Six Secrets in my Garden

Jackmanii Clematis

There are six secrets in my garden that lurk behind the leaves of shrubs and trees, peek out at particular moments, or silently whisper to me at unexpected moments. They are hidden all over the garden and only are visible to gardeners who listen and watch very closely.

I am joining Carol of May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Since we are nearing the end of the year, I am highlighting many of the wonders from the entire year in this GBBD post.


Hiding Places

Lurking in secret spots are those that wish to stay secure and keep a low profile. Sometimes it is unexpected and the concealment is not intentional.

Bumble Bee in Squash Blossom

And at other times, the hideaway is a mere match of coloring and size that protects against predators or allows for some time alone.

Hoverflies mating on shasta daisy

Artistry

Sometimes hidden and sometimes with bold abandon, there is color and texture equaling the hand of an artist in the garden.

Gerbera Daisies

Rain droplets brush their sheen on petals and create a glimmering surprise.

Chrysanthemum after a rain

Once in a while, a bloom dips down from its stalk as if it is creating form and decorative flair.

Pineapple Sage

Birds move around the garden more freely than most creatures, their wings painting colors across the landscape.

Eastern Bluebird

When summer begins to merge into fall, the petals of the crape myrtle coat the ground and splatter across the bird bath.

Crape Myrtle petals in bird bath

Magic and Mystery

At rare moments, something will happen where magic happens.

Pink Knock-out Rose with little bug on petal

Or a mystery shows up on the porch in front of the door. How did this get here? What bird left a calling card?

Eastern Bluebird Feather

And then there are magical surprises where garden creatures seem to know they are wielding a wand of alchemy.

Pearl Crescent Butterfly on window

Seasonal Surprises

Each season is different, but there are some expectations. Inevitably there are many surprises as well. Secretly and quietly, garden creatures find the bird baths and then release all that tension to splash about.

Female Robin Bathing

Who knew that some seed heads secretly find their own beauty even on a bad hair day?

Jackmanii Clematis Seed Head

Butterflies sneak around, flitting and fluttering, sometimes looking for nectar, sometimes looking for moisture.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Another seed head seems to spin in the wind, camouflaging that vivid color of summer.

Purple Coneflower Seed Head

Winter has its own secrets never revealing what it may bring. Sometimes ice comes suddenly and washes over the branches.

And other times winter creeps across a region and silently lets the snow fall.

Unexpected Friendly Visits

The resident cats find secrets as they peer around corners and smell behind tree trunks. Sometimes they find a garden bee hovering around water.

Many things are under wraps and under petals when the young are emerging.

Young Praying Mantis on Lily Petal

Transformation

Every garden experiences transformation from season to season, from year to year. The unexpected can happen when the weather secretly decides to change, like 50 degrees F in February. A secret, to be sure.

Hydrangea emerging in winter

Butterflies keep their egg-laying locations a secret, teasing the eye as they seem to flutter about in a casual way. In a few weeks, the larvae are visible to those that look closely for the green and black design that shrouds them in camouflage.

Black Swallowtail larvae on parsley

When the vibrant blooms of the coneflower fade for the autumn to covertly spread their seed and multiply, they fold up into a dry clump to keep everything classified.

Purple Coneflower Dried Bloom

Many things remain secluded and undercover in my garden. I have only revealed a few of those closely held secrets. What are some of the secrets in your garden?

Thanksgiving Cactus

I am going to take some time away from blogging to prepare for and enjoy the holidays. I wish you very happy holidays filled with joy, wonder and many happy surprises.

See you back here in January...

© copyright 2012 Michelle A. Potter