From My Kitchen Window

This is the view from my kitchen window. It's the first thing I look at when I head for a cup of coffee in the morning The trellis is a gift from my mother. A friend recommended the Chinese red honeysuckle, which attracts hummingbirds every year. I'd have to say this trellis is one of my favorite places in the back yard. Our daughter and her friends posed here for a photo on the evening of her prom - we hosted a lovely back yard dinner for about 30 of her closest friends. Our back yard is filled with memories. I know there will be many more good times to be had in my back yard.

Love Blooms

Here's a lovely addition to my garden.

My step-brother, Gus, and his fiance, Deborah recently sent me this beautiful invitation for their wedding. It is made from recycled paper, and embedded with flower seeds. A little note on the back explains that the invitation can be placed in the soil, watered, and soon flowers will grow. What a beautiful idea. I was filled with joy as I planted this little gem. Gus is a wonderful young man. Deborah is a lucky lady, and I hope to meet her soon. Until then, as the seeds turn into flowers, I'll think of them every time I check their progress. I'll have to send them a picture when the flowers bloom, and let them know we are all thinking of them. I wish them both happiness, love and joy. Love blooms.



Hydrangea Propagation

I have always wanted to try this. After reading several articles and checking a few gardening web sites, I gathered my supplies and my good friend Lori. Between the two of us we have Annabelle, Oakleaf, Blue Nikko, Pink Alice, and a Lavender Lace Cap. We cut the stems, dipped them into the rooting powder, and then planted them in sand. Seems there are many options regarding the use of soil, sand, or a sterile medium, etc. We settled on sand when the manager of the garden center offered some to us for free. We just had to promise to return and shop there. But that's another story.

The cuttings are done, watered, and living (I hope) in the shade in the back yard. Like I said, we'll see what happens. We are hoping for  great success. In the mean time, I'll baby them along with daily misting.

There's nothing better than spending time in the garden with a good friend. 

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