Trumpets

When I was about 10 years old I attended summer camp on the eastern shore of Maryland. This was a warm flat area on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. There I noticed my first trumpet vine. The plant's vines  look a lot like Wisteria until it blooms in mid summer. It is a bit of a weedy plant, but I like it a lot. There is also a yellow version if the deep orange tone does not fit with your needs.  

Cover Up

When the hole was dug some soil was put to the side for back filling around the foundation later. Before that is done the local building inspector will check that the footings, foundation and water proofing have been done to code. Once those are signed off on the sandy soil can be used to back fill around the foundation. The top soil from dig is stored behind the sand soil. That dirt will be spread as top dressing when the home is almost finished.

Van Gogh's World

The first sun flowers I ever saw had a single bloom towering way up in the sky. For years those simple big yellow blooms were the only sun flowers I knew of. In the 80s when I started my first Hampton's garden I found these fun sun flowers that come in a riot of colors with multiple blooms on a plant. This style of sunflower reminds me of Van Gogh's paintings.

Black Box

The finished foundation walls are now resting on the footing in a big hole. A tar-like waterproofing has been applied to the exterior foundation walls to help keep the basement dry. The gray block in the foreground will support a fireplace and chimney. Bolts have been set in the concrete to secure the wood framing to the foundation.

Hardy Hibiscus

This shrub know as Rose-of-Sharon is in the Hibiscus family and comes in a variety of colors. I have grown partial to this all white version. Unlike the bright colored ones sold in patio pots this plant is very winter hardy.

Stripping the Mold

After the concrete has cured the forms are removed. The forms have tie rods that hold the forms in place prevent the forms from spreading from the weight of the wet concrete. These ties are released from the forms and the form work can be removed. The ties will remain lodged in the concrete walls for ever. The forms are stacked by size and will be used to make another foundation.

The Nature of Stripes

I like this ornamental grass that I have always called Zebra Grass. The accents in the leaves look like shafts of light cutting through the greenery. If you fertilize the grass too much the highlights will turn green and not show.