Romance in the Garden

There is romance in my garden. This past weekend a female redbird flew to a tree near where I was standing, and a male soon joined her. He rubbed his face against hers and then gave her a seed he carried in his beak. How sweet! It's not nesting season, but they were obviously a mated pair. I have always been partial to cardinals. They are regal, well mannered birds, and this simple act of kindness confirmed my good opinion of the species. No doubt their babies are grown now, but the two birds remain committed to each other. Lou and I celebrated our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary on September 5, and I think we are a lot like those redbirds! Lou likes to cook, and he's always preparing good food to share with me.

An example: Over the week end I took some photos in the garden. Here's some taken along a side path where hydrangeas, dogwoods, and redbud trees grow. The blooming hydrangea is 'Limelight'. The lighting seems romantic, doesn't it?

Well, the mystical, filtered light is actually smoke coming from the grill where Lou was barbecuing chicken!

Here's a few other photos of my garden in September. The air is a little cooler now, and many plants are beginning to revive from the summer slump — and so is the gardener!

Rosa mutabilis has a new flush of flowers.

Recently planted Agastache 'Golden Juilee' is beginning to bloom. This wonderful herb smells like licorice.

The blue misty flowers of caryopteris are bright against the golden green foliage of other plants. Butterflies love this shrub.

A variegated osmanthus is putting out new leaves.

In a month or two, fall colors will arrive, but for now September foliage remains fresh and verdant. 

It's a great time for a stroll through the garden with my sweetheart!

May you all have wonderful moments (and tasty treats) to share with loved ones.  Deborah

The Garden Speaks in Colors

The garden speaks to us in colors — green, white, blue, yellow, and pink — and draws our emotions into itself. Traditionally, colors say something to us, and maybe that is why we respond so strongly to the arrival of spring. The garden is hushed in winter, but its voice sings out with the new season. 

Many shades of green push through gray branches and brown soil to announce rebirth and renewal. One can stand in the garden and feel the optimism of spring, the soothing reassurance that life endures.

This April view from the patio features the fresh green foliage of roses, weeping Japanese maple, and daylily.
Clockwise from top left: leaves of dogwood, cornus florida; variegated hydrangea, macrophylla Variegata; Japanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum; hosta 'Francis Williams'

The purity of spring impresses us, its newness untouched by disease or wear or damages of time. White shines in the garden, fresh and clean. In the garden I am young and my soul eternal.

The blossoms of Philadelphus coronarius, sweet mock orange or English dogwood, light up this area adjacent to the lady garden.Clockwise from top: Rosa rugosa var. alba; Viburnum macrocephalum; closer view of Philadelphus coronarius; Azalea, snow white

The garden speaks of peace, too, with images of blue. Cares are light in this place, and for a time they fly away and leave our hearts at rest.

The daffodils ars spent, but blue phlox divaricata still blooms in the front garden.Clockwise from top left: Mr. Bluebird stands guard at his home near the lady garden; Oregon grape, mahonia aquifolium; Hosta sieboldiana elegans; a lizard with a touch of blue lives in this planter on my patio.

All the golden hues of the garden, the yellows and oranges, represent energy, comfort and pure joy. Smile, for there is much to smile about in the garden.

For many years this lone tulip has returned each spring to the front garden. I am always happy to see it, for most tulips don't survive in my climate.
Clockwise from top left: Pansies are still blooming; golden oak pollen covers this yellow sedum; variegated leaves of Cherokee Red dogwood; foliage of caryopteris 'Jason'

And then there is pink, a color that speaks of friendship. Is a garden complete, if there is no one with which to share it? Come with me, my friend. Let us walk together and listen to what the garden has to say.This very old urn belonged to my parents. Behind it is dianthus 'Bath's Pink'.
Clockwise from top left: pink fringe-like flowers of lorapetalum; Azalea 'George Lindley Tabor'; unknown flower growing in the lady garden; Rosa mutabilis

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