Leigh's Garden Party

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality was kind enough to recently have some bloggers "over" for a Garden Party at her home. I loved the idea and thought I would invite you all into my garden for a "Garden Party" of my own. Come on in, ya'll.....


We'll look around......



Oh! Look at that basil. It's so hearty and delicious in so many dishes!



This is my little patio garden. I had to start planting my veggies in pots because the neighbors dogs liked to come and pee on my herbs and poop in the garden. My garden had cost me alot of money and then it was ruined. Big Daddy was NOT happy. None of us wanted herbs in our food that had been peed on. I don't care how much you wash them.

Now I've have had to scale back and plant in the pots. This pot holds some cherry tomatoes. My kids will go out and "pick and pop" them right off of the vine and into their mouths. Also in there is banana peppers, green peppers, lemon balm, cilantro and dill.



This peace lilly sits on my deck. It is shaded, so it is happy. The blooms are popping up everywhere. The lily was a gift from my friend Janet. I think of her when I see it.



My mother bought my this plant. It used to have little white blooms all over it but I almost allowed it to get away from me in the heat. I hope they will return. I planted it in a fountain that my sweet cousin Beckie gave me. I think it looks so pretty in it! Beckie was so kind to give it to me.




This plant was a gift from my friend Deborah. I loved it's little curly leaves. And to my surprise, it even blooms these sweet little dainty pink flowers.



A geranium. The pot it is in was used in mine and Big Daddy's wedding reception. We had several that held ferns. They sat on the buffet tables. Now I put the geraniums in them because where they are receives alot of sun.



This massive tree is a Jade! Ok, this really is an unbelievable story, but it is the honest truth. Big Daddy's great grandmother immigrated to the United States from Italy/Croatia region. She came by boat. Taking with her to the new country, she brought over a jade plant. This jade plant is a direct descendant from that original jade. Grandpa, as mentioned before, has a green thumb. Apparently it was inherited. Grandpa had several jades (as do most all the family members). If you take a single leaf from the jade plant and stick it directly into the dirt, it will grow, as this one did-from Great grandma's jade. We have had this one for 12 years. It was one of Grandpa's. There is no telling how old it is. I need to repot it. But I love it's history.







Thank goodness this little guy has a smile on his face. I was frowning when I saw that the chives growing out of his head had received to much water. I had to give him a haircut. Doesn't he look Hawaiian? He reminds me of that dreaded tiki from the Brady Bunch episode. Remember, it caused alot of trouble? But I like this guy. He makes me smile too.






This is a flowering cactus. Big Daddy's grandfather gave it to us about 8 years ago. When it blooms it has huge star shaped pink flowers on it. And that chair, my friend Deborah gave it to me. Her husband Phil made it. I have good friends. And good family.






I do not know what this is called. My mother gave it to me a couple weeks ago (already in the pot). It is gorgeous with it's green and pink leaves. Hey Mom, if you are reading, look at the middle left, there is new growth or a new plant coming from it.
And I adore my bird girl. I am really quite obsessed with her. My infatuation began about 10 years ago after I read the book, "In the Garden of Good and Evil". Which is a great book, BTW, and it does tie into the theme of gardening.....







Yellow mums. They bloom in several times a year. I got them at Sams in the fall. They came in huge pots for 15 bucks.








Hybiscas. They have huge blooms, about the size of an average plate. They feel so tropical. But I have to take care of them. The beetles like them too.






This pot has a variety of things in it. On the ground blooming all around it, is fresh mint. I love fresh mint in my lemonade, on strawberries, mojitos...but again, now I am afraid to eat it. Polluted. But it smells good.





I don't know what this is called, but I like it's red leaves.





Gardenia Bush. What a glorious smell!






Sage. That little yellow and brown butterfly likes it.





Double Flowering Japanese Karia (I hope I didn't misspell that). It is like forsythia in that it grows like mad and has yellow blooms. I wanted one because as a child my mother had one that grew by my childhood home. I think of it and how pretty it was.







Leigh's Blue Berry Bush. My favorite varieties are Climax and Premier. These varieties seem to be the sweetest to me. I love to go pick at Petals from the Past because you can try the varieties and decide what your favorite is.





Holly Hocks. An heirloom flower indeed. I love these flowers, lifting their mighty heads to the world. They seem so confident, yet still so delicate. Don't they look like a flamenco dancer?





a "garden bunny" hiding amongst the hedges (Wow. They need trimming...)






Purple Salvia (I think it is what it is). Oh, no-needs weedeating....






Lantana. It is so easy to grow. As with everything in my garden, If it isn't easy. I don't grow it.







Portulica (perhaps misspelled). Also called Texas Rose. Oh, these little flowers love the heat. You cannot kill these flowers. I like that!







Hummingbird Love..... For they help my little garden grow.

And that my friends, has been a stroll through my little garden. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. I did. I have said it before time and again, that love is like a garden. If you tend to it is grows and flourishes if not, you have a patch of weeds. That can be said of any relationship.
As I walked through my garden today, I realized that my garden is a simile of my relationships & friendships. And in my garden are little reminders of the special friendships that I have been blessed with. And how they continue to grow and florish. Indeed, I am blessed!

The only thing missing from my garden......a gnome!!!!! Yes, indeed there IS a story there.

Here have a mojito as you meander and stay awhile.



Don't worry!!! That mint didn't come from my garden!!!



It came from Publix! **Kennan** does a fantastic job with the vegetables and herbs there. I don't think you need worry about him contaminating them.



I hope you enjoyed the garden party!

Let me know if you have one too, I love a visit to the garden!









**Kennan-Thanks so much for (once again today) sharing your German Kinder Chocolate (See Kennan link). After this post, I am going to hide myself in my bedroom closet and eat every bit of it! LOL! It was a necessary chocolate day. Thank you for your kindness.