My little plot of land in Brandon MS provides a very small space for a garden. In fact, when I moved here a few years ago, absolutely nothing was planted in the back yard. The front was filled with crepe myrtles, Indian Hawthorn, Lorapetalum, and a Japanese Maple; all of which I loved, but the back yard is where I spend my time.
So before I even moved in, I brought some potted daylilies from my previous home and built a new daylily bed. It gives me such pleasure in May and June. The blooms replenish themselves each year and though the initial planting was labor intensive, I am rewarded with the steady supply of blooms in late spring. As the plants multiply, I have added daylilies around my mailbox and on one side of the house.
Because I have such a small yard, and because Central Mississippi soil can be full of "Yazoo Clay", most of my flowers are in containers. My patio is filled with pots! This year I decided to try my luck with a few vegetables, so I have even MORE pots than usual.
The photo above shows my blooming squash with its heart shaped leaves and bright yellow blossoms. The plant has about six baby squash that I'm excited to harvest when the time is right. Behind the squash is purple basil (because I admired the color) and a pot of Marigold to keep pests out of my garden.
I am known as the Plant Lady in my neighborhood, and exchange plants with neighbors and friends. I've also donated many potted plants to the seniors at the nearby Assisted Living Facility.
The plant above is a succulent called Kalanchoe. The common name is much easier to remember. It's Flaming Katy. I've only recently learned its name and how to care for it. It's been lucky to survive and it has even provided me with baby offspring to share!
The purple plant above is called Purple Heart. It's also known as Purple Queen and Spiderwort. It is a perennial, meaning it comes back every year. I move my potted plants to the garage or the house so they have a better chance of surviving the winter. But if planted in the ground, this plant should reward you again and again in the spring.
The plant above closely resembles a Petunia, but it is a hybrid called Petchoa. It is very hardy and loves the sunshine. It has vibrant blooms that are right at home on my back porch. Creeping Jenny is the trailing plant in front.
The next plant is a Canna, also known as Canna Lily. It is a "free" plant because I transplanted it from my daughter-in-law's yard. I dug it up in early spring when the ground was still soft and wet, and it is thriving in its potted home.
I have SO many more plants, but I think you get the idea. This is not a formal garden, and there is not rhyme or reason to my plants. If it blooms, it works!
This fall, I'm excited to add to my collection as my best friend and I have planned a trade. She will get some of my dark crimson daylily plants (my favorite!) and I'll have Stargazers to find a new home for.
I inherited my love for plants from both grandmothers, all my aunts and my mom. My grandmothers would get a new plant and plop it anywhere in the yard. So does my mom, which makes it terribly difficult to mow. My dad and brothers have been scolded many a time for cutting down a flower. At least mine are either potted or in an appropriate flower bed, for the time being, anyway!
Comments(30)