Garden Fairy

All she has to do is look pretty and watch over the garden.

Colors!

When flowers are paired with contrasting colors in the garden, they really put on a show. I often use white to pack a punch of brightness here and there. It's not just about placement, or how much sun a plant gets. It's about planting with a plan. A lot of thought goes into the perfect combination of colors and textures. I love the slender blossoms of the Day Lily next to the softer, round petals of the Hydrangea.

Pesto, anyone?

Another favorite...
Fresh herbs from the garden. I make pesto every year and enjoy it all winter long. I love to grow herbs, to use in my recipes, and cut them for vases to make the house smell good. What I love most is the variety of colors and textures the herbs bring to the garden. And when I cut them, the aroma is pure summer. Rosemary chicken, basil olive oil, chive butter, and many more flavors are right outside my back door. Green Goddess basil is wonderful for snipping right into a salad. It has beautiful little tiny basil leaves that grow in a solid mound of bright green goodness. Love the fresh flavors.

Our Tepee project

My grandchildren and I decided to build a tepee this year. I have had magazine photos of this idea in my garden notebook for years.....and we finally did it. It's coming along pretty well, as the vines are beginning to crawl up the bamboo poles. We planted Purple Hyacinth Beans, Scarlett Runner Beans, Morning Glories, and Moonflowers. Should be quite the show when the blossoms come along. The kids will be able to sit inside, surrounded by vines and blossoms.

Butterflies and blooms

It's always a joy to see the butterflies land on the blossoms in the afternoon. They arrive like clockwork, every day around 2:00. I've seen a variety of species, but so far this one is my favorite. My step-father, Mark, adored butterflies. I always think of him when I see them. It's almost as if he's stopping by to say hello.

About to Bloom

Here's a Black-Eyed Susan getting ready to bloom. It's amazing to see how the petals look woven across the center.

Reflections

I have always wanted a gazing ball. I used to think they were tacky little objects, sitting in unkept yards, next to the concrete figurines of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They have made a huge come-back, as they are now seen in many of the finest gardens. Mine is happy to sit amongst the hydrangeas, nestled in a sea of blues and greens. The reflections are amusing and lovely at the same time. I may need another one.