In 1786, Thomas Jefferson  listed in his journals this ‘Three Colored’ Amaranth. Jefferson was a voracious reader and I’m sure he understood the importance of owning this variety. He understood the food qualities which were many;— a nutritional grain–nutritious leaf–and both medicinal and mind altering brewing qualities. Some say it will be the next main [...]

Prettiness Prettiness is making layers in life that when added together form beauty. Lavender by Royal Albert Prettiness is knowing how to create beauty.  April Cornell Tea Towel in Shannon Patchwork Blue Prettiness is making the atmosphere a place to linger and find comfort.  Purple Linen Dishes at Target Prettiness is mixing and matching items [...]

I don’t think I’ve ever written anything bad about plants I’ve trialed for Proven Winners Plants so this is hard for me. But I promised to write fair reports and not mislead my readers. I am a Proven Winners fan and purchase this brand every summer. But I can’t in good faith recommend the new [...]

‘Limelight’, ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Incrediball’, tri-color, ‘White Dome’, ‘Little Lamb’, ‘Invincibelle Spirit’, ‘Pinky Winky’, and ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ fill the glass vase to overflowing. There is nothing like hydrangeas to make such a perfect bouquet. Each variety I own is represented in this bouquet. I’m proud to announce that some of my photos will start showing up [...]

Are you the crazy lady who cuts off her blooms and brings them inside? I am. Most of my hydrangeas are represented in this Victorian bouquet. ‘Limelight’, ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Incrediball’, tri-color, ‘White Dome’, ‘Little Lamb’, ‘Invincibelle Spirit’, ‘Pinky Winky’, and ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ fill the glass vase to overflowing. All are in different stages of bloom [...]

  On my recent trip to Millstone Meadows Daylily Farm, I snapped this picture of a red rocking chair and vase of lavender. And I’m nuts about the framed picture of the rooster. Making a front porch attractive is a work of art don’t you think? I’m working on a back porch makeover at my [...]

We had a horrible storm last night and the finches were not happy. They scurried here and there to escape the furry. Once the rains cleared and it was safe to return to the feeder, they came in droves. I can only imagine how much energy they used stressing over the gale force winds and [...]

I have always wanted to paint my morning room door a pleasing shade of lavender. Along came Awesome Violet by Sherwin Williams and it makes a cheery entry don’t you think? Last year above and this year below.

I suppose most gardeners are in love with buckets. I can be in the middle of photographing an unusual flower but if I see a bucket–I’ll make a beeline. Why? Why am I drawn to buckets? I’m drawn to them because they are part of my heritage. I grew up in a very unique historic [...]

Weather vanes fascinate me. I’d like to have one on the garage portion of our home. The one above comes from The Bob Timberlake Gallery in Blowing Rock, NC. It is a quill pen and ink jar. So appropriate for the Timberlake artist us North Carolinians know and love. Here is my special from the [...]

I moved this hydrangea 6 times before it thrived in the current location. It likes morning sun and afternoon shade. Not a wet spot but definitely not dry. It stands 5 feet tall presently and is covered in big long lasting blooms. LET’S DANCE® Starlight™ Hydrangea macrophylla  ‘Lynn’ ppaf Let’s Dance Starlight is the first ever new [...]

Here is every corner of Copper Top Cottage where I grow seeds in the early Spring and build my little birdhouses. It’s starting to become the space I dreamed about as a little girl. From all those pine straw make believe houses I made as a kid–to the real life version that MrD made for [...]

Fireflies are attracted to each other from the bioluminescent flickering yellow green of their tails. You can create that atmosphere and perhaps invite a few Fireflies along for the fun. Let’s see how! A Firefly Jar from Gooseberry Patch. Visit The Firefly Files from Ohio State and get educated on our favorite summer insect. In [...]

Amethyst Falls Wisteria is not the aggressive type that destroys trees and pergolas. It’s a first year flowering variety that grows up to 30 feet. It’s a somewhat fast grower. Wayside Gardens has it on their best seller list. It’s providing shade for the shade perennials. Its blooms last a very long time. I’ve seen [...]

