MEADOW LAKE GARDENER

Brentwood TN January Garden Chores

2012-01-16T15:40:00.003-06:00

I know it's January and it is getting cold outside,

but there are still some things left to do in the garden.

Like raking out garden beds and clearing leaves off to the compost pile.

Mulch can be spread to protect your plants.

And Royal Soil will add nourishment to tired garden beds.

Be sure to water your plants if it hasn't rained for a long period of time. Dry roots kill.

After all that, sit back and dream about what will come in Spring. Hah!

(Photo by Barbara Beach)

Brentwood TN Last day of 2011

2011-12-30T16:08:00.002-06:00

We've had a few, nice, warm, sunny days to end the year 2011 here in Brentwood TN.

The neighborhood is quiet.

Except for the occasional sawing from a house nearby being renovated.

It is nice to stop and have a cup of tea and piece of Victoria Sponge for a special treat.

The recipe is our Auntie Leslie's in Saltash, England

and it is THE BEST and OF COURSE... you cover it with clotted cream!

Here are a few clips from her garden.

This is a warm sunny spot on even the coldest days.

Now you know where I fell in love with the look of geraniums in a sunny window.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE small spaces! Look how much is going on here!

It looks and feels great!

Izzy gives the garden character. Yes Izzy, we know, you are moving soon. Don't worry, you will love your new home.

Izzy has raised several children, is a devoted friend and a comforting presence in the garden. He is important. Make sure that you have an Izzy in YOUR garden!

Nice little retaining walls make use of tiny spaces.

This one creates a pathway...and it is a pretty view from the conservatory.

Well Done!

Right then, enough dawdling . . . Back to work!

I hope you and yours have a Happy New Year.

Auntie Leslie's recipe for

Victoria Sponge

6 oz. all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

6 oz. butter (3/4 cup)

6 oz. sugar (3/4 cup)

3 eggs

raspberry jam for filling

icing sugar (confectioner's sugar) for top

clotted cream ( sometimes Harris Teeter or Fresh Market has it.)

Sieve flour and baking powder.

Cream butter & sugar until fluffy.

Beat eggs.

Add 1/4 of beaten eggs to the creamed butter, beat.

Add flour gradually, beat and repeat. A little egg, a little flour until all is well beaten.

Pour mixture into 2 greased and floured 7" sandwich tins.

(I had to go all the way to England to get 7" sandwich tins. What a hardship!)

Bake side by side on middle shelf of a 375 degree oven for 20-25 mins.

Cool on a wire tray and sandwich together with jam or butter icing.

Sprinkle icing sugar on top.

Serve with clotted cream.

Peaceful Christmas from Meadow Lake

2011-12-18T09:12:00.001-06:00

It came upon a midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come

with peaceful wings unfurled,

and still their heavenly music floats

o'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains,

they bend on hovering wing,

and ever o'er its Babel sounds

the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,

whose forms are bending low,

who toil along the climbing way

with painful steps and slow,

look now, for glad and golden hours

come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

and hear the angels sing!

For lo, the days are hastening on,

by prophets seen of old,

when with the ever-circling years

shall come the time foretold

When peace shall over all the earth

its ancient splenfors fling,

and the whole world send back the song

which now the angels sing.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear.

Edmund H Sears, 1810-1876

CHRISTMAS TIME AT MEADOW LAKE

2011-12-17T09:24:00.001-06:00

Twas the Night before Christmas

by Clement Clarks Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem 'Twas the night before Christmas' has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of 'Twas the night before Christmas' St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers!

Thanks to all who worked on the Christmas lights and John Logue, thanks for new landscaping!

TA DA! Brentwood's Meadow Lake Entrance shines again!

2011-09-24T16:21:00.001-05:00

Over the past summer, Meadow Lake / Iroquois Subdivision HOA has been working diligently on the plans for a new entrance.

A great deal of thanks goes to our HOA President Kimberly Freelove-Payton and her husband Jeremy. They have spent many hours both in the planning and implementation of this very, fresh, new face for our neighborhood.

Jeremy and his crew took our guard house down to bare bones and recreated it keeping the charm of the neighborhood as well as giving our guard house a fresh new look. Here it is with the new roof.

The new copper weather vane reminds us that this land used to be farmland when Brentwood became the perfect place to live, away from the big city.

Updated lighting looks great. Next...landscaping!

Collect seeds from your hyacinth bean vine now

2011-09-18T19:46:00.000-05:00

This is a good time to collect the seeds from your hyacinth bean vine. Put the seeds in an envelope in a cool, frost free, dry place during the winter. Plant out again next spring. Easy peasy!

This is also a great time to deadhead perennials, and discard dead and diseased foliage to reduce infection next year.

Today at the Meadow Lake Guard House

2011-09-14T16:08:00.001-05:00

Hard working fellas need a few cheerful words. Like...

Buenos dias (hello) or Buen trabajo (good work!)

Our guard house is coming along nicely. Muchas Gracias! (Thanks a lot guys!)

Brentwood TN Neighborhood gets an uplifted entrance

2011-09-07T16:27:00.000-05:00

In the center of Brentwood there is a subdivision called Meadow Lake /Iroquois. You might have noticed that the guard house was damaged by an accident earlier in the year and desperately needed some attention.

Well, work started today to bring that guard house back to life. Thanks to Meadow Lake / Iroquois HOA and residents' support, this little guard house and updated landscaping will live on for many more years to come.

Cherry tomatoes, a favorite of children

2011-08-31T18:54:00.003-05:00

Sweet 100s tomatoes are a favorite plant for children to grow because they are very easy to grow and produce lots of cherry tomatoes.

Plant them in plenty of sunshine, stake them at least 6' and water regularly.

Good News about Meadow Lake Entrance Guard House!

2011-08-25T11:44:00.003-05:00

Good news! Our Meadow Lake Entrance guard house on Franklin Road will soon be freshly rebuilt and looking fine! Thanks to a great HOA and neighbors who have paid their dues. (literally! hah!)

The permit is ready for the guard house project. YAY! The contractor is in process of obtaining materials to begin the project. The project will begin September 6th.

If you have forgotten to pay the $30 dollars for this year, it's not too late. You can send it to:

Michael Dorris at

5107 Cornwall Dr

Brentwood, TN 37027-5111

and be part of the excitement to rejuvenate our neighborhood!

B.b. Inspired.: Inspiration: Fall/Winter 2011

2011-08-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

http://twitter.com/B.b. Inspired.: Inspiration: Fall/Winter 2011

Brentwood TN Farmers Market

2011-08-21T11:56:00.001-05:00

Well, Brentwood TN Farmers Market is really called Forest Hills Farmers Market which is held periodically, in Brentwood's Town Center near the round-about with the clock.

This past Saturday, August 20, was a beautiful, sunny, day and it brought out

Fabulous LOCAL ARTISTS

LOCAL FARMERS

HONEY

FRUIT AND VEGGIES

Beautiful CHILDREN'S CLOTHING

EMBROIDERED DESIGNS

My favorite, LOCAL CAFE, THE PERCH which is also houses THE SKIN BAR

BAKERY ITEMS...Mmmmmm

Did you know that we have a company here in Brentwood called SWEET SLEEP ?

Check brentwoodhomepage.com to see what Brentwood has to offer and see you next time.

Yum, Nashville Little Cakes

Brentwood's Barbara Beach opens her On Line Shop this week

2011-08-18T20:11:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know I am a proud mama. Barbara's new Fall line of Bb's Vintage Childrens Clothing is now on sale in her ON-LINE shop. Please check it out and let her know Brentwood is proud of her. This lovely photograph is by Kelly Roper Photography of Charleston.

See what others are saying

Meadowlake Entrance

2011-08-09T15:34:00.000-05:00

Over the years Meadow Lake Entrance has been kindly and efficiently cared for by several of our residents. These people have gone beyond the call of duty and deserve a pat on the back for their devoted service to the quality of life in our neighborhood. Some of them have been Board members and some have quietly raised a hand to help without any notice or recognition from the rest of us. I am sure that there are those who have slipped through the cracks without recognition at all. To the Board members and all of the following, please accept our thanks.

Here are some of our hardworking neighbors who have taken on much of the task of keeping our neighborhood looking great.

Board members who have volunteered their time and expertise over the years: Kimberly Freelove-Payton, Michael Dorris, Brandy Adams, Alex Rockafellar,Rachel Waterhouse, Anita Hogin, Lily Trevisick, Emily West, Allen West, Susan Leathers, Nancy Logan, Bill Cleland. Paul Ross and Cindy Cook have given us many hours of great service as well.

Nancy Logan not only volunteered as Secretary/Treasurer for many years, she has assembled and co-ordinated volunteers and contractors for Meadow lake Entrance for 20 + years.

