Royal Blue Batik Irises

Many people are collectors of irises. They buy unique flowers yearly and are delighted when they get a unique color. If you have not added the royal blue batik iris to your collection then you are missing out because this flower is like no other Iris that you have seen before.

The only words that come to mind are exotic and beautiful. Each flower has multiple blooms that will not disappoint you. Several years ago I bought the Batik iris collection online. The flowers came from Breck’s online Nursery and I have no idea if they still carry this unique iris, but it is well worth your effort to search for these irises at their online store.  As I recall I bought the collection in the fall for spring shipping.  Maybe they still carry the batik irises, I do not know.

In my collection I have two purple irises; Gnu Flash and Royal Blue Batik, then Tiger Honey (gold color with white), and a pink and white one called Baboon Bottom.
Here is a photo of my Baboon Bottom iris

  

The batik irises look fantastic when grown in masses. If you start with 5 flowers then know that this iris does multiple annually so plant them where they have room to grow otherwise you will be dividing them every few years.

Note unlike other irises this flower thrives in full sun to part shade and they choke out weeds. A very hardy iris that is not fussy about soil and is pest, disease, and deer resistant.

Batik irises... are my favorite flower in my garden.   I just love them.  Do you grow batik irises?  Here is a video that will show you how to grow irises.  

Benefits From Growing Catnip Herb

Many people have grown catnip in their outdoor gardens for their cat's enjoyment but this herb plant has appealing human benefits also. Catnip is known as Nepeta Cataria, a herb that reassembles the mint plant with the whole plant including the flowers and the minty fragrance.

You can grow catnip in the ground or in containers. I recommend that you grow catnip close to your outdoor seating area because when the flowers bloom they are very fragrant. Plus if there are mosquitoes you can break a stem to get at the catnip oil. Spread this oil onto your exposed skin and repel mosquitoes.

Here are photographs of catnip that I grow in my garden

Catnip herb can also be used for the treatment of human colds, fevers, and migraine headaches. Harvest the leaves of the catnip for herbal tea. Catnip tea is good when you want to relax. You can also smoke catnip, some say the herbal cigarette has wonderful relaxation properties.

Grow catnip from seed or buy a nursery-grown plant at a local garden center. Transplant catnip after the threat of frost has passed to a garden area that has full sun and well-drained soil.

Catnip is not fussy about the soil and will tolerate most soils. Plant the seeds in rows. Space the seed 12 inches apart. Cover the seed with 1/8 inch of soil and water the well. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet throughout seed germination. You can grow from seed indoors or outdoors. I have had good results from sowing seeds outdoors.

***If there are cats in your yard then you must take precautions to keep your catnip plants safe as cats will eat the seedlings.***

Caring for Newly Transplanted Flower – Garden Tips

Many people shop for flowers at the garden center.  They will buy nursery-grown plants for their gardens.  The flowers will be planted in an area that agrees with their requirements.  Then the gardener will care for the flower, making sure it grows to be a healthy plant.  

Yesterday my neighbor spent a lot of money on a variety of flowers, I told her how to plant them, and when she finished she said, does nature take its course?  She did not realize that she had to take care of her transplanted flower.

For the next 28 days, the newly transplanted flower will need to be watched, and all new plants need care.  Here are a few garden tips that I recommend for all transplanted flower. 

Encircle the plant with mulch. Do not add mulch all the way to the plant stem as this will prevent the plant from getting water and other nutrients. Mulch is a good way to control weed growth and also keep the roots cool in summer. The mulch will also help to retain moisture and protect the new garden flower from suffering from dry soil.

Feed your newly planted flowers with water-based fertilizer like Miracle-Gro liquafeed bloom booster flower food once every 10 days throughout the blooming season.

Water your newly planted flower daily with a soaker hose in the morning or before the heat of the day. This hose will wet the soil and not the plant leaves. It is best to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Do not let the soil dry out.

Spot-check the flowerbed for weeds and remove them when you see them.  Watch the flower garden for pests. 

