Taken in late May or early June, in this picture are Don Juan climbing red roses trellising above a gate to my gardens. When I planted them I was thinking they were New Dawn pale pink roses. P. Allen Smith recommends the New Dawn climbing roses but Lowe’s had these on their sale rack. Whether or not P. Allen Smith endorses my Don Juan red roses, I like them!

In May, I was elected President of the local garden club – the Greenkeeper’s Garden Club. The group consists of members who really know their flowers and vegetable gardening techniques. Mona Pritchett (past President) understands dividing perennials, Liz Howell (current Arkansas Federation of Garden Club President) grows beautiful New Dawn and Fairy roses and Harriett Raley can organize a fund-raiser auction! The garden club members maintain the Westside memorial gardens, the Legion Hut Historical Building garden and participate in the Junior Auxiliary Angel Tree project. I’m among outstanding community minded citizens, fabulous gardeners and creative spirits. It’s truly a privilege to serve as the President of this organization.

Also, my garden is an official Monarch Way Station and I’ve planted several new milkweed plants and nectar sources to entice Monarch butterflies on their migration flight from the United States and Canada to overwintering areas in Mexico and California where they wait out the winter until conditions favor a return flight in the spring. The monarch migration is truly one of the world’s greatest natural wonders! Usually, my garden is visited by painted ladies, tiger and zebra swallowtails – but no Monarch butterflies, yet. I’m still waiting patiently!

My husband, Charlie, built a beautiful display post with hanging flower pots for the Monarch Way Station sign.  He surprised me with finding wrought iron plant hangers with butterflies within the design. He’s a very thoughtful husband and has a keen eye for details.

Since it’s mid-November most of my flowers are faded. Last week the cold night temperatures wilted most of the lingering flowers. I’m glad the Beautyberry bush is full of bright purple berries for the birds, and the fall mums are still hanging on to a few blooms. At this time of the year, most gardener tips recommend cleaning garden beds, adding mulch, planting spring bulbs and spreading spring seeds that need over-wintering. So, this month I’ve planted over 100 daffodil, tulip, hyacinth and crocus bulbs – I’m looking forward to a beautiful spring bloom!

I hope you have a blessed day!