Monday, July 07, 2008

MEGA POST- Blooms,Bugs,Fruits,Greens and Pits

Photo Shop for Gardeners ... These are very hardy, drought tolerant ranch blooms, whose name I cannot recall. They are perennial and self sowing. Below, Golden Plums. This tree, in spite of the weird spring freezes, seems to be performing as well as last year. It is a Stark Bros SHIRO, and I swear it looks just like the catolog!
Poppies... and the Bugs That Love Them...

Sweet Raspberry Eatin' ...Reds, Golds and the Famed Thimble Berry are all going off like crazy. Big bowls of berries mark the mornings with stains of sweetness...Below, Nasturtium..
Nectarine above...Pear Below. Pears Rock.
Tiger Lilies with Broccoli blossoms...Below, Close up Grape In Bloom...
Hydrangea ...and Bug Friend, above...Cilantro and Mint below. The fresh herbs are heaven. i love them.Wow..A Moth Posing as a Butterfly. All the good butterflies are down at Kim's i guess...This is an Echinacea of some variety. It's wimpy on the leaves, but has a rather interesting spiral of a bloom.... circle of creation....
Ornamental Berry Bush... still in bloom yet its leaves are changing and telling stories of winter...Below, Geum. It is a super cool homestead flower. They are perennial, and drought tolerant.
Reliving the Horrors of a Cherry Crop Gone to the Birds ...as they say. At least they are happy. Below, Close up of Collard Edges..Collards are an under-appreciated garden green. Plant some, and you will have stir fry greens for the whole season long. Frilly.
Spinach...Yum. Below, Clematis... that finally decided to bloom. It's a Costco Straggler that hung around in a tall pot for a couple years now. Seems it was worth the wait.
Columbine above...Below, King Apple. The birds are already starting in on the helpless apples. I wish I could net in the entire 2 acre yard, like the blueberry patch in Honeydew. If you haven't tried some of Donovan's Pick-Yer-Own blueberries out in Honeydew yet, you must make a day to go out there this fall. They are too good. And they are in an expansive, moist, and bird-free (because it is entirely netted from above) garden.
Bumblebee ..Working the Broccoli..Below, Butterfly Bush. Big whoop.
Summer and all her fullness are upon us. Long hot days and warm sultry nights can be enjoyed now, while it is here. Too soon it seems, leaves are already changing and falling. The descent towards winter is apparent. Blooms are eager to burst and lay in seed before the approaching Autumn. It all makes me aware of the passage of time and the impending darkness of winter. Sigh, apples cannot plump unless the days grow short and cool. Grapes await the crisp mornings of the fall to release their intense sweetness, and the springs and creeks sigh as well. They must surely grow impatient in their long wait for rain. I celebrated my 26th year in SoHum today. The grrl I was that day, she was lucky to land in this paradise. A big hug and appreciation to Celeste G. for opening her home, her life and this community to me. I am blessed to call these hills home.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

jojo--we share an anniversary, as well as a love of flowers and critters. July 11, 1973 was the day I got off a Greyhound in G'ville for a 2 week visit with an old friend, en route to Oregon. When I hit the pavement in G'ville I had an inner voice say "this is where you are supposed to be".
I figured I was losing my mind, oh well.
A few days later I had changed all my plans, determined to stay.
Great decision, that. Clarissa

Anonymous said...

I am glad to share all that and more with you. We are double blessed! xx Jj