Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A Few Blooms

Can you see the butterfly. I chased him around for 30 minutes and waited and waited for a perfect shot... but this is the best I could get of him. He is enjoying the milkweed.

I found myself out in the yard doing a little at a time. By the end of the weekend I had weeded both of the front garden beds and cut and manicured the plants. These photos were all taken before I finished my work.


I was thrilled when I caught the Okra Hibuscus blooming. It was a surprise since I never saw the bud there. It is blooming about 6" from the ground. Last year they were 3-4' tall. But this year I just spread the seeds plus the plant reseeded itself last year.

I love the big pom-pom like blooms on the zinnias. These are my favorites.

To my surprise I also found more snapdragons coming up from seeds I threw out in the spring. Found three blooming right here together and all three are different.

Portulaca is coming up everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I don't remember it jumping all over the place like this has. I'm happy about it though because this is such an easy plant and tolerates all of our weather challenges.

My first bloom on my hosta. It is only a few inches off the ground. I'll tell ya what - I just can't get down on the ground and get a photo without blurring. I'm too old to get down on the ground to get photos.

The shade garden is showing off now. Looks like it needs to be enlarged already. That will come next year.

This is Bill McNight Dahlia. It looks HOT.

Hope you all have a great day.

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Your gardens look magnificent, Becca, as always. You have a wonderful green thumb.

The deer, despite spraying, are eating the hostas as they appear. Little stinkers. Then I saw them eating my geraniums, ugh!

Have a great holiday weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Diane said...

Your garden looks great to me, we are still praying for rain!!! I have thrown in some Portulaca seed, I just hope it grows. The butterfly is beautiful, do you know what it was? Take care Diane

shannon i olson said...

Everything looks great!! I just saw the first holly hock bloom today. love love love the dahlia!

Unknown said...

Your garden just keeps on giving...what beautiful flowers! I really miss my place. I haven't been outside enough here to get the feel of my yard. But, hopefully when this awful hot weather goes away, we'll get things done. Now, we are under a water ban, and a burn band! But, I still have your garden to make me happy! Thanks so much! Hugs!

imac said...

Your flowers makes the sun shine and puts a smile on our faces my friend

Dirt Princess said...

ooohhhhh I love that dahlia!!!! Looks great!!! Lets get together soon

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I see the butterfly!!
It's good to see all the colors of blooms you have.

Anonymous said...

The shade garden is going gangbusters! It looks just terrific.

HolleyGarden said...

I saw a big beautiful butterfly yesterday and I ran around, trying to get a picture, but never could. To be flutterers, they can fly pretty fast when they want to! Love the pom pom zinnias! I've almost given up on getting portulaca out of my garden. I'm not crazy about something that does what it wants - but like you say, it takes our hot dry conditions well.

Carol said...

Your garden is looking great!!!! I love your zinnias...mine must have drowned this spring or washed away :(

Sunray Gardens said...

Everything looks lovely there. Your shade garden is really pretty.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Connie said...

Looks like things are growing well for you, Becca. Such pretty blooms. Your shade garden is really taking off! :)

Stacy said...

I love the photo of the Dahlia! Simply gorgeous!

I know what you mean about chasing butterflies for a chance at a good shot. They must really get a kick out of watching us! :)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Becca,
I had to laugh about you chasing the butterfly around, and working in your gardens a bit at a time. That sounds like what I've been doing. I am finally seeing some butterflies, but only have a few photos. I did have a skipper move from the flower it was on to my camera. I held out a finger, and it came over and landed on it. I've never had that happen. It was cool!

I like the pink portulacas, and that dahlia is a beauty!

Fishtail Cottage said...

Gorgeous blooms you have shared this week! i planted zinnia seeds in the garden & i'm wondering if i will see any blooms this year? wish i knew what the seedlings looked like so i don't pull any if i am weeding.... xoox, tracie

Southhamsdarling said...

The shot of that Dahlia is truly beautiful! Well done you for finally capturing that butterfly. The garden is looking marvellous, all down to your hard work!

Darla said...

Hi Becca...I see the giant swallowtail! My ornamental okra plants are very tall this year either, wonder if it's due to lack of rain. Oh well, there is still plenty of gardening season for us so it might grow taller. I love,love your shade garden!!!

Emily said...

It's good to see all the colors of blooms you have.Your flowers makes the sun shine and puts a smile on our faces of people.
very nice collection!
small garden design

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Becca! Okra Hibuscus? Never heard about it! Lovely! And the dahlia - yes, it's hot!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Very pretty dahlia!! Your shade garden is looking really good! :)

Victoria Williams said...

Nice pics! Those caladiums are so nice and bright.
I'm surprised you don't hear me clear out in your garden while I'm getting up and down! ha ha.

Rosemary said...

Lots happening in your garden..... I am with you on the getting down to take photos .

Lona said...

Hi Becca, Your Shade Bed is looking so pretty and growing up a storm girl. The Persian Shield and Caladiums look so pretty together. What a Hot Dahlia. Have a wonderful week.

daisy g said...

That dahlia is amazing! You and I have many of the same plants growing. Love all of your blooms!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Lovely, Becca!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Beautiful blossoms all around, and I'm envied! We had a strange summer so I have very few blooms!

LindyLouMac said...

It is good to be back at last catching up with your blogging activities, your garden is looking good but oh that elusive butterfly. I have been trying to capture a decent butterfly shot for weeks.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I'm finally getting around and love that dahlia. I don't seem to have luck with them but they are so beautiful.

Eileen

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hello, We are home from our wonderful trip... We loved it --but there's nothing like HOME.

Your flowers are so gorgeous... Love your dahlia... Beautiful colors. AND --that shade garden is doing great... Congrats.
Hugs,
Betsy

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