This year–2010, I’m building a potager down by by little shed Copper Top Cottage but thought you would like to see what I did for 2008. I call it The Old Window Garden. I built a planter out of old windows this year(2008). My neighbors loved it and thought of me every time a window [...]

These are tough little plants that fit a variety of circumstances. Just take a look at what these Stepables look like in a birdbath with decorative glass and a vole. The vole never looked so classy. I’m assuming it’s a vole. The picture below was taken from the Stepables site where you can find several [...]

Tim Wood, my favorite plant breeder, has given us a Summer Wine finer than any of its kind. I tested this plant last year and fell in love. It has to be the finest ninebark I’ve ever met. She blazed right past the severe drought and long periods of high heat here in North Carolina [...]

I like ornate pieces added appropriately to a home that make it stand apart from the rest. How do you set your home apart and make it unique. This home has some lattice work fastened to the open porch and has a vine growing on it. I can picture it covered in roses. Can’t you? [...]

I love Buddleias for their butterfly attracting personality. I’m on the Monarch butterfly route and they are starving on this leg of the journey here in NC. I feel badly if they don’t have something to eat. And who doesn’t like butterfles flitting about dancing all over your flowers? Buddleia Peacock, 5 feet tall and [...]

I have this new hydrangea. Are you surprised? I’m just nuts about these cultivars so I bring you, First Editions® Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea. Now I’ve not seen it bloom yet and it was given to me by Bailey Nursery when I attended the Garden Writer’s Symposium in Raleigh, NC back in September of 2009. But [...]

‘Azurri Satin’ Rose of Sharon by Proven Winners Plants is a repeat performer in my garden. In fact, all the Rose of Sharons are doing well. They are blooming now with the ‘Incrediball’ hydrangea. Take a look at the varieties growing in my garden. White Chiffon Sugar Tip Blue Chiffon

I must as always have coneflowers! Above you see it with agastache ‘Golden Jubilee’ and the hydrangea ‘Invincibelle’ Especially contrasting with the daisies. And she looks elegant along side ‘Miss Ruby’ buddleia The bees are impressed. And in their life, they display so many different shades of pink.

Just thought you might like to see the blooms on my ‘Invincibelle Spirit’ hydrangea. It’s hugely popular this year and a portion of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I love this shrub…Grows a bit slow the first year but really takes off the second.

Just had to share a few alliums growing in the flower beds of downtown Blowing Rock. On the main drive of Blowing Rock, there is a long wall of flower beds and this is where some of the alliums can be found. Gorgeous little town and I write about it often. You can find a [...]

I’m so pleased with ‘Snow Princess’ lobularia. Here she is keeping company with a cucumber vine and Mexican Petunia. Look at how I’ve layered the arrangement. It has been so hot and humid in the 90′s with over 50% humidity. I tested ‘Snow Princess’ last year and purchased it for myself this season. Just magnificent [...]

Here I am standing beside one of my ‘Incrediball’ hydrangeas. Just look for yourself! I have written lots about this hydrangea…use my search at the end of the page to find them all. Just amazing! These photos were taken June 26th, 2010.

I very much enjoyed my trip to Millstone Meadows Daylily Farm in Morganton, NC. I’ve made a slideshow for you–please enjoy! Mark with his son and daughter. Mark’s son is studying to be a chef at the local community college but also works at a restaurant downtown. I love Sara’s boot right outside the door [...]

Nothing is more attractive than a bit of stone added to the landscape and here they have framed a gate so tastefully–you just have to peer inside. Bits of color add a splash of interest drawing your eye up the pillars and then down again to the lower beds. You can change the mood and [...]

Flowergardengirl is a business that offers lawn care, garden design, unique container arrangements, and seasonal plantings. Serving the Forsyth, NC area with quality work and unbeatable prices. We will do it right the first time. We will be courteous and treat you the way we would want to be treated–period. Anna has been gardening for [...]

I’m a pink kinda girl. I’m drawn to it. At least 1/4 the clothes in my closet are pink. I did a whole post on Haint Blue porch ceilings but here is one painted pink. Light Pink and Dark Pink. I have a lot of pictures of old homes. They inspire me. I seem to [...]