The best it can be yet?? Heck no. (1 pic)

16 years ago

Martha posted a question a few weeks ago asking when our gardens were at their peak. After futzing around for a few years with with my little cottagey patch, I seem to have gotten it to the point where it doesn't look wonderful at any time of the year. But most times it's pretty decent. I haven't run out of ideas, and, in fact, I'm still working on a couple I got here when I first arrived.

The hollyhocks and daisies seem to be especially happy this year, so I thought I should show them to you, since I know you all like pics. You may notice a trellis on the right with nothing on it. That's for my John Davis rose and Henryi clematis, but John, while happy, is still small, and Henry doesn't seem to be thrilled at all to be in my garden. Maybe the third year (next year) will be the charm for them. Still tons of room for improvement. That's what makes it fun right?

You may also notice what appears to be a small male human being on the left of the picture. That would be my two year old grandson, not yet a garden helper, though not for the lack of trying. I don't dare go in the garden when he is near or he thinks he should plow right in there too.

Happy 4th of July to all USers.

ThinMan

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Comments (16)

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Nell Jean
16 years ago
Perfect July 4th greeting -- red hollyhocks, white daisies and blue somethings AND a precious boy, so cute in his little tennis shoes! Enjoy.

Nell
memo3
16 years ago
VERY nice, TMan! A happy 4th to you and yours as well.

MeMo

PS...what'cha got growing between your pavers?
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PattiOH
16 years ago
Truly enchanting, TMan!
Your hollyhocks really are the stars and give that very special cottage touch.

I'm having a pang of jealousy over your dear little grandson. (I hope he'll be allowed into the garden next year.)
Patti
natvtxn
16 years ago
Great pic!!!! I really like your house.
Aren't grands wonderful? But they grow up way too fast.
The intent concentration of your GS made me think of a story...

Years ago my granddaughter was helping me pick worms off some plants. We put them in a jelly jar. She asked what the black stuff was. She was so thrilled that we had worm poop. She yelled to my son, "Look, Daddy, Worm Poop!"

And now she is 22 and getting married next month.
lavendrfem
16 years ago
thinman,
what a welcoming entrance.... I just love the hollyhocks and daisies together.

Estelle
Vikki1747
16 years ago
I love that flower bed. The hollyhock's are stunning and the perfect accent for that location. I have a 3yr old grandson and he's eager to help also so I know of what you speak, lol. Thanks for the picture and Happy 4th to you and yours also. Vikki
fammsimm
16 years ago
Tman, I think it looks glorious!! A garden in full bloom, a hanging basket, potted plants, a bird bath, a porch with a comfy place to sit, a garden path, even an adorable garden helper.

This picture makes me smile, as I'm sure it does to all who see your house in person. :-)

Marilyn
FlowerLady6
16 years ago
TMan ~ Your cottage and garden are lovely. The hollyhocks really make it. You are doing a great job. Your GS is a sweet addition to the picture.

FlowerLady
lynnencfan
16 years ago
Very nice Tinman - I absolutely love hollyhocks - they are my all time favorite cottage garden flower. My youngest grandson loves to come over and go on anole/chameleon hunts in my gardens. He also loves to check out the veggie garden and see what is ready to be picked. Cherish the time he wants to spend with you - as they get older the video games take them away from us. Thanks for sharing your garden....

Lynne
madhabitz
16 years ago
What a great job of it you've done-- so inviting. Got the coffee on?

Nancy
DYH
16 years ago
That looks "peak" to me! The garden is very beautiful and inviting with lots of interesting textures and colors.

Cameron
patricianat
16 years ago
Your hollyhocks are a great backdrop for your garden. I think it is lovely. Have you been over to the antique rose gallery and seen pictures that one of the GWers took on a tour of Martha's garden? It is so charming.
lindakimy
16 years ago
Well, Thinman, I'd be very proud of that patch! It's lovely! And I'd be spending WAY too much time on that porch admiring all those pretty bloomies!
thinman
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, gee whillikers, you all say the kindest things. But then, that's why I like to hang out here. Thank you all very very much. It's always nice to see your own place through others' eyes, especially such friendly eyes as all of yours.

MeMo - The green stuff in my walkway is plain old grass. The mediocre photo just isn't sharp enough to show it. The walkway doesn't look as good as I was hoping when I built it and it's a real pain to shovel snow from in the winter, so I'm thinking of taking it out and putting in a nice dull concrete walk. Not cottagey, but practical.

Nancy and all- Sure, the coffee will be on. Just let me know when you're in the neighborhood and we'll sit on the porch, watch the hummingbirds, and have a cup. :-)

Natvtxn - The worm poop story was a hoot, and so typical.

ThinMan
angelcub
16 years ago
Happy belated 4th, TM! Your cottagey patch looks positively picture perfect! Love those HHs and the daisies - a great cottage combo. I noticed the little guy right off - what a cutie. : )

I know what you mean about the stone path and shoveling snow. After we built our home I got the notion to make a similar path up to our front porch. The first winter snow fall brought me to my senses. ; ) No way could I slide that flat headed shovel cum snow plow over those rocks without jarring my shoulders beyond a quick tylenol fix. Went the concrete route, too, but we are now planning to break up the long expanse with some of those flat, man made cobblestones. I'm determined to have a more cottage look, some way, some how. : )

Kathy, cute story. I showed my neighbor some of my compost bins full of worms and she didn't quite share my excitement. Then I informed her that was what was in the soil around all the roses, etc., blooming their heads off despite the record heat we're having. She then went "Ah, tell me more." : )

Diana
mora
16 years ago
Thinman, you've hit the nail on the head! I would like my garden beds to look pleasing all of the time. One will be the star early while others will patiently wait their turns as the season progresses. The trick seems to be in in having continual interest in all the areas...if not the star at least a complimentary back-up chorus, I love what you have done!!!
As for wee gardener's, my grandchildren love to turn rocks over and look at the bugs underneath. I have to grit my teeth sometimes and declare those slugs to be the cutest ever, pledging to re-visit the rock later but generally the bug game seems to satisfy them and keep them interested without having to police a no go area.
Well done, M

The best it can be yet?? Heck no. (1 pic)

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The best it can be yet?? Heck no. (1 pic)

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