Life in the back garden!

 Above, the one and only tulip is flowering.

The PJM Rhododendron has new growth and flower buds.

This peony doubled in size in one day!!

Ah, there you are!  Endless Summer Hydrangea died right back this winter.  Here she is making her way up and out!  Welcome!

One Evening Scented Stock seedling (an annual) came up from last year's planting.  I love this Matthiola!  

The fragrance is heavenly!

The delphinium is growing by leaps and bounds.  I better get out and dust it to prevent delphinium worm problems!

One clematis, east side of the fence, is showing signs of life.

Forsythia is blooming, somewhat.

Gold Barberry, Summer Wine Ninebark, cedars, and a juniper fill this corner.

A view of the pond with topiaries, maple, and spirea in the foreground.

A view through the branches of Amur Maple.

Above and below, Three-flowered Maple.

A planting of reeds in the pond.

Three-flowered Maple to the left, Tolleson's Weeping Juniper in the background, and Mint Julip Juniper in the front.

This just goes to show how resilient the European Mountain Ash is.  This seedling was left in a pot over winter, just a six inch pot, and it is growing!  Talk about tough.  (zone 3 here)

A close-up on Northern Gold Forsythia.

Teddy in the garden, above and below.

Trost Dwarf Birch is leafing out, above.

 Young's Twisted Weeping Birch above and hostas below.

My son's car floor matts are drying on the deck stairs above.   Funny, I didn't notice them there when I took the picture, just when I transferred the photos to the computer!  

Oh, well.  Utilizing every space is practical, if not aesthetically pleasing. 

Shadows in the garden.

Bridal Wreath Spirea, aka Renaissance Spirea, above and below.  These photos were taken Mother's Day.

Columbine above and Jackmanii Clematis (if you look close you can see a couple shoots) below, with iris in front.

My Mother's Day roses from my husband.  XOXO

Taken yesterday, the same spirea (Bridal Wreath) now blooming her heart out!

The tulip has faded from butter yellow to white but is still very pretty.

What's growing in your garden?

Once again linking up with Tootsie for Fertilizer/Flaunt Your Flowers Friday.  You have to see the creative ingenuity she puts in her garden!  Be sure to check out our other garden pals as they flaunt their gardens too!

The End or the Beginning: Celebrating the Garden

It is now early September and a definite nip has replaced the warmth of summer.  Evenings are markedly cooler and day light hours noticeably shorter.  Deep within, this makes me cringe.  The older I get, the more I seriously dislike winter, and fall to the extent that it is the harbinger of winter, often accented with days of snow, far too early in the season.  

I once, not too long ago, lingered on the deck in the evening, languishing in the warmth of a summer's dusk.  Now, I hide indoors, with a sweater, sighing as only a lover of summer and gardening does, knowing that the joy I hold dear is passing me by.  Readying itself for a long winter's rest, the garden begins to take on the first signs of a change of seasons.  The Pink Diamond hydrangea blossoms are turning a delicate pink on the edges, soon to be a full dusty pink, beautiful in their own right.  I spotted a few yellow leaves on the birch and promptly removed them, lest the rest of the garden should feel inclined to follow suit. Berries of the mountain ash are now a deep and beautiful orange, hanging gloriously as the accent of colour in the far corner of the yard.  Even the peony leaves are finding new shades of red to brighten their existence in my garden.  The garden seems to celebrate the end or the beginning of the season by donning its brightest colours.  

As I contemplate this change of events, from the plants' perspectives, I cannot deny them this yearly ritual for I too glory in the magic of the change of scenery.  The magnificent accents that dot the landscape or sometimes set it awash in divine brilliant colour, makes my heart leap in joy.  Yes, I love fall too.  Such a gloriously colourful season.  I imagine the crisp scent that permeates the air with the change of seasons, summer into fall, and there is something energizing in it.  It makes me long to walk in the wilderness, bundled in my favourite sweater, long jeans and comfy shoes.  Of course, what would such a walk be without my camera?  It is a frequent companion on such occasions and soon I will be posting photos of the delights that capture my senses.  Is it the end or the beginning?  Whatever it is, I too shall find joy in it!

Here are some of my favourite photos of the passing season......

I'm celebrating the garden with......

Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

Cottage Flora Thursday at Fishtail Cottage

Fertilizer Friday/Flaunt Your Flowers at Tootsie Time

Thanks for visiting, dear friends.  Have a great one!