Summer 2019: Rhododendrons in My Garden

September is already there, summer has run so fast. The end of May and June it was a time of magnificent flowering of evergreen rhododendrons and azaleas in my garden.

The winter of 2018-19 was very snowy. The snow lay in dense layers and strongly bent their trunks and branches  to the ground.

In early May, flower buds began to grow and I realized that they are alive and will bloom. The evergreen 'Daughter of the North' (lilac) bloomed first, then the 'Helsinki University' (red), then 'Peter Tigereshedt' (white with a brown spot). Later 'Haaga' (dark red) and 'Roseum Elegans' (light lilac).

In June, all the bushes pleased me with their bright flowering. 

When the evergreen rhododendrons began to fade, my azaleas opened their flowers. 'Northern Lights' (white with a lemon spot) and 'Mandarin Lights' (orange) continued the beauty in this corner of the garden.

In July, I usually remove faded flowers . Later, I feed evergreen rhododendrons and azaleas with mainly potassium and phosphorus. I hope my rhododendrons will please me next summer.  
What was summer in your garden?


My video Rhododendrons:

Wordless Wednesday: Roses of This Summer

Vojanovy sady, Prague

I've been to Prague in July and it was a pleasure to see gardens there. On of them is Vojanovy sady (Vojan's Garden), the oldest preserved garden in Prague, hidden behind walls and houses and offers very intimate atmosphere of old monastery gardens.

The place retained its original intimate character. Originally it was part of a fruit garden owned by the Bishop residence which was founded in the 13th century. Emperor Ferdinand III founded a monastery here which became home to female members of Carmelite order.

Later the garden had been maintained by the Order of English Virgins and in 20th century it was transferred into the hands of the Finance Ministry. The Garden was opened to the public and named after Czech actor Eduard Vojan in 1954.

It is hard to believe that such a quiet oasis could be so close a very busy metro and tram stop. As I continued strolling through the park I noticed many different types of trees as apple and pear and nut woods, roses and flowers in bloom.

Vojan's Garden is quite famous for housing a big family of peacocks. Unfortunately when I came these majestic birds decided not put on display their sunning feather tails, some peahens walked with their babies along the paths. 

In addition to the wonderful flora I also admired some modern sculptures, an 18th century sundial, a small chapel in the center of the park.

Prague, July 2019


source 

Here is my video:

 

Decorative Plates

I had been to an exhibition of decorative plates at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. These plates were used to decorate the rich citizens homes many years ago.
Let's see this interesting collection together. Most often a pattern or a picture or a drawing of cobalt was placed in the center of a plate. The story of the ancient centuries, the bible, or landscape was used for a drawing or pattern.

Transfer printed glaze green was introduced at the factory in Staffordshire, 1821. Later lead glazed earthenware were printed in other colors. Below is the amazing plate with a ceramic snake. What did someone feel when eating food on this plate?

Silvered decoration was a rarity on ceramics in 19 century. In Germany the Berlin factory was the first to decorate successfully with platinum. Unlike silver, platinum does not tarnish.

The bone china was painted with enamels at the factory of Derby, England. Mercury gilding gives a thinner and more even layer of gold than other techniques.

Here is the decorative technique on paperweights: opal and green glass, silvered and engraved glass. Bohemia 19 century.

Having finished looking at decorative plates, I had lunch at the museum restaurant. I liked the interior design. Each of the three dining rooms was beautiful. The windows decorated with stained glass, huge crystal chandeliers, ceiling, walls, mirrors, columns gave the hall solemnity. Beautiful dishes - plates, cups and teapots were on the tables.

Do you have any decorative plates at home? Do they remind you travel, adventures, or your friend visit?

The End of July: Harvest Ripens

I love July, especially when berries start to ripen they are black and red currants, gooseberries red and green, which are very sweet. Therefore I need to choose a warm morning, but without rain to start picking berries. Here is black currant picked and in jam.

In rainy days I work in the greenhouse. It's warm and dry there, the vegetables ripen day by day. I planted peppers for the first time and now I look at how large and green they get. To say true, they had to be of a different variety. But I still like them.

For the first time I also grow Beef variety tomatoes, they are large and I am afraid they won't have enough warm days to blush on the branches. So I'll laid them to ripen at home. Have anyone done  this?

Cucumbers grew well in June and July, and probably in August they will finish. I often made salads with cucumbers and greens, I love this salad. Squashes are just starting to ripen and the smallest ones are ready to be frozen for winter and I also put them in veggie soup.

What crop do you have in your vegetable garden? Do you buy organic veggies? 
Here are my flowers that bloom and glad me.

Mid-July in My Garden

It's pretty warm summer, I love it. The plants enjoy sun and rare rains, need often to be watered. And also I do weeding, fighting with snails, aphids etc.
I took some photos of my favorite roses, irises, columbines, gladioli, petunia, impatiens, clematis. Take a look, perhaps you have similar flowers in your own garden.

Climbing rose 'Flammentanz'

Yellow columbines and tujas

Gladioli

Petunias & impatiens in hanging pots

Iris sibirica

Dianthus

David Austin roses, unknown variety

Clematis 'The President'

Shady place

Clematises 'The president' and 'Justa'

Rose 'Summer time'

 It's all for now, happy gardening to all, good weather and health!