Hillwood, Marjorie Merriweather Post's estate, in Washington, D.C. opened its doors for the Garden Bloggers' flingers on our first morning of tours. Hillwood reminded me of numerous other estate gardens I've visited over the years. It's kept in about the same condition and style as it was when Post still lived there from the mid-1950s to 1973. Post wanted her last home to be a museum, and, after some wrangling, it eventually happened. Post was an heiress, socialite, and philanthropist who inherited the Postum cereal fortune from her father. She began running the company at the age of twenty-seven after her father's death. Post collected Russian and French art, jewelry, and furniture. You can view some of her jewelry, including a pair of Marie Antoinette's earrings, at the Smithsonian. She is also known for overseeing construction of Mar-a-Lago, now owned by President Donald Trump. Her Imperial Russian collection, established while her third husband,...

Tour gardens are pageant girls. And, yes, I could have used contestants in the headline, but that wouldn't be alliteration would it? So, don't take the girl thing personally. I know they are women, not girls, and I'm not hating on pageants either.

While shopping at box stores and garden nurseries, I often see old friends and meet new ones, usually over plants. In fact, it's one of my favorite ways to meet people. At parties, when new friends learn I'm a garden writer, they seem to feel the need to apologize for their garden or lack of plant-growing expertise. Deck with plants, chairs and rug. It's a cozy outdoor space where we relax in the evenings. No garden variety apologies are needed. I don't expect everyone to garden like I do. Really, I don't. What I do is labor-intensive, obsessive and hard. Also, the garden--and my plant knowledge--grew over the years. I know I'm nuts. I do hope you'll garden though. You don't have to plow up the back forty or plant an acre of tomatoes, peppers, and squash either. Even tending one pot on your deck or porch is gardening. Hemerocallis 'Ever Redeemed'...

Lilium 'Forever Susan,' asiatic Susan. Want some drama in the summer garden? Why don't you plant some lilies this year? You say you're scared of lilies? Don't be. 'Amarossi' Orienpet lily Though they look exotic, lilies are pretty easy to grow. In Oklahoma, the genus Lilium is almost foolproof grown in sandy soil. If you have clay, amend it to the max with compost, or leaf mold, or some other soil amendments that break up clay. Or, you can dig out the clay and purchase at least eight inches of good soil to place on top of the nasty stuff. If you have sandy soil, just add compost or other organic matter for better drainage. Compost and other soil amendments make clay soil less glue-like and retain moisture in sandy soil so nutrients don't wash away. It's almost like magic. Lilium 'Golden Splendor Strain' trumpet lily. We Oklahomans know all...