Garden Vistas

Things are really heating up at Dandelion House Garden! Nearly everything is blooming! 

The Garden is different every year. What I imagine it will look like and how things really turn out usually falls somewhere between the Garden I envisioned in my garden daydreams and the one that actually comes to be... This year, however, I have been completely enchanted as every flower comes into bloom. 

( Endless Summer Hydrangea )

 I've shared many individual blossoms with you in past posts but dear reader Rhonda of Christmas Notebook Blog left me a comment last week that inspired me to try to capture more wide open shots of my gardens for you! * Be sure to visit Rhonda, she has some beautiful bloomers over at her place!

Rhonda said: Thanks for posting the larger picture of the entire bed with the monarda, etc. So often, garden blogs post pics of individual blossoms (which are beautiful!), but I so enjoy seeing the whole picture. It gives me more inspiration that single flower shots do. 

Thanks for the positive feedback Rhonda!  It has me looking at my Gardens with wider ( new ) eyes!

Today I'm sharing Garden Vistas!  

In this garden I've planted, Bee Balm, ( Jacobs' Climb ) which grows up to 5' tall and is mildew resistant.  It is definitely the jewel of this border and one of my favorite blooms. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies too. Would you believe a man at  the nursery where I purchased it actually said, " I never plant anything red in my garden" .In my excitement over the red jewel I was tempted to say, " Well, you don't know what you're missing "! Yarrow, Russian Sage, Lavender, " Helecote and Munstead " Catmint, Black-Eyed Susan, (Goldstrom and Prairie Sun ) Goldstrom does not self seed but Prairie Sun does.Ornamental Grass ( Miscanthus " Morning Light " ), Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Autumn Sedum Joy, Butterfly Bush, Coneflower " Ruby Star and Sundown",  Clover Root, Gay Feather, Verbena, Shasta Daisy, and Rhubarb fill the rest of the border with a riot of color and texture. 

 I had to sneak in some Rhubarb into my garden and this post! 

 I won't be able to harvest it this year but it is plentiful in the produce section at the supermarket and hopefully at our local farmers market too. I'll share a recipe for my homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Pie soon!

I call this my Summer Garden because it's located in the largest sunny patch of the yard. Many of the plants are bird and butterfly favorites! 

 Our shed and the Little Red Hen House. Pretty girl Chestnut had to be in the photo too!

This Garden is nestled below a tall divider of natural woods. 

 The tall green plant you see behind the Red Bee Balm is Helianthus annuus " Lemon Queen " .This beauty
belongs to the Sunflower family. It blooms late summer to early fall and grows 6-8 feet tall.

It's not perfect. But it's mine!  I've got weeds, and gaps that need more color, height and texture. It's my place to play, experiment and enjoy. At it's widest point it is 20 feet and gradually narrows to about 8 feet at the opposite end. It is roughly 80 feet long. 

Here you can see how I have tucked in a small place for veggies at the tip of  the planting area. At the moment, the jury's out on my veggie garden. It was a cool, wet spring and the veggies seem to be growing in slow motion this year. 

Garden tip for a large perennial border from Deborah Jean ~ 


* One of the most basic rules is to repeat- repeat- repeat- color, texture and pattern in your garden. This does work, but don't be afraid to plant more than one color in the same flower family. This will make your border look " less planned " and you will get to enjoy more of your favorites this way. Add taller plants to your border. They add drama even after the blossoms fade. Some rules are made to be broken, especially in the Garden. 


I hope this gardening season has been good to you and you are finding peace in your gardening days.

I'm linking up to Homestead Barn Hop # 19, ,Missgreen "thumb" jean Bloomin' Tuesday and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday!