Choosing my favorite flower is like picking my favorite grandchild. Love them all, but each has their own time in the spotlight.
Right now, it’s Addy’s time as she is graduating from eighth grade and is so excited about going to high school after ten years (pre-K, K, 1-8th grades) in the same Arizona school with one class of each grade.
In my garden, my favorites of the month are my peonies. Part of peony folklore, and many of our plants have folklore, is that growing peonies ensures a happy life and a happy marriage. It’s working! Kent and I will be married 52 years this summer and our sons still like spending time with us!
What’s great about peonies is that after the blooming time is over, I cut off the faded blooms and what remains are full, green leafy plants that are beautiful focal points in my home landscape. They can live for many years, even longer than the gardener who planted them, so give careful consideration when selecting a place for them to grow. Although it can be done, peonies don’t like to be moved.
If you notice your peony leaves getting a grey fuzzy coating, treat them as soon as possible. Mix a tablespoon each of baking soda, vegetable oil and dish soap (I use a clear one with no dye or fragrance.) in a gallon of water and spray or use a watering can to cover the leaves as completely as possible. Do this every 10-14 days and keep an eye on them all summer. I begin treating them once the blooms are done as a preventative measure. I was distracted one summer and felt the full force of “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Thanks, Ben Franklin!
As I stood admiring my gorgeous peonies, I found myself whistling Stevie Wonder’s tune, “Isn’t she lovely, Isn’t she wonderful…”
I often talk to my plants, but this time thoughts of my precious granddaughter overwhelmed me. “Less than one minute old…” her photo brought me back to being there when she was born and how thankful I am to have her in my life.
