Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Gifts, Garden and Cats

It's been a busy week.

I received these plants in the mail from Kathleen at Kaseys Korner.

That's right, plants.

She offered some Campanula 'Cherry Bells', but I was expecting seeds when these showed up in a box along with some pretty Pink ruffled columbine seeds.



They're doing well and I'm excited to get them into the garden in this nice cool, wet weather we've been having. Kathleen warned me they're aggressive spreaders but worth it. Thanks Kathleen!

I also received these seeds from Lona at A Hocking Hills Garden blog.





They are Crape Myrtle seeds which she successfully grows in her Zone 5 garden. I'm hoping I can get them to germinate and have some of my own. Thanks, Lona!


I'm also very excited about this:





Lynda at Mind Muffins gave me some delphinium plants this summer. I was satisfied just seeing them survive, I certainly didn't expect blooms this year. I think they're gorgeous. Thanks so much, Lynda!


(Postscript: This is not delphinium as I thought, it is actually aconitum, or Monkshood. Still, a lovely, lovely plant.)


And to keep the gifts coming I purchased this cute shopping bag for just $11. Because it's in French and because I'm worth it!




Our garden is winding down. We still have some dahlias blooming. I'm allowing them to go to seed now so I'll hopefully have some surprises if they germinate next year.













































A few mums are in bloom. Nothing special. We always talk about replacing them with some spectacular types but don't get around to it. Oh well, they're doing their job; providing some color for fall.





Castor Bean seed pods looking beautiful.




Anyone want seeds? I have plenty to share.



The back porch is looking ready for fall.





And likely the last rose of our season, Heritage.






On the cat front, Felix and Jessie are getting along great.



Felix has begun acting like a "kitten"; running around, very playful, and eating all the time.




As it's October 11th already I plan on putting out my little tribute to Halloween soon.

If you want to be impressed by a hand-made Halloween display, check out Jeanne's upcoming display at Gone Feral in Idaho. Talk about impressive! I can't wait to see the finished display.

Happy Fall everyone!

9 comments:

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

what nice goodies to come in the mail! I love those Dahlias, what great colors.
I would love some Caster Bean seeds....maybe they will keep the moles and voles away from my garden!

Randy Emmitt said...

Guys,
Not sure Crepe Myrtle will like your winters. Don't think they spread much by seed, rarely do I see starts of them here. Until I moved here I'd never seen them before. Not a big fan of them as they have little wild life value.

Victoria Williams said...

Janet, I'd love to send you some seeds. Send me your address......victoryqueen at cableone dot net.

Lona said...

Glad you got your seeds alright.
How pretty your Delphiniums are! What a cute little kitten. It looks just plain ornery. LOL!

Barbarapc said...

I think Felix is the cutest little kitty. So glad the two have become chums. I'll be interested to see how you do with the crepe myrtle - wonder if you'll have to move it to the garage over the winter? The coolest warm weather plant growing in the cold I ever saw was a relative of an African violet growing and blooming in a wall in Cabot's Quatre Vents north of Quebec City.

Rosemary said...

What a nice surprise to receive a plant,especially Cherry Bells , it is a great plant....... Kittys are looking very happy........
I too have average mums but they do the job and come back year after year........

Pat said...

So many gifts..nice.
Still love those caster bean plants didn't grow any this year but still have seeds. I still have seeds for you from the forget me nots. The kitten is too cute.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Your little kitty....!!! So sweet. I love that your older cat has accepted the kitten. I can't get my adult cats to do that for some reason. Your 'Heritage' rose is a stunner. And yes, you are definitely worth it! :)

Kathleen said...

Wow, can't believe how perky those 'Cherry Bells' are looking! After ripping them up and wrapping them in only a towel, I was worried they'd even survive let alone look as good as they do now! So glad. They will look beautiful in your garden Victoria and I'm happy to share...
LOVE the second to last photo of your two cats!
The monkshood photo is fabulous. I am missing mine. I moved it this spring and it doesn't seem to be happy. Hardly grew at all and certainly is not going to bloom for me this fall. :-(
I will be interested to see how the crepe myrtle seeds do for you.
Your garden still has some beautiful blooms. Have a great weekend!