#blue daylily plants

[emmawatsonfans]

Transitional Landscape

Summertime landscaping ideas for a sizable transitional sun side yard.

[frostfires-blog]

Sousou no Frieren Hanakotoba Analysis

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-> 1) Blue-Moon Weed [蒼月草│Sō gessō]

The Blue-Moon Weed (Sō gesso │ 蒼月草) is a blue, fictitious flower in the universe of Sousou no Frieren endemic to Himmel's hometown. The flower can be described as having blue anthers, yellow filaments as well as five petals that range from deeper blue at the tips to lighter blue in the centre. Although the Blue-Moon Weed is fictional, it appears to be inspired by real-life plants—namely Baby Blue Eyes and the Asiatic Daylily.

During episode 2, Frieren cleans a statue of Himmel the hero, afterwards a local herbalist proposes planting some flowers around the statue to brighten the area. This causes Frieren to recall how Himmel once told her his favourite flowers were Blue-Moon Weeds. This motivates her to search for these flowers over the next six months, despite these plants not being sighted for decades. After much frustration on Fern's part, the two eventually discover a small meadow of Blue-Moon Weed flowers atop an abandoned watchtower. This allows Frieren to use her spell to decorate the area around the statue with these flowers.  During this incident, we learn that Frieren’s penchant for collecting odd spells partly stems from Himmel expressing his appreciation for them—particularly the flower bed-making spell which is currently her favourite. Although Frieren couldn’t grant Himmel’s desire to show her Blue-Moon Weed flowers before his death, she was still somewhat able to fulfil this desire by finding the flowers and planting them around his statue as a tribute. Her willingness to devote half a year towards finding the flower showcases her remarkable dedication and nuanced sentimentality.

-> 1,2) Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila sp.)

The most apparent inspiration for the Blue-Moon Weed is likely Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila sp.). Although the leaves of the Blue-Moon Weed have an elongated shape, the shape and method of attachment differ from those of Nemophila—the shape and colour of the flowers are very similar to Nemophila. Baby Blue Eyes flowers are known as Rurikarakusa (ルリカラクサ) in Japan. In hanakotoba, Nemophila symbolises success everywhere, daintiness and forgiveness. In Western floriography, they represent victory, tenderness, sensitivity, harmony and trust. These symbolic connotations are closely linked with Himmel’s personality and accomplishments. Nemophila also represent the transient nature of beauty and life, encouraging us to treasure every moment and appreciate simplicity—which is a core theme in the series and is a lesson that Frieren is slowly learning throughout her journey.

The scientific name for Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila, is derived from Greek and roughly translates to "loves small woodlands". This is derived from Nemophila's tendency to grow around the margins of woodlands. In a way, this is reminiscent of Himmel and Frieren's first encounter in the forest when the former became lost. After pointing him in the right direction, Frieren casts the flower bed-making spell leaving a lasting impact on Himmel. Specifically, it is hinted that Himmel sought Frieren out to be the party's magician since that event was the first time he perceived magic as being beautiful.

-> 1,2) Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis)

Another possible inspiration for the Blue-Moon Weed is the Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis). In Japan, this plant is known as tsuyukusa (露草) meaning "dew grass“. However, in ancient times it was called tsukikusa (月草) meaning “moon grass” which is similar to the name of Blue-Moon Weed. Although the two plants both possess blue-coloured flowers and similar leaf shapes; how the leaves attach to the stem differs, as does the shape of the flowers. In hanakotoba, the Asiatic Dayflower symbolises nostalgic relationships, secret love, transience and changes of heart in love. In Western floriography, they symbolise harmony, growth, prosperity and abundance. These symbolic associations—particularly those of nostalgic relationships, growth and changes of the heart in love—resonate heavily with Frieren’s relationship with Himmel. While the flower’s symbolism of secret love and transience resonates with Himmel’s feelings towards Frieren.

-> 2) Mirrored Lotus [鏡蓮華│Kagami renge]

The Mirror Lotus (Kagami renge │鏡蓮華) is a fictitious flower in the universe of Sousou no Frieren. However, its name suggests it is based on a real lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Furthermore, the shape of the flower on Fern's bracelet is quite similar to that of a real lotus, which lends credence to this notion. In episode 14, it is noted that the silver bracelet Stark bought Fern for her birthday features a Mirror Lotus design. As Frieren studies the bracelet, she realises it has the same design as a ring she received from Himmel in the past. Sein then reveals that the Mirror Lotus symbolises eternal love.

Although Fern, Stark, and Frieren were unaware of the flower's symbolism, Himmel's interest in flowers suggests he recognised the meaning behind the ring he bought for Frieren—despite her assumption otherwise. As Frieren recalls receiving the ring, we see that after she selected it randomly Himmel was struck into silence and stared at it with a pensive expression. He then knelt before Frieren and placed it on the fourth finger of her left hand. This event, resembling a marriage proposal, reinforces the impression that he understood the significance of the flower. Furthermore, Himmel never married anyone else, alluding to the fact that Himmel must have pledged his eternal affection to Frieren through this ring. The significance of Himmel gifting Frieren a ring that symbolises "eternal love," as well as the multiple sculptures he had constructed around the world serve as a reminder of his existence. They serve as proof that his love for her transcends time and continues to accompany her on her journey.

Although Fern’s bracelet Fern and Frieren’s ring both have a mirrored lotus motif, the designs of the flowers differ in shape. The mirror lotus flower on Frieren’s ring is in bud state while the flower Fern's bracelet is in full bloom. This distinction references the difference between the two pairs’ relationships. While it is inferred that Himmel knew about the flower’s meaning, Frieren wasn't aware and only discovered it after his death. Himmel's romantic feelings for Frieren are still unknown to her, corresponding to the flower's bud shape on the ring, as their relationship remains frozen, unable to fully blossom due to the distance between them caused by their differing lifespans and Frieren's unintentional obliviousness. However, Fern and Stark discover the flower's significance together almost immediately after buying the bracelet. Although Fern, like Stark, was unaware of the mirror lotus' symbolism when she accepted the bracelet, she continued to wear it after learning about it and was enraged by Stark's proposal that she replace it with another design. If Fern hadn't had any romantic feelings for Stark, she would have been reluctant to wear the bracelet after this revelation. This, in conjunction with the flower's full bloom design on her bracelet, suggests that the pair will become mutually conscious of each other's romantic feelings and eventually end up together.

-> 2,1) Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

In Japan, lotuses are called ren (蓮) or hasu (はす) and symbolise eloquence, sacredness, detached love as well as a pure heart in hanakotoba. Its symbolism of a pure heart is derived from how the lotus blooms into a noble and pure flower despite rising from muddy water. This symbolic connotation resonates with Himmel’s character, particularly his remarkable accomplishments despite his humble background. Lotuses are also globally associated with purity, rebirth, transformation and enlightenment. The lotus’s symbolic representation of enlightenment and transformation resonates with Frieren’s journey to learn and understand humans better to alleviate her regret of not getting to know Himmel better. In Asia, two lotus flowers blossoming from a single stem represent a desire for harmony and a shared heart. While in Western floriography, lotuses represent grace and estranged love. This sharp contrast between the lotus’ romantic symbolism in Asia and the West correlates with the difference in dynamic between the series’ main two pairings and their narrative conclusions. Additionally, despite Himmel’s feelings remaining unknown to Frieren, due to her leaving after their 10-year journey (i.e. estranged love), she shows a desire to understand him (i.e. a desire for a shared heart) after his death.

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╰➤ Other anime & donghua hanakotoba posts

[A/N: It'll probably be a while until I make another one of these posts—but if anyone has any requests feel free to send them. Also, lmk what other kinds of posts I should do in the meantime? Lastly, if you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts✿]

[theamazingdigitalraceway]

How would they react to being given a flower?

And what species is their favorite?

- "A synonym for bird" Anon

A/N: I think you forgot to turn on anon, but that's okay!

RACEWAY AU REACTING TO BEING GIVEN A FLOWER

CAINE: Daylilies are his favorite. They come in many colors but the red and gold lilies match his tux. He's touched that anyone would give him anything. He'd be genuinely grateful and wear the flower proudly on his lapel.

POMNI: She doesn't remember what they're called, but she really likes those small blue flowers with yellow centers that grow in clusters. Sometimes they turn purple. (Forget-me-nots) But really, any floral gift would make her awkwardly grateful. Like, thanks, but...why?

RAGATHA: Roses! All the roses! But, give her a red rose and she will swoon. She will cherish it forever and she'd love to hug the giver, if she can cool her face down. She'd blush so hard, her face would be the same color as her hair.

