Envision a neighbor who loves gardening as much as you, and whose garden is only a few feet from your own. Imagine living on a residential block of ethereal loveliness spearheaded by two adjoining properties. Think healthy competition with a fine and beautiful edge. The first two gardens we saw this morning in Seattle were excellent examples of how people express themselves individually even if they grow similar plants. On Shelagh Tucker’s side, the front garden is a xeric paradise inspired by Beth Chatto's dry garden in England (written about recently by Layanee of Ledge and Gardens.) Waterwise plants were showcased by the crushed rock and by their placement. Interestingly, her back garden was very different. A lily pond in the round sat next to a paved courtyard, and the garden was very English in style. While I was strolling Jim and Suzette Birrell's garden next door,which had the largest...

Dateline: July 15, 2011, Guthrie, Oklahoma. Hot, hot and more hot. Extreme drought conditions. Death Orb pulsating in the sky day after day. Gardeners in Oklahoma reported spotty showers in and around the state. A smidge of rain fell on the Red Dirt Ranch, but no accumulation was recorded. The only creatures happy with these conditions are the mighty grasshoppers eating their way through the entire patch with perennial hibiscus being their favorite delicacy. There will be not photos of this decimation. It is just too sad. In spite of heat and other life issues, the gardener expects visitors to descend upon the garden Saturday morning. She is reportedly glad for the distraction, and it has given her an excuse to weed. In the meantime, here are a few bloomers to light her visitors' way. None of this would be possible without drip irrigation four times a week. It has...

I took this first photo from the bottom of the hill. Then, I walked up the hill and took it with the sunlight shining from behind. Doesn't even look like the same grass does it? That's one of the many things which makes gardening and photography so interesting. If anyone knows what cultivar this might be, please comment below. Thanks.

This summer is taking its toll on south central gardeners especially in parts of Texas and all of Oklahoma except the southeast which has rain like Arkansas. So, what does a gardener do when jealous? Accuse them of conspiring with the weather? No, I don't think so. Here in Guthrie-land, we got a wee shower Thursday night, so wee it didn't even show up on the rain gauge. We've had over 100F temperatures twenty days this summer so far. To say I'm cranky is putting it far too mildly.  That, and a difficult work week are making me feel as though I've lost my mojo. Bill assures me I haven't. For once, even the weather folks don't look excited about breaking records. They are talking as though this summer will be worse than 1980, the hottest summer in Oklahoma on record with fifty over 100F days. Just so you know,...