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Waterwise Gardening - a book review

Waterwise Gardening: Everything You Need To Know About Efficient Watering to Grow a Healthy Yard by Richard Restuccia Published by Rizzoli, 2025 I would guess that watering is the major issue that most gardeners grapple with, especially novice gardeners. I know from working at the nursery that the majority of questions and issues we get stem from either watering too much or not watering enough.  Many people in our area have sprinkler systems and I'm sure that can be a good thing if used properly but I feel that they primarily keep the lawns green but fall short for landscape plants. Especially when it comes to trees and larger plants, the timing and amounts are not satisfactory for many plants. I often hear people say that their sprinklers are set to come on every day - yikes! And there are those who did not water because it "rained" when it actually drizzled.  The best thing to do in this situation is to have a xeric garden but that would mean sacrificing favorite plant...
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First hummingbird

This morning as I was washing the breakfast dishes, I glanced out the kitchen window and saw the first hummingbird of the season. It was flying around the archway covered with the climbing rose "Blaze", yellow honeysuckle and a white clematis that I can't remember the name of. This photo was taken two weeks ago and the honeysuckle flowers had not fully opened yet. They are open now and the hummingbird was really enjoying them.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. scottweberpdxApril 27, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    Don't you love those little guys! I haven't seen them around much this spring...but I've heard them chirping around the garden...they are so quick!

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  2. gathering lifeApril 27, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    Oh, goody. I have not seen one yet. At least I know they are coming soon!!!!

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  3. ConnieApril 27, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    Hi Phillip. Love your blog; I always enjoy your posts about your roses and hydrangeas. I wanted to know if the white flower pictured with your 'Blaze' rose is a clematis. If so, do you know the cultivar? Thanks.

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  4. rebeccaApril 27, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    What a beautiful photograph! did you use some kind of special technique? Those roses are literally jumping off the screne into the room with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Cyndia MontgomeryApril 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Gotta get my feeders out! So exciting to see the hummingbirds.
    LOVE that peony! So beautiful!

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  6. Phillip OliverApril 27, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    Connie-Nicole, that is a clematis and unfortunately I don't recall the name of it.

    Rebecca, some tweaking in Photoshop. It is probably just the red though, they tend to jump out at you.

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  7. TeresaApril 27, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    So pretty!

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  8. Anne BoykinApril 27, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    What a beautiful combination!

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  9. Gardener on Sherlock StreetApril 27, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    What a great combination.

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  10. CarolApril 28, 2012 at 6:25 AM

    I have had then at the feeders now for about 3 weeks. Not many-just a couple, but I love watching them. Carol

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  11. AnonymousApril 28, 2012 at 6:07 PM

    That Clematis looks like Duchess of Edinburgh. Gorgeous companions!

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  12. Tatyana@MySecretGardenApril 28, 2012 at 8:45 PM

    Wonderful, summery, cheerful picture! Those little birds can make us so happy! I need to wait many weeks to see them in my garden. Their favorite plant is red monarda. Last summer, I even saw them fighting around it.

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  13. Lisa at GreenbowApril 30, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    Yummy, I would be drawn to these flowers too. I haven't seen a hummer in my garden as yet. I have red roses blooming too. Where is my hummer?? WHINE...

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  14. Phillip OliverApril 30, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Well Lisa, I have not seen him since! Perhaps he was a scout?

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  15. GailApril 30, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    Love when they arrive and someday hope they let me get a decent photo. gail

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  16. Mr. McGregor's DaughterMay 1, 2012 at 3:12 PM

    There's nothing to get your heart pumping like the sight of a hummer. (Cute little buggers.) I got my act together early this year & put my feeder up already, even though my honeysuckle hasn't even thought about forming buds yet.

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