Front Yards in Bloom II, 2017

Here are some highlights from my second batch of signing and pre-judging for Front Yards in Bloom 2017.  There were some astounding yards as you can see.

This has been so much fun!

Soil Ph and Why its Important

Hanging Basket Care

Front Yards in Bloom 2017 part 1

Good morning.  It's Front Yards in Bloom 2017 time and I am going through the photos I took of some of the nominees the end of June.  Today I have 31 more signs to place and it's going to be a hot one!  With the humidex values it will feel like 34 C but at least there's a breeze.

While K and I were out placing signs and doing some preliminary judging, we had three gardeners invite us into their back gardens.  I love when they do that!  We saw a lovely peony garden in one back garden, some beautifully designed pots and a beautiful shade garden in another (I do love a shade garden!) and then our last stop, which wasn't even on our list, was a sweet little lady whose garden we were drawn to and had to nominate.  She took us on a tour, explaining the old Virginia Creeper with a massive trunk and how it came to be the shade for their sunroom.  She grows climbing roses, one of which is a John Cabot and has extensive beds on the side garden and all around.  It's obviously a labour of love and she does most of it herself.  She explained how she had her son come help her tie up the heavy white climbing rose to an archway.  We left with an open invitation to return any time.  How lovely is that?

The following collage is of homes I saw enroute and enjoyed the impact they make on their neighbourhood.

This last collage is of a magnificent home with a brass turret.  K's favourite!  It hasn't been nominated but it is a beautiful composition of textures and greenery and no obvious flowers.  It has astounding curb appeal and was too lovely not to share.  Sadly, I realized later that I have no photos of the turret!

Off to another day of beautiful neighbourhoods!  Enjoy your day!

Rose Delights

“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” 

― Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib

As June drew to a close, the roses became the star of the show amongst the shrubs at the greenhouse and in the city, roses blossomed eagerly. The following collages are a mix of both locations where roses stole the spotlight.  

“I feel as if I had opened a book and found roses of yesterday sweet and fragrant, between its leaves.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of the Island

This post is in honour of my mom who taught me the love of gardening and especially the beauty beyond the thorns.  Today her garden has a dedicated rose bed that fails to contain her enthusiasm for this magnificent shrub, nor mine as I love to add to her collection.