Nancy and her husband Bob have watered the Iroquois Entrance planter weekly through years of annual growing seasons. Nancy and Bob live on Oakvale.

John Logue ( his parents live at corner of Meadow lake Road and Williamsburg) maintains the front entrance through-out year, planting seasonal flowers Spring and Fall, mowing, trimming shrubs, weeding, fertilizing, mulching and generally keeping the entrance looking good when it needs attention. John is paid a low monthly fee for his services to our neighborhood.

Joe Wehymeyer (on Arnold Rd.) has volunteered to change light bulbs when necessary and carries out general maintenance of the walls, guard house, etc. at the Meadow lake Entrance.

Joe winterizes the irrigation system in Fall making sure that it is blown out and maintains start-up each Spring.

Burt Brown (on Lenox Rd.) replaced picket fence between brick walls at entrance when it was needed.

Burt often volunteers to maintain picket fence and shutters on guard house by scraping, painting and general maintenance. He also put plywood on the guard roof when storm damaged it recently to temporarily protect the guard house until it could be restored properly.

Anne Ward ( on Arnold Road) has volunteered for the past few years in Spring to provide and plant flowers in the Iroquois Entrance planter at corner of Williamsburg Road and Franklin Road. Anne lives on Arnold Rd.

Judy Moser (Meadow Lake Road) volunteered to study the best solution for the Christmas lights at Meadow lake main entrance taking into consideration our carefully managed budget.

Now, because our guard house is being demolished, the task is at hand to design a new entrance. Please be patient and thankful that we have such fine volunteers working on the many facets of this project. It is not an easy task based on our neighborhood budget restraints, but, a new look for our neighborhood is just ahead of us. (If you know any names of volunteers that I have left out, please let me know so we can also thank them.)

Stay informed about our neighborhood entrance project. There could be something requiring a skill you may have!

Meadowlake subdivision looks good in Summer even as temperatures rise.

2011-08-05T16:24:00.004-05:00

Meadowlake subdivision in summer. Pretty even in the heat!

Add some color to your garden

2011-07-22T14:54:00.006-05:00

Nice fresh sweet 100s

early morning in the kitchen garden

A touch of blue added to this back corner seating area makes everything seem fresh even on 100 degree days. The beautiful, handcrafted bench was a surprise birthday gift from my husband. (It replaced the one above)

It doesn't have to cost a lot to have comfy seating. These plastic adirondack chairs were inexpensive, are easy to clean, can be left outside in all weather and add some color to the garden.

MMMMmmmmm Blueberries in July!

2011-07-15T13:33:00.000-05:00

My favorite rose for Middle Tennessee

2011-06-05T15:52:00.002-05:00

Roses are not the easiest plants to grow here and other than the latest phenomenon 'knock-out' or 'Flower carpet' series, which fulfill the request " I just want color in my garden!" there is precious little to offer a garden client who is extremely busy making a living doing something else. IE: Roses take a lot of maintenance. Do not give up yet!

Meidiland rose 'Scarlet red' is a very hardy rambling rose for our hot humid weather. Thanks to daughter, Barbara who took this photo for me in our 95+ degree heat.

The ubiquitous 'knock-out' shrub roses are everywhere and yes, they add color (red, white, yellow or pink) with very little effort from us, but, no fragrance. The meidiland rose fills that capacity as a rambler.

Of course, water roses regularly (Never on the leaves. Well,... only if you are watering with rose food and only in the morning so the leaves can dry out during the day.

I always scratch a little organic rose food into the soil when planting roses.

I don't know the variety of the rose in the next photo and neither does it's owner, but we agree that it is gorgeous and grows well right here in Meadowlake.

So, don't give up on growing roses here in Brentwood TN.

It can be done well if you select the right ones.

P.S. I still LOVE fragrant old fashioned roses the best, however, wouldn't recommend them to really busy people.

Bachelor's Button

2011-05-13T16:29:00.000-05:00

"I used to love my garden, but now my love is dead, for I found a bachelor's button in black-eyed Susan's bed!" author unknown

Both of these perennials grow easily in SUN in Middle Tennessee.

Meadowlake History updated

2011-05-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

The other day I posted a letter about Meadowlake Entrance.

With it I added a little bit of history of our neighborhood (what little I knew). Afterwards I received a very helpful response from Bob McGowan and I thought I would pass it on to those of you who are also new to the Meadowlake/Iroquois neighborhood. Thanks Bob!

