garden – Fine for Friday

Petals At The Corner 3 April

Since last week, so much more has emerged in the garden. It’s like meeting friends that you have not seen in a while. The weather forecast shows no frost chances so I think its safe to plant tender plants now. So once my tomatoes and peppers are ready, into the ground they will go.

Most trees have their leaves unfurling now. Alas, the hydrangeas, paperbush and the early azaleas had frost damage from 2 weeks ago and it will be a while before their undamaged leaves are fully out.

Garden tasks this week have included tip pruning the frost damaged shrubs, potting up seedlings, removing the excess leaf litter around the shrubs and planting salvia I have grown from seed. In addition, I have planted some pulmonaria and carex grasses that I purchased recently.

Tomorrow, I plan to visit the Six On Saturday website where gardeners from over the oceans meet to share 6 photos of the week. Here is the website of Jim Stephens where you can also visit https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

I am starting out with the Yellow Flag Iris on the left. It is near the fountain and thrives there with the extra spray.

The bearded yellow iris on the right is magnificent. It is tall and stands out along the nearby street.

The native azalea on the left is R. canescens and is also known as piedmont azalea.

The azalea on the right is also a native azalea. It looks like R. austrinum but I am not certain.

The iris on the left is Iris tectorum. It is called Japanese roof iris. The foliage is evergreen like other irises but it is smaller.

The fern on the right is Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora). It has an evergreen foliage but it has this more copper tone with spring growth and then again in the fall. It tolerates more light than other ferns. Its size and color makes it a special garden fern.

I hope you are enjoying the change of seasons. It is a special time of year.

Happy Gardening and Happy Easter!!

Petals At The Corner 27 March

The weather is sunny and the temperatures are pleasantly warm. The frequent question comes to mind “Is it time to plant?”

The grass is green and it could be mowed if only to remove the seed heads from unwanted grasses and broadleaf weeds. I have already begun to add some fertilizer and broad leaf applications to the lawn. I started to irrigate the lawn today but only because we don’t expect any rain for the next week.

Ornamental shrubs are blooming. The azaleas, camellias and paperbush have all bloomed. Some of them prematurely it seems since a mid-March frost ruined some of the early blooms.

I have planted some onion sets, cool weather vegetables and some zinnias.

Is it time to plant tomatoes? Is that what you mean? Even here in Zone 8, I will not plant summer vegetables for another 2 weeks.

Here is my 6 for this week. I will post on Six On Saturday tomorrow. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

The double daffodil on the left is a beauty. I have forgotten the name. Anyone recognize it?

On the right is Kerria japonica. It is also known as Japanese kerria and Japanese rose. It is very beautiful this spring.

The Spanish bluebells on the left (Hyacinthoides hispanica) have such beautiful blue blooms and have popped up in several locations this spring.

The little daffodil on the right was a surprise. The iphone plant identifier calls it a Rush-leaf jonquil. I’ll take that. It is a very delicate plant.

For your pleasure, here is a bluebird pair on the left that are very busy foraging today. They watched warily as I worked in the area. I could not hear cheeping and I could stare into the next box but I could not discern any gaping mouths.

The right photo is a cloudless sulphur sugar snacking at the coral honeysuckle.

I hope your weather is beautiful and you are enjoying some gardening.

If you want to share photos,

Happy Gardening!!

Late Winter Green 27 Feb 2026

The garden is waking up. I am seeing more green and more blooms. The branches look plump and more and more buds are appearing. There is more activity at the bird feeder and I have seen some bees at the blooms that have opened.

Our 2 day episode of overnight freezing temperatures passed without much damage seen in the yard. The forecast is for spring like temps over the next 10 days. We had a substantial rainfall over the last 24 hours. Conditions are favorable for a time of great advances in the garden.

Last week saw the completion of the majority of pruning of beauty berry, roses and Rose of Sharon (Althea) at the Corner Garden. The Limelight hydrangeas are next but not until buds begin opening on them. This year, cuttings will be taken to propagate Limelight hydrangeas. Today, Shasta daisies were potted up for a Spring Sale planned for late April.

I managed to capture drops of rain lingering on the Salix sp (Pussywillow) buds. You can just see some green below those buds.

The Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is advancing well. It has survived the winter in its container and it indeed looks very spry. It is a delightful plant.

The Roses were pruned back very hard last week. As you can see, they are beginning to respond well. This variety is Katy Road Pink also known also known as Carefree Beauty. There is a collection of 7 of them now.

The Lambs Ear (Stacey’s Byzantine) is beginning to spread out again. It never disappears. Rather it slows down and gradually turns a grey dried out color. Now it is beginning to show the pretty blue green color. It loves its location near the fountain.

Here are the Shasta daisies that were potted up today. I harvested them from one of the many patches present at the Corner Garden. They will be available at the plant sale.

I am showing the Corner Garden fountain in its splendor after last year’s renovation. It was made possible because of a fundraising project. The main elements of the fundraiser was a GoFundMe project and a plant sale.

This year’s project will be to enhance our lighting. This would include uplighting on several trees and shrubs as well as some pathway downlights. It may also include some colored lighting for holidays.

I will be joining the Six on Saturday group in the morning. Come join us at this website https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Join in. The rules are on the website. Gardeners from several countries join in to post 6 photos from Saturday or the previous week. It is very interesting.

Happy Gardening!

Autumn Colors 7 November 2025

As autumn’s first frost approaches, temperatures are set to drop, prompting preparation for tender plants. This week showcases peak fall colors, particularly from Hydrangea quercifolia and Vaccinium ashei. Observations include various blooms and wildlife. The writer looks forward to sharing more photos and encourages participation in the Six on Saturday community.

Our first frost of this autumn is coming. It is cooling today and tomorrow. By Sunday morning, the temp will hover near freezing. During Sunday, the cooler air will move in and the temp will drop another 7 or 8 degrees Fahrenheit. I have my tender container plants ready to be placed in shelter. The other container annuals will have to fare the best they can.

We are at our peak color this week. My photos today will reflect that. I hope some other blooms survive for next week. If so, I will have them for next week’s photos.

I will join the Six on Saturday crowd tomorrow. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. Come join us and enjoy the photos.

The best color comes from the Hydrangea quercifolia. This is the ‘Snowflake’ hybrid famous in these parts. You can see some purple and green in the leaves and the bronze blooms which will persist all winter.

The Vaccinium ashei ‘Rabbiteye’ has beautiful red color. It is very distinctive as well as a heavy fruit producer this year.

The ‘Fuyu’ persimmon is visible throughout the protective fence which wards off the deer.

The Alabama croton shows its gold leaf here. This plant is an endemic.

This beautifully colored hardy mum is ‘Mrs. Gloria’s Thanksgiving Day’. I have forgotten the explanation for this name but it would be just as beautiful if I did. This is the best bloom so far for this plant.

The anole was sunning on the edge of a container which was recently emptied of its plant. It may be he was residing in it and now is in need of another home.

I hope you are enjoying the color of autumn if you are in the Northern Hemisphere. It is beautiful for us now. More rain is expected this weekend which is good news.

Happy Gardening!

Plants that bloom well in fall 12 Sept 2025

The summer blooms are dwindling, but some plants remain vibrant. Hot, dry conditions require daily watering, especially for newly planted shrubs. The Clethra alnifolia and Euonymous americanus are highlighted as native species benefiting from increased sunlight after the removal of a dogwood. Butterflies thrive, and a Mediterranean Gecko is residing in the mailbox.

The best of my summer bloomers are exhausted. There are some that are still blooming. There is some other colors that are from seed structures.

It is hot and dry now. I have needed to water sufficiently to keep plants from becoming crispy. I have planted some small shrubs this month and I am busy watering them daily.

I hope to join the Six On Saturday group in the morning. If you are curious, here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

On the left is the Clethra alnifolia or Sweet Pepperbush. It is a North American native which tends to sucker forming clumps which have fragrant little flowers attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant was shaded by a dogwood (Cornus florida) which I had to cut down recently since it was a casualty of dogwood borer.

On the right is Euonymous americanus or Strawberry bush. The fruit has this cracked open look so that another common name is ‘Hearts a’busting’. This native North American shrub will also benefit from more sun after the removal of the dogwood.

