Sheila's Flower Garden Get A Way

Pumpkin and Fall Flowers Greeting Card

2015-09-20T07:44:00.001-07:00


Thinking of You Fall Greeting Card

My newest creation for My Zazzle store!

Autumn is here with its colors of orange and gold.

As the nights come early and the days turn cold.

You are in my thoughts this time of year

Because our friendship I hold so dear!

Send this beautiful card to your friends this fall just to let them know you care and are always thinking about them!

http://www.zazzle.com/pumpkin_and_fall_flowers_greeting_card-137564191641877159?

Lantana – A Hardy Perennial for Summer Gardens

2015-09-15T05:45:00.001-07:00

Yellow Lantana growing in one of my flower beds.

Living in southern Oklahoma, we can have some really hot and dry summers. I always have such a beautiful flower garden in spring when we have had some rain and the temperatures have not gotten too hot. Once summer comes along and brings on the 90 to 100 degree temperatures and forgets to bring any rain along with them, my flower gardens begin to fade.

I love bright colors in my gardens and try to keep some type of red and yellow flowers blooming all year long. However, when the temperatures reach 100 degrees and I am not able to water my flowers for one or two days, I lose some of them or they become sad looking and don’t recuperate well. I have found that my lantana withstands this very well. I have it planted in 2 different flower beds and it may become wilted looking, but with a good soaking, it will snap right back to its beautiful self.

If you are looking for a low maintenance flower that blooms all summer and withstand really hot temperatures, lantana is a must for you! It is a member of the verbena family and known to be very hardy. It is native to Africa and tolerates hot temperatures very well.

The orange and red mix is one of my favorites!

Lantana comes in several colors, such as yellow, orange and red and blue and white. My favorite is the orange and red colors. The lantana I have planted grows more as a low growing mound rather than a bush as some. It will cover an area in my flower bed of about 4 feet around and 2 feet high with beautiful, long lasting color. Lantana is also great for attracting butterflies and bees.

If you are looking for a low maintenance plant that is drought tolerant and long blooming for a hot summer garden, lantana would make a wonderful choice!

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Cone Flowers - A Hardy and Beautiful Perennial for Summer Gardens

7 Hardy Flowers for Summer Gardens

Cone Flowers – A Hardy and Beautiful Perennial for Summer Gardens

2015-06-20T06:47:00.000-07:00


Pink Cone Flower and Bee

If you are looking for a colorful and hardy flower for your flower garden, the family of cone flowers is an excellent choice! The cone flowers, properly called Echinacea, are a hardy and long blooming flower.

They get the name “cone flower” from the way the daisy like flower petals angle backwards appearing similar to a cone. They are native to the central and eastern parts of the US and are considered perennials in zones 3 through 9.


Pink Cone Flowers from my Garden

The cone flower is drought tolerant and long blooming, blooming from early summer to late fall. They come in a wide variety of colors ranging from white, pink, purple and red. Some hybrid varieties are yellow, orange and even green.

Cone flowers grow best with at least 5 hours of full sun. They like loamy soil but will grow in almost any soil condition. For best results, in hard soil, add peat moss to help soften the soil and keep moist, but not soggy. I mulch them heavily to cut down on watering time and it seems to make their colors even brighter.

Deadheading your flowers is important to keep them blooming until early fall. I prefer to deadhead mine once the flower has begun to turn brown and I see a new bloom appearing. I will take the flower I have just removed and poke it into the ground. I don’t know if this really works, but I always have new little plants popping up during the season.

Cone flowers are great for attracting bees and butterflies.

If you enjoy attracting butterflies to your flower gardens, get ready as cone flowers are great for attracting butterflies, bees and birds. They also make great cut flowers as their blooms are long lasting when you bring them inside.

