I followed the instructions for May grooming posted on the big chalk board at Green Mama’s, and cut back the cherry sage by 1/3. A few weeks later, they’re bursting into bloom again. I guess the key to keep these fat, happy, and full of flowers is to cut them back just at the point when the flower spikes are starting to fade. I love, love, LOVE these plants, because they need nothing from me but the occasional whacking. They stay green all year, flower from the moment it gets warm until it freezes again, and need no water other than rain, and a splash or two in August. I’ve planted them in white in another bed, but the jury is still out on those. I have plans to use some of the new purple ones in the side yard, where Good Neighbor can share their beauty. I owe him for putting up with my, umm, relaxed approach to mowing and weeding.

The fabulous front yard bed is looking a tad lopsided. The sweet potato vine and lantana on the left of the red yucca are full and lush. The blue mound juniper to the right of it is BOOORRRINNNNGGG! Since both lantana and sweet potato will die off in the winter, I really want to come up with something for this bed that will stay green year ’round. Hmm…

The new yellow bed, looking greener. Three of the four roses have greened up, and the coreopsis is coming along. I’m not sure the fourth rose is going to make it. I also have three four nerve daisies to plant here, if I ever get back to gardening. I’m so behind from this stupid poision ivy epic that I just can’t seem to carve out two minutes to think about working in the front yard.