We stroll around on our porches while talking just like we stroll down the street. As we go, we pick at the ferns. We pick off the dead fronds cause they look ughly and if we are flirting–we pick off the swirls at the end of unopened fronds. It’s a bit barbaric but it’s what [...]

If the frost doesn’t kill my tomato plants tonight, I’ll be using this method to stake them up. I saw this cross tie at Old Salem, NC which is a community built around the mid 1700′s. My family has lived here since the first settlers came in the 1750′s and there are two cousins who [...]

I planted one Catmint plant and it loves this spot. It’s hot and dry but only gets morning sun. I guess it’s the perfect spot for these pretty blue blooms. The storm that came through yesterday knocked over the verbascum ‘Miss Jackie’. It will bloom some more. The very tall bush to your left is [...]

The new rock border is installed and I think it adds a lot of character to my home. The stone color matches my porch post stain. What do you think? It was not easy to gather this rock. The big ones weigh about 30 lbs each. MrD did all the work of course as I [...]

The conifers are in season and putting on quite the show. Our allergies went nuts but being with my oldest son today made it worth it. Thank you for going with me today—I very much enjoyed the day. Today was a trip to the Conifer Garden at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. And he was [...]

In this photo, pink, red, and blue. I use to follow all the rules and then I discovered a love of all flowers. So now the gardens are cottage style and it all works. Don’t you think? Above is at my former home and planted close by is red–it works. See! I love phlox! Above [...]

After 40 years of gardening and living all over the USA, I’ve come up with a few favorites in my time. I use a combination of annuals, perennials, and foundation plants to form my garden design. I rely heavily on annual cultivars to give me punch all summer long but who can deny the majestic [...]

In Old Salem, NC, they practice organic and natural gardening. I’ve never questioned all their practices but since it’s a 1700′s garden it’s assumed they use what was available in that day. I spent a good many days in this community cause my beloved great aunt lived there and she helped rear me ( you [...]

Please enjoy my newest video, Spring! Created on my MacBook Pro using Spring pictures from my neighborhood in North Carolina and music created in Garage Band. All work is original. I composed the music and took the photos. The plant above is alternanthera ‘Party Time’. Works well in shade or part shade. It’s not in [...]

Esther was a proper Christian woman who never said an unkind thing about anyone and fed me the finest fried squirrel on the planet. I knew when it was fried squirrel time in her kitchen. She had a big old stove with lots of doors and there was always something in them. She cooked her [...]

I promise they–the bunnies and chipmunks are happily nesting away and I have not harmed a hair on their head. But they are leaving my plants alone and so are the harmful bugs. Why? Cause I am using a product I learned about while searching the internet for non-toxic solutions to the problem of bunnies [...]

The shadows of the Spring setting sun at the home of Flowergardengirl. All the front pots are planted and some of the annuals are in the ground. The vegetables still need to be placed in the beds and many of the annuals are not blooming yet. There will be  blues, whites, yellows, hot pinks and [...]

I’ve always wanted a bottle tree and this one would match my Copper Top Cottage perfectly don’t you think? This is from the ablum by Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. My house is listed at Houzz and I go there often to get inspiration–or just browse for pretty things. I’m especially fond with [...]

Take a look at the green air supplied to us by Mother Nature. It’s here folks and I’m sick–everybody is sick!! Pollen counts in my part of NC are the worst recorded ever.  Looks like my weatherlore predictions from last Autumn are coming true. I had no doubts. Read this clip taken from the Winston [...]

Having a craftsman style home, this arrangement really appealed to me. My siding color is called cypress and is similar to this home. I do have the square beams too. Proven Winners did a nice job on this arrangement using one of my favorite plants ever. One of the plants that goes in my garden [...]

It’s hard to find a container arrangement for shade but here we have–Begonia Buffet. This will be going beside my front door. Great American Cities™ ‘Chicago Fire’ Begonia (Rex Begonia), Great American Cities™ ‘Denver Lace’ Begonia (Rex Begonia),  Great American Cities™ ‘Maui Mist’ Begonia (Rex Begonia), make this a Begonia Buffet feast for any container. [...]

Reminder–Heucheras are an outstanding focal point in your containers! Originally posted 2009—Orange and hot pinks are popular combinations this year. With all the new heucheras on the market in that color palette, people are looking for ways to use them in containers and the landscape. It is also popular to plant each container in a [...]

Look at the clusters of white puffy flowers I found hanging at my local nursery. That is ‘Snow Princess’ lobularia. Wow–I was at LA Reynolds Garden Showcase nursery in Winston Salem, NC and they are bringing in some of the plants I’ve been waiting to see! Bravo LA Reynolds! This alyssum needs to be kept [...]

Update for April 2010 and you can read the original post below. All my ‘Incrediball’ hydrangeas are leafing out stronger than last year. Some have formed buds already. I’ll post when it HAPPENS. The buds are about 2 inches across right now–but this is going to be a huge event don’t you think. I mean [...]

I took these in my neighborhood today. The cherry trees have really put on a show this year. They look a bit like dianthus blooms don’t they? The new leaves are bronze colored. This is last year’s post on Kwanza cherry trees. I can’t wait for it happen again! This is my favorite tree! From [...]

Sold Out right now. After two years of trial in my gardens, I’m now selling the–Bloom Mix by Flowergardengirl. It works! Period. I apply it at 1 to 1/2 cup every two weeks to blooming annuals and perennials. If you start getting too many leaves and not enough blooms–cut back to one time a month. [...]

Here we have 4 little brown sacks packing some mammoth sunflowers. A bit leggy but they’ll be ok. Some are better than others. They got this leggy cause I am nursing back to health after an emergency gall bladder surgery over a week ago. They accidentally removed my right leg but I can live with [...]