Pretty On Pink

   Although the flower gardens have reached their peaks and are now in a steady decline, the beauty can still be found.  The zinnia beds outdid themselves this summer and are still clinging to life even though they are long and lanky.  Pruning has gone the wayside.  For the rest of their days, I am leaving them to grow as they please which means they are spilling out of the gardens over the bench.  A few days ago, the mower caught some and really "pruned" them.  I just do not have the heart to yank them from the ground while they are still blooming.  Those blooms are feeding a lot of late butterflies.

  Speaking of butterflies, among all of the swallowtails and skippers was a lovely, little butterfly.  This is the first time I have come across one of these in the gardens so I am pretty excited!  I believe this adorable critter is a Checkerspot!  (Imagine that...checkerspot when it is checkered!)  The small butterfly stayed around all day feeding mainly on the pink zinnias.  Apparently, it has an affinity for pink!  

  With all of the lovely butterflies flitting around the zinnias, it would be a shame to rip out the plants.  Although the gardens look a bit shabby, they shall remain until the fall flowers begin to bloom.  

Zinnias, Zinnias Everywhere!

   On a whim a few years ago, I bought a pack of zinnia seeds from the local dollar store simply because they reminded me of Pop and his lovely gardens.  I had no idea if the seeds would even sprout since they were so cheap compared to other "name brand" seeds.  Well, every last seed sprouted, grew and bloomed for the entire summer.  Being who I am, I saved seeds from those blooms.  In fact, I saved far too many seeds since so many people remarked "Oh, I love those!  Save some seeds for me!"  Long story short, no one came to get the seeds so, the next spring, I planted even more zinnias.  The saved seeds did remarkably well and, as before, I saved seeds...far too many seeds.  In fact, when I went to plant this spring, I had an entire gallon of zinnia seeds!  Oops!  That is an awful lot of seeds when you consider how flat they are.  Needless to say, I planted more zinnias this year than in previous years.  Once again, the flowers are outdoing themselves and I find myself hating to toss the spent blooms aside.  So, the saving has commenced.  Who would have thought that a one dollar pack of seeds could bring so much brightness to the gardens for so many years??

  Of course, all of those zinnia blooms attract a myriad of nectar seeking critters.  The zinnia bed is a literal kaleidoscope of butterflies, moths and bees.  At any given time, fifty or sixty different insects can be found flitting about the blooms.  I am beginning to think that was the best gardening investment ever made and plan on never buying seeds from any other place.  The zinnia bed is going to be extended to twice the size this next year and will be home to hundreds of plants.  In fact, since the vegetable plot has already gone the wayside, my plans are to sow the remaining saved seeds (from last year) in that space.  The ground will not sit idle as I await for time to plant the fall garden.  The critters will be happy campers and the yard will be a blast of color!  (The photos only show half of the existing zinnia bed!)

Zinnias and Butterflies!

 While the rains have made a complete mess of most of the vegetable gardens, the flowers are doing superb!  In fact, they are getting a little too large and the place is beginning to resemble some sort of florist shop gone berserk!  One bed, in particular, is growing with wild abandon.  The "miniature" zinnias are all of 3ft tall and covered with blooms.  This is all good since I have no problem with hodgepodge gardens and they are serving a purpose.

  Zinnias seem to attract more butterflies than the other flowers around the yard.  Ruby lilies, marigolds, day lilies, four o'clocks, roses, gloriosa lilies and parrot lilies have all set forth blooms for the past two months but the butterflies all seem to gravitate toward the zinnias.  Oftentimes, the insects seem to be almost intoxicated as they lose all fear of humans once they find that zinnia bed!  While out snipping the spent blooms, the critters were literally crawling too close to my snips!  Extreme care had to be taken not to harm the butterflies!  What fun it is to be that "up close and personal" with these beautiful creatures!  I think I shall plant zinnias in the vegetable plot and attract more "flying flowers".

Tranquility Among The Flowers

   There is one spot in the Small Gardens that makes me smile with every passing.  While it is pretty with the zinnias, day lilies, ruby lilies and other flowers, my joy comes simply by something else that lurks under the blooms.  The old raccoon that comes to visit each afternoon, takes naps under the zinnias, at times.  She is old, tired and obviously has problems seeing.  Her visits are daily as she comes to eat the spilled birdseed.  Thinking perhaps that is all the sweet thing has to eat, I have taken to bringing her "treats" when I see her.  Cereal is her favorite but fruit runs a second best.  The sweet little thing has been attacked by the younger, more robust coons so now I sit with her until she gets her belly full.  Once she ambles back to the zinnia bed, I feel she is at least somewhat safe.

