In The Garden

I the wee hours of the morning when I can't sleep I tip toe out to the garden and tinker. Why do I play in the garden at this time?  We've hit the century mark for several days in a row now. And it's just TOO hot during they day to venture out, unless absolutely necessary! Seems the  older I get the less tolerant of the heat I become....Translation - I've become a wimp!! :(



I've placed one of Dad's tall ladders over my Lady Banks Rose so she can climb safely...by safely I mean she won't get trampled on by Tora as she chases the neighbors cats all over the backyard and finally out and over the fence.  I appreciate all her efforts but her bounding does create havoc.

I added Mom and Dad's watering cans to some of the steps and placed the larger ones around.

While I had my camera out I wandered around the front yard and snapped some shots.

  Dragonflies, a bunny, and a heart shaped rock welcomes guests.

Roses and Jasmine cover the front arbor creating much needed shade for this western exposure.  More Roses, Lavender and Scented Geraniums make up the foreground.

Would have loved to have had the option of the porch elevation but it wasn't meant to be. I'm glad now because my home doesn't look like everyone else's.

(but would still like a porch ;))

I used up all my Dad's pile of used bricks making a "floor" under the arbor. A glider was added for that much needed relaxing swing at the end of the day.

Geraniums, a few newly potted White Sage plants and Angels along with an old chair holding Sedum and my "Dragonfly Cottage'' sign greet you as you approach the front door.

Last Winter almost wiped out all my Scented Geraniums.

This whole are was covered by them, now this lonely one is trying to make a come back.

On the other side of the entrance are Geraniums, Jasmine,

and More Roses.

An old Climber in the back,

fronted by Mr. Lincoln in the foreground.



On Mr. Lincoln's left is Rockin' Robin.

The right side of the front walkway entrance you can vaguely see the 2 Roses mentioned above, a small section of (my token) white picket fence with my Pomegranate on the right. my huge Rosemary provides the backdrop for my Garden Bike which hold Sedum in the front and back baskets.

My lone Flax :(

Hoping it reseeds into many more next year.

Dianthus



 Bergenia

with some kind of Grape the birds planted right in the middle.

 Lambs Ear

 Luckily my front garden is established enough to make it though our drought this year. It will be getting water, jut not as much as previous years.

 

 Pink Yarrow.

Wandering back to the backyard ~~



One of the many signs throughout my gardens :)

Deck view of the pond.

Maggie, there's the Horse Collar,

it has a Dove sitting on eggs in it!

We try not to get close so we don't disturb her.



 Hollyhocks are blooming!

Entrance to the Gazebo

A rescued Rose from my Parents farm,

seems it's always in bloom.

95% of my plants came from cuttings/seedlings/shoots/etc. from Mom's garden when we moved here 20 yrs. ago ~~ time flies!

But this one was actually dug up because it was so far away from "the garden" and we were afraid the renters wouldn't water it. It's ancient and wasn't sure it would handle the transplant. 

That was many years ago, just look at it! It's a trooper!

One of the side of the Gazebo has an

old Daybed frame part for a trellis.

 

A birdhouse Brandon made for me years ago ♥

Strawberry pot of Succulents

A  Thompson Seedless Grape, Heavenly Bamboo

 and Roses cover the back fence

This Tree Rose used to be purple,

but one year the wind snapped it off

below the graft so now it's red :/



 My Stranger Danger Wreath with another

sign in the middle hangs on the inside of my back gate.

Don't let those little bells fool you, they make a heck of a sound when the gate is opened...low tech burglar or ex alarm.

The dog pack hears just a jingle and they fly through the house...sometimes even knocking the dog door frame off the wall! 

I purchased this Clematis many years ago. I don't ever remember my Mom's being so HUGE! Her's were so delicate looking.

This monster needs to meet a chainsaw this Fall!

We cut it down to fence height and it's trunk got thicker!

It blooms like a Clematis and I swear I didn't give it steroids!

My favorite new sign I found on Pinterest.

Love it!