Bumble Blossoms

07/07/2026

Unlock the hidden world of extraordinary fruits that most people haven't even heard of.

Forget the usual garden offerings. Dive into the captivating realm of unique fruits that you can grow right at your doorstep.

Kiwi vines twist and turn, offering lush greenery, and with hardy varieties, they can even withstand frosty nights. Imagine a sour burst of fresh kiwi in your backyard.

The persimmon tree adds a dash of elegance with its vivid presence. As autumn arrives, it gifts you with fruits, untouched by pests, ready to amaze.

Next, meet the paw paw—where tropical sweetness meets temperate grace. It's a forgotten delight waiting to be rediscovered in your garden.

Quince brings its magic in jars, transforming effortlessly into incredible jams, thriving with minimal care.

For those with limited space, figs offer a bounty. Grow them in pots, enjoy their generous yield twice a year, and savor each bite.

Mulberries grow with zeal, drawing birds into a frenzy. It’s not just a tree; it’s a centerpiece for lively backyard activity.

Transport yourself to ancient times with the medlar, an underappreciated fruit harvested after the first frost, lending a taste of history to your table.

Discover the jostaberry, a unique cross between the tartness of blackcurrants and the subtle sweetness of gooseberries, bringing a fusion of flavors to your palette.

Finally, the elderberry serves a dual role. Its berries and flowers provide a twofold harvest, ready to transform into syrups or teas that bolster your well-being.

Grow a garden that surprises and delights.

Share flavors so rare, your neighbors won't believe their taste buds.

07/07/2026

I used to think plants always needed soil, but water growing is surprisingly simple 💧 A few things I’ve learned:

🌿 Pothos is one of the easiest plants to root in water.
🎋 Lucky bamboo does best with clean water and indirect light.
🤍 Peace lilies can grow in water, but the container needs refreshing.
🌱 Spider plant babies root quickly in little jars.
🍃 Philodendron cuttings look pretty trailing from a vase.
🌿 English ivy likes bright, indirect light when grown this way.
🌸 Paperwhites and hyacinths are fun for seasonal blooms.
🪴 Chinese evergreen looks nicer when the roots stay clean.

Changing the water before it gets cloudy makes the whole setup look fresher and keeps the plants happier 🌿

07/07/2026

Goldenrod is one of those plants I appreciate more every year 🌼 A few things I’ve learned about it:

🐝 Bees visit it heavily when many flowers are slowing down.
🌾 It brings bright late-season color without much fuss.
🦋 Pollinators use it as an important food source before cooler weather.
🌿 It works best along fences, edges, and natural garden areas.
🍂 Giving it space makes it look intentional instead of messy.

I like plants that do more than look pretty, and goldenrod is one of those quiet helpers in the garden 🐝🌿

07/07/2026

Some flowers really are long-term garden friends 🌸 A few things I’d keep in mind:
🌿 Peonies and irises don’t like being moved too often, so pick their spot carefully.
☀️ Daylilies and false indigo do best with plenty of sun.
🍃 Hostas and bleeding hearts are great for shadier corners.
💧 Water well while new plants settle in, especially the first year.
✂️ Divide crowded clumps when flowering starts to slow down.
I love perennials like these because they make a garden feel established and lived-in over time.

06/14/2026

June is a mix of summer planting and fall planning 🌱 A few things I’d focus on:
🥒 Early June is a good time for warm-season crops like courgette, cucumber, beans, basil, and sunflowers.
🌽 Mid-month is often the last push for corn, squash, pumpkins, and climbing beans.
🥬 Later in June, I start thinking about autumn crops like kale, turnips, leeks, and fennel.
💧 Keep newly sown seeds evenly moist in hot weather.
🌤️ Give leafy crops a cooler spot if your summers get intense.
I like June because it feels like you’re still planting for summer while quietly setting up the next harvest.

06/14/2026

Some flowers bloom better with a little cleanup ✂️ I usually watch for this:
🌸 Zinnias, petunias, geraniums, marigolds, and cosmos often keep going better when faded blooms are removed.
🌼 Cut back to a leaf joint instead of leaving a bare stem.
🐝 If bees are still visiting a bloom, I leave it for a bit longer.
🌿 Coneflowers can be deadheaded for more flowers, but I leave some seed heads later.
🌱 Impatiens, begonias, vinca, and lobelia usually don’t need much fuss.
Deadheading is one of those tiny chores that makes containers and flower beds look fresh fast.

06/14/2026

A little wild space can give a lot back 🌿 A few things I love about this:
🦇 Dead trees and old branches can become shelter for wildlife.
🐝 Clover feeds bees when it’s allowed to bloom.
🍂 Undisturbed soil and leaf litter give helpful insects a place to live.
🐦 Leaving some berries can feed birds when they need them.
💧 A damp corner might look messy to us, but it can be habitat for frogs and other little visitors.
I’ve learned that a yard doesn’t have to be perfectly tidy to be full of life.

06/09/2026

✨ So much fun happening at Gathered On South these days! ✨

👗 New Nollypop Boutique Arrivals Alert!
We've brought in a whole new line of dresses and tops, and we're officially prep-obsessed! Think classic, polished styles that are perfect for summer and beyond.

🌿 Sage by Sages Restock
Your favorites are back, along with some exciting new products! Shop Collagen Gummies, Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, a variety of sage bundles, and so much more.

🌻 Bumble Blossoms Has It All
Garden lovers, this one's for you! Browse gardening goodies galore, including gloves, tools, gifts, and an adorable new kids' section.

Stop by and see what's new—we can't wait to show you around! 💕

06/09/2026

We are honored to have received the 2026 Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award from The Garden Club of Virginia for our Native Pollinator Gateway Garden at Dodona Manor! Thank you GCV for this great honor.

The award makes possible implementation of specific, tangible projects that directly benefit natural resource conservation or environmental protection within the Commonwealth. Award recipients’ contribution to the project must be directly evident and measurable, and each project would inspire others to outstanding accomplishments on behalf of Virginia’s natural resources.

George C. Marshall International Center

05/25/2026