"Mary,after reading your email , I was encouraged to enlighton you a tad--------- Iroquois subdivision sarted developing in 1962 and continued for about 4 years. It was developed by Eddy Arnold ( yes, the singer) and Charley Mosely, hence Arnold road and Mosely drive. Meadowlake started developing about 2- 3 years later about 1965-66.We moved to Williamsburg road in June 1963 and there were about 12 -15 homes there when we moved and Meadowlake was farmland at that time, all the streets dead ended a few feet north of what is now Meadowlake road. Thought you might be interested----" Bob McGowan

If you have any history knowledge to add to Bob's please send it along. We live in a fascinating neighborhood and I am sure I am not the only one who is hearing this for the first time. Please add comments to bottom pf post or email them to me (Mary) at lavenderbluegarden@gmail.com. And, thanks again Bob!

Cicadas

2011-05-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

In the past few weeks many clients have been pulling me aside and asking,
"What can I do to prevent damage caused by cicadas?" And, "Are there really cicadas coming?"
The best place to turn for answers is to the great folks at the TN Agriculture Extension Service. And according to them, the 13-year cicada is expected to emerge from soils across much of Tennessee soon.

Millions of 13-year cicadas are expected to emerge from the soils across the state this spring. Female cicadas can damage young trees when they cut slits in twigs to lay eggs

Sometime this spring, when soil temperatures reach about 67 degrees at a depth of 4 inches, large numbers – millions – of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soils of more than one-third of the state's 95 counties. The greatest population concentrations are expected to be in Middle Tennessee.

The target date is early May, and four or five days after they emerge, the adult males will start “singing” says University of Tennessee Extension entomologist Dr. Frank Hale. “In some locales, the sound may seem deafening.”

Hale says the high-pitched, shrill-sounding songs of the males may be distracting or irritating, but it’s the activities of the females that can cause damage to the landscape, especially young trees. “After the males attract females with their song, mating occurs and females begin laying eggs inside the branches of woody plants. A female cicada has a knife-like ovipositor that she uses to slit twigs before she lays eggs inside the slits,” he said.
“A single female cicada can lay anywhere from 24 to 28 eggs in each slit she cuts, and she can cut anywhere from 5 to 20 slits in a single twig.” Hale explains that each female can lay a total of 400 to 600 eggs and that the egg punctures pose a threat to young trees.

“Apple, pear, dogwood, oak and hickory are their favorite hosts, but you can see the puncture marks on many tree species,” Hale says. “The punctures can damage young transplanted trees in nurseries and orchards causing the twig tips to wilt and die.”

In areas having a previous history of high populations of periodicals cicadas, Hale says certain preventative measures should be followed. “Delay pruning young fruit trees until after cicada emergence so damaged branches can be removed and a proper scaffolding of branches can be established. When feasible, small, valuable shrubs and trees may be covered with a loose woven or spun fabric such as cheesecloth or floating row cover for protection while cicadas are present.” Hale says insecticides have not proven to be effective for preventing cicada egg-laying damage.

Cicadas cannot sting, and adult cicadas live for only four to five weeks. Eggs hatch six to seven weeks after they are laid and the newly-hatched nymphs (which are white and ant-like in appearance) drop to the ground and work their way into the soil. Nymphs grow slowly and they feed on sap from roots until the spring of their 13th year, when they emerge to start the cycle again.

Out on a limb

2011-04-21T19:59:00.000-05:00

Have you ever felt like you are out on a limb? After a very windy night, we woke up, looked out our window and saw this little guy enjoying the calm that followed the storm. Not to worry little guy, Luke is building a new house for you straight away.

April 4 wind storm blows through Brentwood. Who has seen the wind?

2011-04-05T19:27:00.000-05:00

Monday, April 4th was a blustery day for Meadowlake as winds swept through our neighborhood. Christina Rossetti's words tell the story once again.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.

But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.

But when the trees bow down their heads,

The wind is passing by.

Who has seen the wind?
by Christina Rossetti

A colonial home like this one with it's well kept, traditional garden out front can be found here in Meadowlake.

2011-03-27T15:18:00.000-05:00

One way to find the style of garden for you is to look at your house architecture. This Georgian Colonial has a square, symmetrical shape, central door, and straight lines of windows on the first and second floor. There is usually a decorative crown above the door and flattened columns on either side of it. The door leads to an entryway with stairway and hall aligned along the center of the house. All rooms branch off of these.

