Legacy Oaks

Like a lot of our nation, very early on in settlement days, this area in South Central Missouri was highly exploited of natural resources. They were thought to be endless by the European immigrants, and they were treated that way. This country and a lot of Missouri became devoid of most wildlife and basically, deforested. That really is not an exaggeration. It makes a case for a balanced approach when providing natural resources for development and for protecting or encouraging wildlife.

It is interesting to me, that in the 1940's when Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac" was released he even mentions that one of the most endangered and most troubled areas in the nation at that time was the Ozarks. My dad talks about never seeing a deer or a turkey in the wild until he was nearly grown. That's sad. Today he and all of us can enjoy great populations of both and hunt them during season. We gladly follow the rules set by the Missouri Department of Conservation, whose efforts over the years resulted in these and many other "comeback stories".  We may not agree with everything they do, and everything they do isn't always right. But, they do some great things.  

What I'm Working On.....Legacy Plantings

It doesn't really matter what your age is. If you are one of us lucky ones, you have an early memory about a garden. In those memories live plants. Did your grandmother gather the peonies and refrigerate them just before Memorial Day (only we called it decoration day). Did you pick the daffodils each year at your home or at a relative's country home? Did you enjoy the smell of the hyacinths and the fleeting beauty of the bearded iris? What about the shrub roses and old fashioned climbers? 

There are many a memory made in an Ozarks Garden. I am working on an article with photographs that I hope will kindle some of those memories and perhaps inspire you to make some new ones!

Wishing you the best of weeks, wherever you garden. ~JB was here.

Container Time! A Magnificent Palette

We have had what must be, the longest winter on record here, a very slow, slow start to spring, and then today, it's approaching 90 degrees with a high need of some spring rain-we're seven inches behind for the year to date!

But, as optimism is the usual attitude of the gardener (isn't it?) I'm planting away!  Last year in my flowers I had infused a lot of the warm colors. This year I have selected a lot of brights. Chartreuse, Burgundy, Lavender, and Yellow, and Purple. I can't wait to enjoy them all!

I love containers and wanted to share what I have been up to this weekend. Here is one. They should be quite showy when they fill in!  

The classic design for container design is the Thriller, a center or off center plant that reaches up and creates interest, a filler, which can be blooming or foliage for interest and continued beauty, and the spiller, which falls over the side to create balance and a cascading feel to the planter.

Enjoy a few initial views. I'll be back to post more. Enjoy your container garden, wherever you are!

~JB was here.

A Missouri Wildflower Paradise

This year, I'm expecting these little beauties to bloom along with all the other wildflowers I planted last year. 

The beautiful Copper Iris does well in average to wet soil. Here's what the entry at www.mowildflowers.net says about them:

The striking bronze flowers make copper iris easy to identify.  In Missouri, it is found in the southeast corner of the state.  Three petals and three larger petal-like sepals form the classic "fleur-de-lis" shape.  Copper iris is beardless and crestless and has a more flattened flower shape than other irises.

Copper iris is clay tolerant and makes a great addition to rain gardens.  If growing in a perennial bed, make sure the soil is rich and organic.  It may need to be thinned after a few seasons; it spreads via rhizome and can make a very large clump.

Companion plants:  Marsh Milkweed, Rose Mallow, Golden Ragwort, Mist Flower, Palm Sedge, Sweet Coneflower

Uses:  deer resistant, rain gardens, hummingbirds, clay soil
Bloom time:  May

Height:  18 to 24 inches
Space:  16 to 20 inches

Sun:  Full sun to medium shade
Moisture:  Average to wet

Now, I'm hoping that my little garden becomes a wildflower paradise, but if you really want to see one, you need to go to the Missouri Wildflowers Nursery just south of Jefferson City right off highway 54.  What a beautiful, inspirational place! I blogged about my visit last year HERE.

Hot Cocoa Week-I so hereby declare.......

What a terrible weather week we've had, and what a looooooooooong winter! I'm so ready for spring. Last night, after a week of sickness on top of everything else (I've had a terrible headcold) I had this craving for Hot Cocoa. I needed Chocolate and I needed it now.  I decided to try to duplicate the really rich stuff that you treat yourself to, like in a shop or something. Or a really indulgent mix. That must be alot of calories, right?  I was shocked to learn that (the mix I wound up making) really isn't such a diet derailment in terms of calories and definitely NOT fat. 

Julie Brown's All-Natural Indulgent 150 Calorie Hot Cocoa Mix (Makes one Tall Mug)

1/3 cup Non-Fat Instant Dry Milk (80 calories)

1 TBSP Special Dark Cocoa (10 calories)

2 TBSP Powdered Confectioner's sugar (60 calories)

pure vanilla extract to taste 

8 ounces hot water (heated mine to boiling in the microwave) 

Mix that together and you have heaven in a tall mug. I put some whip cream topping on mine. Two tablespoons of the Great Value in a can only adds 15 calories. For a total of 165!  I know. I couldn't believe it either. 

Enjoy!

~JB was here.