2026 CW17 - Glad for Gladiolus!
Glad for Gladiolus: Our Cover Story
This week, the garden hit a major milestone that we’ve been tracking with breathless anticipation. Our Gladiolus—which have been standing tall in their sword-like foliage for weeks—have finally delivered. The star of the show is this stunning pink variety, which has officially reached full, dramatic bloom.
We’ve been watching this particular stalk for days, charting its progress from a tight, guarded bud to this week’s spectacular opening. It is, without a doubt, the "Cover Story" of the yard right now. There’s something undeniably rewarding about the Gladiolus; they take their time building up their structure, but when they finally decide to put on a show, they don't hold anything back. Seeing that vibrant pink pop against the greenery is the perfect reward for a season of careful tending.
The Home Center Rescue Mission
Sometimes the most rewarding additions to the garden are the ones that just need a little extra attention. This week, we stopped by the clearance section of the local home center on a "rescue mission" and couldn't resist a few projects. We picked up a Cherry Sparks Penstemon, which is currently getting some crucial vertical support from a makeshift trellis I fashioned out of three stakes and some sturdy string. Right alongside it, we found a Supra Red Dianthus. This hardy little plant just needs a permanent spot to call home, and we're excited to watch it fill out with those characteristic fringed blooms.
We also brought home two other beauties that found their places in the yard. First, the Bandana Cherry Sunrise Lantana found its home out by the mailbox. We’ve planted it amongst the established lilies, and we’re hoping the heat of the road doesn't bother it. Lastly, I picked up a vining Mandevilla that I knew would need a grand stage. I've officially constructed a sturdy wooden trellis for it, complete with irrigation, and mounted it against the brick wall of the house. I'm reasonably sure the materials for the trellis cost far more than the clearance plant itself, but seeing that green vine start to make its way up the support will make the effort well worth it.
More Blooms Around the Garden
The floral activity is picking up everywhere we look! Our young Madame Alfred Rose is really showing off, putting out a generous flush of blooms that feel like a true milestone for such a young plant. Out in the backyard, the Dahlias are finally making their debut, with that moody, deep purple variety leading the way.
We are keeping a very close watch on the Blazing Star Liatris (A first for us this year!). Those tall, fuzzy purple spikes are absolutely so close to opening, and we are eagerly waiting for them to finally burst into color. Meanwhile, our potted Kalanchoe is getting in on the action, currently gearing up for its second impressive round of blooms this season.
We’ve also been busy adding some new textures and colors to the patio and pots. There is a brand-new Hydrangea in a lovely, vintage pastel pink. We’ve placed it in a unique square terracotta pot on the back patio, where its soft color really stands out. Additionally, we’ve underplanted the Princess Flower trees in their striking blue pots with fresh white verbena. The crisp white flowers create a beautiful, clean base that lets the blue pots and the deep green foliage of the trees really pop.
The Resurrection of the Live Oak
We are taking another check-in with the grand Live Oak in the backyard, which is looking especially vibrant after a much-needed recent rain. That very rain has triggered a spectacular transformation: the Resurrection Fern has officially risen, cloaking the limbs in a soft, vibrant green, while our "floating" baskets filled with Dragon Wing Begonias continue to provide a perfect pop of color high in the canopy. We even had a special guest join the session—our garden supervisor, Henry, who managed to peek into the frame, providing that vital "paws on the ground" perspective for this favorite backyard sanctuary.
Garden Guests and Official Supervisors
No garden update would be complete without a check-in from the official "supervisors." This week, the oversight committee was in full force, ensuring every weed was identified and every path was properly inspected.
We had a very special guest this week—an overnight visitor from Sara's veterinary clinic. This is Match-stick, a tiny, 0.6-pound kitten with a fierce name and an adorable face. Match-stick was only with us for a day, but that was more than enough time to provide some crucial, fluffy oversight from a safe distance.
The true hand-on (or paws-on) work, however, was handled by Yoda. We found him deeply embedded in the vegetable garden, taking his job very seriously. While we can’t prove he was actively pulling weeds, we did notice some suspiciously teeth shaped notches in the leaves. We promise plenty of actual vegetable updates next week, but for this weekend, the focus is purely on the management.