The traditional style garden shown here looks appropriate with this style house. As with the house, the plants are arranged symmetrically, balanced and carefully placed along the foundation.

Using evergreens, boxwood, laurel, holly, and yew is always a safe bet. Flowering trees, redbud, dogwood, crabapple and cherry are some of the choices that are used so that each season showcases one main focal point. The idea here is clean, neat, color in contained areas and not busy.

The saying, 'A place for everything and everything in it's place' is quite true for this style garden.

Some other details used in a traditional garden are:

Chippendale Bench

Gate with arbor

Brick path through garden

Meadowlake is sprucing up again

2011-03-25T13:47:00.000-05:00

Every year at about this time our neighborhood goes into overdrive. It is exciting to see how everyone is spiffing up their homes.

A new garage? Nice!

Total renovation going on here.

New wing was added here. Landscaping designed and installed by John Logue.

New porch. Wow! Can't wait to see it finished.

One, Two, Buckle my shoe

2011-03-02T10:58:00.000-06:00

One, two, buckle my shoe;

Three, four, knock at the door;

Five, six, pick up sticks;

Seven, eight, lay them straight:

The Duncan family spent a day cleaning up their yard after the gusty winds blew through our neighborhood the other day.
If you want to join in on the fun, just go outside and see if you can find any sticks to pick up. Here is the rest of the poem so you can recite it while you work. See if you can make a bigger pile at the street than anyone else! Most of all, have fun. I am sure you can make your parents really happy doing this too.

Nine, ten,

A big fat hen;
Eleven, twelve,
Dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen,
Maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-waiting
Nineteen, twenty,
My plate's empty.

What does your mailbox say about you?

2011-02-12T12:57:00.002-06:00

These are a few of the mailboxes in our neighborhood that I pass every day. Each of these homeowners has obviously made a commitment to keeping them well maintained.

So...What does your mailbox say about you?

These white blooms of silver lace vine are stunning in late summer.

This homeowner used 'Forest pansy' red bud for strong contrast with the nice, earthy buff color of their brick. They have also planned the next season's color with day lilies waiting to bloom.

Not only did this homeowner design a delightful color combination and a very welcoming mailbox statement, the easy to read numbers are definitely appreciated when trying to find an address.

The mailbox is one of the things that creates a first impression. Unfortunately, in some cases, that is not always the image we have in mind.

So, go outside and look at your mailbox area. Does it reflect your character? Do you like what it says about you?

Creating a nice mailbox area does not have to be a huge undertaking, so, why do we keep putting it off? It is one of the smaller projects that make a lot of difference to your home's curb appeal. Too busy to maintain a garden around your mailbox?

Clean and neat is also very welcoming especially if you have no time to maintain a garden. This homeowner added details like a border on the driveway and updated a newly laid stone culvert. Now they have easy maintenance and and great look.

P.S. So, everytime I pass one of these pretty entrances, I am going to remind myself that this is the year for mine to be updated too.

Does your garden have good bones?

2011-02-09T18:16:00.002-06:00

Wintertime is a great time to look at the bones of your garden and draw a design to improve your outdoor garden space.

Pay close attention to areas that do not drain. Wet areas can create problems for growing plants as well as attracting moles and mosquitoes.

Center a birdbath in your garden and give the birds a clear path to their favorite watering hole as well as allowing you to have a bird's eye view.

Believe it or not, your herb garden can be as beautiful in winter as it is in other seasons and birds love to peck around at fallen seeds.

A focal point will bring some interest when foliage and color are absent. Children love to have someone to keep a careful watch over their garden at night. This is kane. His brother Able is in the nearby butterfly garden.

A misty frost creates an ethereal feeling on this outdoor trellis. Very calming.

How do you begin to create a design, you say? Take it a step at a time. For now, just spend a few minutes today looking at your garden bones.

Not tonight deer

2011-01-25T22:02:00.000-06:00

Early in the morning we see this family making their rounds.

Back when I had a garden nursery there was a product called Not Tonight Deer. It was supposed to keep the deer away from garden plants. Hah. It didn't work of course and we took it off the shelves, but I still think the name is pretty catchy. Watch out for products that claim to do the impossible.

A new year in Brentwood for Meadowlake Gardeners

2011-01-16T13:41:00.001-06:00

Last year on Meadowlake Gardener blog , photos of plants and styles within our neighborhood gave us a pictoral record of a year in Meadowlake/Iroquois neighborhood, Brentwood, Tennessee.

