Lawn Art

The last mowing of the year has been brought to you by the letter "B"

Perfect for the holiday!

Some busy spider is putting decorations in my garden.
Happy Halloween!

Worth Waiting For

Back in May, I wrote about some Moonflowers that I picked up at the Annual MG Plant Sale. I still don't know who the generous MG was that provided those seedlings but my one surviving plant (the others were lost to rabbits and bad locations) bloomed last night and I was able to watch it open before my eyes.

This has been such a crazy summer between monsoons, cool temperatures, and now drought that I didn't think I would get any flowers on this. Thank you again whoever you are--you certainly brightened up my garden and introduced me to a new favorite.

Summer Time Reading

Down to Earth with Helen Dillon
Advice and Inspiration from one of the world's great gardeners

I had never heard of Helen Dillon--well, I must have or I wouldn't have put this book in my Good Reads list--but I am glad I finally discovered her! She is my idea of the perfect gardener and author of gardening books and I have a pretty good idea that she and I could have a great time together. Her style is a bit different from other gardeners/authors--she uses humor in discussing her adventures in her garden and she does not mince words. I knew I was going to love this book when I read this: "I've got shade", said the woman in a low voice, as if she were announcing an attack of diarrhea." Her one or two page chapters cover a variety of garden issues like paths, shade, structures, potting sheds, cuttings, self-seeders, etc. Her common sense and positive attitude make reading this book a lot of fun. My only complaint is that she intersperses her text with plant recommendations (Or in some cases, plants to avoid) and she uses the Latin names. Without pictures to help me identify the plants in question, I felt a bit lost at times. Helen gardens in Ireland--not exactly a climate like the Midwest but I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever planted a tree or a seed. You will be smiling as you read and more than once will wonder how Helen knew EXACTLY what has happened in YOUR garden. This book is available locally at the Davenport Public Library.

This review was originally published on Good Reads--if you love to read but don't know about this sight, check it out! I will be your reading friend if you ask.

Guess the plant. A perennial you do not see often but should be used more.

Flower of the Week

Click for zoom view.

This little beauty was given to me as a tiny seedling by a fellow MG, Sheila L. She called it Aquilegia 'Woodside Mix'. I think it has been in my garden for 3 years now and this is the first time it has bloomed. I definitely think it was worth waiting for. I don't know how to start a columbine from seed much less how to COLLECT the seed so if you want one of these, you'll have to talk to Sheila--I'm sure if she has some, she'll be happy to share.

The End of the Story

Thank you, Bob--we should put you in charge of the Hort Clinic!