Freak of Nature ...?

See that dark pink peony mixed in with the white ones? Pretty isn't it? And it's growing on a white plant ... that right, this is one hugh peony bush. It has been blooming profusly for the past 5 years, but this is the first year a pink bloom has shown up on the white bush. Strange, huh?

This is the same peony bush at the end of April. This clump is located at the top of my driveway garden - the one closest to mine and my neighbor's driveway and the blacktopped road out front.

This is a wide view of the peonies the day after Mother's Day.

Although I think it's beautiful to have a rogue bloom appearing on an all white bush, it is a mystery to me how this mutation happened. In the 15+ years I've been growing peonies, this is the first time I've had a totally different color bloom show up on bush of another color.

Dandelions

Dandelions always receive a bad rap from people who see them as weeds,
But I know the truth of their nutritional value and every day uses.
The leaves contain many good vitamins and make the perfect addition to summer salads,
And the buds can be brewed into tasty oils and vinegars and fermented into dandelion wine.

Wistful Wisteria

All the rain we've had over the past week has been wonderful for the gardens - things are beginning to grow and look beautiful. One of the plants I'm most proud of is the Wisteria in my backyard - and yes, I know it can be aggressive, but my backyard is almost one acre and I love the blooms so much!

I planted the Wisteria 6 years ago - 2 plants at each corner of my girls' treehouse - one Chinese Wisteria and one Japanese Wisteria. In that 6 year period, the Wisteria has taken over the tree and the treehouse!

Aren't the blooms gorgeous?!! This is the Chinese Wisteria - it has more of a lilac color bloom


This is a view from inside the treehouse.


This is the Japanese Wisteria - it has more of a pink color to the blooms