11/19/09

Tassel Flower (Emilia coccinea)

I ordered seed for this intriguing plant about 4 years ago. That is the last time I've had to order them because every year they re-seed themselves. This habit not only happens in the spring, but all through the summer and fall as well. There are great great grandparents in the same flowerbeds as their offspring. Of course anything red makes me happy, so I'm always pleased for them to pop up anywhere throughout the garden.

11/17/09

Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

I love love love my Pink Muhly Grass. Once fall arrives it mystifies my garden with its pink seed clouds. It is in seed right at the same time that my Beautyberry has its berries. This year the Tassel Flowers (Emilia coccinea) are also in bloom. They contrast with the grass in a most jarring way. I always like gate crashers in the garden!

11/14/09

Fried Green Tomatoes

Okay it's official, I'm a southerner! I picked a couple of my green 'maters and made me some 'shoot fire good' fried green tomaters! Perty dang good too!

BTW - the garnish is Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida).

11/11/09

Kelly's Path

Earlier in the spring I had this wild idea to paint all my borders bright colors. I didn't quite get around to it. Nell Jean left a blog message back on April 27th that suggested that the bright edging might compete with the plants in the garden. I decided she was absolutly right. I think I knew something wasn't quite working, but the color idea wasn't the right way to go. It dawned on me, when I had removed some of the old cedar edging, that the answer was no border at all. I plan on keeping the paths but in a much less formal way. Since there will be no borders the plants will be free to spill over into the path. It gives the garden a more natural feel. This path is an example. I've dedicated this path to my friend Kelly who passed away earlier this year.

11/10/09

Tomato vines

My tomatoes survived the summer. They have grown up and over one of my arbors. I'm hoping they ripen before we get a freeze. If they don't, I'll harvest them and let some of them ripen indoors. The ones that don't will be used for fried green tomatoes. Life is good!

11/10/09

K Key/Mexican Lime harvest

This is the first year my little Mexican Lime Tree (Citrus aurantifolia)

produced fruit. I had a total of fifteen limes to harvest. Three of them have already been used for making Limeade. Delish!