I planted this annual for the first time this year. It was highly recommended by my friend and mentor, C.L. Fornari. You can read about her and her thoughts at her blog: wholelifegardening.com/.
This beautifully-uplifting Creeping Zinnia or Sanvitalia ‘Sunbini’ turned out to be such a great performer where I used it in several clients’ gardens. And has it lasted; this picture was taken November 1st! I am sure to use it lots more next season.
This annual is a WINNER
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A bouquet before the storm
October 27, 2012! Amazing the fall weather we have had and the blooms that have lasted ’til now!
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Look at this color!
I bought this plant about six weeks ago for $5.99! Here it is absolutely bringing delight as the season winds down. And this photo doesn’t do it justice; the color is more of a wine red.
Really, how many things can you spend so little on and get this lasting joy?
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Loving remembrance through a gardener’s plant
You Can Grow That October 4, 2012 Loving Remembrance through a Gardener’s Plant
My dear friend, Ruth, who is now in her nineties, no longer lives nearby. We knew each other at first through her need for help in her home. Eventually, I helped her in her gardens, as well. We became good friends. We shared. And we still share.
I feel some sadness at her aging. And that she is alone, far away. I write some. I try to call, but she is very hard of hearing.
The couple who bought her home continue to employ me for their gardens. And they have one plant remaining from Ruth, inside the attached greenhouse . It is a night-blooming Cereus. I took a cutting last year. I put it outside for the summer in a shady spot.
And then, I was surprised to see a bud forming. Just one. I brought it in last week when I thought it was about to open. And it did, that night. One beautiful, fragrant blossom. For Ruth. For me.
She was thrilled when I reached her and carefully, patiently told her. It made her happy. Her plant lives on. Her life lives on. A woman. Her joy. A plant. A friend. One blossom.
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YCGT August 4, 2012
I have a sense of responsibility as a professional gardener, like I am a protector of the innocent, the earth and its creatures, just as I am in my private affairs. And I can teach others and hopefully draw them into this same sense of responsibility.
I was working on a garden just above an inground pool, weeding and such.
And I came across a mound of dirt and thinking nothing of it, I continued my edging and weeding.
I suddenly scooped up two white items, like little golf balls, perfectly round and bright white. I BROKE one and realized I had stumbled upon turtle eggs! For I could see the gooey mass of a growing being inside that shell. I happened to have the phone number of the local Audubon office and called. I knew there was a small pond down the hill and surmised that these were snapping turtle eggs. The volunteer confirmed my guess. This picture was a download from my google search. I was so distraught that I had killed a baby that I had quickly buried the two back in the ground with their brethren. I was told that there could be as many as 70 eggs!! I find it amazing that this female turtle had scaled this hill AROUND the pool to lay her eggs in the good earth of the garden.
Now, this was a new client for me. I had never met her. And she was renting out the property for the next two weeks. I showed her the mound, which I decided to lightly surround with stones. I have done what I could. And now I pray that if these babies hatch in the next two weeks while the house is rented—that those individuals will respect mother earth’s creatures. I might even drive by just to be sure.
August 4, 2012
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Pamela Phipps 