http://statebystategardening.com/ms/blog_02_summary/ en JRFQ45@aol.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-09T14:24:36+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/daisies_the_happiest_flowers/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/daisies_the_happiest_flowers/ While on a photo shoot recently at the Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg, I came across a little bit of lagniappe in the form of this clump of Daisies soaking up the sunshine. I couldn't resist stopping to capture some of that sunshine with my camera.     Are those not the happiest little flowers you've ever seen! I think if there was a beauty contest with flowers as the contestants, daisies would win the "Miss Congeniality" title. They should have "smiley faces!"        2012-05-09T13:24:36+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/april_showers/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/april_showers/     I was in my glory yesterday, after a rain shower moved through Vicksburg. The plants in our courtyard looked so lush and green, and the flowers were shimmering with raindrops. When it stopped raining, I couldn't wait to get outside with my cameras and capture some of the pictures I had been imagining from the windows all morning.  The focal point of our courtyard is a waterfall, and that is where I began my photo shoot. The Bougainvillea blooms were especially pretty, adding a bold splash of color to the courtyard. I like the contrast between the bright red Bougainvillea and the lavender Lantana in the urn ... The bright yellow Lantana which I planted in early Spring, seems to have taken the message on my "Grow Dammit" sign seriously. I had to uncover the sign to get this picture. This single red Snapdragon is one of just a few "stragglers" that remain of the Snapdragons I planted in the Fall ... It stands regally above the other flowers, and I just couldn't bear to pull it up. My little geese, also known as "Maude and Claude," were huddled together in the pine straw underneath the Japanese Maple tree ... I keep hoping they will have some little ones, but, so far, I haven't even spotted a nest! Our Little Gem Magnolia trees, which are behind the waterfall, are loaded with buds now, and I can't wait for them to open. If you click on the pictures you can get a closer look at their "fuzzy" buds. For some reason, I didn't get many magnolia pictures last summer (most likely, because of the extremely hot weather) ... but I hope to make up for it this year. As I continued my walk, I crossed this bridge leading from the courtyard to the path that takes you to our backyard. Several things caught my attention along the path. First of all, the wood ferns are popping up everywhere ... And there were several roses blooming on the arbor ... I will never cease to be amazed at how raindrops defy the laws of gravity ... This rose, in particular, caught my eye. I love the contrast between what remains of its faded petals and the tightly wound new buds.  My cobalt gazing ball stands at the end of the path ... I love gazing balls and at the risk of being "tacky," would like to have several different colors ... perhaps ruby red, and purple and gold (we're LSU fans). I stopped at the end of the path, and stood for a moment, enjoying the stillness and the lush greenness of everything around me. I love taking pictures right after it rains. There's no glare or shadows to contend with ... just raindrops and puddles, and me and my camera. And, as I said at the beginning of this story ... I was, indeed, in my glory.   2012-04-17T09:08:17+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/leaves_of_red/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/leaves_of_red/    Happy April! When you think of red leaves, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Fall foliage. But today, I'd like to share some pictures I captured of our Japanese Maple tree, which is at its most beautiful this time of year. We were having lunch on our patio recently, and the sun was highlighting the brilliant red tips of the tree, as if a spotlight was shining down on it. I couldn't pass up a photo opportunity, and didn't want to miss capturing the tree in all its glory, with the tips of its brilliant red branches bathed in the sunlight. You've probably heard the expression about someone "not being the brightest bulb on the string." Well, this leaf was definitely the brightest leaf on the tree. Isn't it spectacular! The leaves against the April blue sky were breathtakingly beautiful. You can click on the pictures to get a closer look at the "veins" of the leaves. The fruit of the Japanese Maple is exquisite. It reminds me of a delicate tropical flower ...  Our tree is planted in a corner of our courtyard, and, although we've enjoyed it, it would be more colorful if it received more sunlight.  We will keep that in mind for future landscaping projects.   2012-04-04T12:13:50+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/serendipity_and_lagniappe/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/serendipity_and_lagniappe/   According to Webster's — serendipity is "the phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for" ... and the word lagniappe means "something given or obtained gratuitously, or by way of good measure." I prefer to think of lagniappe as being "a little something extra, usually unexpected," and as a photographer, I encounter both every time I venture out in search of "pictures waiting to be taken." Our Mississippi landscapes are vibrant with the glorious colors of Spring now, but a couple of weeks ago, I went on a photo shoot hoping to capture the Redbud trees in the Vicksburg National Military Park.  I soon discovered that, although they were blooming at that time, the trees weren't quite at their peak yet. I was disappointed, but my spirits were lifted when I noticed that all around me, bees and butterflies and dandelions and wildflowers were happily heralding the coming of Spring – all “valuable and agreeable things not sought for,” right? Serendipity! I also found Snowbells ... And Dandelions ...  And a patch of purple Hyacinths brightening a street corner in downtown Vicksburg ... On the way to the park, I spotted these Daffodils, high on a bluff overlooking the Port of Vicksburg ... And not too far away, I found this magnificent pink Crabapple tree ... Have you ever looked at a Crabapple tree up close?  The blossoms are truly breathtaking, and I couldn't resist capturing some closeup pictures. Spring is is full bloom now, and I'm looking forward to capturing and preserving as much of it as I can in pictures.  I hope I have inspired you to take a closer look at the glory of Spring surrounding us.  I promise you will be blessed with both lagniappe and serendipity!   