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A Great Summer Perennial - The Four O'Clock Flower

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If you have enjoyed my pictures, you can find them on many products like the one below at

My Zazzle Store


Pink Coneflower and Bee Tote Bag - $10.95

Iris Flowers From My Garden

2015-05-15T04:45:00.001-07:00

Purple Bearded Iris

Photo source: sgbrown aka Rockcreek Photography

Spring has sprung and the cold, icy weather is behind us for another year. The weather is warming up and the flowers are beginning to bloom. One of my favorite flowers for spring is the bearded iris. I never grew iris until I moved out into the country and many of them had been planted here by the previous owners. I fell in love with their beauty the first time they bloomed!

The blooms are small but so beautiful!

There is a rock ledge on one side of our property and the previous owner had lined part of this ledge with these iris. These blooms are not the largest I have seen but they put on such a show when they all bloom at the same time along this ledge.

These blooms are rather small but they are white with small purple stripes around the edges and they bloom like crazy!

My favorite would have to be these purple ones. Their blooms are large and they have the sweetest smell! I have these planted in different areas around my yard and I can smell their sweet scent as I walk near them.

As far as the “showiest”, I guess that’s a word, would have to be these. I don’t know the name of this particular species, but the blooms are a deep purple and yellow and they stand out so beautifully! I have these planted around one of my trees where they get some shade during the heat of the day.

I had transplanted some of the dark purple and yellow ones to a more sunny location last year where they get full sun all day and when they bloomed, their colors were not as rich, but they are still beautiful! I had created a small flower bed behind the rain gauge that hubby stuck out in the yard. It looked rather lonely, I thought, out there all by itself. Now the iris have grown around it to the point that we can barely read it! (Yeah, I am hearing about it.) LOL

I am also particularly fond of the white bearded iris. White flowers just have a beauty and purity that is so simple. I love the way that during the dusky hours of the evening, when all the others flowers seem to fade into the darkness, the white flowers stand out as though they almost glow in the dark.

If you don’t have any bearded iris growing in your yard, think about planting some. They are hardy perennials that put on such a beautiful show in the spring time and their blade like foliage remains as an interesting addition to the greenery of your yard.

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Best Perennial Flowers for Spring Gardens

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The Four O’Clock Flower – A Sweet Smelling and Long Blooming Perennial

2015-05-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

Photo source - sgbrown aka Rockcreek Photography

The four o’clock flower is one of my all-time favorite flowers. My first seeds were given to me by a neighbor of mine and I have grown them ever since! They bloom in late spring all the way up until early fall and have the sweetest scent, similar to honey suckle.

The four o’clock’s name is actually “Mirabilis jalapa” and it is native to South American where it is referred to as the “Marvel of Peru” and “Beauty of the Night”. It gets its name as the flowers open up in the late afternoons when the temperatures begin to fall and remain open until the temperature begins to rise the next day.

Four O'Clocks as a Hedge

Photo source: sgbrown

They are a perennial in zones 8-11 and can be over wintered in zones 6-7 with heavy mulching. I am in zone 7 and my four o’clocks come back thick and beautiful every year. They will spread by dropping little black seeds and you may want to thin them out from time to time. I dig up the small plants and replant them to another location each year.

Photo source: sgbrown

The blooms of the four o’clock can be red, magenta, pink, yellow and white. Many of mine are variegated, containing yellow and magenta colors in different patterns. The blooms are trumpet shaped and about 2 inches in length. They are wonderful for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds!

For more detailed information on this amazing flower, go to The Four O'Clock Flower - An Old Fashion Favorite

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Seven Hardy Flowers for Summer Gardens

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My First Flower Purchase of the Year - The Gerbera Daisy

2015-04-15T07:02:00.000-07:00


Gerbera daisies are always so bright and cheerful!

Photo source: sgbrown aka Rockcreek Photography

The threat of a freeze is over and I am so ready to get some color around the house! One of my favorite flowers for spring time is the gerbera daisy! They seem to have the brightest colors and perfect petals. Their color will brighten up a sunny spot in your garden or, in my case my porch.

