Reality check

I was able to spend a little time in the garden during each of the three days of the extended Memorial Day weekend. It was SO wonderful! I've decided that there is no need for me to travel anywhere (OK, except for regular trips to Cincinnati to see the twins - and their parents, of course) because I am happiest right in my own back yard. For me, nothing can compare with that 5 a.m. trip around the garden, coffee cup in hand, exploring here, poking there and picking that.

And why wouldn't it be so? I've created this little world myself. Though not perfect, it IS perfectly suited to me. It contains my favorite colors and my favorite scents and sometimes -- when I'm really being blessed -- my favorite people.

I've been to the Grand Canyon. I've hiked the rain forests of western Washington and camped along the shores of Canada's breathtaking Lake Louise. I've carried my pail and shovel across Carolina beaches and gotten my slicker wet from the spray at Niagara Falls.

But today, all of those places feel like temporary -- albeit beautiful -- illusions. My little plot of suburban ground, that seems real.

Plant trials

I love getting mail. And I love getting new plants. I'm nearly beside myself when I'm getting new plants in the mail.

Today, I'm nearly beside myself.

One of the perks of this job is that I occasionally receive free plant samples. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I get excited. So, when I opened an email from Blooms of Bressingham earlier in the week telling me a shipment was on the way, I got excited.

They're sending several Achillea ('Saucy Seduction,' 'Strawberry Seduction,' 'Sunny Seduction' and two from the Tutti Frutti series, 'Pink Grapefruit' and 'Pomegranate'). I'm also getting Buddleja 'Butterfly Heaven,' Erysimum 'Jenny Brook,' Euphorbia 'Bonfire,' Helianthemum 'Hartswood Ruby' and Lithodora 'White Star.'

I've never grown Erysimum before (always thought my soil would be too heavy and not wild about the standard orange color), but 'Jenny Brook' blooms in soft pastel shades of pink, peach and lavender, which are more to my liking. They also say that she will bloom from spring to fall if deadheaded - a definite plus for any perennial.

The other plant that I have no experience with whatsoever is Lithodora. It's hardy just to Zone 6 and is also a plant that requires excellent drainage.

Luckily for me, I'll share these plants with O&E's designer, Kim Carpenter. She gardens in sandy soil and should have better success with them.

We'll keep you posted.

A crime of passion

I confess: I killed her.

And it wasn't even a quick and decisive end. It was a slow, torturous two-year process.

But it was a crime of passion. Really...

The moment I saw her growing in a fellow gardener's yard, I knew I had to possess a 'Carol Mackie' Daphne for my own.

I'd heard that she could be fickle, so I amended the bed. And then I amended it again. I planted her high. But in my heart, I knew that it was never going to work out between us. Even the nursery worker who helped her into my van asked if I'd had a good relationship with a Daphne before. But would I listen? No.

I did my best to make her happy. But in the end, the critics were right. Now there's nothing left but a shell of what might have been. No creamy-edged leaves. And certainly none of the delicate pink flowers or the delightful signature scent for which Carol is pursued.

I am left alone to contemplate the error of my ways...

And to search for a new temptress who can make me forget I ever heard the name 'Carol Mackie.'

'Wedgewood Blue' lilac

The Cincinnati Flower Show has been described as "The King of All Flower Shows." I've only attended the event once and have to say that it was pretty impressive. But of all the gorgeous designs, arrangements and plants that I saw while I was there, one really stood out to me: the 'Wedgewood Blue' lilac. I just couldn't forget the glorious color of those flowers and their tantalizing scent - not too strong, not too sweet. Just perfect!

I started scouring nurseries, trying to find one for my own garden. Nothing. Finally I resorted to an online search and found them offered at White Flower Farm (although I don't think they still carry this variety). I was disappointed that I was going to have to start with such a small shrub, but I bought the one-gallon pot nonetheless and waited.

Wedgewood started blooming after three years. And three years after that, it is glorious. Its scent fills my yard and my home as I bring in armloads for the kitchen table.

I highly recommend it!

('Wedgewood Blue' is a Father Fiala introduction and, in addition to its beautiful blue flowers, it has unique lilac-pink buds and is one of the mildew resistant varieties.)