Sunday, October 30, 2011

I'm Just a Country Girl at Heart

Anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time knows that I grew up on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin.   Now I live in Grapevine, Texas, which is a suburb in a sea of 6.3 million people called the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

Even though I may not live on the farm anymore, 
I am still a country girl at heart.


Speaking of country girls, my gardening friend Jolene gave me a division of her Country Girl Chrysanthemum that I am getting to see bloom for the very first time this fall.    Jolene gave me this plant this spring, and it survived the now infamous Summer of 2011 without a care in the world.   The foliage remained dark green all summer without even a hint of crisping in the seemingly unending triple digits.

And now this October, finally the moment I have been waiting for...blooms!

 

This old-fashioned mum is also known as 'Clara Curtis.'


My plan is to move it into my front perennial garden near some Mexican Bush Sage, Indigo Spires Salvia, Salvia Greggii, and Lindheimer's Muhly grass.    I think that sounds like a lovely fall combination.  
 

Whenever I see this pretty little plant, I remember that I am still a country girl at heart who just loves to dig in the dirt.  I also think of my very generous friend Jolene (who, by the way, I can't think of without that crazy country song by Dolly Parton popping in my head!)    With just a few artistic liberties taken, it goes something like this...

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you...please don't take my plant
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take her back...because you can't!

I am hoping my little patch of mums expands so that I can pay Jolene's generosity forward and share a little country with some of my other city-dwelling friends.

Until then, I'll just thank God I'm a country girl (at heart)

Toni :-)

9 comments:

  1. That is such a pretty bunch of blooms! Lovely! I think all gardeners have a bit of country in them. I know I do even though I live in one of the busiest cities.

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  2. I love this type of Mum, I have some myself.

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  3. What pretty mums! I LOVE the white! They look like daisies! I could almost believe summer was still here, instead of fall!

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  4. Your Country Girl mums are beautiful. I love the pale pink petals with the butter yellow center. I wouldn't want Jolene to take them either if I were you;)

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  5. hahahaha! love the catchy tune! I've been gone so long I almost forgot how to blog! I will have to snoop and see what I've missed, I'm pretty sure I will read some great stories! Missed you Toni!

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  6. I love the delicate coloring! I'm sure they're a welcome fall sight after your tough summer, Toni.

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  7. Oooo, that is a beauty! I understand your desire to move to Texas. Wisconsin is too cold for five months out of the year. Hope you come back and visit during the nice months, though!

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  8. Toni, that is one great-looking mum, love the face on that flower. Sheer perfection. I sure hope Jolene doesn't take your mums away!

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  9. (***Deep sigh***) Blooming flowers!! LOVE those blooms; they are so sweet & gorgeous (and 2 seasons away for your fellow Mid-westerners). We'll live vicariously through you... :D

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