Remember the sweet little bird that came after the rain? I thought it was a Baltimore Oriole. One frigid day when I was curled up in my favorite chair, reading Joe Allen's book 'Enjoying Nature About Us' I learned that this bird is a Towhee. This towhee landed in our birdbath the day after TN May 2010 flood and has made our garden a permanent home for it's new family since then. If you also have a towhee in your garden, you can post a comment to let the rest of us know about it. You might be helping bird conservancy efforts to locate different species.

*Don't forget to put water out for the birds in WINTER too. They will appreciate it!!! Did you know that we are extremely lucky to have so many bluebirds in our neighborhood? Our mature trees and open spaces between our gardens provide a perfect home for these beautiful creatures. Do you have bluebirds? Tell us about that.

This year, our neighborhood blog will be an interactive place for posting local garden tips. Emma (below) is our spokesperson. Any comment you have can be directed to Emma. She is a terrific listener and is quite knowlegeable about everything outdoors.

Look forward to local gardening sources, sales and inspiration for the new year here in Brentwood / Nashville area. Comments are welcome from all of you.

Comfort Food from the garden

2011-01-02T12:09:00.000-06:00

Just before Christmas one of my clients asked if she could grow a nutmeg tree here in TN garden. (Not wanting to be too negative about it with an answer that I might later regret, I said I would look into it.)

After all, just because a plant is best suited elsewhere for climate or humidity concerns doesn't mean that it CAN'T grow here. There was a gentleman in Clarksville who consistently proved me wrong in this regard. His name was Jimmy Glenn. Jimmy Glenn spent years and years growing trees in his garden that were indigenous to Asia, Australia and many other climes and was successful at it. Mind you, he had a great deal of patience and it was a passion for him.

In other words, if you have money burning holes in your pockets, (for a greenhouse, for example) an inventive and experimental streak to try unusual things, and have lots of time on your hands, yes, you might be able to grow a nutmeg tree right here in Tennessee. For the rest of us, nutmeg can be found at the local grocery.

It is true. I grate nutmeg on just about everything I cook. It's fragrance permeates the air and that usually means comfort food is on the way.

Winterberry holly. An easy arrangement.

2010-12-12T18:43:00.000-06:00

Winterberry holly makes an arrangement all on its own. This branch of Ilex verticillata (winterberry holly) will last about 4 weeks, and longer if it is kept in a cool place. If you want to grow this deciduous type of holly in your garden for the berries, remember to plant at least one male ( good variety here in TN is called 'Jim Dandy') along with as many females as you want. Sounds unfair, but, that's the plant world for you.

Brentwood's first snow of 2010

2010-12-05T11:30:00.000-06:00

We woke up to a lovely, light snow falling on our 'Mary Nell' holly outside. It is December 5TH and this marks Brentwood's first snowfall of 2010. Now it feels like winter.

If you have not met him yet, this is George. George came all the way from Charleston, SC, from a wonderful place called Hyam's Garden Center. On days like this we think George might be feeling a little bit homesick for warmer weather, however, pretty soon his pansies will begin to bloom and he is always rather proud of those. So, as William Shakespeare said,"All's well that ends well."

Colors in November

2010-12-04T17:02:00.000-06:00

November got away from me before I could catch up. Here are some photos from our neighborhood during the month.

Ginkgo tree

Maple, October Glory

Pyracantha

Ginkgo biloba makes you feel good.

2010-11-24T19:01:00.000-06:00

Ginkgo biloba grows well in almost every part of the world. It certainly seems to like Middle Tennessee. The fan shaped leaves are a lime green in spring and turn a lovely yellow in fall. Some people take supplements of ginkgo biloba in their diet. I am not sure what that does for you, however, just looking at this tree makes me feel good.

First signs of Fall

2010-10-14T16:04:00.003-05:00

The answer to the previous post is SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS and we had three winners! Alex, Judy and Simone. "Good on ya" as Simone would probably say. Thanks and keep posted for more quizzes.

What a welcome sight these gorgeous burning bushes ( Euonymous alatus) are after the hot summer we have had. Sometimes called winged euonymous, these shrubs are drought and heat tolerant. Fall is a good time to plant them too.

Guess This Vine

2010-10-10T21:26:00.000-05:00

See if you can name this plant. The answer will be on the next post. Good luck. I will give you a chance to drive by on Williamsburg Rd. before I give the answer. Come on neighbors, someone can get this one right.

