June 22, 2016
A Wednesday Vignette to Celebrate Summer
Labels:
Echinacea,
flowers,
happiness,
joy,
native plants,
summer,
sun,
Wednesday Vignettes,
Wordless Wednesday
June 15, 2016
A Few Blooms and a Few Promises
![echinacea](https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7040/27533806525_71f94aea8b.jpg)
You know it's summer when the Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) bloom, and it was just about to happen when I wrote this post a few days ago. They're even closer now.
![mock orange](https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7313/26924538934_47121d4796.jpg)
Another summer sign is the blooms of Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius), which are pretty enough for a June wedding bouquet.
It's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, and much is happening in the garden as we move into summer.
![salvia](https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7391/27257447240_975f9c0812_z.jpg)
The pollinators have been buzzing on the 'May Night' Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris).
![kelways and sarah peonies](https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7746/27257450800_1dcf0363c0_z.jpg)
The Peonies (Paeonia lactifora 'Sarah Berhnardt' and one of the 'Kelways') have finished blooming, but I arranged some in a bouquet before they faded.
![virginia waterleaf bud](https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7769/27435066452_09ce9e09bd.jpg)
![virginia waterleaf flower](https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7313/27257445770_919eee721c.jpg)
![virginia waterleaf seeds](https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7281/27499718306_10df34d3bf.jpg)
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) has finished blooming, too. It seemed like it was a good year for this plant, or maybe I simply enjoyed it more--from buds to blooms to awesome, curly seedheads.
![dicentra formosa](https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7134/27435070782_0e9a72e00c_z.jpg)
Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) always seems to have a long blooming period in my garden--from early May to mid-June and beyond.
![camelot lavendar foxglove](https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7427/26924542064_fd9e6497f1.jpg)
This purple Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot Lavender') is impressive in its first year--with side shoots and graceful coloring. I hope it will be bigger next year.
![angelface blue angelonia](https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7346/27533810015_c1b3335c25_z.jpg)
The annuals are settling in nicely, too. I had to have Angelonias (A. augustifolia 'Angelface Blue') in a pot again this summer.
![pots](https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7748/27435067782_8898c29fb0.jpg)
I played around with several pots, and now I need to figure out where I want them to sit.
![lantana flame](https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7312/27533801035_641ab5dd0a.jpg)
![lantana citrus](https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7444/27499715486_e6196c6ed2_z.jpg)
![lantana bandana red](https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7557/27533803215_98f956b261_z.jpg)
It's hard to believe I only discovered Lantanas (L. camara) a few years ago, as annuals for a northern garden. They've become staples in my garden, and the butterflies love them. Shown above, top to bottom: 'Flame,' 'Citrus,' and 'Bandana Red.'
![graffiti violet pentas](https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7460/27499716276_ec770f81e1.jpg)
Finally, I wasn't thrilled with the red Pentas (P. lanceolata) I planted last year because of the color clash in that part of the garden. But these pink ones--even though they're named 'Graffiti Violet'--are perfect.
What's blooming in your garden this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day? Head on over to May Dreams Gardens to see what's blooming in gardens around the world.
Labels:
annuals,
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day,
gardening,
summer,
transitions
June 08, 2016
A Hummingbird's Nest
![hummer nest 1](https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7377/27529998005_95caabd765.jpg)
![hummer nest 2](https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7046/27431103992_3fa72154c2.jpg)
Wordless Wednesday
Wildlife Wednesday
Nature Notes
Update: Unfortunately, soon after I posted these photos, a predator raided the hummingbird's nest. I have theories on why this happened (cold night, deep torpor, a young mum, crows in the area, etc.), but there's really no way to know for sure. It was a sweet experience to see her constructing and guarding her nest--a first for me. I can only hope that she's OK and will be able to have another nest full of eggs to guard soon.
Labels:
hummingbirds,
Nature Notes,
nature's blessings,
nesting birds,
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird,
Wildlife Wednesday,
Wordless Wednesday