MY GARDENING TALES

I've always loved clematis but I think I've developed a bit of a clematis obsession now that mine is doing its thang. :o)

I was inspired by this beauty across the street.

And this one about three houses down from that one.  They're all over the neighborhood and I love them! :o)

It's no secret the way I feel about my dayliles.  So, how stoked was I to see the Bitsys starting to bloom yesterday?! :o)

I was afraid the moles had managed to kill the flowering jasmine and was sothrilled to see new growth!

Beanie and I visited Homestead Garden Center this morning and checked out their tomatoes since I knew we wouldn't have any until November otherwise.  I picked up four sungolds (they had another name, but "sweet" and "gold" were in the name so I know what I was getting) for $0.50/plant! 

I also picked up four German red tomatoes and four yellow brandywine tomatoes.  Here's hoping they will take off and we'll have lots of tomatoes to share with neighbors.  I'm sad I didn't get mine started soon enough, but even purchased from a big box, you're guaranteed anything you plant will taste better than you can get from the grocery.  

The Cajun Belle peppers are still plugging along.  Whew!

 Hm.  It's sideways.  Sorry!  Anyhow, these are the goodies in bed with the peppers.

The great big bed of everything (not to be confused with the GGBOE) is also showing lots of growth.  That plant peeking from the left is the butterfly weed from last year.  That's coreopsis there in the middle and at the end the rudbeckia.  I've dahlias coming back as well!

No clue.  But, I'm fairly certain they're not weeds...:oP

Those stick looking sprouts are the cosmos.  Oh boy!

I got the trellis in place.  Now, grow, baby, grow!

Ellie insisted we needed lantana for the butterfly garden.  I believe she was right. :o)  We got three. :oP

It's heat and drought tolerant (in fact, it looooooves heat and sun), it's visually stunning, and the butterflies and hummers love it.  How could I say no? 

She's my big helper.  She helps dig the holes, cover the transplants with soil, and then waters.

The can is almost as big as she is! :oP

The zinnias are doing their thing.  SQUEEEEEEE!! I LOVE being able to just toss seeds and have them come up!

I know it's hard to see, but more zinnias.

The other beds are doing well, with the daylilies really coming up strong.  I love (I "love" a lot about gardening, don't I?) planting daylilies with bulbs.  The green daylily foliage hides the spent flowers' foliage (such as daffodils and tulips).  You get the flowers but don't have to agonize over what to do with the spent greens. :o)

My plan is to get out with my family tomorrow and get soil and plants with which to fill in the hanging baskets.  I need to get a trellis of some variety for the rose-that-won't-die (it's baaaaaack).  I figure if you can't beat it, join it.  :oP  I'm longing for another climbing plant (no, I have no idea where I would put it) and to expand the perennial bed on around the corner.  

However, I know we can only do a little each year.  I'll settle for the trellis and hanging baskets. :o) 

For now, I've got to get off the computer an start cutting fabric.  I'm making a wreath for me.

And one for GG for Mother's Day. :o) 

I'll leave you with these images.  My washi tape obsession continues to grow.

But, it's been put to good use.  :o)  I made this and sent it to Grandma Betty. :o)

Before I go, one last thing, and it certainly goes along with Grandma Betty.  Blog reader, Heather, contacted me and asked if I could share her story because she has a very important message to get out.  Here's what she wrote:

"At age 36, just 3 ½ months after my first and only child, Lily, was born, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given 15 months to live. Miraculously, I beat the odds and I’m still here eight years later.

Mesothelioma is considered one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers; most people are given just one year to live upon diagnosis. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and the future continues to look grim as attention to the disease as well as research funding continues to decline. The only known cause of ‘meso’ is exposure to asbestos, which is still not banned in the US. Sadly, it doesn’t look like asbestos will be banned anytime soon, as there is too much money being made by using this deadly mineral.

Since May is National Cancer Research Month, I’ve made it my personal mission to try and spread awareness of this rare, preventable disease. The more people that know about this cancer, the more lives are potentially saved!" 

What a blessing Heather is a survivor and is there for her sweet Lily, especially considering her odds of a full recovery. :o)  Please consider visiting the website for which she blogs, The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance to find out more.  As she said, the more people who know, the more lives that are potentially saved. :o)

Tweet