Nashville's Whitland Neighborhood is worth the drive.

2010-09-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

I often like to take a drive through neighborhoods to look at the gardens & architecture and consciously make a note about which details make a difference to the 'feel' of the neighborhood or the 'curb appeal'.

Whitland Neighborhood is endowed with plenty of curb appeal. Like Meadowlake, Whitland Neighborhood in West Nashville, is an older neighborhood with many of the advantages of mature trees, established gardens and human scale architecture that create the foundation for the charming atmosphere that newer subdivisions often strive to achieve.

Lucky for us, we are invited to come inside some of its' homes and gardens. For more info. on this click on Whitland Neighborhood Home Tour and save Sept. 25 & 26 on your calendar for a nice day out.

Rose of Sharon memorable yet not remembered.

2010-09-01T19:21:00.000-05:00

I can't imagine an easier way to have flowers in the garden here in hot summer. Althea, or commonly called rose of sharon, is that plant.

Along with the pineapple it makes any southerner feel welcome. If you look up rose of sharon in wikipedia the references are endless. Everyone has a memory of them. Why then do we forget to plant one in our garden? It is a mystery.

Snow ball Viburnum opulus sterile is a southern beauty.

2010-08-12T19:56:00.000-05:00

This 'snow ball bush' as it is commonly called here in the south is just another of the beautiful plants we see on a drive through our quiet neighborhood.

Crape Myrtles make a nice 'welcome' feeling to a driveway.

2010-08-08T18:50:00.000-05:00

Crape myrtles also grow well in our heat.

Furry Garden Helper

2010-06-06T14:09:00.000-05:00

Meet Max. He is the kind of kitty anyone would be proud to have helping in the garden.

Movin' on down the road.

2010-06-02T18:48:00.000-05:00

I noticed today that the truck was missing, but, the house was still there waiting to move on down the road. I wonder if the driver knows that he has left without it? We will soon see.

Arts and Crafts Style

2010-05-25T17:03:00.000-05:00

This newly constructed home on Williamsburg Road is a beautiful example of Frank Lloyd Wright's style and reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts Movement. What a beauty!

Another great home with the Arts and Crafts Style, this home has been lovingly tended for many years. The landscaping softens the home in the way that Frank Lloyd Wright suggested this , " No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Southern Charm

2010-05-22T16:38:00.001-05:00

Meadowlake is one of those neighborhoods that just feels good doesn't it? This charming home looks cool even on the hottest days.

Style all it's own.

2010-05-21T20:16:00.000-05:00

We watched as, brick by brick, the house here on Meadowlake Road was cautiously dismantled and then carefully re-built into this colorful, fresh, style of it's own.

Now we are all watching and waiting to see what they have in mind for the outside garden. We all want you to know that we love the look and can't wait to see what you have in mind, no matter how long it takes.

Flowers from a neighbor

2010-05-20T13:23:00.000-05:00

Last year, our next door neighbors, Rick and Vangie, gave us a start from their siberian iris. I have heard that you are not supposed to say thank you when someone shares a plant with you, so, let me just say, " We LOVE this new addition to our garden and what a pretty color it is too."

Look who blew in with the rain.

2010-05-10T19:08:00.000-05:00

This pretty little Baltimore Oriole must wonder where he is after such a turbulent ride. We haven't seen him in Brentwood before today, however, upon reading about B. O. 's they breed here in Spring and Summer. Thanks little guy. You really perked up our day today.

Rain by Shel Silverstein

2010-05-04T21:55:00.002-05:00

Rain by Shel Silverstein

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head

And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,

I walk very slow,

I can't do a handstand--

I might overflow,

So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--

I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Rain by Shel Silverstein

Curb Appeal comes in many forms.

2010-04-27T19:40:00.000-05:00

This fresh color rendering and lovely new shutters add so much warmth to this cosy home. This homeowner did a great job with picking up color in the nandinas at the doorway as well.

Clean lines and new colors update this ranch from ho-hum to WOW.

The light, subtle shades on this home make it a cheerful addition to the neighborhood. The charming , arched, front door and portico catch my eye every time I pass.

Sometimes simple touches are the best. The stone work at the front porch area and the new front door and shutters have transformed this lovely home from Ranch Style to Craftsman.

Teddy Bear's Picnic

2010-04-26T17:02:00.004-05:00

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Ev'ry teddy bear who's been good

Is sure of a treat today.

There's lots of marvelous things to eat

And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please

Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better not go alone.

