Summer Flower Season - What's In Your Garden?

    Sue and Rick Kiefer live in one of Umatilla's more historic homes. It is a beautiful rural backdrop for the never-ending garden that Rick tends. When he isn't planting vegetables, he is improving the landscape. Over the years, he has cultivated oranges, pineapples, tomatoes, nectarines, and lots of sunflowers as well as other pretty flowers. Sue is very busy as well. She is the lady who runs Tall Pines Soapery and makes things to wash with that look incredible. At present, Rick is having success with his variety of sunflowers including some red ones called Red Sun, yellow ones called Russian Yellow and Gold, Black-eyed Susan, and coreopsis.
    Gardening is certainly keeping Rick in top form, as he does not look his age, even when he does costumed performances as President George Washington, and the yard work keeps him in great shape as well as blessing the Mrs. with lots of pretty flowers to enjoy. Thanks to Sue for sharing the pretty pictures this week. Keep growing!
    There is a native form of perennial sunflowers called beach sunflower or Helianthus debris. It is a ground cover that will attract lots of butterflies. This butterfly-attracting ground cover is perfect for hot, dry sites, including coastal areas.
    It is hard to get any flowers, short of succulents, to grow in the heat of June and July but you can grow fine sunflowers by planting them in mid-August for fall blooming. Get your seeds ordered now, so you will be ready in August to plant.
    Send us a picture of what you are growing this week. We can’t wait to see. You are encouraging others to try growing things as well. Once again, my thanks for the beautiful garden pictures you all share; keep them coming. Please send us pictures of your blooming plants and garden projects to hollynewby1@aol.com or mail them to P.O. Box 1099, Umatilla, FL 32784. We love to share the fun in the garden with others. Keep growing…