Gardening Tales
The Joy Of Flowers
August 11, 2019
Hello Folks! We haven't chatted in awhile and I am really wondering how everyone is doing... so how about we get this conversation going and chat about flowers. Flowers are like the universal love language, right?
So let's share the love. Oh these "love" flowers might be one's that we grow, paper flowers which we make, embroidered flowers that are stitched, purchased flowers from our favorite Farmer's Market, or a field of flowers where we picked our own bouquet, or hey even those flowers which we dream about.
From my Mountain garden: Sunflowers, Delphiniums, David Austin Roses.
Naturally, gardening in Colorado is so much different than Texas. I have had one huge learning curve and it's been both challenging, interesting, beautiful, fun and naturally very frustrating. SO much more to learn and many challenges are awaiting me.
You might find this a little interesting, these David Austin roses were purchased as Bare Root Roses back in the Spring from our local Colorado nursery. I am pretty impressed with them as we got nearly 2 feet of Snow shortly after I put them in and look at them now.
Can you guess where they came from????? Yep, good old Tyler Texas! Gotta have my slice of Texas here in the Mountains and I seriously think they like it here:)
David Austin Rose
I have visited local Garden Centers, meandered through stunning Garden Tours, chatted with gardening neighbors and the results are in! I can do this 7,500 Mountain altitude gardening but it's going to take time to master it all and probably a couple of more hail storms and snow. (Yikes!)
Did you know that our thin air effects how plants grow too? SLOW!
So friends if you are living on the Front Range and need a recommendation or two here they are. I'll share more recommendations as my green thumb becomes greener!
1.Tagawa Gardens (great Nursery)
2.Bee Balm ( cute plant and one that pollinators simply adore. I plane on incorporating into my landscape)
3.Lavender- Lavandula angustifolia
4. Dahlias
Lavender
Dahlia
I am totally smitten with Dahlia's.
Our Breakfast nook with a fresh flower bouquet from my Flower Garden.
My Zinnias were poor performers this years as they were balky about being replanted 3 times. (Texas friends we had a unexpected snowfall of nearly 2 feet in May) My colorful zinnias are just now beginning to bloom. Even though their tiny blossoms are sweet, show-stoppers they are not. I promise I didn't speak harshly to them, in-fact I even told them they did a great job, but just between you and me.... replacement flower for the Zinnia is the Dahlia. (shhhh)
Sunflowers will always make me smile and I will always grow them. Always.
This photo is about an eighth of the raised flower beds. This is where I am growing Sunflowers Dahlias, Asters, Zinnias, Nasturtiums, Cosmos, Canterbury Bells, Carrots & Bell Peppers. Since we have had an unprecedented amount of rain this year everything is running behind. Without sounding like a Pollyanna I am grateful for what I have, but gosh I want MORE NOW!
Delphinium
Oh, so I just recently discovered from my daughter, Amanda, ( she is figuring out our Family Tree.) that my "farming," obsession is actually part of my DNA. Seems that not only were Mom and Dad Farmers but that all of my relatives on my Dad's side of the family were Farmers that migrated to the good old U.S. from England and Wales. There are just some things we can't fight folks! DNA is mighty powerful. Tell me have you discovered your DNA?
Do I sound impatient?
Well I might just be. I don't know where this blog is going, but I have discovered what I would like to do with the last chapters of my life and I feel a real sense of urgency. You know what I mean?
I did pass both my National and State Broker License. So here I am folks, licensed, dangerous and I still want to be a Flower Farmer, is it possible to combine the two? Please share with us the balancing act of combining an artistic passion with sensibility.
As always,
Jemma
So let's share the love. Oh these "love" flowers might be one's that we grow, paper flowers which we make, embroidered flowers that are stitched, purchased flowers from our favorite Farmer's Market, or a field of flowers where we picked our own bouquet, or hey even those flowers which we dream about.
From my Mountain garden: Sunflowers, Delphiniums, David Austin Roses.
Naturally, gardening in Colorado is so much different than Texas. I have had one huge learning curve and it's been both challenging, interesting, beautiful, fun and naturally very frustrating. SO much more to learn and many challenges are awaiting me.
You might find this a little interesting, these David Austin roses were purchased as Bare Root Roses back in the Spring from our local Colorado nursery. I am pretty impressed with them as we got nearly 2 feet of Snow shortly after I put them in and look at them now.
Can you guess where they came from????? Yep, good old Tyler Texas! Gotta have my slice of Texas here in the Mountains and I seriously think they like it here:)
I have visited local Garden Centers, meandered through stunning Garden Tours, chatted with gardening neighbors and the results are in! I can do this 7,500 Mountain altitude gardening but it's going to take time to master it all and probably a couple of more hail storms and snow. (Yikes!)
Did you know that our thin air effects how plants grow too? SLOW!
So friends if you are living on the Front Range and need a recommendation or two here they are. I'll share more recommendations as my green thumb becomes greener!
1.Tagawa Gardens (great Nursery)
2.Bee Balm ( cute plant and one that pollinators simply adore. I plane on incorporating into my landscape)
3.Lavender- Lavandula angustifolia
4. Dahlias
Dahlia
I am totally smitten with Dahlia's.
Our Breakfast nook with a fresh flower bouquet from my Flower Garden.
