Did You Know It’s National Gardening Week?

Lots of my friends have been posting about it this week. But honestly, until today, I didn’t know that. Did you know it’s National Gardening Week?

In honor of the occasion, I thought I would share some photos of my perennial cutting garden.

I also want to share some amazing ideas and inspiration I found this week, so be sure and read all the way to the end of the post.

Many of you ask questions about what kind of flowers I like to plant, so I want to share some of my favorites. I just chose plants and flowers that I love and that will do well in Texas. Some I chose because of scent, some because of color, and some because they make beautiful cutting flowers.

All the things in this particular garden are perennial, meaning they come back every year. Some of them die off completely in the winter, then come back in the spring. And some of them stay evergreen, and only flower in the spring.

some of my favorite flowers and plants

Some of my favorites for scent are peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, lavender, lemon verbena, lemon eucalyptus and roses. Of course, some of these are great to cook with, as well. I also love to use the peppermint in my tea and to make flavored water.

My favorites for cutting are butterfly bush, phlox, iris (only blooms in early spring), hydrangeas, shasta daisies, globe amaranth, yarrow, lambs ear blooms, black eyed daisy, valerian and zinnias.

Some great plants/flowers for color are mexican petunia, skullcap, lambs ear, catmint, and wormwood.

Most of these plants are in full sun, with the exception of the hydrangeas, which only get sun for part of the day. The Texas summer heat is brutal, so I have to take that into consideration. Be sure and check your planting zone or ask a local nursery about particular plants for your area.

I try to only use organic fertilizer and pest control on my plants, especially since some of them are used in our food and drink.

All of my plants, with the exception of the zinnias were from small starter plants. The zinnias are annuals (only last 1 season) and I have found that they are much larger and hardier when I start them from seed.

None of these plants are more than 5 years old and have all come back bigger and better each year.

This is a photo when we first planted this perennial garden 5 years ago.

This is the same garden only 1 year later.

To me, there are not many things more gratifying than walking into your own garden and cutting a bouquet of flowers to bring inside your home or to give to a friend. It makes a perfect hostess gift too! I keep vases on hand that I pick up at thrift stores, so I’m ready to go, when a last minute invite comes up.

If you have any questions about perennial gardening or any of these particular plants, please let me know. I love to talk gardening and flowers!!

And did you happen to see the garden inspired tablescape that I did last weekend for a friend’s birthday brunch?

In other news, I want to share some fun things I found this week!!

My sweet friend, Kari Anne, shares how to easily mix and match plates. And wait until you see her beautiful collection of blue and white plates. I have such an obsession with dishes, so I loved all of her tips!

I was so excited to see how these metal school lockers turned out that Leslie at my100yearoldhome transformed. Several months ago I came across a set at a thrift store and they are bright orange, so I will definitely be using her tips.

And have you seen Rachel’s amazing greenhouse? I have serious greenhouse envy!

And this Summer Bowtie Chicken Caesar Pasta that Jen from Midwest Life & Style made sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it!

blessings and have a great weekend,
michele


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