Another Kind of Primrose

They say the evening primrose is invasive. Mine is in the narrow space between the driveway and the fence, so I suppose if anything it will invade the neighbor's yard. I'm glad to see it doing so well in a strange space. It is very pretty, I think. It might be nice to see it spread down the driveway... Since this picture was taken a couple of weeks ago, the leaves are turning a deep crimson and it is still flowering. Very cool.

Mints!

Mint will take over, if you let it. I love mint, just for the scent or for a mojito. I have mine in a couple of pots. It comes back every year, but it doesn't take over the yard! Okay, the one on the left isn't mint, it's a dwarf alberta spruce, but it fills out a group of three.

The Rose Behind the House

This rose was there when I moved in. An unexpected but welcome bloom that first fall! It blooms a few times from spring to fall, one lovely flower that just seems to fit. Here it is this year--bud and bloom.

Summer Sun

Too hot to do much work in the garden today--even starting at 9 a.m.! I did get the bird bath leveled, the gazing ball placed (with a future planting spot next to it), the spider flowers planted, and some soil amendment added to the planting area alongside the driveway. About half what I'd hoped to accomplish, but I'll get there eventually!

Rain Makes Everything Grow, Right?

In spite of the rain, I managed to get quite a few gladiola bulbs planted today, finally. (I didn't count, but I put in enough to front three sections of fence.) I'm hoping some pieces of screen on top will keep the squirrels out. I also planted a few more astilbe and dianthus in the shade garden, some new dill in a hanging basket with some celosia (I hope they get along!), a zebra grass plant, and a few odds and ends in my large containers. Phew! I finally found a spider flower like my grandmother always had in her garden. It's a white one, rather than pink or purple like she had, but I bought it anyway, since it's the first I've seen. It's nice that it's already in a pot, too!

What Eats Dill?

Something has eaten my freshly planted dill! Two good-sized, healthy dill plants have been completely stripped of feathery leaves. Very strange--the stems remain, but not a single leaf! I guess I'll have to put the dill in a hanging basket like the basil. If I can even find another plant at this time in the season. [Off on a tangent--why do so many garden shops close up at the beginning of June? Back to the dependable year 'round garden stores for me!] Thyme, oregano, sage, chives, rosemary, and parsely haven't been bothered (so far). My fennel is safe as well, although it's in a different planting area, so maybe the little grazers just haven't come upon it yet... I just wish I'd see them nibbling so I would know who was enjoying my efforts (or so I could shoot 'em like my grandmother used to do!)

Fireflies

I must live in the right spot, notwithstanding the traffic noise from the busy street. I have fireflies already--lots last summer, too--apparently an increasing rarity for suburban dwellers. Also, I can see the stars from my yard. It is actually quite peaceful after dark (ignoring the random idiot whizzing by working on early hearing loss--I should have become an audiologist!).

Herbs and Vegetables

In an attempt to save money and enjoy more fresh-from-the-garden taste this summer, I've planted fresh annual herbs in my herb garden, as well as some tomatoes, lettuce and other greens, and peppers in my hanging garden (formerly a swingset!).

Last year, I found that hanging the basil kept the rabbits out--they weren't leaving me much. It worked out quite well--especially not having to kneel or squat to pick basil! Since I don't use the swingset, and it is firmly placed, I'm using it as a pergola of sorts. One of these weekends I'll get around to painting it plain green to reduce its incongruousness (I have the paint--baby steps), and maybe next year I'll replace it altogether with a dozen shepherd hook plant hangers.

Finally, A Redbud!

I finally found a healthy-looking redbud tree at a reasonable price! My friend Amy helped me bring it home in her pick up truck (it is good to have friends!). Tomorrow I'll get it planted. The extremely hot weather has broken following 1/2 inch of rain, so it should be a great day for working in the yard.