Billy Bob's Halloween Report & HORROR TALE!

"I'm Billy Bob, here to take you through a not-so-typical New England checklist, as we prepare for the trick-or-treaters. I'm on Halloween guard duty at the home of a gardener, who also works at a garden center... which fact may color this report."

Front door decor ~ Check!

Black cat silhouette ~ Check!

Giant pumpkin ~ Check!
(OK - we left this at the nursery, so we've only got a photo.)

Backyard bonfire ~ Check!

Backyard ice ~ Check!

Calculating crow ~ Check!

Crow on the move ~ Check!

Melting hoarfrost ~ Check!

Tender rosebuds, of indomitable spirit ~ Check!

Full-blown blooms of 'Abraham Darby' ~ Check!

Bumblebees gathering the last of the pollen ~ Check!

"Yep, pretty easy guard duty - soaking up the sun and waiting for tonight's procession of ghosts and gremlins. I did see the lady of the house bring in a sack of candy a couple of days ago. Assuming she hasn't eaten most of it, I'd say we're all set for tonight. I now turn you over to the aforementioned lady of the house..."

"Thanks Billy Bob, and we'll be speaking later, about that snide candy remark."

"Hi, Deb here, with a puzzlement. For those of you following Loretta's (she resides at Corliss Bros.) recent field reports on plant profiles... I'm sure you're familiar with the above casual pose, as well as the following close-up, that was taken for her in-depth field reports."

"Understated makeup, small nose, neatly coiffed ~
an attractive young scarecrow."

"Several days ago, I noticed that Loretta looked different. After a conference with her creator, I came away with the impression that, at most, Loretta had a makeover, since her natural beauty products were not holding up beneath the rain, sun, frost and wind. Now it wasn't until I had the two photos side by side, that I realized the awful truth. (Note the pumpkin size and color, as well as the new upturned nose.) Not just makeup, or even a face lift... Loretta has undergone a head transplant! ARGHHHH!!!!! BOO!!! Pretty scary stuff, huh?"

©Photos & Text: Deb Lambert 2008

Leaf Peeping at Brown's Pond

October 27th dawned sunny and bright, soon warming into the sixties ~ a perfect day for leaf peeping at our local park. So, Lucy-Maude and I loaded up her stroller with camera and other accoutrement, and headed out for a two-hour nature walk. If you'd like to view the same walk from Lucy's viewpoint, go to Dog's Eye View for her version of the same hike. I hope you enjoy the foliage tour ~ I'll leave you to it.....


























"Hi, Lucy-Maude here... don't forget to pop 'round to Dog's Eye View for my version of the same hike... or, at least send your canine companions over ~ even felines may enjoy this one!"


Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert 2008

Stanley Scissorpaws in "Catawampus"

Don't miss the screen test, over at Grouse & Chortle. Click here for a short trip to the set of "Catawampus.

Meet Betty

Click here to meet Lucy's new friend at Dog's Eye View

"Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow"

[Note: To truly appreciate the frost crystals,
just click on the photos.]

Will I be a needy, clingy gardener holding onto
the fading remnants of last summer, like grim death?

Or, will I arise from a warm fall lethargy,
inhale the frosty morning air and admire
Mother Nature's handiwork?

Her crystallized asters,

Her common weeds attired in sparkling finery,

Glittering scarlet, midst a sea of green,

Her honeysuckle softly furred with hoarfrost,

Every fallen leaf dressed to the nines,

Facing the morning sun,
still wearing last night's regalia,

Bringing majesty to the mundane.

As a queen bestows knighthood, Mother Nature
touches her vassals' shoulders with an ice-cold
blade, designating which shall first obey the demands
of approaching November.

And the strengthening rays of a rising sun,
reveal which of her subjects remain unscathed
by her frosty touch.

Ruby fruits of deadly nightshade tempt the shrewd
mockingbird, delight the eye and ease the erstwhile
gardener's descent into the depths of autumn.
It is a bittersweet farewell, as I leave behind the
glories of summer and bid adieu to
another growing season.

You were right, Mr. Shakespeare...
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Photos & Poetry: ©Deb Lambert 2008

More Fall Profiles

From Alberta Spruce topiaries

To late blooming garden mums,

Giant pumpkins

And dried corn stalks for decorating,

Loretta, our field reporter, is back for
another October tour of the garden center.