  My encounters with the old coon have become a highlight of each day.  She comes, we "visit" and then she goes on her merry way.  I refuse to make a pet out of her simply because it is important for her to stay wild and free.  My help comes only through the feeding but, if she wants to hide in the flower gardens, I am surely not going to refuse her the luxury.  Maybe she is just too tired to go back to the marshes or woods.  Maybe she is one that was pushed from her home just west of us where the tractors clear cut almost every tree.   Maybe she just finds tranquility here like I do.

  Sometimes, it is not the appearance of things that makes them beautiful.  Sometimes, it is the help rendered.  The Small Gardens are lovely simply because they have become a haven of sorts.  Be kind to the critters.  Every once in a while, they need a helping hand.

Meanderings of the Brain

   When wandering through the Small Gardens at daybreak, the beauty of this old world never ceases to enthrall me.  While most would see the flowers or plants, I see things in a different mode.  I see the transparency of the butterfly wings, the soft bends of the petals or winding path that a snail has left behind on its nightly journey.  These things purely astound.

  This morning, the zinnia bed was the object of my interest.  The "old fashioned" zinnias are the best.  They bloom profusely with an assortment of sizes and shapes.  These are not the forced hybrid types of blooms where the natural beauty has been sucked out of existence but rather are the blooms that were originally meant to be.  These are the ones that appeal to me and are the only type flowers that can be found in the Small Gardens.  It is the same with the vegetable plot.  There are no fancy plants that produce things far bigger (yet tasteless) than the old style vegetables that yield deliciousness on demand.  The zinnias were out in dominance of the gardens this morning and they drew not only my attention but that of several butterflies and a myriad of bees.

  I guess as I grow old, I can see the beauty in things that are simple and carefree.  I am simply tired of the demands that we all fit someone else's idea of what is perfect.  Life is too short for that.  Enjoy what is meant to be and not what others deem should be.  Those folks are not the important ones.  Happiness and tranquility lies only in oneself.  Nowhere else.

Stepping In It!

   Whenever I take a break from working, I sit in the shady gardens to cool myself.  If you sit and watch the doings of nature as much as I do, you are bound to ponder things.  I ponder things.  I think a lot while working but pondering comes during rest.  Then, I have time to delve into thoughts that are stored back in among the cobwebs of my brain.  That stash contains everything taught to me by those who took the time and effort to make sure knowledge was secured within reach if I ever needed it.  I appreciate their work.  Now, frequently, I search the nooks and crannies of the brain and filch out things of great importance...at least, important to me.

  For instance, today, I pondered the butterflies.  It seems we have more butterflies this year than ever before.  Hundreds flit around the hillside every day.  A ton relish the shade provided by the woods, others love the marsh but the zinnia garden seems to be a favorite gathering spot for many.  So, I pulled the wicker chairs next to the zinnias so I could have a front-row seat for the "Dance of the Butterflies". 

While watching, a thought occurred to me.  How do butterflies know what flower has tasty nectar?  And how do they choose what host plant will have delightfully delicious leaves for their caterpillars?  I should know this!!  I do know this!!  Time to dust off the information hidden behind the cobwebs.  I searched the dark corners of the brain and found my answer.  Somewhere, I had heard that butterflies can taste with their feet!  It makes sense if you watch the critters.  They always do a taste test before sipping the nectar.  Then, I queried...Is this actually true?  Or did I have false data stored?  Time to check.  Yep!  Butterflies taste with those feet according to what I could find.  I am sure glad that is settled.  See, pondering is good.

The Shady Nook

   After piddling in the Small Gardens a bit, it was time for ice cold lemonade and a bit of rest.  It was hot out there and I was told "Don't get overheated nor dehydrated."  So I followed the doctor's orders and pulled my comfy wicker chair into the shade and sat sipping my lemonade.  Being in the gardens made me happy this morning.  If I cannot go for hikes, I can enjoy the birds singing, frogs chirping and butterflies flitting about the place.  The Small Gardens have become my "Happy Place" where most of my healing is being done.

  As I was cooling myself, I could not help but notice how delightfully restful a shady garden really is.  The vegetable plot is sun-drenched but huge oak trees and draping mimosa trees block out most of the heat of the day from the "sittin' area".  From here, you can hear the water running in Pebble Creek and watch the tadpoles in Puddle Pond.  It is also here that a myriad of butterflies visit the zinnia bed.  Gardens are restful.  Life is good.  "Nuff said.

Flying Flowers Brighten The Day

  As of late, my early mornings are spent weeding the flower gardens.  This, at least, is something that I CAN do.  It is also something I SHOULD do since the Small Gardens are my realm.  Keeping them tidy goes a long way in my pleasure in spending most of my time here.  A well kempt garden was something Granddad taught me.  He always said that if the gardens were neat, the plants were happy and the flowers would bloom.  Tending the gardens keeps me happy, too.

  Along with the zinnias and phlox that are blooming, there are dozens upon dozens of "Flying Flowers".  At any given time during the day, there are fifty to sixty assorted butterflies flitting about the place. These add to the beauty of the gardens.  (Yes, I know they are laying eggs which will hatch to caterpillars but it is a price I will gladly pay for the gorgeous Flying Flowers.)   Just a couple of weeks ago, there were only a few swallowtails and an occasional sulfur that visited the gardens but now there is a plethora of the winged creatures.  The Flying Flowers fill the day!

Patience, My Dear....Patience

  Yet again, I am bound to the Small Gardens but, since I am Queen here, it does not bother me much.  I was, however, bemoaning the fact that I can no longer visit my friends of the fauna ilk.  I miss the interaction that we shared.  It has been almost three weeks since I visited and I have fears that they will soon forget me.  That is disheartening.  This morning, Son and I were sitting on the steps in the first small garden when I proceeded to tell him of my fears. He was diligently trying to make repairs to my camera which seemed to break just about the same time that I did.  He assured me that my critter friends would not forget and that he would help me expand my realm shortly.  This elated me as I knew life was going to vastly improve!

  Just as he was searching for something to "test" his camera repairs, a beautiful swallowtail butterfly flitted above the zinnia patch.  With one deft movement, he snapped a photo and turned to smile at me.  "See, your critters have not forgotten you.  Instead of you going in search of them, they are coming to you."  He handed the camera to me.  "See if this is better."  Precisely at that moment, a black swallowtail settled on a leaf of the deutzia bush!  This time, I took the photo and reveled in the idea that my critters may remember me even though I know the butterflies were merely seeking nourishment from the garden flowers.  Perhaps, just perhaps, a few of the squirrels, birds and snakes would have a vague recollection of the crazy, old lady who talked with them.

  All in all, having the lovely "flying flowers" come to the Realm of Small Gardens brought happiness.  It is often hard to have patience to let things come on their own.  Life is not easy.  Being patient is harder.

The Queen Has Spoken! More Zinnias!

  The "Queen of the Small Gardens" has a new thought!  Since the zinnias are doing so well and since I have a about a bucketful of extra seeds and since I cannot push a lawnmower to keep the yard clean, I need to broadcast the seeds with wild abandon!  Perhaps, I should just mix all of the saved flower seeds in a pail and scatter them!  The seeds could plant themselves wherever the wind blows them!  How pretty would that be??!!  How nice to not have to watch the grass grow to knee-high!  How colorful?!! How happy?!!  How immensely mesmerizing would a sea of color be?!!  Just a thought.  Perhaps Hubby and Son have other thoughts but...mehh...I am Queen of the Small Gardens and I am just expanding my realm!

  To be honest, the zinnia seeds are some I had saved from past years.  A while back, I bought a pack from DollarTree.  I was not even sure if they would sprout but, here years later, they are still doing well.  As the blooms start to wane, I snip them and toss them in an old cardboard box in the greenhouse.  There, they dry and sit until I get a chance to box them for the next season.  The plants in the garden keep blooming and blooming until they finally succumb to the winter's cold.   

  The flower gardens back on the farm always contained zinnias.  Pop saved the seeds from year to year just as he taught me to do.  Now, I find I am mimicking so many of Pop's actions.  That pleases me as I figure the man knew his gardens.  Maybe, just maybe, a bit of that rubbed off on me.  Now...the Queen of the Small Gardens has made her decision!  More zinnias!  I need more zinnias!  (Yes, I am bored being limited.)




