Libby's Plant Odyssey

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   It’s been a long time since I’ve written to you and I apologize for the delay. My darling husband suffered another stroke early in the year, so I was at home with him for almost a month. Although Joe is much better there will not be a full recovery. He  insisted I go back to work, but my depression over the limited time we have left together made it impossible to think about anything but the bare minimum it took to keep the business going.
   A late freeze and  the instituting of watering restrictions just added  to my depression. Life wasn’t so grand. Lethargy stepped in when the rains didn’t come and so I retreated, coming to work, watering, and going back home, grateful for the time I had with Joe. 
    But late in the year some rain did come, I felt more encouraged about Joe, the year did end and I’m ready for the new one to begin. 
 
  This page will be updated on a monthly basis and will contain information about what’s going on in my own garden, what is available at the store  and monthly tips. This website is a big step for me and I hope you enjoy it.

Good growing!
Libby

  I was driving home one warm December night with the windows down, one hand on the wheel, one hand out of the car, breathing in the fresh air, letting the wind caress my tired hand. My musing over the events of the day ended suddenly when my brain registered an incredibly sweet fragrance. At first I was puzzled, wondering what could be blooming, and then it hit me; it was Eleagnus, tea olive or winter honeysuckle. Darkness and the desire to get home to Joe and a glass of wine prevented me from stopping and exploring, but I noted the area and committed to locate the source the next day. Sure enough, daylight and a few extra minutes allowed me to spot the incredible hedge of Eleagnus blooming by the roadside. Isn’t it funny how you can see something everyday but not notice it? I wanted to knock on the owner’s door to commend them for allowing this plant to grow the way it should—as large and wide as possible- but thought better of it as it was 5:30 and they might just still be asleep. A smile on my face, I got back into my car and headed to work. Oh, the gifts from the earth and how I treasure them.

  In the garden---I’ve been amazed by the cold hardiness of sweet alyssum planted both in containers and in the ground. Sure, it doesn’t look quite as spiffy as it did before 16 degree temperatures burned the flowers, but hey, it’s still alive, which is more than I can say for the lettuce and Swiss chard. The cold killed most of the lobelia back to the ground but the crowns are still green so they will recover. The marigolds finally succumbed to the cold but lasted longer than even I had expected. Why people still plant mums when marigolds are clearly the better choice is beyond me.  When I finished pulling them up I took a closer look at the snapdragons and pansies. Every single flower was damaged or dead but the plants looked o.k. Although it seemed to take forever to finish deadheading, I knew it was worth the effort as it would stimulate the production of new flowers. The poor English daisies didn’t look so great; most of the foliage was black or the edges of the leaves were burned. After some extensive cosmetic work I knew I would be seeing their brightly colored flowers within a week. 
  I took a brief walk down one of my paths, where I saw the fine leaves of the hoop daffodils beginning to show, a few buds opening on a quince, Sasanqua in full glorious bloom, fat buds on the daphne, yellow flowers on the winter jasmine, pink blooms on the flowering apricot, a touch of color from the Lenten roses and the shiny new growth of acanthus. My garden is alive and inviting and once again I give thanks.
Libby

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