On this Wildflower Wednesday, I want to promote the sweet genus gaura. G. coccinea, Scarlet beeblossom, is native to many states. Other species of gaura are native to the southern U.S., but there are also gaura selections and hybrids sold in nurseries and box stores. I grow several "improved" selections of this native perennial. Remember G. lindheimeri 'Siskiyou Pink' or white 'Whirling Butterflies?' I grew each of these once upon a time. Gaura is especially pretty as it emerges in spring because the stems are red. Sometimes, winter is cold enough in my garden that I must cut gaura back to the ground, but in other years, I merely remove dead stems. Dead parts will snap off instead of bending. Also, look for any green within the stem. Green equals life. There was a time when I wasn't so fond of wand flower but that was my fault, not the genus'. Because gaura are perennial, I expected them to remain in my garden for years and years....

A few years ago I installed a rain chain right outside my kitchen window where I write each morning. As I hung it, I thought how much it looked like jewelry for my gutters--like delicate earrings for the home. Copper rain chain hanging from my log house. Although it is super shiny now, it will eventually change to a darker patina. A few weeks ago, Rain Chains Direct asked me to review one of their rain chains. I was able to choose the one I wanted to review. For the most part, I have quit reviewing products on the blog, but copper rain chains are special. So, I went over to their website and chose the copper blossoms chain. They also kindly sent me a gutter installer mount. Both of these worked great. When it rained last week, the rain chain did its thing, and I captured it in photographs. The rain was coming down...

It's the 15th of the month, and you know what that means. Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is shared all over the planet and hosted at May Dreams Gardens. If you've never participated, just jump right in. We'd love to see what's growing in your part of the world. Here, in USDA Zone 7a Oklahoma, it's a story of small flowers, pollen and nectar. Pollinators are hurriedly stocking up anyway they can, and asters, garden mums, crapemyrtles and so many other plants are perfect for an early fall snack. A cold snap two days ago reminded all of us that a change in weather is truly on the way. This week, we're back up in the 80s, but not for long I fear. Supertunia® Vista Bubblegum® pink petunias are always a good plant in my garden. Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott' morning glory, clambering up a green arbor at the end of the garden, is a...

Here are ten plants to replace climbing roses removed because of Rose Rosette Disease. I know some rosarians don't think you need to remove afflicted roses, but I'm following the science at Oklahoma State University's Cooperative Extension Service and other information I've studied. Like so many life decisions, what to do is complicated. Climbers were the first roses hit here, and climbing roses define an English garden. I first lost two 'New Dawn' roses at the end of the garden as shown above, then two 'Cl. Old Blush' roses and now both 'Zephirine Drouhin' roses. Earlier, I lost 'Cl. Pinkie' to a terribly cold winter with a low of -17F. In this post, I'll focus on what to replace your climbers with--if you must. I'll profile shrubs later. Wisteria frutescens, American wisteria 'Amethyst Falls' 1. American wisteria. Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon' and W. frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' are two favorite replacement plants. I have one of each on two...