Gerbera daisies are hardy in zones 10-11, I am in zone 7, but have had some I planted in a flower bed come back one year. However, they did not come back the second year. I really prefer to grow them in pots and have them on my porch.

They are native to Transvaal, Africa but many varieties have come from the originals and they are one of the most popular flowers to use in but flower arrangements. They bloom in almost every color and have large beautiful blooms on long, thick stems. They are wonderful for cut flowers and will last for about a week when cut and put in water. I keep several flowers in a small vase in my kitchen almost all spring and summer.

If you are in zones 10-11 and want to grow gerbera daisies outside, they grow well in average soil and prefer the soil to be kept slightly damp, but not overly wet. They also prefer full sun, but I would keep them away from the very hot late afternoon sun.

If you want to add a beautiful splash of color to your yard or porch, I would not pass up the gerbera daisy! They are always one of the first flowers I buy in spring.

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My Flower Garden Get A Way

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If you like my picture, you can find it on several products in my Zazzle store.

Below is a beautiful mouse pad that would brighten your workspace.

Orange Gerbera Daisy Mouse Pad

The Hyacinth Flower - Planting, Care and Mythology

2015-03-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

Photo Source: sgbrown aka Rockcreek Photography

Hyacinth flowers must be one of the easiest flowers to plant and care for. They grow from bulbs and are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. They are known for their beautiful spring colors of white, pink, blue, purple and almost every shade in between! Not only are they beautiful bloomers, but they have a wonderful sweet smell!

Hyacinth are hardy in zones 4 through 9. Plant you hyacinth bulbs in fall, at least 2 to 4 weeks before a hard freeze, giving the roots a little time to take hold. They grow well in almost any well drained, loamy soil. Plant in an area with full sun to partial shade. Planting hyacinth bulbs is as easy as digging a hole about 6 inches deep and placing the bulb with the pointy end up. For best results, you may want to add a bit of compost or bone meal. Cover with soil, pack lightly and water thoroughly.

Caring for your hyacinth is just as simple and easy. Once planted, water thoroughly one time. If you have a very dry fall season, you may want to water one more time. Once the flowers blooms fade, you can cut back the stalks, but leave the leaves alone until they begin to turn yellow or brown. At that time you can simply give them a gentle tug and they should come off. The plant needs to leaves to help store energy in the bulbs for the next spring.

Hyacinth flowers are said to represent sports, play and sincerity. In Greek mythology, it is said that the Greek God, Apollo, was teaching a young man by the name of Hyakinthos how to throw a discus. Apollo’s friend, Zephyr, who was the God of the west wind, became jealous and he caused the wind to blow the discus back at Zephyr, hitting him in the head and killing him. The next spring a flower grew where Hyakinthos had bled on the ground and Apollo named the flower after his young friend.

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Get this beautiful hyacinth on a post card to send to your friends and family to say "Happy Spring" at my Zazzle store!

Beautiful Lavender Hyacinth Post Card

Daffodils – Tips for Planting and Care

2015-03-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Photo source: sgbrown aka Rockcreek Photography

Daffodils are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. Many times, I have seen daffodils blooming when covered in snow, yet are a definite sign of spring. Here are a few tips for growing and caring for daffodils.

The botanical name for the daffodil is narcissus. They are many beautiful varieties of daffodils and all of them are hardy, easy to grow perennials. Daffodils are deer, rabbit and rodent resistant. Most animals do not like the taste of bulbs in the narcissus family.

By Dvortygirl, via Wikimedia Commons

When you purchase your daffodils bulbs, be sure to choose bulbs that are not squishy or dried out when lightly squeeze them. They should feel firm and the larger the bulb, the better.

Daffodils prefer well drained soil so the bulbs do not stay wet enough to rot underground. You should plant your bulbs in fall and choose a sunny location. Some varieties will grow in partial shade, but usually do better in full sun. Plant the bulbs approximately 1-2 inches beneath the ground. In climates with severe winters, you may want to plant them as far down as 5 inches. You can even add a little bulb fertilizer in the hole as you are planting them.

