I thought I would show you around our home and look at what is blooming. We've had the most rain I can remember in June, almost 10 inches! It's almost been like Camelot. It mostly rained in the evening and at night. July is starting out quite steamy and hot, but still we've had rain. I did need to water a few pots of flowers. As plants get larger they require more moisture as they dry out quickly.
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| Impatiens and Squirrel Proof Feeder |
This is a shot of our patio. We love to eat our meals out here. When the weather is nice it's great to hang out here and read, relax and enjoy the birds. I'm an outside girl and need to find time there whenever possible. This is my spot on an afternoon with a glass of iced tea and a book or my Kindle.
I have impatiens planted in the brick planter. I planted these plants from seed. This is the first time I tried that. I usually buy bedding plants. Last year I had saved an envelope full of impatiens seeds. Before we went to England, I planted the tiniest seedlings and left them. Samuel kept them watered nicely and now they are beginning to grow larger. I was not sure how things would fair while we were gone, but everything lived! Yay!
Let's go out the shell walk (another story for another day) and take a look around.
That's my Uncle Sam--made by my dear sister, Susan. He really needs repainting, but I don't have the heart to paint over my sister's work. Susan passed away 5 1/2 years ago of pancreatic cancer. She was only 57. I still can't believe she is gone. She was so talented and could make anything out of nothing. She would find things along the shoreline and use it for her art. Uncle Sam was made from things that washed on shore from the Chesapeake Bay. She had a wonderful cottage along the shore. I miss you every day sweet Susan!
Above Uncle Sam is a Vitex. I was afraid it wouldn't bloom this year---it was a little slow. Nature takes its time and it is now blooming. The first time I saw Vitex blooming was in Williamsburg and I bought this plant there.
Don't you love when the garden gives you gifts? These are a couple of gifts from my garden this year. Volunteer petunia--I haven't had petunias for years and Lamb's Ear from seed that my sister Inkie gave me. Of course I could list all the wonderful weeds that have sprung up, but let's keep it positive.
This used to be the Secret Garden that my daughter and I planted 35 years ago. We had roses here for as long as they could stand being in the shade that has slowly taken over the space. Now this area has plants that are suited more for shade--Like Painted Ferns.
The perennial garden in the back was made in honor of my Mama. There is so much I could say about her. She first introduced me to gardening. This bed is sorely in need of color. The rudbeckia in the background is full of buds and should be in bloom soon.
In the back, where there is more sun, we have a few tomatoes growing!
Let's walk to the side and let me show you some real bloomers!
Keep walking!
I learned a lot about gardening from a dear neighbor. Her family gave me her birdbath when she passed away.
Who influenced you the most about gardening? Do you mentor anyone who is learning to garden? I hope you find JOY in your garden! ♥
