The Seven Faces of My Garden - GBBD May

Carpenter Bee on Chive Blossom

In my garden, there are seven faces that nature provides to maintain my interest. And although many of these same faces emerge each year, they grow different and more interesting from season to season and year to year. They are the faces that make me gasp, lure me closer, and inspire me to continue gardening. These faces add beauty, texture, color, and life to my garden with gentle suggestion and bold insistence.



Buds

As each season begins, there are buds that form before the bursting bloom. The fist that holds that energy can be just as beautiful as the flower itself. They can be:

oval, cayenne-colored clusters

Sundrops or Evening Primrose - Oenothera fruticosa

or tightly woven textured clumps.

Yarrow - Achillea x "Moonshine'

Containers

Although I have perennial beds, containers not only add space for annuals but create spots of color on patios and steps.

One of my favorite annuals is pelargonium. I plant it in many pots using various colors.

pelargonium

Calibrachoa is another favorite that offers so much color and spreads down the side of a container.

Calibrachoa "Coralberry Punch' and Ivy

This is a hypertufa container that I made last year. I use it in the herb garden.

Hypertufa Container

Insects

I seem to battle many of the insects in the garden, keeping them from eating my vegetables and roses, but there are some insects that I welcome and enjoy.

Ladybug on Peach Blossom

Luna Moth

Red Admiral Butterfly

Herbs and Vegetables

I use herbs in teas, in cooking, and for medicinal purposes. Many of these herbs have beautiful blooms as well. And vegetables carry beauty and interest outside of the flavor and nutrition they provide.

Yarrow is one of my favorite herb/perennials. It has a beautiful bloom that pops in the garden and a soft fragrance when softly rubbed.

Yarrow - Achillea x 'Moonshine'

Lavender has a calming fragrance and reaches tall with lovely purple blooms.

English Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia 'Ellagance Purple'

Swiss chard is one of my favorite vegetables. It has a mild flavor packed with lots of nutrients, and the color and texture of this vegetable rival many of the ornamentals in the garden.

Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'

Yarrow - Achillea x 'Paprika'

Foliage

Many think of a garden as providing colorful and fragrant blooms, but foliage adds color and texture to a garden as well.

I only have a handful of Japanese maples in the garden because I have such little shade, but they offer color and beauty throughout the growing season.

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Emerald Lace'

Eastern redbud is one of my favorite trees. Some of the varieties offered are outstanding specimens glowing with color.

Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Fireglow'

Wildlife

The wildlife that frequent my garden are welcome visitors that only add to my experience of gardening. They bring me smiles and contentment that my garden is as much of a wildlife sanctuary as it can be.

This fledgling has been very vocal near one area of the yard. It calls to its parents quite often. And they work very hard to provide it with lots of food.

House Sparrow Fledgling

Ground Squirrel

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Blooms

Flowers in a garden make the garden. Although I enjoy many aspects of gardening, it is the flowers that offer one of the greatest rewards. To walk by a bed and see the pop of color is so very satisfying.

Gerbera Daisies

Clematis - Jackmanii

Clematis - 'Dawn'

Bearded Iris - Iris germanica 'Mystic Lace'

Oakleaf Hydrangea - Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'

Pinks - Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink'

Climbing Rose - 'Joseph's Coat'

What are the faces of your garden?

I am joining Carol of May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day and Gesine of Seepferds Garten for the European version.

And I am also linking in with An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party and with Pam of Digging for Foliage Follow-Up.

Swing by these blogs to see gardens from all over the world.

© copyright 2012 Michelle A. Potter