Your daffodils will grow best when spaced 3 to 5 inches apart but will tolerate some crowding. If they become too crowded, their blooming will be hindered and you may want to dig them up and separate them a bit. Planting lots of bulbs in one area makes for a beautiful show of these cheerful flowers.

Photo source: sgbrown aka Rockcreek Photography

After you daffodils have bloomed, add a low nitrogen high potash fertilizer, especially if your flowers are not blooming as you expected. Once you daffodils have stopped blooming and die back, you may want to add some bone meal to the soil to next years flowers.

You want to dead head your daffodils for appearance, but don’t cut the leaves. You need to let those turn brown before you removed them as they help the plant store energy for next years blooms. Once the leaves have turned brown, you can removed them by gently pulling and twisting them. If they don’t come off easily, leave them a little longer.

The Milkweed Plant – An Important Part of our Eco-System

2015-03-02T05:52:00.000-08:00

Photo source: wikimedia commons

A few days ago I wrote an article, The Monarch Butterfly - In Danger of Disappearing, about how the population of the beautiful monarch butterfly is declining. One of the main reasons for this decline is the loss of the milkweed plant.

The milkweed plant is the only plant on which the monarch butterfly will deposit her eggs. The reason for this is that the milkweed plant is somewhat toxic. Once the monarch caterpillars emerge, they eat the leaves of this plant which in turn makes them toxic as well. The bright colors of the monarch are a warning to the birds that “you don’t really want to eat me!” It may not kill the bird, but it will make them think twice about ever eating another one.

With the planting of so many genetically modified crops, the farmers are using more and stronger herbicides which is not only killing the unwanted “weeds” in their crops, but it also killing everything around the crops including the milkweed plants.

Milkweed gets its name from the milky like sap that come from cutting the plant. (Be sure not to get it in your eyes!) There are many varieties of the milkweed plant and it goes by many different common names, such as the “pink butterfly plant”, be sure you chose a plant from the family of Asclepias to get a true milkweed. Varieties of this plant grow wild on most of the US in zones 3-9. The common milkweed, (Asclepias syriaca), is native to the eastern and central US. It will grow to approximately 48” high and blooms late June through July.

Photo source: wikimedia commons - Jason Hollinger

Common milkweed is a perennial that is drought, deer and rabbit resistant. It grows well in poor soil as long as it has good drainage and plenty of sunlight. It is recommended that you plant seeds in the fall, however, the plants may not flower the first year. If you want flowering milkweed the first year, you might want to purchase a few already started pots from your local nursery.

Once your milkweed plants bloom, you can remove the seed pods and keep the seeds for more plants the next year. The plant will spread on its own as it grows from rhizomes underground. The seed pods will also open and release seeds into the wind similar to a dandelion, but this may cause your plants to grow in areas where you don’t want them.

The milkweed plant will not only bring the monarch butterfly to your flower garden but it is a source of nectar for hummingbirds and many other species of butterflies as well. Let’s all plant some milkweed this year and help the population of the monarch butterfly flourish once again!

Hosta - Beautiful Shade Tolerant Plants

2013-05-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

sgbrown

Hostas may be the perfect plant for shade gardens.

Source: sgbrown

If you are looking for the perfect plant to grow in a "shade" garden, you have just found it! The hosta, or "plantain lily" as it is sometimes called, is perfect shade tolerant plant. There are over 2,500 different varieties of hostas, from as small as 2 inches in height to others of more than 36 inches.

Their colors can range from white, yellow, gold, green, blue and many different variegated species. They are perfect for those areas of your flower garden, or yard that don't get much sun. Plant them as borders, background plants or showcase them for spectacular beauty.

Hostas are hardy perennials in zones 2 - 10 and once established are easy to maintain. To learn more about growing, care and dividing your hostas, read more here...How to Grow Hostas - Beautiful Shade Tolerant Plants.

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Hosta: A Shade Plant - Everyone is is always looking for a plant that will do well in the shade. Anyone who has been gardening for a while knows that plant is a hosta!
Iris Flowers - Growing, Facts and History - Iris flowers come in almost every color of the spectrum and are one of the easiest flowers to grow and maintain. Find information on the history of the iris as well as how to plant, grow and maintain your iris.
Best Perennial Flowers for Spring Gardens - After several years of trial and error, I have found several perennial flowers that are not only hardy, but also very easy to care for. These are what I consider to be the best perennial flowers for spring gardens.
7 Hardy Flowers for Summer Gardens - I love summer and all the color in summer flowers. Here are 7 of the hardiest summer flowers I have grown in my flower gardens. These are easy to grow and heat and drought tolerant for easy care.
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7 Hardy Flowers for Summer Gardens

2012-06-30T17:06:00.001-07:00

by sgbrown

Purple Cone Flower and Bee

Source: sgbrown-Rockcreek Photography

I love nature and all it gives us in natural beauty. The following pictures will be of some of the flowers in my flower gardens. Flowers are one of the most beautiful gifts nature has to give us and I always appreciate their beauty! The following flowers will be of some of the easiest to grow and most heat and drought tolerant flowers I have personally grown in my flower gardens. All but one are considered as perennials in zones 5 through 10.I hope you enjoy the following gallery of pictures as well as the information I will provide on the flowers. Read more ...

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My Flower Garden Get A Way
Everyone has times that you feel stressed out and up tight. These are the times that you just need to get a way, relax and clear your mind. I wonderful way to do that is to flower garden.

Best Perennial Flowers for Spring Gardens
After several years of trial and error, and learning a lot, I have found several perennial flowers that are not only hardy, but also very easy to care for. These are what I consider to be the best perennial flowers for spring gardens. They are hardy
Iris Flowers - Growing, Facts and History
Iris flowers come in almost every color of the spectrum and are one of the easiest flowers to grow and maintain. Find information on the history of the iris as well as how to plant, grow and maintain your iris.
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Spring is such a beautiful time of year. Fall and winter have cleaned the landscape and spring is a re-birth of nature. What an exciting time of year. I try to take in all I can and appreciate spring as a new beginning for nature and all her wonder.

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Visit "My Zazzle Store" to purchase this beautiful card and more!

Iris Flowers - Growing, Facts and History

2012-06-22T19:38:00.002-07:00

by sgbrown

White iris in my garden.

Source: sgbrown

The iris flower is a genus of approximately 200 species of flowering plants with beautiful showy flowers. The iris has been around for centuries and gets it’s name for the Greek word for “rainbow”. This is based on the wide variety of colors found in the iris species. It is named after the Greek Goddess who is thought to be the messenger of love and used the rainbow to travel. Read more

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Iris Flowers - Growing, Facts and History
Iris flowers come in almost every color of the spectrum and are one of the easiest flowers to grow and maintain. Find information on the history of the iris as well as how to plant, grow and maintain your iris. - 4 weeks ago
Beautiful Flowers in My Flower Garden
I love nature and it gives us in natural beauty. The following pictures will be of flowers in my flower gardens. Flowers are one of the best gifts nature has given us and I always appreciate their beauty! I hope you enjoy the following gallery of pictures as well as the information I will provide on the flowers. - 2 months ago
Growing a Miniature Rose Bush Outdoors
Miniature roses are beautiful small roses that can be grown indoors or out. They can be grown outdoors in pots or directly in the ground. Miniature rose bushes make great border plants or just add color to a otherwise dull area of your flower garden. Here are a few tips on how to grow a miniature rose bush outdoors in your flower garden.

My DR Lawn and Leaf Vacuum Review

2012-04-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Photo-sgbrown

To begin, let me say that purchasing the DR Lawn Vacuum is one of the best things I have ever done! But as you know, all the product advertisements you see, will only tell you the good things about the product. I am going to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly. Yes, there are a couple of things that could use some improvement. However, if I had to do it over again, I would still make the same purchase. Read more ...

