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the 2009 garden in pictures: a slideshow

by Ken Smith
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Author Margaret Roach
JACK AND I WISH YOU EVERY GOOD THING in 2010 (however you wish to pronounce it, twenty-ten or two-thousand ten, or even two-oh-one-oh). As our parting shot, a look at some of the zillions of photos we enjoyed taking in 2009. Happy New Year! (Photo of us thanks to Erica Berger, and no, I am not torturing Jack. Promise.)

Click on the first thumbnail to start the show, then toggle from slide to slide using the arrows next to each caption. Enjoy!

acer-pseudosieboldianum-february
The start of each calendar year is the slowest point of the garden’s own calendar in my northern garden, when I’m happy for little joys like the persistent foliage of the Korean maple, Acer pseudosieboldianum…
apple-in-snow-february
…or for the startling shape of the oldest apple trees, left behind a century ago, beautiful in every season.
february-shoveled-path
In January and February, I scuttle along narrow runs made in the snow, not unlike the moles and voles and mice who are looking for sustenance as well.
frog-late-february
By late February 2009, half of one frogpond melted and a sea lion-like bullfrog came up for the year’s first visit.
purple-chairs-february
I shouldn’t leave the sets of painted chairs out in winter, but I am hungry for their cheer.
eranthis-march-7
By the first week of March, signs of hope, in the form of winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis).
jack-in-eranthis-2
The curator of the gardens, HRH King Jack the Demon Cat, in the Eranthis mid-March.
first-hellebore
The first hellebore, by March 21 in 2009, is always the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger).
hellebores-budding
Around the same time, the big clumps of orientalis hellebore seedlings are budding up…
hellebore-seedling-5
…and by later in the month and throughout April, in bloom, in shades from yellow to near-black.
wood-frog-closeup
At the end of March I heard a duck outside, but if it quacks like a duck it might be a wood frog instead, and it was (a male looking for a mate).
coopers-hawk
Some wildlife moments here are not so joyous, like the day in early April when a Cooper’s hawk hit a tree in the side yard and died from the crash.
hosta-april-24
By late April, the hostas are showing serious signs of life.
veg-garden-prep
The vegetable garden beds needed renovation and lots of compost this year, and got it in April.
tulip-april-25
Tulips for cutting help take the edge off the waiting.
ephemerals-april-29
By late April, the ephemerals are in full tilt…Hylomecon, trilliums, the hellebores still and so on, planted in big carpets beneath all the old apples.
ephemerals-end-of-april
rhodie-in-bloom
Skip ahead a month, and it’s late May — tour time. The big old rhodie out back showed off on cue this year.
peony-time-june-5
I grow herbaceous peonies (like the tulips) for cutting only, in an out-of-the-way bed; they always bloom for my early June birthday…
june-8-lonicera
…and so does the woody vine Lonicera sempervirens, seen here June 8.
722-good-viburnum-fruit
By July, the doublefile viburnums fruited up nicely, along with some other species….
sedums-in-late-june
…and the groundcover-type sedums were all afire alongside the vegetable garden.
colorful-ferns
Who needs flowers in the shade in June when you have this autumn fern and painted fern?
weasel-tails-620
Jack brought me 7 weasel tails by season’s end; just 6 by June 20, when this photo was taken. His record is 13 in a season. I hate that he kills these wonderful animals, but he lived in the woods here long before he adopted me, and the wildness is hard to tame.
allium-june-22
Allium moly is a charming little bulb, at its peak in mid to late June.
budha-and-frog-june-26
On June 26, who knows what this guy was saying to Buddha (but their little whisper-in-the-ear went on for quite some time).
wasp
Also in June, a female wasp with a long ovipositor drilled into a tree out back to plant her eggs.
acalaphya-in-summer
One of my favorite “annuals” is Acalypha, whose frilly and colorful foliage comes in many named varieties.
promise-of-brussels-722
The promise of Brussels sprouts had me hungry for this favorite vegetable since July.
woodchuck-in-garbage-can
In July, nothing looks as beautiful as the sight of a garbage can full of a visiting woodchuck, who got driven in helper Susan’s car down the road apiece and released.
ruhs-in-july
Well, maybe golden staghorn sumac looks even nicer than the captured woodchuck. This is ‘Tiger Eye.’
angelica-gigas-aug-20
Angelica gigas is the plant everyone asks about here in August-September, a biennial with other-worldly flowerheads that are chest-high.
back-garden-august
The back garden in August, with a glimpse of the larger frogpond.
tomatoes-in-august
Even in a terrible tomato year, I had a decent crop in my raised beds; these (chopped for sauce) yielded in late August.
lespedeza-904
By late August and throughout September, the giant perennial Lespedeza thunbergii catches the eye even across the yard, a fountain of purple.
apple-october-light
…like these…
big-apple-october
If I had no garden, I think I would be happy to just live with these old creatures till I die.
magnolia-pods-2
Some fall moments are less majestic: picked-up seedpods from under the magnolias…
gourds-and-ladybug
…and dried ‘Nest Egg’ gourds for the windowsill. Look how a ladybug is crawling up the discarded snakeskin I draped over the gourds. Everyone wants to get into the act (and house).
hillside-oct-22
By the third week of October, the color starts to peak. The concolor fir on the back hillside with a complement of maples.
terrace-october
More maples in the distance, looking across the terrace…
hillside-mid-october
…and even more from up on top of the hillside, worth the hike in fall especially.
sheffield-mum
In late October, ‘Sheffield Pink’ perennial mum is a winner (and I hate mums).
jack-on-the-hunt-november
By early November, the leaves are fading fast…and Jack is on the hunt, listening for any movement in the grass.
crabapple-crop
The crabapple crop invites migrating birds to think about a pit stop.
ogon-november
Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’ manages to keep its gleaming head until December, miraculously.
yucca-november
So does Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard,’ a stunner 12 months a year, and a plant I am grateful for in November onward.
december-sky
Even if there is little going on at ground level some weeks, there’s always the sky (this was how it looked at first snowfall, December 6).
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  1. Charlotte Cantrell says:

    Happy New Year from N.Florida.
    Jack is a lovely “Tuxedo” cat, always dressed for the occasion.
    We are having some VERY cold weather for us. It will be interesting to see what it will do to our gardens.

    Reply
  2. Susan says:

    Margaret,

    What a lovely journey through 2009!!! I would like to feature it with another slideshow I am writing about on Garden Variety. Can I use one of your pictures on the blog? Your choice!

    Reply
  3. Keren says:

    Thank you for sharing your pics and memories with us:) I love the ‘Tiger’s eye’ sumac and the ‘ephemeral’ picture, well that got me in the mood for spring time really fast. Alas as i am sitting here in Georgia wearing three pairs of socks in record low temps It seems I will have a bit more time for fantasizing about the glories of spring.

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, Susan, and yes, borrow ahead since it it for a good cause; thank you for asking. Happy New Year to you.

      Welcome, Keren. It has been bitter here, too, these last few days. I have not gone past two pairs of socks but it sounds like a good idea. :) I am going to sit down with the seed catalogs tomorrow for a big dose of hopefulness and forward-thinking. See you soon.

      Reply
  4. Marilyn says:

    What a beautiful picture of you and that furry devil Jack! Happy New Year, Margaret – your gifts in the garden (and on the page) inspired me all your. Here’s to an energized, sisterly 2010. :)

    Reply
  6. mimi says:

    If I let you have the garden and the cat … can I have your hair? HAPPY 2010 … and thanks for all the great mail. Mimi

    Reply
  7. chigal says:

    It’s amazing to see so many varied scenes of beauty coming from one place. Perfect example of how gardening enriches our lives. Hope you have a great year!

    Reply
  8. Wendy C says:

    Dear Margaret
    You SO live in the garden of Eden. I loved your slides and wish that I could magically step into the one with your spring ephemerals under the old apple tree. it is just so breathtakingly beautiful! You are a wizard!
    I am really enjoying your blog and have been perusing your older posts; your home and garden just Wow me!!
    It is so nice to see that I am not the only person dragging all sorts of tidbits from the outdoors to bring inside. Pretty soon there will be no distinction between the two!
    I just had to say thak-you for sharing your piece of heaven on earth after seeing your wonderful photos.
    It is very inspiring.
    I love your chairs outside, too!
    Sincerely, Wendy C

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, Wendy. I am happy that it looks like a piece of heaven form there…it does from the seat by the window here, too. I am happy to be here — in my garden, and on the blog with all of you. :) Do come see me again soon.

      Reply
  9. deb says:

    This site is truly one of a kind. It’s the best of everything.
    And in my own little cold and snowy Ontario , I remain inspired and looking forward to next year. thank you.