My Zinnias were poor performers this years as they were balky about being replanted 3 times. (Texas friends we had a unexpected snowfall of nearly 2 feet in May) My colorful zinnias are just now beginning to bloom. Even though their tiny blossoms are sweet, show-stoppers they are not. I promise I didn't speak harshly to them, in-fact I even told them they did a great job, but just between you and me.... replacement flower for the Zinnia is the Dahlia. (shhhh)
Sunflowers will always make me smile and I will always grow them. Always.
This photo is about an eighth of the raised flower beds. This is where I am growing Sunflowers Dahlias, Asters, Zinnias, Nasturtiums, Cosmos, Canterbury Bells, Carrots & Bell Peppers. Since we have had an unprecedented amount of rain this year everything is running behind. Without sounding like a Pollyanna I am grateful for what I have, but gosh I want MORE NOW!
Oh, so I just recently discovered from my daughter, Amanda, ( she is figuring out our Family Tree.) that my "farming," obsession is actually part of my DNA. Seems that not only were Mom and Dad Farmers but that all of my relatives on my Dad's side of the family were Farmers that migrated to the good old U.S. from England and Wales. There are just some things we can't fight folks! DNA is mighty powerful. Tell me have you discovered your DNA?
Do I sound impatient?
Well I might just be. I don't know where this blog is going, but I have discovered what I would like to do with the last chapters of my life and I feel a real sense of urgency. You know what I mean?
I did pass both my National and State Broker License. So here I am folks, licensed, dangerous and I still want to be a Flower Farmer, is it possible to combine the two? Please share with us the balancing act of combining an artistic passion with sensibility.
As always,
Jemma
I was happy to see a post from you, Jemma. I love dahlias. They are so gorgeous. My zinnias haven't performed well this year at all. That's how it goes some years. Your raised beds are fabulous. Congratulations on your broker's license. I'm excited for you. The need to grow something is strong in my family tree as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Jemma,
ReplyDeleteSo nice and sweet this morning to find your post. Congrats on passing your realtor tests. The raised beds look beautiful. You go girl with being a realtor. Not only will they get a great sales person but they will have you to help them see how they can decorate the new house too. Happy New Week. xoxo
JEMMA! I have missed you so much but I failed to remember that you've been in the middle of studying and taking these exams! So then, when do you start showing homes?
ReplyDeleteI bet you've had a lot to adjust to in your gardening! From the looks of your beautiful photos, you've had success! We have had a lot of rain this year as the almanac forecasts had predicted us having a wetter than normal summer. We just go with the flow, don't we! Congratulations on your exam success and I'm SO GLAD to hear you still want to be a flower farmer!
So happy to see your post! You & flowers are a few of my favorite things!!
ReplyDeleteI think you can successfully combine real estate & flower farming! Forge ahead with confidence!!
Yes, Jemma, you can do ANYthing you put your mind to - flowers and real estate will be a perfectly balanced combo. You'll be able to lend visualization to prospective owners, and you'll be able to nurture your soul should you ever be stressed over the work.
ReplyDeleteI love your flowers, and bee balm also attracts hummingbirds, a nice bonus. I am eyeing those wreaths with a lustful eye - they're so pretty!
It's always good to hear from you, as infrequent as it seems to be. Take care.
Oh, look at all the pretty flowers growing in your garden, Jemma. Yes, the Dahlia's are so unusual and lovely. I don't think I've ever seen red ones, wow! And you know how much I love your roses. I can't believe they thrived after a heavy snow. They are the most sturdy flowers, aren't they? So glad to hear you're still enjoying your garden, and I look forward to seeing some of those unique wreaths you are making, possibly for Fall?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the last the summer days, dear Jemma.
~Sheri
ps.....Nel did her genealogy, and I've always wanted to do mine. So good of Amanda to be interested in the family so. I've always had a strong interest in knowing about where my ancestors came from and who they were. : )
DeleteWell sweet lady it was so nice to see a post pop up on my email! Made me smile.You have been a busy gal haven't you? Oh I do love all the flowers. So pretty. Good to see a post dear Jemma. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYour flowers look lovely! I like your raised beds. Woohoo on the real estate license! Now you have a new thing to keep you busy!
ReplyDeleteOf course you can combine the two. My massage therapist is also a broker -- you just have to schedule right! And I love every bloom. Looks like your climate grows "Michigan style" flowers -- and beautifully!
ReplyDeleteI have done my DNA -- and loads of family history and am writing a book about it for other family members. It's really fascinating!
Oh, your flowers are so beautiful! I am glad you are figuring out the difference in growing them in your new home. Many blessings to you, sweet friend. So nice to see a post from you today!
ReplyDeleteI truly believe you can do anything you set your mind to Jemma, (Except maybe bungy jumping. I’m afraid I’d have to stop you dead in your tracks on that one) after all, you went on NATIONAL TV! That takes cajones!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your real estate licensing, but I had zero doubt you would ace the exams.
There seems to be some questions about where things are headed for you, but follow your heart, as I’m sure you’ve always done, and all will turn out as it should.
Hi Jemma, you sure are one busy woman! Your flowers are absolutely beautiful. And I love your raised beds. Congrats for passing all your exams, but I'm not in the least bit surprised! I hope you will love combining your new career with your talent of growing beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteWell it sounds like you definitely have a learning curve ahead of you for growing flowers. Somehow I think you’ll rise to the occasion!! Your raised beds look great. I guess if you start to sell real estate you’ll figure out if you are so busy you can’t do the gardening or find a nice balance between the two. I grew some red dahlias this year and am very happy with them too!
ReplyDelete