You Grow Girl™

I photographed this flower growing in one of the other plots at the community garden. There are so many fleabanes, I can’t say which one this is with absolute certainty, although I’ll guess daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus).

I’ve come to this conclusion by the following logic: common fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) is a much shorter plant, and horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) has greenish-white flowers rather than pink. This according to my wildflower bible, “National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers Eastern Region“.

I took this photo at my community garden just yesterday where I have a couple of feverfew plants growing. I don’t use them for anything, but like the pretty little flowers. Unfortunately, what I do not like is the invasive nature of this plant and the fact that I have to pull out millions of tiny seedlings in the spring.

And yet I can’t muster up the will to pull them all out. Which means I can expect millions more next spring. And the spring after that.

These ravenous little larvae are also known as skeletonizing leaf beetles. They’re quite pretty with an iridescent blue that shines in the sunlight. I discovered thousands upon thousands feasting on goldenrod, and only goldenrod, in a field yesterday afternoon.

Thankfully they are not in my garden, although one did try to hitch a ride on my pants.

I should amend the title to say, Clematis ‘Vienetta’, Or, Err, At Least I Think.

The genus clematis is certainly not my area by any stretch. I fall into the category of How do you pronounce it? and please don’t hurt me if I’m wrong. Basically the whole culture around clematis kind of freaks me out so I stay away from the plants with a ten foot pole. Please, there’s already enough drama in food gardening.

Mind, I used to be like that about roses too, so I suppose there is hope for me yet.

But my neighbour garden pal Barry, who is very close to needing his own category on this site given how many recent photos were taken in his garden, is a very friendly clematis aficionado who does not jump on your back for your terrible pedestrian ignorance. He almost makes it seem possible. Almost. And the plants he grows very nearly make you want to risk it. But you really don’t have the space anyways, so don’t even go there. And by you, I mean me. Carry on.

We’ve been experiencing an interesting mix of cool days and nights mixed in with warm days this spring, conditions that have not boded well with the basil but has given a boost to my pea crops, especially those up on the roof. I think I’m growing my happiest and healthiest crop ever. I also happen to be growing my largest on the roof where I happily sowed very heavily for no reason other than that I was very eager back in March when winter was just ending its reign of torment for another eight or so months.

This variety, ‘Blue Podded Shelling’ is so beautiful I can’t imagine spring without its cheerful flowers and delicious, tender shoots. I’m extra grateful for these this year since I’m not growing any inedible sweet pea flowers.