Summer Colors

My Tuberous Begonias  are more than 20 years old, never re-potted or given special care. 

Dwarf Zinnias provide lots of color

Salpiglossis come in many colors, even black.

Shade is always welcome.

Wishing you a great Summer,

Gina

Growing in my Garden

Salpiglossis  growing in my Garden

Salpiglossis are a cross between the Petunia and the Nicotiana (Tobacco Flower) 

They're an Annual, grown from seed.

They prefer cool nights.

They make excellent cut flowers. 

Happy Gardening. 

Gina

Color, Color.

Everywhere.

Salpiglossis, Nemesias, Skyblue Petunias and Poppies are blooming in my Garden.  

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, 

Gina 

They never dissapoint

Each year they bloom larger and stronger

My tuberous begonias  are more than 15 years old. 

They take a long nap in the dark and under a bench in my greenhouse. 

They have never been fed nor have they been repotted.  

Poppies volunteer.

I never know where they will pop up next. 

So green this year.  We had a lot of rain this Spring.

Salpiglossis have to be seeded every year. 

The pie cherries are just turning color. 

So far, the birds have not discovered them.  

Every fruit tree is laden with fruit.  Only the apples are taking a break

(they do that every other year). 

And miracles upon miracles, our 25 year old apricot tree is covered with fruit for the first time ever.

Take care dear friends. 

Gina 

We have our Pond back

After more than two months of occupation by wild Canada Geese

We have our pond back.

Between eight and nine families would cruise the pond.

Looking like they are getting ready for  Machiavellian maneuvers.

Every few days a new family would appear.
And, they would stay.

When small, they look like little monsters.

It didn't take them very long to find Clyde and 
Lola's (our resident geese) feeding trough. 

Something their parents have never done. 

They didn't used to come to our pond. 
Every now and then a family would land on their maiden flight and almost immediately fly away again.

Back at the house.

Poppies are blooming and

Salpiglossis.

Salpiglossis in many colors.

More poppies.

the lowly Petunia

I'm glad the geese are gone.  They thought nothing of  marauding my flower beds during the night.  

Hollyhocks finding their own places.

All is quiet on the Pond.

Just the way I like it.  

Have a great week dear friends. 

Gina 

What is going on around here?

The word is out!

When we built our house 23 years ago,

the pond was here but not a single bird was in sight.

We thought that possibly something was wrong with the water.

After a few years wild ducks and wild geese would stop by when every other pond was frozen. 

Our pond is spring fed.  

For years the birds did not bring their young. 

So what is different this year?  

Did it take 23 years for the birds to feel save with us?  

What is wrong with this picture?  

There are too many parents. 

Salpiglossis and Iceland Poppies grow in my garden. 

Now is the time to bring poppies into the house. 
Be sure to singe their stems first.  
They will last a week in water.   

And inside the house,  a Cymbidium  orchid is getting a bath. 

Happy Sunday to you and yours,

Gina  

Mein Sonntag Strauss

Lilacs

So prolific this year.

(smash stems with hammer before putting them in water)

Lilac "Sensation"

Unlike Lilacs, Iceland Poppies and Salpiglossis last more than a week in water. 

(singe stems of poppies before putting them in water) 

Wishing you a great week ahead. 

Gina 

Mon Bouquet du Jour

It's Lilac time in Spring City

Ordinary, single, old fashioned Lilacs

and 

Salpiglossis 

Note: Don't forget to pound the bottom of the  Lilac stems..Lilacs will last much longer.

Volunteers

Volunteers

The dictionary defines a volunteer plant as a plant that 

springs up spontaneously.

Volunteer Sunflowers are one of the best gifts from my garden.  They bloom early and those sunflowers which I planted at the normal time will not bloom for another 3 weeks. 

We had a fantastic electrical storm 2 days ago. 
I turned off the computer and every other electrical gadget.
And then I heard a very loud bang.  
It was close by. 

I went outside to check on things.  
The top of the main house looked all right.  The chimney pots were not smoldering. 

The pineapple architectural pieces on top of the Guest house were still in place. 
They hadn't toppled off the roof. 

The stork towers were still solidly attached to the barn roof.

The metal balconies had not been hit.

Chimneys had not come down from the highest spot of all the buildings. 
All appeared to be A OK. 

We didn't have to call the Volunteer Fire Department.  

The hail didn't do too much damage and the rain that came pouring down was a welcome change.

 When it was all over the telephone didn't  work, nor did the television. 

And when it was time to close the gate for the night it wouldn't open or close.

Our gate is about 800 feet up the lane. 
It is operated by remote control from our kitchen, or barn or car. 

The lightning hit the circuit board in the barn and 
fried it (not my words but the electricians).

I'm surprised that our chickens survived because their coop is right next to the box which was hit.

However, they only laid two eggs the next day.  

The entire mechanism has to be replaced.  It is already on its way.  

Why did the lowest building of all of our buildings get hit.  And what about those tall trees? 

Take care dear friends and get to a safe spot when you see a storm brewing. 

Gina