My Garden Notebook - May 2013

Spring has beautifully emerged with a slow creep that has allowed each bloom, each leaf, to step out into the season with tender care and ultimate beauty. Vivid colors of blooms are lasting and fulfilling more than promised. The forest canopy has filled in the emptiness with an artist's hand, delicately painting in all the color and texture over time.

There have been moments when my impatience has gotten the best of me as I could not wait for a bud to splash into petals, but savoring all this beauty far outweighs any peeves I may have. The gradual dawning of each delicate petal, bud, leaf is a sight to behold, to luxuriate in the elegance of each stage as it ponders its next step. It is a lesson to slow down, to treasure, to relish this season of utter beauty and welcome surprises. After the resigned birth of this spring with its paused display of grace and artistry, I do not think I will ever experience spring the same way again.

Bejeweled - GBBD 9/12

Calibrachoa 'Can-can'

In September, there are jewels that dazzle in the garden--glimmering and gleaming with color.

I am joining Carol of May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Check out what other garden bloggers have blooming from all over the world.

Citrine petals begin their journey outward to breathe a hello.

Sunflower

My Garden Notebook - August 2012

We did get more rain this month, but it was not enough to match the many days of temperatures over 100 degrees F. I am hoping still for more rain to keep the plants healthy and growing.

The Beheld

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

-- Molly Bawn, 1878

We garden for many reasons and behold the fruits of our labor. Flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruits are the rewards of our gardening efforts. The colorful and textural sights and wafting fragrance also bring us pleasure in the garden.

Petal Passion

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'

I am fascinated by all of the plants and flowers in my garden and in other gardens, but each year hydrangeas entertain and awe like few others.

My Garden Notebook - June 2012

Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly

stats


Gardening Zone: 7a
May High Temperature: 93 degrees F
May Low Temperature: 51 degrees F


Precipitation: 3.48 inches

wildlife


The bluebirds fledged and are now being taught how to feed by the parents. Just this morning I saw these same fledglings eating on their own from the feeders. Mom and dad must be so glad for the break.


Here are two of them begging from Dad. It was hard to get a clear photograph as they were moving around quite a lot.

Two Fledglings Begging from Male Bluebird

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.

The Last Hurrah - GBBD - July 2011

July is usually a very hot and dry month for us, and my blooms sometimes begin to suffer and fade. However, this July has been uncharacteristically cooler and wet. It has been a welcome turn of weather. However, I expect that soon the weather will revert back to the norm. We'll see...

This month many plants give their last hurrah of blooms. And I will miss them. Some of the hydrangeas and lillies will soon offer their last blooms for the season. Although there are still many blooms in the garden and I appreciate all of them, some of my favorites will be done...for now.

Over the years, I have planted many varieties of lillies that bloom early to mid-summer. I have yet to add some varieties that bloom in late summer. It would be nice to have an extended bloom of these colorful plants. After reading the Lilyfest posts by Lona of A Hocking Hills Garden with the many lily photos and extraordinary colors, I am very tempted to get to the garden catalogs and order some.

The hydrangea macrophylla and quercifolia will need to be pruned before the end of July if I want blooms next year.

One of the many things I like about hydrangeas is the color transformation. Each week there is a surprise of color.

I trimmed off the top of the coreopsis hoping for another bloom spurt. I see some buds forming...

Other bloomers that will bloom for many more months are the Black-eyed Susans.

The 'Vanilla Strawberry' hydrangea will slowly turn pink and burgundy. This is my first of these hydrangeas, and I look forward to observing its color transformation. They start out bright white...

This is also the first year I have planted caladiums. I enjoy the pops of color among the other foliage.

The penstemon, buddleia, and 'Limelight' hydrangea will keep my garden in blooms for a few more months.

It is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day over at May Dreams Gardens. Visit her to see what other garden bloggers have blooming.

I am also joining Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday Flaunt Your Flowers.

©Michelle A. Potter