Tall Beauties.

Such happy faces reaching for the sun... you can't help but smile when these bright yellow faces greet you in the morning. The kids and I planted sunflower seeds very late this year, so they are in full bloom in late August. Lucky me. I cannot think of a better place to sit and have my coffee, than in my own back yard. Just look at these colors. They are bright, happy, and pure.

Before & After

So it's a little top-heavy...but when the blooms begin, it's going to be gorgeous.
Everyone should have a tepee in their back yard!

Our Tepee

We did it! The kids and I built this in May using bamboo from the farmer's market. We've watched it grow all summer long. The heat wave has made it very difficult to keep everything healthy and green, but the tepee has survived. We used a combination of morning glories, scarlet runner beans, moonflowers, and purple hyacinth beans. It's surrounded by sunflowers, which are just about to bloom.

Bonnie's Iris

Another special treasure in my garden... my beautiful Iris. Of course, there is a story here...

These were given to me by my friend, Paula. Paula's mother, Bonnie, was a serious gardener in St. Matthews. She passed away a long time ago, so I never got to meet her. Thanks to Paula's heartwarming stories, I feel like I know her. Bonnie was well known for her flower-filled back yard. Seems she gave one of her lady friends a few Iris for her yard, I'm guessing it was in the 1960's. Paula ran into her mother's friend a few years ago, and she invited Paula to come over to her house and dig up some of the Iris for her to enjoy in her own yard. Paula shared some of the bulbs with me. Now we both have Iris from Bonnie's garden. Imagine having flowers blooming in your yard that came from your mother's garden, from many years ago. When the Iris bloom, it always feels like Bonnie is watching over my garden in approval. I'll dig some this fall, to share with my daughter. Bonnie's plants bring joy to my heart, and a smile on my face. She always told Paula, "Sunny Days Are Ahead". Thanks for the Iris, Bonnie. xoxo

Mermaid Garden....

                                                                         

 In a shady corner of the yard sits a couple of lovely mermaids. They are a special addition to the garden, as they remind me of a very special friend. Paula and I have had many years of fun and laughter together, and our Mermaid Weekend is one of our finest memories. Many years ago, we enjoyed a mommie's get-away weekend, in a hotel right here in Louisville. One evening, as we cooled off in the pool, we laughed about our poor attempt at synchronized swimming. As we laughed at ourselves, and at each other, it became perfectly clear that we would prefer to be Mermaids. We both have a collection of mermaids, but the memories of that weekend get-away will always be our finest treasure.

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.