Cheesehead Travels: Irises of Casa & Casita Del Rio

View of Iris garden overlooking Turtleback Mountains

 

The house that my husband and I rented last week was located in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.  I was very surprised when we arrived to see their irises in bloom.  I didn't expect to see irises in the desert climate of New Mexico.  The owner told me that it was actually quite early for the irises to be blooming, much like many of the flowers here in Wisconsin.   Because the house is located on the Rio Grande river, they can use the water from the river to keep their gardens watered.

Cheesehead Travels: Elephant Butte, New Mexico

Last week my husband and I traveled to New Mexico.  What made us go to New Mexico?  We wanted to go somewhere warmer then Wisconsin, and we didn't want it to be a state we had already visited.  We didn't have any plans in mind for our vacation, except to get away and relax.

Elephant Butte, is a small town outside of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where we stayed.  It was very unexpected for us to find a lake in New Mexico.  Elephant Butte Lake is a man made reservoir formed in 1916 when a dam was built on the Rio Grande river.   40 miles of lake surrounded by great beaches and mountain landscape.

The lake and town got it's name from the volcanic core that sits in the lake that some say look like an elephant.  It's a beautiful lake, and I can only guess that during the summer it's a very popular spot.  The park is open year round, and is very popular not only for boating and swimming but also fishing.  I was just blown away by the spectacular views!

The volcanic core known as Elephant Butte

Views of the Lake

Part of the Elephant Butte Dam

The Elephant Butte Dam

Views of the lake

One of the many beach areas

The marina at Elephant Butte Lake

Hosta of the Day - 'Kofukiiwa Fukurin'

I'm sure this hosta goes by some other name, but I only know it as 'Kofukiiwa Fukurin'.  It's the Japanese name for this hosta.  Did you know that hostas are indigenous to Japan?  Over 3/4 of all hosta species grow in Japan.  I think it would be awesome to go on a hosta hunt in Japan, but I guess that's is my inner hostageek coming out!  'Kofukiiwa Fukurin' has glossy green leaves with a very thin white margin.  The leaves have a slight ripple to them.  This one has been a very slow grower for me, but it has been well worth the wait.  Pair this one with blue or dark green hostas.

Hosta 'Kofukiiwa Fukurin' 2009

Hosta 'Kofukiiwa Fukurin' 2011

Hosta of the Day - 'Kaleidochrome'

Hosta 'Kaleidochrome' 2011

Hosta 'Kaleidochrome' is a newer hosta to my garden.  I couldn't resist the lance shaped leaves that are streaked green and gold.  I have been told that the seeds it produces are very viable, which is exciting because it means it could produce other streaked hostas.  This hosta is small to medium in size, and would look best in the front of a hosta bed with other small to miniature sized hostas.

Shade Plant of the Week - Arisaema

Arisaema is known to most people as simply 'Jack in the Pulpits'.  They come in all different heights and colors, and are growing in popularity in the shade gardening world.  Some can be very slow growers, taking years to show up above ground.  They produce interesting flowers in spring and sometimes in summer, depending on the variety.  Then in fall they make another display with their bright red berries.

Arisaema triphyllum

Arisaema berries add color to the fall garden

Arisaema heterophyllum

Hosta of the Day - 'Kiwi Full Monty'

Hosta 'Kiwi Full Monty' is a sport of hosta 'Striptease'.  It's a beautiful hosta with dusty blue leaves with a chartreuse center and a thin white line between the center and margin.  I had the honor to meet Barry Sligh who originated this hosta at the Indianapolis Hosta Convention a few years ago.  Barry lives in New Zealand, which is why all of his hostas have Kiwi in the name.  I would love to visit his gardens someday.  I own a few of the Kiwi hostas, and I love them all.  Pair this hosta with gold, chartreuse, and green hostas to bring out the blue color.

Hosta 'Kiwi Full Monty' 2009

Hosta 'Kiwi Full Monty' 2011

Hosta of the Day - 'Key Lime Pie'

I ended last week with a pie crust edged hosta, so it's only right that I start this week with a pie crust edged hosta.  Hosta 'Key Lime Pie' is a sport of hosta 'Squash Casserole'.  It is a large hosta with green leaves surrounded by a gold margin.  It has a wonderful pie crust ruffled edge.  This is another fast growing hosta, and make sure to give this one lots of room.  It has purple scape, and light purple flowers in mid summer.  The more sun this hosta receives the lighter the edges will become.  This hosta would be good as a centerpiece or back of the border hosta.  Pair with a hosta that is bright gold or white edged.

Hosta 'Key Lime Pie' 2009

Hosta 'Key Lime Pie' 2011