Sunday, July 7, 2019

Flowers in the Garden



Since returning home it's been so much fun seeing how everything fared while we were away.  Gardening is a huge passion for me.  Our grandson took care of everything beautifully.  He made sure pots received supplemental watering if the heavens failed to produce enough moisture.  It's so nice to return home after an extended time to find everything in order.  Thank you, Samuel! 

Like a mother that takes care of her babies, one of the first things I wanted to see was our garden, but it was dark.  I did notice while pulling into the driveway that the daylilies were blooming profusely.  Such a simple flower that does so well in our hot, humid summers.  They are easy plants that seems to be happy wherever you plant them.



Nature always shows hope to me.  Do you see the heart upon the petals? 




The planter around our patio is full of annual vinca that are filling in nicely.  I usually like a softer shade of pink or white but I was unable to find them this year.  Sadly, our favorite local nursery closed its doors this spring.  I really hate seeing long time businesses close.


If you look closely on the left at the curve is a volunteer vinca that reseeded itself.  That's the shade I really prefer.


You may remember our large white oakleaf hydrangea.  As the temperatures soar the petals that were once white turn a lovely shade of pink.  


I planted this urn in the spring with a pack of pink and purple petunias.  If you look to the right you see one of the plants is red.  I started to pull it out, but decided not to remove it as it appears happy.  Everything in my garden is far from perfect---just like life...


I brought in some simple marigolds to the kitchen to brighten the counter.


I also picked this pink hydrangea that was blue last year.  The soil must be more alkaline now to turn such a pink shade.  I hope you cut the flowers from your garden to brighten your home.  If you have hydrangea blooms, it's easy to have a lovely blossom for a while.  Cut your blossom stem  on an angle early in the morning and place in a container of water.  Once inside boil some water.  Smash the bottom of the stem and plunge the stem in the boiling water for 30 to 40 seconds.  Apparently a sap forms when the stem is cut that will seal the capillaries disallowing the stem to send water to the blossom.  The boiling water will open them back up.  Place your stem in a vase of room temperature water and flower preservative if you have it.  Make sure to remove leaves.

Our temperatures have been quite hot and the very steamy weather makes it hard to enjoy the patio and the garden.  Hopefully the oppressive heat will move on.  In the meantime I have been enjoying my afternoon tea iced. 

 " What dreadful hot weather we have!  It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance."   Jane Austen


This sweet little robin looks as though he's had enough of the heat as well.  He needs to hop a little further along and go for a swim in the birdbath.  I've seen his family splashing about there and now it's his turn to cool off. 

I do hope you will join me soon as I post more about our trip to the Norwegian Fjords.  The weather was neither hot or dreadful there. 







39 comments:

  1. It made me smile to imagine you pondering whether the red would go or stay. I’m glad that it is staying. Yay for Samuel doing an amazing job of keeping everything healthy and happy! That had to relieve your mind. Of course, I will be joining you in Norway. May not be well enough to comment, but I’ll be reading and will comment eventually.

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    1. Oh Vee, my goodness I do pray you will be back to full health soon. I'm happy to hear you will be joining us on our journey to Norway. I think you're going to like it! ♥

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  2. I can relate to that quote by Jane Austen! Welcome home!

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    1. Thank you, Ellen. It's lovely to be back home, even if the weather is sticky! ♥

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  3. How lovely the garden looks! I love the many shades of pink.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Amalia, thank you for stopping by. My flowers always welcome you! ♥

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  4. What you say, Dear Friend, about your Day Lilies loving the weather brings to mind something attributed to the late, highly revered Beth Chatto, and that is ~There is no such thing as the wrong plant, there is a place for every plant; right plant, right place ~ we just have to know what to plant, or sow, where. Samuel has been such a blessing while you have been away. He must love the garden too.

    I've been sharing many photos of my roses recently, but now my garden seems to have peaked once more and is slowly on the decline meaning the clearing begins again!

    ~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, Beth Chatto is a wise gardener. Plants really do tell us where they wish to be! Trying to force it will only bring sad results.
      Samuel did a great job caring for everything. I don't think he enjoys gardening, but knows how important it is to me, so he looked after it very nicely. Our roses are beginning to bud again and I look forward to more of their blossoms. Every flower has its day in the sun in our gardens. I look forward to seeing your's. xoxo ♥

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  5. Pink is your color this year! The pink vinca, pink petunias and pink hydrangea! The oak leaf hydrangea looks so pretty and so are the day lilies! It must have felt good to arrive back home to see some nice blooms! I know a gal in Richmond, VA and she’s commented many times on how hot it is. I hope you’ll get some relief soon!

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    1. Thank you, Liz. Today the temperatures are not going to be as high, but the humidity is great. We took our walk before 7 am and we could feel the moisture the minute we stepped outdoors! ♥

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  6. Welcome home, Martha Ellen! Your garden is flourishing and oh-so colorful. Samuel truly gives you and Grayden the 'gift' of travel as he carefully cares for your home and garden while you are away. Another great job, Samuel!! :) During the heat of Summer, just walking through the garden and picking blossoms early in the morning is all we can do. Iced tea is delightful as you enjoy your garden on these hot, sticky afternoons.
    I'm so looking forward to hearing all about your Norwegian adventure, Martha Ellen! A dear friend traveled there in May, you were there in June, and this week, dear friends will be kayaking in the fjords. I'm enjoying learning more about this magical place! You are one of my favorite travel guides, my friend! ��

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    1. Thank you, dear Dawn for your sweet comments! You are so right that having Samuel here is a gift to us. We love being there for him and he is there for us in return.
      Going out early in the garden is a favorite of mine. Even though the humidity is still high it's fun to check out all the progress of our beloved plants--right?
      That's so neat you have friends that have been or are going to Norway! It truly is a magical place! I'm looking forward to sharing it all. Have a lovely day, my friend. ♥

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  7. Well done Samuel for looking after the garden so well. You are rewarded with such beautiful blooms for all your hard work.

