Garden Muse Day and ABC Wednesday

Today is the first of April, which means it's Garden Muse Day; it's ABC Wednesday; and, it's the first Wednesday of the month which means it's Book Review Day. So what's a girl to do?? I've been so busy this past month and haven't had any time to read any worthwhile book, so I'm afraid I'll have to skip the book review this month. As for Muse Day and ABC Wednesday, I think I have them both covered by combining them:

K is for Kids!

Grandkids, to be exact. Photo taken about 3 years ago when there were only four . . .

I've never been a big fan of e.e. cummings, but the following poem brings back memories of all that spring meant to me as a child. I spent many hours in the swing hanging from a big tree in the yard, and when spring rains flooded the roads, the neighbor kids, my brother, and I would enjoy the "puddle wonderful" world.

in Just-
by e. e. cummings

in Just-

spring when the world is mud-

luscious the little

lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come

running from marbles and

piracies and it's

spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer

old balloonman whistles

far and wee

and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's

spring

and

the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles

far

and

wee

. . . And now there are five!

.............................................................................

I took a walk around my garden before leaving Tuesday morning to check on the garden's progress. I had also hoped to find a plant that began with K for the ABC post today, but no such luck. There are no Kerria japonica, Kalmia, Kniphofia, Kolwitzia, or even a Kumquat tree in my garden. But I did notice one plant that I've never mentioned here before and thought some of you might be interested in this one.



Forkius Plasticus, planted here in the front porch planter as well as in various containers. These are very easy to grow and an excellent companion plant for showier flowers. While you won't find them in most nurseries or catalogues, they are available in supermarkets, discount stores, or dollar stores.


Some basic growing facts:

• Hardiness: All zones
• Height: 5-6"; width 1"
• Light: sun to full shade
• Soil: adapts to any soil conditions
• Planting depth: 1"; space 2-4" apart
• Colors: available in many colors (I prefer the black, but my frugal side prompted me to buy this silver/transparent variety)
• Bloom time: early June to frost, when they are covered with pink or fuschia geranium, purple or pink wave petunia, cherry pink profusion zinnia, or a host of other lovely blooms.
  

The forkius plasticus is an excellent plant for cat lovers or those with wandering neighbor cats. They can be planted anywhere but are especially effective in containers which cats might mistake for a napping spot or, worse yet, a litter box.**

Garden Muse Day is brought to you the first of each month by the creative Carolyn Gail, and ABC Wednesday is brought to you each week by the indomitable Mrs. Nesbitt.

**Oh, yes, and I hope you all also have a Happy April Fools' Day!