Oklahoma City's latest freeze date on record is May 3. That record may not have fallen in the city last night, but if you think my garden didn't suffer a late freeze, just look at this ice. It covered the outside of the plastic tunnels I used to protect my most tender plants. Think it wasn't cold here last night? This is ice from the top of some of the row covers. As I wrote in my last post, a lot of the garden has achieved a certain hardiness and shrugged off a low of 31°F or lower. Perennials, shrubs and trees look great. However, I'd planted a lot of tropicals like tomatoes, coleus, alternanthera and tropical hibiscus 'Haight Ashbury.' Also, several of my tender bulbs had already broken the surface and were steadily growing. While I wasn't worried about the cannas, I didn't want to lose my dahlias so...

In the garden today, it is very breezy bordering on windy. While I tidied things, I took some photos of what it looks like on this second, very warm day. Yesterday was 88°F which is about ten degrees warmer than it should be this time of year. Today is a repeat with the wind added in for extra measure. Honestly though, I am enjoying the heat as I stop to pull weeds, or tuck in a plant that heaved itself out of the soil. We are supposed to get yet another cold front tomorrow night with lows in the 30s. This makes me want to curse like a Greek fisherman. I'm not sure if Greek fishermen curse, but I like to think they do especially when the weather won't cooperate. Fishing, like gardening, depends upon good weather. The back garden from below shows early spring prettiness. Everything is preparing to...

Someone asked where I shop for plants. Ha! Where don't I shop might be the better question. Here are my favorite places. None of them pay me to say this either. Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline' (grown as an annual in OK), Vista Bubblegum Pink petunia and Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (perennial dwarf fountain grass. Bustani Plant Farm is my hands-down favorite. I went on opening day, and I'm returning with my girlfriends from high school this Saturday. It's 45 minutes from my house, but that doesn't matter. Steve and Ruth are now even carrying a few of my favorite Proven Winners plants like Supertunia® Vista Bubblegum (best petunia ever!) and Suptertunia® Vista Silverberry. Silverberry has the same growth habit as Bubblegum and older petunia 'Laura Bush,' not a Proven Winners plant, but still awesome. 'Laura Bush' petunia, an older variety, but wonderful. 'Laura Bush' is a nice color echo for Bubblegum. Bustani...

'Pieter de Leur' lily-flowering tulip in the front garden. It is my favorite tulip this year thus far. Our high yesterday was 51 degrees F, and we are supposed to get another morning freeze by Friday. Then, more cool temperatures with extreme lows for late spring. Normal average temperatures for mid-April are: High--71.9° Low--48.8°. Today's forecast is ominous. A dry line is setting up in the middle of the state which means storms with hail and possibly, tornadoes. As an Oklahoma gardener, spring storms I understand. The unseasonable cold I don't. I am perplexed. I know the average last frost date for much of Oklahoma is April 20, but we haven't had it run that late since 2009. I have my row covers in the garage standing at the ready in case I need them yet again. I hope I don't. Tulipa 'Prinses Irene' growing very low. The stems will lengthen...