Find zen in your garden with zinnias
My mother-in-law, Jean Reeves, was smart, hard-working, industrious, caring and pretty. She loved gardening, and taught her equally pretty daughters about vegetables and flowers and how they co-exist in nature. When I fell in love with Melissa, I also fell in love with her parents’ extraordinary and expansive dairy farm. The vegetable garden was always spacious, pristine and yummy. Jean’s talent for growing flowers was equally as impressive. Her sizable zinnia garden was memorable for the vivid colors. I think a low flying plane would have flown around to get another look.… Continue Reading
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rain!
This gorgeous 1-year-old tortoiseshell beauty is as unique as they come—she’s fluffy, fabulous, and even has extra toes (a polydactyl kitty)! Her mitten-like paws only add to her charm and make her even more irresistible. She’s a friendly and affectionate girl who enjoys the company of both people and other cats, making her a wonderful…… Continue Reading
‘Naked lady’ spider lilies bring surprise blooms
Every regular co-host on the WPTF Weekend Gardener has discussed with delight, at one time or another, the attributes of the “naked lady” spider lily or Lycoris radiate. I have read that the name “Lycorus” refers to the mistress of the Roman leader Mark Anthony. Of course, there are other names for this popular bulb: “Cluster amaryllis”, “Equinox flower”, “Hurricane lilies”, “Magic lily”, “Resurrection lily”, and “Surprise lily”. Yes, this extraordinary perennial bulb is in the amaryllis family and is a native of China, Korea and Japan, but there are varieties that are native to the southeastern U.S. including North Carolina. … Continue Reading
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Suzy!
You’ll quickly fall in love with this one-eyed cutie! Suzy is a sweet, silly, playful girl looking for her forever home! She can take a little bit to warm up to people, but once she builds trust with you she is your shadow and best pal. She follows her foster parents from room to room,…… Continue Reading
Salvia: A colorful, hardy favorite for Carolina gardens
Everyone should have some type of salvia in their landscape. Sage advice, I must say, if you like puns that is! Salvia also is known for its medicinal qualities for oral health, digestion problems and cognitive issues. I for one have never considered eating salvia. Sage is, of course, considered a culinary herb, so I suppose I have eaten some over the years. There are over a thousand salvia species and just as many cultivars and hybrids. Just like several plants I have in my yard, salvia is part of the mint family. Most salvia flowers don’t have fragrance, however their foliage does. Salvia is also a pollinator favorite.… Continue Reading