Garden Bloggers Bloom Day December 2011
I appreciate Carol from May Dreams Gardens hosting this meme, but I am interpreting blooms very widely, to mean anything that's looking good and / or has photographed well.
Summer's started, and as usual, there has been a wide variety of gardening conditions: hot, cold, wet, dry and everything in between. These photos were taken on a bright sunny day, when there were shadows to contend with, a photographic challenge.
This is a portion of the trunk of the Grand Old Tree at the bottom of the garden, the Australian willow myrtle. Unlike the other, newer trees, this one has had the chance to age and weather characterfully. I hope to emulate it in my ageing journey.
The seedpods of the blue fescue hang over the path, marking the progress of time and growth, and as attractive as the blue grass itself.
This photo reminds me of a post impressionist painting, with dots of coloured light. This is the bed with a profusion of flowers - valerian, opium poppies, society garlic, Californian poppies, catmint.
The feiijoa tree is starting to flower, and fruit. The fruit will be shared by humans and wildlife.
Here is a tangle of leptospermums.
The pink penstemons, verbena rigida polaris and the opium poppy flower at the same time against the new bamboo fence protecting the deck and the house, from the hot western afternoon sun.
In the front garden the plumbago that frames the picture is starting to flower, so the frame gradually changes from green to blue and green.
The smoke bush with its soft, floaty seed pods, lights up the shade.
I used to grow santolina for its foliage, and when it flowered, cut the flowers off. Now I am a grownup and much more laid back gardener, I appreciate the yellow buttons.
The divine pink flowers of the opium poppies are replaced by the seed pods, just as attractive and interesting too.
Orange and pink wallflowers, among my top favourite flowers.
This buddleia Silver Anniversary, is probably the tenth shrub trialled in this corner of the front garden. I think it's finally right, and associates beautifully with another of my fave flowers, orange pokers, called Shining Sceptre.
Summer's started, and as usual, there has been a wide variety of gardening conditions: hot, cold, wet, dry and everything in between. These photos were taken on a bright sunny day, when there were shadows to contend with, a photographic challenge.
This is a portion of the trunk of the Grand Old Tree at the bottom of the garden, the Australian willow myrtle. Unlike the other, newer trees, this one has had the chance to age and weather characterfully. I hope to emulate it in my ageing journey.
The seedpods of the blue fescue hang over the path, marking the progress of time and growth, and as attractive as the blue grass itself.
This photo reminds me of a post impressionist painting, with dots of coloured light. This is the bed with a profusion of flowers - valerian, opium poppies, society garlic, Californian poppies, catmint.
The feiijoa tree is starting to flower, and fruit. The fruit will be shared by humans and wildlife.
Here is a tangle of leptospermums.
The pink penstemons, verbena rigida polaris and the opium poppy flower at the same time against the new bamboo fence protecting the deck and the house, from the hot western afternoon sun.
In the front garden the plumbago that frames the picture is starting to flower, so the frame gradually changes from green to blue and green.
The smoke bush with its soft, floaty seed pods, lights up the shade.
I used to grow santolina for its foliage, and when it flowered, cut the flowers off. Now I am a grownup and much more laid back gardener, I appreciate the yellow buttons.
The divine pink flowers of the opium poppies are replaced by the seed pods, just as attractive and interesting too.
Orange and pink wallflowers, among my top favourite flowers.
This buddleia Silver Anniversary, is probably the tenth shrub trialled in this corner of the front garden. I think it's finally right, and associates beautifully with another of my fave flowers, orange pokers, called Shining Sceptre.
Oy Cat, i wonder why there are no commenters here. They are missing something, it's good i was able to visit. I love the specialty of these flowers as you portrayed them.
ReplyDelete[regarding my post on Santa Claus, i laughed at your comment, on how they managed for 2 centuries without him! It looks like you did not appreciate my photos, hahaha!]
On a hot summer afternoon, shade and cool blue plumbago is deeply appreciated. Happy new year to you my Southern friend.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are stunning Catmint, quite ethereal, I can almost feel the heat and the coolness of the shade. Its so interesting to see plants that we can't grow here, keep the photos coming,Catmint !
ReplyDeleteI like your photos - thanks for giving us a view of your garden.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the bamboo fence as it gives shade, but lets a cooling breeze blow through, too.
Lea
Mississippi, USA
We hope we have volunteer opium poppies next year. Lovely garden!
ReplyDeleteOh summer! I miss you so! Thanks for sharing these beautiful warm pictures, just what I needed during our cold, frosty Pacific Northwest weather (Seattle area).
ReplyDeleteCat, I, too, look forward to next year and reading your work and insight into things. It has been a fun year getting to "know" you and reading about your work in the garden. It is amazing how many plants both from your garden and Andrea's garden grow here in Tucson. In fact, most of those grow here very well. The die back a bit in winter, but grow back in spring. LOVE the Smoke Bush. One of my favorites. I have the purple leaf variety. Hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteI love the santolina. Have been wanting to grow it for a long time but still don't have it. There must be somethinga bout it that doesn't work in my garden or zone. Feiijoa? I'll have to look that one up! Bloom day is beautiful in your parts right now!
ReplyDelete