Garden Thyme-Hostas, Mason City, and Frank Lloyd Wright

I first fell in love with Hostas in Mason City, Iowa. We were touring the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman  House, a preserved Usonian house.. All around the property were beautiful huge Hostas with dark blue green leaves.

For years after that, I would buy what ever Hostas Wal-Mart had on sale. Finally, I decided that if I wanted the big blues or "Blue Giants" I would have to search harder. I now have these beauties but it will take a few years for them to reach their full potential.

Hostas have always been faithful plants for me. I ignored them for a few years, and they kept on growing. They don't get ignored anymore. I have about 30 different types. Some I know names of, some I don't. Last fall, I planted some miniatures, Stiletto, Pandora's Box, Little Mouse Ears, and Brimful Cup. I will probably plant more miniatures this fall.

An Old Survivor

Michael and I have been taken by this tree every time we go to Joplin.  It is on 20th Street just west of RangeLine. Today, we both finally had our cameras with us.  The Home Depot, WalMart and Academy are nearby. This tree is an Osage Orange. By the size of it's trunk, Michael thinks it is about 75-100 years old.    It is amazing that one single leaf is growing on this tree after what it has been through. But that is Joplin for you, pretty darn amazing.

A Great Mid Century Sign

Garden Thyme-The Iris Legacy

I finally started paying attention to my neglected Irises. This is a transgression on my part when considered from where most of them originated. They came from my mother. The Irises have been tenacious and hung on until I could come back to them. Well, I am back and they and I are working together to create something beautiful.
I have a vague childhood memory of my mom bringing a grocery bag of Irises back from a trip to her mother’s. There is a good chance that she brought some of those to me. I planted new Irises this past fall so I could possibly now be in charge of a three generation Iris garden.

Garden Thyme-Alliums

The decorative onions. They remind me of sparklers, Mother Nature's sparklers. It's a good thing they look great because they smell, well, like an onion.