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My garden is certainly having

A showy summer.

The rain gets all the credit.

We got even more of the luscious stuff last week.

So the mid-summer show

Is pretty wonderful.

Purple Coneflowers and Gloriosa Daisies

Have had quite a year

They are just past their prime,

But should be happy for a few more weeks.

Tall Garden Phlox is just about to peek.

It’s  a great old friend.

Sturdy stems make it a favorite

When the winds and rains come.

It’s vibrant color can be seen from across the yard

You will often see a patch of it in yards

As you walk through old neighborhoods.

It’s been on the old friends list

For quite awhile.

It also cuts well for arrangement.

A pre-requisite for survival

In my garden.

A haircut in spring will keep it

From getting way too tall.

It also delays the blooms till mid summer.

A time that can always use a little boost.

This year the phlox has a new friend.

Her name is Annabelle.

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ to be exact.

I ordered the first one two years ago.

Liked it so much that I bought two more

At the end of that summer.

Then this spring I found spots for three more.

Accidentally ordered these bare root.

But they have grown and grown

Now I’m thinking I’ve found places for one or two more

Maybe.

Annabelle blooms a lot.

Great big blooms at that.

Their blooms start out white

And change into that wonderful lime green

That is so good in the garden and arrangements.

It’s a color I work to incorporate.

It’s a little hard to find.

Envy Zinnias and Bells for Ireland

Also add this color

But I have trouble getting them to grow here.

Annabelle on the other hand

Seems to love my garden.

Annabelle is a fast grower

And prolific bloomer

It’s a great new friend

That seems right at home

Here in my garden.

Gail

“Make new friends, but keep the old.

One is silver, the other is gold.”

Anonymous

I first saw larkspur in my friend Sally’s garden.

It was blooming wildly throughout her garden.

I knew immediately I wanted some.

She was kind enough to share.

Eager actually

As most gardeners are.

My last two gardens have been

Blessed with shall we say ample larkspur

Throughout late May and most of June

For years now.

In my garden it’s a self seeding annual.

Which means that as the blooms fade

If you leave the plants in place

The blooms will dry out

And seeds will fall

Making new plants and blooms for next year.

Now, I’ve let it go a little wild in my garden.

I always think I’m going to be more firm

With this garden child

And thin it out harshly.

But each year I  let something get in the way

And never quite get it done.

This year I think I’ve finally figured out why.

It’s the “little black dress of the garden”.

It goes with everything.

As you can see by the pictures sprinkled through this little tale.

It’s a bold backdrop to the pastels of May

And the hotter colors that follow in June.

So, I’ll continue to let it go to seed.

And plant itself around my garden.

Sometimes it takes time

Even years

To figure out why something is in my life.

Keeping myself open to reasons that are not easily apparent

Makes the years even more interesting.

Enjoy the week and get your hands in the soil.

Gail