Daylily Beauties
Category: Gardening
A New Full-Sun Flowerbed
One major item that has been near the top of my list for several years now has been to cut down two diseased and unsightly spruce trees in our front yard. I was out pulling weeds one day earlier this summer and noticed there were tree trimmers working in the neighborhood, so mentioned it to my hubby. He surprised me by immediately walking down the street and engaging in conversation with a young man on the crew–the son of the owner of the company. A few minutes later, they came for a look-see and before I knew it we had a contract and the trees were felled by the end of the day.
Now that the spruces are down, we have a brand new full-sun garden space, and I am enjoying choosing what to plant in that space. First order of business, however, was to deal with the weeds that had gotten a foothold underneath the spruces. We also needed to relocate some of the shade-loving hostas to a more wooded location in the backyard. For the most part, I’m able to divide some of my existing sun-lovers from other flowerbeds, so I moved in a few daylilies and a trio of Allium ‘Millenium,’ an ornamental flowering onion that literally blooms all summer long.
Even with this good start, this new flowerbed was the perfect excuse for a trip to our local garden center. I knew I wanted to add a flowering tree, so Monrovia’s Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ now graces that flowerbed. I look forward to its giant, tulip-shaped, creamy yellow blossoms in the next year or two. I’m also quite in love with hydrangeas these days, so two of them hopped in my shopping cart and now anchor the front side of this flowerbed (I really wish I had bought a third).
Inspired by Butch and Pam over at Everyday Living, whose annual plethora of gorgeous zinnia photos caused great envy, I planted more than my usual packet or two of zinnia seeds this year. My husband bought a big canister of Renee’s Garden heirloom zinnia seeds for me while we were on vacation in June. I lost no time in scattering the seed when we returned home. Wowzers! They did not disappoint. Look at all that amazing color!
If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know that my sweet mother passed away in 2020 after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s. You might spot two of her blue flowerpots in the photo above. Those flowerpots sat on the front porch of our family home for several years. When dementia took its toll, I moved her to live closer to me, bringing those blue flowerpots along as a connection point to her past. Oh, the stories she told about those pots! I planted some annual ‘Hawaiian Punch’ hibiscus in them this year and set them toward the front half of the new flowerbed. I think mom would have approved.
The Perks of Pulling Weeds
One hidden blessing of the never-ending task of pulling weeds is the beauty you see more clearly when you’re on your knees. The beauty of this daylily is just one of many colorful examples in my garden today.
Rain-drenched Beauty
Mid-Summer Garden Lovelies
~William Cullen Bryant
Six on Saturday: Singing in the Rain
Lots of Wisconsinites were “Singing in the Rain”…including me.
On July 4th, we Americans commemorate the birthday of our country. We like to celebrate by wearing red, white and blue, and attending parades, picnics, fireworks, and patriotic music concerts. Some of us prefer a quieter celebration. I spent the holiday doing a lot of barefoot gardening–mostly deadheading spent blossoms and pulling weeds. Once I had an area cleared of weeds and the soil amended with compost, I put down a few inches of mulch I’ve been hauling from our community’s free pile of woodchips.
“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.”
Liberty Hyde Bailey
Thankfully, some much prayed for rain has fallen in the area, ending our severe drought conditions. Wayne kept up with watering of the flowerbeds, potted flowers, and our little patch of tomatoes during the drought; thankfully, most everything has survived. However, our lawns in the area went dormant, so look rather browned out. Our lawn is greening up a bit, but still looks rather sad and feels a little crispy underfoot.
The metamorphosis of bud to blossom beauty continues in waves.
My echinacea seems rather happy this summer. Buds are opening to beautiful blossoms now that they’ve been sprinkled liberally with raindrops.
I am always delighted when someone stops by my garden for a little visit. Thank YOU for visiting via this virtual “Six on Saturday” peek at what’s happening in my Wisconsin garden. If you’d like to see more beautiful garden spaces, pop on over for a virtual visit with our host Jim at Garden Ruminations–where you’ll find his blog post and comment section to be a most pleasant pastime.
Hot Weather Lovers
Stay Tuned—Buds to Blossoms
Beauty in the Waiting
My garden often teaches and reminds me of spiritual truths. Watching the progression of peonies going from bud stage to full-blown loveliness brought to mind how sanctification and growth in Christ takes place.
Six on Saturday: Gushing with Beauty
Welcome to my garden. If you love all things purple and pink, you’re in for a flowery treat.
What a difference a few weeks of time can make in the metamorphic beauty of a garden.
We’re going through quite a dry spell here in my part of the world–a few sprinkles and light showers here and there, but nothing earth-quenching to speak of. My husband has been helping me keep the gardens watered, so most of our plants are holding their own and not too stressed. The peonies and iris have completed their summer visit, but my clematis vines are now absolutely gushing with beauty. Here’s a peek at six of my favorites (at the moment).
It’s been a pleasure having you stop by for a “Six on Saturday” peek at what’s happening in my Wisconsin garden. If you’d like to see more beautiful garden spaces, pop on over for a virtual visit with Jim at Garden Ruminations–where you’ll find his comment section to be a pleasant pastime.
Barefoot Lily Lady 