They're back. Rain + Sunshine + the month of April = Dandelions. Since we don't use any chemicals on our lawn, we have lots of them. We mow them down and poof, the next day they are back. So, instead, we have chosen to simply adjust our attitudes and embrace them, although I do manually remove them from my flower beds.

Did you know?

• Dandelions are members of the sunflower family.
• Birds, insects and butterflies consume the nectar or seed of dandelions.
• There are about 100 different species.
• They are found all over the world in temperate regions. European settlers intentionally brought dandelions to America.
• The word 'dandelion' is French in origin “dent de lion” lion’s tooth, which refers to the serrated leaves.
• Dandelion flowers open in the morning and close in the evening.
• Every part of the dandelion is useful. It can be used for food, medicine and dye for coloring.
• Dandelions are high in calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C.

In this photo a dandelion invaded my magenta creeping phlox.
Dandelion facts from: http://justfunfacts.com and http://www.columbia.edu

While gardening, I try to avoid lifting or carrying whenever I can. I use a plastic tarpaulin. I bought the tarp pictured at a garage sale for a quarter. It's a 4' x 8' one, which in 'tarp-land' is considered small. When I transplant, it's so easy to just roll my plant onto the tarp and drag it to where I want it - especially when they are large like this sedum I moved last week. Then when I dig the new hole for the plant, I put the dirt right back on the tarp and drag it back to the empty hole where the plant came from. I can simply lift the tarp and pour the dirt right back in the hole. Work smarter, not harder, right? Now, if only I could consistently follow that wisdom...

Gardeners also use tarps for weed control and shade protection.

Yep it's gorgeous, and the photo color is completely accurate, but "Spiny Sea Urchin" is probably *the* most temperamental daylily in my garden. I have put up with this diva for many more years than I should have. It has had three different locations and still hasn't thrived. Last spring I moved it up by our house in a protected, southwest location close to a cement sidewalk for warmth. Since being moved there it has finally started to grow. This photo was taken last summer after the move. One last chance. If it doesn't come around this summer, I've had enough! As pretty as it is, this daylily will be ousted, and the clock is ticking.

Spiny Sea Urchin is a California-bred daylily, registered in 2003. Blooms are 5.5" and it grows about 27" tall. The famous daylily "Ed Brown" is one of the parents of Spiny Sea Urchin. Ed Brown has been temperamental for me, too. It must be a Wisconsin thing...these plants are longing for California. With all the cold April rain and snow flurries we've had lately, I'd like a Cali vacation, too.

Trahlyta is one of those unique daylilies that can't be mistaken for any other. This Georgia daylily has been a consistent, reliable and hardy grower in my garden. The 6.5" fragrant blooms are a very unusual greyed violet with a dark purple eyezone and a green throat. In the daylily world, Trahlyta received an Award of Merit as well as the 2009 Lenington All American Award, which means it was voted as the best performer over a wide geographic area. Each year one daylily wins this distinction. This is a good list to refer to when purchasing daylilies. I have, or have had many of the daylilies on the list and they have all done well for me in Wisconsin. Here's the link: http://www.daylilies.org/leningtonawards.html

Genetics from Trahlyta have been used extensively and many of the offspring plants retain the distinctive characteristics. When I checked online Trahlyta had 116 registered children, some quite notable such as "Eggplant Escapade," "Grey Witch," "Jerry Hyatt," and "Lindy Twirl" just to name a few.

In Cherokee legend, "Trahlyta" is the name of a woman who is said to have lived in the North Georgia Mountains. She was told to walk along a path, drink from the spring and wish never to grow old. Trahlyta's "fountain of youth" is now known as Porter Springs, Georgia. And how do you pronounce Trahlyta? From what I can find, it's "Trah-lee-ta."