Sure sign of the season

Clematis in full glory. This beautiful vine is growing in a shady location in a neighbor’s garden. The incredible blossoms are 5 inches across.

Did you know there is a clematis web hot line of sorts called helpmefind.com. It is also devoted to peonies and roses.

Bloom your hearts out, lovely clematis. It’s a short season, so give it all you got!

My favorite view in summer

I love gazing into the canopy of the 70 year old maple tree in my backyard.

I’m grateful for its beauty and the shade it gives me.

I’m so grateful for the beauty and shade that I overlook the labor it requires from me to rake up its unending drop of yellow leaves in fall!

I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree. Joyce Kilmer. The first poem I ever memorized, in 3rd grade, I think.

Blooms in my garden today

Things are at full tilt in mid-July. First up, lovely pink hollyhocks.

My clematis is making a come-back showing this summer. I lease my home when I’m living in Europe, and nobody cares for my garden the way I do. I am so happy this vine is blooming again this year!

Gardening in Colorado is a challenge. Daylilies are a staple and they have begun blooming their hearts out in the heat. We had more rain average by a long shot this spring (we have received more rainfall in the first 6 months of this year than we typically get in a full 12 months) and certain perennials are taller than I’ve ever seen them. Daylilies are one of them!

Purple yarrow is a nice touch in the garden.

My phlox are just about done blooming for the season.

My daisies grew taller and bloomed earlier. These are stragglers.

One of my favorite plants is the mallow. I love these pale pinkish/purple fragile blossoms!

My espaliered apple tree is quite productive this year too. Several apples are growing nicely. This is not apple orchard terrain, so I’m proud of any apple sturdy enough to grow here.

Gardening is one of my favorite pastimes. I miss it when I’m not here.