And eating the squirrel in the process.
It's growing so well that it decided not to stick with the plan of just growing up the iron trellis that I put there for it, it is escaping out the other side of the deck.
This is what it looked like at the end of May when I planted it.
BEFORE
AFTER
If you don't hear from me for a few days, I may have walked too close to the vine and got tangled in it.
And BTW, Sheba found a snake in the backyard the other day. S.N.A.K.E!!!
That will end my days of walking barefoot in the backyard. Or walking in the yard at all. As long as I don't actually see one I can pretend they don't exist, but at the first sighting of the season it's all over for me.
Did I ever mention the time when I was 5 or 6 years old and my father broke one of the old bricks in the foundation and pulled out a nest of garter snakes. He gave my brother and I each handfuls of them and we walked them a few houses down to let them go in the cemetery. You have no idea how much that whole experience haunts me to this day!
Linking with Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday.
Sounds like you have some creepy things going on there...like the first one, but snakes are not my thing at all.
ReplyDeleteWe have a snake cat. Some people have dogs, but my dog is a wuss- so Boofy Lynn, the gallant, kills all snakes in our yard and the neighbors' yards as well.
I notice you didn't stick around long enough to get a photo of it...must have been that childhood trauma.
Hugs- Tete
The black eyed susans are SWEET!!! Love the bright color!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like I need to think about one of those vines near our porch. It would look gorgeous taking over the porch.
ReplyDeleteLol, sounds like you are getting in the spirit for lots of fall fun. Sorry that you have haunting memories of snakes. I used to catch to keep as pets when I was a kid. Your creeping black eyed Susan is anything but creepy - it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteUgh-Carrying those snakes would have freaked me out for sure~Did you notice how that plant is kinda SNAKING its way up?;>) xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous plant. Your snakes referenced completely freaked me out. I can't imagine carrying one snake, let alone MANY snakes. Eek!
ReplyDeleteWow, your plant is gorgeous, Pam. I do remember when I was young handling snakes and not thinking anything of it...now I detest them. I haven't seen the little one that has hung out here the last couple of years and hope I don't...it is probably a garter but I back away so fast that I don't get a good look at it!
ReplyDeleteI hate snakes EEECCCHHHH!
ReplyDeleteBut your sunflower vine is great. Mine is growing up on the trellis but yours is a better bloomer!
WOWSA -- that is one happy Susan :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
OH we have snakes too!! I stopped gardening! I have a huge pot right outside our door full of my herbs and what was under the bottom but a snake!!!! We have this huge bush at the side of the house where i have seen them. The other day i was going to pick some blackberries the bush is right by the fence and my husband told me how a huge snake was living under it!
ReplyDeleteI have this fear of the snakes finding a way into my kitchen cupboards the same way the mice have been!
OMG i cannot believe your dad did that! I would have passed out!!!!
HOLY COW, YOU PICKED THEM UP????? I would have taken the brick and smashed them. I can't stand crawlies w/o legs...ewwww! As for the flower...how did it grow all the way up there???:) It looks wonderful! Yellow flowers are always my favorite flowers. It must be in a spot that it really likes w/ just enough light and water. You found the sweet spot for lil' susan!! Andrea @ townandprairie
ReplyDeleteIt is fabulous Pam. Who needs a trellis? Put it on the fence. Don't worry about the snake as they are always around, especially in those corn fields. I just look where I am going. I cut the grass in flip flops which is nuts I know but I dislike boots or tennis shoes so much. I am very careful and do wear gloves when I garden. I am however afraid of all those spiders at the old house and cannot do laundry after dark as they take over the laundry room-ick!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are stunning. Really enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteMy vine doesn't even look half as good as yours. Mine is pretty independent also, it is growing where it wants to, even though I keep trying to convince it that the trellis is where it should be happening.
ReplyDeleteSorry you have such poor snake memories. I really like snakes, though, to be fair, for the last 30 years I have lived in a state with no poisonous snakes, so I can have a relaxed attitude toward them. Why didn't you tell your Dad you were scared? I am always glad when I find little critters in my yard but I'm weird that way, I guess.
You definitely have a green thumb, the vine looks fabulous!! As far as the snakes go....you can keep them. When we lived in CA we had to contend with rattle snakes. Not fun to walk down the street and hear one or to walk out to your garage and see one. I don't miss those!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Jane
Your black eyed susan vine is so cool! I have always wanted to plant one. I think next year I will have to try it. As for the snake....YIKES!
ReplyDeleteThe black eyed susans are taking over! They look so pretty and happy. That snake story just icked me out completely!
ReplyDeleteWOWEE that sure is going nuts Pam. Sure wish I had that green thumb. Would love for you to come to the Carolinas and teach me a thing or two. Have a great weekend, and thank you for always making me smile, chuckle or spit out coffee:)
ReplyDeleteI planted some black eyed Susan vine seeds last year, and this year many volunteer plants came back. I spent several hours this morning cutting them back because they were growing over the top of the 5 foot fence. They are beautiful plants but they can be invasive. I'm like you, I HATE snakes!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Maryland and Black Eyed Susans were the state flower. I don't remember seeing them grow as vines? Yours is beautiful! I can't believe your father handed them to you! lol We have a mocassin problem in our neck of the woods. Big ones are really scary but even the little ones want to fight.
ReplyDeleteYour vine looks great. Curious, do you have to take it in during the winter months or will it overwinter outside. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWow, it IS really growing! So pretty.
ReplyDeleteKelly
So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCassy from Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Pam,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love that it is trying to "escape" the pot! Do not like snakes either! Years ago found a 6ft black snake in the entry way of my old farmhouse in NC! Had to sit and watch it till my hubby got home to get it out. Was afraid it would go hide somewhere and we wouldn't find it! It did not move for a whole hour and he got it out! Very creeepy!
Rebecca
YIKES! Each time I go out to the garden to look for tomatoes, I wonder if I am going to encounter a snake. INSTANT TOMATO JUICE.
ReplyDeleteYour Black Eyed Susan looks amazing.
I love your black-eyed susan vine...such perfectly shaped flowers! Snakes....ewww!
ReplyDelete