Sundays after church, my dad would pile the family into the car and take us for a drive through the countryside just outside boundaries of the big city. We would see miles of delicate pink flowers lining the edges of the roads, the cracks in the sidewalk, and the banks of the hills. Pink evening primrose is one of the wildflowers of my childhood. Some people may call it a weed, but this plant holds a special place in my heart. When I see them … [Read more...]
Flowers of Belgium – A Walk in Bruges
There are lots of tiny gardens and planters or container gardens in the streets and alleys of Bruges, Belgium. Most of the streets and fronts and backs of the houses in the city center are lined with cobblestones or other paved material so there isn't a lot of greenspace. So the residents of this lovely city have taken to making every square inch of dirt count and added in lots of container gardens too. Here are some of my favorites from my … [Read more...]
Tour of the Aarhus Botanical Garden in Denmark
The wind is blowing fiercely but the sun has finally arrived here in Aarhus, Denmark, so I decided to walk to the botanical garden to enjoy the afternoon. It's only a few blocks from here and I love visiting gardens whenever I travel. One of my favorite parts about botanical gardens is I get the chance to see the local flora and learn about the different habitats in each place. I started with the outdoor gardens which are lined with stone … [Read more...]
The First Spring Wildflowers
The first flowers to show their faces after winter are the native wildflowers. By mid to late-March, they are usually in full bloom, even after a quick dip in the temperatures. Choosing to incorporate native plants in to your garden is a great idea if you want hardy plants that can tolerate the local soil and weather conditions. Native plants are just that - perfectly adapted for the spot in which they naturally grow. Some of my favorite … [Read more...]
Purple and White Container Garden
The colors for the Easter season are purple and white, so this Easter-themed container garden is just perfect. It sites in front of a church with another paired on the other side of the door. The plants in this container garden include: White Nancy lamium (Lamium maculatum) Pansies (Viola spp) Wallflower (Erysimum linofolium 'Bowles Mauve') Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima) All of these flowers are early spring bloomers and … [Read more...]
Early Spring Flowers for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies
This early spring sky is filled with butterflies! I am seeing so many eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus) feeding on colorful spring flowers that it has really brightened my days. Eastern tiger swallowtails are quite large - with a wingspan of 3 to 5.5 inches and with their bright yellow wings with blue spots, they put on quite a show. If you want to bring them to your garden, there are some early spring flowering plants … [Read more...]
How Do Frogs Survive the Winter?
It was dark, warm, and humid last night when I opened my door to take my dog, Charlie, for a walk. We had to be careful not to slip on the wet cement as he went racing out to sniff the ground. We walked the block to the sound of insects and frogs singing their little hearts out. I love when we get a few warm 60-degree days in the middle of winter. It brings out a chorus of frogs singing – like a promise of spring to come. As we headed back … [Read more...]
How to Survive the Winter: For Gardeners
It’s gray, foggy, and drizzling outside – a perfect Mississippi winter day. When winter arrives, I curl up on the couch, tuck in the extra blankets, close my eyes and fervently wish I was somewhere tropical. I wish, I wish, I wish! Yep, still here. The only thing that gets me through these yucky days when I can’t be outside are my indoor plants. They suffer neglect in the spring and summer, but in the winter, they get all my … [Read more...]
What is that? The Unique (and Rare) Flowers of the Cast Iron Plant
I adore plants. So when I had the opportunity to salvage some from the flower beds at my old home, I spent hours of my weekends digging and sweating in the Mississippi humidity in spite of the fact that I didn't keep these plants. I just don't have any more room at my current house for more plants right now and with the winter weather quickly approaching, these transplants needed a new home and quick. My friends and family were happy to … [Read more...]
Coral Honeysuckle – Native Vine for Hummingbirds
Have you ever plucked a honeysuckle flower, turned it around and gently sucked the nectar from the tube-shaped back of the flower? If you grew up in the southeastern U.S., I bet you did. That taste of super-sweet honey nectar always makes me think of summer nights spent chasing fireflies and summer days spent running wild and free. Imagine my surprise when taking a class on native plants and shrubs in college that I learned that the yellow … [Read more...]
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