For ages, I have been meaning to try nasturtiums on a salad, or daylillies, or
some special succulent rose to eat. Here is a website devoted to 
On this list I would venture to taste about anything, which is far more than I
can say about exotic meats people eat around the world. If flowers to eat peaks
your curiosity, you may enjoy visiting whatscookingamerica.net
In the summer of 1991, I spent a lovely day on Martha's Vineyard with my parents.
I rented a moped and explored the island for a few hours. I remember this one phrase,
endless summer; it was the first time I had heard that expression.
And that expression is the popular name of a hydrangea, 
that blooms all summer long.
Like most hydrangeas that are pink or blue, depending on soil ph. If you want blue
give it iron or aluminum sulphate, if pink, give it lime. Perhaps I have seen it
at a garden center before, I don't know. But it first registered on my mind, when
I saw its picture on the J.C. Raulston Aboreteum's website. Below is a part of the
newsletter I have pasted from this site.
Hydrangea macrophylla Endless SummerT PP15,298
The Endless Summer series of French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' Endless SummerT) will rebloom all summer long. They are now so common that even Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouses and The Home Depot offer them for sale. Hybridizing those with the lacecap French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Veitchii') produced a mildew resistant rebloomer. A new one called 'Blushing Bride' will be available through a contract agreement between nurseries and the University of Georgia in Athens, in which the University gets a thirty-cent royalty on each plant. Hydrangea 'Waterfall' also blooms spring and fall, but gets mildew in the shade. Fresh from writing a book about hydrangeas, Mike explained how dormant (leafless) hydrangeas will root all year round from single node stem cuttings 6" to 8" long in a bark
The late plantsman, and Mentor to many students who attended North Carolina State
University in Horticulture did much to bring a great arboretum to NCSU. You can read
his old newsletters plus all the newsletters except the last by visiting this
website -www.ncsu.edu.
You will be enlightened for the time spent. I have seen photos of of so many plants, or heard commentaries on even more plants that I had no idea existed. Some of these
plants are now so common after being proselytized by the late J.C. Raulston.
You can also join the Friends of the 
.
Another unusual plant I ordered from Woodlanders Nursery in S.C. was the 
- 
.
I planted it at the woodland's edge. I wish I had a stream I
could have put it next to, along with the Fetterbush, Virginia Sweetspire, and my
Hummingbird Sweet Pepperbush. The Paper Bush is surviving, but I have to pour the
water to it. It hates 100 degree weather, but I hear it loves the high humidity we
have in Central Alabama. It is not recommended for zones lower than zone 8.
I read that they grow it at the Missouri Botanical Garden, but I guess they grow it
inside.
Native to the southeast, often found growing near streams and at the woodland's edge is 
It grows around 3 feet tall and has pink flowers and is evergreen. Make sure though, it gets plenty of water.
I had one in my meadow garden that I planted this spring. It has been very dry here
in central Alabama. About 10 days ago we had 1/4" rain. So I didn't water it for 2
days. The 3rd day I think I watered it. On the 5th day after rain, I noticed that it
looked as if it was dying. I pulled it up and the soil was extremely dry. So I put
it in a pot and put it in my plant hospital, so it gets plenty of water and a close
eye. Hopefully, it will recover. If it lives, this fall I plan to put it near my
other plants, which like it wet, namely Hydrangeas, Virginia Sweetspire, and Clethra
'Hummingbird".
About 10 years ago when I was living in Mobile, Ala., one of my neighbors asked me
for advice on building a fence in her front yard. Her main concern was the proper
height. I figured since there were so many gardens with fences in Williamsburg,
someone there would guide us. So I called Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and I
was put on the phone with M. Kent Brinkley. He told me of a study a lady who had
work for
had done this great study on fences. He also informed
me that he was writing a book on the Gardens of Williamsburg.
So when the book came out, I rushed to get a copy. It was a great book on the
lovely and simple formal gardens of the town of Williamsburg. Its photographs were
feasts for the eyes.
Not only was 
an accomplished American author of such literary works
as The Age of Innocence and the House of Mirth. She also coauthored a book with
her Architect friend, Ogden Cogman,Jr., "The Decoration of Houses". She was also
accomplished in garden design. She,like many garden designers today, believed that
gardens should have various garden rooms.
Her first home and gardens, The Mount, built in 1902 in Massachussets was of her design. In 1911, the Mount was sold. She wish to spend her life among other American
expatriates in France. She also wrote a book , "Italian Villas and Their Gardens".
If you are unable to visit the Mount, you may enjoy visiting its website -
www.edithwharton.org