JAX: No matter what he's given, he eats it. Thanks for the snack. (Dandelions are his favorite)

GANGLE: She LOVES hibiscus flowers, especially multicolored ones. They're just so beautiful. She's giddy and thanks the giver repeatedly. Almost to the point of being annoying.

ZOOBLE: Not really a flower person. No matter how impressive or symbolic...it's a plant. Cool. Thanks. They guess.

KINGER: Queen of the Night is his favorite. The rare and regal flowers are special to him because Queenie was as much a botany enjoyer as he is an insect lover. Every once in a while, he'll remember to ask Caine to make some for him to place in front of her door. Giving him one will make him silently cry.

GUMMIGOO: Snapdragons are cool, especially the purple ones. He'd be a bit flustered, thanking the giver awkwardly. He's only heard of people getting this kind of gift when it means something potentially romantic. May need some explaining if it's just a platonic gift. Either way, he keeps it in his room in a vase.

LOO: Give this woman any pink flower and she's ecstatic. Little flowers, big flowers, she doesn't care. The giver is getting a hug and a kiss and swung around, in that order. She'll keep it in her hair.

SETH: Night Rider lilies are especially poetic to give him. He'd be hesitant. He doesn't know how to handle people being nice to him. Will make some snide comment about the gifter being soft, but he'll take the flower anyway. If you look closely afterwards, it's inside his jacket.

ABEL: No matter what's presented to him, it's getting electrocuted.

[outofangband]

Collection of Nargothrond headcanons for @eilinelsghost. Working on updating my two larger Nargothrond world building post

Nargothrond has a variety of languages spoken! Noldorin Quenya and the Falathrim dialect of Sindarin are the most common. Telerin is spoken to a much lesser extent by elves like Finrod who have Telerin family but does become more common. As I’ve spoken about here, Telerin and Quenya actually have more similarities than Telerin and many of the Sindarin dialects in Beleriand do The Mithrim dialect of Sindarin is also spoken to a lesser extent. Of course phrases are traded and after awhile most residents speak at least two languages, similar to other large elven strongholds.

The Beleriand and traditional Sindarin modes of Tengwar as well as earlier Sindarin writing systems are used with the Beleriand mode becoming most common. There is also a system of pictographs invented by the Falathrim which is used primarily for recording weather, sea conditions and other natural phenomena as well as directions and travel instructions. There are a small number of dwarves who speak their own language, specifically a dialect of two groups in the Ered Luin and surrounding communities to the East.

Food is typically served on ceramic plates. The River Narog is rich in clay deposits and both Noldor and Sindar craftspeople in Nargothrond are highly talented potters working with red clay. Orange from alder bark, yellow from dyers greenweed for yellow, and woad for greens and blues along with imported dyes and pigments were used to decorate dishes, often with scenes and stories. The woods around Nargothrond was called the forest of the hunters and presumably hunting was practiced especially as we know Finrod took place in hunts before its founding. Most if not all meat in Nargothrond comes from hunting, likely primarily venison, rabbits and game birds such as pheasants. The woods and fields also provided the opportunity for foraging and the cultivation of edible plants including daylilies, stinging nettle, wild spinach, juneberry, chestnut, hazel, and wild garlic. Rowan berries which we know are canonically found in the region are made into jellies.

The architecture of Nargothrond is a combination of inspiration from Menengroth with input from Finrod’s dwarven allies who helped build it. Finrod was also inspired by his memories of the spacious, often communal homes of the Teleri, though the landscape was quite different, similar materials were used including clay and limestone. (In Valinor the clay was an import from the mountains though by Nargothrond it was collected from the river)

One favored tradition in Nargothrond was the annual hunting trip taken in the wooded hills outside the fortress itself. Dwarves who had aided in the building often traveled back for this event and feast. Trade was discussed and gifts exchanged. The event is in late autumn and corresponds with both a Noldor harvest festival and dwarven celebration of the full moon which began shortly after the first moonrise.

[panthertown]

My milkweed is blooming and the bugs are going nuts. I love my milkweed patch, they are the absolute queens of my garden, though I wasn't exactly prepared for how rapidly they spread. It's fine tho they are so showy and they smell amazing.

My new daylilies are blooming too and I love them 🥺 we have some orange ones by the driveway and I think when it cools off today I'll dig them up and replant them here. I'm growing them as a food crop! The roasted tubers are honestly delicious and it's one thing I've found that the fucking groundhogs won't eat.

Last year I planted some blue star creeper in between the flagstone around the firepit, and this scheme is working out okay. The previous owner did not put a weed barrier down when he laid this rock patio. Toward the top of the first photo u can see how bad the grass gets lol. The blue star creeper will spread if I go down there once a week and pull up weeds at the edges of its growth area, which is annoying, but as aggressive as it is it doesn't stand a chance against all the violets. If I keep at this for a couple years it'll carpet the whole firepit area and make it look very magical-fairy-forest.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Hi hi! Still a bit hyper! Not sure if you saw this one, yet. Sorry if you have!

What are your & the Dorfbots & Botmise's favorite flowers? Top 5 overall categories, whether by color or by type. I, personally, really like lilies, irises, orchids, gladiolus, fuschias, sakuras, wisterias, roses, water lilies, & other similar flowers. But if a flower is purple, pink, blue, or twotoned/gradient, then I'm more likely to like it.

For specifics, I especially love stargazer lilies. For instance, Oriental Stargazers like Asiatic Forever Susans & Goldband Lilies, & roselilies or double lilies like Anouska Lilies & Magic Stars. I also like tiger lilies & daylilies. For irises, I love bearded irises, Siberian irises, purple Dutch irises, & so on. Orchids just, in-general, are gorgeous, period. Most gladiolus are also super pretty, but I especially like purple, pink, & orange ones.

See this? Forever Susan.

Ansouka Lilies:

Gladioluses (I also really just love their symbolism & stuff):

And, here's fuschias:

But, I think you'll like blue lagoon lilies:

I’m sure that some of the Dorfs would like holiday cactus flowers, any variety of Selenicereus & Epiphyllum cactus flowers (TP might especially miss the Night-Blooming Cereus & the Queen of the Night, a.k.a. Selenicereus undatus & Selenicereus grandiflora, respectively, the flowers that grows from Voltfruit Cacti), the Mother of Millions succulent flower (Kalanchoe delagoensis).

Holiday cacti:

Cereus:

Mother of Millions:

The Queen of the Night would likely be an especially profound memory for most as they only bloom once a year & when they do, it's en masse in a dramatic display. Not to mention, they are known for being very big, beautiful, & especially fragrant before wilting at dawn. (I imagine that the Gerudo would have their own flower-viewing festival of sorts specifically for it for this very reason, as well as due to moths & keese, as well as ordinary bats, flocking to them during that time. I imagine my Everlost Moths being the moths that would do so, as they're fairly large & known for glowing a light aqua blue at night. It would likely also act as a signal for Gerudo sericulturists that the next harvest season was on its way, which is always something to look forward to as it means an economic increase for the Gerudo. Not to mention, the visual display is likely absolutely enchanting under the light of the full moon.)

Though, I think that WW would likely be fond of the Exotic Flower (which I refer to as Morning Clareta, a type of Echinocereus) as it appears to resemble a very specific type of rainbow cactus which might remind him of the cacti of his homelands.

At the same time, I’m sure that there’d be other sorts of flowers they’d like too. Whether it be due to symbolism, floriographic meaning, or simply finding them to be aesthetically pleasing. Though, I very much doubt that TotK would like Silent Princesses or Sundelions due to their association with Princess Zelda & Queen Sonia.

For me, I think that WW & TotK would appreciate the quiet, dignified beauty & elegance of sakura blossoms. (Would they be called Satori blossoms, here? Hmm...)

I really like all flowers! Never had a chance to think about a favorite. I do like those blue lagoon lillies! Forever Susans look very pretty. Um, Sweet Williams are nice. I loved them as a kid cuz they share the same name as my dad. I really like Succulents, just cuz I have a black thumb and kill all other plants XC But Succulents can look very pretty as well!

************************************************************************

The Ganondorfs (from Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Hyrule Warriors, and Tears of the Kingdom) and Demise have distinct personalities and styles, which would also influence their favorite flowers. Here's a breakdown of their preferences:

Ganondorf (Wind Waker)

Favorite Flower Types:

Sakura (Satori blossoms equivalent) – He would admire their fleeting beauty and quiet elegance, appreciating their subtle symbolism of impermanence and transience.

