THE GARDEN CENTER ON TUESDAY, JULY 28TH, 2026

We were at the Garden Center on July 28th. I was looking for pots to place on the deck out back. I found a couple of geraniums but no additional pots. Still, it was fun to look around.

They always have two old trucks on display, always in different spots each growing season.

You would think with their great display of planters...

that I would be able to find something to take home. I noticed all those lovely bird baths of course...

but as for the planters, couldn't find one that said 'take me home!' 

It didn't stop me from having fun looking and I had a great time doing that.

I did purchase a couple of pots of red geraniums to go on the deck out back. I still have some work to do out there, but between the rain and the heat, I am a little behind on things. 

I nearly bought a pot of hot peppers because they looked so pretty, and then I read the label. The name and the flames put me off. Chef Jeff sounds really friendly but the name, Pepper Rattlesnake Hatch, and the label saying “hot” with flames on top, I changed my mind faster than a flea could jump. 

I had one issue with my eyes a few years ago when I was handling ones we bought, thinking they were mild. I was in the hurt locker with my eyes for hours. Never forgot and won’t go down that road again. I would need a hazmat suit! 

So, no hot peppers but am loving my much safer geraniums. Anyone got any tips for care? Firsthand experience is much better than any other, and I would be grateful 

All for now. There will be another post about the garden center sometime.

As always, thanks for stopping by 

and enjoy your day. 

GLEN BURNIE GARDENS IN WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA - 9-17-24 - PART 1

 We made a trip back to Glen Burnie as we felt like a ride today (9/17/24). There was thick cloud cover, and we knew it was going to rain later, with more over the next several days. But we thought we might be lucky if we started out early enough. This is a planter that I am always drawn to. It has two dragon handles on each side as you can see.  More photos next time as I am tuckered out and am off to bed early.

Thanks for looking and as always, I hope your day is a great one.

AT THE GARDEN CENTER

We are looking for a few pieces of garden furniture to put on the deck. Although we were actually in the market for a few flowers, these caught my eye. Good marketing on the garden center's part, they were right there before the flowers. My dear other half sat down in one and said these are going to be very hard to get out of. I could not deny he had a point but I hopefully said, "Nice thick cushions?" No, I don't think so. Onwards, but first...

this was a very cute water fountain between those bright yellow chairs.  In my mind's eye I could see the fountain of water shooting up and happy little birds enjoying themselves but no and again, onwards. A close-up of those pretty pots behind the chairs. I like those very much but right now we are concentrating on filling the pots we have and looking for flowers. Nice to see though.

These photos were more of the Talavera pieces I didn't share the other day.

In the middle of the next collage are the birds I shared but more of a close up. I saw a description this time identifying the larger one as Mother Dodo Bird. The smaller one was supposed to be its offspring presumably. 

This type of pottery is appearing everywhere. I have seen it in several catalogs that are delivered in the mail.

Aren't these white flowers pretty? The name on the label was Andromeda Scar O'hara Mar., 3G 15 - 18", but the following is from my 'Picture This' plant app.

They are called Japanese pieris, also known as Japanese andromeda, Lily of the valley bush, Andromeda japonica, Fetterbush, Mountain fire and Dwarf lily-of-the-valley shrub. Its botanical name is Pieris japonica. This is an evergreen shrub that produces chains of small flowers. So pretty to look at but I am always surprised at the toxicity of various flowers and plants. This one can cause seizures and temporary blindness if consumed by animals or people! An interesting story about its name is that the genus name Pieris, derives from Piera in Greek. According to Greek mythology, which is a subject I have always been interested in, Piera is the home of the Muses. This is enough to demonstrate how beautiful the plant is. Its foliage changes colors throughout the seasons and dangling clusters of colorful flower buds appear in late summer or fall. This plant originates from Japan which is why it is called Japanese pieris.

These were very interesting also. I don't remember seeing anything like these before. I am in the shade area. Most of the plants I'm buying will be shade plants. Epimedium 'Amber Queen' - Fairy Wings according to the sign below.

Next are Green and gold, also known as Golden Star, Golden Knee, Allen bush and Superstar. Botanical name Chrysogonum virginianum, a low growing perennial. We bought two and want to add one each to the larger planters we purchased last year. Commonly found in woodland areas of eastern North America. It makes a great ground cover in shady areas, and prefers partial to full shade. It blooms in spring and summer.

This is a beautiful little house to raise butterflies...

and last photo for today is a tulip planter filled with Penny Peach Jump Ups. A delightful color combination.

I will have more photos to share another time.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - WE WENT TO THE FLOWER NURSERY YESTERDAY

 

Meet Beryl the Bird and Chip the Cat. I'm still trying to figure out what kind of bird Beryl is. She has a smaller, shyer relative behind her. We were at the flower nursery yesterday, reconnoitering more than anything. I spotted Beryl and Chip in a corner, but they didn't make it home. I was trying to think what spot in the garden I could put them in, but I am going in a different direction and couldn't in my mind's eye get them to fit with what I wanted. 

