We see that the Carolina Sweet Shrub in the park is blooming.  Of course the bush is a lot bigger than this, and covered in blossoms, but I wanted to show you the blooms up close.  The flowers are about the size of your thumb, and the most gorgeous color of burgundy.  The native bush grows about eight to ten feet tall, and a couple feet wide.  I don't know that you could spot it at 45 mph, but walking in the park, it is quite prominent.  

 

It makes me happy when I see them in bloom.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

We DO love seeing the Rhododendrons in bloom.  I know it is early April, but they are starting.  I remember May to be the season for Rhododendrons, but we will take them whenever they bloom.

 

Have I ever told you that we used Rhododendron blooms for our bridal bouquets back in 1975?  It's true.  I got married in the Botanical Garden in Norfolk, and we had permission to cut Rhodies for our bouquets.  I thought they were the most fabulous natural bouquets.  Just look at them!  Don't they look like bridal bouquets?  Perfect for May.  I guess if it had been July, we would have used Hydrangeas.  ;)

 

I hope you have Rhodies where you live, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

As we were walking in the park, we could hear Mr. Cardinal calling.  Then we saw a flash of red, and he landed in the tree right in front of us.  How exciting to be part of nature.

 

I hope you are enjoying spring in all its glory.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

 

These trilliums are blooming at the park, so I'm guessing they are blooming all over.  This is a Red Trillium, also called Toadshade, or my favorite:  Sweet Betsy.  Not sure why it's called Sweet Betsy, because it isn't sweet (smelling) at all.  The National Audubon  Society field guide to Wildflowers describes the flowers as "carrion-scented."  Hmmm.

 

Anyway, we love it when the trillions of trilliums bloom.  they make us smile.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Remember I told you that garlic gets planted in the fall?  Well, we planted a couple rows of garlic cloves last October, and this is how they look now.  They are all up about 5 inches; and even though there is some yellowness on the leaves, I am happy with their growth.  We will watch them grow for another three months, then harvest garlic.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Here we go again:  clumps versus individuals.  

 

This is Lemongrass.  I have grown it from seeds the last couple years.  Even on the seed pack, it says less than 50% germination rate.  So I just plant extra seeds to be sure.  

 

Stay tuned, because later in the season I will show you lemongrass when it is full grown.  It fills up a 14 inch pot, and the leaves are over 16 inches long.  It develops into an awesome plant, and, it acts as a mosquito repellent.  Can't beat that!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

How about a little trip to Miss Gerry's Garden Center?

 

Here is Chinese Pink Celery transplanted into 6-packs.  The top right plant is a single stem.  The others are planted in clumps.  I am just trying it both ways to see which ones work best.  Not all plants do well planted in clumps, Marigolds for instance.  They want to be their own individual.  But I think some of these tiny seedling things might do well in clumps.  I'll let you know.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!! 

 

Sunshine for you!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I copied this picture from a Teleflora Ad.  I went to the Farmers Almanac, and they said that Easter, 2026 falls on Sunday, April 3rd.  Actually, April 3, 2026 is a Friday.  I think they made a mistake.  Anyway, their pics weren't that great, so I went and found us something pretty to look at today.  

 

 

HAPPY EASTER!!!

 

They are everywhere!!  And they are blooming NOW!!!  There are several in the park, and we love them.  

 

I hope you see some in your travels, because they are beautiful.  They always make me smile.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!