juneSCENE IN OUR GARDEN: July 2010

Berry Bearing Bushes and More

I took time to pose early this morning and snapped a couple of photos while we walked around the yard trying to figure out how to spend the rest of our morning.

I'm curious to know how many times this bush bears berries....They're always so beautiful! Now I'm in to change into something I can perspire in! I'm going to be toting branches of the walnut tree my husband is trimming...

He's already trimmed up a large, sprawling bush/tree--identity unknown. It provided space for a bowling ball tree. I saw the idea on another blog and will credit it when I can relocate it. I'll probably also transplant a hosta or two. I'll keep you posted!

What Remains...What Emerges

What remains of the mulberry tree...

what emerged--almost overnight!

Bits and Pieces

The second tree we had cut down...dying and too close to the garage.

Even in the pieces, beauty.

I took the cushions out for the first time. I almost forgot I had them. We're rearranging the chairs on our small patio. Once it gets cooler, we might actually enjoy it out there!

The Felling of a Tree

By afternoon, this was all that was left of our mulberry tree. We will have less mess and more sunlight in the future. The professionals amazed us with their skill!

FREE!

A local greenhouse/nursery posted the sign yesterday - "FREE". A friend saw it on her way to work and called me. By the time I got there (early afternoon), much of the stock was gone. I couldn't believe it was for real, but an employee assured me it was! "One wagon load per customer, please."

If there had been any perennials, they were gone. But I came home with several healthy-looking geraniums, coleus (only one variety left) and a couple of tomato plants which are planted amidst hosta and sedum in our most sun-lit flower bed.

Too Hot to Handle


My current Garden Reading....

It seems to be hot and humid EVERYwhere! I find myself moving slower, tiring quicker, and being rather lazy about my flower beds right now. Meanwhile, I am enjoying a couple of "reads"... I requested The 3,000 Mile Garden at our local library and am enjoying the correspondence between a Londoner gardener and one from Maine.

When I'm finished, I plan to begin Stillmeadow Daybook. I don't believe I've read it (but even if I had, I'd enjoy re-reading anything by Gladys Taber). I purchased this copy at a garage sale this past Thursday.

Do you have a favorite gardening book or author? And how do you spend YOUR hours when the temperatures are "too hot to handle"?

Warrirors of the Garden

In spite of the dry and hot weather, these plants are performing like warriors! I was pleasantly surprised by these stalwarts as I walked around the yard with my coffee mug this morning...

The astillbe, sedum and lamb's ear blend almost seamlessly in the eastern-most area of my garden.

Other Peoples' Gardens

Outside (above) and inside (below). This garden shed was full of wonders for me!

This small shed held pool equipment. Isn't it quaint?

These steps led to a most unusual sunken garden. White shells line the right side of the stairway.

Above: A wonderful display of Russian sage.

Warning! Plenty of Garden Walk Pictures Ahead!

And these were only a FEW of the flowers!

We visited nine Auburn gardens on a beautiful, NW Indiana Saturday morning.

I will show some more pictures of some of the "garden art" and garden structures that I found interesting when I post next.

We came home and "planted" bottles in our OWN garden that evening.

Come a Little Closer....

I can't wait for all the buds to open! It will take a little more sunshine than we've been having lately! Actually, we're hoping the dark clouds don't blow past us this evening without giving us some much needed rain! Rain without wind/lightening/hail damage....

I've Lost My I.D.

Can anyone help me identify the two plants pictured above? The TOP one propagates itself. rapidly. I THOUGHT it was supposed to bloom but I'm not sure it does. It just keeps getting taller and taller...I almost pulled out the second one thinking it was a weed! Now that it is blooming, I'm curious to know what I have!

These were some other sights around our yard and garden this morning. The air is muggy and heat is on its way again. The little rabbit seemed almost tame. It let me get close to it, then hopped a short distance to this spot of sun where it sat--nose quivering, but still.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. William Henry Channing 1810-1884

Irises come in many forms, shapes, colors and sizes and the sword-like foliage is attractive when the plant is not in bloom. The genus Iris is a large genus of bulbous and rhizomatous perennials.

The Iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow because of its many colors.
A flower on the Sphinx is considered to be an Iris, and another appears on a bas-relief of the 18th Egyptian dynasty.
Pliny also knew the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues.
The Iris was also a favourite flower of the Moslems, who took it to Spain after their conquest in the 8th century.

Bought at a local plant sale, Spring of 2009 Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium; syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Pers., Pyrethrum parthenium Sm.) is a traditional medicinal herb which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 18 inches high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. and Pyrethrum parthenium (L.) Sm.

I'D PICK MORE DAISIES
If I could live my life again
I'd be a little lazy
I'd stop this rushing to and fro
And stop and pick more daisies
Through all the lovely summer months
Though days be clear or hazy
No more to fret over tasks undone,
I'd stop to pick a daisy
Not so important what I did
This fact time now discloses
While running through life's garden green
I'd stop to smell the roses
If I could hold my little ones
The children in my care
I'd scold them less and love them more
With so much love to share
If I could pass this way again
Though folks might think I'm crazy
I'd work and worry less, but I'd
Take time to pick a daisy
The rush of life has passed me by
Now I have leisure hours
But time has taken such a toll
It's too late to pick the flowers.

Mildred F. Rowe

MEASURE YOUR HEALTH...by your sympathy with morning and spring. If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature, if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep, if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you--know that the morning and the spring of your life are past. Thus may you feel your pulse. (Thoreau)

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on the trees and flowers and clouds and stars." (Martin Luther)

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The soul of a child is the loveliest flower
That grows in the garden of God
It's climb is from weakness to knowledge and power,
To the sky from the clay to the clod.
To beauty and sweetness it grows under care
Neglected, 'tis ragged and wild.
'Tis a plant that is tender, but wondrously rare,
The sweet wistfull soul of a child.

Be tender, O Gardener, and give it it's share
Of moisture, of warmth and of light,
And let it not lack for th painstaking care
To protect it from frost and from blight.
A glad day will come when it's bloom shall unfold,
It will seem that an angel has smiled,
Reflecting a beauty and sweetness untold
In the sensitive soul of a child.

...Author Unknown

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord,
With flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host:
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guard the traveler,
And make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory,
Where soldiers may repair,
And find, for life's long battle-day,
All needful weapons there.

Oh, may I love Thy precious Word,
May I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glen,
May light upon me shine!
Oh, may I find my armor there!
Thy Word my trusty sword,
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.

(Edwin Hodder, Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord)