Elisa's Eye on the World

Medley of Texture and Color

The stage is set for a season of color by the lower rock wall. The Garden Elf is surrounded by Bleeding Heart; to the right is the village of Foxgloves, surrounded by the spreading mat of Vinca. Sedums are spilling from the rocks and the nearby area has a stepable variety of groundcover bordered by wood chips.

Garden Views 3-23

Finally, here's some pictures of the garden taken outside, instead of through the window.  Spring is on the way!
The Elf has been relocated to the "fairy flower" area with columbines and foxgloves.

The violet colored blooms are Vinca groundcover, the tall shrub / herb  is Rosemary.

A big bag of compost spread in this area, after some diligent weeding was very rewarding.

 

Dusting of Snow

From the morning of March 7:
A few objects of garden whimsy are viewable here. The orange golf ball and red with tan garden elf with mushroom combi. This was all gone by mid-day.

Here you can see the end of the lawn dart.

Garden View Early March

I tagged "bulbs" here and must note this means the emergence of bulb activity. The Garden Elf has been repositioned for spring where soon, he will be surrounded by fairy like flowers and plants. Ah Spring!

Goldy Honey Bear Sunflowers

Look at all the unopened flower buds! Flowers ahread this fall.

How plush is that?

In the background you can see an assortment of other varieties of sunflowers - but these are my hand's down favorite.

The element of whimsy shown here is the plaque on the fence to the right that happens to face the sunflower.

 

Early August Garden View: before the sunflowers take off

 

Early July Garden Views

Do you see the new element of garden whimsy along with the rays of lights? It's a "Whiligig" with a metal propeller blade and movable base with a Maine lighthouse, fisherman, boat and fish.

Another view where the lighting looks great on the ornamental grasses.

The foxgloves, or Digitalis are in full force now, with a harmonious blend of pink, purple and white flowers.

The blue tipped blade of the Whiligig is somewhat viewable through the fountain grass.

Garden elf, post arm surgery amongst Sedums, Bleeding Hearts and Columbines.

 

Garden View From Back Steps

Taken around 6 pm tonight - note emerging bulbs and partially concealed garden whimsy.

February Snow Showers Dust the Garden

The bits of green sticking out are spring bulbs. I've learned they will hold on and find the right time to bloom, without damage despite the record low temps and snow.

View from the laundry room window. Artsy.

The orange dart? It's another element of Garden Whimsy. We found the lawn dart under the deck during the remodel. The teak bench was a great investment. Built from a kit, it requires not annual maintenance except to hose it off in the spring.

So nice not to see the ugly red shed. The blue recycling tote is standing on the remaining foundation until we build a proper corral on the north side.

Here Come the Tulips

Here are some early signs of spring bulbs after a near frosty morning.

Early February Garden

This is the view from the window to my left as I type this entry. Hubs just cut back the Fern, as recommended by Garden Guru L for early February. Not very impressive right now but this area which faces the New South Beach lounging area is set for a spruce up.

I've been in the kitchen making clam chowder, but opened the window to take these as the drizzle dripped outside.

There's a nice view of the strech of fence that's on its last legs, and pending replacements. We already flipped over the boards so the pained brown side is not visible but the posts are failing and it's too high in some places, short in others and gotta go.

Hubs dismantles the former wheel barrow planter for proper disposal. This is from inside, the green rock is the New South Beach the nearby area has lots of early spring bulbs that will be rocking out by the end of the month.

Mid-January Garden View

The View from the Kitchen Window in October

The first of the Honey Bear sunflowers is in bloom here along with a gang of assorted varieties.

There are elements of "garden whimsy" in these two pictures. The first one is red, and was posted before. The other is orange, a vintage golf ball we found when the rotting deck was demolished. The glacial green pathways looks extra great after rain.

With the camera panned to the left the maroon mum "Helen" is visible above the rubble wall.

Garden Elf in Sedum

The Garden Elf is up to his shoulders in Sedum so maybe it's time to reset him for summer, perhaps a clear spot by the pumpkin patch?? 

Eight Winter Pansies in the Upper Raised Bed

The upper raised bed is occupied for the cool weather by eight winter pansies - two each of four colors: violet, crimson, white and yellow. A great suggestion from M at the local garden center.

Amaryllis Blooms in June

The previously indoor Amaryllis has started to bloom now, there are two other buds standing by along with The Gang.

The Amaryllis Gang

Here garden whimsy is added with Ali, Frank and Annie on daytime guard duty of the Amaryllis. This will be its first outside bloom. Before, it was forced to bloom inside in a container. The red bulb was planted alongside the pathway to the top of the garden. Along the way sedums and ornamental strawberry surround the stones and ornamental grass mark the top. Raised beds with the vegetables are in the background along with a few soon to be blooming iris plants.

Ginger Boy in the Garden

Like the previously featured giraffe this toy was found on the road during a bike ride. After enduring a tough winter he's looking good surrouned by ground covers and tulips.

Garden Elf Under a Fairly Heavy Blanket of Snow

Trail Treasure and Odd Pottery

Shown here is "Luther" a rubbery giraffe toy I found while riding my bike this summer. He tucked in perfectly into my bike jersey's back pocket. He's surrounded by a treasured but broken Stangl Pottery catchpot and a discarded plate that used to belong to a neighbor.

Garden Elf Among the Sedums

Surrounded by an expanding area of Sedums, Garden Elf adds a vibrant color contrast and lighthearted touch to the back yard.

Late April View of South Side

I'm still catching up on photos from the last week in April. Do you see the Garden Whimsy?

There is a red "Lawn Dart" towards the center. When we took out the rotting deck a few years ago, this object was found underneath. We find it an interesting contrast to the organic surroundings and other bright colors.

Handlebar and Brooks Saddle Garden Steer

This "steer" decoration was manufactured from bicycle handlebars and a very old Brooks leather saddle. The freshly painted house makes a good contrast to imaginative and sustainable materials.

Classy and Fun Garden Ornamentation

In a lovely historic neighborhood we discovered the added charm of garden whimsy in unexpected locations. While admiring the "Watership Down " themed decor in a front yard,  the owner greeted us from the porch and pointed to the tree on the other side. As an added attraction an adjacent street tree had a Pooh House at its base.

Stuffed Bird in a Tree

I walked past this stuffed toy, sitting in a small tree in front of a house a few times before taking this shot. Was he placed there intentionally as garden whimsy or in hopes of reuniting him with someone who dropped him on the sidewalk? Or both?

Archive Photo of Garden Elf

Surrounded by the early July low growing blooms, this ceramic garden elf and mushroom are the largest of our whimsical garden ornaments.

Elements of Whimsy in the Garden

Whimsy in the garden can be small found objects - pieces from a child's tea set tiny toys;  Lucy in straw hat figurine, a lawn dart (not shown). These are set on the ledge of a rubble wall near the back door.

Garden Elf

Surrounded by sedums and some drought stressed plants, Ziggy the Garden Elf stands guard near a small path in the back yard. Thanks Mom!