This morning, I woke to a fine and cool day in Oklahoma after yesterday's return of the heat wave. I stretched my arms above my head as I sat in bed and told my husband, "Today I will garden." "It's about time. Have fun. We'll watch the OU game tomorrow and perhaps catch a local car show this weekend if you feel like it." As he spoke, my arms came down, and I felt a small, cold knot in the center of my being. "I am afraid." At one time, I would have brushed aside this little voice and soldiered on without listening. But, today was different. I lowered my chin toward my belly button where the small voice repeated, "I am afraid." I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath and listened. "Of what?" I asked. Insistent and fast thoughts tumbled over me. "The grass, Johnson grass and...

In case you missed it, last weekend was the Oklahoma Horticultural Society's annual Garden Tour for Connoisseurs. At one time, the tour was held each spring, but now, it is a fall treat. And, what a treat it was. Eight gardens, seven of which were individually owned by people just like you and me. I volunteered in one of the gardens in the morning, and then toured in the afternoon. I love garden tours, but even more, I love working one. I was in Ernesto and Lin Sanchez's garden, and I enjoyed meeting so many people from all over Oklahoma. It's such a special moment when you tell someone a particular detail about a garden, and their face lights up. For example, from the front of this urban location, it appears the backyard will be cramped and small, but when you come to the end of this manicured space you...

Lemonade plants are those which just keep making their presence known blooming their little heads off as summer does its worst. My Rainbow Knockout® rose is one which thrived in the heat. It didn't bloom during the worst part of summer, but its leaves stayed disease free and didn't crisp either. When temperatures moderated, it started blooming as though spring had arrived once again. I planted a seed mix of zinnias in crayon colors of bright and light pinks along with sunflowers in July. While the temperatures were unseasonably hot, the zinnias grew. Now, they are blooming and brightening my fall garden. So, as the platitude states: when handed lemons why not make lemonade? Many of the plants not daunted by the heat either come naturally from Texas or Mexico like Melampodium leucanthum, above. The yarrow is one I got several years ago called 'Paprika.' It's performed well every year. I'm glad...

This has not been an easy year. In fact, it's the worst I've ever experienced, and I've gardened heavily since I was twenty or so. I'm not going to say how long that's been, but believe me, a long time. I've seen summers of drought and those with too much water. Plants which didn't want to live here, and, pursuant to their wishes, I released them to the great garden in the sky. However, this summer I've lost plants I never thought I'd lose. I'm saddest about the Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata' (vertical plum yew) I planted last fall. Until July, it was thriving, but even though this cultivar is considered appropriate for southern gardens, my yew will be dug before fall. Another sad plant in my garden is Sambucus nigra Black Lace™ elderberry. It isn't dead, but it's ugly. We've had a wonderful week of cooler temperatures, but I find...