Well, I can start with yesterday evening. Here's this midsummer eve's bonfire: Midsummer Eve bonfire ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) If I were a witch I'd fly off to Bloksberg on my broom at midnight, but since I'm not I had to stay at home and eat grilled sausages in bread. At least this year we were warm and dry for a change. Then today I started by going outside to measure the size of the tree peony bloom: Paeonia suffruticosa bloom size ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Since the shape's a half-globe it looks a lot more impressive in real life. Then I found an Oxalis I had forgotten we had. I thought one of the "Ione Hecker" bulbs had walked off to plant itself somewhere private. This one shoud suit Annette I think: Oxalis "Annette" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Since we had all of 21°C / 70°F and partly sunny today I managed to ready the Jericho Walls border step 3 for planting. We're not planting it up yet since we're off on holiday in a few days' time: Step III - view from the west ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Step III - view from the east ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Then I fetched Mr. Toad and showed him his new home: Mr. Toad in his new home ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) I put more bark mulch in the new round border, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out: Round border done ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) I'd still like to find out which Gentiana this is. I find it adorable. The blooms aren't big but they're very different from our other Gentiana: Unnown Gentiana ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) In between jobs I wandered about, camera in hand, and snapped a photo here and there: Peonies ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Aquilegia ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Summer flowering Primula ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Woodland border ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Woodland border ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Volunteer in the gravel ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Trollius and Saxifraga ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) The yellow-leaved Hostas are beginning to look good: Hosta "Just So" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Hosta "Stitch In Time" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) Hosta "Haydon Sunset" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) We lost lots of mini-Hostas the winter before last, and I'm very glad this little one made it through and is putting on weight: Hosta "Little Devil" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) West side border ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden ) That border would look pretty boring now if it weren't for those Aquilegias! I did a bit of weeding here and there, and found a couple of plants that need moving very soon, but all in all I had a lovely, lazyish day, enjoying the sun and warmth.
Oxalis I got a mail-order catalog a while back that offered a species of Oxalis. I was interested in it; I just don't know if they could survive our hot and humid summers. Peony-looks great, they for sure I can't grow here. What's with that bonfire?
Bonfires are illegal where I am because of the recurring drought, but even if they weren't very few people around here know what the Summer Solstice is much less celebrate it. I have a Peony of unknown species that I bought on the sale table a couple of years ago. This past Spring it put on some growth, it's maybe 12 inches tall and 24" wide. I am hoping for some blooms next year, I have never grown one before. I forgot to mention earlier that I really, really do like that west side border
Marvelous posting. Wow!--Things there are looking pretty colourful with the fancy plants that you have blooming. Those Hosta's really are warming to look at. I like your woodland garden. You guys were lucky with the bonfire this year. It must be a good omen.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my white aquilegias turn out like yours Droopy. I planted them a bit late as I was in hospital but they're growing well and look in rude health so here's hoping. I love that tree peony you have and what a size the flower is. The Jericho wall border is coming along nicely and I agree with Toni that your west side border is absolutely stunning. I hope you'll have a few more 'lazy days' to take lots more photographs for us. :-D
Wow! Maybe when I go back and look at everything again I can come up with more words to describe how beautiful everything is. In the meantime... WOW!
Oh Droopy, what a beautiful garden! I love the peonies, so pretty I can only imagine the globe shape! I loved my stroll through your garden! thank you!
I was showing these pics to DH and he ooh! DH just told me he found some Summer flowering Primula in the back when he was weed wacking yesterday and left them alone for me to see!
Thanks all for your very nice comments. Thank you toni. We're taking the camper this year so who knows where we'll end up? Husband's got a plan, at least that's what he keeps telling us. I hope your peony will bloom for you soon. I still haven't seen one I didn't like, they're all lovely. bp, the only way to find out is to try one. ;-) I hope you'll be able to grow them. The bonfire on Midsummer's Eve's a heathen custom and was a big celebration, like Winter Solstice, now Christmas. Since this is a magic night, the fire was for protection, to keep the witches and spirits away and make crops grow and livestock stay healthy. The Church decided this was the birthday of John the Baptist so now it's called St. John's nigth. Thanks stratsmom. I didn't have any time pressure you see, and that makes it sort of lazyish work. Thanks Sjoerd, I don't know about fancy though. Most of our Hostas are doing very well this year. Must be the mild winter we had. eileen, good luck with those Aquilegia. The lazy days are over. Today we've got fog and we need to see if there's a floor underneath all the stuff inside the house. Thanks, Cheryl. I'm glad you like our garden. Cris, thank you. Please post a photo of your Primula! I love them, there are so many different ones.
I love it all, wish I could grow hostas where we live, I love the coloured leaves. Have a great time camping...wish it was us, we plan an escape about September when the weather is a bit warmer, have fun. P.S. you know it is compulsory to post photos of any holidays!
Droopy--Your photos are great. I enjoyed the stroll around your garden. What is your plan for the Jericho Walls garden?
I love the bonfire tradition and your flowers are to die for I would love to have a peony but haven't found a good healthy plant to get some cuttings from beautiful pics ty for sharing and have fun on your camping trip
Donna, not sure when is the best time but I have a few peonies that should be transplanted, if you want them! They are dying back now. PM me.