Exotic Flowers (Morning Clareta) – The resemblance to a rainbow cactus from his homeland would stir a sense of nostalgia, reminding him of the desert’s resilience.

Night-Blooming Cereus (Queen of the Night) – The dramatic bloom and intoxicating fragrance would captivate him, mirroring his own dramatic presence and deep power.

Irises (Purple varieties) – Symbolizing royalty, valor, and wisdom, irises would resonate with his regal nature and determination.

Lotus – Symbolizing rebirth, the lotus’s persistence in blossoming from the mud would mirror his endless pursuit of dominance.

Ganondorf (Ocarina of Time)

Favorite Flower Types:

Black Roses – Symbolizing mystery, death, and power, their dark beauty aligns with his darker nature and ambition.

Irises (Purple and Blue) – Their association with valor, royalty, and strength would speak to his vision of himself as a powerful ruler.

Gladiolus (Red and Orange) – Representing strength and moral integrity, these flowers embody his tenacity and fiery willpower.

Desert Flowers (Cacti blooms) – Any cactus flowers, specifically ones that bloom briefly but intensely, remind him of the harsh desert life.

Hibiscus (Red) – They represent passion and fierce beauty, which aligns with his own forceful approach to life and conquest.

Ganondorf (Twilight Princess)

Favorite Flower Types:

Night-Blooming Cereus (Queen of the Night) – These would hold a special place in his memory of the Gerudo homeland, blooming under moonlight and symbolizing the secretive and powerful.

Blood Lilies (Red Lilies) – Their deep red symbolizes both bloodshed and fierce vitality, which resonate with his combative spirit.

Holiday Cactus Flowers (Selenicereus and Epiphyllum varieties) – The rugged beauty of these blooms during harsh conditions would reflect his own endurance.

Wisteria – The drooping elegance of wisteria symbolizes devotion, something he would see as essential in loyalty and power.

Blue Orchids – Symbolizing rarity and strength, their unusual beauty appeals to his tastes for the extraordinary.

Ganondorf (Hyrule Warriors)

Favorite Flower Types:

Gladiolus (Purple, Red, Yellow) – Signifying moral strength, honor, and remembrance, these bold and upright flowers reflect his commanding nature in battle.

Tiger Lilies – Symbolizing wealth and pride, their fierce appearance and vibrant colors match his explosive presence and ego.

Golden Sunflowers – Their strong stalks and radiant blooms echo his desire for dominance and superiority.

Irises (Purple) – Associated with valor and royal lineage, these would align with his aspirations for absolute power.

Dahlias (Dark Red or Purple) – Symbolizing elegance, inner strength, and commitment, dahlias fit his need for both refinement and power.

Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom)

Favorite Flower Types:

Desert Lotus – The idea of beauty rising from adversity would align with his personal journey and desire to reshape the world.

Irises (Blue and Purple) – Their symbolism of wisdom, hope, and royalty fits his vision of himself as the true ruler of Hyrule.

Blood Lilies – These bold flowers represent sacrifice, power, and vitality, something he would view as essential in his conquest.

Acanthus (Bear’s Breeches) – Symbolizing immortality and eternal power, the regal and fierce look of acanthus appeals to his grandiose ambitions.

Silent Princess – While he may not like its association with Zelda, he would acknowledge its symbolism of rarity, persistence, and strength, all qualities he believes he possesses.

Demise

Favorite Flower Types:

Blood Lilies – Representing the essence of bloodshed, power, and life-force, they align with his desire for destruction and dominance.

Dragon Lilies – Symbolizing otherworldly strength and mythical power, they appeal to his god-like persona.

Orchids (Black, Red) – Their exotic and dark beauty symbolizes mystery and strength, qualities Demise prizes.

Nightshade – A poisonous flower, symbolizing danger and darkness, would suit his malevolent nature.

Bromeliads (Red, Orange) – Their spiked, fiery appearance represents the force of nature and destruction that Demise embodies.

Each version of Ganondorf, along with Demise, would be drawn to flowers that represent power, mystery, beauty, and resilience. They share an appreciation for flowers with dramatic blooms or bold colors that symbolize their strength and ambitions.

[spunknbite]

South Downs, revisited

The garden faces south.

Wisteria and lavender. Borders of delphinium. Brilliant violet asters, peonies and shock-white hydrangeas. Hostas that could use splitting come spring. Hollyhocks thriving, standing ten feet easy. Lady’s Mantle, climbing roses, snap dragons. Yarrow, a lot of yarrow.

Grow you a garden. Start from seed, from the beginning, the inception. Dirt under fingernails, cracked terracotta pots, noon sun high. Watch stalks rise and flowers bloom, creation, something new and whole and yours.

There’s lattice-work arches too. A little neglected, water-warped wood imprinted with decades of climbing tendrils tattooing the grain. The clematis has fallen back, overstretched and thinning at the apex, but still the stains of its vines remain on the wood, revealing past summers. The patio stones that dot the perimeter are smoothed almost slippery from years of use and rain. Initials are carved in the trunk of the overgrown birch that shadows the back gate. SM + RB dug deep in testament, a fine layer of moss creeping at the edges.

Loved, this garden was loved by its former caretakers. Could be loved again, certainly.

There’s room enough to spread out. Add some colour — daylilies, cosmos, bellflowers. Coax some ivy up the brick. Mint as ground cover, along with flowering thyme, lily of the valley, phlox. 

He could build an awning off the back wall, offer some more cover. Move the hostas – they’d be happier under the protection. Plant some astilbes, coral bells, some begonias in the summer. Add a few lounges, a place for an angel to read while it storms. 

Maybe an apple tree, if he’s feeling bold.

-----

“I quite miss the country,” Aziraphale says one afternoon. A sip of tea, the familiar clink of cup on saucer. “It’s been centuries.”

“Tadfield?”

“Centuries since I’ve holidayed properly. The occasional day trip hardly counts.”

“You can’t leave this shop.”

“Not permanently, maybe just to get some air. See the sky again.” Saucer meets desk. A smile his way, blue eyes alight,

“And I will make thee beds of Roses  And a thousand fragrant posies,  A cap of flowers, and a kirtle  Embroidered all with leaves of Myrtle”

“For Satan’s sake, you’re invoking Marlowe of all people?”

“And why shouldn’t I? Just because he’s been a smidge overshadowed by —”

“You know he was an atheist, angel?”

“Even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

“And that broken clock can write poetry too?”

“Quite.”

The bell above the shop door rings, and Aziraphale is off. 

-----

The third bedroom is just a nook really; it peaks out of a dormer window overlooking the back garden. It has built-in shelves along one wall, inset and bordered with the sort of colonial crown moulding that Crowley imagines only Aziraphale would truly appreciate. Grandmotherly; shelves seemingly meant to house sun-faded doilies and ceramic cats.

But it could be a library. Granted, a small one, but there was space enough for a collection of the essentials with room to spare under the window for a desk. An angel must keep up with his correspondence, after all. 

Dear angel, he’d written once, centuries ago. Then scribbled it out.

Dear angel, he’d written again, not long after. Then burned it.

Dear angel, he’d written again and again and again. Wasted paper made pulp made paper again, never sent.

-----

He buys the damned cottage. 

Dumb idea. Impulsive, really. Like a lot of what he did, what he still does — gets a notion in his demonic skull and just charges on, unencumbered by reflection. As if he trusts some higher power is looking out for him, has his back – the absurdity of it. Once upon a time before the beginning of the world, he’d sauntered vaguely downward without really considering all the consequences, the ramifications of it all; hadn’t weighed and measured, worked out the celestial maths. No, he made a choice and paid for it without knowing the price.

(he would have kept sauntering on anyway, knowing where it would ultimately lead — earth and humans and their wonderful cars and Aziraphale and and and — but he hadn’t known then, couldn’t have known, just what shape his damnation would take, and that was rather the point; he was a careless idiot)

Here too, on earth. We can run away together — Alpha Centauri. Get an idea, a cocked up, stupid thought and go all in on it. 

The Bentley, raging down London streets. A sharp, nearly blind corner. Is there oncoming traffic? Could he stop if he wanted to? Who’s even in control, has he ever been? Has he gone from one master to another to another?

You go too fast for me, Crowley.

So he buys the damned cottage, because what else can he do?

-----

Aziraphale gets in the elevator and Crowley gets in the Bentley. He doesn’t know where he’s going, but it’s not South Downs.

Also on ao3 for anyone interested.