    Reply
  10. Fred from Loudonville, NY says:

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!! to You Margaret, and your readers. May if be a FLOWERiferous year for you ALL!!!!!! ( is there us such a word like that)

    On February 13, 2010, at 2pm, at the Monument Mountain School, the Berkshire Botanical Garden is having their winter lecture “Three Decades in the Garden at Highgrove”. Highgrove is the home of Prince Charles . Debs Goodenough, his head gardner is giving the talk. The lecture is $35. for non members. If you are interested visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org I, for years, from my LOFTY seat in the bleachers, have seen Margaret sitting there, with friends ALMOST front row center. They, for the most part, present a really fine lecture, EQUALLY good as Margaret gives on the 365 day garden.

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      @Jessica: Nice to see you and happy new year back. It’s a great plant; give it room, and time to shape up. See you soon.

      Reply
  13. Susie Collins says:

    Greetings from Northern Michigan, Margaret! I just love your newsletter. Thanks for sharing your pics, your life, you!

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, Susie. I expect it’s cold in your neck o’ the woods (as it is here this weekend again, brrrrr). Thanks for your encouragement, and don’t be a stranger.

      Reply
  15. Mary Ashcraft says:

    greetings from Virginia: I could help thinking about Jack as he danced around the mulberry bush singing “Pop Goes the Weasel” Thanks for the wonderful pictures.

    Reply
  16. Stephen Ramundo says:

    Hello Margaret! I found you through an article written by Mariana Greene in the Dallas Morning News entitled “Looking for other gardening fools online” I immediately recognized you from your years with Martha Stewart Living. Your website is amazing and look forward to exploring it! I live on an acre outside of Dallas and attempted tomato plants in pots with some success. I bought a tumbler composter last year and was so excited to see my first batch of compost. I built a raised bed to try my tomato plants again this year with hopefully more tomatoes. So glad you started you own blog! I feel like I found an old gardening friend.

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, Stephen from Dallas. Yes, our old gardening friends are here with me, gradually showing up season by season. Glad to have you along, and hear of your backyard adventures. See you soon again, I hope.

      Reply
  17. May V. says:

    I also found you through Mariana Greene’s article in the Dallas Morning News this morning. What a marvelous website! I am thrilled to have found it and thoroughly enjoyed the fabulous photos of your garden. I look forward to following your 2010 gardening adventures. Love Jack – a kitty with attitude!

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, May. Jack will love it — being called “a kitty with attitude.” He certainly has that (when he is not stoned on catnip, which is a lot of the time lately). I am glad you have found me and that we can garden virtually together in the season to come. I have a few months yet of waiting, but I will try to conjure up some offseason entertainment. See you soon again.

      Reply
  18. Lynn says:

    Happy New Year, Margaret! Thanks for the beautiful slideshow & for sharing your lovely space and knowledge. You and Jack look great :)

    Reply
  19. Kathleen says:

    I went to High School with Erica Berger. We were on the Conestoga staff together she has accomplished fantastic things. We had a fantastic adviser, Miriam Grant at NMSH.

    Reply
  20. Angela R. says:

    I saw a blurb about your blog in my local newspaper, and I really enjoyed logging on. I have been a fan since you were at Martha Stewart Living. Look forward to your garden in 2010!

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, Angela. How nice of you to come investigate. Especially nice for me at near-zero days here to have the warmth of your comment. :) See you soon again, I hope.

      Reply
  21. Jeff Hayes says:

    Dear Margaret;

    I saw a quick slide of an upright purple coned conifer. I couldn’t locate it later. I have seen this before and would like to add one to my pinetum. Do you have the variety and where I might locate one?

    Having just discovered your spectacular site, I hope to venture over for a peek during one of the Open Days.

    It almost hit 70 today so I am charged for the season.

    Regards;

    Jeff

    Reply
    1. Margaret says:

      Welcome, Jeff. It is Abies koreana, the Korean fir, that has the purple “pine” cones. It’s in a few places, including this post. It is easy, beautiful, and oh those cones! Thanks for the kind words, and yes, do some visit. I will be here, under a pile of weeds or trimmings of some kind. :)

      Reply
  22. Carole says:

    Hi Martha,
    Saw that you were going to be on the Martha Stewart Show and a little about
    your history. I made it a point to see the show.
    Even went out tonight and got your book. You have done a remarkable thing to
    follow your dream of how you truly wanted to live. You have a beautiful home and
    all the beautiful scenery , flowers, trees and landscaping, is breathless. I now will
    be keeping in touch and on your blog. Also love Jack, as I am a cat lover.

    Reply

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