MySecretGarden: December 2011

Holiday Paperwhites

Christmas Is Almost Here. My Son's August Picture

My 13-year old son took this picture, edited it and installed it on his computer as a screensaver back in August...

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Year!

Late Season Garden Pictures (Zone 7b)

This season is mild here in the Pacific Northwest. Surprisingly, we don't have a lot of rain. Temperatures are above freezing, and there is no sign of snow. A couple of light frosts is all that we've had thus far. So, my garden still looks green with splashes of brown and yellow here and there.

This is what I see from my back windows. Clematis montana leaves are changing color. There will soon be the time when it gets bare.

The water in the birdbath got a thin layer of ice recently.

Escalonia, privet and boxwood will stay green all year around.

Our new Japanese maple finally got its leaves off. I am eager to see its color in spring. This is the type of maple that has pink leaves in spring and fall. We bought it in May. During the summer, the pink turned to green as it was supposed to be. But, in fall the leaves stayed greenish-yellow instead of pink. I read that it can happen when the soil is too rich. The nursery employees did put very good soil in the planting hole to give the tree a good start in its new place. I hope with time that the soil gets normal, and we will see the leaves change from green to pink.

In the picture below, the blooms of fuchsia Double Otto can be seen. It is such a wonderful hardy plant. It blooms until the hard frost. Further in the garden, tall brown stalks of Joe Pye weed still stand high. Together with monarda, it attracts birds and gives them some seeds to munch on.

Do you see a bird in the next picture?

After the garden stops blooming and loses its fresh neat look, there is always a choice between esthetics and birds. I am so glad I didn't cut down these perennials!

This red Monarda was a magnet for hummingbirds in summer (Hummingbird Has Brown Eyes ).

Red berries decorate Burning bush (Winged Euonymus):

Finally, this is my last autumn bouquet picture taken on the 30th of November:

Some plants that blooming in December are: campanula, fuchsia, primula, brunnera. Also, there are buds on the rose bushes, but I doubt if they will open.

My Christmas Tree. Pictures Of The Day

Holiday Tables in Beautiful Lakewold Gardens. Part 2

I continue to share my pictures taken at the annual holiday tables showcase in November 2011 in Lakewold Gardens, a historic Northwest estate.

'A Winter Celebration'

This table was presented by the staff at Drees of Olympia. They used hand-beaded chargers, ivory wedgewood dinner plates, artisan-formed and fired first course bowls.

This table was a winner in the Professional - Season/Holiday category.

It also got a second place in the People's Choice Professional category.

***

'Uptown Gold'

Designer Bonnie Stromberg (Selden's Home Furnishings) used Lenox 'Urban Lights' china for this elegant setting. It's a winner in the Professional - Contemporary category.

***

'Before The Fireworks'

Designer Lori Durr used 'Clearlake' china by Noritake, red chargers by Martha Stewart, flatware by Oneida 'Royal Flute' and glassware from Pier I.
A Canadian tree is decorated with 4th of July ornaments.

Although this setting was created with the 4th of July celebration in mind, the tree looks appropriate for this holiday season too.

This table setting was the best in the Novice - Seasonal/Holiday category.

***

'Every (Snow) Cloud Has a Silver Lining'

Designer - Caroline Alexander of Downtown Dirt.

She used white Crate&Barrel dishes, IKEA flatware, vintage silver glasses and Waterford stemware.

The description of the tables was provided by Lakewold Gardens.

Previous post with holiday table settings is here: Holiday Tables in Beautiful Lakewold Gardens

Save a date! The 2012 Beautiful Tables Showcase is planned for October 25-28, 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm at Lakewold Gardens.

These are some pictures of Lakewold Gardens in September: