Gardening and Gardens

Things here have been, well, hectic, to say the least. I took these photos of the garden in mid June and today I see it is July 1! Nevertheless, I want to put these up anyway, because June is my favorite month in the garden. All the pinks, blues, purples and yellows making their way into view. The air smells delicious, the birds are chirping continuously throughout the day and the trees are still a lovely shade of bright green. Here's what my garden in June looks like this year: The pink astilbe look fabulous against the wall and their sweet, subtle fragrance is a treat if you catch a whiff of it. Along the edges, I'm so happy to see the "Pretty Polly" Heuchera (coral bells) starting to fill in and produce their delicate wispy blooms. Many varieties of hydrangea won't bloom this summer because of the brutal winter we had, which killed off all the over-wintering buds. But these Endless Summer varieties are just beginning to bloom and I'm so happy to s...

Today is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! Here's a look at what's growing and blooming in my garden this month. The buds on the Montauk Daisies ( Nipponanthemum nipponicum ) are starting to show. I've pruned this down twice throughout the summer to help keep its shape and can't wait to see the blossoms in a few weeks! I love the pink hue of the Sedum  'Autumn Joy' against its lush green foliage. I still have a few Black Eyed Susans too which are a lovely contrast to the pink. To my delight, the Lychnis coronaria decided to bloom again (left) and the potted geranium continues to put on a good show. I recently planted some new mums in the front of the garden and to the back, more will soon be blooming.  This just started blooming too and I believe it is Salvia farinacea (Victoria White) The blooms on the panicle hydrangea (possibly Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva'??) are turning a light pink which is so pretty. The shrub I inherited is co...

On November 1 and 2, Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos . While one may think this is a time for grief and sadness, in fact, it is a time when Mexicans happily and lovingly remember their loved relatives that have died. Looking around the garden today, I'm feeling very much the same way. Many of my beloved plants have died for the season (or at least gone dormant). The vivaciousness of their lives a few months ago is now replaced with skeletons of what they once were. And yet, I do think there is still beauty to be seen: Seed pods of Rose Campion ( Lychnis coronaria ) nestled amongst  Black Fountain Grass ( Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry') Seed pods of Abelia shrub (above and below) Seed heads of Black-Eyed Susan ( Rubeckia goldsturm ) Brown and dry Hydrangeas Fading Montauk Daisy ( Nipponanthemum nipponicum ) These plants may be gone for the season, but certainly not forgotten. Spring wil...