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Fall is the best time for planting In the South —
And lucky for me (and my little sister) Campbell Road Nursery in Cary, NC always has a great fall perennial sale. 
Check out the back of her mini van after our latest shopping trip.
Gallon perennials were only $2.50–4 inch pots just a $1 which means we could be wild and crazy with our selections and try lots of great new plants. 
I bought Salvias, wood asters, foxgloves, Siberian iris, Verbascum, blackberry lily and more. 
Our purchases may look a little beat up now, but no worries. We’ll plant, mulch, and cut these plants back in the next few weeks. Next spring and summer–lots of new flowers will grace our gardens. What a deal!
Were do you find your best plant bargains?
Living Wall Art: An amazing display.
WOW….Is that not the coolest wall decoration your have ever seen? It is quite literally living wall art. For those that are local to Raleigh, NC, this in on the walls of Cameron Village shopping center.
Isn’t it cool how they used plants as paint?
And the canvas is really a series of flats put together.
And there is a custom irrigation device that hooks up to a water hose. Unlike other art, this does require water.
I would love to figure out how to rig something like this up for my backyard….it would look really cool on the shed wall. Hmmm….any thoughts on an easy way to do it? I am sure this custom job was expensive.
Happy Garden.
melissa
So I was catching up on my Stephen Colbert last night and one of his guests was Will Allen, author of “The Good Food Revolution,” which talks about the need and now trend of urban farming. I never thought of myself as an urban farmer, but I am. I live in a city and I have a garden.
Summer 2012, My Very Own Urban Garden.
I am one of the fortunate ones to have the land and resources to grow some of my food. This concept of “food deserts” is not new, but one that truly concerns me. That many urban centers around our country have no access to fresh fruits, veggies and protein. The people there live off of sodium-rich, high fat shelf food. Could you imagine not having a tomato sandwich every summer, instead eating some “insta-meal?” In addition to not having access to these fresh foods, they also have no connection to it. No connection to how things are grown, seasonality and culture that comes with it.
I guess I really don’t have a tip or advice to share this week. But if you are growing a garden, first, be proud. Then share the love of that garden with others. Inspire kids, colleagues and family to support community gardens, local CSAs (community supported agriculture) or organizations like the Produce Box. Ironically, we all came from an agrigrean society and when we make “progress” sometimes we forget our roots. Fresh fruits and veggies and locally grown meats, eggs and other protein sources not only help us to be healthy, but also creates this sense of community.
So grow more, share more and support your community to help provide fresh food access to all.
Happy Gardening.
melissa
The happiest plants in my garden (like the splendid Detuzia blooming above and below) have come from other gardeners. 
That’s why every spring and fall, blog-partner Melissa, my husband Bill and I try to organize a plant swap. 
Our rules are simple: You don’t have to bring a plant, but everyone must take at least one plant away.
The baby tomato plants that Melissa and I started from seed last month are always a highlight of the spring swap. Since seed packets usually contain about 30 seeds, there are plenty of plants to share.
This spring my sister brought flats of her beautifully tended flower seedlings all the way from Virginia–another highlight.
Everything from columbine to camellias and banana trees found new homes. Pal Jon even contributed another detuzia (which was snapped up right away).
One tip: Make sure you have lots of labeling materials on hand. We used scissors to cut up plastic 4- packs. Popsicle sticks from the craft store, sharpies and wine box dividers were great for marking plants.
The rest was easy- It’s a perfect time to share your garden–great weather and lots of flowers.
What would you bring to a plant swap?
So I am sad to share this news, but in memory of a great plant lover, co-owner of one of America’s largest nurseries, Plant Delights, and supporter and beloved wife to one of the greatest plantsman of all time (Tony Avent)….I am sad to say Michelle Avent, 55, has passed away after her 4-year battle with breast cancer.
Michelle and Tony met while working at Mission Valley Movie Theater in Raleigh…I have had a many of popcorn there. After that first meeting, they became soul mates for life. Together, they worked side by side to fulfill a dream – Plant Delights Nursery.
But as Tony will admit and wrote in a letter to his customers, it wasn’t easy to support someone obsessed with a dream like him–a dream to have a horticulture paradise – now materialized as Plant Delights Nursery. Tony says that while Michelle was hesitant, she dove in head first and offered some of the fundamental business knowledge needed to get the Nursery off the ground – you know the boring stuff you try to forget while you are in the garden — business systems, publishing platforms, and office set up and management.
I remember her always at the Plant Delights cash register when I visited one of many Plant Delights open houses. She was reserved, but had a delightful smile and a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
When I heard, I cried. I admit it. Mostly because of the perspective it gave me…recently, I have been worried about silly things and reflecting on this untimely death of a wonderful women, helped me see beyond the small stuff and be thankful.
I am sure we will all agree, cancer sucks. So I encourage you to donate to your favorite cancer organization, be that V-Foundation for Cancer Research, The Susan B. Komen Foundation, or UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in memory of Michelle Avent.
melissa
