It has been another hot dry season and this continuing trend is causing me to rethink my choice of plants in the garden.  It is time to seek out the most hardy, drought tolerant perennials. Some Echinacea and Rudbeckia continue to flower in addition to late blooms of Salvia Victoria and Snapdragons, leaving spots of color throughout the landscape,I would like to see more life in the garden thru fall.  I am thinking about using hardy cactus in addition to tall, drought tolerant grasses to create shade for more delicate flowers. Water is a precious commodity and wise choices are imperative.  

Xeriscaping has never looked so good. With global warming affecting our way of life, now is the time for change. The drought conditions throughout the world call for action. Here in zone 4 it appears to be another dry and hot season as we slowly shift to a desert climate. Years ago I planted numerous drought tolerant perennials knowing that my environment warranted this scenario. Water has become a very precious commodity and restrictions throughout the Midwest are being implemented. Lakes and reservoirs are drying up before our eyes and we need to do our part to conserve and make good decisions for the sake of the planet. 

Enjoy!

I must apologize to my readers for my long hiatus from blogging.  Life has been throwing lemons and I have been doing my best to make lemonade. During challenging times it’s wise to “stop and smell the roses” and they just happen to be blooming here in zone 4. 

I do however want to shift my focus to another amazing perennial I planted eight years ago called “Santolina Chamaecyparissus” or Cotton Lavender. It is native to western and central Mediterranean and grows very well on the sunny side of my garden.  It was slow to develop but after its third season it has never let me down.  Plant this drought tolerant show stopper in full sun and fertile soil for long lasting blooms from early spring till fall.  Cheers

We are finally receiving some much needed moisture in the form of snow in zone 4.  The snow is overdue and drought conditions have worsened, appearing to create the perfect storm for another disastrous wildfire season in the rocky mountain region.  January through March are the typical bread and butter months for precipitation however February has yielded the most moisture the past few years. This snow is a welcome sight for my dry floral beds as much needed moisture will jump start early blooming daffodils and tulip bulbs for early springtime blooms.               

Get out there and clear those flower beds of debris and take full advantage of this much needed moisture.  Cheers!

During the height of fall I usually find myself reflecting on the season that is rapidly coming to a close.  While I walk through the garden I survey what flourished and which plants struggled. This season I had success with my flowering perennials but struggled with my vegetable garden.  I was humbled this season when my harvest was a fraction of what I usually get.  I am still baffled as to why but sometimes I have to accept the outcome, hope for the future and focus on what worked.  I was surrounded by beautiful flowers from early spring through fall and was able to harvest just enough from my garden to make my favorite salsa.  Keep digging in the dirt!  Cheers