Morning Glories

At last, the morning glories are blooming. The Japanese beetles didn't destroy them, although they tried.

Leftovers

I wasn't sure what to do with this hosta after I bought it for a dollar. The place it was planted unfortunately ended up in Riley's path when he and the neighbor dog run the fence. So I put it in a pot until I could think of something else. I like the way it turned out when I added a couple of leftover impatiens.

Last Day of Spring 2010

On the last day of spring, two-thousand and ten,

the early evening light dances on the hostas

the new moonflowers from my Aunt Connie find their trellis

and the pansies have retired and have been replaced with heat-loving geranium and lantana.

On the last day of spring, two-thousand and ten, it is 90 degrees at 7:00 p.m.

Sometime in January, I will read this again and have a hard time remember the feeling of 90 degrees.

H2O

I really like planning, choosing, and planting flowers. I get excited in the spring as things begin to peek out from their hiding places in the ground. But the watering? I really don't like the watering. To water everything well, it takes about 30 minutes. Add 15 more when the birdbaths get the attention they need. When it's hot, which in SW MO is pretty much always in the summer, I'm beat red and sweaty by the time I finish. It is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow. I hope they're not lying.

Reminder to self: Every year, invest in perennials that require little water. Plant fewer annuals. Enjoy outside more. Work a little less.

Hydrangea

This is the best year since we've lived here for hydrangeas.

Front and Center

The impatiens under the tree in front are doing great, thanks to David getting the bed ready for me.
I like this combination much better than last year's, even though it is plain. The caladium has done really well.

A Story of Two Herbs

Cilantro on the top, basil on the bottom.

Basil on the left. The cilantro was doing well in the little pot, but took a turn for the worse after moving to the big pot. I found a little green caterpillar out and wonder if it had been dining on the little green stems and leaves.