This coleus is self seeded from last years parent which was grown from seed. It is crowding a Dragon Wing Begonia in a small container. Since both are thriving, I will enjoy the combination.

The Rudbeckia triloba or Brown Eyed Susan is another North American native which is doing very well in the garden. It is acting as a tender perennial and it is tolerating the heat and drought extremely well. It will be used in more locations in my garden.

The gulf fritillary has thrived in my garden this summer. They are by far the most abundant butterflies. They have passionflowers as a host plant of which there are plenty in my yard. This one is nectarine on a golden buddleia.

I have mentioned the lizard in my mailbox which is located at the street. The mailbox is covered with a Sweet Summer Clematis. Here is a close up. The iNaturalist app identifies it as a Mediterranean Gecko. Hmm. It seems quite happy and harmless so it is being allowed to continue squatting.

Wishing you Happy Gardening!

6 Beautiful Garden Photos that Inspired My Planting This Week 8 August 2025

This week in the garden; 6 inspiring photos of flowers, plants, and garden beauty from my home gardening journey.

The hot spell is over. We have had rain so the sun-loving perennials are still bright and cheery. Chores in the garden are numerous but I am able to spend a few hours each day in the garden.

We spent last week on the Atlantic Coast on Amelia Island near Jacksonville, Florida. We stayed at a quaint B & B in Fernandina Beach. Shops and restaurants were within walking distance. It was hot last week there but we were able to duck into air conditioned buildings regularly in order to keep cool.

I have some long-blooming summer perennials to show you today.

Aesclepias tuberose with milkweed bugs — Milkweed bugs

The milkweed is past its bloom and the prominent okra like seed pods are covered in milkweed bugs. The pods will soon open and disperse their little parachute equipped seeds.

This purple coneflower was growing in the gutter. It was dug up today and transferred to a more hospitable location. It is truly a tough plant.

The tickseed is almost past blooming. I think this is a native Coreopsis pubescent. It is a reliable reseeder.

The ginger lily began blooming this week. It is Hedychium sp but it was gifted to me as a tuber so cultivar unknown. It is near a water source and it is thriving.

The Salvia farinacea is very drought tolerant. It has a common name of mealy cup which is rather coarse sounding so I will just all it blue sage.

The Rose of Sharon is loved by humming birds and the seed pods are loved by goldfinches. It is an old classic shrub needing no care. Blooms are sun loving and come in white, pink and rarely blue.

Does anyone use the iNaturalist app? I find it extremely helpful to identify wildflowers, bugs and butterflies.

I am joining the SixonSaturday group in the morning. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

Happy Gardening!!

Summer Doldrums II 25 July 2025

It is hot! I have said it before and I will say it again for several more weeks. I am now having to irrigate regularly and spend time watering the containers. It is mundane task but the flowers continue to be beautiful.

This summer there has been an abundance of butterflies and pollinators. There has also been some unusual type of insects that I have spotted.

If you happen to be viewing this today and you enjoy gardens, you should be aware that I will be joining the SixonSaturday group tomorrow. For more photos of private gardens, come spend some time there. It will be worth your while. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk

The Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) has changed its foliage to late summer bronze. This four season native is a favorite of mine.

The Stag beetle is a large beetle. It feeds on decaying wood but here it is just laying on the concrete of my driveway. It must have lost its way. It is a mean looking specimen.

The imperial moth is a looker. The host plants are pines, maple, oak, Sweetgum and sassafras. There are plenty of each of these around me. I cannot ever remember having seen this moth before.

The knockout roses are beginning their second flush of the year. There will be another in the fall. These may have been stimulated by a layer of compost laid on the ground under them a few weeks ago.

The ginger lily (Curcuma sp) has these exotic pineapple like blooms. I don’t notice a fragrance but I love the color.

The Katy Road Roses are blooming well into the summer. Another name for them is Carefree Beauty. You may remember that in years past they were weakened by sawfly attacks. This year I have managed to control that with Neem oil applications. The reward is continued blooms.

Watering and deadheading are my main tasks for this time of year. It is too hot for much else.

Happy Gardening!

