Saturday, June 12, 2010

Lonicera brownii Dropmore Honeysuckle and A Painted Window in the Garden

In preparation for the upcoming garden tour, I have been painting and touching up woodwork. What at  first I imagined would be a quick little job has used up almost 2 gallons of paint.  In past years I had painted a window scene inside an old window and used it to brighten up a blank wall. A couple of year ago, we had a hail storm that broke out a pane. After I re-painted the window pane, Ted inserted the glass and I decided to “glaze” and re-glaze the window panes.  It was much harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t do a very good job of it. It looked a bit lumpy so I used my fingers to try to pat it on.  I asked Ted what he thought of it and he said: “The glass panes will never fall out, but I don’t think you could get a job doing windows glazing”.  So hence forth there will be no close up pictures of my painted window.  Ted later said the window had a bit of imperfect  charm.


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  lonicera brownii Dropmore Honeysuckle grows on the outside fence. By summer my fence is so enclosed. But this is a “peeking” area. I love to be able to peak into a garden. A “peeping gardener” enjoys the mystery and discovery of a secret garden
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This is the alley behind our yard. You can see the honeysuckle. See the rain, we are having more moisture than usual.

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You can see the “window” in the background. In front is  Meadow Rue, thalictrum that years ago I started from seed. I have planted purple pole beans on the pyramid that you see on the left.
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This morning I ran out and took a close up of the honeysuckle.  I was walking away, then turned back and remembered one of the joys of honeysuckles. The pinching off of a flower and sucking the honey. Two little flowers later I walked back into the house, wishing children everywhere could know this simple joy.

35 comments:

  1. That painted window is wonderful. Art in the garden!

    Eileen

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  2. Eileen, you are too kind calling it art. It's primative, but you can tell what is is. Thanks

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  3. I think the painted window is wonderful, brightens up the wall. The garden is looking lovely even with all the rain you have had. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. I remember sucking the honeysuckle blossoms when I was a child! My neighbor has just taken cuttings from hers, and says she is rooting them for me. I hope they do root, I have a spot where I'd like to put one, behind my garden bench.

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  5. Dear Gloria, How lovely, as always, your garden is looking and, despite what you say, the painted window is a really fun idea. I love all the honeysuckles, not least for their fragrance, and it is especially pleasing to me to see Lonicera 'Dropmore Scarlet' doing so well. Sadly I gave up on it some years ago as I was never able to rid it of rust no matter what I tried. Clearly you do not have that problem.

    A very happy weekend.

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  6. Garden of Threads - thanks for the kind comment on the window. I do love to re-use things like this old window. Now if I only knew how to window glaze.

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  7. Dear Edith. We are usually so dry that rust is a rare problem. But, I did notice a spot on my quince tree. But, our country is looking so green.

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  8. Dear Annie, The honeysuckle cutting should root nicely. I usually just drop a piece of vine to the earth and place a stone on top ot it. Before long I have a new plant. I have a few honeysuckle varieties.

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  9. Gloria I've never sucked the honeysuckle but we've visitors here and I've just asked them too and out of all of them only my husband did as a child. I must try it some day.

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  10. The painted window is cool. Your yard is awesome! jim

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  11. Really? You can such the juice out of these flowers?

    Annelie

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  12. Rosie, you must try it. It is very sweet- no wonder the hummingbirds love it.

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  13. Annelie - yes, you pinch the very bottom of the flower and suck on it like a straw. Must be why it is called a honeysuckle :)

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  14. I remember a friend showing me how to suck the honey from the flower. I had a big honeysuckle vine growing up the side of the house I lived in before this one.

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  15. Hi Gloria, I agree. The, what is it...Trompe el ole or something? window looks eye catching and charming. Please come to my garden and paint one for me, okay?

    Did your hubby Ted build those fabulous structures? I love that see-through fence.

    A true sign of getting old is not thinking about the joys of sucking on my honeysuckle blossoms. No more. I'm headed that way right now. You're as young as you feel, right?

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  16. I think your painted window is very charming; i doubt if many folks would see anything wrong with it. Your honeysuckle is fabulous. Do you get hummingbirds? I imagine they would love it!

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  17. Beautiful pictures of the honeysuckle. I love your window! I am wondering if you painted it. I need to go back and re read to see if you said. A window like it would be very nice in my windowless bathroom!

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  18. Hi Gloria, that painted window is such fun and so creative. As for the 'imperfect' window - good on you for having a go, and I think it is much more interesting than perfect ones! I adore honeysuckle for the scent. Mine also cover a fence but are lemon coloured and have smaller flowers than yours. cheers, catmint

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  19. Melanie, I always help little kids discover the honeysuckle, when they come back they always want to find the honeysuckle. I have 5 varieties so chances are we can find a bloom somewhere.

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  20. Hi Grace, yes Ted built the fence. I can tell it needs painting. In the summer the vines completely cover it.

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  21. Hi Deb - I have lots of things for the hummingbirds. We get them in about July

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  22. Jeannie, yes I painted the window. A painted window in the bathroom would look fun!

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  23. Hi Catmint. Thanks for the compliment on the window. We have had so much rain. On still moist days the scents seem stronger. I love fragrance in the garden

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  24. Oh, Gloria I recall fondly breaking off flowers of honeysuckle and drinking the sweetness. Now I leave them to the hummingbirds. Your painted window is adorable. ;>)

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  25. I think your window is lovely. I must admit to not being a honeysuckle sucker...but now I'm intrigued!

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  26. That window is just darling. The garden tour folks will love it and all the beauty in your garden.

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  27. We had a beautiful spring so far in Minneapolis, but I think your weather has made it here now. We've had rain every day in June except 2 so far. It sure makes for a lush and green garden. Your gardens are beautiful.

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  28. Hi Carol, thank you so much for your kind comments.

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  29. Clare, you must go out and find a honeysuckle and give it a try.

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  30. Tina, Thank you! This morning I went out in the drizzle and pulled some weeds and spent flowers.The rain does make for easier weeding.

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  31. Success2us - yes, we are so green. Do you get lots of mosquitos? I haven't seen to many yet.

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  32. Gloria, good luck with your garden tour, I am sure that you will get a ton on compliments.

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  33. Wish I could know that simple joy too, Gloria, if my stupid L. brownii would ever bloom. It's just clambering around on the ugly chain link fence, no buds in sight.

    I planted two trees last weekend to get ready for our tour. I'm still trying to clean the dirt out from under my nails. I've given up on not tracking mulch into the house, however....

    Christine in Alaska

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  34. Hi, Gloria!
    Savoring the honeysuckles... that's such a South Dakota thing! Brings back fond memories. I used to do that in my Mother's garden.

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