Thursday, June 24, 2010

Fiddleheads Are Coming

I love shade gardens and perennials. I planted these ferns and hostas four years ago and they come back stronger each year.  Perennials are so easy.  The ferns have really surprised me. I thought they would die during the winter but since I planted them under the stairway of my deck, it helps to protect them from the cold in the winter.  Right now it is so hot and humid that I have to water them everyday to keep them from wilting.  The underside of the fronds are covered in spores right now so it won't be long before I have new little fiddleheads popping up.  Can you tell that I am a science teacher?

 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Silhouette Giveaway

Blogging has introduced me to so many different things.  Southern Hospitality is a blog that I have been following and have found so many new creative decorating ideas.  Check out this giveaway.  I would love to have it and I know you would too.  Southern Hospitality: a Giveaway

Friday, June 18, 2010

Miss Huff, Your Blooms Are Showing!

Miss Huff  is my favorite variety of  lantana.  She will grow to about 3 feet tall and has the most beautiful orange flowers.  The butterflies love her too.  She has been to visit me for the last 4 years and each year she becomes more beautiful.  Notice the lamb's ear to the left of her.  It is blooming too.  You can't tell in the picture but the blooms are purple. Bees love it so you shouldn't plant it near a deck or porch.



My lavender is just now blooming.  I transplanted it this spring so it has taken some time for it to come back.


I was too tired to get my shovel out and dig holes in the ground so I did the next best thing.  I planted them in some clay pots that I already had in storage.  I then nestled them in the straw.  Here in the south we use pinestraw as mulch. I placed pine bark mulch on top of each pot to keep the moisture in because they will dry out a lot faster than they would in the ground.  The one on the left is purple fountain grass and on the right is a yellow hibiscus.  I think it looks pretty good considering I was lazy today. 

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

It Was Calling My Name

I'm not a impulse shopper but when I saw this welcome sign at T J Max I just had to buy it.

After all, it was calling my name! The colors matched perfectly too.


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

No Its Not Christmas

Every Christmas I always do a lesson in my science class about the leaves of poinsettias.  Yes, the beautiful red color are leaves and not flowers.  In order to turn red, they must be kept in darkness so that photosynthesis cannot take place for the leaves to make chlorophyll.  When Christmas is over what do you do with a perfectly healthy poinsettia?  Cut all the red leaves off, place in a sunny room and continue watering it.  Plant it outside when the danger of frost is over and you will have a beautiful shrub.  Yes, they grow as shrubs. 


This is your science lesson of the day.


Notice that I planted some impatiens along with it. 

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Jungle Gardenia is in the Air


Remember the perfume Jungle Gardenia?  I could smell it in the air this morning when I opened my back door.  What a wonderful surprise to find my bush filled with blooms.

  I created the mosaic using photoscape  This is the first time I have tried this software.  It turned out ok but I still have a lot to learn.  I always tell my students,"As long as you can read, you can teach yourself anything."

And then another surprise!  I turned the corner and saw the most beautiful mophead hydrangeas. I've been on the back porch all day!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Look what I got!!

My husband and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary today. He surprised me with a new bike.  It even has a basket.  Just like the one I had as a little girl.  I asked him if he would put a bell on the handle bar but he said that was pushing the limit.  I had been wanting a regular bike for so long.  It doesn't have gears and you pedal backward to brake.  If you can't make it up hill, you get off and PUSH!  



Friday, June 4, 2010

Trash to Treasure

I had been looking for a new look for my front porch.  Most of the urns I found were quite expensive and I needed two of them so I decided to try to rejuvenate the ones I already had. All I did was a little dry brushing.




I used some left over stain and just dabbed it on and rubbed it off.



Check out other magnificent decorating ideas: 

Savvy Southern Style




Finished product. Click on COMMENTS below and let me know what you think.