I wasn't really too serious. I enjoy looking at a lot of things like what you see above, but I don't necessarily buy. My dear other half is telling me to go ahead and do what I want to pretty the deck up now the weather is warming up, so when the big old truck pulls into the driveway and they start putting in the renaissance fountain in the back, he's okay with that I told him. And no, that's not happening either. I want to make it a nice, cozy sitting area with a few things around us.

I did not come away empty handed. I made three purchases, two small pots and a fairy sitting on a bear. I have been toying with the idea of putting together a small fairy garden outside, in a planter on the deck I'm thinking. My inner child manifested every time I saw the one at this particular garden we go to. We'll see! I might put an electric fence around it to stop the squirrels and raccoons from tearing it apart. Yes, I am kidding but with a point as we know what luck I have with those little rascals. What do you think? Would this withstand the onslaught?

Maybe I will just stay with my little fairy on the bear for a while. 

I took a lot of photos at the nursery, no surprise there. I made lots of notes of a variety of fauna. I saw native plants and am looking at getting another couple of planters, plus a few additional small pots. We get sunshine out there but not for long and it's more of a shade area. I have to take that into account. It is fun planning something new.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you are all having a great weekend. May the sun shine warmly in your part of the world.

THE HAPPY HUMMINGBIRD

Yesterday we had a lovely visitor and were able to take a few photos.  For about a week now I thought I had seen a hummingbird paying a lot of attention to the red bells. I wasn't able to get any photos as it didn't hang around long enough.  I had not seen one out there at all until we added the planters outside with the Honeysuckle Fuchsia.  I will be on the lookout now and hopefully it will return.  These photos are not as sharp as I would like but I am very happy I have a memory of its visit.  It was 1.44 p.m. in the afternoon, and the sunlight was bright, and very hot. Does anyone know what kind of hummingbird we have here?  Thanks in advance for an ID?

I think I have identified this as a female Ruby throated a Ruby throated hummingbird.  I found one that looked like it at this website.

Have a great day and 

thanks for stopping by.

FEMALE CARDINAL, MOURNING DOVE, A CAROLINA WREN AND A PLANTER

Today I am showcasing the female Cardinal.  Even though she is not as showy as the distinctive red-feathered male, she is just as beautiful with her muted colors. I took these photos of her in one of the trees in our garden.

The Cardinal is the official state bird of seven states. These are Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. 

They are numerous in the Southeast, and it has been extending its range northward for decades.  We can see it now on winter days as far north as southeastern Canada.  You will rarely see it west of the Great Plains but it is quite common in the desert Southwest.

Here she is after flying down to sit on the deck rail, with a cropped version from above.  We are lucky enough to see both male and female almost every day throughout the year.

Females sing mainly in spring before the start of nesting, and those nests are usually well hidden in dense shrubs, vines, or low trees. She is the one who builds them, using twigs, weeds, grass, bark strips, leaves and rootlets, lined with fine grass or hair.

Another bird I enjoy is the Mourning Dove.  There was a family of six visiting this morning.  I love to hear them cooing in the early light as I wake up, and I often call them my early alarm.  Their call and their silhouette are very easy to recognize.  Its species name is macroura, from Greek meaning "long tail."  It is among the few birds that can drink using suction.  Other birds drink water by filling their bill with the liquid, then tilting their heads back relying on gravity.  

This is a Carolina Wren.  These photos aren't the sharpest as I took them through glass and a screen.  It is another regular visitor to our garden.

A male and female Carolina Wren will form a bond at any time of the year, and will then stay together for the rest of their lives. They like to make nests in unusual places, and if you have them near your home, you might find a nest in your mailbox, flowerpots, even in your shoes and pockets if they have access.  If you wanted to encourage them, you can set up a nesting box 3 to 6 ft. off the ground.  The box can also help to provide shelter during cold or extreme weather conditions, so if you install one, leave it up throughout the winter. 

Next I am sharing one of the planters we bought in the early summer.  We purchased two and both pots are dark green with the same plants.  The flowers growing above all the other plants, the ones with the red bell-like petals, are Honeysuckle fuchsia, more info below.  I'm going to have to start pruning as everything has grown amazingly well.  The planters are hard to move and are far too heavy for me.  We do have a dolly in the garage that will help with that.  I saw a hummingbird fly near them one day, a fleeting moment and haven't seen it since.   

I was concerned that the squirrels might take a liking to them, and I would find everything strewn all over the deck, but so far, they have left them alone.  A rare win with those little rascals.

I just looked outside from staring at my computer screen, and said to Gregg, "Look at all those doves?  There must be over a dozen of them."  Well, turned out what I was seeing was double vision.  My eyes took a moment to adjust from screen to deck rail.  Husband had a puzzled look as he looked out there, and when I told him we both had a bit of a laugh.  And a mental note it's time to get my eyeglass subscription updated!

Now for the Honeysuckle Fuchsia, also known as a Firecracker Fuchsia, with a botanical name of Fuchsia triphylla.  It prefers full to partial shade, though it can tolerate more sunshine if the temperature is mild.  They are mostly grown as an annual in the U.S.  It is super easy to take care of and resists almost all pests and disease. 

And that’s all for today.