Frankly, it hasn’t been a good garden year. I don’t know if it’s me, the plants, the potting soil, something in the air. . . but I’ve never had such a struggle with my flower pots. Many plants just up and died, leaving empty pots and dampened spirits. What the heck? I mean, this just doesn’t happen! Rich feels sorry for me and twice has come home with an armload of new flowers. The new plants are doing well so far, knock on my little wooden head.
The wax begonias have thrived from the beginning, however. This photo was taken in early July, and they’re much bigger now. Thank goodness I have lots of wax begonias.
Wally again. The purple petunias behind him died.
The snapdragons are pretty. Love the two-toned pink.
These two make everything better.
And, of course, there’s always the hydrangeas. This one is a particularly rich purple/blue combo.
I honestly do try to get good landscape shots, but they come out looking like a jumbled up mess. I like it lush, and all the trees and bushes limit the camera’s view. Here’s one of those jumbled up shots of one area along the south side of the house.
My eyes see it much prettier than this in real life. I find it hard to go inside on my days off. Here on the Oregon coast it’s rarely too hot to be outside and, consequently the housework, cooking, shopping, crafty stuff all take a back seat to the garden. Can you believe it’s August already? Gosh, I’d better hurry up and get outside! Have a great day!
I love your garden pics today Leslie. You have an amazing backyard. I love the full lush look of it, beautiful hydrangeas - that deep purple/blue one is amazing - everything looks so beautiful. I know what you mean about some of the flowers dying off already, I have a couple of potted flowers as well that did the same. Wally and Lulu are precious as always. Thanks for sharing, and your right it hard to believe that we are in August already, the summer is flying by. Its a hot and humid day here today, 90F with the humidex level, I've spent most of my day outside working in the garden, it's just too nice to be indoors. Enjoy the rest of the day!
ReplyDeleteI would love to come visit your garden! I think I might need to look into getting a purple/violet hydrangea. One of my favorite flowers. It's been very dry this year and my planter boxes on my front porch have taken lots and lots of water. My petunias and lobelia are looking pretty sad. Had to throw in some Nasturtiums to see if I could bulk it up a bit. Puppies look wonderful as usual. Ours are not liking this heat wave we are having in PNW.
ReplyDeleteFlowers and plants in my area look rather pathetic because of the roller coaster weather we've had this summer. Three days of heat than a week of cold! But who needs more beauty when you have such gorgeous goldens!
ReplyDeleteOh, I think all of your garden shots are gorgeous! I have had the same luck with my potted plants this year!! They keep dying off. I even began with new potting soil in all of them. I wonder why? I can't believe it's August already. We've had a much cooler than normal summer but still very lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour landscape shots are beautiful... you may not think so because you see things we don't, but to me it just looks lush and very inviting! Oh to have a few days of your weather.....it's SOoooo humid and hot here in Fl. but our plants are not flowering as much as in years past...the buds are there but just don't want to open... We've had plenty of rain and sun and that nice stickey humidy. Who knows, I'm just sitting back and enjoying what I have...
ReplyDeleteGive Wally and LuLu a hug for me!!!!
Oooooohhhh, I am sorry so many of your potted plants died this summer! Are you having a humidity increase? I lose a lot of potted flowers to the darned humidity here. :/
ReplyDeleteLove the pics, though. And I LOVE the shot at the end. I know what you mean about the camera not getting what your eyes see. I feel that way, too. My vistas are best seen in person. :)
I think you did a wonderful job of capturing your beautiful garden and those two sweeties :) so sorry you had such bad luck with the flowers, could it be those extra warm days you had? What a sweetie your hubby is for bringing more home
ReplyDeletePersonally, I always think your garden looks superb. Of course, you see it through different eyes. And as usual, LuLu and Wally are fabulous. Please give them a hug from me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad for you that your flowers were dying. I can just imagine the care you give them. What you have shown us is gorgeous! What a wonderful place to spend your day.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful way to start the day gazing at the photos of your garden. Your gardening skills are superb and the colors are absolutely gorgeous. Of course, Wally and Lulu are the stars of the garden. Thank you for sharing your family with all of us.
ReplyDeleteThe WV in OR has been so hot for so long this year that my pots are just barely living despite twice a day watering. Too many empty spots in pots that are usually full and thriving. Enjoy your lush, green surroundings, Leslie, as you do Wally and Lulu. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSwoon! Sigh! I can smell the flowers all the way in Florida - your garden is beyond incredible, and I am so very jealous! Leslie, thank you for sharing your home and family with us! I enjoy the photos and blurbs very much. Two days ago we added a new member to our fur family - a rescue kitty. So far, my allergies are behaving, but Kilo is very apprehensive (so much for the big strong German Shepherd, right?) love, de
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are so pretty! I had similar issues with mine - either dying and having to be replaced or just not blooming the way that they should. My salvia bloomed when I go it and then nothing. Very disappointing, but over all it's looking pretty good. It looks like Wally and Lulu are enjoying themselves.
ReplyDeleteCould not agree with you more. It is so hard to be inside when the weather is beautiful outside. Your flowers are beautiful! Love the dark blue/purple hydrangea!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of the gardens and the babies. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, how I've missed your flower & "baby" pictures! I finally had a few minutes this morning before I leave again & seeing these has really cheered me up! It's gloomy & stormy here and has been that way for several days off & on. It feels more like fall than summer already! Enjoy your garden while you can!
ReplyDeleteI want to be there, patting the heads of your furry friends and just take in all the glory of your beautiful flowers!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, and it has not been a good garden year here either, not only is it extremely dry, but the bugs have been terrible as well. I love seeing your "golden babies" and you pretty flowers...keep em' coming!!
Omigosh, your garden is DIVINE and that last pic puts everything into perspective. Those Beautiful Goldens make it even more Enticing! Yeah!
ReplyDeleteYet again, beautiful photos of your lovely lush garden and your flowers are so pretty.
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