Tag Archives: flowers

August Audit

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Here we are in late August. Summer’s end is in our sight-line. And so it’s time to assess the garden. The highs and lows, the whats and whys of the growing season must be noted. From this, we learn and take steps to make our gardens healthier, more productive and beautiful.

Looking around my garden, I see those plants that need to be reined in severely. In the meadow, ornamental raspberries and woodland anemones are the regular offenders which, this fall, will be ruthlessly handled till very small versions of themselves remain. The asters which are only a little less prolific are also targeted for serious editing – they will be drastically divided and distributed amongst fellow gardeners. Each of these plant types are legitimate and beloved residents of my garden but if not given diligent oversight, they get too full of themselves and aggressively thwart their neighbors freedom to exist. As a result, they must quite literally be cut down to size.

It’s with some concern I’ve noted that the milkweed are nowhere to be seen. Before I simply plant in fresh replacements in the Fall, I must determine the reason for their loss. Were the emerging shoots subjected to harsh weather in late spring? Or did the aforementioned thugs vanquish them by moving into their space? Surely it cannot be a pest? I have to do some investigation.

In the checkerboard garden, overhead conditions have changed as the neighbor’s cedar has grown quite mighty. All the shade it now provides means the creeping phlox no longer thrives. Instead, moss has moved in and columbines have self-seeded extensively along with forget-me-nots. I’m debating if I should see how this plays out next year or if I ought to include something to carry this area from spring into summer this Fall. Perhaps the shorter, clumping allium like A. millenium which blooms in summer? A single clump in the center of each mossy green square would look fetching but I wonder if the paucity of sunlight would once again be a problem. Another investigation to add to my growing list.

A few plants have made no appearance in the perennial beds in front. They were planted only last fall so its possible they struggled with inclement weather conditions since then and lost the fight. Or did the nasty Spotted Lantern Flies devour them as they did the young marigolds I’d planted around the new elephant sculpture in the herb garden? This might remain a mystery.

I see that matters like these plus the chores that need rescheduling to align with the changing climate ( which I will get into next week) will keep me from remaining idle for quite a while. The lazy, hazy days of summer are indeed over.

Watercolors of some of the plants that need attention –

The bullies –

Woodland anemone
Aster

The self-seeder –

Columbine
Columbine
Columbine

Missing in action –

Solidago
Milkweed seedpod

Victim of the Spotted Lantern Fly –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Wry And Dry

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I’m having a hard time contending with the shifting weather patterns. No season is panning out to be ‘normal’. Trying to determine how the present slate of long residing members of the garden is coping is proving frustrating.

After a dry, milder winter, some plants emerged earlier than anticipated, others showed up late and the remaining were right on time. So which lot were the savviest in anticipating the weather? More importantly, who amongst them timed themselves to align with their favorite pollinators? Native plants have co-evolved with native insects and the jury is still out on how any or all are handling the changes.

Spring started out cool and wet but finished blisteringly hot with some days of rain. And thus began summer with a string of heat waves only to have August arrive cool as a cucumber but dry as a bone. So here we are – still sans rain but steadily heating up.

The ground is parched and many plants are panting with their tongues hanging out. The rain barrel is so low that the watering cans sit looking forlorn and unloved. I’ve resorted to watering the pots by turning on the taps and using the hose. The majority of the plants are of course in-ground and I’m debating whether to give them a good soaking or let them tough it out. Since drought conditions haven’t been declared so far and I’m loathe to lose some treasures, I’m leaning towards the sprinklers itching to be set up so they can madly shower the garden.

However, looking long term, it is worth examining what sort of plants one ought to be introducing/replacing in the garden. Certainly heat and drought tolerant ones but does that mean plants that have till now been ‘native’ to zones clearly south of mine? Or southwest? ‘Native’ will be a fluid term for sure.

Accordingly, what does this mean to the bird and insect population? Without any apparent clarity at present, I’m not in any hurry to pull out any old faithfuls. But, I do think I must start considering adding in new (to these parts) members to make some sort of headway in what and how we grow our gardens of the future.

I’ve always maintained that the garden is one big laboratory and gardening is a series of experiments. Well, right now, we are at the crossroads of setting up one complex experiment. In this chartered territory of gardening during climate change, I cannot determine if I’m a profoundly inexperienced novice or a truly mad scientist. Only time will tell.

Hot Colors of summer –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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August Surprise

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After a mostly brutal July, August has entered the building. A very uncharacteristically agreeable entrance at that. The weekend weather was nothing short of stellar. With a temperature high of just mid-70s, lows in the mid-60s, humidity that was barely perceptible and light breezes gently stirring up the air, it was exactly what was needed. I stayed out in the garden the entire time. Some work got done but honestly, I spent most of my time simply basking in the deliciousness of it all.

This week doesn’t look half bad either. Dare we expect this month to redefine our summer?

But before I put up the hammock and indulge in my tall stack of summer reads, there’s the monthly list of chores to consider. And consider I shall.

What To Do In August –

1. Harvest the vegetable patch regularly. If you’re overwhelmed with the bounty, offer them to food kitchens, friends and neighbors. Also, consider canning vegetables and fruit. They are mighty handy to have on those days in winter when you crave summer fare. Not to mention the crazy times when cooking is simply not possible.

2. Keep weeding. Even when it is hot, hot, hot, weeds continue to thrive. Early hours of the morning are most enjoyable – cooler and fewer biting bugs.

3. Water as required.

4. Mow as usual. Again, do the right thing and keep blades at 3 1/2 to 4 inches high. Let the clippings be as very soon they will disappear into the soil and enrich it.

5. Continue to deadhead and trim back. This keeps the garden tidy. Seeds that you wish to harvest can be left on the plants till they are ripe and ready.

6. Take cuttings of plants for rooting. Doing it now will provide enough time for growth before planting in the fall or bringing indoors in winter.

7. If you’re going away, arrange to have someone water the garden and keep an eye on things.

8. Prune wisteria and anything that is overgrown.

9. Watch for pests and/or disease. Use organic treatments.

10. Keep birdbaths filled with fresh water.

11. Spend as much time as possible in the garden – autumn approaches! Eat, read, snooze, throw parties, paint, write, meditate, pay bills, enjoy the garden.

If you haven’t as yet ordered your bulbs for fall planting, do it now!

Monarch butterfly on the milkweed
Harvesting hydrangea
Spotted Lantern Fly nymphs. Ugh
Hummingbird gracing the Agapanthus

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Thugs, Slugs And Bugs

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It’s high summer and hence peak season for contending with all the trials and tribulations in the garden. Plants, pollinators and pests are going wild.

Lets begin with the thugs. The weeds are of course deliriously happy. I can’t seem to stay on top of this menace. Mostly because it has been way too hot to spend the vast amount of requisite time to vanquish them. Clearly they’re loving the respite from me as each time I return to this chore, they are bigger and even more plentiful than before. I’m seriously considering making them legitimate members of my garden.

Okay, I agree. It would be a horrifying sight.

But the real thugs are the deliberately chosen members who decide to show their gratitude by going rogue. I’m looking at you natives -woodland anemone, ornamental raspberry and common aster. Just because the pollinators smother you with attention does not in any way give you license to overrun your better behaved sisters. Behave! I’m really tired of having to keep reining them in.

When my friend Beth recently discovered leopard slugs in her garden, I urged her to kill them off. Not simply because they’re slugs and universally disliked but, because they are non-native. Don’t get me wrong – I willingly murder our own native American varieties when I find them chomping on prize ornamentals or decimating my $40 tomatoes (each). After all the hard work I’ve put in, how dare they!

But, let me take a moment to put in a good word for the indigenous slugs. Believe it or not, they actually have a valuable purpose. They help break down decaying plant material like leaf litter, old logs and such and return nutrients to the soil. Some types of slugs are also predatory and feed on other slugs, snails, worms and insect larvae thereby keeping their populations in check. Slugs aerate the soil which is important for plant growth. They are a good food source (protein!) for birds, frogs and other invertebrates. So, that’s my Public Service Announcement for the season.

(But, do get rid of the non-native varieties.)

Finally, I’m currently consumed by the full on invasion of the Spotted Lantern Flies (SLF). The mild winter and wet spring is the reason. Climate change is not a hoax or fake news. It’s really happening and really horrible. The SLF nymphs are crawling all over. They are hard to swat (or crush) and kill like one can the adults. They hop away so fast. Given that these pests are everywhere, it’s not prudent to spray the recommended organic products as that would affect all the beneficial creatures as well. On that same vein, I cannot limit the SLF food supplies by cutting back the perennial plants. What would the native bugs and birds eat then?So the decision has been made to focus on just the fruit trees, Concord grape vine which is a particular SLF favorite and, some important shrubs. These are all plants that would be much harder to replace.

Note: many non-native plants are sought after by SLF. Possibly because they’re from the same places as the offending bugs. So it’s a good incentive to get rid of plants one shouldn’t be encouraging anyway.