***Do not let the flower garden dry out throughout the growing season. Set the soaker hose on a timer and water in the morning.***

Transplanting Nursery Grown Plant - How To

Take care of your nursery-grown plant, by providing it with its growing requirements and planting it as soon as you can. The best time to plant flowers outdoors in the ground or in a container is in spring after the threat of frost has passed. As a rule, I like to plant on a cloudy day before the rain. New flowers are less stressed when the sun is not beating down on them and the rain nourishes them.

Before you plant the flower read the label on the container or ask the garden center staff about the growing requirements, and know if your yard has what the plant needs. If your yard is primarily shaded then a plant that needs full sun will not be healthy, for shade yards shop for plants like Hosta. For sunny areas plant coneflowers. There are many flowers and plants but they all have different growing requirements.

Find out what type of soil is needed for your nursery-grown plant. Most plants need well-drained soil. If your yard is rocky or the soil is sandy then grow your plants in raised gardens or containers with potting soil amended with compost or manure.

Planting Tips

The best way to determine how deep of a hole to dig is to look at the size of the container. You should plant your flower in a hole that is as deep and wide as the nursery container.

Remove the plant from the container. The best way to do this is to put the container on its side and roll it back and forth, tap on the sides lightly as this will loosen the soil and make it easy to remove the plant. If you find that the plant does not come out easily then use garden scissors to cut the side of the plastic container and this should allow you to remove the plant easily.

Now that the plant has been removed from the nursery plastic container you should shake the soil lightly from the roots Then set the flower in the center of the hole before backfilling the soil. Water the transplant well.

About Lilacs the Flowering Shrubs

If you like showy flowers that are fragrant then you should grow lilac shrubs in your yard. Lilacs are fragrant flowering shrub that blooms in mid to late spring. This showy flower can be grown as a hedge, free-standing accent plant or foundation plant. Lilacs are a long-lived plant that produces lovely flower clusters that are fragrant and can be cut for bouquets or as a centerpiece for the dining table.

When I was a child my neighbor had lilac shrubs growing along her driveway. Every spring when the flowers would bloom my mother would open the windows and the lovely floral fragrance would be enjoyed in our living room. So it is safe to say, that at a young age, I loved lilacs.

Lilac seeds appear in late summer

When I got married and we bought a home I joined an organization and received two small Old Fashioned lilacs. They were bare roots and did not bloom for five years. Of course, that was 18 years ago and now my lilacs are mature and have multiplied. 

My shrub is 6 feet in height with a similar spread.  I do prune my lilacs every other year.  Know that lilacs like water, so during the summer months I water them daily in the morning with a soaking hose.  Along with keeping the soil from drying out I also keep the area around my lilacs free of weeds and grass.  

Your lilac shrub will benefit from spring fertilizing and a layer of mulch.

Here are some tips on pruning your lilac shrubs.  Pruning will keep your lilacs healthy.

If you are interested in growing a lilac flowing shrub in your yard and garden then choose a planting area that has well-drained soil. I recommend growing this flowering hedge where you can enjoy seeing the showy flowers. 

The best time to plant lilacs is in the spring after the danger of late-season frost has passed. Planting on a cloudy day before spring rain is also helpful.

Learn more about growing and maintaining lilacs here 

Hanging Bird Feeders – Location Matters

 When the squirrel hangs off the side of the feeder or the raccoon knocks the feeder to the ground, then you learn quickly that hanging the bird feeder in the right location matters.

My bird feeder hangs from an S-hook from a metal pole that my husband installed in the middle of our yard. It is out in the open with no tree branches around it. This is a good location because animals other than birds cannot get to it.

My neighbor has his bird feeder under the overhang of his garage, the seed never gets wet but every now and then a bird will fly into the garage wall and the squirrel get onto the roof of the garage and work their way down to the bird feeder. The seed falls to the ground and makes an awful mess. Hanging your bird feeder anywhere where the squirrels or raccoons can get to it is not a good location.

Other Tips

Never hang your bird feeder in a location that is close to a window as birds may fly into the window. Best to have the feeder in a location away from your home or garage. Your pole bird feeder should be 8 feet away from buildings, windows, privacy fences, tree branches, and walls.

Prevent squirrels from climbing the feeder pole with a baffle, it is a plastic dome that looks like an umbrella. Wrap it around the pole just below your feeder and this will put a stop to the squirrels from getting to your bird's food. There is also a product called Twirl a Squirrel, it runs on batteries and is a deterrent.

