I was pleased to find and join this gardening forum! I am a single mom of a teen boy, disabled since 2001 with spinal injuries and degenerative disk disease, along with a nasty autoimmune thing called fibromyalgia, and arthritis -- all triggered, docs believe, from a car accident in 1997... I call myself an 'accidental gardener', because I was not born with a green thumb, or interest in gardening, although my late Mother enjoyed active gardening during my childhood... My interest in gardening came about after a car accident sidelined me with spinal and neck injuries in 1997, and I started gardening in 1999 as a way to start getting active again. Started with annuals, sitting on the ground and having my son help me dig holes and plant them; as arthritis and FM set in, worked more with perennials and easy-keepers. I was hooked, and soon had neighbors and passersby stopping to tell me how beautiful my flowers and yard were, and, perhaps, for me anyway, the ultimate compliment from one neighbor: "When I look out my window in the early spring and see you in your yard with wagon and spade, I know it's time to start planting my garden!" My son and I moved, late last summer 2005 to a small town, into a rambling 2-story 105 year old Folk Victorian (of course it needs a lot of work, too), and with a treeless, level to mild roll, half acre fenced lot (the BEST part!). I'm in HEAVEN with all this space to PLAN my new garden! In January I went back to our old place and was able to dig up, divide some of my favorite peonies & glads. Not sure if I did everything right in the relocating of them, but the refugees are in the cold ground HERE now, and I pray they'll have made the trip over okay, will be watching for those telltale little red shoots (my Peonies, my FAVORITE spring sentinels!) in the ground everyday now.
I'm hoping to learn more from everyone here, as I have a whole big blank canvas in my easterly back and southerly side yard (north side yard is mostly driveway, the westerly front is shallow, only about 10 feet from front porch steps to sidewalk) and hope for ideas and inspiration from other gardeners.
Just 7 or 8 years ago (when I used to workout at the gym 6 days a week, roller blade & hike with my son, dance, break/train/ride horses) someone could have knocked me over with a feather if they'd told me I'd be so excited about dirt and grass and weed-pulling and blooms and pruning and cuttings and such, someday soon...
I'm probably a fair to good gardener, certainly not an expert, but a little more seasoned than a beginner... and ALWAYS eager to learn more... :-) Hope I haven't rambled too long...
My garden favorites (not neccessarily in order):
Roses (still a beginner here -- my best container bloomer is a 3 year old 'Glowing Peace' yellow Grandiflora, next best a 4 year old white JFK Floribunda... have added several climbers to my southeast side (planted them the weekend we moved in ,last summer) 3 red Don Juan, 2 white Iceberg and 2 pink climbers I recall as "Victoriana" or something like that....
Peonies - wish they bloomed ALL SUMMER! Have started looking into 'collecting' antique and rare peonies.
Honeysuckle
Lilacs - whites, pinks, lavenders
Hydrangea - the old fashioned Nikko blue, and whites
Hyacinths
Gladiolus - white is my favorite; this year will be trying a red/white bi-color called Bizar
Clematis - though not as much this year - no deck or trellises yet
Hollyhocks - singles because my Mom grew those, adding doubles this year
Weigela
I failed miserably at Rhododendrons and Lily of the Valley (my inexperience with soil killed one, the rabbits got the other)...
Anyway.
:-)
Hi!
Shea in Central Illinois...
Plants: 3 | From: Clinton, IL | Registered: Feb 2006
| Seeded: 12.215.252.255
You will enjoy this place, everyone is soo friendly and like you busy with life, but we are never to busy to talk about gardening Enjoy... Penny
Plants: 30858 | From: Ontario | Registered: Sep 2005
| Seeded: 67.70.39.197
Welcome to the forum. I'm thrilled to see another zone 5 gardener on the forum. I live in Illinois, about 20 minutes east of St. Louis, and it seems as as though we like a lot of the same flowers, except for glads and hollyhocks. Some favorites of mine that aren't on your list are the hardy hibiscus, hostas, lavender, lily-of-the-valley, stargazers lilies,and coneflowers. I have a lot of other perennials in my gardens, but these are ones that have performed well for me with very little effort.
I'm a newbie too and I know you're really going to like it here, everybody is so helpful and friendly. I hope to see you around again on the forum because it nice to know there's someone else who knows the joys and sorrow of gardening in Illinois.
Have a GREAT day!
patches
* * * * "Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!" Plants: 6492 | From: Illinois | Registered: Feb 2006
| Seeded: 199.217.139.132
posted
Welcome to the forums, Shea. It sounds like we'll learn as much as teach. I wish I could grow peonies.But the Southern California climate is not hospitable. Glad to meet you.
* * * * ~Tina Getting old is the pits. But it sure beats the alternative. My Blog Plants: 7549 | From: So. Cal. | Registered: Nov 2005
| Seeded: 71.103.173.44
posted
Hi there Shea and welcome to the Forum. Sounds like you are quite a good gardener and have your work cut out for you this season. I just moved from Zone 5 to 8 this year and am looking forward to getting my new garden is as I also have a blank slate to work with, though not nearly as much space. Hope to see you around!
* * * * We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart. Plants: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 66.235.45.83
posted
Hi Shea.... Welcome! Its so nice to have another fellow Illinois Gardener on here! I am also a "fair" gardener...much to learn thats why i love this forum..
Greg from Loves Park (Northern IL)
* * * * In the midst of the storm..I find the greatest Peace. I don't know what tomorrow holds..but i know Who holds tomorrow. Plants: 208 | From: Northern Illinois | Registered: Apr 2003
| Seeded: 64.24.153.131
posted
Wanted to get back in here and THANK EVERYONE for the warm greetings! Some computer problems (and then repair) caused me to lose about two months of 'online time', but I DID get a lot done in other areas... but I'll post that in a more appropriate category here...
Shea in Central Illinois
Plants: 3 | From: Clinton, IL | Registered: Feb 2006
| Seeded: 12.215.252.255
Glad to see you on the forum! I wasn't always a gardner myself, so I understand. I picked up gardening as a way to relieve depression in 2001, although I had planted a few things before then. Now, after unbelievable landscape trials due to nature (fire, hurricanes, tornado), I'm living with my inlaws and now taking over their weed filled yard! Happy gardening! Ali
login | 
| 
| 
![[wavey]](graemlins/wavey.gif)
Hi Shea,![[flower]](graemlins/flower.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[kitty]](graemlins/kitty.gif)
![[angel]](graemlins/cherub.gif)
![[grin]](graemlins/grinnnn.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this garden