Neem spray has had no effect thus far. We will keep trying of course. Meanwhile, we’ve cut back some of the grapevine so the SLF nymphs and adults have less shade to hide under and we’ve also done some dedicated vacuuming along the main trunk and limbs of the grapevine. This has been quite effective in sucking in the nimble nymphs as well as the adults. So we’ll see. Might end up vacuuming more often in the garden than inside the house this summer. Adults seen anywhere else will be crushed with relish.

War has been declared.

NOTE; I’m not going to dignify the pests and thuggish plants by showing their images. Instead, here are some glimpses of the garden doing it’s best in this endless heat wave of a summer –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Escape Artist

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I am not a summer person. This fact surprises many because how could an avid gardener not enjoy the season when the garden is at its peak? Well, this gardener can happily leap from spring right into fall. The high heat and humidity of summer really does me in. I wilt and wither almost immediately so how could I possibly like this season?

Certainly the garden is growing exuberantly right now and there is much satisfaction to derive from the success of the designs and plants I envisioned months, even years ago. But, given that I seek the cooler confines of the indoors as soon as temperatures spike, summer, in my opinion, can be very easily skipped. I have so much fun planning for this time that that in itself is all the pleasure I need. Yes, I dislike summer. There, I’ve said it.

And because I’m not in the garden weeding and tidying as much as I’m required to, matters get out of hand rather quickly. I’m not above shamelessly appealing to family and friends to help out. I bribe with food and drink. If that fails, I lay on the guilt. That works quite effectively. I advice everyone to give it a try.

I escape from the disapproving gaze of my garden by sneaking into spaces that don’t require any exertion on my part. It’s much nicer to visit other peoples gardens when it gets too hot (and humid) to be in my own. Inexplicably, summer feels kinda pleasant wandering around with a tall glass of something strong and cool in hand, admiring the not-my-garden, I generously reserve judgment on any mess or weeds left in place ( I’m only hard on myself) and cheerfully put up with weather conditions I typically find intolerable. Maybe it’s the work I resent doing. Indeed, I do have a lazy streak.

Last week, I escaped to Ithaca. For a whole week. Except for one amazingly cool, dry day, the weather was not very different from my own neck of the woods. But, I was not doing any work was I. So, it was all very agreeable. And I did visit a garden on the Cornell campus that I like immensely. Each time I’ve gone into this lovely space, it has been devoid of all other visitors. Even though it is almost directly across from their popular ice-cream place.

I have no idea what the story is about this garden – there’s never anyone around to ask. No doubt overseen by one the several plant-based departments of the university, It is well tended and clearly planted thoughtfully. Looking beautiful in all seasons, this garden offers lessons in color, texture, shape and design. Annuals and perennials are selected and mixed together by someone(s) who knows gardening well. Abuzz with all manner of pollinators, it still feels calm and quiet. My kind of garden.

Now that I’m back home, I’m studiously averting my eyes from my neglected piece of paradise. I’ll get to it tomorrow. Maybe.

All the photos below are from this unnamed Cornell garden. Enjoy!

Apple trees trained into arches

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Future Tense

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Truth be told, gardeners live perpetually in the future. Even as we go about the work demanding our attention in the present, there is always a requisite need to be looking ahead. From sowing and planting to staking, pruning, feeding, deadheading, and so forth, we’re in constant service of what must come to pass later.

I was reminded of this universal truth as I stepped out to ‘simply soak in’ the summer splendors of my garden. It all started off very nicely. The birds were loquacious and actively foraging in the meadow. Fully occupied in feeding their young ones and themselves good protein rich worms and bugs no doubt. Meanwhile, butterflies entertained with balletic performances as they flirted and flitted amidst the flowers. The steady thrum of all manner of insects had an almost hypnotic effect on me – this was exactly why one gardens! I’d achieved my goal of glorious goings on in the garden. How immensely satisfying.

That should’ve been the moment I ought to have stepped back into the house. Instead, I lingered on to stay fully present to it. No sooner had I duly congratulated myself for doing a half-way decent job, when I noticed how unruly some of the perennials were poised to look. It would only get worse. Out came the trusty secateurs and I was giving haircuts all around. A spot of tidying can make quite a difference. When a simple trim proved inadequate as in the case of the summer phlox that seemed inclined to flop about, some staking was in order. Much better. The front beds should be in good shape through the rest of summer.

But, as I began to turn away, from the corner of my right eye, I couldn’t help noticing some distinctly bald spaces. I then looked from the corner of my left eye. More bare areas! This was not right. Clearly, certain plants introduced last fall had not made it through. Unable to recall which ones they might be, I immediately began to fantasize new plants to get. In time for planting this fall for next years summer show.

