Saturday, July 13, 2013

Yellow and Orange



Pinks, blues and whites are the colors I'm attracted to most in my garden. But here and there some warmer tones have crept in. The lilies above will likely disappear next year when the new shed is built. For now, I'll take moderate enjoyment from their ruffled petals and exuberant color. 
 

Yellow is up a few notches from orange on my color preference list, but still not very high. Marigolds, however, make such great borders and keep harmful bugs away as well. I have a few of them lining the lemon and apricot tree bed.
 

Last summer we planted a Meyer lemon tree. We are right on the edge of their growing region, Our fruit tree provider told us that they thrive against a south-facing shelter. So we built one. In addition, there's a string of old-fashioned Christmas tree lights strung through the branches, attached to a thermostat. In winter we cover the tree with an agricultural fabric. When the temperature drops to just above zero, the thermostat triggers a switch and voila - the light bulbs keep the lemon tree just warm enough. We knew the morning temperature by looking out and seeing the glow of colored lights under the fabric.

The lemons are growing - itty bitty now, but bigger than they were. Some don't make it; they turn yellow before their time and drop off. But those larger green ones will hopefully give us juicy lemons before fall. We'll see. That's a yellow sight I'm looking forward to seeing in my garden.

What are your favorite colors in a garden? Do you favor the cooler shades or the warm ones? 

15 comments:

  1. I have mostly the warmer colors because in a sea of forest green they show up the best. With the exception of white, I have all the colors you've mentioned...a regular riot of color with not much color blocking or planning. I hope that the lilies go to a good home. They are so showy and cheering.

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  2. I'm like you, Lorrie. I love gentle blues, mauves and pink and creams. But whe I plant Summer pots all sorts of vibrant colours seem to appear, brilliant red geraniums, purple petunias, bright blue lobelia! I love it!

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  3. I prefer the pastels and bright pastels - I do marigolds in both orange and yellow in one pot because Don loves them so much.

    We had a lemon tree in southern CA - it was crooked and bent and scrawny - and gave us the biggest sweetest lemons ever. We couldn't wait for November and December when they ripened - one can drink lemonade in the desert any time of the year. Oh - the lemon pies - and lemon bars - and lemon splashed in the ice tea - and lemon on fish - and - oh I love lemons - but we can't grow them in NW WA unless we had a greenhouse.

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  4. Lovely......sigh.... bliss.....

    My favourites? It depends on the year and the mood. I love both.

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  5. If I could I would just have white and green. Too boring? I just love the freshness of them combined. When it comes to roses they are mostly pinks I go for but I do love the mix of red and white because it reminds me of the story of Snow White and Rose Red. You are so lucky to be growing lemons, I tried it once in the greenhouse but the weather over here is no good for them and they ended up furry and green! Have a wonderful week. Chel x

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  6. I love green, lavender, pink, blue and white. But in the fall, when the annuals have died, I like to add some yellow and orange into the garden. So I guess for me, the season determines the colors.

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  7. I read with great interest about your Meyer lemon tree. How fun to see those little lemons coming along. I bought one from QVC in the spring after hearing the sales pitch about how they could be grown in a pot until cool weather and then brought in the house for the winter. Coincidentally I had just read a few blogs discussing how delicious Meyer lemons were. I am looking forward to seeing my first lemon. Hope you'll keep us posted on yours.
    As for garden colors, I seem to prefer bright pinks, purple, blue, yellow and white.

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  8. I hope you get some juicy lemons off your tree and that it survives well. In southern California we sure were spoiled with lemon trees that thrived in back yards...

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  9. I'm not a lover of marigolds, I dislike the smell of them v. much! I love deep red geraniums in summer and have them in planters in front of the house where they stand out well against the stone walls.
    Good luck with the Meyer lemons.

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  10. That's cool to have your own lemon tree!

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  11. Such bright, lovely, happy colours :-)

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  12. Such vibrant colors. The lilly is gorgeous!

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  13. That is interesting that you may be able to keep that lemon tree with lights. Can't wait to see your lemon and blueberry dishes! I made a lemon cake with strawberry frosting that was pretty yummy for my sister in law this past weekend. Now, about that yellow...it's my FAVORITE color. Love it especially in the garden. I know so few do, but yellow flowers just pop and are happy looking to me.

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  14. I am very interested to see how your Meyer lemon tree does as my son (and his GF) bought me one a couple of years ago and I've had it in a pot since then. The first year I brought it indoors; the second it stayed outside...I would love to plant it but am a bit worried as we have had some really cold winter temps before.
    I like many colors, including white in the garden.
    Blessings, Aimee

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  15. The cooler I think, pale and delicate.

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