Garden Siren Call

A rock garden substitutes for the former cherry tree in this space Close-up photo of the annual flowers; blue Torenia, top, and polka-dot, bottom center. A sloped part of the yard was a challenge to the homeowner: How does one go about making this an attractive space? The answer: A rock garden. This garden replaced a wild cherry tree that was dying on the spot. First, the tree was cut down and hauled away. Secondly we bought rocks, and rocks, and rocks, from the "rock shop" on Northwest Boulevard, Davenport. Cobblestone was the choice. The biggest "cobbie" rocks rim the area, while the medium-sized ones took up the inside space. This was augmented by small cobbies. Also added where a few dozen round stones, in a robin's egg blue color. This added interest to the array of colors. Five spots were established in the rock garden. Planted were three types of succulents such as hen-and-chickens, and alternanthera -- noted for colorful leaves. Two sp...

One secret garden in plain sight, between two wooden walls. The torenia flowers came packaged four-to-a-pack, and two were selected for the Baker's rock garden, adding a welcome bit of blue color. That left two sections to find a home, and it was decided to "hide" them in plain sight, between the juncture of two walls. A tiny garden bed would be built between several rocks, giving it room to grow several inches tall. Torenia fournieri, as it is formally known in science, is also called the wishbone flower, and is grown as an annual in this part of the country. It is found in shades of blue, pink or white, with yellow markings. The green leaves have serrated edges. The idea for the secret garden came from another spot in the yard, where a columbine plant had rooted and bloomed underneath the fire pit. It was a pretty pink when it bloomed in early June, and fun to find in an unusual place. Columbine is a perennial plant, also known as Granny's bonnet, accord...

Our very tall paper birch tree with branches broken in a recent storm Weeping mulberry cut in half from the birch tree branches On June 30 of this year, a wind storm blew through Scott County, Iowa, and some great, solid branches from a 60-foot birch tree fell, first hitting a weeping mulberry tree about 40 feet below. The actions broke off half of the smaller tree but prevented damage to the deck, or home exterior. The tree's owner (me) was in Montana at the time. Neighbors who saw the carnage took pictures and sent them to us. This was difficult news, indeed. Talk to any person who hails from Minnesota and you will probably hear a few common themes: They love lakes, swimming or fishing, and the birch trees around the state are gorgeous. I haven't lived in Minnesota since 1969 but I still love birch trees, and bought and planted seven of them on our acreage in northern Scott County. The biggest one, a white paper birch (betula), had grown so tall in the past 25...