 

Zinnias and Memories

  Every now and again, something strikes a chord and memories start flooding back in wild abandon.  This morning as I strolled about the storm battered gardens, a lone zinnia held its head high and wafted on the gentle breeze.  The purple bloom was in its full glory with the bright morning sun beaming down on it.  In its center, the flower wore a circlet of gold which proclaimed it as "Prince of the Garden".  (I figure I have enough queens and princesses and a sole "king" skink so it is about time for a prince to appear.) 

  This purple zinnia started the memory flow and from there, it just took on a life of its own.  For the rest of the walk through the gardens, memories of Pop filled the brain.  Good memories...happy memories...times I never wish to forget.  You see, being a farmer, Pop always had lots to do with plants.  His fields were always impeccable and lush but his passion was his flower gardens.  He loved flowers of any sort and zinnias seemed to be a favorite.  These and petunias could be found in beds around the yard.   As a youngster, I walked with Pop as he tended the gardens.  He showed me the ins and outs of planting and caring for each plant.  He taught me the names and planting times.  He instilled in me a love for all growing things.  It is still there.

  Zinnias are some of the easiest garden flowers to grow and, once you get a start, the seeds can be saved for future plantings.  In fact, the seeds usually stay viable for several years after harvesting.  Also, as long as you dead-head the spent blooms, zinnias will fill the summer and fall with their colorful blooms. They make great, long-lasting cut flowers, too.  So...plant some zinnias and start some of your own memories!

Wishing for rain!

As bad as it sounds to some folks, I have almost been wishing for a tropical storm to hit the Bayou.  Don't get me wrong..I do NOT want a hurricane just one of those ground-soaking systems that dumps a bunch of water with very little wind.  It has been a dry end of summer here like some many other places across the country. I know there have been some terrible floods elsewhere but I do so wish we were not so dry.  It is "crunchy" dry.  With each passing day, it gets worse.  The leaves have already started to fall from the trees..not as pretty red and orange lawn ornaments but rather as the crispy, dry ground covering that makes it a fire hazard.  Even the grass is now dying.  Each step causes a crunch.  I try to water the garden but it is a losing battle and I feel bad stopping short of watering each plant in the yard.  I can almost hear them begging for just a drop.  It breaks my heart. The vegetable garden is now down to six bell pepper plants and a few herbs.  The flowers..well, I have no flowers any more! Even the drought-hardy zinnias have given up trying to survive!   Summer always seems to end this way..with me wishing for rain.

Ms. Ez and I went for our usual hike but with the steady racket of our footsteps all wildlife fled far before we ever had a chance to see it!  I stopped long enough to listen to her footsteps in the dry leaves.  Yep!  That old dog sounded a lot like a herd of wild buffalo dragging their feet through a dry cornfield!  Poor Ezzy!  She was bewildered why no squirrels were waiting to be chased!  They heard her coming from a mile away!

With all of the leaves down on the ground and the fire hazard they create, I suppose I will be pulling out the lawnmower tomorrow!  I can at least cut them down to a mulch which might help a bit.  Raking four acres or so seems to be a bit overkill!  Besides, if I rake and bag, what in the world do I do with the billion or so bags of leaves?  I will cut!  With all of my complaining about the weather, there is one bright side!  It has been a good bit cooler early in the mornings.  With the temperatures hoovering in the low seventies, I really do not mind pushing that lawnmower!  It is good exercise!  So...as my cousin, Bill, says..."Up and atom!" and I will be bright and early!

Saving the Seeds

The zinnias have outdone themselves this summer.  The colorful blossoms filled the gardens and attracted the butterflies and honeybees by the thousands.   This pleases me tremendously and I possibly could have felt a bit of pride in the garden had I actually had anything to do with it.  I did not..at least not this year.  Last spring (a year ago), I planted one small packet of mixed zinnia seeds.  They did well.  After the first freeze of this past winter, the plants died and became mulch for the garden.  This spring, I did not have any seeds to plant and was intent on creating the new plot of ground for the vegetable garden.  Time passed and no flower seeds were planted.  About the middle of April, I noticed that scads of petunias were starting to spring up in all areas of the yard.  These were "volunteer" plants as I did not seed them either.  Following the petunias, tiny zinnias started appearing everywhere!  Some were actually in the gardens and were allowed to grow where they sprouted.  As much as I hated to do it, others were mowed or hoed out of places that were not gardens.  More and more zinnias sprouted and grew to great heights!  The blooms filled the areas and were the "talk of the garden"!  Everyone that visited the Bayou complimented the loveliness of the "Zinnia Garden"..the garden that I did not plant!

This morning, I took the garden shears and headed out to deadhead some of the plants.  A number of older blossoms were dropped to the ground but not before I gathered a nice basketful.  These will be dried and saved as seeds for next spring.  If more "volunteers" grace the gardens next year, I will have plenty of seeds to share with friends and family.  Before winter, I will most likely harvest the spent blooms several more times.  Saving our own seeds..even flower seeds..assures that we do not have to purchase genetically modified or pesticide-infused seeds.  I dislike both.

That said, I have been saving crowder pea, squash, watermelon, okra, tomato and pepper seeds for a number of years.  Between those and my own flower seeds, I have a number of pure seeds that I can feel safe in using.  It is not hard and makes a lot of sense in the long run.  Save your own seeds!  You will benefit greatly!

Garden Helper

I was up with the birds this morning!  There were a lot of chores that I needed to do before rains set in for the day.  Thunder out over the Gulf was my alarm clock and I knew that it would be just a matter of time before those storms would swing inland.  My herbs are at the optimal point for drying so I had to harvest this morning.  My hike to the pier would have to be postponed for a different day. While heading toward the Sage patch, I passed a few volunteer Zinnias.  These have been doing so well and have livened up the Rose Garden tremendously.  Their bright blooms remind me of Pop's flower gardens back on the farm.  He always loved his Zinnias as they would bloom nigh on the entire summer!  I do believe these will do the same if I can keep the rabbits from nibbling them to the ground.
 

This morning, however, there were no rabbits munching my flowers.  Instead, I found a nice plump Carpenter Bee resting on the tiptop of a lovely pink flower!  Obviously, the bee had spent the night right there and was still a bit "waterlogged" from the rains that pelted the area during the nighttime.  The early morning sunshine was beaming down on his wings which I assume felt mighty fine after the soggy night.  Being curious, I gently poked the bee.  It was definitely still alive but needed some warming before it could carry on about its business for the day.

The black spot in the center of a yellow thorax is a identification mark of a Carpenter Bee!

After checking the Sage and deciding that it could benefit from one more day's growing, I returned to the bee.  It was still on the flower but was moving about a bit more.  Its antennae were wiggling and it was trying to sip a bit of the sweet nectar that the Zinnia supplied.  As much as I do not like these bees for the damage they can wreak on wood, it was nice to see it pollinating the plants of the garden.  Most bees are welcome in my garden.  With the noticeable lack of Honeybees lately, I appreciate any and all pollinators that come.  I watched as the Carpenter Bee finally warmed enough to fly and off it went to visit flower after flower.  Ahhh, with the bee's help the seeds formed from these flowers will produce lovely plants next year!  Carry on, Little Bee, carry on!  Pollinate those Zinnias!

As a happy note, I did see quite a few Honeybees in a large tree down the lane!  I hope they decide to stay in the area!  Perhaps I need to plant more flowers!  On a sad note, our bees are dying out rapidly due to "safe lawn chemicals".  Folks!  These chemicals are not safe at  all!  Find critter friendly alternatives..please! This habit is taking a toll on the bee population and if things do not change soon..we will not be seeing bees of any sort in our gardens.  Without bees to pollinate, it will not take long before the world starves.

Getting to the root of the problem!

A couple of months ago, Mark was doing some work on the siding of the house.  This work required him to be standing right where a couple of my plants had decided to grow.  "They" had decided to grow there..this was not where I planted them!  Anyway, with his tromping about, the plants needed to be moved.  Not wanting to spend a lot of time being in his way, I just snipped off a couple of branches of the Pothos vine that had taken root and was doing so well right where Mark needed to stand.  These branches were stuck in an old Mason jar and put on the window ledge. I had good intentions of potting them once I found the opportunity.  They looked so pretty in the window!  The heart-shaped leaves were so glossy!  My Pothos cuttings never showed any signs of trauma at being cut from the parent plant.  Yep..good intentions and all that..I promptly forgot my cuttings.

