I planted Missouri Primrose, Oenothera missouriensis (Onagraceae,) last spring. The three plants grew all summer, and this is my first bloom. Because of its short stature, I put the three at the front of the border next to the stairs. Descending the stairs, I can see them blooming on my left. Another yellow favorite in the same bed is the rose 'Carefree Sunshine.' This prolific bloomer and grower never fails to perform. The common yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is just starting to open. I love the yellow against the gray foliage. I bought this variegated lantana at Bustani. I've never seen any like it before. Love how the flowers bring out the yellow in the leaves. Iris 'Moon Journey' at my friend, Bonnie's, house. She has an iris farm in Carney, Oklahoma. This is another beautiful, yellow iris, but I couldn't find the name. Angela @ Cottage Magpie created this challenge....

Apricot Mystery Rose UPDATE: I no longer use Bayer products or any other type of herbicide or pesticide. I haven't since 2008. As Maya Angelou says, "When we learn better, we do better." My friend, Dollybelle, sent me an email the other day, and I've thought about it ever since. Back and forth, we discussed our gardens and what was going on in our garden club. We're both officers in the Central Oklahoma Hemerocallis Society (i.e., long name for daylily club.) Her garden is a lovely one located in a town near here, and mine is rural. Yet, we grow similar things. We both like the English cottage style, and we both grow lots of roses, perennials and daylilies. She might not realize it, but over the last three years, she taught me many things, including to use Milorganite on my daylilies. I was reluctant at first. Milorganite was expensive,...

The calm after the storm . . . . Yesterday, I washed my cell phone. After one day of being without it, I knew a replacement was necessary when I had to borrow the Diva's phone twice. We, the Diva, Bear and I, were in OKC for dental appointments. Afterward, at 4:30 p.m., we went to a comic book store, and were headed to Bear's indoor batting practice and the T-Mobile phone store in Edmond. It was raining hard, and I was concentrating on keeping my bus in my lane, when I heard a noise. With the rain drumming a staccato on the roof, I cracked a window and asked the Diva if she heard it. A moment later, we realized the wail came from sirens. Tornado sirens. The tornado sirens always surprise us because, out where we live, there aren't any. We watch a lot of the History Channel,...

In the evening, when the light is as soft as a kitten's paw, is the best time to entertain photography adventure. Tonight, no wind to blow the plants, and only mosquitoes to spoil the mood. The children call to me in the garden and often find me lying on my side on the paths or in the dirt. They think me strange, but I just dust myself off, hang my camera around my neck and smile. Cl. 'Old Blush' at left is very happy this spring. I have not fertilized her or anything. I'm afraid she would grow even larger. Won't you come on into the garden and play? 'Zepherine Droughin,' below, waits at the other arbor, her cerise pink petticoats shimmering in the perfect light. She had a little taken off the top and sides this weekend, and I fed her alfalfa pellets. The alfalfa is something new I'm...