[9thbutterfly]

I think I will *need* to sell at a plant market next year, because even without starting seeds specifically for that, there are so many perennials that need dividing, and will need a new home. Nothing terribly exciting - daylilies, asters, some kind of sedge, montbretia, sweet Woodruff, yellow archangel, dusky cranesbill (which doesn't so much need dividing as is self-sowing in the lawn)

I could dig up a few raspberries too, and wineberry and blue raspberry, maybe some gooseberries unless I've trimmed off all the branches that touched the ground and rooted...

Oh and plenty of houseleeks, and so many mints ... Canna and oxalis...

Would be pretty easy to take cuttings of my tradescantias and pelargoniums, too.

I do need to set up the shed for that (and for starting seeds) but yeah I will need to do that anyway to overwinter the plants I kept at the nursery previously. Tidy it up to make space, insulate it as much as possible, buy something to heat it with... At least it has enough windows that I shouldn't need lights.

[eiseryn]

I may be cringe but I am free -- my thoughts when designing/making these very self indulgent OCs that may not be canon for the intentions they were supposed to be made for. (I wonder who's designs I based them off of/ who their parents are supposed to be? Sure a mystery isn't it 🤔🤔🤔)

Anyways meet these fraternal twin sisters, Yuelan (moon, orchid) and Mingxuan (tomorrow, daylily). Their names are Chinese characters and are supposed to be similar to each other since they are twins after all! They do not look that similar in appearance, taking from different aspects of their intended parents, but, I imagine they are still very very close. Yuelan was originally supposed to be the older, taller one who acts like the younger sister, while Mingxuan was supposed to be the shorter, younger one who is more responsible and acts like the older sister BUT... I might just swap the seniority here XD

Yuelan's design comes from me wanting to make her like a cat girl, specifically to look like a Russian blue cat (with the blue hair, green eyes). I even gave her little cat ear buns to make her more catgirl-like, although she might wear catgirl headphones when she has her hair just down. Personality-wise, she's shy and socially anxious, but this makes her come across as cold/rude sometimes -- but inside she's always internally panicking when she needs to speak to people. This is why she hides behind her sister and has Mingxuan talk for her the majority of the time. She is intended to be a hacker/decker but I have yet to determine how exactly she got that sort of training. Her theme colour is mostly blue, as you might be able to tell.

Mingxuan's design is intended to be based off of feathers/angels, although she might have some leafy green plant aesthetics too! I gave her some crosses/plus signs (whatever you want to call it) in her ears as earrings, as her pupil, and as a necklace on her neck because guess what? She's a healer/ doctor in training! (I imagine she is trained by not only her mom but her aunties XD). Personality-wise, she is friendly and charming -- she likes to tease her younger siblings as well as hot people. She is definitely much more sociable, and pleasant to talk to in general. Her theme colour is dark green mostly, and I want her to have very earthy tones, although she likely usually dresses in black and white and is quite practical about the types of clothes she wears.

I also want to design a younger son (4-6 years younger than these two) who may be named Ceres who is heavily doted on by the rest of his family for being the baby. He would have a very chill, nonchalant personality and probably be some sort of driver. 👀 Maybe I will draw him soon. I imagine similar to his sisters, he has a cool colour palette -- likely dying his hair purple, and his eyes will likely be green. Or for funsies he could have heterochromia and have 1 green eye and 1 brown eye who knows XD I'll figure it out when I design him. I want him to be very catboy like and quite similar to his father so that they'll be like yup... that's his son alright.

Well but you know this is self indulgent IDK if they'll be allowed/ get to have children :') But it would be Lei's dream so who am I but a vessel to portray my OC's wishes.

Do not perceive my horrible Chinese writing I never learned how to write properly.

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

God, I’m so looking forward to planting season. It just does something to me. Motivates me like nothing else. And rewarding, too. I get snacks out of it, because everything I grow has at least one known edible use, and some of them happen to be edible raw! I love chewing on the leaves of my alliums and willowherb, popping a violet or columbine flower into my mouth, the freshness of young mint leaves.

Everyone who visits my garden gets to have some. Sometimes I bring some into work for my bestie, and the time my other bestie came to visit she was like “you keep feeding me” as I was showing her around the garden. My aunt also relayed a similar experience to my grandparents. I like to share the fruits of my labour, what can I say?

But what I’m really looking forward to is my spring pasta sauce. This involves a mass weeding of sow thistle, prickly lettuce, dandelions (I’m happy to have them in the lawn but they can be a bit much in the beds), daylilies (common garden plant, but not native fairly invasive and therefore not welcome in my garden), and garlic mustard. Plus the tips and tops and shoots and young leaves of various garden plants, including white prairie sagewort, golden alexanders, slender nettle, bride’s feathers, Canada garlic, starry onion, nodding onion, ramps, yarrow, wild chives, harebell, ostrich fern, lady fern, Christmas fern, berry bladder fern, sensitive fern, male fern, Canada goldenrod, Virginia bluebells, common tall sunflower, stiff sunflower, swamp milkweed, Virginia creeper, riverbank grape, Virginia mountain mint, fringed blue aster, smooth aster, trout lily, wild basil, and whatever else I decide is ready to add.

I put them in a tomato sauce, add some chopped garlic, basil, oregano, and cayenne pepper, and any pasta of my choice. It is not a delicate flavour at all. Not painfully so, but definitely elicits a “whoa” every spring.

This year I also want to experiment: while garlic mustard and sow thistles are certainly tasty weeds, there are other prolific weeds in my garden that are not so inviting. One of them is a milkweed relative, dog-strangling vine, and it, like milkweeds, is poisonous. Unlike milkweeds, it is not considered edible. Milkweed poison is fairly easily removed by cooking or at most by boiling in a change of water. I suspect dog-strangling vine may be similar to the more potent milkweeds and I intend to put that theory to the test. I will first try boiling it in three changes of water, as this is considered enough for various otherwise poisonous plants, and chewing just a little for a minute and spitting it out. If that has no adverse reaction, I will try consuming a small bit. If that has no reaction I will try a little more, and keep going until I get a mild reaction or don’t. If I conclude that young shoots of dog-strangling vine are edible after boiling in three changes of water, I’ll work my way down. Once I’ve determined what’s safe, that will decide whether they join the spring pasta sauce.

[johannwolfgangvongoethe]

quick post about flowers in the new MV’s. i love plants but i dont know a thing about hanakotoba so you have to look things up!

Dawning Angels:

i think most of the things on top are purely ornamental. the truly noteworthy things here are:

pink daylilies

orange lupin

red poppy

not sure about the poppy. the leaves on the stem dont match at all. but i am fairly certain its supposed to be poppy. 

blue rose motifs all over the outfit. blue roses do not exist in nature! they symbolize something unobtainable/a wish that cannot be.

Twilight Pentagram:

Rei: strelitzia Wataru: tiger lily Natsume: pink spider lily Kanata: magnolia Shu: peony

shu’s MIGHT be roses but i think they are peonies, based on the shape of the (forked) leaves. in this drawing style its impossible to tell them apart by their blossoms and both have endless crossbreeds with blossoms in any shape and size. also peonies symbolize bashfulness i think? and that fits shu <3

theyre mirrored on the floor and are a lot easier to make out there!

[sunspray-peak]

Ch. 9: Orange Groves in Zuzu City

WEDNESDAY - SPRING 17

Strawberry Farms was looking great. 

Of course, it didn’t really look like a farm. There were, despite Demetrius’ insistence, still no strawberries (the seeds Achilles had purchased were in a kitchen drawer, stubbornly long forgotten), but the land was fully cleared and ready for planting. 

Along the newly painted and reinforced porch, orange and yellow daylilies crept alongside fluffy pink peonies that were just beginning to blossom. The blue geraniums likely wouldn’t bloom until next season, but their crowded, bushy stems still waved merrily in the bed he had dug out and mulched. 

In a moment of weakness while scrolling through the online flower catalogue, Achilles had splurged on two bleeding heart bushes to plant in the shadow of the greenhouse once it was completed. As a lifelong city dweller—he had been forced to impatiently defend himself to Shane who had shaken his head in dismay at the garish sight—he couldn’t help it if he was a sucker for a funny looking plant. 

The two had spent the morning rolling the last of the debris to the mine carts before Shane said they should call it a day. “We both deserve a little break,” Shane had grunted before leaving for Joja. Fair enough. It had, after all, been near nonstop physical labor for over half the season. 

