Saturday, July 31, 2010

Pond Life

There are days when I have the free time to spend putzing in the garden. Be it to weed, deadhead, or provide the much needed watering, I find lately I've not had the desire to do so. Instead, I spend the hours just snapping away ~ hundreds of photos that no one will ever see. It's Good Lovin' garden therapy at it's best! Do you have days like that...it's wonderful, isn't it?!

The new pond and it's inhabitants are thriving! Our school of 8 kois are still accounted for and getting big! Frogs, dragonflies, even the daily morning visits from the 4-legged creatures I'm always complaining about...all bring the pond to life and it's been so enjoyable. Maintenance have been minimal 'though full sun exposure evaporates the water level more quickly than I would like, but, that's easily fixed. Of course I won't tell you about the time I left the hose running for 8 straight hours....OOPS!

I'm soo in love with these water lotuses. In bloom now for two weeks, they are just the most beautiful flowers! Pale, almost translucent pink petals with a deep pink edging~they take my breath away...

Sturdy stems reaching almost 3ft., the blooms are about 6" when fully opened.

So wishing you could reach through and smell how sweetly scented they are!

Look at these cute little Forget-Me-Nots blooming at the waters' edge. Oh, but please don't look at the dead brown moss behind it...lol!


Critters~


Up close...


...and personal. Maybe a little too personal.


Although the late varieties of daylilies are in bloom, the majority of these beauties have just plain tuckered out. The record breaking hot temps have quickened and shortened bloom season a good two weeks.



Ok, so don't be upset, but, as much as I'd looked forward to the heat of summer, I am now anxious for the coolness of fall. Hmmm...maybe a gentle slap is what I need to snap me out of it...right, Rene? ;)
Enjoy the last day of July!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Showstoppers of my Garden

July is prime season for daylilies. Yes, there are varieties that bloom as early as April/May, and more and more are being bred to bloom as late as September/October, but, the majority of this beloved plant family will bloom their hearts out in the month of July.

I've not collected any new varieties this year...at least not yet...there's still time! Even with the extra wet conditions we've had this spring, I found quite a few plants not to perform as well as last season. Buds stunted and misshapen, petals not fully opening and color saturation tends to be a little uneven, especially the darker shades. And the reliable branching of scapes and bud count did not meet expectation. Overall, the look of the plant (lots of yellow leaves) isn't as pleasing to the eye.

But, even with all these 'issues', I delight in the faces that open daily to greet me...
Here are a few of my favorites~
'Scarlet Orbit'

'Glowing Delight'

'Aztec Princess'

'Elizabeth Salter'

'Catherine Neal'

'Chance Encounter'

'Pandora's Box'...great name, eh?

'Strutter's Ball'

'Unique Design'

Another view of 'Scarlet Orbit'...notice the bumpy buds?

While typing away at my desk a few days ago, movement out the window caught my eye...

Hmmph...she'd had a healthy serving of 'Dallas Star' by the time I shoo-ed her out...jumping effortlessly over the 6ft. fence!

At least I had taken this pretty picture to catalog.

Our heatwave has finally relented and I can get back to enjoying the daily chore of deadheading mush-mummies in somewhat cooler mornings...what a relief!

Enjoy your day, friends! And, hopefully, you'll want to add one or two daylilies to your garden before the season is out. There are but ONLY 60,000 different varieties to choose from ;)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Red, White and Blue!

Barely 5am, but, it's another early rise and shine
A special time of peace and quiet
For a daily stroll through this garden of mine




Heavy scent of flowers in the morning air
Entices more than our sense of smell
They pull on heartstrings with tender loving care



Very evident, this combination: red, white, and blue
Calling out to me, everywhere I turn
'specially in this bright bouquet...just for you ;)

Yes, a special day, we can't deny
So shout it loud
"Hurray for Freedom!" on this 4th of July!

Have a wonderful Holiday!