This video will show you how the Audobon baffle works.

Helpful to buy feeders that are made to prevent squirrels from getting the seed. Know that if squirrels are at your feeders then the birds will leave your yard.

Perky-Pet Bird Feeder Product Review

Wildlife and songbird plants grow in my yard and garden and I also hang bird feeders for millet and sunflower seeds. In the past, I did buy inexpensive plastic feeders but found that they were not quality made and they did not last. Instead of throwing away my money on inexpensive bird feeders, I prefer to invest in copper bird feeders.

Original photograph of my perky-pet copper bird feeder with seed.

While shopping online at Amazon.com I found a copper feeder that worked with my budget. My husband suggested that I use his prime account to buy the feeder since the members do get benefits; sale prices and free shipping. The prime afforded me to buy the perky pet panorama bird feeder at a reduced price plus I did not have to pay for shipping.

Shipping was quick and I received it in less than ten days. Filling the feeder was easy and the seed was held in the chamber and only dispensed when needed which ensured that the birds were fed fresh seeds.

Other Copper Bird Feeder Benefits

The perch on the side of the feeder allows for more than one bird to visit at the same time. The feeder holds two pounds of food which means I need to fill it in the morning only. The copper does not rust and has been outdoors for over a year, looks new. Cleaning this feeder is easy, the remaining seeds fall off when shaken then I rinse it with dawn antibacterial dish soap and let it dry thoroughly before filling it with seeds. The copper lid locks securely which keeps the seed inside the chamber. So far the bird feeder seems to be safe from the squirrels and has had no raccoon trying to forage the seed.

You may also like copper bird feeders at Walmart.com There is a nice selection and you may be able to pick them up at the store.

Spring Gardening - Hosta Plants

After the spring rain and a few warm days, I noticed that my hosta plants were coming up. There are quite a few plants that have green leaves and seem to be growing fast. Since the plants have new growth I knew it was time to work in the garden.

Here is a photograph of my spring Hosta Garden.  It was taken after I completed my garden maintenance.

Spring Hosta Garden, with daffodils leaves, and mulch

Today I did a hand pulling of the weeds and grasses that were growing in the hosta garden. There were also lilies that had spread into this garden. I dug them up and transplanted them into another garden.  Since it is early spring the daffodils plants have green leaves.  I did not cut them back, they will die back naturally.

When the garden maintenance was completed I added some compost that was amended with topsoil and mixed well before adding it to the hosta garden. This compost and soil mixture is a good way to feed the plants naturally.

Where I reside we do get a lot of rain in the spring and this rain can cause soil erosion. I decided to add a two-inch layer of cypress mulch around the plants to prevent the compost from washing away. Garden plants do benefit from a mulch application because it helps to deter the growth of weeds, keeps the plant roots cooler in summer, and aids in retaining moisture.

Here is a photo of one of my Hosta gardens

Love Butterflies Then Grow Echinacea

If you love butterflies, honeybees, and hummingbirds then grow Echinacea flowers. This daisy-like wildflower is actually a herb that has a pinkish-purple flower. Commonly called coneflowers this plant is easy to grow from seed in a sunny garden with well-drained soil.

I grow echinacea in my herb garden and in my wildflower garden. If you have a large area then growing this flower in masses is wonderful especially if you grow with white Shasta Daisies and yellow Black-eyed Susan flowers. Echinacea is also will grow to the height of 3 feet and it is best to grow it in the back with other flowers and grasses in front of it. 

Here is a photograph of Echinacea being grown with black-eyed Susan’s and ornamental grasses.

How to Grow

Plant your seeds indoors 6 weeks prior to last spring's frost. I find the best way to plant the seed is in starter kits. You can shop for grow kits at Walmart.com in the garden center or make your own. A Small container with good drainage is needed to hold the potting soil or peat pellet. Then use a pencil with an eraser to press the seed into the center of the soil. Do not plant too deep, a half-inch is fine. Cover the seed with soil and water.

