I have good news for everyone. Summer isn't over yet! In fact, we haven't even reached the mid-point between June 20 and September 20, which will be on August 4th. Yes, indeed, I can ignore the big box "seasonal displays" which now feature back to school items instead of gardening items. That is, unless I am looking to buy pencils, notebooks, pens, etc. Which I do enjoy buying as much as the next person but... I don't have a kid in the schools around here, which are back in session as of … [Read more...] about Good News! Summer Isn’t Over Just Yet
wildflower wednesday
Amsonia: Gird your loins
There are some garden tasks that require you to prepare yourself physically and mentally, to gird your loins. One of those tasks in my garden is cutting back Amsonia tabernaemontana, Bluestar, after it has flowered and formed seed pods. Those seed pods! They must be removed at any cost or my entire garden would be Amsonia. I do not want those seeds to ripen, fall to the ground, and germinate. The Amsonia seedlings, which don't look all that big, have roots that rival those of nearly any other … [Read more...] about Amsonia: Gird your loins
What once was lost has now been found
I like to start out my blog posts with a pretty picture, even if the picture doesn't relate to the blog post topic. Today's pretty picture is of my trout lilies. Sorry about the full sun exposure, but I'm not sorry it's a sunny day! I do wish these trout lilies, Erythronium americanum, had been blooming on Wednesday. They would have made a nice topic for Wildflower Wednesday, hosted by Gail at Clay and Limestone. She featured Sedum ternatum on her blog post this month. It's a native … [Read more...] about What once was lost has now been found
Witchhazels for winter blooms and Wildflower Wednesday
My goal for the last several years is to have something newly blooming at any given time in my garden. Then it will always be "spring" in my garden, at least for one or two plants. That's one of the reasons I planted the native Vernal or Ozark Witchhazel, Hamamelis vernalis. It usually blooms in February, and right on schedule, it is blooming this February in my garden. Though the flowers aren't that showy—especially when you have the straight species like I have—they do have a nice scent … [Read more...] about Witchhazels for winter blooms and Wildflower Wednesday
Where the Wild Petunia Blooms
I do love a gentle self-sower in the garden, one that establishes itself here and there without looking like it is intent on crowding out every other plant around it. I love a flower that is content to remain in the background of the garden and doesn't shout with color or scent as if to say "look at me". I love a native flower, too, one that might, if I was a lucky gardener, just one day show up in my garden. Do you know what flower is all of these things I love about flowers? The wild … [Read more...] about Where the Wild Petunia Blooms
Spiderwort, Why Does Thou Love My Garden So?
Spiderwort, oh spiderwort, why does thou love my garden so much? I remember seeing you growing in my grandmother's garden many years ago, though I didn't really know your name back then. I was just a kid. I just thought your flowers were pretty. Then one day, I saw you at garden center and I remembered grandma's garden. Oh, Tradescantia virginiana, you were more than willing to come home with me, weren't you? I planted you in a lovely spot and enjoyed your first few blooms. You reminded … [Read more...] about Spiderwort, Why Does Thou Love My Garden So?
