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I visited Renrick's Farm and Gardens (www.renricks.com) for the first time on Saturday. Their place is located outside of Chickasha, but they sell their plants at the Norman farmers' market on Saturdays. I have been buying plants from them for several years, with many of my daylilies coming from them.

Mr. Renrick gave my friend Shelley B. and me a nice garden tour and I bought several plants from him. I recommend their plants, as they are locally grown and just of good quality. Mrs. Renrick mans the booth on Saturdays and she is happy to share garden advice and sell you some nice plants.

Thanks for the tour. :) I will be showing off some of my daylilies in the next week or so on this blog.

 Here is the new and improved dove aviary! The first two photos show the front and back panels standing on the foundation I built. The third is the completed project, with all sides up and the roof on. The roof is made of polycarbonate roofing sheets. The center section is clear, to give a nice light and airy look. I will use shade cloth on that if need be in hot weather, though trees shade it all most of the day. The birds seem happy to check it out!

Here is one of my new favorites: 'Early Sunrise' Coreopsis, with blue grama grass to the right and Russian sage behind This coreopsis has a nice low habit and a real lemon yellow.

I am a coneflower fanatic. I have been growing them since I first started gardening in Iowa 20-odd years ago. They make such a "prairie" statement, especially when combined with grasses. The fancy new colors and sizes are just frosting on the cake. I do keep them sprayed with an organic caterpillar controller, though, as the leaf skeletonizing caterpillars will decimate them otherwise. This photo shows a planting of 'Cheyenne Spirit' mix.

I have collected several funny little heart-shaped faux birdcages. I sprayed them all jade-ite green and they now hang from 24" shepherd's hooks in various spots around the garden. Just for fun. The shrub behind the daylilies is a Longwood Blue caryopteris. Those are standards in my garden too. The butterflies love them.

I'm finally seeing that wild, exhuberant look I've been striving to achieve! Yay! Here: caryopteris, Russian sage, Karl Foerster feather reed grass and a Salvia gregii on the low right edge.

This is a road runner on the dove aviary. He was a welcome friend, but...

This is a very hungry red-tailed hawk. He wasn't able to get at the doves, but it was fascinating to watch him try.

P.S.  My doves are ring necked doves who have been raised in captivity. They make the most beautiful cooing and laughing sounds.

To follow up on May rainfall: My friend Dede measured 31" of rain on the west edge of Blanchard. OMG :)