Pics of the garden from early May
These photos were taken by my horticulturalist sister when she visited early in May, along with her (likewise horticulturalist) friend and our two nieces (our brother's daughters). Big, fantastic visit. It was raining, with discouraging results for what had been a fabulous though early spring flowering, but out we went all the same. So, here goes:
'Général Schablikine'
'Mme. Gregoire Staechelin', also known as 'Spanish Beauty'. This is a poor grower for me.
'Jaune Desprez' drooping under the rain.
'Etoile de Lyon', and just as fabulous as this shot suggests. The beetles are tragically fond of this variety. I spent some time this spring training a portion of it up onto the small pergola over the path that leads out of the yard, and cutting back canes that had invaded 'Blush Noisette' and other areas where it had no business being. My experience has been that all Teas with lengthen their canes and climb if given support; I hope EdL will do the same. The rose chafers seem less ready to attack blooms that are hanging down, as from the top of the pergola, so I hope I'll have more near-flawless flowers to admire when next it comes into bloom.
We had an early spring and have not been enjoying the early summer: it's been hot, sticky, dry with it all, and generally unpleasant. Yesterday the weather changed. In the afternoon thunder began to rumble in the sultry sky as the clouds formed and rose. I was visiting friends over in the next valley, higher and closer to the mountains than we are, and after a while my friend sent me off home to avoid my getting caught in a deluge. At home we were treated to a prolonged spectacle of wind, lightning, and thunder, before, around dusk, it finally began to rain. I don't know how much precipitation we got, but I can hear the water running in the drainage at the bottom of our valley, and that's a good sign. A good watering of our own land would certainly be welcome, but rain up in the mountains is good, too, as it goes to fill the reservoir which supplies our water. This morning is cool, fresh, and foggy, and oh so beautifully green.
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bart bart
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Early July garden photos (pic heavy)
Comments (12)Thank you both for sharing such beautiful flowers & foliage pics! Bring them on for those of us still waiting for summer to arrive. Here in western WA state we're waaaay behind you all in blooms with only buds on summer bloomers like crocosmia and hydrangea. Most daylilies have yet to open with Stella beginning last week. mxk3 - I just loved your pinks & whites that must make those part sun places shine. Looks like a nice place to rest awhile. kandhi - Wow, your hot colors combinations really stand out and speak, "Summer's here. Bring your sunglasses & lemonade!"...See MoreEarly August garden pics
Comments (8)Beautiful! Love the hibiscus - what a great color. Your hydrangea brought a smile to my face - I have a willow Nishiki Hakuro standard in a pot. It really has no business there, but I put it in a pot before I found out it is a water guzzler, and I LOVE it on the patio. So, I water it about four times a day, lol. However, it is top-heavy (desperately needs to be potted up a size - or four!) and obviously it dries out very quickly. So the darn thing blows over ALL the time! We have a special name for it - that "expletive" tree, lol, because it seems every time we look out the window it's fallen over. Amazing it's still alive. Once during a thunderstorm I ran out in the pouring rain and jumped into my car, which is parked right next to it. Suddenly I heard a crash, and there's the darn thing leaning against my driver's side window. I had to call my daughter on my cell phone to come out of the house and lift it off the car so I could go to work - she was not pleased, lol. Okay, I guess I'm chatty today too. Thank you for sharing your photos! :) Dee...See MoreLate Aug, Early Sept Garden Pics (link)
Comments (16)Drippy, I guess that's one of Ma Nature's blessings to me because those 4 O'clocks reseeded from some WSed two years ago. I thinned at least 30 seedlings out of that bed-- unfortunately, I must've thinned out all the fuschia ones. I think that is about six to 8 plants there. They are as tall as heck. Happy as larks, too. They're starting to make their "bombs" for next years supply. Maggie, That flower is Venidium "Zulu Prince". I love it...they don't work well as cut flowers, though...they open to the sun, and close when there's shade. I do want more next year, though. The colors are amazing. Thanks everyone on the compliments :-) It's at that point where, there's no entire bed that looks balanced to me, only parts of it-- you know, when something grows taller than you thought and it's in the front of the bed instead of the back? But taking the individual pictures made me realize I didn't do such a bad job gardening this year, despite the weather. Linda...See MoreSome Early Spring Garden Blooms (pic heavy)
Comments (17)Thank you everyone for your sweet compliments. Plantmaven- The day it snowed was kind of strange, it was a fair amount above freezing with snow. The children loved it. Today on the other hand is perfect, 20c clear blue Sky and no bugs. My gardening heaven. Schoolhouse- Right now the cottage is being rented out to GI Joe and Polly Pocket but I will be sure to put your name on the waiting list. :c) Sweetannie- The neighbor who gave me the tiny irises told me that while she was on vacation she saw a house with a sea of these instead of grass. (I wish I had seen it) And the home owner gave her a clump of each colour when she stop to investigate. Such a treat! Do they multiply quickly for you? Ianna- I know you are right. But it was all the beautiful wild flowers that Mother Nature had plant here that inspired me to start gardening. And they are what keep me inspired (along with all of you of course). I love it when things pop up in unexpected places. For the most part, if they can find a home they are welcome to it. GGG- Yes they are pink and blue Forget-Me-Not (perennial) another one Mother Nature planted for me. I love them! Kay- Yes I am proud :0). I pour my heart and soul in to my family and my garden. And like anything in life, you get out, what you are willing to put in. CMK- I grew the English Daisies from seed. Actually they were the first thing I grew from seed. I just through them at the ground in early spring. And they have been coming back ever since. They bloom twelve months a year for me in my zone 5 garden. I am constantly brush the snow off of them to show people. They have done well and bloomed in every condition I have thrown at them, sun, shade, wet, dry it just doesn't seem to matter. If you are the type of gardener that likes everything in it's place you might not care for them though. They are a really good seeder. You would have to be pretty vigilant with deadheading if you did not want them to spread a bit. I would be more then happy to send you lots of seeds if you would like. A few more shots from today. Carrie B....See More
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