Yummy!! They Were Delish!

For Dad, South Africa Climate

My dad went on a church mission to South Africa back in the 1950's. This post of the climate is for him. We visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden's yesterday and experienced many different climates. Needless to say, this was a hot, dry one..

Roses from Fernbank Rose Garden

I Met a New Friend Yesterday.

Before work yesterday, I wandered over to the Fernbank Rose Garden. My first time ever. Boy was I in for a great surprise.. I had no clue they had test roses there.. I saw new varieties that aren't available.. Did you know they were testing a yellow knockout rose? I met the head gardener, who incidentally gets to vote for her favorite roses in both AARS and ARS, Miss Connie. She was a wealth of knowledge and has my dream job. Far cry from ER nurse. The opposite of utter chaos. I didn't have my camera, but promise to go back and get photos. She helped me understand what roses do best in the hot and humid Southern climate... Best of all the garden is free to wander around in, as long as you don't pick the roses or let your little rugrats step in the garden..:)


The Robert L. Staton Rose Garden is open daily to the public free of charge The garden is located near downtown Atlanta at 767 Clifton Road. It is one of only three gardens in the United States that have both AARS and ARS test roses.
The garden is named in honor of the man who first established a rose garden at Fernbank in 1983. Bob Staton's love of roses, his desire to educate the public, and the absence of a test site in Atlanta's growing climate were key forces in the birth of the concept that evolved into the garden you see today.
The garden consists of approximately 1,300 roses from three sources: All American Rose Selections (AARS) test plants, American Rose Society Award of Excellence (ARS) miniature test plants, and donated named roses.
The Robert L. Staton Rose Garden is maintained by Fernbank Science Center. The garden is located on the property of Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The partnership of the Fernbank Museum and Fernbank Science Center has enabled this lovely garden to be available to all to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of roses. Be sure to visit the garden when in the area and return from time to time to view the varieties of roses being tested by ARS and AARS, as well as the seasonal changes displayed by the established roses.

Morning Bed Update

Our morning bed we created earlier in the spring, now has a veggie and some flowers planted in it. We have zucchini, tomatoes, bush beans, lavender, peppermint, marigolds, peas that tolerate heat,oregano and other plants. We sure are hoping for a large crop.. I did have some problems with yellowing zucchini and decided perhaps they needed some nitrogen, since they are heavy feeders. The leaves are now a beautiful green.

Garden Helpers GALORE!!

Three of the five we have , just LOVE to follow me around where ever I roam. They especially love it when I am outside and in the yard or garden. The big fat smoke gray one is Penelope, the Orange Tabby is Yellowstone and the Calico is Tiger Lily!




Of course they also love it when our neighbor Miss Terri is out, Tiger Lily in particular follows her around and or pays a visit. Just ask the birds who nested in her hanging pots, they would chirp your ears off when TL would cross the street.

A Trip to the Botanical Garden....with kids

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Made my first trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Went with Mr. Gum Paste Joel and Mr. Seed Snatcher Tim.. It was an enjoyable day out as an adult, without the kids.. I will however have to take the kids, because I think the 11 year old son would enjoy the carnivorous exhibit and the three youngest would enjoy the children's garden.. The Fuqua Orchid center was marvelous. One thing I have difficulty growing is orchids.. The twelve year old son , is interested in only himself, right now. Typical almost teenager..