Although we haven’t had a hard frost yet, there’s finally enough of a nip in the air to signal the end of the growing season. And, while my coleus aren’t dead yet, they’ve certainly ceased being ornamental. I have to say, I’m looking forward to having a bit of time to reflect on last year’s garden and plan the next. What better time to start a blog?
ABOVE: A single pink camellia (Camellia sasanqua) is one of the last plants to finish blooming here at Hackberry Point. I usually still have flowers right through Thanksgiving.
That’s not to say you won’t find me out in the garden this time of year! This fall, I’ll still be making new beds to plant in spring, moving plants around, and finishing up work on the water garden I installed over the weekend—but more on that insanity in a future post. At least I won’t have to worry about what the weeds are doing out there.
I’m especially excited about this blog, because I love writing about gardening nearly as much as I enjoy digging in the dirt. I’ve long needed a journal for my own garden, Hackberry Point. I’m planning to post about everything from what’s in bloom and combinations that have worked here, to techniques and activities I am experimenting with. I’ll also continue to write about outstanding native plants, a feature that was very popular in my Eastern Shore Gardener newsletter, which has morphed into this blog.
ABOVE: Salvia leucantha, a tender perennial salvia that always brings late-season flowers to the garden
In addition to posting about plants that work well here, I also plan to write about gardens, upcoming events, and all things green as they apply to the Eastern Shore. (For those of you who live elsewhere, the Eastern Shore is located on the DelMarVa peninsula, east of the Chesapeake Bay in USDA Zone 7.)
Plus, I’m also sure I won’t get away without pictures and posts of my family of rescued dogs, or the cats and parrots that oversee my office. So, you’ll find a bit of everything here. I hope you’ll join me! You can subscribe by clicking the link on the right side of the screen, and the posts will appear in your e-mail in box.
ABOVE: Garden helper Bienn, a rescued Border Collie. Bienn means “big mountain” in Gaelic.
Welcome to Eastern Shore Gardener and Hackberry Point!
Eastern Shore Gardener 
Congratulations on the new blog, Barbara. It looks great! You are so lucky to have those beautiful camellias still in bloom – just one advantage to moving to a warmer zone, huh?
Nan
Hi! Thanks for visiting! Yes, camellias in November are one advantage of living down here in Zone 7! I love having flowers so late. I also have some lavenders that have put out late spikes, plus Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’ is still in bloom.
Happy gardening up there at Hayefield! Barbara
Hey,
That is one handsome dog you have there! Wonder where he came from?
Glad you started blogging, I will enjoy seeing ESG come to me inbox.
Sarah
Ah, yes, the Bienn dog is quite the handsome boy, a wonderful companion, and a pretty good garden helper as well! As you well know, he’s not my first rescue Border Collie, but he is my first one from Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue! Stay tuned to see more of my menagerie!
Glad to hear you’ve signed up to get ESG in your in-box!
Barbara
Thank you for your vast knowledge. I am getting ready to renovate my backyard.
Rebecca
Thanks for visiting Rebecca! Good luck with your renovation.