A Spring Garden Comes To Life

P. Allen Smith is Wonderful with Kids

Heaven “scent” ‘Nevada’ is blooming. When the wind whispers through its softer than angels’ wings petals, one has the allusion that butterflies are fluttering all about. Its a magic rose flower bush. Simply breathtaking. The cool spring continues in Central Illinois. This coolness allows flowers to last and bloom stages Continue Reading

The Birds And The Bees

Bee on 4th of July Climbing Rose Bush

“Let me tell ya ‘bout the birds and the bees And the flowers and the trees And the moon up above And a thing called ‘Love” Remember the song The Birds & The Bees?  “It was released on Era Records and sung by Jewel Akens in 1964 for whom Akens Continue Reading

Love You Best, Mom

“Love You Best” was what she said. Mother made every person feel they were the person she loved best. Peonies were her favorite flower. Every year in northern Illinois in preparation for the spring bloom I would take the hand tool and cultivate around each peony bush, add peat moss Continue Reading

Rose Garden Eclipse of the Heart

Does a watched rose bush produce a rose bud more quickly? I don’t think so. Waiting for your rose garden to leaf out, produce canes and ultimately rose buds is like waiting for paint to dry. So I’ve come up with some things for you to do. This is an Continue Reading

Rapid Fire Results With Roses

Most people say they would grow roses if they could make it simple. Back in the corporate world I worked with a president of a division that said to me that he would grow roses if I could make it easy so this is what I wrote: Four Seasons of Continue Reading