It's lovely down in the woods today

But safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for teddy bears

The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today

Watch them, catch them unawares

And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about

They love to play and shout;

They never have any care;

At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,

Will take them home to bed,

Because they're tired little teddy bears.

Annuals are out in full force. It is finally pretty safe to plant tender annuals.

2010-04-26T16:33:00.000-05:00

Geraniums brighten up any landscape. Over the years plants come and go, in and out of favor and popularity. Geraniums are always a favorite. They are easy to grow here in the South.

New gardens take a LOT of work!

2010-04-25T21:55:00.002-05:00

A lot has been going on at the Farrell's house lately. This is Grace doing one of her many jobs...weeding. Good Job Grace!

A little bit of romance.

2010-04-23T19:24:00.001-05:00

So simple. So nice. The only rhododendron that really does OK in this area is one called 'PJM'. These rhodys are planted on the North side of the house where they get half-a-day shade. Growing rhododendrons is not for the faint-hearted.

Cherry trees are such a cheerful addition to any landscape.

2010-04-23T19:14:00.000-05:00

The white coloration on this weeping cherry is a good contrast to the red brick and evergreens that frame it.

This sweet weeping cherry is perfect in this location.

These two 'yoshino' cherry trees welcome visitors every Spring here in Meadowlake.

Japanese Maple

2010-04-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

I can't imagine a nicer place to sit and have a cup of coffee. Can you?

Rick and Vangie's Japanese maples are a beautiful sight. They add color to their garden for three seasons a year.

Iris(es) need dividing if the rhizomes are below the surface of the soil.

2010-04-19T11:57:00.003-05:00

Our hardworking HOA president, Cindy, cleans out her iris bed. She knows that allowing the rhizomes to see sunlight will bring on more blooms.

This is a good example of a healthy and beautiful iris bed on Williamsburg Road.

This iris bed is lovely as a natural focal point in front of this home on Seward Rd.

Wisteria in all it's glory.

2010-04-14T21:02:00.001-05:00

This wisteria is blooming on Meadowlake Road. It has been a particularly good spring for wisteria. Remember to trim back after it blooms to keep it in control and to promote another showing of spectacular blossoms later in the season.

Cold Frame

2010-04-12T19:15:00.001-05:00

It is hard to believe that a frost may still happen this late into April, but, it can. Keep a close eye on tender plantings for a few more weeks. Plants like tomatoes still need a little help against frost damage.

2010-04-07T18:23:00.000-05:00

Wisteria is already in bloom in Meadowlake. Warmer than normal temperatures have brought on gorgeous blooms.

Lovely Lavender Azalea

2010-04-05T16:09:00.005-05:00

This beauty belongs to Jim and Trudy on Oakvale. I would love to know the variety.

HAPPY EASTER

2010-04-03T19:04:00.002-05:00

This hard worker was spotted helping her grandmother getting her garden ready for Easter. Good job Anna! Have a Happy Easter!

Bluebird Paradise

2010-03-30T08:34:00.001-05:00

Meadowlake is full of beautiful birds, one of my favorites is the bluebird. It would be nice to know how many neighbors have bluebirds nesting in their gardens.If you have bluebirds, please let us know.

Garden Quiz: What is this? The blooms smell like gardenia blossoms. It is one of the first plants to bloom in Spring.

2010-03-29T09:09:00.003-05:00

Of course, you got it. It is mahonia japonica, 'Bealei', or commonly called Oregon Grape Holly. It grows well here in part shade. The leaves are evergreen. Click on this title and see what it looks like in other seasons. You can buy this locally. I use the www.monrovia.com site to view plants and see how to care for them.

Get your boots on baby!

2010-03-28T18:39:00.000-05:00

Look now for the next chance to fertilize your lawn. Best results are on wet grass with 24 hours of dry weather to follow. Also, begin feeding flowering trees, shrubs and flowers with organic fertilizer.

Oil change?

2010-03-28T18:27:00.000-05:00

We can't believe what great neighbors we have. Rick came over this morning and helped Luke change the oil in our mower. THEN, he took the blade home with him and sharpened it. Now that's a great neighbor and a friend!

Plant Swap

2010-03-25T09:27:00.001-05:00

A year ago in April, our womens' group gathered for a plant swap. This year our plant swap is open to all neighbors who love to garden or are just learning about their outdoor space and how to cope with maintaining it. Keep checking for the Plant Swap date. It will be coming up in May.