Did you ever comment that someone was a saint because they cheerfully put up with life conditions, illness, or someone in their lives that would drive others to despair? What about all those statues of St. Francis that are sold in garden centers, some made so that St. Francis is holding a small dish to fill with bird seed? Ever wonder who St. Francis was and why he is a popular garden statue? Do you celebrate St. Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day?Saints have clearly become a part of our … [Read more...] about Saints Among Us
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May Dreams Gardens
Mums and Cold Saturday Mornings
A few mums around my garden and neighborhood.I refuse to call them by their new botanical name Dendranthema.And now, I'd better get to my garden chores, as I think of this quote from The Essential Earthman by Henry Mitchell...“… but fall--not spring—is the great planting season for woody things. If, in other words, you had thought of lolling in the warm weekends admiring the chrysanthemums and the dogwoods turning red, congratulating yourself perhaps that the weeds are losing heart, let me … [Read more...] about Mums and Cold Saturday Mornings
Garden Bloggers’ Book Club & Thoughts on Lombardy Poplar
I’m continuing to read through The Essential Earthman by Henry Mitchell, the Garden Bloggers’ Book Club November selection.I ran across a paragraph that I could just not believe, and had to re-read several times and then go back and read it in context. I am still somewhat dumb-founded.Henry is recommending the Lombardy Poplar, Populus nigra, as a good tree for the garden! What?!And I quote: “But no matter what you hear or read, I am here to say flatly that there is no more exciting or lovely … [Read more...] about Garden Bloggers’ Book Club & Thoughts on Lombardy Poplar
When the Toad Lily Blooms
When the toad lily blooms, I assume it’s all over for the season. This is the last “new” bloom in the garden for the year. I started these toad lilies (Tricyrtis hirta) from seed, but occasionally I have found them for sale in a garden center/nursery. These grow on the north side of the house, behind some hostas. They aren’t “shout out” showy but are a pleasant surprise each fall when they bloom, since nothing else around them is blooming at the same time. And I love the spots on them.With … [Read more...] about When the Toad Lily Blooms
Tall Grasses, Strange Things Going On
"Many species of ornamental grass offer interest in winter. They provide attractive plant form and many of them hold their seed heads through at least part of the winter. They include feather reed grass (Calamagrostis) and maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis). "I don't have any tall grasses in my garden (yet), but I always thought one of the main reasons to grow them was BECAUSE of the winter interest they provide with their seed heads. Then WHY was the neighbor across the street and down a bit … [Read more...] about Tall Grasses, Strange Things Going On
Garden Bloggers’ Book Club November Selection
Dogwood turning red...After much review of the list of suggested books for the Garden Bloggers' Book Club, I am pleased to announce a book that I think will be a good read for November.Without further ado… the November selection is The Essential Earthman by Henry Mitchell.Why this book? There were several reasons…Henry Mitchell was one of the most often named authors on the various lists and suggestions I received from everyone, so this book has wide-spread appeal going for it.This book is … [Read more...] about Garden Bloggers’ Book Club November Selection
