This garden blossoms with tasteful imagination

Rita and Jim Lichtenwalter have a garden that definitely lends zest to their lives and vice versa. They are currently enjoying a tree trunk covered with night-blooming cactus that has had three flushes of blooms this year so far.

"I used to go to work at 3 am," Rita said, "and one night I saw something white and gleaming on the tree trunk and came back to look." These are some of the most fantastic flowers; she has photos where they look almost like fireworks. There are several different kinds. Some are wonderfully fragrant. Rita's have long fuzzy buds.

Many know Rita and her daughters from their booth at Ybor's Saturday market where they sell, among other things, hand-painted garden signs for $5 each. They will even make them to order for customers who call them at (813) 651-1424.

Rita is one of those gardeners who can turn junk into garden art that makes the plants far more interesting. She and her daughters were helping someone move one day and had the truck well loaded when she saw a windmill put out for trash. Even her daughters balked this time. "Dad will have a fit," one said.

But they put it on top of the load, tied it down, and Rita held it all the way home. She hoped Jim would not be looking, but he was - and he was not happy. She knew he might fuss; she didn't expect him to cuss. But after a time, it was Jim who fixed the broken windmill and painted it red. Now it's his windmill.

Their front garden is small and shady and Rita is spreading the groundcovers to eliminate the last of the grass. The side and back gardens are fenced and filling up again after the freeze. She is enjoying her best sunflowers ever in bloom and gloriosa lilies cover part of the fence.

Angelonias in three colors bloom before the statue of the Blessed Mother, and a bench, chair, and table surround a fire pit that had a potted plant in it for the summer. Bird cages, pitchers and plates decorate parts of the fence and an old washboard and tub stand by part of the plantings. Mirrors in strategic places on the fence double the beauty. Such tasteful imagination is a gift from God.

Today's pick

Rita's gloriosa lilies were blooming with dark red petals edged in yellow and lime green at the center. They bloom on a fast-growing vine but one that will not take over and do best in full sun to light shade. You can buy bulbs, but she had several coming up from seeds and they transplanted well. All parts are poisonous but none are tempting to eat. Sometimes you will see them growing wild along the roadsides but they are not native. They won't root from cuttings.

Now's the time to...

•Tell you I have four friendly, frolicking black and white garden kittens to give away. They are used to living outside or in our garage. Call me at (813) 654-1969.

•Watch for plant bargains. Rita found an azalea plant that had three in the pot, separated them and already they are nice size bushes. Separate very carefully so as not to disturb roots any more than necessary, and then nurture them with intensive care until they recover from the root damage that can't be avoided in the operation.

•Exchange plants and cuttings with friends. Most gardeners have plenty to share and that is part of the pleasure. But be gracious and don't take it to heart if someone refuses to share all. Some plants still need more time and some are already tagged for family.