Since I've been a tad lax posting all things gardening during August, I'll squeak out a combo article.
 |
L-R: Nancy A, Pat M., Bonnie S, Kathy H, Mary K, Kathy F,
Me, Gail R, (back) Sandy W, Tina H & Pat R |
Our garden group had a stellar (highly carbed) brunch at our special friend's, Mary K, home. Out of twenty-two FMNs, eleven were available to eat, drink and be merry. We did miss the rest of you - hope you can make it next time!
Talk (as always) revolved around gardening:
- What produce they're preserving and how
- Weeds
- Weather
- Master Gardener and Master Naturalists programs
- Monarchs & other butterflies.
- Why, how and who (of most anything)
- Using produce in favorite recipes (hot peppers especially)
- Honey & bees, maple syrup and other condiment making
- And laughing - we can never forget laughing.
We mingled in what's happening on a personal level - caregiving, selling/buying homes, grandchildren and more.
It was a happy/sad kinda day. You see, Mary and her husband, John, are selling their home and moving out of state. We all understand and try to be supportive and encouraging. But we do have small lapses of sadness because Mary is one of those people you feel God has placed in your life because He knew it would enrich your's. She is funny (a trait we seem to value pretty darn high,) intelligent, imaginative and caring. Not to mention she's crazy energetic and has wonderful gardens.
Since they are lowering the price of this beautiful property, we offered to each chip in $20 and purchase it for our "garden clubhouse" - she'll get back to us on that... If you're interested in a new place, check out 137 Township Road 150 N, Toulon IL.
We also did one of my surveys on "What is your favorite annual?" and it goes:
 |
| Bonnie's Blue Victoria Salvia. |
Bonnie S. wrote " I have loved Blue Victoria Salvia for years. I have always had one or two returning the following year, but never as many as this year. I assume it's due to our mild winter. The picture I sent is of the Blues that came back on their own. What a wonderful surprise! That's a pretty good bang for my buck. I know we need a good, hard freeze to kill lots of garden pests, but the mild winter blessed me with a nice splash of blue."
 |
| One of Nancy's pictures of her coleus. |
Nancy A. wrote: "When Diane asked what our favorite annual was it was very difficult to choose. I usually don't buy a lot of them but with the Garden Walk (Nancy's was one of the gardens featured) this year, I have oodles and right now they are putting on quite a display.
After walking around the garden I would have to say that all the different coleus varieties make this my favorite annual plant. They pair up very beautifully with flowers in pots and hanging baskets but more than ever I love to team them up in the landscape and watch them meander all over the place until the first frost. They are super simple to multiply and do well in part sun, part shade, or even shade. My favorite annual flower for baskets or pots would have to be the Supertunia variety of petunias, as you can tell from my garden walk this year. Thank you Ryan Werkheiser for stocking so many colors and kinds. My favorite annual flower that I put in the ground would have to be the bedding geraniums. I love to put them in my garden as well as in the city bed that I am taking care of. They are very dependable, have a long blooming season and perform well in drier conditions. I usually trim them back and take a lot of them in over the winter and also take cuttings. They cover all my window sills all winter long and still bloom inside which makes me very happy in the dead of winter."
 |
| One of this year's zinnias. |
Me: I could have posted pictures of zillions of zinnias but this amazing one is fun because it changes colors as it matures. Rose, peach, dusty to vibrant it has it all. Zinnias are the workhorse of annual flowers. They stay pretty when picked and the pollinators love them.
 |
| Although this isn't one of Pat R's dahlias, it is a pretty one.
|
Pat R: Her favorite annual flowers are dahlias and zinnias. fyi: Pat has so many miniature/fairy gardens in her yard I've completely missed her annuals. She knows how to do these little scenes right!
 |
| Robyn's Cleome's |
Robyn T: Her favorite is the Cleome (Spider flowers.) This self-seeding wonder brightens the late summer/fall garden and is loved by pollinators. A native of tropical South America. Robyn's garden was also on the Garden Walk and is stunning.
 |
| Carlin's Moss Rose |
Carlin H: "My favorite annual has to be moss rose. It is always so good to me no matter how I much I abuse (don't water) it! I have a pretty hanging basket of pink and white one this year but it is closed up tight today. The picture is a little moss rose in the robin's nest that was home to 4 babies this spring. We have had 2 sets of 4 robin's hatch every year that we have lived here. Always makes me smile..."
 |
Thunbergia - yellow. We had trouble getting Tina's picture
to me but this is what she's talking about. |
Tina H: "One of my favorite annuals is called Thunbergia. It comes in a variety of colors, but I usually pick the yellow because it's so bright and cheery. I love the unusual shape of the flowers. They vine nicely in a hanging basket or a window box."
Praying for the Houston area and for everyone dealing with the ravages of wind and flooding. Praying for safety, perseverance and stamina for residents and emergency workers.
