Butterflies

Enjoying a Phlox

Take-off from a Hydrangea

High up in a Butterfly Bush




As there is little joy in photographing plants these days, I am in pursuit of the butterflies. The yellow Swallowtail is everywhere, every day; the black one is less conspicuous, but visits too, from time to time. I did not see any today. Or, I did not stay out in this heat long enough to see one!

When does a garden get listed as 'critical'?

Mine may be approaching that point. I'm throwing out the last of the tomatoes. Those pretty Cerinthes? Not so pretty any more. The stately Butterfly Weed? Seriously drooping. The Salvias? Gasping for air. Aye, aye, aye!

I still water, but with less enthusiasm. Especially since receiving a water bill more than twice the usual amount. Rain chances today range from 10% this morning (not a drop!) to 40% this evening (here's hoping!) and less tomorrow. It's tough to be a gardener in North Georgia these days.

Baptisia

Grown from last year's seeds, these new plants, of which I have about two dozen, will be ready for the garden in the fall.

One of the many seed pods on this year's plant.

Lots of seeds to share with friends and colleagues!

This could become my favorite plant! Three years ago, Salvia was my favorite plant. Then I switched to Yarrow. Now, with the success of the seedlings, my prime attention may just switch to Baptisia. It does not bloom very long, but when it does . . ., oh, my, spectacular!

Butterfly Weed

This is my first experience with Butterfly Weed - wonderful plant and the swallowtails are crazy about it, but I wonder if this is not awfully early for its seed pods to begin bursting. I had not expected to see this for another month or two. Normal? Or is the hot weather of this summer speeding the process up?

Verbena 'Princess Dark Lavender'

This Verbena, which I have kept in a container since I received it two months ago, made a slow start, but it is now coming along nicely and the color of the flowers is very pretty.

I thought of taking its picture this morning not only because it is now a pretty plant, but also because Karen Platt's book about Lavender is coming out soon -- nothing to do with Verbena, but there was that memory connection . . . :-)

Gardening! - not food, not cooking.

This is a gardening blog. Not a food blog. Not a cooking blog. However . . . When one is offered a splendid bag of greens for purchase, as I was this morning at the local farmers' market . . . Well, you understand we've got to talk about food and cooking.

First thoroughly wash and then roughly chop or tear the greens.

Cook a some garlic and red pepper flakes (or, in this case, Sambal Oelek) in a little olive oil for a minute or two.

Add the greens, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove cover, stir the greens, cover again and cook for another 5 minutes.

Ready!

A fabulous lunch, with a chunk of your favorite bread, spread with pesto. And, of course, a glass of your favorite wine (a California Chardonnay in my case). If there is a better lunch to be had, more easily prepared, on a hot Saturday in July, tell me about it!

Greens for Lunch

I wish I could say that these greens are from my own garden. No such good fortune. Rather, they are from Paradise Found Farm. I bought them this morning and turned them into a fabulous lunch.