This morning, I took my cup of coffee to the living room.  Here, there is a small table near the windows where I can look out over the gardens.  In the gardens, I can view the lovely zinnias with their fresh morning faces.  I can watch the birds fly in to visit the feeders and, also, see the squirrels and rabbits scurry about the hillside.  It is one of my favorite places to have coffee.  This is also the very same window where the Pothos resides in its canning jar.  This morning, I noticed that the jar seemed quite full.  Oh, my goodness!  Has it really been that long since I snipped those leaves?  The Mason jar was filled with roots! I really must get busy plant that thing!

As a point of interest..Pothos is sort of a Philodendron twin.  It is one of those plants that most folks mistakenly call by a different name.  There are so many similarities between the two that this is a common mistake and one that I admit to making quite often.  Years ago, an elderly friend of mine told me the secret method of telling the difference.  It all falls down to the shape of the stem from leaf to main stalk.  If this stem is grooved, then it is a Pothos..if it is smooth, it is a Philodendron.  There are other differences such as the glossiness of the new leaves and if there is a "sheath" around the new leaves.  Glossy, unsheathed new leaves shows it is a Pothos.  Sheathed, matte new leaves mean the plant is a Philodendron!  It is as easy as that!  Mine has grooved stems, unsheathed and glossy new leaves so I can be sure that this is a Pothos according to Miss Dot's method!  Now to get that Pothos potted is a priority!  I will hang it from the arbor just outside of this very same window.  How pretty will that be to look at while drinking my morning coffee?

Picture Perfect!

After the rains of this past weekend, the gardens look much better.  What I thought were dead zinnias are now blooming like crazy!  Some have ten to fifteen blooms per plant which makes the gardens quite bright and makes the butterflies and honeybees quite happy!  Pop would be proud!  He always had masses of zinnias in huge gardens about the yard.  These along with dozens of other types of flowers were his enjoyment..his down time after working in the fields.  I suppose plowing, planting, hoeing, weeding and harvesting vegetables was just not enough gardening for him!  He had to plant flowers as well!  I only wish that I had the energy that Pop had!  His place was gorgeous and his fields were always producing!  My meager gardens pale in comparison!  But still, the zinnias are outdoing themselves which always helps to brighten the yard!

Today while meandering with Ms. Ez, the dog, I came across one of the most beautiful of zinnia blooms!  It was about four inches in diameter and with near perfect petals.  Each petal was perfectly placed around the tight closed center.  The color was a vibrant pinkish-purple and stood out among the oranges and yellows of the other blooms. Such a lovely blossom!  This flower was almost too perfect in shape!  I had to take a few pictures!  I love zinnias!

While snapping pictures of the one bloom, I spied another butterfly visiting the garden.  The Long-tailed Skipper was still flitting about but it was joined by a nice orange friend.  This Fritillary Butterfly made me smile not only with its presence in the garden but because it is a harbinger of the coming of the Monarch Butterflies. I have noticed each year that the Fritillaries come in before the Monarchs.  In a few weeks the Purple Ageratums should be swarming with the migrating Monarchs! I can only hope that I have the thrill of being caught up in another whirlwind of butterflies as I was last fall.  Hundreds of orange wings swirled around me when I stepped into the garden!  It is quite the experience!  One butterfly in the garden is sweet, two butterflies in the garden bring smiles...hundreds bring excitement!  With that thought, I checked the progress of the Purple Ageratums and was tickled to see that they should be in full bloom just at the expected arrival time of the Monarchs!  I await their coming with hopes of many more this year! I do hope the gardens are visited again!

Little Skipper!

Ahhhh...The rains continue!  Dark clouds covered us the entire day making it a wonderfully inspiring day!  By that I mean..I was inclined to sort through a mounds of stuff!  Although it is one of the hardest things in the world for a crafter to do, I parted with a number of potential craft items today...arrgh!  Any crafter will tell you that you just do not throw things in the garbage!  Most any item can become some marvelous recycled creation if you are given the inspiration, the ingenuity and the time to make it so.  But I tossed..it was like ripping off my right arm..but I tossed.  Believe it or not...I feel freer!  Now my craft room (aka sewing room) is at least in some semblance of order!  I can find things!  Wow...I never thought that would happen!  With all this rain though, I did become a tad stir-crazy and have to slip outside if even for a moment.  Once Ms. Ez and I meandered around a bit, we both felt a tad better.  The cool rain felt good as did the stretching of our legs!  She even got in a few romps after a couple of adventurous squirrels that were in search of supper.  While she was on one such chase, I deadheaded a few of the zinnias before deciding that soggy, mushy, slimy flowers were not exactly fun to touch.

