Picture the Best Angle

Today is one of those rainy days where a spectacular shot of blue skies and an inspirational quote may be the best remedy. In perusing some old photos, this particular image has been jumping out at me all week. It’s a fall shot from 2007. The clear sky is so brilliant blue it seems like a perfect light bulb of positive for today’s gloomy forecast.

So muster up your energy and take heed to this unknown author’s statement. “The best angle from which to approach any problem is the try-angle.” And remember, if you have any gardening problems or challenges, you can post your questions or comments. I am always try-angling to get you involved, inspired and most important, to appreciate the moments in your garden and the great outdoors.

P.S. This is one of the best times of the year to take photos. The sky and light is simply spectacular. Take advantage and capture your fall garden. Overcast skies are great for picture taking, too. Give it your best try-angle!
Photo by Greg Bilowz

Out of the Park Color

With the major league baseball season soon to wrap up, one might think that this famous American pastime was scheduled perfectly with the final days of our gardens. If you are thinking baseball and gardens at the same time, here is a great September/October plant that can knock it out of the park. Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' is by far one of the most stunning Asters in our fall plant combinations – it’s a homerun for your garden.

Easily divided, its compact habit makes this plant great for small spaces. So why wait. Knock it out of the park with the powerful color of purple. All you need is sunshine, good soil and a little TCL and you are back in the ball game.

To stay with today’s baseball theme, I use a quote from Rogers Hornsby. “People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” Keep your frequency tuned in here at WAGC (Annie’s Gardening Corner.) There will be plenty of gardening tips and quips to help us through the upcoming chilly season of winter.

Photo Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' in our garden - taken by Greg Bilowz

Design 101: Illuminate Not Dazzle

Some simple advice for the plant lover - too much dazzle in the garden can make you dizzy. So can that garish red mulch but that’s for another day. A collection of specimen plants composed incorrectly can look like a horticultural brawl. Colors and textures compete with each other. The end result - there are no winners in the game, just lots of chaos.

Setting a backdrop to showcase a specimen plant or an accent illuminates the features of your garden, much like decorating your house. In order for details to be visible, the composition requires an element of simplicity. Think of your garden as a table setting. What is a lawn other than to be the tablecloth? If you are surrounded by a stand of mature trees, embrace these elements. Make them your curtains. As the gardener, you must set the stage to illuminate the little pockets of interest. Rather than repel your visitor, you must draw one into your garden.

This being said, design is subjective. Some desire a manicured and controlled look while others prefer a more naturalistic setting. Even within the context of varied styles, this design logic remains true. It’s the balance of colors and textures within an established backdrop that permits even bold and brazen to be an effective composition. Regardless of scale, your garden can still highlight your personality with the style you choose but always remember that it should illuminate not dazzle the welcoming guest. I choose a James Thurber quote for the inspirational thought for Tuesday. “There are two kinds of light - the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.”

Designs by Greg Bilowz - Photos by Eric Roth Photography - Copyright Bilowz Associates Inc.

Rainy Day Options

Today’s blog starts with an anonymous quote. “Pep without purpose is piffle.” Now that’s a great Scrabble word. So my only gardening advice on this rainy Monday is take advantage of it. Thank goodness we are finally seeing this much needed precipitation. Our dry terrain is finally getting a respite. It’s a multiple choice kind of day for gardeners. It’s a wonderful day to transplant, get a lawn seeded or take a nap and dream about gardening. I realize it is Monday so if you choose to do any of the above, do not blame the messenger.
Images from the Internet

A Garden’s Distinctive Voice

An unknown author once said “It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart.” How true about each garden created; the owner’s distinctive voice comes through in its chosen colors, textures and style.

So as you meander through your garden this weekend, look for those underlying characteristics that give your landscape its own personality. Think long and hard while starting the fall clean-up or the last minute transplants. What makes you stop in your tracks? What draws you in? First, it may be the beauty of a blossom. Yet if you ponder long enough, discovering what ties it all together is what gives that simple blossom its persona.

Successful design is not one-dimensional. It has layers of personality, not just beauty. Take this weekend to connect with your garden’s distinctive voice. Let me know what you discover in your exploration.
© Copyright note: All images and designs have been developed by and is the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc. If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

A Setting for Blue

Passionate gardeners often plant with more than just color and texture in mind. Many attempt, and are often quite successful in establishing a native habitat for birds and other wildlife. Depending on your setting, there are a variety of birds that visit a garden daily in search of a food source. A favorite meadow bird that frequents our back fields is the blue bird. Its brilliant plumage is simply spectacular. I am always excited to see one or a few flit over the tall grasses or land on a lone post. If you love spotting moments of spectacular blue and you by chance have meadow-like conditions, consider planting this wonderful fall blooming Aster – Aster laevis ‘Blue Bird’. Attached is a link from the wholesale nursery, Van Berkum http://www.vanberkumnursery.com/database/plant_details.php?ID=64 detailing the attributes and growing conditions of this smooth Aster. We have purchased several New England natives for many of our naturalistic landscape projects from this family-owned nursery. Even if you don’t have a meadow, you can still try this Aster. You can also check out a post from last August. http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2009/08/late-season-perennial-choices.html I mention a few different types of Asters and some other fall flower choices to assist in the color palette.

In Winston Churchill’s famous words, “I cannot pretend to be impartial about the colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones, and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.” In this fall season, we must look to plant those brilliant colors or hence, one will only see brown.

Top Photo of an Eastern Blue Bird from the Internet
Bottom Image of Aster laevis ‘Blue Bird’ in our garden – Photo by Greg Bilowz
Compare the color in both images.

It’s a Kodak Moment

This September morning is simply spectacular. The warm breeze and sunshine make the final days in our gardens picture perfect. The best way to describe it is with photos. Take this first day of fall to embrace its beauty. Henry David Thoreau states it best. "Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures."

P.S. We say goodbye to our good friend and neighbor later today. When we built our house, Nancy watched us transform a difficult site into what it is today. I remember when I started planting our slopes with a bag of wildflower seeds, she told me she could already see the beauty. Remember to be a good neighbor. What you say and do is everlasting!

All Photos by Greg Bilowz

Apples to Apples

While scanning the news today, I found two interesting but correlating articles that make apples quite appealing. So if you haven’t scheduled in an apple picking date, don’t wait. It’s time to stock up on your juice and apples, especially with these types of reports churning in the air waves.

One should keep in mind that apples have always been the signature of a healthy diet (“An Apple a day keeps the doctor away’) but recent research from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell may have you reaching for an apple over any other fruit. Their research states that “Apples may also improve brain health….The regular consumption of apple juice helps keep our minds sharp and may even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers also have found that apple juice may help individuals that already have Alzheimer’s disease by alleviating some of their symptoms, such as making them less agitated.” (Source - http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0009669) But if that can’t convince you to make apples part of your diet, check out the staggering figures just reported for dementia costs. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100921/ts_nm/us_dementia_costs_global “The worldwide costs of dementia will reach $604 billion in 2010, more than one percent of global GDP output, and those costs will soar as the number of sufferers triples by 2050, according to a report on Tuesday.” We are fortunate to be in the heart of apple country. It’s time to squeeze in some apple picking; it ‘tis the season.

Apple images taken by Eric Roth Photography for Bilowz Associates Inc. (Copyright 2007)

Flair or Fizzle in Your Garden

Last year’s fall fern color was phenomenal. It was due to a number of factors; the biggie being our moist, cool summer. Unfortunately, I spent some time in the garden yesterday cutting back many of the burnt fern leaves. With the dry summer we experienced in Massachusetts this year, there may be a shortage of exceptional fall color.

With that being said, you can’t ignore what is left in the garden. To make room for what is still blooming, spend some time cleaning up and cutting back plant material that is a bit worse for wear. We are also in the heart of seeding season for your lawns so it’s time to work the green machine. This is primo season for thatching, aerating, top-dressing and especially seeding. If you intend to transplant any shrubs, make sure you water them heavily a few days prior to moving them. The ground is still powdery dry.

Let me know what’s happening in your gardens. There is always something to be explored, discovered and experienced. The quote for the day is by Henri Matisse. “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”

Photo of 2009 fall fern foliage – by Greg Bilowz

It’s the Little Things That Count

A few years back, when having lunch with a colleague I mentioned that anyone can do the big things. It’s the little things that matter. When you are in the service industry, there isn’t anything bigger than the little things. If you can’t remember that the core of servicing is just that – service, you may as well close up shop. We often overlook the small things, especially when we are overwhelmed, swamped or too busy to pay attention to the tiny details. All our efforts and energy often go into preparing the big moments or the splash to wow someone. We forget that simple can be just as powerful. It’s the small gestures that often win people’s hearts and connects you to them.

So as we end the work week, remember the little things growing in your own garden. A fresh container of raspberries or a small vase of flowers can soften the edges of a bad day for someone else. Don’t underestimate - there isn’t anything bigger than the little things.

Image from the Internet

Get Your Feet Wet

People are encouraged to think ‘green’ but your goal is to be green. It is more than getting high performance windows or a hybrid car. There are a number of ways to reduce our daily impact on the environment. One of the most critical aspects still often overlooked is storm water management and how it impacts site development. The landscape and how we develop and maintain its resources is at the core of our sustainability.

We are at a pivotal point in how we manage our water resources as it relates to storm water. It goes beyond the typical gutters and catch basins you see on the roadways. As stewards of the environment, we must take further steps. Historically, our concerns were focused on managing and controlling the flow of storm water. Now, it is a matter of managing the quality of the water, which adds another layer to the development process. It may sound dry to the lay person but it is worth wetting your palette on the storm water subject, especially if you are undertaking any type of new construction or extensive site development. Every year, towns and cities are adopting new regulations that require such things as infiltrators to manage roof water and run-off from impervious surfaces. If you want to know more about how federal legislation will eventually impact states and municipalities, you should review the current storm water management regulations taking place in DC. http://asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=23270 Some Massachusetts’ cities and towns, specifically those under heavy developmental pressure, have already adopted a number of these storm water regulations.

So tread softly when you leave your footprints. Don’t take our drinking water for granted. Jump in and get your feet wet on the storm water subject. The quote for the day is by Livy. “We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.” Hence, it is the reason we should always educate ourselves on important subjects, specifically those that sustain us.
Image from the Internet

Fall’s Mystic Realm of Color

Are my garden readers looking for an underused plant? Look no further. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, A.K.A. (also known as) Plumbago or Leadwort is the groundcover with no stigmas. This is one of those often overlooked perennials. In the early part of its growing season, this plant may not do much for you. Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider this plant for your borders.

Ceratostigma is a deciduous perennial that slowly flushes its green foliage in the spring. Its tiny Phlox-like flowers bloom mid to late summer until frost. One would think that its electric blue blossoms might be enough to consider this plant. But wait - there’s more. Its scarlet-red autumn foliage makes this perennial a seasonal show-stopper. Electric blue with scarlet-red as fall leaves turn brilliant colors – that’s a wow! Some say this groundcover is hardy to Zone 4 but I think it is better suited for Zones 5 to 6. Ceratostigma can tolerate a little shade but prefers a sunny location. This groundcover can spread so position it in a spot where it is allowed to ramble and cascade.

Ceratostigma is a great companion with your bulb plantings. As you are planning your bulb order for next spring’s display, think beyond the bulbs. Late summer into fall is a perfect time to think or rethink your entire plant composition. One may ask, what makes Ceratostigma the perfect companion with spring bulbs? Simple answer – it is the seamless transition of foliage and color. As the bulbs fade, the Ceratostigma fills in. What makes a perennial border work is its entire composition, when one plant takes over for the next. Trust me, this is a tough task so when you find groundcovers like Ceratostigma, use them. Work your composition from start to end. Look for the oomph in your plants to get the most out of your borders. Find those weak spots and fill them in.

To end the color scheme, I use Hans Hofmann’s quote. “The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.” In New England, the season of color is upon us!

Image of Ceratostigma plumbaginoides from the Internet

The Second Bloom

Most consider the primary bloom period for roses to be early summer, when the ramblers and climbers are in its majestic glory. But roses don’t end their bloom cycle there. Many of the shrub roses are huge floral workhorses for the garden and can extend color for your borders well into the fall season. Roses may lapse into a mid-season slump but often kick into gear the latter part of summer and generate sporadic blooming all the way into frost. Sometimes all that is required to extend the flush of bloom is a bit of pruning. Don’t be afraid to cut your roses back. You can prune many of the varieties heavily but if you are uncomfortable with taking too much off, remove the rose hips and prune the canes back to the first set of compound leaves with five leaflets. This should help stimulate a new flush of flower buds. If there is blemished or diseased foliage, remove and dispose in the trash barrel. A constant reminder: do not compost any diseased plant material.

At this time of year, you don’t have the same level of disease and insect pressure, Japanese Beetles being one of the main culprits of rose munching. So if you stay away from roses, like I do when shopping for plants, consider adding at least a few to your palette. Many varieties can grow in extremely challenging conditions. You often see roses in coastal landscapes, exposed to the full brunt of wind, salt and sun. So take the advice of an anonymous author. “Avoid being impatient. Remember time brings roses.” At this time of year, you will forget the Japanese Beetles that took the first round of loveliness.

Late Season Rose Blooms in Our Garden by Greg Bilowz

Seed-um (Sedum) in Your Gardens

If you can spare some room in your perennial garden, a perfect last-minute choice for these cooler days and nights are the late-blooming Sedums. This plant is a perennial camel, adding a hint of texture and color to any border. What I love most about Sedums is their adaptability to heat, drought and are relatively disease resistant. In other words, no headaches for your perennial beds – a no-brainer for the low-maintenance minded gardener.

You can find a variety to bloom throughout the growing season; from June until October. There are ground-hugging forms perfect for rock or alpine gardens to the standard forms that reach heights of 2 to 2 ½ feet. Its foliage and texture cover the gamut, making this succulent one to explore and test in your borders. Colors vary from pink, purples, reds, orange, yellows, and chartreuse to various shades of green. Did I mention the variegated varieties? This genus adds oomph to the most difficult of growing conditions. Sedums are a staple species used in green roof applications and coastal landscapes, some of the toughest environments encountered in the plant world.

Check out the myriad of choices at your local nursery. Try one or a few Sedums to build a sampler palette. You don’t need lots of the same varieties as these plants are easily divided and spread amongst the garden. One of the hallmark Sedums that ushers in the fall season is the ‘Autumn Joy’ variety. When I see its pink tones begin to flush, it’s only a matter of days before the mums and pumpkins appear at the roadside stands. I prefer not to cut back these Sedums after blooming, allowing their seed heads to remain throughout the winter months. They add a chocolate-brown element to the stark winter landscape.

But let’s scratch that thought of winter and think about the upcoming Indian summer days that can occur well into November. We end today’s post with Helen Hunt Jackson’s poem, September.

"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."

Photos of Sedums in our garden by Greg Bilowz

A Stellar Weekend for Old-Fashion Ag Times

County fairs abound, there aren’t too many of these agricultural events that still pull a free admission. So if you plan to be in apple country, then you must check out the Sterling Fair. http://sterlingfair.org/ This longstanding event begins this evening and runs until Sunday. You can see plenty of oxen, horse and tractor pulls if that suits your fancy. Or you can peruse the many other events including the fireworks, helicopter rides, or the largest pumpkins – the usual fare at fairs. And don’t forget to join the Chocksett Club for its annual Pancake Breakfast held on Saturday and Sunday morning beginning at 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM. ($5.00 –pre-bought/$5.50 at the door) You might just catch Greg flipping the pancakes but there is a better chance he can be found handing out stickers and selling tickets. He did his pancake flipping tour of duty last year. This is one of the Chocksett Club’s main fundraising events for its local scholarships.

