Dowler Garden Tour 2013

Sadly, I could not attend the Spring Garden Tour! As I mopped about the house I decided to take some pictures of my garden to help me remember what is growing and when it is growing. I wish I could share the smells. Jasmine and gardenia are two of my favorite garden plants for fagrance.

Jasmine

Gardenia

 

The gardenia has been one of my favorite plants, even before I really became infatuated with gardening.

 

 

Hydrangea

 

I remember hydrangea from my childhood. They lined what must have been the north of our house, it was shady and cool and full of beautiful blue hydrangea blooms. The color is not full blue yet, but I love them. I have them on the front of my house, the north. They are not the best for the front landscape because they are not attractive year round. I started a new garden in front of them to hide the brown stems that show after the frost.

 

Clematis

 

I love clematis, I think this is jumanji clematis. I love this one. It is growing outside the screened porch, so I enjoy the blooms every morning. At least the mornings I am able to sit outside and enjoy my coffee and morning. I put on my makeup and fix my hair out on the porch.

 

 



I love this one also. It is growing on a trellis by the front porch. Love it!

 

Hosta

 

I love my hosta also. I have some with big leaves, some with tiny. Of course, I cannot say the names to them. I do save the tags, but they are in a file somewhere. Some day, I will make special tags for the varieties. I saw that last year on the garden tour. You could snap a photo of the plant, then a photo of the tag. Then go search for your favorites at the garden store.

 

Dragon Wing Begonia

Salvia

Blackberries

Blueberries

 

I love color in the garden. I love food in the garden. I do not love growing a vegetable garden. I have found it to be too much work for too little produce. I can mulch my flowers and use Round Up when the weeds take over. It does not seem healthy to use Round Up on the vegetables. It's not like the commercial growers don't use chemicals. I love a fresh tomato, but have not managed to grow a delicious tomato in years.

But I can grow some blueberries and blackberries. I love that Tucker already asked me when the berries would be ready. And he asked that back in March! I think the ripen in late June. I seem to remember that the July 4th weekend is the prime time to pick them. I love having the grand kids over to swim. They can get out of the pool, go pick some berries or a fig and jump back into the pool.

Of course they also have to have a Popsicle break too. So Dodi and Poppa try to have a freezer stocked with banana and strawberry Popsicle's.