Well, Hello There!

Remember me? It has been over a month since my last post. No reason really. I have not felt like sitting at the computer to create a post and did not have a topic for a post either. I don't have any garden projects going on right now and have no interest in starting one in this heat.

While I sought shelter from the heat indoors with the AC running, I noticed this cotton tail rabbit doing its best to stay cool in the Golden Groundsel in the shade of a Possumhaw Holly.

On one venture into the heat, I was surprised to be greeted by flowers on a Side-Cluster Milkweed, Asclepias oenotheroides. 

I added this plant to the garden about five years ago and this was its first time to bloom. In fact, this is the first time that it had leaves to last past the spring. In previous years, it died to the ground by June. The Wildflower Center website says it leafs out and blooms when rains follow a dry spell. Maybe this spring's rains are the reason the plant is in bloom today. The current hot, dry weather does not seem to affect Side-Cluster Milkweed. Notice the wilted Salvias around the plant.

Looking closer, you can see how the plant gets its name. The flowers are clustered all around the sides of the stem. 

Though the flowers are not colorful, they are interesting to look at. Maybe the monarchs will find the plant interesting when they pass through in a few weeks.

And just so no one thinks I was completely lazy this summer, I did create a new Resources page for the blog. 

This is a page that answers some of the most frequently asked questions I receive about where to find native plants, where to get information about them, and how to remove a lawn. Eventually, I plan to add a tab summarizing how I removed my lawn and created my garden, but not today.

Until next time, whenever that may be...