Wednesday, July 6, 2011

What's Bloomin'?


We were away for a few days over the fourth and I could hardly wait to get home to see what had bloomed in our absence! Do you feel that way about your Garden too? I hate to miss any part of my garden as one blossom gives way to another.  There were some wonderful surprises waiting! For starters, the old antique tea pot finally brewed us a beautiful batch of bright orange Nasturtiums!


They were also in bloom around the base of  my  Lady Banks climbing rose. I can see now why Monet' planted the edges in long stretches of his garden with these lovely, loose natural blooms. They lend a casual feel anywhere you plant them. I love how the tendrils spill out onto the grass...


I did learn however that they do not transplant well if started by seed indoors. I sewed these directly into the ground ( and tea pot ) after the danger of  frost here in the south coast area of New England near Cape Cod.


We found the Tiger Lillie's dancing with the Hydrangea... Glad they had fun while we were away.


One white Oriental Lilly blooming among the yellow day-lilies. By the looks of the dust on the petals I would say the bees have been busy!


Although this photo is a bit bleached out, I wanted you to see the whole picture before we go in for a closer look at the bright red Bee Balm, Black Eyed Susan's, Clover Root, Hollyhock and the Sink Garden.
I wait all year for the brilliant red blossoms of Bee Balm in my garden. The hummers love it and I even got a shot of one this morning, but it's blurry! See?


  I stood in the middle of the garden and pretended to be a statue for the longest time hoping to get in closer ( need a zoom lens ) but this was the best I could do to capture the little bugger! He or she out-flitted me again!



The Clover Root which looks like a bottle brush is showing off it's purple spikes in contrast to round red blossoms of the Bee Balm. I didn't plan it that way, but I like the effect! This variety gets to be 5 feet tall and self sews. I started with 3 plants three years ago and it has filled in quickly creating a bold splash of red excitement in my early Summer garden.


The Sink Garden is tucked away in the center of the Garden and plays nicely with all the tall flowering plants that surround it.


Oak Leaf Hydrangea is looking very full and you can really make out the OAK shape of the leaves as well as the cone shape of the blossoms which are a soft creamy white. I can't wait to see how the blooms dry for indoor fall arrangements. These Black Eyed Susan's are putting on a lovely show of vibrant golden yellow!



As I explored further into the garden I noticed some white blossoms peaking out in front of the Little Red Hen House. My heart began to beat faster! Could it be? Could the Hollyhocks finally be in bloom? 



YES! I saved my very favorite new bloom of the week for last!


It's just loaded with buds!











I am just in awe of this old fashioned favorite. Did you know in the olden days Hollyhocks were planted alongside Out House's? When a lady needed to use the facilities, she just asked where the Hollyhocks were. Where are your Hollyhocks?  


Lacy Lou, Chestnut and Hazel feasted on some watermelon rind while I poked around and snapped photos. 


Here's what they see from inside the run! Lacy Lou said I should try a new perspective of the chair with the brewing Nasturtiums. What do you think? 

Gardening can be challenging and even defeat us at times but it is so worth every bit of effort and planning we put into it and the rewards are wonderful! 

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.  ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

Don't you agree? 

I'm linking to these great blogs: Tuesday Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage




20 comments:

Country Gal said...

Beautiful photos and gardens !
I love my gardens !
Have a wonderful day !

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

It all looks so lush and wonderful...I am especially jealous of those hollyhocks...*sigh* one day.

Blessings Kelsie

Regina from The Queenly Abode said...

Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures of your flowers!
have a great day,
Regina

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

What a beautiful garden! I think I'll try some of your choices next year, especially the hollyhocks!

Brenda said...

Your blooms are wonderful!!! I cannot believe how some of the same flowers that I grow are so much larger! Must me your soil. We have so much sand and I amend and amend but still my plants are puny next to yours. Lovely shots.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your garden is filled with so many beautiful flowers!! I have wonderful childhood memories of sucking the nectar from the nasturtiums in my mother's garden.

Teresa said...

Everything looks so beautiful! I just love your sink garden~very fun. I can never seem to capture a hummingbird either. Your shot is pretty good.

Unknown said...

oh i loved this post, i love flower gardens and you have some of my favorites. i live in a forest where only forest flowers growm but i grew up in the dry sunny places where Holly Hocks grew.
my childhood favorite along with snap dragons...
so good to see your holly hocks.
blessings to you and your garden.
B.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Dear Deb,

Thanks for writing and making me leave my drafting table to take a garden stroll with you. FUN!!!!! I loved it and of course, the hollyhocks just fill my heart with joy.

It has been in the 90s here so my garden is looking fried, although the sunflowers seem very happy now and herbs too.

Sending love,

Sharon

P.S. I sent off my fourth draft of my manuscript at 11 P.M. Jeff and I hugged and collapsed. Why do I do this?? And you two?

Michaele said...

AMAZING photos! All of them!

Tootsie said...

what an awesome post!!! I love the kettle on theh chair...and your little shed is adorable! your blooms are gorgeous!!! Thanks so much for flaunting with me...I do hope you will again soon!

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Deborah Jean, Your garden is so colorful! I just love the shots of the hollyhocks and the nasturtiums.

Lona said...

Your garden looks so beautiful. I love the garden whimsy though. The sink is so fun. I remember Grandma growing Hollyhocks beside here outhouse. LOL! I love the old fashioned plants. I have the light pink Hollyhock just like yours.

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful. I didn't know that about the hollyhocks at the outhouse. I'll be darned. I have one growing by my shed, and planted more newbies that will bloom next year. Do you have to stake yours? Mine is so tall it kept falling over.

Unknown said...

Rosie, I haven't had to stake mine yet, but it's raining today so I just might need to!
Thank you all for your sweet comments!
Deb

Fishtail Cottage said...

Thanks for linking up to cottage Flora Thursday's to share your fabulous garden blooms & chickens...i adore that sink in your garden & teapot in the first photo...xoox, tracie

Shirley said...

Have you ever eaten the blooms of nasturtiums? I haven't myself but heard they have a peppery flavour and are wonderful in salads. I like your humour! Your garden did just fine in your absence, thank goodness.

Darla said...

Your gardens are so pretty! I adore the Hollyhocks!

Karen said...

I love your 'brewing' nasturtiums! I planted some this year, too, and just transplanted some from the pots they were growing in, I hope they take to the move, because they are so pretty. You have so many wonderful vistas there in your garden, love the red monarda and the sink garden, ALL of it! So glad to meet you through Tootsie.

~~Rhonda said...

All beautiful! I love the hollyhocks. We can't enjoy them here, as they bloom when the Japanese beetles are here and they become tattered shreds. Not so pretty. :( The few I have are planted along the west fence where they are not the center of attention. If we're lucky, we get a few days of blooms before the beetles arrive. Depends on the weather.

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.

Love the picture of the hens and the watermelon rind...took me right back to Grandma's house!

~~Rhonda :)

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