That being said, Achilles did not particularly thrive on breaks. But the remaining items on the Sacred To-Do List required either a second hand or tools he didn’t yet have, so after repositioning the new garden gnome the 80th time (gaudier—and dare he say tackier—than his usual tastes, but just so amusing with his funny little hat!), Achilles was finally forced to conclude that, yes, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to take a “break.” 

“Unless you spirits have any other ideas?” he asked his invisible watchers, flicking a spot of dirt off the gnome’s nose. He hadn’t seen any junimos in a few weeks now. Perhaps it had been all in his head…

Idleness and anxiety were synonymous for him, so, with only the smallest stir in the pit of his stomach, Achilles decided it was time he took up Alex’s offer and visit the gym in Zuzu City. Perhaps, he also realized with a stroke of inspiration, he could stop by a hardware store and take a look at some paint chips. He had been considering repainting. Yellow and red were such boring, cliched colors for a farmhouse… 

He was, unsurprisingly, the only one on the bus, and took an aisle seat near the back.

A handful of elderly folks got on at Moonmist Meadows, a significantly larger, more suburban town than Stardew Valley that housed the elementary and middle schools for the three outlying towns outside of Zuzu. From there, the bus trundled off along the two lane highway, pulling into the city fifteen minutes later. 

Achilles had never been before, but had heard the villagers reference “the city” and its grid ball stadium occasionally. Sam had once shared his family used to live there before wanting to move somewhere “quieter,” so he had assumed Zuzu must’ve been livelier than the country towns surrounding it. Suffice to say, as Achilles stepped out of the bus, he was rather disappointed. 

A handful of high rises (if you could even call them that) dotted the landscape, two or three towers in a sea of squat, brick boutiques, coffee shops, and family owned businesses. It was a dense and walkable little grid, but unlike in Hyacinthia, the streets were quiet and the sidewalks here wide and clean as a whistle. Achilles very rarely had to break his step to allow a hurried office worker or shopper to pass. Neatly trimmed hedges lined the curb, their tiny white flowers punctuating the gas and coffee-tinted air with their rich, sweet scent. But despite the vegetation, Moonmist just didn’t feel alive. 

It was much too quiet for a city—not as quiet as Stardew, whose silence he found disconcerting at times, but still—no buskers, no honking horns, no sirens… 

Glancing at the map he had snapped a photo of on his phone, Achilles headed down two streets and to the right, onto 2nd Avenue where he found, under the branches of a literal orange tree, Orange Grove Fitness. 

A little bell announced his arrival, causing the woman at the front desk to look up from her paperwork. 

“Hi, welcome to Orange Grove!” 

Achilles gave a quick wave and glanced around. The lobby was well lit and clean; a handful of orange cushioned chairs lined the walls, their reflections visible in the gleam of the dark hardwood floors. 

“I’m… here for a class.” Achilles grabbed a little calendar from a neat stack on the counter. “With Alex Mullner?”

“Oh sure! Here a little early, though, his next class isn’t for another 20. First time?” The girl—Megan was her name, according to her name tag—stood from her chair and handed him a bright orange clipboard. “Just got some forms here for ya, if you don’t mind. You can take a seat anywhere.” She waved her arms towards the chairs. 

It seemed like he was getting himself into a cycling class, according to the schedule. Well, better cardio than strength, he thought, as he checked down a row of boxes. His arms hadn’t stopped feeling numb since his tumble down the mines. 

“We’ve got several different membership plans,” Megan said when he returned the form. She handed him a piece of cardstock detailing the different tiers. “Depending on if you want certain classes, 24/7 access to the gym, access to the pool, private training, all of the above, two of the above, you name it, we’ve got something. Of course, first class today will only be $25 for ya as a part of our trial special, but if you’re interested in anything else, you just let me know.” 

“Great, thank you.” 

“You know Alex?” She had filed away his paperwork and was now putting together a new clipboard. 

Achilles nodded. “We’re neighbors.” 

“Oh, no way! You’re from Stardew?” She wiped the pen he had used with a sanitizing wipe with a quick flourish. 

“I moved there at the beginning of the season. It’s just for a bit.”  

“Oh, that’s so great, Alex will be so excited.” Megan set the new clipboard alongside two others on the counter. “You’re the first person from the Valley to check out his new class. He’s worked here for four or so years and the owners finally decided to ask him to design one. Wouldn’t stop talking about it for a week, I kept telling him, you should’ve just asked…” 

The phone began to ring and she gave him a friendly wave. “You go on take a seat, it’ll just be a few more minutes.” 

*****

People began to file in en masse about ten minutes later—regulars, it seemed, who smoothly scanned their IDs at the counter before heading past the front desk down the hall. 

Achilles, after receiving an enthusiastic thumbs up from Megan who was on the phone again, followed the little crowd into a room on the right where he could see Alex at the doorway, greeting each arrival with a high five.

As Achilles neared, Alex’s face broke into an even wider smile. 

“Hey, hey, hey, the man of the hour!” Achilles found himself pulled into a quick half-hug, the touch of Alex’s firm hand on his back sending a prickle racing through to his fingertips. “Glad you could make it!” 

Two dozen bikes or so were neatly arranged in a bright room; natural light poured through a window taking up most of the opposite wall, a yellow tinting film somewhat lessening the glare on the mirrored wall facing them. Bright green fans with blades shaped like leaves hung from the ceilings. 

Damn, this is a nice fucking gym… 

Achilles took a bike in the back row, close to the corner. Nodding politely to his neighbor, he hopped deftly onto the orange cushion and tucked his water bottle into the holder in front of him. 

The room was soon full (with mostly women, Achilles couldn’t help but notice), and after a short, animated kickoff speech from Alex, pop music blared through the speakers and they started the warm up. 

*****

Having been absolutely determined not to sweat any more than necessary—see, this is why he had always erred towards solo sports; nobody looked more vulnerable than a sweaty, harried, visibly exhausted victim—Achilles was pleased to find that his six years of jogging had transferred easily to the bike. Of course, he probably could’ve upped the resistance a bit more, like Mr. Marathon over to his left, who was huffing and puffing as he wheezed along to Dylan Brisk’s latest Top 10 hit, but hey, Achilles still had a whole afternoon ahead of him. Couldn’t afford looking like a wreck while scrutinizing paint chips, especially when Alex was looking so… good.

Remarkably unfair. Neither out of breath nor red with exertion, Alex accompanied his instructions with his usual easy, bright-eyed smile, every hair on his head still perfectly held in place.     

The class ended with a light cool down. Pushing his hair back with his hand in an attempt to stealthily wipe the sweat off his forehead, Achilles delicately unstuck himself from the seat. His legs weren’t the consistency of jello per se, but definitely on the wobblier side as he went to grab some disinfectant wipes from the tree shaped dispenser next to the window. 

Alex, still full of energy after cycling for an hour and shouting countdowns and the various motivations and encouragements that good instructors ought to do, was now chatting with one of the members, a blonde girl in perfectly coordinated blue camo workout gear. She did not look particularly sweaty, to Achilles’ vague irritation. 

Achilles eyed the two with just the tiniest hint of envy (well, at least you’re self-aware). He took his sweet time wiping down the bike—the handholds, the seat, even the bottle holder, hey, his fingers had touched that, too… — and waited for her to leave. 

A hand on the shoulder there, a brush on the arm accompanied by a bubbly, high-pitched laugh… ugh. The blonde was likely a regular, but even then, given Alex’s lack of reciprocation, her overt familiarness seemed to be making most folks uncomfortable, to Achilles’ relief (see, it’s not just you), as the rest of the class keenly interrupted the two to say goodbye as they filtered out. 

Even Mr. Marathon was shaking his scarlet face, cocking an eyebrow at Achilles in shared disbelief as he offered up a fist bump and strolled away. 

Alex, who was now leaning away on his back leg against his bike as the girl chattered on, hands loosely holding the loop of his water bottle, met Achilles’ gaze and smiled. He didn’t end the conversation, though—it was another two minutes before her friends called her name. But finally, she trotted out, and it was just them two in the warm, orange-cast room. 

“Sheeeesh.” Achilles said, eyeing the door. 

Alex held a pointer finger to his upturned lips, but his eyes were twinkling. Achilles obliged, and only after a pause whereupon Alex began to re-wipe down all the bikes, did he continue. 

“That happen every class?” 

“Eh, sometimes. Doesn’t usually go on for that long. Luckily,” he had moved on to the second row, “Professional ‘decorum’ gives me a believable excuse to, and I’m quoting here, turn down any potential romantic advances.”

“You’re not allowed to date the members?” 

“Oh, I’m allowed, just not ‘encouraged’ is I think the word the rules say, and that’s been a good enough excuse whenever it starts getting too direct. But hey,” Alex turned to face him, arms outstretched above his head, “What’d you think of the class?” 

“Great! Really great, I haven’t biked in ages. I mean, did I hate the arm portion? A little bit, didn’t realize we did that in cycling classes. But have to say, loved the music… yeah, best class I’ve taken…” 

Achilles followed Alex out into the hall where they both disposed of their wipes in a tree trunk-themed trash can. 

“Oh yeah? You better put that in the survey.” Alex had walked him to the lobby. “Spent two weeks crafting that playlist and routine, you know. Keep trying to get Sam or Penny to stop by, but it doesn’t work great with their schedules…” 

“So, Achilles, how’d it go? Interested in a membership?” Megan was still at the desk, her deft fingers already holding a new clipboard (this one green) at the ready.  

“Ah…” Achilles glanced at Alex, who was now swiveling lazily in the chair next to Megan’s. He was leaning back, his long legs spread, sneakered feet planted into the floor as he tossed an orange stress ball between his hands. Achilles didn’t want to disappoint him, but… “It was great class, but not at this time.” 

“Ah-sheel, actually, Meg, it’s French.” Alex rolled the “r” (very not-French of him), his green eyes dancing, hands now grasping his knees as he clumsily rolled himself forward. “Not a knock against me or my class, for the record, Mr. Orange Grove, if you’re listening. He’s just in the Valley for the rest of the season and then he’s outta here like the traitor he is.” 

Grateful that Alex understood, Achilles nodded and went to refill his water bottle at the tank next to the front counter. Megan nodded as well, returning the green clipboard behind the desk. 

“Yeah, best not insult Mr. Orange Grove right now,” he heard her say to Alex. “Rumor has it Josh might be leaving at the end of the year.” 

“Seriously?” 

“Mmhm, his wife’s apparently looking for a new job on the East Coast… think you’ll apply if he goes?” 

“Nah, being manager seems like way too much work.” 

“It’d be 9-5 though.”

“Yeah, but paperwork? Nah, I couldn’t handle that, no thanks…” 

Achilles returned to stand in front of the two. “Speaking of getting… ‘outta here.’ I thought I’d pick up some things for the farmhouse. Paint and the like. Care to join? Would welcome your thoughts, Shane merely grunts every time I ask him.” 

Alex glanced at his watch, a surprisingly delicate, somewhat feminine, old fashioned thing strapped to his wrist in soft, worn leather. “Got another class to teach in a bit.” Folks were indeed beginning to string in and head down the hall. “Maybe in an hour and thirty or so if that works? I can show you around the city too, if you’d like, maybe we can grab dinner before we head back.” 

“Sure.” Squashing down the single butterfly that had begun to flutter in his stomach. Achilles patted his pockets to make sure he had everything. 

“There’s a cafe across the street.” Megan nodded at a quaint, lavender canopy. “It’s pretty nice if you want to wait and work there. Their earl grey is really good if you’re a tea person.”

“Girl after my own heart, thank you.” Achilles nodded farewell. 

*****

Back in the day, “work” had meant churning out 300 different slogans to headline 50 different versions of an advertisement for produce or the latest store brand cola (he had managed the JojaMart account, and what a nightmare that had been). As he steadily rose up the ranks of BRLO, he had found himself writing less and reading more, but even still, old habits died hard. 

He had meant to spend the hour redesigning the rotting “Strawberry Farms” sign that used to welcome visitors to the property before he had taken it down, but sitting in the bustling coffee shop, pen and pocket notebook in hand, he found himself conducting a little exercise he used to play back in his junior copywriter days. 

A man who hasn’t seen the sun in years finally decides one day to leave the basement where he lives alongside the mummified corpse of his neighbor whose house he’s actually been squatting in, he wrote next to a doodle of a man waiting by the counter in a black trench coat and dark shades who was holding a pastel pink and purple drink with whipped cream in one hand. 

He had actually started doing it—silly, low effort, micro stories of strangers around him—as practice back in middle school when he decided, after much adolescent pondering, that he would perhaps like to be a writer, too, when he grew up. Funnily enough, the habit had fallen by the wayside when he actually did become a published writer, but after getting his creative soul crushed in his first year at BRLO, he had found his way back to it.  

And at a quarter to 4, Alex found his way back to him, dropping into the seat to his left along the back wall. The neon orange uniform was now half-hidden by a faded green letterman, the faint smell of citrus filling the air. 

“Keeping it the same?” He was looking at the various sign designs that Achilles had, eventually, drawn up. “No Banana Farms? Orange Farms? I think Blackberry Farms has a nice ring to it.” 

“I actually did consider changing it.” Achilles passed the notebook over so Alex could take a closer look. “But I’d have to fill out quite a few forms and register new permits, and the new owners may just want to change it anyway. Figured it likely wasn’t worth the hassle.” 

“I like the second one, but they’re all not bad, you know.” He continued to flip through, catching a glimpse of the various doodles and stories. “This all looks very impressive.” 

All not bad. Achilles suppressed a dry chuckle. At least the stories and sketches were “impressive.” 

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask you when you’re going to get into writing again,” he said, handing the notebook back to Achilles who tucked it in his windbreaker. “I know how annoying that can be. And I’m well aware saying that makes it sounds like I just asked when you’ll get back into writing in a sideways sort of way, but I promise I don’t mean it like that.” 

They left the counter, Alex opening the cafe door with his shoulder and motioning for Achilles to exit first. 

“Come on. You wanted paint? I’ll show you around.” 

Zuzu felt even smaller once he was given a guided tour. An art museum, a history museum, the local performing arts theater, and the library were probably the standouts—modern, more imposing buildings of marble and glass crammed jarringly between the brick and mortar mom and pop shops. At a quaint olive oil emporium, Achilles purchased a garlic infused bottle as an additional thank you gift for Evelyn and George. Mostly Evelyn. George’s mood had been just as dismissive during dinner. 

“I have wine, too—should’ve shown up with it on Saturday really, bit of a lapse on my part.” Achilles handed the neatly wrapped box to a lightly protesting Alex. 

On 4th and 2nd, Alex pointed out the grid ball stadium, whose spires were just visible behind the purple neon lights of a karaoke bar. 

“I was so sure I’d end up there one day, you know, but I guess fate had other plans,” he mused just as screams and drums began to erupt from the arena. Seemed like there was a concert going on tonight. 

“Don’t beat yourself up, it’s hard as fuck to go pro.”  

When younger, Achilles had always secretly dreamed of being a sports star—what kid didn’t? The fame, the notoriety, the fans… the visibility of it all, really. And the pure, easy objectivity when it came to deeming who was “great.” So unlike the literary world. Unfortunately, as Alex had proved, nobody gave a shit about fencers and he had never quite been able to break into the national Top 20 for high school tennis, despite all his training (and his parents’ money). 

“Hmm.” Alex frowned. Must be a sore subject. “We should go for a game some time, when the season starts back up.” 

Achilles didn’t care much for grid ball, but the invitation couldn’t help but bring an enthusiastic quirk to his lips anyway. 

Stop that! 

At the hardware store, the two compared paint chips combinations. 

“I want something light, something fresh, but modern,” Achilles explained to the aproned employee who slowly nodded in feigned interest. 

Alex was partial to a sage green. A bold choice, Achilles thought, eyeing the chip, but could perhaps work with a dark grey roof? Or maybe a brown? He asked the young employee for her thoughts, but she merely shrugged. 

He settled on a warm grey in the end—something a bit in the middle, and ordered a delivery for tomorrow morning. 

“Wanna grab dinner?” Alex asked after they stepped out. “Getting a bit late, we could just grab something from the saloon.” 

“Ah, I think it might rain soon.” Achilles had taken note earlier of the dark clouds that had been rolling in. Oh how Ii pained him to turn down a meal with the man, but the thought of sprinting to Pelican Town and back in a thunderstorm made him queasy.

Alex glanced upwards, but only one of them had spent 3rd grade studying the different types of clouds. 

“Huh, all right, I’ll trust you, weather boy—come on, if we run we might make the next bus.” 

Make the next bus they did, and right in time as thunder began to crack just as they took their seats. At Moonmist, a sorrowful, soaked Penny joined them, clambering stiffly into her seat, droplets pooling on the floor. 

“Of a-all d-d-d-ays to stay late,” she stuttered with a breathy laugh. She graciously accepted the letterman Alex offered, her birdlike frame totally engulfed by the green leather. 

