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
Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Candytuft and Billie!
Hey there! I’m Candytuft, a purr-fessional career cat looking for my dream forever home office! I may seem a bit shy at first, but I promise I’m working on developing my interpersonal skills. Think of me as that quiet, ambitious intern who just needs the right opportunity to shine. I enjoy gentle pets and have…… 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
Tell Me Something Good: Madison Interviews Whitford Wooten
Listen in as Madison speaks with Whitford Wooten, a local 33-year-old about her journey with ALS. You’ll hear about how Whitford intentionally strives to find joy in every day, as well as about how her faith is her stronghold and her foundation. Tell Me Something Good: Madison Interviews Whitfo | RSS.com… Continue Reading
Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Adaline and Hoku!
Once upon a literary adventure, I’m Adaline – a feline heroine with a story waiting to unfold! Like a protagonist emerging from the pages of a classic novel, I’ve journeyed from a charming little household to seek my next chapter of companionship. My narrative is one of gentle curiosity and quiet contemplation, where each day…… 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
Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Owl and Neville!
Hey there! I’m Owl, the quiet and contemplative kitty who’s looking for a calm and understanding forever home. I might not be the most outgoing feline you’ll meet, but I promise I have a unique charm that’s just waiting to be discovered by the right person who appreciates a more reserved companion. While I’m not…… Continue Reading
Lantana: The sun-loving, pollinator-friendly powerhouse
I have grown to love lantana. I never really had anything against it. It’s just the fact I haven’t had a lot of sun areas in my landscape and lantana can take up a fair amount of room if it is happy. Most of North Carolina is hot throughout the summer and we certainly have drought periods. Lantana is made to order for these conditions. Lantana is in the verbena family and is sometimes called “shrub verbena.” It comes in various sizes from 1 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide according to my friends at the Cooperative Extension Service. It loves full sun, moist, but well-drained soil to fully perform. Lantana grows particularly well in the piedmont and thrives on the coastal plain and coast of North Carolina. It is even salt tolerant.… Continue Reading
Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Cowboy and Dutch!
Well howdy folks! My name is Cowboy and like my heroes from old western movies, I’m a laidback guy with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for action. Similar to how cowboys loved the Wild West, I’m a big fan of that outdoorsy life. I love sitting outside in the sunlight and taking naps under…… Continue Reading
Crocosmia: From Sweet Melissa’s grandparents to your garden
We have enjoyed growing the very colorful Crocosmia-“montbretia” or “Coppertips”- a summer-blooming flower that reminds me of a miniature gladiola. Crocosmia grows from corms which are sort of like bulbs that store nutrients. Crocus, Dalias, Anemones, and Gladiolus do too. We have had them in our landscape for decades. This flower grew abundantly in Sweet Melissa’s grandparents’ landscape in Pittsboro and she transplanted a few bulbs to our yard. The few are now many. Melissa’s paternal grandparents, Marvin and Myrtle Reeves were special people. Everyone who knew them said so. That makes our crop of Crocosmia extra special.… Continue Reading