Summer Flowers in My Backyard

It is a rainy Sunday, fresh on the heels of a hot, sunny week. I don't mind the rain as the gardens need it. I spent some time outside yesterday doing a little fertilizing, trimming and deadheading, and just happened to take a few pictures.

I grow mostly flowers around here, since we are surrounded by trees and I don't get enough sun for many veggies. Tomatoes, I am talking to you. But I do have an herb garden with some summer squash, zucchini and three colors (green, purple, yellow) of haricots verts -- slender and tender little string beans. There are two raised planters with tomatoes and basil, which do well enough to give me a small harvest. Cherry tomatoes are happy here, too. Here's a little photo tour for your viewing pleasure.

The front of the house has lovely columns that lend itself to hanging plants. I've done a lot of different kinds of hangers, but a local shop, Twin Elm Farm, sells these fantastic, blood-red geraniums that are amazingly healthy. They have been my

Daylilies line the driveway and make a spectacular show in July, assuming they are adequately deer-proofed! These also need a good cleaning-out of the dead blossoms. Consider this the “before’ picture!

Coneflowers of various colors dot the entryway garden.

This annual bed was added this year and features marigold and coleus in the summer, tulips in the spring, and mums will be planted in the fall. Content will change every year.

The herb garden consists of two kinds each of thyme, oregano and sage, plus chive, lavender, parsley, cilantro, basil, marigolds (pest prevention), nasturtium (edible blossoms), tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, green beans and a few strawberry p

Since rosemary does not winter over, this one is in a pot. It will come in before the first frost and probably become a topiary of some shape. I have scissors and am not afraid to use them!

I love sage! It is hardy and comes back year after year. This plant is at least 10 years old.

Here we have two types of oregano. These, too comes back every year and I have been knows to sweep the snow off of it and harvest what lies beneath.

Haricot vert, or French Green Beans. Three colors - green, yellow and purple. I bought heirloom organic seeds (beans) online. Hope to make a fresh bean salad from these and freeze a few!

Nasturtiums are not only beautiful but the blossoms are edible. Great in salads or for a garnish. This variegated one is especially nice!

The pool area has many established bushes, shrubs and perennials, plus I jazz it up with annuals, hanging baskets and potted plants.

Wildflowers peek up through the hydrangea. My general rule is that if it blossoms, it gets to stay!

The shasta daisies just get better every year! The natural fern don’t bloom but they add texture, as do the purple leafy plants in the foreground.

Large hanging baby bells go in the ground to provide year-round color.

The phlox are just starting to bloom. They are in a darker spot, so it has taken them a long time to establish. But they have. Three different colors.

The hosta garden requires a lot of deer-proofing, but in the years they do not end up deer salad, they are lovely! Might be time to split some of these.

Every year I pick up hanging bougainvillea from another local nursery. My favorite color is coral, but I have done pale yellow and these beautiful fuscia-colored ones!

Because the cabana is south-facing, it is my best shot to harvest a tomato. I go for established organic plants from a local farm, but I have started them from seed as well.

Good companion plants for the tomatoes are basil and marigold. I have added jalapeño peppers and tuscan kale, but the more room the plants have, the better. Overcrowding is not optimal.

The trumpet vine is home to a hummingbird family. It is slowly taking the house over, needs a haircut!!

I picked this plant up almost 10 years ago at a nursery somewhere. I have no idea what it is anymore but I love it!

Hydrangeas make great cut flowers and scream summer to me! They also dry well and make a great fall arrangement.

This little gerbera daisy was given to me by my sister for Mother’s Day and surprisingly it still lives! It must like this sunny spot.

This hibiscus is at least seven years old. Given to me by Bob, it, too, manages to survive year to year, loving the summer weather and maybe giving me a bloom or two during the winter months.

I bought this agapanthus in a 5-gallon bucket at least 10 years ago! It is now split into two large terra-cotta pots, and will probably have to be divided again this winter.

This beautiful crocosmia plant was a new addition last year and seems pretty happy in this shady spot.

Gardening is constant, satisfying, and frustrating all at the same time, but getting outside to enjoy the weather and get lost in a project, for me, is rewarding, especially when you stand back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Hope you enjoy!

Garden, Editor's PickAnn WilkinsJuly 22, 2018flowers, vegetables8 Comments