It’s that time of year–late summer–for a walk around my perennial garden. Enjoy the tour.
Posts Tagged ‘garden photography’
Last Trip
May 22, 2015Do you recall when I took a trip to Dragonfly Peony Farm last year? This month, I returned to purchase my last peony from owner Julia Moore who is closing the farm due to health issues.
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Julia opened the farm earlier, so the blooms were fewer than last year . . .
. . . and it rained the evening before.
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But Julia always has a photo by each variety section so customers can view the shape and color. I purchased Do Tell.
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A few weeks later mine bloomed. The color looks different than the peony photo posted at the farm.
Still, it’s a beauty.
I wish you the best, Julia. Thank you for the peonies, tips, and hugs.
Live Forever . . .
November 20, 2014. . . that is the meaning of Sempervivum, more commonly known as hens and chicks. Now, here’s the kicker. The mother hen (or main rosette) lives two to three years, not forever! But she produces so many chicks you’ll always have future generations—thus the reason for naming this succulent Sempervivum.
But don’t be fooled by all the little chicks. This plant is not invasive.
The chicks can be transplanted at any time. When the mother hen dies it is best to divide and replant the chicks close together. This succulent loves to be cozy.
Which one becomes the hen when the chicks are orphaned? I suppose the largest chick, the one that gives birth first!
Click here, to see a photo of the hens and chicks below when I had first planted them.
Chicks
Zones: 3 – 11
Full – part sun
Well-drained soil, drought tolerant, water when soil dries out.
I made a promise . . .
July 7, 2014
Hummingbird Mint is the newest addition to one of my many potted plants. The mix of coral-colored blossoms is also novel to the white, lavender, and pink hues around the house and garden.
I had purposely planted the Hummingbird Mint in view of the kitchen and great room windows, but I spotted only one hummingbird drinking sweet nectar from the tubular flowers. Then the blossoms died. While I was deadheading on a warm early morning, a hummerbird fluttered about looking for breakfast.
She came close to me, hovered one foot in front of my face.
“Sorry,” I said with an earnest heart, “it will bloom again, soon.”
She tilted her head as if to acknowledge my apology. Then off she flew in anticipation of a promise.
Guess What Today Is!
May 30, 2014May 30th is Water a Flower Day, an annual reminder that summer heat is fast approaching and our beautiful flowers (and plants and trees) will be thirstier than normal. They’ll love you even more if you mulch the flowerbeds and use moisture control potting soil to retain water and reduce watering.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Magnificent . . .
May 19, 2014
Ecstasy invaded the camera lens through my beating heart
with thrills of stealing the graceful flow
of the magnificent magnolia flowers.
Join me on:
Getting my Fix
May 6, 2014
Last weekend, I spent most of my time gardening. First, I strolled around the beds, as I always do, to see what needed to be done. When I came upon Love in a Mist, I was delighted to see what the blossoms look like. It was a free plant and I had no idea what to expect when I planted it two mouths ago. (I purposely avoided looking up images on line.) I am fascinated with the flower structure, the soft, delicate web-like foliage, and pleased to have this annual.
Walking on, I noticed the volunteer snapdragons were still blooming so I took a photo. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, I’m sure you’ve guessed that my camera goes to the garden with me, along with gloves, hat, and kneeling pad.
After casing the greens, I wrapped my camera in an old towel and placed it on a bench in the shade. Then I trimmed, deadheaded, raked and bagged, among other tasks, before potting up the hens and chicks as planned. I don’t always accomplish what I intend, but last weekend I actually did more than anticipated. It was a good feeling. I’m sure some people feel the same about fly fishing, hiking, or shopping . . . whatever revives the spirit. What works for you? I’d love to hear about it.
More Photos . . .
April 15, 2014Here are the rest of the photographs that I promised to you in yesterday’s post, I Threw a Fit and Then I Danced! Happy Tuesday!
Join me on:
I Threw a Fit and Then I Danced!
April 14, 2014I thought I would update you on an earlier post, Challenges | Photographers Input Needed, so here’s the latest.
Challenges: After making it through two thyroid surgeries, the doctor has put me on a 14-day, low iodine diet in preparation for a radioactive iodine treatment. The list below is my allowable food intake. Two days into the diet and already I was GRUMPY! I even threw a fit. My husband quickly exited to the outdoors with our pet dog, Ralphie. What else can a man and his dog do when his woman is throwing her body around like a mad rap dancer?
My fit lasted less than a second. Good thing. Body contortions hurt! Frustrated, I grabbed my camera and headed for the garden. A few steps into my short trek across the lawn and I realized there was no reason for me to have gone into a mad dance. Friday, glaucoma tests showed that my eye pressure had finally lowered. This means the glaucoma has stabilized. Grateful, I took in a deep breath, then danced around the garden, this time in graceful celebration.
Update on Photographers Input Needed: I have received good suggestions for choosing a new camera. For those who shared, thank you so much. Hoping to make enough funds to buy a new camera, I opened the Fine Art Studio (see sidebar). It isn’t easy selling art. I knew this beforehand, and unfortunately it hasn’t happened. That’s just the way it is. But I’m not one to give up. A good thing, as there has been a lot of faith-testing—and faith-building—going on in my heart and soul the past six months. Thanks to prayer warriors, my faith in God and His in me, I’ve managed to remain optimistic.
Tomorrow, look for more garden photographs taken after my graceful dance.
Join me on:
In and Around the Garden 