Did you ponder this photo all weekend?

The “Think about it Plants for the Weekend” are Bronze Fennel with Elephant Garlic in front of it. 

First the Fennel, I love this Bronze Fennel and so do many pollinators. This is such a strong butterfly plant. It grows to over 5 feet tall and has beautiful displays of copper feathery  leaves, then the golden umbrella flowers emerge and develop into anise tasting seed heads. 

To me it looks like a dark storm cloud in the garden and just adds such an amazing contrast of color and leaf texture. It is edible and makes a very unique vinegar.  Once established it will readily reseed and can become invasive. But worth sharing babies to any special garden friend. Beware it does have a long tap root so it is more difficult to transplant when it is larger. To me it is a must in the herb garden. 

The Elephant Garlic is more like a leek than a true garlic. It has a much milder taste and very easy to grow. The bulbs can be dug up and eaten, plus the seed toppings are also edible. It will spread easily, so another great one to share.  I love how the seed head sheds its papery cover to reveal the bloom. It is like a person taking off a cap to reveal a head of purple hair!

These are two great herbs…enjoy!

Happy Hour in the Berry Patch

Nothing better than a Friday Night in the Berry Patch.  I will be forever grateful to whoever planted these jewels in my garden 50 years ago or more.

It is always a race against the birds to get to these treasures. This year we have gotten two good picks.  Over 5 years ago, thanks to my son-in -law, we organized the berry patch and set up rows of trellis's. Over the years, the trees surrounding my patch have grown and unfortunately there is too much shade. Since both the berries and the trees are too massive to move, I just have to go with the current show.

These are Everbearing Raspberries, which just means I get two crops out of them.  Summer and maybe fall.  Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately over the years the Thornless Blackberries have pushed out many of the Raspberries.  Since I love these berries as well, I have not made the effort to save my red jewels. Maybe this year....

I will make some Raspberry Vinegar,  maybe a cheesecake, but mostly we will just have Fresh Whipped Cream and Berries.  As you can see I hit the strawberry patch first for the last few strawberries left.

Anyone you eat it, this HAPPY HOUR IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.  Now where is my glass of wine?

What is it Wednesday?

Can you name this lovely combination of Flowers?   Answer tomorrow....

 

Sorry I have been silent for a couple weeks, so much going on in the gardens, teaching classes and visiting Grandbabies......

My Peonies...A Mother's Day Gift

I will confess, I bought our house because of the Peonies...well that probably is one of the many reasons.  It was the end of May when we first looked at the house over 20 plus years ago and all of the hundreds of peonies were in bloom. I was blown away.

My Mother and Grandmother Goldie both adored Peonies. In fact, we use to take bags of Peony petals up to spread on my grandmother's grave after she died.

Each year, I say I am going to try and ID the different varieties, I believe many of them are Old-Fashion varieties.  Over the years I have spread them out so they go completly down one fence row. I still have several I need to move because they are in too much shade, but have never purchased a new Peony plant as mine have lasted for generations.

They always bring me such emotional joy, some how it seems fitting that they are blooming on Mothers Day this year.  I am going to find some special Mothers to pick bouquets for, because these fragrant beauties are fragile and just don't last long enough.  I do bring lots in and air dry the petals in a flat box.  They are beautiful layered in a glass bowl.

For now, I will enjoy them and see my Mom's and Grandma Goldie's' sweet smiles in every single one.


P.S. Here are a few tips..my Mother and Goldie taught me...

Only move and divide in October

Make sure that each tuber has at least one eye on it and is firm before replanting.

Do not bury them too deep...or they will not bloom. Like Iris, they should be like ducks on a pond.

Do not mulch over them..it will eventually put them too far under.

Always stay one step ahead of the weather....spring storms make short work of the blooms. It is a good idea to stake them if possible. (For me, not possible just too many, so mother nature just has her way with them)

Lastly, do not worry about the ants. Ants and Peonies are best buddies....just brush them off when you cut them to bring in and enjoy.

Happy Mother's Day!

BASIL BECKY..... Gardening from the Heart: Yes..it is Foamflower.....

BASIL BECKY..... Gardening from the Heart: Yes..it is Foamflower.....: Yes …this gem in the wildflower garden is Tiarella , foamflower ,is a genus of wildflower and garden plants found in Asia and North A...

Yes..it is Foamflower.....

Yes …this gem in the wildflower garden is Tiarella, foamflower,is a genus of wildflower and garden plants found in Asia and North America. They belong to the Saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae).

I grow this in a shady area behind my herb house. I love working in this area, especially on hot days as this area stays so nice and cool. Over the years, many wind storms have gone through this area, I have lost major limbs off the trees. This has given this area more sun than in previous years, it is a very dynamic area constantly changing.

So I am continually moving and changing plants in this area. ..But back to the foamflower. I love its fuzzy bloom..but it is also provides pollen for birds and bees . The leaves are attractive all season long….I hope you will add it to your garden. 

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Purple Haze in my Gardens

Yes...happening right now in my gardens is a Purple Haze. I have over 20 plants blooming various hues of purple, I know some of the may be crossing the line between purple, pink and blue...but I am running with it for the sake of these amazing blooms. So here is the list in no particular order.....

#1 Hardy Cranesbill Geraniums 

#2 Columbine (Aquilegia)

#3 Dwarf Crested Iris (Cristata)

#4 Wind Flowers (Anemone blanda)

#5 Wild Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne)

#6 Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

#7 Money Plant (Honesty  Lunaria)

#8 Vinca Major ' Varigated'

#9 Lilacs, several different varieties 

#10 Perennial Bachelor Buttons (Centaurea montana)

#11 Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica)

#12 Violets (Viola odorata)

#13 Globe Allium Bulbs

#14 Wisteria

# 15 Virginia Blue Bells (Mertensia virginica)

#16 Grape Hyacinths Bulbs 

#17 Purple Crocus Bulbs

#18 Red Bud Trees

                                                    # 19   First of the Bearded Iris

So here is my last choice, I can either take a photo of the Hen

bit Weed, which has a purple blossom and has been very invasive this year in my garden but instead I choose the 20th purple bloom to be one of my favorites Dame's Rocket. (Hesperis matronalis)  I see it opening up.....

So there you have it .....I have been in Georgia all weekend and came home to find more purple...starting to open. But I need to end this blog....ENJOY   Purple Haze is everywhere!