Author: Flower Roberts

My Daddy Taught Me How

| Flower Roberts

I went down the hill to clean out the Bluebird house this morning.

As I reached my hand down in it to grab the old nest materials, the bottom fell out.

Glad there weren’t babies in there all ready!

I had to take that rotten box, still on the pole, up the hill and into the shop.

I took that thing apart and used the pieces as templates to make new parts.

I left the front, so technically it’s still one of my daddy’s birdhouses.

How did I know how to cut wood and build a birdhouse?

My daddy taught me how. My sister and I call them “Man Lessons.”

All those skills have come in handy over the years.

My daddy may be gone, but his skills live on.

He is still helping his beloved bluebirds through me.

FLOW

Sweet Betsy is Back

| Flower Roberts

I looked for Sweet Betsy several weeks ago and there was no sign of her. I was concerned. She appeared later.

The species name is Trillium cuneatum.

Gorgeous coloration on leaves/bracts. Easy (actually no) care woodland, shade plant.

Trillium cuneatum, Sweet Betsy

Easy is good. Needy is bad. Keep that straight!

Welcome Back Betsy!

FLOW

Bright White on a Dark Day

| Flower Roberts

It is dreary and misty here, but I had to get out.

The garden calls despite the weather.

Snowflake, Leucojum

The whites were bright today.

White by the Gate, Camellia japonica

This is their time to shine.

Starflower (ipheion), ‘Albert Castillo’

It is lovely to spy some white on a dark day.

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Colorful Confusion

| Flower Roberts

I appreciate that my last year’s Poinsettia and a little Schlumbergera have chosen to bloom by my desk.

It is comforting to be accompanied by bright colors on this dreary day.

I consider myself lucky again today.

My green friends are cheering me up.

Flow

Little Blue Beauty

| Flower Roberts

This tiny sweetie pie, Orostachys boehmeri, has been growing in the wrong places for a long time.

It has survived, but not thrived…

until now.

I created the perfect niche.

Orostachys boehmeri , Chinese Dunce Cap

Warmed by stones, perfect drainage, protection from trampling…

It is the happiest it has ever been.

Are you growing in the right spot?

Flow

No Deer. Not Tonight!

| Flower Roberts

My garden developed decades before the deer showed up.

We used to be surrounded by hundreds of acres of woodlands.

Our surroundings are slowly being developed and nudging the wildlife elsewhere.

My daylily collection is now a popular buffet line.

The Society garlic that used to work as a deterrent is now ignored.

I have a fencing method I will share later.

For now, here’s the evidence of an evening of feeding.

Flower has more work to do.

FLOW

Oh, Those Stripes!

| Flower Roberts

The yellows come first like little beacons.

Then the purples start shining.

The stripes appear a bit later.

That’s when I have to walk over to look at them closely.

Those stripes lure me out into the garden.

I must see that magical combo up close.

Purple, white and gold.

Thank you spring!

FLOW

Sun on a Stalk

| Flower Roberts

Every spring is welcome. I need this spring more than all the previous springs. I bet you feel the same way.

The faces of flowers lift my spirits. The early flowers are especially appreciated.

I have many types of daffodils. I like to call them little suns on stalks.

Their brightness is a cheerful sight.

Even on cloudy spring days, I can always find some sun on a stalk to bring some joy.

Flow is ready for spring.

The Fight for Flowers

| Flower Roberts

It is hard work protecting my precious plants from the local deer herd.

I have to be diligent. If I wait, it is too late.

This week I noticed the front of my ‘Professor Sargent’ Camellia japonica was missing.

Yes. the entire front of an evergreen shrub had been eaten overnight.

Good thing I keep a selection of posts and fencing handy.

Now Professor Sargent’s front and flowers will be safe.

‘Professor Sargent’ Camellia japonica

I circled the yard to check on ‘White by the Gate.’

White by the Gate

It was safe and blooming inside its year-round fencing.

Edgworthia also has its own enclosure.

I am not sure if the flowers would get eaten, but the leaves were nibbled on last fall.

Edgeworthia

I guess I will start enclosing my daylilies as they sprout.

No point in growing snacks for the local wildlife!

Flow