Kelly 1961-2009

To Kelly:

The memory of you, will last forever in my mind. Those of us that came to know your brilliant radiance were blessed beyond words. Out of the billions of people in this world, God allowed me to know you and I can live the rest of my life being thankful for that gift. Everyone who knew your unique and generous heart of love will miss it immeasurably. Even though they live in my memory, I will also miss hearing your voice and your laughter. They were connected to your spirit, which you eagerly shared with friends and strangers. I will forever be changed by having known you. Even though I’m tempted to regret having not spent more time with you, I choose to be thankful for the times we were together. I hope that you knew, in some measure, how profoundly you enriched the lives of those who knew you. I wish I could have thanked you in person for all that you were to me. You will always be in my heart.
With Love, Donald

'Stairway to Heaven' Iris (Kelly's favorite Iris)

Photo courtesy of Brock Heilman

06/20/09

Tomorrow spring 2009 is over! The dog days of summer are just ahead. I always say "if you can garden in Texas, you can garden anywhere!" I have to admit that I've been a tad lazy for the past couple of days. I looked outside from the cool of my house and saw the sun glaring down on the plants and decided the house needed cleaning instead. Once I've acclimated myself to the humidity and the heat, I'll be fine. I have a much easier time in the winter getting used to the cold, maybe because 'Texas cold' is cool or even warm in other parts of the country. But when it comes to heat and humidity Texas is right up there at the top with a few other states.

One plant I can always depend on to bloom through the summer is the Purple Coneflower. It stands up to the heat and the flowers last a very long time. If it weren't for coneflowers and swimming pools I don’t think I could survive the summer!

06/18/09

Boquet #4

This one reminds me of a lady's Sunday school hat! The red flowers are 'Jacob Kline' Bee Balm, and the pink ones are, 'Texas Pink' Phlox.

06/18/09

Boquet #3

This bouquet contains Purple Coneflowers, Hydrangea, Lemon Verbena foliage, and Clematis seed heads.

06/17/09

I took these photos at dusk last night. I thought they looked especially romantic so I tried to capture some of the ambiance. The plants include Phlox, 'Perle d'Or' Roses, 'Balcony Petunias, Knock-out Roses, 'Jacob Kline' Bee Balm, 'Blue Charm' Veronica and an unkown Hydrangea.

06/15/09

Tomato 'Mortgage Lifter'

Yum Yum Yum!!! I just harvested my first two tomatoes. I'm growing heirloom varieties 'Mortgage Lifter,' and 'Mr. Stripey.' I have been waiting for two of the former to ripen, and when I walked by yesterday they looked perfect. I took a picture and cut them off the vine right away. I made a vegetarian BLT that was too die for! Now I know why people grow tomatoes. It seems also that once they grow them they do so the following years. The sweetness indescribable! I'm glad I didn't salt my BLT; the tomato had so much flavor that there was no need for it. I have joined the tomato growers of the world!

06/12/09

Datura

Georgia O'Keeffe made a star of this flower. She made a beautiful painting, but I have to admit it doesn't capture the beauty of the real thing - close - but no banana! My photo doesn't either!

06/05/09

Tobacco 'Cranberry Isle'

Along with the Rudbeckia 'Cappuccino' and Petunia 'Balcony' I also started seeds of Nicotiana 'Cranberry Isle' which is another heirloom. The description in the Select Seeds catalog sounded too yummy to pass up. I can't describe them any better so I'll use their words.

"An heirloom variety with trumpets of bloom in hues of lilac, smoky mauve, white, pink, violet and dusky dark purple, some netted with darker veining. As evening hours approach, they lift their heads and release an intoxicating scent that will perfume your whole garden."

So far they are living up to this portrayal!

06/04/09

I started seeds of an old heirloom variety of petunias that I purchased from http://www.selectseeds.com/ called 'balcony.' I'm hoping they will survive the summer so that they will thrive again in the fall. I'm hoping too that they reseed. The color is outrageous, and I do like outrageous! They are in pots with coleus and Rudbeckia 'Cappuccino.' I also have 'Balcony' petunias sprinkled around a couple of the garden beds.

06/03/09

The orange coneflowers have taken off. I have them in front of Salvia 'Henry Duelberg.' I've always liked orange and blue combinations.

06/02/09

I got bulbs of this Calla Lily a few years back. They were supposed to be a burnt orange color. When they bloomed pink instead I almost couldn't see them alongside my hydrangea. Their colors match perfectly, almost too perfectly!

06/01/2009

Yarrow, Larkspur, and 'Dallas Red' Lantana

Here's a lovely ensemble that I didn't plan. Aren't they always the best! "Let it be" - words to garden by!