Grow the seeds next to a sunny window or under an artificial grow light. Check the soil daily to make sure it is evenly moist but not wet. Never let the soil dry out as it is hard on the seedlings. Germination should occur in 7-10 days.

Transplanting Outdoors

When the seedling's stems are 6 inches in height with leaves and the threat of spring frost has passed you would transplant Echinacea to an outdoor garden.

Plant in a garden that has full sun and well-drained soil. Space the plants 18 inches apart to prevent overcrowding.

Maintain your echinacea by watering daily with a dripline soaker hose in the morning.

The flowers will bloom in the summer and continue to bloom throughout the warm months in the fall. I recommend feeding them monthly with Miracle-Gro Liquafeed bloom booster flower food.

Remove spent blooms to encourage new flower buds.

Other garden articles that you may like

Cottage Flower Garden Tips

Wildflower Garden Ideas

Outdoor Decor for Your Deck

Decks come in a variety of sizes and people will decorate them with mix-and-match patio furniture, or they will use their deck as an outdoor living room and decorate with patio furniture and outdoor accessories.

There are many ways to add decor to your decks. Simple modifications can be added to improve the ambiance or you can go all out with an outdoor fireplace. When you add decor to your deck you will see it come alive. This area will be appealing to the eye and welcoming to your family and friends.

Lovely Rattan table but this deck needs some decor

Decorate the seating area on the deck with outdoor pillows. Throw pillows with a color pattern that will complement the cushions on my patio set. These pillows will make the outdoor space more comfortable and eye appealing.

Another way to decorate your deck is to set up a freestanding or tabletop fountain (with or without lights) 

Adding an outdoor throw pillow makes the chair more inviting

The background sound of water cascading down the rocks will help you to relax. When the nights are cool you may want to warm up next to an outdoor fireplace. I found an Outdoor Sonoma Gas Fireplace Surround at Walmart.com and it would look fantastic on a deck with a cozy seating area close by.  

Another way to decorate your deck and add ambiance is to grow aromatic herbs in containers. A container garden on the deck is appealing and fragrant with pretty flowers. Choose a variety of aromatic herbs and also grow herbs that repel mosquitoes and other insects.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to change the look of your deck. Here is a deck that I designed for a customer. I hope that the blue outdoor decorations inspire you to decorate.

Early Spring Garden Activities

Winter is almost over and I find that I am thinking about the spring and summer season. There are many seasons in the year and I like them all, but spring is my favorite time of the year because of the yard and garden activities.

When the spring flowers break ground I know it is time to start getting my planters ready for growing flowers, and vegetables. I generally plant seeds and grow everything in my greenhouse. Then transplant outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.

Garden Activities

This week my husband is helping me to remove late fallen leaves from the garden beds. We are using the rakes and find it is a good way to work the soil for upcoming planting. I will also cut back the ornamental grasses, as the days getting warmer and this will encourage new growth.

When the garden cleanup is completed we will start new projects. My husband will make some raised garden beds for my strawberries and I will start working on garden plans. I like to draw out a diagram every year for my annual gardens. 

I am glad my husband is helping me to work in the gardens and do appreciate him making the raised garden beds.  

Here are a few articles that I published about spring gardening and plants that I grow in my gardens.
1. Growing Carrots in a Home Garden
2. Signs of Spring
3. Growing Lettuce from Seed
4.   Window Box Garden Tips

Working in your yard and garden is a great way to relieve stress. It is always fun to take before and after photographs of your garden. Then you will really know what you accomplished.

Retaining wall and privacy fence, garden by the driveway 

 

Cover Ground with Evergreen Vines

For yards that have a woodland setting or area where nothing else will grow, then I would recommend covering the ground with evergreen vines. When the vines grow in the erosion will be controlled, the area will look eye appealing and your husband will no longer have to cut back the brush or mow the lawn. All of your landscape problems will be solved.

My garden photo of spring blooming vinca minor vine

Baltic Ivy grew on the rock wall 

Evergreen vines that are grown as ground cover

Vines are good for large areas where you plant and forget them. When they grow in you can use a grass trimmer to manicure them. This is a good way to keep the vines controlled. Vines are a low-maintenance plant. 