“I can grab you two umbrellas.” Achilles, eager to help somehow, glanced over at the two while they waited underneath the bus stop together. “Since the farm is closer. Won’t be a minute.” 

Taking a deep breath, he sprinted out from underneath and was immediately pelted by fat rain drops that splashed against the polyester of his windbreaker, beading up before racing down the sleeves. 

He had just been able to make out the edges of his property when a thought suddenly occurred to him. 

Fuck.

You idiot. 

He sprinted back, choosing to do his penance standing shamefacedly across from the bus stop in the muddy road as rain continued to beat down. 

“I forgot I… don’t have any umbrellas,” he called, looking uncomfortably at the merrily splashing mud. “I’m sorry.” You dumb bitch! This is what you get for being hasty, trying to impress…

But Alex and Penny merely laughed. 

“You think it’ll clear up soon?” Alex called. “Come under the bus stop, Achilles, what’s wrong with you.” 

Achilles peered up, getting a quick glimpse in of the thick clouds continuing to darken the skies overhead, just before a raindrop fell into his eye. 

“No, I think you’ve got a while to go, I’m afraid. But you can come back to my place if you’d like, I’ve got a… frozen pizza. Maybe.”

“Oh yeah, just like you had two umbrellas, right—”

“Listen, at least I said maybe this time—”

“I should head back,” Penny said, her voice ringing through the rain. “I have to fix up dinner for my mom… but thank you for the offer.” 

“I’ll walk you back—and you go on and head back, too, Achilles, get out of here before you get pneumonia or something.” 

With Penny’s squeal, the two raced out from under the bus stop, high tailing it down the muddy path, leaving Achilles to moodily stomp his way back to Strawberry Farms.

At least there had indeed been a frozen pizza in the freezer. Small victories. 

After shoving it in the oven, he changed out of his wet clothes and collapsed in his armchair. What a day. Between the gym and the city tour—the only time he had thought about the farm was at the hardware store. Was this what it was like to live impulsively? He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Then again, to have been able to spend it all with Alex… even with the rain, he might just do it a hundred times over. 

Small victories. 

[tameblog]

Happy Monday GPODers! While February is the shortest month, for many of us in colder climates it can feel like the month that never ends. The excitement of the New Year has waned, and snow fall after snow fall becomes less like festive weather and more like tedious work. We feel spring slowly approaching, but that approach can feel like a torturous crawl. However, here on Garden Photo of the Day, the long final stretch of winter can still be filled with excitement and intrigue. There is always interest to be found, whether we’re reminiscing on past color, highlighting the beauty of quiet winter landscapes, or getting a taste of lusher gardens from warmer climates. Today, we have the latter, with Anne Eshelman showing off the color and life that can be found in her garden in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With just two years in Florida after relocating from Michigan, Anne has learned a lot about gardening in this new climate and is enjoying the fruits of this learning process. Good morning! I love Fine Gardening and have subscribed to print and digital for many years. This time of year there are winter shots and retrospectives. So I wanted to send in some pictures of what is growing now in northeast Florida. After more than 30 years of gardening in suburban Michigan in zone 6a, we relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach in coastal Jacksonville which is zone 9b. I miss my lush peonies, lilacs, daylilies, irises and lilies of the valley (Convallaria majalis, Zones 3–7). And I have had a lot to learn in the past 2 years here. But here’s what is blooming in my garden in January! Some came with the house and were planted 20 years ago, so I don’t have details. These include purple Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11), white camellias, and many azaleas. The ones I planted include pink camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9) (a lavender rose, formal double) blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Zones 9–11), roses (True Bloom® True Sincerity landscape rose [Rosa ‘True Sincerity’, Zones 5–10] and Chrysler Imperial everblooming hybrid tea rose [R. ‘Chrysler Imperial’, Zones 6–10]) and blue salvia. I included butterfly pictures on lantana I planted even though they have left town. We had monarchs for about 6 months, until after thanksgiving! It was fun for my grandchildren to see the real “Very Hungry Caterpillar”! I’m eager to see what will grow this year and if I can attract more species of butterflies! First, a close up of the wonderful pink camellias that Anne planted. From her description of “lavender rose, formal double blooms”, I’m guessing this is the variety Early Wonder® (C. japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9). If I’m correct, these beautiful blooms have been appearing in Anne’s garden since fall, a rare occurrence for Japanese camellias. Next up is a plant that Anna inherited with her new home, the tropical Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11). Northern gardeners might have enjoyed this plant as an annual, or overwinter a potted specimen as a houseplant (it’s particularly lovely trained and pruned into a tree form). But in warmer locations it can be grown as a shrub where the evergreen foliage provides interest year-round. Lastly, the photos Anne mentioned of a Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterfly visiting her lantana plant. Gulf fritillary are also called the ‘Passion butterfly’ because the passionflower is a vital host plant for the species. However, it looks like Anne’s bright yellow lantana has caught its attention—meaning it may be a gold lantana (Lantana depressa, Zones 9–11), which is native to Florida and much loved by butterflies and other pollinators. Another look at that beautiful butterfly enjoying the Florida sunshine and the bounty Anne has provided. A milkweed might be awaiting them in the background as well! Thank you so much for this taste of color and warmth from your garden, Anne! As I look at a weather forecast heavy with snow this week in Connecticut, it is such a treat to see what is growing on the opposite end of the east coast, and it’s a lovely reminder of the color that awaits us in the months to come. Do you garden in a warm or completely frost-free climate? Let’s trade snow snaps for flower photos! I’ll brave the inclement weather to take some photos of the quiet beauty in a fresh snowfall, and hope some of you will take a walk outside and capture some of the plants that are thriving right now. Then we’ll all be able to enjoy a taste of the many wonderful facets of nature. Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds Get your garden certified by the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification application checklist. Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use. Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd² Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes. Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Happy Monday GPODers! While February is the shortest month, for many of us in colder climates it can feel like the month that never ends. The excitement of the New Year has waned, and snow fall after snow fall becomes less like festive weather and more like tedious work. We feel spring slowly approaching, but that approach can feel like a torturous crawl. However, here on Garden Photo of the Day, the long final stretch of winter can still be filled with excitement and intrigue. There is always interest to be found, whether we’re reminiscing on past color, highlighting the beauty of quiet winter landscapes, or getting a taste of lusher gardens from warmer climates. Today, we have the latter, with Anne Eshelman showing off the color and life that can be found in her garden in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With just two years in Florida after relocating from Michigan, Anne has learned a lot about gardening in this new climate and is enjoying the fruits of this learning process. Good morning! I love Fine Gardening and have subscribed to print and digital for many years. This time of year there are winter shots and retrospectives. So I wanted to send in some pictures of what is growing now in northeast Florida. After more than 30 years of gardening in suburban Michigan in zone 6a, we relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach in coastal Jacksonville which is zone 9b. I miss my lush peonies, lilacs, daylilies, irises and lilies of the valley (Convallaria majalis, Zones 3–7). And I have had a lot to learn in the past 2 years here. But here’s what is blooming in my garden in January! Some came with the house and were planted 20 years ago, so I don’t have details. These include purple Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11), white camellias, and many azaleas. The ones I planted include pink camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9) (a lavender rose, formal double) blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Zones 9–11), roses (True Bloom® True Sincerity landscape rose [Rosa ‘True Sincerity’, Zones 5–10] and Chrysler Imperial everblooming hybrid tea rose [R. ‘Chrysler Imperial’, Zones 6–10]) and blue salvia. I included butterfly pictures on lantana I planted even though they have left town. We had monarchs for about 6 months, until after thanksgiving! It was fun for my grandchildren to see the real “Very Hungry Caterpillar”! I’m eager to see what will grow this year and if I can attract more species of butterflies! First, a close up of the wonderful pink camellias that Anne planted. From her description of “lavender rose, formal double blooms”, I’m guessing this is the variety Early Wonder® (C. japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9). If I’m correct, these beautiful blooms have been appearing in Anne’s garden since fall, a rare occurrence for Japanese camellias. Next up is a plant that Anna inherited with her new home, the tropical Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11). Northern gardeners might have enjoyed this plant as an annual, or overwinter a potted specimen as a houseplant (it’s particularly lovely trained and pruned into a tree form). But in warmer locations it can be grown as a shrub where the evergreen foliage provides interest year-round. Lastly, the photos Anne mentioned of a Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterfly visiting her lantana plant. Gulf fritillary are also called the ‘Passion butterfly’ because the passionflower is a vital host plant for the species. However, it looks like Anne’s bright yellow lantana has caught its attention—meaning it may be a gold lantana (Lantana depressa, Zones 9–11), which is native to Florida and much loved by butterflies and other pollinators. Another look at that beautiful butterfly enjoying the Florida sunshine and the bounty Anne has provided. A milkweed might be awaiting them in the background as well! Thank you so much for this taste of color and warmth from your garden, Anne! As I look at a weather forecast heavy with snow this week in Connecticut, it is such a treat to see what is growing on the opposite end of the east coast, and it’s a lovely reminder of the color that awaits us in the months to come. Do you garden in a warm or completely frost-free climate? Let’s trade snow snaps for flower photos! I’ll brave the inclement weather to take some photos of the quiet beauty in a fresh snowfall, and hope some of you will take a walk outside and capture some of the plants that are thriving right now. Then we’ll all be able to enjoy a taste of the many wonderful facets of nature. Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds Get your garden certified by the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification application checklist. Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use. Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd² Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes. Source link

