Gaze with me outside my kitchen window. Do you see Cousin Itt from the Addams Family instead of the iron arbor gate to my back garden? I certainly do. The morning glories are taking over my world, and I hear the driving beat of an electric guitar whenever I venture out to weed. Guns N' Roses got nothin' on Ipomoea purpurpea 'Grandpa Ott's,' I. tricolor 'Heavenly Blue,' and I. x imperialis 'Sunrise Serenade,' a double variety I bought from Bustani last spring. Morning glories are a complicated group taxonomically belonging in the family of Convolvulaceae, also known as the bindweed family. I hate bindweed, but I love morning glories. They are native to Mexico and Central America. If you decide to take the morning glory plunge, you can either start seeds indoors or out. Soak seeds in water for 24 hours or notch them for best results. Within this same family are...

I feel a post percolating about the fires and rebirth, but having just returned from GWA, I'm too tired to write it today. My home and garden were spared--the fire was several miles away--but many were not so lucky. Below are two recent posts from Fiskars and Lowe's. If you visit my Lowe's post and leave a comment, I'll give you a big hug next time I see you. Of course, I'd hug you anyway. Would a plant by any other name truly smell as sweet? Pond plants and prairie natives: a tale of two extremes Art in the garden: how much is too much? Have a beautiful Labor Day, and please donate to the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities U.S.A, or the rescue agency of your choice. All over the country there have been floods, fire and power outages. Our rescuers now need our help. If you see a...

The Slow Food garden situated in the center of Indianapolis incorporates mind and body in its teaching while gardeners grow unique veggies. Here is some of what I saw:

If you want to be invited to a pollinator keg party, just plant one of the many mountain mints and stand back for the show. A few years ago, while visiting the Ponca City Herb Festival, I purchased several native plants including, Pycnanthemum virginianum (common mountain mint) from Wild Things Nursery. If you've never purchased from Wild Things, you're missing out on a great Oklahoma, native plant source. Virginia or common mountain mint is one of the most perplexing plants I grow. In decent soil with normal irrigation, this native wants to conquer an entire corner of the garden in partial shade. I shouldn't be surprised. It is from the Lamiaceae or mint family. It spreads by seed (although I've never noticed it moving to any other bed in the garden) and by creeping underground stems. Those underground stems get ya every time. Each spring, I pull up great hunks...