So come and enjoy this stellar weekend and celebrate the Ag times in old-fashion style. The Sterling Fair appreciates and continues to run each year with the generous donations it receives from purchasing a fair button. Hope to see you there. With our little guy, Ben on the mend, it may only be Greg floating around the booths! The inspirational quote for the weekend is by Richard Hovey. “For it's always fair weather - When good fellows get together- With a stein on the table and a good song ringing clear” Enjoy the fair weather!

Image from the Internet

Spring Forward, Fall Back

The saying, ‘spring forward, fall back’ though used for changing our clocks, also rings true for the planting season. We go guns a smoking in the spring with digging, dividing and planting but typically once the fall season rolls around we are pulling the reins back, tidying the grounds and closing up shop. However, there is still some time to do many plantings in the garden but you must pay attention to what is left of the season.

I like to use coffee for my analogy. If you have your first cup of Joe in the morning, you have your entire day to let the caffeine percolate through the system. You may even squeeze in the mid-afternoon cappuccino, similar to a summer planting and not see any adverse effects. But don’t drink coffee too late in the day. It can ramp you up when you are truly supposed to be shutting down for the evening.

You want to make sure you get plantings such as Evergreens in the ground soon. According to Nurserymen’s standards, mid-October is the cut-off point. This is also true with seeding your lawn. If you are dividing or planting your perennials, get them in the ground before too late; the earlier the better. If you divide or plant perennials late October, there is not enough time for the root system to establish itself. Without proper mulching to protect your plantings, frost can heave the crowns over the course of the winter.

Yet there is always an exception. There are many deciduous woody trees and shrubs that prefer working the graveyard shift. A number of these species do best when transplanted late into the fall and early winter when they are fully dormant.

A general rule of thumb: avoid transplanting any nut trees or pitted fruit trees in the fall. These are considered fall hazard trees. Always check your specific species and look for the variables.

You don’t have to completely close up the planting shop but remember that it is getting close to dusk. It’s time for your garden to take a breather. So get ready for the time change. It’s coming sooner than you think. To end today’s posting, we use a quote from Winston Churchill. "An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later." P.S. It’s time to catch up with our little guy, Ben. He came home last night from Tufts but is not out of the woods. Complete rest and more tests! This is tough when you have Border Collies. Rest is not in their vocabulary.
Image of Sunset from the Internet

Head to the Tropics

With this damp, humid morning, one might confuse today’s weather with the tropics. With that said, the beauty of the plant world has never-ending places to discover the unusual. So when things surface like a great resource, sharing it with other passionate gardeners is a given. Although I must admit this is an area I lack green-thumb luck, tropical plants are fascinating. When a horticultural friend shared his catalog for this longstanding tropical grower, Logees, a family-owned business since 1892, it certainly heightened our interest.

On the surface, the catalog looks standard for the industry. Once you dig into the unusual varieties and selection, this grower is a must for any plant enthusiast. If you want to see it first-hand, schedule a trip to their greenhouses. It’s already on our fall to-do list as we heard through the grape vine you don’t want to miss this adventure. So check out this hot-spot in Danielson, CT and if it isn’t in the stars, at least plan a trip to the tropics by taking a virtual visit to their website http://logees.com/.

The inspirational thought for the day is by Hal Chadwicke. “A vacation is a sunburn at premium prices.” So book your trip to Logees and spare yourself the tropical sunburn. The money you save can be spent on a few plant treasures for your home this coming winter.

P.S. Our little guy, Ben is still on the mend at Tufts so doggie thoughts and prayers are being accepted. Have a great Wednesday. Annie

Above image of Strongylodon macrobotrys 'Jade Vine' is from Logee's Website. If I can dig through our photo archive, I'll post Greg's image of the Jade Vine from our last visit to Hawaii.

Keeping Our Eyes Open

The weather in New England was simply spectacular this Labor Day weekend, despite the threats of Earl lurking in the background. I’m pulling out one of my favorite blog postings from the archives even though it may be a bit ahead of schedule. http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2009/09/natures-gift.html I hope you take a minute to go back and read it. It’s also a little reminder just how important animals are in our lives. This is for my little guy, Ben who has been at Tufts since Sunday evening. Dogs have a funny way of always keeping our eyes open to what is around us. Today's quote is from last year's post and from the movie – ‘Joe Versus the Volcano. “My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.”

Top Photo - Close up shot of Ben with his eyes always wide open.

Cokie, our other Border Collie missing her playmate, Ben.

Photos by Greg Bilowz

The Lingering Moments of Summer

Sophocles once said, “Without labor nothing prospers.” On this holiday weekend, take a moment to capture the summer that is still lingering in your landscape. Here are two images from our own garden with additional photos on our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bilowz-Associates-Inc-Our-Blog-Annies-Gardening-Corner/325316334444 I hope you’ll join the four-season gardening fun. Have a safe and happy Labor Day. Annie’s Gardening Corner will be back on Tuesday.

Photos by Greg Bilowz

Peony Passion

Most plants like to be in the ground before the leaves turn but Peonies is one of the few that like to be submerged in its hole just before the deep frost. It is also one of the few plants that one must wait until the leaves turn before moving or transplanting.

If you don’t have Peonies in your garden, now is the time to place your order for any of the latest and greatest varieties. And let me tell you, the choices are plentiful. Your best bet is to order the root stock from specialty growers and suppliers. This is the least expensive way to acquire a collection of Peonies. Go back to the archives and pull up my August 24, 2009 entry http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2009/08/seasonal-bargains.html for a couple of great root stock growers.

Whether you purchase in a pot or order the root stock, there is a waiting period for the splash. It is suggested you remove the flower buds for the first two to three years of growth. This helps the plant establish its crown.

The beauty of a Peony is fetching in a vase and absolutely stunning in the garden draped over other plants blossoming in the spring. For those who don’t like the hassles of hoops to support the blossoms, look into the self-supporting intermediate varieties; a cross between tree and garden peonies. For those tight on space, choose one of the dwarf or Alpines that are miniature versions of the standards. Some of the foliage variation on these dwarfs is quite unusual.

This herbaceous perennial lasts for decades so it is worth the initial investment of time and money. For an example, there are Peony crowns in Colonial Williamsburg, VA that date back over two hundred years. So position them wisely and plant them as you would a woody shrub. If you have made any mistakes in this department, your season is coming up for transplanting this stunner of a perennial. One other quick but very important tip – plant your root stock or you potted plant at the correct level in the ground. Too deep, it will not bloom. Reputable suppliers always include planting directions with their orders so follow the rules and your splash will be phenomenal.

The quote of the day by Garson Kanin sums up longevity. “A man ninety years old was asked to what he attributed his longevity. I reckon, he said, with a twinkle in his eye, it because most nights I went to bed and slept when I should have sat up and worried.” So worry less and plant more.

Images of Peonies from the Internet

The Horticulture Swirl

Once September rolls around, many think the garden days are coming to an end. One way to keep horticulture swirling in your world is to find bright, bold and easy to grow flora. One of our favorite ways to keep color and greenery in the foreground is stocking up on Amaryllis bulbs. Great for gifts, these bulbs are simple enough for even the novice gardener to put in a pot and see results. You might think the price is a tad steep but this is a longevity plant. You can have the same bulb blooming for years with proper care.

White Flower Farms in Litchfield, Ct are selling three new South African varieties that might just turn your head. http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/amaryllis-south-african.html?utm_source=12MB+Active&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2010+09+01 They start shipping in late September so don’t miss out.

This is bulb season. So get the catalogues and find your favorites. Your local nurseries may even carry the more popular mainstream varieties. All of them are stunning. Enjoy the first day of September.

The inspirational quote for today is by George Washington Cable. “For summer there, bear in mind, is a loitering gossip, that only begins to talk of leaving when September rises to go.” Make good use of the next 30 days. Annie

Amaryllis Rock 'n Roll® Image from White Flower Farm