[alexha2210]

Happy Monday GPODers! While February is the shortest month, for many of us in colder climates it can feel like the month that never ends. The excitement of the New Year has waned, and snow fall after snow fall becomes less like festive weather and more like tedious work. We feel spring slowly approaching, but that approach can feel like a torturous crawl. However, here on Garden Photo of the Day, the long final stretch of winter can still be filled with excitement and intrigue. There is always interest to be found, whether we’re reminiscing on past color, highlighting the beauty of quiet winter landscapes, or getting a taste of lusher gardens from warmer climates. Today, we have the latter, with Anne Eshelman showing off the color and life that can be found in her garden in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With just two years in Florida after relocating from Michigan, Anne has learned a lot about gardening in this new climate and is enjoying the fruits of this learning process. Good morning! I love Fine Gardening and have subscribed to print and digital for many years. This time of year there are winter shots and retrospectives. So I wanted to send in some pictures of what is growing now in northeast Florida. After more than 30 years of gardening in suburban Michigan in zone 6a, we relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach in coastal Jacksonville which is zone 9b. I miss my lush peonies, lilacs, daylilies, irises and lilies of the valley (Convallaria majalis, Zones 3–7). And I have had a lot to learn in the past 2 years here. But here’s what is blooming in my garden in January! Some came with the house and were planted 20 years ago, so I don’t have details. These include purple Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11), white camellias, and many azaleas. The ones I planted include pink camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9) (a lavender rose, formal double) blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Zones 9–11), roses (True Bloom® True Sincerity landscape rose [Rosa ‘True Sincerity’, Zones 5–10] and Chrysler Imperial everblooming hybrid tea rose [R. ‘Chrysler Imperial’, Zones 6–10]) and blue salvia. I included butterfly pictures on lantana I planted even though they have left town. We had monarchs for about 6 months, until after thanksgiving! It was fun for my grandchildren to see the real “Very Hungry Caterpillar”! I’m eager to see what will grow this year and if I can attract more species of butterflies! First, a close up of the wonderful pink camellias that Anne planted. From her description of “lavender rose, formal double blooms”, I’m guessing this is the variety Early Wonder® (C. japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9). If I’m correct, these beautiful blooms have been appearing in Anne’s garden since fall, a rare occurrence for Japanese camellias. Next up is a plant that Anna inherited with her new home, the tropical Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11). Northern gardeners might have enjoyed this plant as an annual, or overwinter a potted specimen as a houseplant (it’s particularly lovely trained and pruned into a tree form). But in warmer locations it can be grown as a shrub where the evergreen foliage provides interest year-round. Lastly, the photos Anne mentioned of a Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterfly visiting her lantana plant. Gulf fritillary are also called the ‘Passion butterfly’ because the passionflower is a vital host plant for the species. However, it looks like Anne’s bright yellow lantana has caught its attention—meaning it may be a gold lantana (Lantana depressa, Zones 9–11), which is native to Florida and much loved by butterflies and other pollinators. Another look at that beautiful butterfly enjoying the Florida sunshine and the bounty Anne has provided. A milkweed might be awaiting them in the background as well! Thank you so much for this taste of color and warmth from your garden, Anne! As I look at a weather forecast heavy with snow this week in Connecticut, it is such a treat to see what is growing on the opposite end of the east coast, and it’s a lovely reminder of the color that awaits us in the months to come. Do you garden in a warm or completely frost-free climate? Let’s trade snow snaps for flower photos! I’ll brave the inclement weather to take some photos of the quiet beauty in a fresh snowfall, and hope some of you will take a walk outside and capture some of the plants that are thriving right now. Then we’ll all be able to enjoy a taste of the many wonderful facets of nature. Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds Get your garden certified by the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification application checklist. Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use. Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd² Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes. Source link

[angusstory]

Happy Monday GPODers! While February is the shortest month, for many of us in colder climates it can feel like the month that never ends. The excitement of the New Year has waned, and snow fall after snow fall becomes less like festive weather and more like tedious work. We feel spring slowly approaching, but that approach can feel like a torturous crawl. However, here on Garden Photo of the Day, the long final stretch of winter can still be filled with excitement and intrigue. There is always interest to be found, whether we’re reminiscing on past color, highlighting the beauty of quiet winter landscapes, or getting a taste of lusher gardens from warmer climates. Today, we have the latter, with Anne Eshelman showing off the color and life that can be found in her garden in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With just two years in Florida after relocating from Michigan, Anne has learned a lot about gardening in this new climate and is enjoying the fruits of this learning process. Good morning! I love Fine Gardening and have subscribed to print and digital for many years. This time of year there are winter shots and retrospectives. So I wanted to send in some pictures of what is growing now in northeast Florida. After more than 30 years of gardening in suburban Michigan in zone 6a, we relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach in coastal Jacksonville which is zone 9b. I miss my lush peonies, lilacs, daylilies, irises and lilies of the valley (Convallaria majalis, Zones 3–7). And I have had a lot to learn in the past 2 years here. But here’s what is blooming in my garden in January! Some came with the house and were planted 20 years ago, so I don’t have details. These include purple Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11), white camellias, and many azaleas. The ones I planted include pink camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9) (a lavender rose, formal double) blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Zones 9–11), roses (True Bloom® True Sincerity landscape rose [Rosa ‘True Sincerity’, Zones 5–10] and Chrysler Imperial everblooming hybrid tea rose [R. ‘Chrysler Imperial’, Zones 6–10]) and blue salvia. I included butterfly pictures on lantana I planted even though they have left town. We had monarchs for about 6 months, until after thanksgiving! It was fun for my grandchildren to see the real “Very Hungry Caterpillar”! I’m eager to see what will grow this year and if I can attract more species of butterflies! First, a close up of the wonderful pink camellias that Anne planted. From her description of “lavender rose, formal double blooms”, I’m guessing this is the variety Early Wonder® (C. japonica ‘Early Autumn’, Zones 7–9). If I’m correct, these beautiful blooms have been appearing in Anne’s garden since fall, a rare occurrence for Japanese camellias. Next up is a plant that Anna inherited with her new home, the tropical Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11). Northern gardeners might have enjoyed this plant as an annual, or overwinter a potted specimen as a houseplant (it’s particularly lovely trained and pruned into a tree form). But in warmer locations it can be grown as a shrub where the evergreen foliage provides interest year-round. Lastly, the photos Anne mentioned of a Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterfly visiting her lantana plant. Gulf fritillary are also called the ‘Passion butterfly’ because the passionflower is a vital host plant for the species. However, it looks like Anne’s bright yellow lantana has caught its attention—meaning it may be a gold lantana (Lantana depressa, Zones 9–11), which is native to Florida and much loved by butterflies and other pollinators. Another look at that beautiful butterfly enjoying the Florida sunshine and the bounty Anne has provided. A milkweed might be awaiting them in the background as well! Thank you so much for this taste of color and warmth from your garden, Anne! As I look at a weather forecast heavy with snow this week in Connecticut, it is such a treat to see what is growing on the opposite end of the east coast, and it’s a lovely reminder of the color that awaits us in the months to come. Do you garden in a warm or completely frost-free climate? Let’s trade snow snaps for flower photos! I’ll brave the inclement weather to take some photos of the quiet beauty in a fresh snowfall, and hope some of you will take a walk outside and capture some of the plants that are thriving right now. Then we’ll all be able to enjoy a taste of the many wonderful facets of nature. Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds Get your garden certified by the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification application checklist. Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use. Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd² Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes. Source link