My critical eyes having been opened, I picked up on other to-do items. For instance – Relocate the climbing rose ‘Strawberry Hills’ being overrun by the sweet autumn clematis. It will do much better by itself on the trellis against the south corner in the front of the house. And so it went. Future projects for the fall, winter, spring and even next summer.

To that point, this week, I shall be putting together the list and ordering my bulbs for fall planting with the spring show already envisioned by my mind’s eye. My Big, Beautiful Bulb Bonanza.

So much for being in the moment. My mind is way ahead. Always.

Drawing from the past, I’m planning for the future. An extravaganza of earthy delights –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Summer Wine, Whine, Vine

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July started so hot and humid that very little got done in the garden. Watering the plants that looked parched and miserable, cleaning and filling the hummingbird feeders with fresh sugar solution and topping the birdbath with fresh, cool water has been the extent of my labor. Even that limited time in the garden was enough to be devoured by greedy, vicious mosquitoes no doubt lying in wait for my forays.

BUT, the long weekend was simply gorgeous. The Fourth ushered in lower temperatures and even lower humidity. Hallelujah! A morning hike in a preserve nearby was glorious. Birds and bird songs abounded. After spending so much time in the cool of the indoors, it was liberating to move around. Feeling the gentle breeze, hearing the birds, inhaling the earthy smells of the lofty, green pillared cathedral was nothing short of being in a sacred space, My spirits soared. A reminder of how much we need to be in Nature.

Back home, it was pure bliss to simply sit in my garden and enjoy the sight of all the flowers that had been undaunted by the preceding days of heat. I delighted in watching the hummingbirds at the feeders, butterflies dancing in what appeared distinctly flirtatious and, a myriad happy pollinators in action. The Echinacea was a particular draw.

Later that evening, I was privileged to sit in a friend’s garden sipping wine, observing the brilliant sunset before the main attraction – fireworks of course! A very satisfactory day indeed.

Saturday was just as lovely. Between neighbors dropping in to see the garden and us driving over to friends for a garden party, I did exert myself to get a spot of weeding done.

At the aforementioned garden party, there was a brief period of grumbling about the pest du jour – the reviled spotted lanternfly. With no real control available, folks are resorting to neem oil. A good general, organic treatment but, not only must it be reapplied after every rainfall, it is important to remember that the good insects are also impacted by any general products. My own response is to crush the pests whenever I see them. The nymphs are more elusive. My Concord grapevine is a lanternfly favorite so, I’m watching the developing clusters of grapes with trepidation.

Sunday started out beautifully and I made the most of it by lingering outdoors but by noon the humidity rose as did the mercury. Sigh. Another week fraught with heat, humidity and thunder showers is forecast.

Why oh why must all good things come to end? And so quickly too.

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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July Works

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Ah July! The promise of summer laze and leisure. The garden thinks otherwise – get to work it says. But even in the course of doing the chores, there is time to appreciate the joyful scenes everywhere one looks.

I’m particularly thrilled about the magnolia in bloom right now. I planted it four years ago and have trained it in a fan-shaped espalier. It seems to like the location and has been doing well. Every year since it has been supplying me with its gorgeous leaves for holiday decorating. However, the tree’s attempts at blooming have been consistently thwarted by the weather. Promising looking buds have emerged every spring only to be ambushed by a heatwave leaving me to stare at frizzled nubs. So disappointing.

This year too, just as the buds got bigger and plumped up along with my increasingly eager anticipation, a heat wave descended. Temperatures hit 100 degrees. I opened up the sun umbrella to protect them from the harshest impact of the sun. And I telepathically beseeched the tree to stay strong and on course. Well, one cannot say for sure if that worked but we now have large, creamy white beauties. I’m absolutely delighted.

Here is July’s To-Do list –

1. Weed, weed, weed! Remember, pouring boiling water over bricks and other stonework will kill  weeds growing in-between. A good re-purposing of the water after cooking pasta, boiling eggs and such!

2. Deadhead often. Neatness matters.

3. Mulch, fertilize (organic only please), water as required.

4. Mow when needed but keep the mower blade high.

5. Watch out for pests and/or disease. Use organic control.

6. Plant out vegetable seedlings for fall harvest.

7. Keep birdbaths filled with fresh, clean water.

8. Order fall bulbs,

9. Take time to watch dragonflies by day and fireflies by night.

Happy Fourth one and all!

Magnolia!
Hibiscus
The Wall
Echinacea
First Dahlia
Butterfly lavender
Veronicastrum
Oakleaf hydrangea
White Agapanthus
Beejal overseeing the garden
The path full of volunteers
Lamium
Painted fern
More Magnolia!

