THE POWER OF THE PLANT

In the midst of 4 large yellow day lilies is my one white astilbe. While the flowers on this perennial don't get as full as the deeper pink varieties it shows with such grace in a delicate manner in front of the hardness of the lilies. This is the astilbe's second year and it has doubled in size.

Last year my father built this lattice trellis for me. From past experience I knew to stay away from wisteria and trumpet vine, although both are gorgeous just VERY invasive. For my space climbing hydrangea seemed the best bet as it does not send out runners and attaches nicely with a thick bark like vine as it ages. Also, its clean white flowers and bright green foliage look great against my gray house and trellis. I planted this hydrangea last autumn and it has already grown tremendously. It's a beautiful choice when a vine is needed but containment is an issue.

Once when I was a child I bought a pack of seeds (through mail order) from the winner of New York's largest pumpkin grower. My father and I tended to the one pumpkin plant, following all instruction including pruning all but one flower and laying hay over the soil as to avoid the pumpkin from rotting. Fast forward 25 years and I've decided to take on the venture once again! Last Halloween pranksters dropped off about 10 pumpkins on my front porch which I took delight in and placed throughout the yard. Over the winter I left them as a food source for the squirrels. Come this spring many seeds germinated and the idea clicked once again. I transplanted two of the strongest looking seedlings into my homemade wooden garden box and they quickly took off. My first pumpkin has appeared and I will now prune back all other flowers as to provide all sustenance to this one pumpkin. For the second vine I will let a few smaller pumpkins grow. Below is the beginning of what i hope will