Here are some pictures from my backyard. A couple of years ago they had a sale on hydregea - 6 for $10. They had tags but no blooms and were pretty scruffy looking. Last year the first of them bloomed, a Mophead Hydrangea. This year it looks like they all are going to show me what they look like. Many are Lacecap varieties like this Hydrangea serrata "Blue Billow". Blue Billow ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This is the first year in many years that I have grown dalhias again. After I bought the bulbs I had to plant them in pots since the old place I used to plant them is being used as a staging area for the tree pruning/clippings this summer. dahlia ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) dahlia ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) dahlia ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Hollyhocks don't usually do too well in this climate, but I am giving a few a try. This is an Alcea ficifolia "Happy Lights" that seems to be doing OK. Not too much rust. The Alcea rosea I started from seed last year still haven't bloomed, but I am hopeful. Hollyhocks ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The Malva moschata has self-sown itself in several places in my yard. I keep trying to get it to grow in a some "special" spots, but it won't cooperate so I just have to enjoy it where it wants to be. Musk Mallow ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I am trying Monarda didyma again. From negect I lost all but the toughest of perennials and for me beebalm isn't tough enough. My husband picked out two different varieties this spring for us to try again. I like the red one the best. Beebalm ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) another color of beebalm ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I love the coneflowers and wanted to buy more. The price shocked me into dividing mine. Not as many flowers this year, but many more plants. Also saved seed and threw it around the yard. Quite a few sprouted. Darned if I don't have many more plants than I probably need now, but will think about that next year when they get bigger. I am hoping this new coreopsis rosea will fill in and make a "halo" around the cornflowers. Gardening is dreaming. echinachea and coreopsis rosea ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) The next few pictures are just planters or hanging baskets that aren't looking to bad right now. Hopefully I will continue to be diligent in my watering. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) wave petunias ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I'm rather adicted to heather. They seem to thrive on neglect. Here is a summer blooming variety. Summer blooming heather ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) We have a hummingbird that comes just for the honeysuckle. It is really loaded with blooms this year. honeysuckle ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) This is the only clematis that I have blooming at the moment. I have kept sketchy records in one of my gardening books of what I have bought over the years. I hadn't realized until looking through it last night that I had killed 4 different varieties of clematis in the 26 years we have lived here. Three varieties have survived, and 2 of those have self rooted and multipled. Guess that makes me about even. (ahead - if all of the 8 starts of Nelly Moser can outgrow the mole digging) This is a Ville de Lyon clematis. clematis ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) I have poppies popping up everywhere. Here is a red one in the lavender. I always try to save the seeds from these multi-petaled ones. poppy and lavender ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) poppies ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) You might notice have a liking for pinks, and purples. I do have a few oranges: daylilies, California poppies, coreopsis, nasturtiums and calendulas. ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) daylily ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) coreopsis ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) "Hattie Ferris" Daylily ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) poppy and nasturiums ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Of course I have a plot of lavenders and wild California poppies. Lavendar ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Eschscholzia californica - driveway ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden ) Its amazing what you can get into a city lot. Just a few flowers from my very rustic garden.
WOW what a feast for the eyes!!! Your flowers are all beautiful Jewell and it's no easy job to pick a favourite. I do love your lacecap hydrangeas though, your poppies and those lovely dalhias and thehoneysuckle. Oh and the lavender .............. well I did tell you it was hard to pick just one!!!
Everything is just gorgeous. Like Eileen, there is no way I can pick a favorite....well, I tell a lie cause actually the Hollyhock is my favorite and has been for many years.
WOW! I'm from VT where beautiful flowers grow naturally. But your vibrantly colored city flowers give the ones I've seen a run for their money any day!
Flowers are fun, and cheerful. They do seem to be at their peak right now, but the other hydrengea are coming on. Can't wait to see what the flowers will all look like.
How pretty... and so many different things to look at and smell... I love the purple lavender and the california poppies, especially... oh, but it is hard to resist the hydrangea. Can't wait to see what other kinds you get.
Absolutely thrilling fotos and commentary, Jewell. There's just no choosing a favourite here.--everything looks so special and nice. Quite lovely fotos from start to finish...your garden must be quite impressive when seen in a wider view as well. Well done, you!
