I am a fan of plants that spread. They soften lines in the garden. I like the look of spilling over rock borders and walls.
This ice plant is growing nicely in its spot along the rock border. I like that it stays low and compact. This one is neater than some I have grown in the past.
Ice plant ‘ Orange Sunset Orange Glow’
This color combo really pops. The yellow center with petals which trsnsition from orange to pink lives up to its name ‘ Orange Sunset Orange Glow.’
Ice plant between stones and sedums
Its tag claims hardiness to -30°F. This is also deer resistant. If it survives several seasons I will be thrilled.
I read books about things that interest me. Those books refer to other books on the subject that the author used to write their book. I look up those books and read those, too. I call this ” following the book trail.” That is how I have found some of my favorite books. I have been following the book trail lately as I wait for my next hip surgery. This book, Every Living Thing by Jason Roberts, is about the lives of two naturalist in the 1700’s who attempted to classify all living things.
I have read about them and even taught about them many times, but I never really knew their stories until now. This book starts at the early lives of Carl Linnaeus and Gorges-Louis Leclerc (de Buffon) and details their development into the important researchers they became.
Their stories involve the struggles of obtaining an education and a proper place in society and science. These two men followed very different paths to get to their goal. Both stories are amazing!
If you love biology, you will enjoy this book on how our present classification system came into existence.
FLOWER (sitting still and silently reading about science)
This Lantana is a ball of color. I love that its buds, new blooms and mature flowers look like a bouquet.
Hot Blooded Red Lantana
The red could not be redder. No wonder it is named ‘Hot Blooded’ red. It is an annual. I will remember this winner when I look for plants in the spring.
Really red!
I am in Zone 5. I have been learning a new landscape. I picked this plant for its deer resistance.
I save all plant tags to help me find the best performers again.
On my deck there are two artifacts together that are highlighted by the sunshine in the mornings. They are sort of like a shrine. The windchime is there to remind me of my cousin, Mark B.. The gazing ball is for remembering my Daddy who loved all things blue.
Memories in evening shade.
It has taken years to remember these two people without the sorrow that comes with loss. My world shifted and I carried on with the emptiness. Then once the pain faded, it has been like they are part of me and my surroundings. There seems to be a new kind of presence in their absence.
Two gazing balls? One is present, one is made with light.
I look at these two forms and see how the glass refracts the sun and metal blocks the sun to make a shadow.
Two windchimes? Only one is truly present. The other is made by an absence of light.
That’s how I feel about what is left. The object’s presence works with light to make the colors and shadows for the perception of second presence. There must be light for this to happen.
One ball, one chime, no light
It’s the light that makes this possible. My love for them and their lives made the missing and memories possible. I still perceive things differently because of my love for them. My reality has been changed. So in a way something of them is still here, because I still love them.
FLOWER
I wrote this for a dear friend and his two sons. Their dear Lisa is suffering no more, but her light is still here, because their love for her is still here.
I love vines and I love purple. I did not plan this combination. Nature planted the morning glories. The Passion Vine is a hybrid called ‘Blue Crown.’ A hybrid is a mix of two different strains.
Passion Vine and purple morning glory.
If you are a follower, you know how I feel about vines. I have learned life lessons from them due to their faith in reaching up and out and their grabbing hold for support when needed. They always strive to go higher. They inspire me.
I had wanted to live my life like a strong and magestic tree, but my fate was to live like a vine. I have struggled to accept my interdependence. Thankfully the vines keep modeling a different path in ascent.
Two ‘Blue Crown’ Passion blooms
I have watched vines grow amazingly high and strong when in the right location. I have also watched them crawling across the ground searching for support. Like the tomato vine that I had to step over to take these photos.
Wandering tomato vine.
I have had to guide some climbers that lost their way and grew up under structures to be trapped in darkness. Some even ended up enclosed in pots and under stoneshrooms and had to be rescued and rerouted.
Maybe you are a vine, too. I have some vine friends that I am entwined with. We support each other and end up the better for both of us. Win:win as twins!
Passion on the treehouse.
And about that purple? That color is regal. It does not have the boldness of red nor the dark hue of blue. It is a tween color. The red and blue join to make something beautiful together.
Wild purple morning glory
Sometimes it takes two different lives to achieve perfection in combination. Do not try to be everything all by yourself.
Great combo!
I no longer wish to be a tall and sturdy tree. I do admire their strength and grandeur. I have accepted my vineness and my purpleness. Others have different fates, but mine is as a vine.
I would be remiss if I left out the down side of entwined vines. Sometimes they reach for the sky and there is no support.
Reaching for the sky.
Then they bend back on themselves or twine so tightly together that they both droop and die.
Dead end, turn back
Sometimes interdependent becomes co- dependent. If you are a vine, you must be selective about what you connect with. Not all partnerships are beneficial for both.
Plants need to protect themslves. They cannot run away from danger. They have to survive where they are. This means some form of defense is needed.
Agave with weapons.
My century plants have claws. I have been scratched and stabbed by these over the years. The new claws are a lovely red, warning color.
I got both of these agaves from a charming plant store on Oakracoke Island years ago. That is where I first saw a Century Plant bloom close up. Wow, they are amazing.
My two babies are about big enough to put in the ground. I must be careful doing this. I will not worry about hungry enemies with teeth. A claw in the nose will do the trick.
Armed agaves
Then all I have to do is wait sixty years or do for it to bloom!
I did not dig these dahlias last fall. Nor did I remove their tomato cages that were placed for support. These are on a hill that I have fallen on many times when I had the legs of a mountain goat. I will not be doing much gardening here.
Site of last year’s fall and face-planting.
So the dahlias have been on their own for two seasons now. They seem to thrive on neglect, except they do need staking. I hate seeing flowers face-plant. Better them than me!
Falling Snow Country dahlia
It pains me to see Thomas Edison so down.
Thomas Edison with bowing blooms.
Snow Country is falling like snow. Firepot is a complete mess. All the dahlias need a good dead-heading, but since their care-giver has had two hip surgeries and one to go, they must hold their own another season.
Firepot needing some preening.
They may need tending, but I must say they look the healthiest I have seen them in years. That’s what I am working toward for myself. Healthy and strong despite the falling.
My dahlias may be down, but they are still thriving without any help from me. Hooray solitary survival!
floweralley 