, no? The Azalea is one of the last of my trees/shrubs to still be in its leaf changing cycle and it's quite beautiful.

This year on Halloween pranksters decided to drop off 8 pumpkins in front of my door. Usually the neighborhood kids steal and smash pumpkins. I like this prank so much more!

The squirrels are feasting on pumpkin this year at la casa de me. I have 8 large pumpkins in total all scattered about my house. I don't want to throw them away as the wildlife seem to be enjoying them.

I cannot get enough of warm autumn colors. My favorite colors come from hardy mums and ornamental cabbage. These are new additions to the landscape this year but they will certainly return next year. After three prunings throughout the summer I will achieve this same great round shape with blooms just in time for Halloween!

The newest tree in my collection! To add height and elegance without a huge spread, the Horn Beam Tree is perfect. And because I bought it in autumn I paid $39.00! I haven't seen Horn Beams this size for less than $120. Awesome tree at great price. Win win all around. Btw...yes the tree looks a bit shabby but I'm almost certain come spring it will blossom into a full shapely tree that looks like a million bucks.

The mums I've been pruning all summer have finally flowered. Beginning in early summer I pruned them back a few inches three times total. The last pruning I did was in the middle of August. Perfect timing for autumn blooms!

The colors of autumn are warm against the crisp air. Muted, yet radiates such a glow. Isn't that the allure of fall?

This RL comforter set just replaced a blue Martha Stewart set and has warmed up the guest bedroom immensely. My cat Blaxter thinks I did it for him. He does look quite nice against the red.

Everyone feels compelled to tribute that day in their own special way. And rightfully so. We all remember exactly, exactly where we were, what we were doing, the bright blue crisp sky, on that moment of the first terrorist attack ever on American soil. I'll keep my thoughts with me. This is my tribute to remember those who perished and the families of those that live on with the horrifying yet heroic memories of their loved ones. Peace & Love always.

The sky is beautiful. The air is perfect. Cup of coffee in hand. Just took a look at my side yard tree and had to capture the moment. Glad I did. This is perfection to me!

My modern kitchen leads into an informal dining room with a large rustic table and chandelier (both from Restoration Hardware). I like the juxtaposition of clean white lines with the solidness of the wood table and iron from the lighting and wall decor. When mixing it up, do it drastic enough so that there is no confusion whether or not you were trying to match.

When I bought my Royal Empress tree it was a bare root with a bud, nothing more. That was 5 months ago (beginning of growing season for north east). I told family, friends and neighbors that a huge tree would appear here shortly. They all laughed at me (some people, MOM, even made financial bets with me that the little root with a bud would not grow beyond a few feet tall at most. I PROVED THEM WRONG!  My two Royal Empress trees (sold to me as sterile, non-invasive variety) have shot up to over 8 feet tall and the growing season has not ended. As you can see I am beginning to trim the bottom leaves little by little as the trunk matures. Can't wait to see the beautiful flowers they bare and I'm looking forward to continue watching these two trees reach toward the clouds. Btw…people stop in their cars to ask me what they are ALL THE TIME. They literally have become the talk of the neighborhood. Pretty fun stuff! (click on first image to see progression of growth) ...

My Day Lily's have been blooming non-stop throughout the entire season. I was expecting one bloom and then greenery. I believe the key is in the pruning. Weekly, I deadhead old flowers and trim away the yellowing leaves. Once or twice I even trimmed back some greenery so that each Day Lily plant remains in a round shape. It is now September and I still have blooming flowers!