Summer Breeze 11 July 2025

Last week, I spent the weekend on the beautiful Gulf Coast. The song I remember was “Summer breeze makes me feel fine”. It did. Coastal breezes, wonderful seafood and relaxation with good friends.

This week, I am back and I have photos of lush plants for you. Our summer pattern of humid days with afternoon thunderstorms is upon us. It doesn’t rain daily but often enough to give us very healthy plants.

I joined the Six on Saturday group as a spectator last weekend. I will join as a participant tomorrow. Take 6 recent plant photos in a blog and join us. Here is where we can be found. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

I have tried overwintering my caladium bulbs but to no avail. I clump 4 or 5 tubers in a large low planter in the shade and enjoy new cultivars each year.

It’s been the year for lilies. Large, fragrant and abundant has been the ticket. This Casa Blanca has been the showstopper this week.

The hardy chrysanthemums make a wonderful ground cover. They slowly spread and transplant easily around the yard. I thought these were ‘Peachies Pick’ but they look too white.

The Limelight Hydrangea seems to grace every yard in my neighborhood this summer. The knockout rose has been replaced in popularity. This is the original cultivar and it is a beauty.

The Cashmere Bouquet has a long genus Clerodendrum. It was a swap from a friend. It spreads by rhizomes so it does require some effort to contain but it is a beauty with a pleasant fragrance.

The Gerber daisy is a bright red and really captures the eye. They are not listed as winter hardy in our area but do well if located in sheltered places.

I hope you are enjoying your gardens. Happy Gardening!!

Summer Heat 27 June 2025

It’s hot here. My pattern has become to garden in the morning and complete indoor tasks in the afternoon.

I took last week off for a trip touring gardens in Sewanee, Tennessee. It was cool and rainy at times but well worth our time to visit. Sewannee is a small college town located on the Cumberland Plateau just 90 miles southeast of Nashville. There are many beautiful vistas there. Many alumni have built homes near to the campus and that is where we visited.

My photos today are from my garden on the corner. I volunteer there every Friday that I am in town. I have one other photo that I took in Sewanee.

As usual, I will be joining the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. Come check it out. The rules are there if you wish to post 6 photos of your own. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk

I have shown this aster before but it is in full bloom and magnificent today. The crocosmia is not my favorite but it is charming me this year. There are more blooms than ever and most of the stalks are upright. Meanwhile, the Limelight hydrangeas is stunning. You can see my repurposed fountain just to the side.

The pollinators are really loving the purple coneflowers this year. I am loving the purple coneflowers too. The growth in the perennial bed is so lush that we have very little weeding to do. The Texas star struggled last year but is making a resurgence this year.

This is my Sewannee picture. This gorgeous Diana Fritillary is thirsting on the Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’).

Happy Gardening! Next Friday is Independence Day here in the USA so Happy 4th to all my fellow Americans.

June Heats Up 13 June

It is getting hotter as the days lengthen. The humidity is rising and most days is around 75%. I am good for 2 or 3 hours every morning but I am avoiding the afternoon as much as possible.

The perennial beds are so dense now that little weeding is necessary and that is a good thing. I am enjoying cut flowers for display in the house.

In the morning, I will be joining the SixonSaturday crowd. It is fun to find six photos, put them in a blog or post and then upload it to our host website. In this case, it is hosted by Jim Stephens. Here it is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

The purple coneflowers continue to be impressive. It is attracting the pollinators. I am preparing for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census https://gsepc.org which will occur on August 22 and 23. This fuzzy fellow is a bumblebee.

The canna started blooming this week. I moved it here last fall so I am glad to see that it is happy. I am uncertain of a name but it may be Durban.

The Stoke’s aster has just begun blooming. It has done so well in my garden that I have divided it and now have two thriving colonies.

The plumbago is in a container. It is the second time that I have tried this phlox look alike. The first time, I planted it into the perennial bed and it fizzled. I am giving it another try in a container. It is such a beautiful blue.

The Henry’s Lily is in its second year in this location. No pests or predators and a magnificent bloom. I love those massive stamens.

The Blephilia or pagoda plant is a polite plant along a walking path. It meanders a little but it can be forgiven.

It continues to be a special year in my garden. The rain is sufficient and the heat is just right.

Happy Gardening!