Larix decidua 'Pendula' / Dunkeld Weeping Larch ~ Size subject to training. Deciduous conifer. Soft, bright green needles attain a beautiful golden fall hue. Requires a moist location - avoid hot, dry areas.

Acer saccharum 'Green Mountain'

This 'Green Mountain' Sugar Maple matures at 60-70'H x 40-50'W. Wide rounded outline. Large green leaves that turn varying shades of yellow, orange or red. Best color in slightly acid soil and full sun.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'

Jelena (Copper Beauty) Witch Hazel, which matures at 10-20'H x 10-20'W. Deciduous, with glowing copper blossoms, comprised of twisted petals, in late winter. Great fall foliage. Shrubby habit. Needs moist, but well-drained, soil and a bit of afternoon shade.

Acer japonicum 'Rising Sun'

'Rising Sun' Full Moon Maple. Handsome autumn foliage... large leaves turn shades of red, gold and orange. Reaches a height and width of about 10-20 feet. Sunny, moist, well-drained location.

Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'

Roseum Viburnum grows to 10-12 feet high and wide. Prized for its burgundy fall color. Very showy, sterile white flowers that cover the shrub in mid-May. Also known as European Snowball. Sunny spot and moderate moisture.

A close-up view of the Dunkeld Weeping Larch.

Thanks to Loretta for that colorful stroll through Corliss Bros. Garden Center. As usual, at the end of the day, Lucy and I head for the car... snapping photos all the way!

The Rugosa Roses were looking most photogenic,

and so I obliged.

What appears to be a pumpkin bed, is actually a garden bench in front of the display table. We tucked in the globular, orange curcurbits and said "goodnight!"


Photos: ©Deb Lambert 2008/©CBI 2008

Grouse & Chortle Post

Need a smile? Go read "THE GREAT CHECKER KERFUFFLE."

New Post at Dog's Eye View!

Just up ~ Lucy-Maude has posted her latest adventures... meet Benjamin, her long-time friend, on her well-deserved day off. Click here to visit Dog's Eye View.

AUTUMN TREE PROFILES ~ Introducing Field Reporter, Loretta...

Over the next several posts, we'll be discovering the autumnal beauty of New England, as we stroll through Corliss Bros. Garden Center & Nursery... trees and shrubs - some newer hybrids, some old favorites - all in full fall regalia. Perhaps you've considered including one of these specimens in your own landscape. In that case, viewing them through the eyes of October will give you a whole new perspective.

(FYI: Loretta is the creation of talented designer and
Corliss Bros. Plant Sales Team member, Jackie Bennett.
The sculpture by her side is entitled, "Blackbirds' Revenge.")

Taking her ease on a garden bench, the newest
member of 'Team GardenAuthor' is field reporter
Loretta, the undeniable 'Queen of October,'
presenting us with the pleasures of fall gardens.

From her giant pumpkins,

to her lavish October displays...

From the first blush of a dogwood leaf,

to visions of geese, soaring above the garden center,
Loretta offers us a view of spectacular woody
ornamentals and a brief profile of each.

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'
Kwanzan Japanese Cherry

The Kwanzan Cherry matures at 25'H x 15-20'W. Large, double pink flowers. Extremely reliable bloomer from year to year. Upright vase shape, but wider and more spreading form with age. Such a strong, vigorous specimen, that it is often used as a street tree. Disease-free, durable foliage that ranges from yellow-orange to muted red come fall. Requires full sun and well-drained soil.

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'
Autumn Gold Maidenhair Tree

This 'Autumn Gold' Ginkgo has wonderful fan-shaped foliage, turning to a strong golden hue in fall. In its youth, Ginkgo has an open branching habit. With maturity, it becomes dense and broad, with a conical canopy. This slow grower is free of pest and disease problems, cold hardy and seashore tolerant. Mature size: 50-60'H x 30-40'W.

Liquidambar styraciflua
American Sweetgum

American Sweetgum matures at 50'H x 30'W. The fall brilliance of this star-shaped foliage is only complemented by corky wings on the twigs and unusual, bur-like fruits. This fast grower requires moist soil, full sun and an area protected from the wind. Sweetgum is native to the southeastern United States. Many birds and small wildlife species enjoy the seeds and fruit.

Considered invasive, this non-native burning bush (Euonymus alatus compacta) is no longer available in Massachusetts nurseries, but it certainly has a major impact on the autumn landscape. Cardinals are among the songbirds that relish its fruit.

Chinese lanterns and money plant are sought in the fall for autumn arrangements. But Loretta informs us that these are of the everlasting, faux variety.