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Farewell June, Well Met

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I’m saying goodbye to June with some trepidation. This month has been confusing. Concerning even. It has vacillated from positively chilly temperatures to the current heat wave of unprecedented highs. Sunny, bone dry days to dark, relentlessly rain drenched ones. High winds to calm conditions. June has given us the full range. So, with summer’s official arrival, I wonder what is in store.

Taking care of routine garden chores has been less than pleasant. I can barely keep up with the weeds – with all the copious rain they seem to emerge anew even as I pull them up. And then, with the heat, I myself wilt to mirror the plants.

Thankfully, the necessary pruning of the espaliers got done in time. It’s really important to refrain from doing anything that can add to the stress when plants are already challenged by the heat. Similarly, do not feed the plants during a heat wave because it will stimulate new growth which not only adds to the strain on the plants but will also struggle to sustain itself. It’s tempting to water more frequently but instead, try to exercise constraint. Check if the top inch of soil is truly dry before you turn on the hose. And when you do, give a thorough soak. By being judicious with the water, not only are the plants hydrated correctly but it also helps to mitigate the development of conditions that lead to mildew and disease. Excess humidity is a scourge.

It is best to get the chores done in the early hours of the morning or towards the end of day when the temperatures are not quite so high. It doesn’t help to have the gardener succumbs to the heat does it now.

In preparation for the heat, I’ve pinched back the dahlias, deadheaded everywhere (no need for the plants to expending energy making seeds), severely cut back pansies with the hope they will revive in time for fall blooms etc.,. The hummingbird feeders are cleaned and refreshed daily on these very hot days – the sugar solution can ferment easily and/or develop microbial growth which can be deadly to the tiny birds. I fill the feeders only a fourth of the capacity each day – enough to feed the birds well for a day. Any more would be wasteful. The birdbath is monitored several times during the day – being appropriately shallow the water evaporates easily even on humid days.

Despite the weather, the heightened ‘bugginess’ and general lethargy that sets in, I’m enjoying the plants that are blooming their hearts out. The agapanthus, astilbe, acanthus and ornithogallum are having their moment and I’m here for it.

Being present is after all, the order of the day,

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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A Case For Autocracy Or Tough Love?

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Did the title get your attention? Good. Allow me to spend the next few paragraphs making my case.

In trying to understand what we’re facing as a nation, my mind has been working overtime. As always, when faced with a life problem I turned to the garden for counse. The answers were not readily apparent. However, in going about the business of gardening, cogitating on what and how we humans readily behave badly whilst simultaneously declaring our goodness, I started becoming aware of just how explicitly the garden was informing me.

The very work of making and maintaining a garden is about Control. We act as boss and not so much partner with Nature. We apply our plans and designs to create our vision and in doing so, we often operate counter to Nature. What we plant and grow, the practices and methods we employ are for our own purpose – to make a beautiful, bountiful garden.. Even as we ‘welcome’ pollinators and beneficial creatures, we are doing so to our own advantage’.

Weeds? Pull ‘em by the roots and dispose. A plant (native or otherwise) gets thuggish and invades spaces not intended for them? Cut back ruthlessly or remove entirely. We cut, clear, coppice, confine and cage to suit. Train, tie and twist. Stake, suppress, spray. We do what we we want. You see? We’re a pretty bunch of horticultural autocrats!

Are we really this bad? Yes we are if all we focus on is getting our personal agenda fulfilled. The worst kind of gardener is one who uses methods and practices that damage/destroy indiscriminately and without consideration to the surroundings and those who live in it. Such gardeners do indeed exist but I’d like to think that there are more of us who are better than that. We make choices that do the least harm or none at all. On principals of coexistence, conservation and community, we create our gardens to be spaces that allow insects and other animals to visit. Pests are discouraged by encouraging their natural predators, companion plantings or the judicious use of organic applications.

Of course, we still prune, pull weeds and deal with invasives but we also compost to use as both fertilizer and mulch. Grow native and/or ecologically beneficial non-native plants that are resilient, hardy and less demanding of resources like water and labor. We keep in mind that we are but the privileged, temporary custodians of this, our precious piece of land for future generations to enjoy. As in parenting, we provide structure, boundaries and some discipline – with kindness, care, compassion, empathy and most all, with love. Tough love.

In the final analysis, it comes down to who we choose to be and how we choose to act. If we can look into the eyes of our children and grandchildren and justify our choices without reservation or excuse, with the full understanding that they led to better, healthier lives for them, then, and only then can we confirm that we chose right. From deep within our hearts.

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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