2012-03-15T19:52:30+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/a_bradford_pear_tree_up_close_and_personal/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/a_bradford_pear_tree_up_close_and_personal/ One of the earliest Spring-blooming trees here in Mississippi, is the Bradford Pear tree, and in just a few weeks the trees will be covered with beautiful white blossoms which appear before the leaves emerge. I captured the following two pictures in early March, a couple of years ago, when the buds were just emerging.   It didn't take them long to look like this: Bradford Pears are an ornamental landscape tree that can grow up to 40 feet in height, and their shape reminds me of the little "lollipop-shaped" trees children draw. Notice how the limbs seem to grow straight up. As glorious as they are from a distance, I discovered that their crowning glory is found deep within the delicate flowers. I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked through the lens to get a close up view of one of the blossoms.  This is what I saw ... You can click on the pictures if you would like to get a closer look at these exquisite flowers. I love the little heart-shaped purple centers ... I hope these pictures have inspired you to take the time to get a closer look at our glorious spring flowers and trees.  I will never cease to be amazed by the awe-inspiring beauty hidden deep within their petals.  Like the "flame" I found deep in the heart of this Iris ...      Or a tiny cross silhouetted by the sun filtering through the petals of a tulip ...    2012-02-15T10:36:46+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/the_soul_of_a_tree/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/the_soul_of_a_tree/ I love taking pictures of trees, and have discovered that sometimes the twisted and tangled roots of a tree are more interesting than, and just as beautiful as, its flowers and foliage. Here are a few pictures from my collection which, I think, illustrate this perfectly. Tangled roots of an old magnolia tree located on the grounds of the Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  More magnolia roots ... I captured these huge roots of an old oak tree in an antebellum neighborhood in Natchez, Mississippi. I found these moss-covered roots on the side of a road in Vicksburg. The roots of this old magnolia tree, located in the National Cemetery inside the Vicksburg National Military Park, embrace grave markers of soldiers who died during the Siege of Vicksburg. I love the roots of this magnificent old Ginkgo tree, also located in the cemetery of the Military Park. This picture, which was taken during winter, gives us a glimpse of what the roots of a tree look like underground. It amazes me that trees can live with their roots exposed like that, but those are, indeed, alive and struggling to hold on to their tentative grasp of the soil crumbing around them. I hope my pictures have inspired you to pay more attention to the roots of trees.  I think you will find them not only beautiful, but fascinating, as well. 2012-01-13T13:18:51+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/bring_me_purple_pansies/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/bring_me_purple_pansies/    Pansies O give me not red roses, That early dews have wet! They speak to me of kisses That are remembered yet. O bring me not white roses, That summer winds have drest! For once I placed white roses Upon a quiet breast. But bring me purple pansies ... If so you wish to please ... For them I have affection ... For pansies are "heart's ease."  ~ Poem written by Louisa Cooke Don-Carlos [1874-1949] [Photos taken at Mynelle Gardens, Jackson, MS, by Janie Fortenberry]         2011-12-29T10:36:53+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/poinsettias_--_stars_of_bethlehem/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/poinsettias_--_stars_of_bethlehem/   Most of us probably have one or more Poinsettias brightening a corner of our house for the holidays, but have you ever really looked at them up close? This is a little $3.99 plant from Home Depot, but just look at how glorious it is ... I did a little research on poinsettias and discovered that they are native to Mexico. They were named after America's first Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, who brought the plants to America in 1828. The Mexicans in the eighteenth century thought the plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem. Thus, the poinsettia became associated with the Christmas season. The actual flower of the poinsettia is small and yellow, but surrounding the flower are large, bright red leaves, often mistaken for petals. Even the finest handmade ruffles can't hold a candle to this one made by God ... The holidays are always a busy time — but in the midst of all the decorating, cooking, baking, and shopping, I encourage you to take the time to "stop and smell the roses," and take a closer look at a Poinsettia or two along the way. 2011-12-12T14:10:49+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/who_plants_a_seed_/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/who_plants_a_seed_/ Before I continue with this story, I need to go back in time to a September day in 2010. That was the day I discovered "Balloon Vines," and here are the balloon vines I captured with my camera ...   After returning home that day, I researched the vines and discovered their name and also found that their seeds are called "heart seeds," because of the unusual markings on them. When I read that, I knew there was another chapter to add to my story. I returned to the patch of vines and gathered a few of the pods so I could see their "hearts" for myself, and I wasn't disappointed. This is a picture of what I found inside the pods:  Now, let's fast forward to January 2011. The above picture was taken January 10, 2011, and the little girl is our six-year-old granddaughter Avery Grace. She was planting the heart seeds at our land in Madison County, Mississippi. These are the seeds she planted ... And here is a picture I captured recently of our very own little Balloon Vine! I was absolutely thrilled, to the point of tears, to see those tiny pods ... I hope this experience will instill in Avery a love for gardening that we will be able to share for many years to come. 2011-11-29T20:30:26+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/autumn_dogwoods/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ms/blog_02/autumn_dogwoods/       To every thing there is a season ... and I think Dogwood trees are just as lovely in the Fall as they are in the Spring. Some of the oldest and most beautiful Dogwoods in Vicksburg are at the Old Court House Museum, and that's where I captured the following pictures.  I love the stately old courthouse in the background ... Here are a few close up pictures of the dogwood seed pods, which were heavy with raindrops ...  Isn't it amazing and awe-inspiring to think that in the Spring these branches ... will look like this!    2011-11-17T00:29:08+00:00