I'm back...

It's been quite awhile but I'm going to try this again.  After the birth of the grandbaby boy I had to put this on hold. No time!  E is now 2 1/2 and doesn't require nearly as much of my attention as he did.  Grama is back to play again!  Let's see how much of this I actually remember!

more blooms

I haven't had time to blog much but I have been taking photos...

from the front garden I have purple cone flower, purple ballon flower and liatris

in a very small and controlled area I have goose neck loosestrife, I've learned these little gals cannot be trusted to stay put!  Although I love them besure to keep them under control. 

This is Nikko blue hydrangea.  I rarely feed her and so I get pink blooms...I'm okay with that.  I've found this plant to be extremely picky.  It doesn't like the sun, it will wilt.  But it has to have some sun or it won't bloom.  It blooms on old growth so be sure to protect it, and it only blooms blue if you feed it acid.  Way too many  "I wants" for me!!  I've not enough time for a "Diva"  so I get a often wilted, sometimes blooming, pink hydrangea.  Which is fine, but my next one will be an Oak Leaf. 

although the blog flipped this picture it's still pretty!  This is Stargazer.  I love these lilies, although shaded in my garden I fear what the heat will do so I cut them and brought them in.  A beautiful addition to my desk!

I've been trying so hard to get a good picture of the "outback garden"  Doesn't seem to matter what time of day I shoot, it's just not what I want it to be.  The colors are so bright and strong but not in the photos.  I'll keep tryin...til then good night and please leave a comment.  I don't want the hubby to think I'm just talking to myself...

It's on!!

OMG, these Japanese Beetles are killing me!  This morning I took this shot of this clematis blooming.  It's been growing so well even in this heat and I've been so looking forward to it!  (this was one you gave me Connie)  This evening I made my usual rounds and I couldn't believe it!!  There were at least 6 beetles!!  Please stop it!  I've been pulling them by hand and squashing them (gross but effective)  but I give up!  Everywhere I look they are eating!  I decided to get the sevin out.  I know, I try to keep it all natural too but this is nuts!!  Here's a look this morning

If you click on the picture you will see my despair!!

Anyway, let me share with you some good images...

George's garden is still very pretty in sprite of the pests!

the liatris, daylilies and Becky daisy are still blooming strong, I'm really surprised how well everything is doing in this heat.  I've been trying hard to keep up on the watering.  By this time I've usually given up and gone to the lake.   

the white ballons flowers are blooming

as well as the phlox. I love this purple with the yellow daylily

This Tiger Lily is new to me this year.  My Mom's had died (or so she thought) so when a friend offered I took some.  More than enough for Mom and I!  I really had planned on giving them away but when time came to put them in or toss, I couldn't do it.  Now I've decided  I really like them!!  My Mom always had them in her yard, back by the swing set where us kids would spend many a hot summer's evening.  Those are good memories!  My brother and I could sing up a storm!  "Yellow bird, up high in banana tree...." 

 Good times!  Hope you have a great one,  I'll catch you later! 

Happy GBBD in July!!

The heat is on here in the midlands!!  It's been hot and getting hotter but I've still enjoyed many blooms. Some sadly, didn't last very long.  Many of the daylilies are still going strong.  Wish I had more names to offer but haven't gotten my research done.  They're still beauties anyway!!  I'll start with the daylilies:

more maroon w/ yellow center

bright red!!

The garden is really full of blooms but time is limited today.  I 'll share more later!  Enjoy your "Bloom Day" and hop over to Carol's May Dream Garden to continue your hop!!   

purple cone flower (the June bugs are really a pest this year)

My "birthday" Asiatic Lily, which is blooming late this year. 

I did divide last fall, I'm assuming that slowed it down.  

more June blooms

June has been a rather strange month....It started out like August, hot hot hot, and now it seems like May with lots of cool weather and tons of rain, 3 inches in the past 2 days.  But I can't complain too loudly, the lilies don't seem to mind.  Here are some current pics.  Remember to double click on the pictures to enlarge them. 



Jackmanii Clematis with Karl Forester grass.  I was very worried about "Jack."  Last year, about this time, a storm took down his arbor.  Wasn't sure how he'd handle the transition.  But he's full and happy on his new home. 

The Eyeliner Asiatic Lily.  This Lily is new to my garden this year, another purchase at a friend's (Sherry) plant sale this year.  It's a beauty.  Large flowers on tall strong stems with a number of blooms per stem.

This close up shows off the very thin "eyeliner" outline around each petal.  Below are a few other asiatic lilies.  Unfortunately I don't have the names of these varieties. 

A very Bright red, thanks Lori!  This was added last summer.  It wintered very well and sent up many additional babies.

I call this one "baby girl pink"  Heck, I gotta call her something!  Many of these
       have been in the garden before I started keeping track of names. 

I believe this is an oriental lily,  the fragance is strong and wonderful!

This is probably the very first lily I started with.  It's "Connecticut King" another Asiatic lily.  Although the voles tried to destroy my collection several years ago I still have quite a few.  They are very hardy and multiply nicely.  (no thanks to the voles!)

The Daylillies are also blooming

Here's another newbee.  "Red spider"  This bloom is eight inches across! 

Last but not least it's a "Becky"  Daisy.  She's not very tall yet this year.  Another new addition.  Take time to enjoy the flowers....I have to go mow!

Hope it logs successfully this time...

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day (GBBD) June 2011

My first Bloom Day Blog!!  Glad to be here with fellow gardeners!  Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting this fun monthly event!  Here's a glimpse of whats happening in my garden today...

My Iris are just finishing up.  This one is known to me only as "Blue and White"  a gift from Sherry.

coreopsis

not sure which this is but it reseeds easily and everywhere!  

Tropicana Canna with bandana lantana, a sun impatient, and varigated swedish ivy.  there's also a blackie sweet potato vine and asparagus fern in the back . 

more beautiful Lollipop lilies.  My only lily to be blooming right now.

Lollipops with the unknown clematis behind it.  The tag said Mrs. Bateman but it is not.

another gifted unnamed iris.  I'll just call her Purdy!

My garden seems stuck between spring and summer.  I hope to have more for you soon!  Thanks for stopping!!  Visit Carol at http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/ for more garden sites!!

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