Growing a Miniature Rose Bush Outdoors

2012-03-17T06:29:00.001-07:00

By sgbrown

Pink Miniature Roses

I love roses and one of my favorites would have to be the miniature roses. Mini roses are beautiful small roses that can be grown indoors or out. Hubby gets me a new miniature rose bush for Valentine's day every year. I told him, why get me cut roses that are just going to die in a week or so. I would rather have roses that I can replant outside and keep forever! Miniatures make great border plants or just add color to a otherwise dull area of your flower garden. They come in a wide variety of colors and most are long blooming. Here are a few tips on how to grow a miniature rose bush outdoors in your flower garden. Read more ...

Best Perennial Flowers for Spring Gardens

2012-03-14T19:08:00.005-07:00

By sgbrown

Daffodils in Spring

Source: Rockcreek Photography

I love flowers, the more the better! When we moved out to the country I had all the room I needed to plant all the flowers I wanted and I went crazy! I created more flowerbeds than I could keep up with. I knew that I wanted to plant mostly perennials so I would not have to re-plant each year. I spent hundreds of dollars planting flowers that I really knew nothing about. After several years of trial and error, and learning a lot, I have found several perennial flowers that are not only hardy, but also very easy to care for. These are what I consider to be the best perennial flowers for spring gardens. They are hardy plants that need little care. Read more ...

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Beautiful Flowers in My Flower GardenI love nature and it gives us in natural beauty. The following pictures will be of flowers in my flower gardens. Flowers are one of the best gifts nature has given us and I always appreciate their beauty! I hope you enjoy the following gallery of pictures of some of the beautiful flowers in my flower gardens as well as the information I will provide on the flowers.
Growing a Miniature Rose Bush OutdoorsMiniature roses are beautiful small roses that can be grown indoors or out. They can be grown outdoors in pots or directly in the ground. Miniature rose bushes make great border plants or just add color to a otherwise dull area of your flower garden. Here are a few tips on how to grow a miniature rose bush outdoors in your flower garden. -

My Flower Garden Get A WayEveryone has times that you feel stressed out and up tight. These are the times that you just need to get a way, relax and clear your mind. That when I like to go to my "flower garden get a way".

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Check out his new daffodil throw pillow and many more customizable products at "My Zazzle" Store!

Yellow Daffodil Throw Pillow by sgbrown56

2012-03-11T17:20:00.001-07:00

My Flower Garden Get A Way

By sgbrown

Relaxing in My Flower Gardens

Everyone has times that you feel stressed out and up tight. Things seem to gang-up on you and you are just not sure what you need to do. These are the times that you just need to get a way, relax and clear your mind. That is when I go out to my flower gardens.

Bee on Purple Cone Flower

Source: Rockcreek Photography

Every day I take a little time for myself to de-stress, relax and not think about anything except my flower gardens. As with everyone else I’m sure, there are so many things going on in our lives that we tend to just get stressed out. We need time to ourselves to do what we enjoy. Working or even just watering my flowers helps me relax and gives me time to put things into perspective. I love flowers, the more the better. Luckily, my husband and I live on 40 acres in the country and I am about to have more flower gardens than I can keep watered in the summer. Following is a gallery of the flowers in my flower gardens. Read more ...

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You can view more of my nature photography at Rockcreek Photography.

I am making extra money writing on HubPages. If you enjoy writing, and making money, read the success storiessuccess stories, sign up and start making money now!

Miniature Rose Bush - Indoor Care

2012-03-11T15:27:00.003-07:00

By sgbrown

Miniature Rose Bush

Source: rose-bushes.com

Miniature rose bushes are hybrid roses that are bred to remain small in size. They have smaller flowers than a regular type of rose and come in a variety of different colors. Despite their small size, they are actually very hardy and most varieties are long blooming. Here are a few tips on how to care for your miniature rose bush as an indoor houseplant. Read more...