Swelling Disease

I really don't like putting this photo up, even though it isn't the worst swollen foot experience I have ever had, it's just that I have to do this. Most people have no idea what hereditary angioedema even is, let alone what it can do, and this is just the tip of the iceberg that sank my battleship. Basically, any part of my body can swell for no real good reason other than it is being used too much. That's because I am missing the protein in my blood that repairs swelling. My hands and feet are the worst, followed by my intestines. I also react as though I have allergies and for some unknown reason I am the only person I have ever met who can say that decongestants lower my blood pressure. In addition to those, I take twice the recommended daily allowance of antihistamines and then a whole lot of other things. Maybe this can explain some of the disability problems and why it's strange I like to garden when it can actually hurt me a great deal.

Cemetery Roses

I found this old cemetery rose at a pioneer cemetery near Astoria, Oregon. My husband and I love to seek out these old plants when we go on our trips because it really is such a fun activity when you are traveling with so little money. When I was a child, doing this kind of thing was normal, but now, young folks don't always do these kinds of things, often calling them old fashioned or outdated. All I know is that it is an activity that I used to like to take part in, and I still do. I hope that my nieces, or even my future nephew, will do the same in the future.
These small rose blooms smelled amazing and although the cuttings I took did not take, luckily I will be able to return there soon for some more.
I hope to add a few others to my collection too as time goes by. Let me know if you have any great ones.

My Glo-Go Tree, the Orange Ball Tree, or the color my neighbor hates

Very few people outside of my family will understand when I call this thing a Glo-Go tree. Technically, it is actually a type of butterfly bush but it is very unlike the ones we are most familiar with here in the US. This one is South American. It is a: Buddleia globosa, or Orange Ball Tree. I bought it here in the Portland area at a nursery called Cistus and I just cannot say enough about the folks there. They are great and so are their plants.

Columbine: Chocolate Soldier

This is the Chocolate Soldier Columbine. I don't think I have to say anything more than it is a Top 10 favorite of mine. The blooms aren't really all that showy, but they are simply so unusual one just cannot get enough of them.
Easy to grow from seed, they can bloom the first year if tended to from the start. They are small-ish, only about 15-20" tall and wide, and appear to be pretty tough. No mildew in sight!