miniature garden on coal

I have green thumb.
Plants grow for me, gifting me with their changes, vigor, naps, taste and tickles. nutrition.
I attempt to push the boundaries of where and on what the plants will grow...
A latest great success with such experiments is to grow plants on a pile of coal. Yes, coal from the mountain. A miniature isle of a garden, many folks may miss it - but those who hone on it get a treat. I don't think we will eat this one just give it a good old gander.
This pile and garden are part of my current exhibit in Miami at Dimensions Variable.

the oldest tree in Paris

On a grand trip to France with my mother, Monica, we sought out all types of gardens and gems of the plant world.
This tree is "said to be the oldest tree in Paris — a false acacia brought to France from Virginia in 1601, and now shored up with concrete posts" (New York Times Article, The Hidden Gardens of Paris, June, 2008). Who brought it? Don't know. Whats a false acacia? Its a Black Locust!
Wait a minute... we are from Virginia, and here we are in Paris visiting an old tree from our homeland. Awh. Hello cousin!
So naturally we think to take some seeds back to Virginia and grow them on the farm. Take things full circle! And in 400 more years a french mother and daughter could come visit this tree! Yeah!

It is wonderful that people have made these huge efforts to assist the tree to keep standing, note the flying buttress-like support and another, disguised to look like a tree, with a bark like finish. The real tree trunk is to the left and the support is the trunk on the right. YES to details.
I love you tree. You're lucky to live in Paris- and what you have seen in 400 years...

Kudzu, you crazy old fool

Oh kudzu, you’re so naughty, and how I adore thee….
Covering sides of highways, byways and the old railroad

A vision to behold comrads!
A perfume so bold yet innocent, of grape kool-aid, draws you in to discover hidden under those steroidal leaves, the elegant- leguminous- the kudzu flower…
Purple and yellow royalty!

(click to enlarge to get a good look at those flowers)

Blackberries and friends

Always plant hollyhocks, wherever you may be.

Fall garden won’t stop believing

pics of tomatoes from mountain view farm