This week's six are an update on last week and two new additions to the garden. Before getting to those, though, I want to remind readers that they can find guidelines for taking part in this weekly posting pattern by going to Jim Stephens’ Garden Ruminations. My selections 1 and 2 followup on my previous …
six on Saturday, 4 April 2026
1. The showiest of my six today is the vibrant Formosa Southern Indica Azalea both in the garden and on the rather undeveloped hill behind the house. This is a hardy, evergreen azalea that easily grows to 8 feet tall. The first two photos below are from the garden in the front of the house. …
six on Saturday, 14 March 2026
My last six was all the way back in October! The weather at Highland Lake in Blount County, Alabama has not be kind. Rain, freezing temperatures, and strong winds have brought mud, frost burned Camellia buds, and fallen trees. Add to that a broken waterline and a trench for a replacement line from the meter …
six on Saturday, 4 October 2025
Although moving toward sunset, it is still Saturday in Alabama. Unfortunately, there are still drought conditions in Alabama as well. For weeks, I did not have six things blooming in any given week or even a combination of six interesting plants and noteworthy garden projects going at one time. But today I found six flowering …
six on Saturday, 26 July 2025
My last Six on Saturday post, which was at the close of May, complained of rain, mud, and mosquitoes. This one complains of a recent lack of rain, brick-hard soil, and mosquitoes---and heat and humidity. This past week the air temperature has been easily int the 90s Fahrenheit, with heat indexes above 100 degrees. The …
six on Saturday, 31 May 2025
This post really is just six on Saturday. In the past month, storms have left behind over nine inches of rain. That rain, mud, and now our summer mascot mosquitos, have kept me out of the garden and allowed vines, flowers, and shrubs to grow like Topsy. For those looking for more context and better …
six on Saturday, 22 March 2025
Today's post does not have a lot of words because I don't have a lot of time. There are several obligations to fulfill before leaving for Italy next week. There are also garden chores finish, and most critical, there is sensible suitcase packing to plan for. But, there are also several early spring ephemerals in bloom …
six on Saturday, 15 March 2025
Alabama is under one of its most severe storm, tornado, and hail outlooks in quite some time. Last night, one and a half inches of rain fell here at Highland Lake, and that was just a mild prelude to what is expected tomorrow. I'm writing this post in the 18 or so hours between the …
six on Saturday, 8 March 2025
Two Six on Saturday posts in a row! I feel as though I'm on a roll. I'll begin by noting that the two drought and cold distressed camellias I mentioned last week, ‘Grace Albritton’ and ‘Lady Vansittart Sport’ are now in generous flower, albeit with damaged blooms. But, I'll take freeze tinged petals over none. …
six on Saturday, 1 March 2025
It has been five months since I've published a "Six on Saturday" post. There have been a couple of "Wordless Wednesday" photos, but the long interval is indicative of just how uncooperative the Alabama weather has been at Highland Lake. There have been drenching rains, periods of dry skies and blustery winds, unseasonably warm days, …