My side yard backs up the woods and I have planted periwinkle a common name for Vinca Minor along my garden path. This vine filled in quickly and I like it because it is evergreen and has a pretty purple flower in the spring.

Another vine that I like is Baltic ivy. Baltic is evergreen and does grow in quickly. Of course, it will also grow up trees and choke out weeds. The periwinkle is less invasive, in fact, I grow daffodils and other spring bulbs among the periwinkle vines.


Here is a video that will tell you more about vinca minor.

Wildflower Garden Ideas

There is a meadow located on the south side of my home and wildflowers and switchgrass grows there. In the spring I will plant red clover and zinnias so that the wildlife will have food and flowers will bloom in late summer. 

I love this wildflower garden but would like to update it with a rock wall and garden gate. I like the idea of creating a space that is secret or private as if it was a sanctuary for animals and people to rest and relax.

Garden Ideas

Growing wildflowers in the garden is not difficult. You would plan the location for wildflowers. Then turn over the soil with a tiller or shovel and plant your wildflower plants or seeds in a garden that provides the plants with proper growing recommendations. The wildflowers that I grow need full to-part sun and well-drained soil. 

Before you buy flower seeds read the growing requirements, then you will know what part of your yard is best for growing wildflowers.

Coneflowers and Daises a photo of my garden

A garden path was created by cutting this area low to the ground with a grass trimmer.

Transplants growing nicely in the garden

Amend the soil if needed I always like to mix compost because it will enrich the soil with nutrients. Plant seeds or seedlings then add a thin layer of straw.

Then create a garden path. One way to create a path is to use your grass trimmer or lawnmower to cut down the grass low to the ground. Then cover this area with landscape weed control fabric. Top this with mulch, or gravel.

I recommend a spring planting of flower seeds because of the rains that come during this season. Seedlings need to be watered and ground evenly moist but not wet. The rain will provide the wildflower plants with ample hydration and a good start at being healthy.

Buy wildflower seeds in bulk, and shop for the flowers that will grow best in your growing zone. 

Learn more about wildflowers and attracting wildlife by reading these articles.

Garden Accessories that Hide Your Spare Key

Garden accessories may add interest to your garden, however, some accessories have another benefit because they conceal your house key. These useful accessories are eye appealing and will save you money because if you become locked out of your house you will not have to call a locksmith.

Hide key here, learn how to bellow

Many people have gone outdoors to get the newspaper in their robe and slippers then find that the door closed behind them and they are locked out. If somebody is home then there is no problem but what if you are home alone?



This morning when I went out to walk the dog I purposely left the side door open because I had no intention of leaving the yard. Yet when I returned I found the door locked. While I was on the other side of the house my husband locked the door and went to work. I was locked out without my phone or a spare key. What a situation I was in, my phone inside, my neighbor with the spare key out of town. I had two choices; break into the house or walk a mile in my pajamas to the next neighbor's house.



Had I bought the discrete garden accessories that had a secret compartment
for my house key, I would be able to get back inside easily.



I shopped online at Wallmart.com and found just what I needed. I like synthetic rocks and other garden accessories for concealing your spare key. But think if I had a waterproof key box I could hide it anywhere outdoors.



How to Hide Your Outdoor Spare Key

Conceal the key in a sprinkler head.  Learn more at step 5 bellow

1. Shop for an outdoor box for your key.  Insert the key in the box.  Make sure it is sealed before hiding the key box in the garden.  Choose a planter then dig a shallow hole, set the key box flush with the soil, and cover it with mulch.
   
2. Hide the key box in the patio furniture. Unzip a seat cushion or pillow and put the key box inside.
   
3. Buy landscape rocks that are made to conceal keys. Hide the key underneath the rock in the special compartment. Then set rock around flower or other plant containers. Create a rock display on your porch, patio, or garden.
   
4. Use gorilla brand tape to adhere the key box to the backside or bottom of the patio furniture. Make sure this furniture is flush with the wall.
   
5. Hide your key in a sprinkler head, Trademark Global makes this discrete product for your spare key and you can shop for it at Walmart.com
   

Hide a spare key in planters

Hope these ideas are helpful to you. My husband says the best way to not get locked out is to check the door before going outdoors. But you know as well as I do accidents do happen.