Hibiscus House: 05/01/2014

I love this view, don't you?

Do you use mulch? What works for you? My mama didn't and she had the greenest thumb of anyone I've ever known. She planted perennials and they were beautiful. She would say, "Dolly you know it may be hard at first but in time the weeding will get easier." I tried her way for years and it just didn't work for me.

My properties had different soil from hers'. I say soil but it was almost pure sand and the same here at Hibiscus House. Pure sand. If people say you can't grow anything in sand you tell them yes you can. I know, weeds and grass love it!

Another shot. Friends said, "You weren't kidding when you wanted pine straw."

I hate to say it but this is how I buy it. I love to garden here, which you probably know if you follow. I plan to make a few formal gardens and will most likely have to have a little more. I can't wait to make them and to share them with you.

I went the landscape fabric and mulch way. I have tried wood bark etc. it doesn't work for me though. It breaks down very quickly, molds quickly and insects love it! That is why I choose pine straw.

Unloading

It is readily available in South Carolina. I will be glad when my pine trees get large enough on this property to give me enough straw, but until then I will have to buy mine. I had for years purchased from one business but the owner that was involved and in charge of the pine straw is no longer with them. I sought out another source.

I found and right under my own nose I might add a source for the cleanest straw I've ever purchased.

Amerson's Nursery. This is right down the road from me! I slapped my forehead I didn't know they have pine straw! I have shopped with them ever since we moved down here to Hibiscus House, they are my tree and shrub dealer of choice!

Mr. Campbell unloading and stacking the bales. Mr. Amerson came down here with them now that is service. If you find good people with great customer service I suggest you stay loyal to them.

The breeze feels so good this morning!

This is one bale with ties removed. Check it out! Looks great.

Isn't this pretty? I love this time of year. Grass and trees are getting very green. Everything is alive and growing! This is one bale of pine straw it covered and thickly I might add a section 5' wide by 10' long.

Moving on down the line with my little cart. I love this thing don't know what I would do without it. Thanks honey. Chuck gave it to me a few years back and it is my right hand. The grandsons like it too!

Leyland Cyprus doesn't have the best of reputations but I couldn't resist buying these a few years ago. They were only $5. Do you see my garden cabin? I still like the converted camp cabin/garden shed. I will share it with you one day. It needs a good cleaning first.

The last of it but have to go in for awhile, it's getting a little hot.

How do you like my antique handmade tool box? I use this as my garden tote and it works quite well! Chuck bought this for me and a few other very cute items I have to share with you soon. We found them in Camden on a trip we took recently.

I have had to cut a few of the white roses on the picket fence. It will be cleanup time soon. They bloom so very hard that they drop their leaves. That is when I start cutting them back.

I started a little last week and put them in Chuck's little red wagon.

These were growing in a place I didn't want them so thinned them out and took most of the blooms indoors to enjoy!

I'll be cutting back lots more soon and will share. These don't take a lot of care but it does take a little timing to prevent cutting off the blooms.

Locals I highly recommend the pine straw from Amerson's Nursery. It is the cleanest I've ever seen!

I made a little video am dog tired and definitely not a videographer but wanted you to know!