While in the zinnia patch, I spied a lone butterfly trying to catch a nip before the raindrops made it impossible to fly.  The high winds caused the poor little thing to nearly be blown from the flower head but it kept trying.  I wish I could have caught a clear photograph of the upper side of the insect.  With the wings open flat, the body was the most beautiful blue but the underside was dark. This brave little butterfly is none other than a Long-tailed Skipper!  As butterflies go, it is rather smallish but what it lacks in size it makes up for with spunk!  I did not see one other butterfly out and about in this inclement weather!  Most others sought some sort of shelter from the winds and rains but Skipper braced himself against the odds and got supper!

The Long-tailed Skipper butterfly, as pretty as it may be, can be quite a pest or at least the caterpillar can be!  The Skipper female will lay her eggs on any legume plant that is handy.  The caterpillars will hatch and munch away on the leaves of these plants.  Consequently, if there is a handy-dandy bean or pea garden around near, those leaves will become meals for the little critters.  I know that the Crowder peas that are left in the garden have now been adorned with the tiny yellowish white eggs.  Soon..if not already..those pea plants will be riddled by the army of little caterpillars!  Their fat little bodies will then be encased in a leaf to prepare for transformation into adult Long-tailed Skippers!  It will be "Goodbye, pea plants...Hello, pretty little Skippers!"   Oh well, sometimes a sacrifice must be made in the name of beauty!   The little Skipper sitting on a zinnia really was a thing of beauty!

Flower Power!

I have always loved Zinnias!  Back in the day, Dad always had several huge beds of these flowers in the front yard!  The bright colors would always bring a smile to anyone who saw them.  There is just something happy about Zinnias..they literally brighten the day!  With that in mind, it would not seem right if I did not have Zinnias planted in my yard as well.  Clumps of the plants are dotted throughout the flower beds and also in the vegetable gardens.  The oranges, yellows, purples and whites all add a bit of cheeriness to every corner of the yard.

Zinnias are an old-style flower.  Years ago, most cottage gardens would have multitudes of this plant mixed in among the more exotic plants.  Zinnias were (and still are) of the favorite of all home garden bedding plants.  Their rapid growth along with their hardiness makes for easy gardening.  Just plop a few seeds in the ground and more or less forget about them.  In a few weeks, bright blooms will appear and beautify the area.  Care is as simple as bit of fertilizer now and again, a good dousing with water when dry and a bit of dead-heading when the blooms become spent.  Zinnas also make wonderful cut flowers as they have the ability to stay fresh looking in a vase for quite some time.  And, trust me, there is nothing more charming than a canning jar filled with multicolored Zinnias sitting on the kitchen table or a bright windowsill!  

Now I find that perhaps Dad was a bit smarter than he let on to be!  These same Zinnias have quite a protective effect on the vegetable gardens!  Not that the plant itself does the job, but rather these blooms call in all sorts of wonderful critters that are beneficial to the garden.  This is especially so if the garden is infested with Whiteflies!  Little known to most folks, Whiteflies are the culprits behind the awful leaf curling in tomato plants.  If you have ever had a perfectly healthy tomato plant literally "curl up and die" then most likely the Whitefly is in the garden.  These are tiny critters that really take a trained eye to find in and amongst the leaves but their damage is clearly evident!  The leaves will curl and within a day the plant starts to wither and turn brown.  No matter what action is taken by the gardener, the tomato plant dies.  Enter the happy little Zinnia plant!  Zinnias intermixed with vegetables that are susceptible to Whitefly attacks will attract hummingbirds, bees and wasps!  These predators dine upon the Whiteflies and thus save the tomato plants!  (Yes!  Hummingbirds do eat tiny insects contrary to most folks ideas!)   Just to throw it in here at this point..another good flowering plant to mix in with the veggies is the Nasturtium!  It works in quite a different way as it provides certain root chemicals that can deter the Whitefly!  Plus, with the Nasturtium..you can always add the flowers to your meal!

So...Zinnias..those bright, happy flowers pull a double duty!  The task of keeping the veggie garden free of some pests falls nicely on its list of positive characteristics.  Oh..and as an extra bonus..the plant will usually reseed itself!  In early spring, just watch for the tiny plants to start sprouting and make sure to not hoe them out when preparing the beds for planting!  Zinnias..one of my favorites!