Are we indoors or out? Graceful, silk foxtail grasses consort with faux bittersweet inside a warm, sunny window. Great pretenders that make interior decorating a snap! Recommended by our own 'Queen of October.'

"Well, this is your Field Reporter, signing off.
Tune in next time, and we'll continue exploring
my autumnal garden center delights.
I'm Loretta and that's my October!"

©Deb Lambert 2008
Photos: Euonymus & both faux greens photos ©Deb Lambert 2008 /All others: ©CBI 2008

'Cutting Edge' Commercial ~ "Quiet on the Set!" ~ "Take One"...

"Cutting Edge"

pruners: $24

maintaining the cutting edge: invaluable

cutting up branches for composting : essential

cost of a bandage: $.24

knowing where the branches end and fingers begin:
priceless

balm at the end of a painful day:
beyond calculation

There are some things that money can't buy.
For everything else, there's Master Gardener
credit or debit Card.

Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert 2008.  Like most days, this one was a combination of credits and debits.  (And yes, this is a spoof of the long-running TV 'Priceless' commercials... the pain, however, is quite real. Be careful out there!)

All the News That's Fit to Print...

Nothing new here? Point taken! But, if you're inclined to take two short journeys, you'll find October poetry at 'Waltzes with Words' and a new tale from Lucy-Maude at 'Dog's Eye View.'

Oh, Just One More Note...

Need an October boost? A little fall inspiration? Check out the just-posted 'Corliss Clips' Extra, over at the garden newsletter blog ~ 'Corliss Clips.' Lots of seasonal color...

Shutterbug's Clivia on Display...

Over at The Shutterbug on Knight's Pond, you'll find a lemony-yellow Clivia... just back from a backyard vacation. Enjoy!

Mostly Chortles...

Today, over at the old 'Grouse & Chortle,' you'll find more chortling than grousing, as we explore the night life at a local garden center. It's a wild scene, so buckle up and head on over, with a click of the mouse...

Have Fun!!! ...... Deb

The Royal Order of Escargot... on the Move!

"The Royal Order of Escargot... on the Move!"
Tales of death and destruction, as snails and slugs continue
to raid and pillage the autumn landscape, manifesting
their ever-evolving appetites
By Deb Lambert

Never mind the hosta ~ hide the mushrooms
for in autumn, a young slug's fancy
turns to mushrooms
not sauteed in butter
not as a filet mignon garnish
neither pickled nor brined
but raw,
neither accompanied by fava beans
nor washed down with a nice chianti

The tender, picturesque fungi of fall
must endure their all-too-brief lifespan
at the whim of slugs and snails
falling prey to their voracious appetites
and, excuse any drama or hyperbole,
quite literally being eaten alive

Before you question the veracity of such tales
cast your suspicious eye over the evidence, above
note that the gradual, insidious feasting starts with
a gnawing away at the delicate stipe, as they
slither upward... ever upward
in a feeding frenzy

That culminates at the succulent, meaty cap
no mere delicate nibbling
but a slaking of ravenous hunger
a disfiguring attack on the very apex
of this once vainglorious fungus
now shining under the slanting rays
of autumnal sun
adorned with the silvered trails of the
Royal Order of Escargot

In a maneuver, something akin to
ensconcing oneself in a colossal vat of morels,
a slug, the color of starless midnight, has carved
an elegant penthouse
high above the damp, brown earth and
autumnal litter
snug within the thin, creamy gills
of October's valiant messenger
secure until a curious gardener
upended the ravaged fungus
to reveal the malicious nature
of this autumnal seige

And lest you think that concrete and resin
hold the answer to all this death and destruction
consider the pictorial evidence
as a concrete mushroom, sprouting from a
cement floor, is investigated by a
quizzical group of faux mollusks

As their leader summits the peak
the rest of the pack seem intent on inflicting
irreparable harm to this imposing mushroom

Yes, indeed... be they slug or snail
living entities, or man-made replicas,
without a doubt
The Royal Order of Escargot is on the move!

Photos & Poetry: ©Deb Lambert 2008

LUCY'S LATEST POST...

Take a break with Lucy-Maude, over at Dog's Eye View, where she's posted snippets from her garden center break.
Update from Lucy: "While you're over at Dog's Eye View, check the second item on my sidebar... 'The New Lucy Show'... it's 151 slides, so pop the corn, pour the root beer and enjoy! ~ Lucy-Maude