'Wendy's Wish' has become my favorite salvia. Photo by Doug Oster

Discovering a new favorite plant is just one of the joys of gardening.

I found salvia 'Wendy's Wish' at Hahn Nursery three years ago which started a love affair. It blooms all season, attracts hummingbirds and can be wintered over if protected.

Although I couldn't track down any plants last season, one of mine made if through the winter and bloomed again last year.

'Wendy's Wish' is a perennial in zone 7 and higher. Most of our area is zone 5b or 6. That's why I'm growing it as a hardy annual, it will bloom until frost. Feeding it weekly with a liquid organic fertilizer will make it happy.

I bought three plants in one gallon containers and then transplanted them to big pots for the summer.

It grows best in full sun, but will also bloom in part shade.

'Wendy's Wish' is tough, beautiful and long blooming. There isn't much more you can ask of a plant.

I left about 10 plants at the nursery. Better get them before they are gone, I doubt if they will re-stock this specialty plant.

Still need to stock up on spring clothes for the kids?  Two super-sized consignment sales with all-things-kid friendly will take place this weekend in Pittsburgh. 

Shop gently used children's goods -- many 50 to 90 percent off -- at an event organized by the Pittsburgh North chapter of Just Between Friends. It's 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center. Consignors can earn 60 percent of their sales, or 70 percent if they also volunteer at the event.

Admission is $3 the first day and free during the weekend. Unsold items will be donated to Focus on Renewal.  Just Between Friends is a national network of consignment sales that helps parents provide for their families. 

Also starting Friday, stock up on maternity and children's clothes, furniture, toys, books, movies, video games and more at the Kid Mania sale at the Washington County Fairgrounds (buildings 1 and 4). Many items will be 75 to 90 percent off retail prices. Food vendors will be on site. It's 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free.

Happy shopping!

(Photo: Racks packed with discounted chilren's clothes at a past Just Between Friends consignment sale. Photo courtesy of Just Between Friends, Pittsburgh North chapter.)

Here's a segment from KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live looking at organic products for fertilizing, planting, insect and disease control. You can have the same great lawn and garden without reaching for chemicals.

Blogger: A Passion for the Pen, Greensburg

I’ve come to the realization that my two-year old son is technically my best friend. No offense to my “big girl” best friends, I still love all of you, but for blog purposes, let’s just explore my title a bit further.

As a work at home mom, I spend more time with my son than any I do any other person on this Earth. That said, we are together through the ups and downs of every single day. That’s something I haven’t even experienced with my very best friends. We always had time when we were separated in the physical sense, it was never 100% interaction all the time.

Read more...

Tara Darazio is a freelance writer, social media strategist, wife, and mom to a vibrant little boy. She has a BA in Advertising and Public Relations and a BA in Mass Communication from Point Park University. Her post on motherhood and tattoos was previously featured on PlayGround.