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    1. The garden is definitely at its peak, Lorraine. We are so thankful to have our grandson take care of things while we were away. ♥

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  8. So beautiful!! It's a blessing having someone to take care of our home and gardens for us when we are away isn't it? Our biggest challenge now is our animals... Looks like your summer is off to a great start! Looking forward to seeing pictures from your trip.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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    1. You are right, Jill it makes you feel better about leaving your home when there is someone there to look after things. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer with your girls. I'll be posting more about our trip soon.

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  9. Oh, that little Robin at the end made me smile, Martha Ellen. Your flowers are coming along nicely, and so good of Samuel to look after them while you were away. I really like the vivid color of the vinca. Yes, the lilies always seem to do well with different temperatures. We used to have a row of yellow lilies in front of our old house, and they would always open up in the afternoon, so pretty. Isn't that strange that your pink hydrangea was blue last year? They are such a lovely flower as well. I always love to see what's happening in your garden, Martha Ellen. And it's nice that you bring in a few flowers to put in your vases.

    Happy July days.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Hi Sheri, I do hope you have some blossoms to bring indoors. One single bloom can brighten our homes. We had a storm front come through this afternoon with a little rain that brought cooler temperatures.
      I hope the earthquake didn't affect your family. Happy July to you as well!

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    2. I came over to see your garden again. No, the earthquake didn't affect us. It was in So. Cal, and we are in Nor. Cal. Nel is now living in So. Cal, but she is about four and a half hours from where the earthquake was, but she felt it! So scary.

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  10. I see that one vinca that is a pale pink. I do like those almost electric pink color ones, very showy.
    What a pretty pink hydrangea, never saw one quite this pink before and the lilies, they along with the black eyed Susan, never disappoint. My lilies are always eaten by something, I guess moles or voles.
    That sweet little Robin looks like he's beat. I chuckled at first glance, made remember how I felt July four at the town parade.
    Thank you for the tip on hydrangea blooms, will definitely try this. Such a pretty bloom and those marigolds are such a soft shade of yellow.
    I am staying in and having iced too. So good and refreshing.
    Betsy
    Almost forgot to say that the blogger header photo is so pretty. Cooling for sure.

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    1. Betsy, the pink hydrangea really surprised me this year. Usually blue, the soil must have turned alkaline. The blooms really last a long time using the method I described. I picked this blossom last Monday and it still looks great. I did repeat the method today to give it fresh water. Stay cool, my friend.

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  11. I loved all your flowers.. everything is so neat and tidy. Our garden is wild and weedy but it works for me as it's easy.. lol! You have some very pretty day lilies! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, there are plenty of weeds this year! I pull many every day--lol. They love my gardens.

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  12. Kudos to Samuel for minding all of your lovelies and doing it so well! As always, your gardens look gorgeous! I'm glad you didn't pull the little "surprises" that popped up. :)

    I am excited to go on your Norwegian adventure with you!

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    1. Samuel really came through for his grandmother, Cheryl. He knows how important plants are to me.
      Looking forward to having you along on our adventure to Norway.

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  13. It looks like you came home to a gorgeous display of flowers Martha Ellen. Everything looks so pretty, I also love your little bird figurines and the lambs. The robin picture was also very cute. Thank you for sharing and have a great week :)

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    1. Thank you, Denise. The warm July temperatures are certainly making all the flowers burst into bloom. Have a great week!

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  14. I'm so glad you had such a good trip and how nice to come home to a garden in full bloom! Love the red Petunia that worked it's way into your planting! And the oakleaf hydrangea is just gorgeous! I cut roses and bring them inside to enjoy! We have hundreds of knock out roses blooming right now! I need to dead head them though. Enjoy your week! Enjoy working on your trip photos! That's always so much fun!

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    1. Diane, your roses sound lovely! It's wonderful to have so many blossoms to bring indoors. Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy your week.

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  15. I'm glad you had a good time away and have such a wonderful grandson to care for things!

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    1. We are so fortunate, Dotsie. I hope your summer is going well. ♥

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  16. I'd say your garden did very well during your journey. How wonderful to have a terrific trip and then return to such a blaze of color! Every bloom is fabulous!

    Welcome home. I look forward to more!

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    1. Jeanie, it's been so hot and humid this summer, if Samuel didn't take care of things I'm sure they would have expired!
      I'm working on a post now and it's really hard to choose which photos to post! I know you can identify! ♥

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  17. Well done to Samuel for taking good care of your garden.
    I enjoyed all of your photographs, and simply love that wonderful header photograph, what a glorious scene.

    All the best Jan

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    1. My flowers are so happy you enjoyed seeing them, Jan. The header photo was taken in Norway. What a gorgeous place it is! Thank you for stopping by today.

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  18. Oh beautiful blooms. I love the way your patio is surrounded by the bricks. Nice.

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    1. Thank you, Pam. It's so hot today, I need to get out and do some watering. Stay cool during this heat wave. ♥

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