The only thing really in bloom is the campanula (bellflower) ↑↓and at that only one plant of the three that I put in last year. The next door dog destroyed one, and the other is there in shrunken form because I pruned it too hard. It should be fine eventually, but it will remain shrimpish this year, I'm afraid. I don't love the campanula plant, perhaps because it doubles as a weed in these parts, but it produces a fairly nice display of blue blooms.
The backyard is not our priority yet, but the bird feeder and geranium look alright together, don't you think? ↓↓
The birdbath, which is actually getting some use this year, is adjacent to the feeder and flower. It's a pity that the grackles sort of ruin the bathing and feeding party for all of the other birds. I know they have to eat too, but they behave like motherless teenage boys, I'm affeerd. ↓↓
The best bloomer right now is our Silk Lilac tree although it's fading fast too. ↓↓
There are some other rather untended plants in the backyard like the shrivelled and fallen peonies. Seriously, why do people bother with peonies? They fall over as soon as they bloom and only last for about twelve minutes before they fade. We also have some fairly wild dame's rockets, whatever their proper names might be. The plan is to really clean this stuff out at some point, but the front remains the priority for now. ↓↓
Perhaps, we'll have something better to post in another week or two, but it is a work in progress, the emphasis being on work and not progress, doncha know.
The only colour in my garden is green. Unless it's washday and then other colours are mixed in! Perhaps I should make more of an effort.
ReplyDeleteI think everything looks Lovely! Y'all have Really worked hard on the yard...Grackles...They're here as Well. Batches of them fly in eat, destroy and fly off again. Disheartening.
ReplyDeleteLike that bird feeded!
hughugs
Disheartening to learn that grackles are being so greedy other places too. Here at the F&P I stopped filling the feeders because grackles would come and feed until they emptied everything and also frighten off any other bird. It's a pity because I used to enjoy watching cardinals, finches, sparrows at the feeders. My solution now is not to fill them as the grackles and blackbirds are too annoying and greedy.
ReplyDeletePerhaps all the peonies need is a shady spot?
ReplyDeleteJinksy: they are in a pretty shady spot. In fairness, I haven't tended them or staked them, but as I look at other people's peonies, they flow pretty well too. Perhaps, our climate is not the best for these flowers. Maybe they do better in a place with somewhat more moderate summers.
ReplyDeleteDonna and Beatrice: You know, I hadn't seen grackles around here until we hung the flippin feeder.
You're having a hard time growing...weeds? Funny...those are my specialty. Found you via Murr.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so wonderful. I love the flowers. I have not been able to work in my garden this year but hubby has done a fine job. Our bell flowers are blooming too and our french lilacs, a favorite of mine, bloomed early this year and was lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think your yard looks great especially if I compared to mine.
ReplyDeleteOh I need help badly out there.
........:-) Hugs
I'd have the prettiest yard in Midland, Texas, if I had those flowers you have!!!
ReplyDeleteThe bar must be very very high indeed in Canada, because I would give a big ol' blue ribbon to your lovely garden.
You put my measly attempts at gardening to shame. Don't complain, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI don't plant many flowers. I enjoy what Nature offers. I mostly plant what I can eat. My vegetable garden is now all in without much to show yet. I was a little late in getting it in.
ReplyDeleteI really like your birdbath AC. It is unusual. All of your plants look very nice and my husband absolutely hates Peonies (ants)!
ReplyDeleteIt is like the tropics here, 105 degrees with the heat index, no working outside for me today!
Love Di ♥
I'm with you on the grackle thing!
ReplyDeleteI have a few iris left, huddled in the foot long grass, and the first buds are showing on the day lilies. Whee! Also a bunch of bulbs yet to plant. God knows where.
Work = progress.
Love seeing the colors and flowers in there photos of yours.
ReplyDeleteHow Does Your Garden Grow? you ask?
Naturally...we have a shortage of water here...so plants don't get much rain either here in long beach. I'm always amazed to see our one bird of paradise plant in the corner of our yard, its a strong keep going kinda plant with or without water. I would love to create a rock garden with cactus and plants that don't need much water.
I was just remembering that when i first meet you as a blogger (4 years now?)...your photos were full of birds! amazing photos of birds in and around your home. say hello to your birds for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe had a decorative birdhouse that, much to our surprise, sparrows squatted in for one nesting season. Since it was decorative, it didn't had a flap backdoor to clean it out, so we now block up the entryway when we put it/them out. We still have to get them out this year.
ReplyDeleteI was attracted to the flowers, but I have a postage stamp garden so can't respond in kind. However, I CAN respond to the lovely scarves lower down! Great!
ReplyDeleteMy journal blog is at
http://jeriatricjottings.blogspot.com
I love the birdbath. You have some colorful flowers. Now the pansies do like cool weather. As soon as it starts to get hot they are gone. They will make it through the winter, down here, but not the hot summer. I hope we are not all in competition with the flowers, sometimes mine look good and sometimes they look kind of pitiful.
ReplyDeleteQMM
like the birdcage balancing the geraniums. fun.
ReplyDeletesorta miss my birdbath. although our flowers bring the occasional songbird and we do have the start of tomatoes.