Spring Phlox

I've wanted a big mass of creeping phlox since seeing a former neighbor's beautiful collection years ago.  

And now I just want to sit and stare at ours.

Hope your spring is shaping up beautifully!

Scarface and Spring!

This is happening out back.






Thankfully we can go out front and see this:

Who knows what is bothering Scarface.
Perhaps it's his double ACL injuries?
The fact that he can't chase the squirrels or cats properly?
That I won't throw his ball more than two feet away for him?
Maybe the sun isn't warm enough?  (It will be today;  75 is the projected high).
Or that I have things I want to do and won't pet him 24/7?

If only I could read his mind.

Can't Get Enough

I'm so enjoying spring.  I especially love this time of year between "official" spring and the beginning of "official" summer.  As we watch the garden unfold, and before the heat sets in.

Clematis 'Macropetala Markham's Pink's' blooms look papery and fragile.

This pink tree peony, unknown variety, has opened its first bloom.

Kim caught me putting my nose into it.  But who can resist?  They're not just for viewing, they're for the scent also.  And peonies smell fantastic.

Speaking of enjoying the smell of spring, Felix does so in the front yard with the phlox.

He looks sweet, doesn't he?
But I wonder why I bothered planting anything in this planter box out front, which has turned into a "cat box".

The phlox out front are still hanging in there.  And now with the Antoinette tulips in bloom, it's looking lovely out there.

Out back again, Felix takes a cat nap among the soon to be blooming Peachleaf Bellflowers.

An allium starting to push open.

And Scarface has met the hens.  He gets protective of his tennis balls, but otherwise it's been uneventful.  I think it helped that he has been exposed to them through the fence for so long and has come to accept them as part of our "pack".

Another lovely miniature tulip out back.

And a picture by Kim, of Scarface reflected in a wine glass.

And waiting patiently, or not, for someone to throw his tennis ball.

Loving Our Phlox

We planted these phlox so many, many, years ago.
And now I'm so glad.
Over the years we've added a variety of tulips for some extra color and interest.

I remember admiring a neighbors phlox patch years ago, and always wanting one of my own.
We started this patch with just a few 4 inch pots and have added to them every few years.

These beauties seem very happy growing under the shade of our birch tree in the front yard.

They are hidden from the street by a flowering shrub so these are enjoyed only by us and invited family and friends.

If you have ever wanted a mass of gorgeous phlox, plant some now.  You won't be sorry.

A Hard Look at Our Garden in August

Well here it is; the ugly truth about our garden in August. We know it's been too hot for too long. We know the mums, asters and Japanese anemones haven't started blooming yet.

So, what is going on?

Well, like every other August it's kind of a mess. But there are still parts of it I like.

I should plant more phlox as you can see from this picture of one of the back beds. You can see 'David' phlox here. There will be asters and mums later. The crocosmia are finished. Still some echinacea blooming. The blue in the foreground is a volunteer morning glory.  The red hibiscus should be blooming soon so that's something to look forward to.  We had a pink one but I think it has decided enough was enough.

Another bed; we refer to it as the "smokebush bed". (It must have a name for reference sake.) You can see a spot of bright pink. Another phlox. Should have planted more. Eventually this bed will have pink and white Japanese Anemones but not much happening in August. On the right under the big spruce is an area where we leave a wild life seed block. We let the chickens dig around under there. The blue in the foreground here are some re-blooming larkspurs and the red in the background is some Jupiter's Beard hanging on.

Heading off to the right side of the garden.

Pretty messy. At least we see another.......phlox. This one is 'Nora Leigh' and I love it.

This picture makes 'Nora' look like a mass, a drift, a sweep of phlox. She's not. She's just one plant.
But she's pretty. Love those bi-color leaves.

Alice and friends are hanging in there. Not looking too overgrown.

Are your columbines re-blooming?
Ours never have before but they are this year.

We have a bit of bloomage in the Moongarden. I don't even remember what this flower is but it's pretty.

This one is Persicaria 'Pink Elephant'. I'm liking it.

OK, an area I am enjoying, and have for the past few years, the right side of the garden.
It still looks kind of messy, doesn't it?

But, as one walks a bit further...

One can gaze upon sweetpeas...(splendens mix lathyrus)

various morning glories...

rudbeckias...

and a new addition to the garden...penstemon 'smallii'.

Lovely. Let's take a closer look.

But still my favorite place for my morning coffee is our back porch.

Hope you're enjoying your favorite places this summer wherever they are...