Sunday, July 15, 2012

Welcome to my midsummer garden

My garden begins quietly in early spring with snowdrops, crocuses, bleeding hearts, lily of the valley, and columbine among the ferns and hostas. Then come azaleas, shrub roses, a few day lilies, and peonies.

In late June, there is a lull, blossom-wise. This is my time to be out dead-heading the spent spring blossoms so the plants don't waste their energy producing seeds. I also get really anxious for the next phase.

And one day in early July, the hot-summer show begins. Abundant purple coneflower, glorious yellow daylilies, spiky liatris, rosy-pink phlox...I love the spectacle. Bees and butterflies seem to be enjoying it, too, and of course they add to the experience.

This summer I'm enjoying all this mostly from my office window, because although my leg is mending nicely I still don't get around so well on uneven ground. And because it's like an oven out there. So instead of showing new photos, I'm sharing this one from two years ago (oh, and the one in the header). Let's pretend we're sitting in the garden enjoying a cup of tea. We can also pretend it's, you know, 80 degrees (F) with low humidity. Have a lovely day!

21 comments:

stephen Hayes said...

Your garden looks like a Monet painting. That's the highest compliment I can award a garden.

DJan said...

Must be hot out there. Can't we have a little of your heat? It's 55 degrees outside right now and it's the middle of JULY! Grrr!

Oh, and I love your garden and especially your new header.

joeh said...

I hate gardening, but love that other people do it and do it well.

I agree with Chubby Chaterbox, only I have to view it from my cateract right eye for it to look like a Monet.

Red Shoes said...

Wow!What a great looking yard!!

I have lost control of my back yard, what with the trip to Europe, getting ill, then having to have surgery.

Blah.

What a great yard!!

~shoes~

injaynesworld said...

I wish I could have a garden that lovely, but it would need high deer fencing all around it. I'm afraid I'm limited to lavender, which no creature seems to want to eat. May you be dancing on table tops soon, my friend.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

What a gorgeous place to sit! (Wish I'd had that view while my leg was healing.)

Indigo Roth said...

Hey Nancy! Hope you're healing up well and the lack of mobility isn't sending you into cabin fever. We have the opposite problem, weather-wise; rain, deluge and downpour. So, it's all relative. Rest up, look forward to your triumphant return to the garden. Indigo x

TxFarmhouse said...

I'll join you for that cup of tea! your garden is breathtaking!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Glad you are healing from your fall- lovely flowers outside your window!

Sally Wessely said...

Your flowers are spectacular. I hope they are giving you some joy as you continue to heal. Take care.

Jeanie said...

Your garden is gorgeous. I hope your healing continues at a fast pace, that your weather cools and that you can be outside to enjoy the beauty.

Ms Sparrow said...

I never knew the reasoning behind "dead-heading" although I've been faithfully plucking spent blossoms from my hanging petunias. I only knew that it helped keep the blooms coming. Glad you're getting around better!

Allyson said...

UGH! You are not the only one who is completely over the temperatures. I feel like I'm baking every time I go out. I've actually become a morning person over the past 3 months just because it's the only time I can get things done outside. I hope it cools down a LOT, very soon, for both of us!! And I look forward to some real-time pics of your secret garden. These are so gorgeous!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Your garden view is lovely! Good to hear that you are resting and healing up proper! Oh I hate the heat too..with no AC at the museum I am exhausted by the time I get home:(

Teresa Evangeline said...

Well, no one wants to be outside for very long, so enjoy the perfectly good excuse you have for taking it easy and enjoy that tea. Glad to hear you leg is mending nicely.

Connie Nelson said...

Oh my goodness that's beautiful! Love those yellow lily's!

Lisa @ Grandmas Briefs said...

I love your new header. So pretty and fitting. Best wishes for getting back on your feet 100% soon. Best wishes to ALL of us--at least those in the oven-like spots--for the crazy heat to head on our. Soon!

Green Monkey said...

what lovely photo's. I too love the flowers on the deck but they're not doing as well as they have in prior summers due to the heat. But today and yesterday was lovely. And I am here, on the deck, watching the birds and bees and flowers and trees.... ahhh the simple things in life are oh so sweet!

Deb Shucka said...

Such a gorgeous and inviting garden! I hope you're healing continues to go well, and as quickly as possible.

Sharon Longworth said...

thank you for inviting us into your garden - it looks gorgeous. I raise my imaginary cup of tea to you :)

Zena said...

Looks gorgeous and inviting, beautiful photo

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