I took the day off from work today and headed west into the “City of Brotherly Love” for the Philadelphia International Flower Show. It may have been cold and painfully windy, but the thought of seeing actual colors other than gray and brown was too damn enticing.

This year’s theme is “Springtime in Paris” and honestly, you could have told me the theme was “Cow dung time in Hell” and I still would have happily attended knowing there would be actual flowers this time of year. But I digress.

Upon entering the main room, attendees were greeted with quite the first impression:
         

And the Paris theme was immediately evident throughout the entire room:

But you know what? I was immediately taken by the smells more than anything else and these smells led me away like in the old cartoons when the dog would float in the air following the smell of a steak. I completely forgot about the theme of the event and was mesmerized by the PLANTS and only the PLANTS.

I’ve talked enough already, I leave you with some of the photos taken today and will have even more in the days to come. Enjoy.         

I present to you today my “top seven” reasons why I friggin love Nepeta (Catmint) ‘Walker’s Low’. Why seven? Because I don’t want Letterman’s people to accuse me of stealing any of their ideas. Plagiarism is a hot topic right now in the gardening world. For a super interesting read on this from an awesome writer, click here.

Anyhoo, when I photographed the small new growth on one of my Catmint plants yesterday, I was immediately reminded of just how much I love this perennial. And here are seven reasons why:

2)The blooms attract the bees in droves:

3)They are fantastic planted in large masses as edging plants:

4)They combine incredibly well with other perennials and shrubs:

5)The foliage emerges early and fills in quickly each Spring:

6)They take well to an early summer pruning and will bloom again later in the summer: 

7)They hold up well deep into the fall so they provide true three season interest:

You feelin me dawg?

Welcome.

OK, now that we have that out of the way … deep breath … and we’re off.

I love Phlox paniculata ‘David’ with the phenomenal blooms, but for two years running now, the foliage slowly “browns up” in the heat of summer. Do I hide the declining foliage with other low lying plants and be done with it? Do I relocate them to true full sun? Do I just focus on the problem and take appropriate precaution?

I love my ‘Little Grapette’ daylillies but so does somebody else. Fight it out with the enemy, because I like their current location, or give in?

I need to get more creative with my containers and realize I can squeeze more in than appears possible.  Remember … thriller, filler, spiller … say it again … thriller, filler, spiller.

Is this Carex ‘Cappuccino’ ugly or unique? Do I really like it as much as I think I do? Can it really be combined with others?

Do I dare now prune any of my Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’ shrubs knowing I will be cutting off the potential blooms? The blooms are beautiful but I really love these shrubs for the foliage. And they appear to need some rejuvenation. Maybe experiment a bit and prune one dramatically, selectively prune another and leave one alone? Like an experiment where I can share the before and after. Hmmmm … I am a genius aren’t I? That is good blog fodder … but maybe no one will care?

Hot damn, I love this stuff!
ONG

I have an idea.

I think it is fun and different. You, however, may think it’s horrific.  

I don’t know if it will stick, but that’s never stopped me before.     

You may know Wordless Wednesday or Wildflower Wednesday or even Fertilizer Friday. Well I would like to add another “day” to your list and it will keep with the alliteration theme. Without further ado, I give you …

FRIGGIN FURIOUS FRIDAY

 
Now before you tune me out and run for the hills, let me explain. Last year, I had one of those days out in the garden where everything looked awful and I felt like a total failure. I immediately jumped on to my blog and voiced my displeasure and questioned my abilities. This was where the original Friggin Furious Friday was born. While it was a very negative post, I felt so much better after writing it. I got it off my chest and I received great feedback from others as to what I could do differently or simple reminders to remain patient.

So, I thought FFF would be a chance for gardeners to voice a frustration, be it large or small, and readers could come to the rescue voicing their support. It may seem like a negative way to enter the weekend, but I like to look at it as a chance to remove the negative and move on. Plus, no other days of the week start with an “F” and I love the word “friggin”. We use it often here in NJ and I’m even OK with my kids saying it.

To kick thing’s off I’ll post my first FFF rant:

 

             
This is what many areas of my yard look like in spring or after a big rain. I have really poor drainage and it limits a lot of what I’m able to plant. I still can’t believe when perennials or deciduous shrubs survive the winter. I have done my best to improve the soil quality (compost) and to level low lying areas where needed, but it is still a nightmare for me. I no longer fight my conditions and just focus on those plants that can survive wet feet and poor drainage. Still, I would kill for a nice loamy soil.

Ah, now I feel better getting that out. Why not give it a shot yourself? It’s like garden therapy.

If you are willing to give it a shot, all I ask is that you provide a link back to my blog after you’ve written your rant. Let’s see where it goes.

ONG             

**BREAKING NEWS**

I JUST ATE THE BEST MEATBALL EVER.

I had not planned on posting twice today but I had no choice. I’m talking that good. And I consider myself a meatball connoisseur.

I arrived home from work this evening and when I stepped into the house, BOOM, I was hit with the smell. A smell that made me forget about my day. I immediately got my bib, tucked it into my shirt and went to town. I ate like a king. I’m talking three bowls of spaghetti and meatballs with the meatball total nearing 10-12. I am 6 ft 3 and 215 pounds so I  can handle it without a problem.

I asked my wife how she constructed these beauties and her response was, “I just kind of winged it.” I love her.

Well the “winging it” was a home run and I’m still in the afterglow of the experience. I think the actual recipe will now have to be kept under lock and key and maybe, just maybe, she can hand it down to my daughter. But only when she is old enough to handle the responsiblity.

But because we are all friends here, I will share with you a few tips I managed to squeeze from my wife:

• The zest of one entire lemon was used
• Instead of breadcrumbs, she used sliced bread soaked in milk
• The onion and garlic was grated into olive oil and then used to saute the meatballs
• Turkey was used 

That’s all I got but trust me, this was life changing.

Until next time
ONG