Thanksgiving Table

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Critter Proofing

 I love fall!  
The colors and flowers of fall just make me happy. 
 I planted a fall pot for the patio and purchased a few pumpkins for the porch but needed to critter proof them before setting them outside.  

We have squirrels, skunks and opossums that love to 

come by for a meal.   I have found that a coat of Mop & Glo makes my pumpkins not only pretty but less attractive

 to all those fall critters.

When the wax dries I follow it up with a coat of bug spray that I reapply if it rains. 

The critters don't like the smell of the spray and 

don't bother the pumpkins.

Thought I'd pass along my method of critter proofing pumpkins.

Happy Fall Y'all  !! 

Monarch Migration

The monarchs are starting their fall migration and my little pollinator garden is doing it's job.  I was so excited this morning to find the first caterpillar on the milkweed I planted this spring.

This is a variety of swamp milkweed.  In previous years I've only planted tropical milkweed but I prefer the swamp milkweed since it's a perennial.  It's all about making the garden low maintenance and low cost.

 The pollinator garden 

 is behind our home on the neighborhood greenbelt across the street from the lake.   

We have lots of wildlife and we do not use any chemicals in this area. 

This orange trumpet vine is a favorite of bees and hummingbirds.

Sedum Autumn Joy 

is almost in full bloom and a 

monarch favorite during fall migration. 

Sweet clematis vine is just starting to bloom and the bees love this vigorous plant.  It's very easy to grow and can be somewhat invasive but can be kept under control 

with a few early spring prunings.

The blooms are so pretty and smell 

so good!

Hyacinth Bean Vine is another easy to grow vine from seed.  I love the color of the blooms and the hummingbirds do too.  They have been visiting this plant almost daily since it bloomed.  Although this is planted next to my patio so I can enjoy it, I do have one planted on the greenbelt and it's doing 

well in full sun. 

The plants I choose to grow there have to take hot summers and be drought tolerant. 

I do hand water the plants a couple times a week when the temperature is above

 90 degrees and I use leftover grass clippings and mulch to keep the plants 

from drying out too fast.   

Monarch on my privet in the spring.  

They do like privet blooms in May as they

 are migrating north. 

I am hoping to see more monarchs as the migration gets in full swing however the reports this year say the count is low again.

I hope everyone will plant a few milkweeds in the garden each year and eliminate the use of chemicals.  

We all need to do our part to help these wonderful butterflies!   

Signature Flower

Do you have a favorite flower that just makes 

your heart sing?

My 'Stargazer' lilies are in full bloom and I have shared before that they have to be my all time favorite and "signature" flower. My love of this flower goes back 30 years when my husband bought me a pot of stargazers from the grocery store because he thought they were so beautiful.  

After they finished blooming I read the plant tag and discovered they could be planted in the garden so I plunked  that first pot of Stargazers in the ground and forgot about them.  To my amazement they came back the following year!  I was forever hooked and each year I've added more to my garden and have shared this wonderful flower with friends.  

I guess I was amazed because of their tropical and exotic  appearance.  Something I would expect to grow in Florida, Hawaii or the Philippines where I grew up,  so I couldn't believe they could survive the winters here in Oklahoma.  Since they are bulbs they do very well here and 
usually bloom around the 4th of July.  
This year they are blooming early due to the 

mild winter we had and I'm okay with that! 

Last year I decided to purchase large pots and planted about 40 bulbs in pots and near my patio so we could enjoy not only the beauty but the scent.   I do have lilies out in the garden too but find I can really enjoy them having so many 
right off the patio.
They have a very strong fragrance which some people find overpowering.  I happen to love how they perfume a room or the patio.  

I have found after 4-5 years they need to be replaced but what joy they give me for a small investment!

I encourage everyone to plant them because you can grow them in a small space on a patio even if you don't have a yard or 
garden area. 

I love cutting them and making bouquets to bring in the house and share with friends.   

 Mother's Day bouquet from my son.

If you're not growing them you really should try adding them to your garden.  Bulbs are available in spring and fall.  

I'm linking with Thoughts of Home on Thursday
and
Bernideen's Tea in the Garden 

Hydrangea Love

This has truly been the year for hydrangeas in my garden!

'Frau Reiko'

Violet Mophead


I've been adding a few different varieties 
the past few years and wish I had room 
for more!

Newly planted 'Forever'  White Mophead.
I add lots of peat moss to the planting hole and around the plant to help with 
moisture retention.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

'Nikko Blue'

Hortensia Merritt's Supreme

I have 'Little Limelight' in my front border that is a late blooming panicle variety
and blooms in full sun.
I'll share it next month when it blooms. 

There are so many new varieties 
available now and I am trying to figure out where I can squeeze in a few more.
It's hard not to fall in love with hydrangeas!

Happy Gardening!