Not Your PM

May 2025 Garden Update

I've been gardening for a few years now, starting with a community plot during COVID. I learned a lot, especially how much growth happens come July, making preparation key in the earlier months before you're just fighting nature. My Mom was a green thumb and this is how I keep her memory alive. I grew up on 4 acres and we had a nice garden plot I remember exploring as a young kid. I took all those veggies for granted, I ate so much cherry tomatos I wouldn't eat them for years! Now, I garden in the most polluted area in America, a few miles away from the only river in the country that is part of the top 1,000 polluted rivers in the world. I used to only be interested in growing veggies, there was a big part of me that only wanted to do something if there was a "productive" reason to do it (like getting food). Since then, I've come to enjoy flowers and the color they provide, because life isn't always about putting your nose to the grindstone, you can put an effort into something just so you can create a space that you enjoy and can enjoy a few breaths.

A spring container I created myself, collection of pansies and snapdragon or whatever the spring version of that is

Front Yard

Common Name Latin Name Type Seasonal Interest Specific Location
Warsaw Nike Clematis Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' Climber Spring–Summer
Salvia Salvia nemorosa Perennial Late Spring–Summer Bed
Tulip Tulipa spp. Bulb Spring Foundation Planter
Hyacinth Hyacinthus spp. Bulb Spring Foundation Planter
Daffodil Narcissus spp. Bulb Early Spring
Roseum Elegans Rhododendron Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans' Shrub Spring
Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata Tree Early Spring

North Side

Common Name Latin Name Type Seasonal Interest Specific Location
Lavender Lavandula spp. Perennial Late Spring–Summer (with fall potential) North Side

South Side

Common Name Latin Name Type Seasonal Interest Specific Location
Double Knockout Rose — Shrub — Along neighbor's fence

Backyard - Potted Herbs

Common Name Latin Name Type Seasonal Interest Specific Location
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus Herb Summer–Fall Potted Plant
Curly Parsley Petroselinum crispum Herb Summer Potted Plant
Chives Allium schoenoprasum Herb Spring–Fall Potted Plant
Basil Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese Herb Summer Potted Plant
Thyme Thymus Herb Honestly, I'm surprised it overwintered so not sure Potted Plant
Oregano Origanum vulgare Herb Spring - Summer Potted Plant

Backyard - Shade Garden

Common Name Latin Name Type Seasonal Interest
Hosta Hosta spp. Perennial Summer
Daylily Hemerocallis spp. Perennial Summer
Hydrangea (Mophead) Hydrangea macrophylla Shrub Summer
Dogwood Cornus florida Tree Spring–Fall
Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii Shrub Summer–Fall
Allium 'Bubble Bath' Allium hybrid 'Bubble Bath' Perennial Late Spring–Summer
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea Perennial Summer–Fall
Reptar Plant (funny story) Coleus Annual
False Spirea Astilbe Prennial Spring-Summer
Coral Bells Heuchera Perennial Spring–Fall

Backyard - 2025 Veggies

Name Type Notes
Sunburst Cherry Tomato
San Marzano II Plum Tomato
Flavorburst Bell Pepper Squirrels really enjoyed these, none left!
Gateway Cucumber
Helios Habenero Pepper Another one gone thanks to the squirrels
Potato Yukon? I bought this one on a whim at the garden center
Ghost Pepper Hot Pepper Another purchase on a whim, hopefully the squirrels don't munch on them!