Tuesday, July 19, 2011

It's Bloomin' Tuesday & Cottage Flora Thursday


Despite the heat . . . and I mean HOT and DRY! . . . a few things are blooming in the gardens.  It's been a scorcher here the past few days.  We're in the midst of our 5th heatwave of the summer, and temps are expecting to be in the triple digits by Friday.  



This year, so far, everything in the veg/cutting garden has been doing so well.  So much better then in the past few years.  I don't think I did anything different this year then the last 16 years, but all the seeds that were sown have germinated and are growing nicely, and the vegetable plants I put in are thriving.  

As you can see, one of the varieties of sunflowers is blooming.  Still waiting for the Chianti sunflowers to show their pretty bronze-toned petals.


The zinnias are showing off their colorful blooms.  Time to cut a bouquet :o)






Patiently waiting for the tithonia or Mexican sunflowers, below, to start blooming.  I love these plants.  They've been a regular addition to the garden for quite a few years now.


For those of you who may not be familiar with tithonia, below are couple pics from last year's garden.




Below, one of the first cosmos blooms showing it's delicate face.


Another favorite blooming now are simple morning glories.  I don't even have to plant new ones each year.  They self-seed in this spot on their own year after year.  




Several years ago a friend and neighbor gifted me with these gorgeous asiatic lillies from her mother's garden.  They're thriving behind the shed.



Also planted by the shed, and growing virtually all over the shed ~ and actually inside the shed as well ~ is a climbing vine called trumpet vine.  Planting this was a lesson for me in being mindful of native plants.  I purchased the plant many years ago at native plant sale, and although it's a gorgeous growing vine with huge orange trumpet-like blossoms that the hummingbirds just love, it's terribly invasive and hard to control.  

Hubby has commanded me to get rid of it as it's literally tearing up the shed.  That'll have to be a major project for next year.  But ain't it purdy anyway?


I was taking this pics early in the morning, so the flowers hadn't fully opened yet.




Moonbean correopsis along the driveway.  Love this variety.  It blooms all season.


The crape myrtle is finally showing off.  Looks like I need to give it a "sucker" haircut down there at the bottom.


The blooms below are of the vegetable, or more accurately, gourd variety, but blooms nontheless.


These plants popped up in the very spot where I plopped the cast-off pumpkins last fall by the compost bin.  Hubby keeps threatening to run them over with his tractor.   


Look!  A baby pumpkin just starting to form.


 Super hot chilies make pretty "blooms" in the veg garden.


Still waiting on red ripe tomatoes. 


 Any day now . . . .


Black-eyed Susans or rudbeckia ~ our neighboring state Maryland's State Flower ~ in the perrenial garden.  




Lastly, I'm sharing my new collection of bird's nest.  I spent this past weekend trimming all the shrubs and some of the trees on the property, and came across these abandonded nests.  A bird's nest, in my opinion, is such an amazing feat from one of nature's creatures.


 I have them placed in this little vignette on my potting bench outside. I hope they last a while.  Is there a safe way to clean and preserve these so I can bring them indoors?  



Linking up my garden with these other fine gardeners:



Be sure to check out other blogger's gardens, and delight and be inspired by what they're sharing.




Thanks for visiting!
Leave a comment so I can get to know you.

12 comments:

Diana LaMarre said...

You have so many pretty flowers. I love the pic of the Chianti sunflowers.

I found a nice bird's nest last week, too.

I just put them in a closed baggy for awhile and I assume anything alive would die from no air. Then I use them in wreaths and on my Christmas tree. Did you know it's good luck to have a bird's nest in your Christmas tree?

Jean said...

Your garden is so colorful and lovely! The zinnia against the white fence are so pretty and I love the sunflower shots! Jean

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Carla, your gardens are gorgeous. Love all your flowers and oh, how I wish I had cutting flowers. Must do something about that next year. How great to have sunflowers. I also want a veg. garden next year. I will just have to nag the man.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Zinnias are one of my favorites, Carla! I'm afraid all the heat and humidity is killing off my potted flowers no matter how I try to keep up. I'll just enjoy yours!

Anonymous said...

Love the flowers! And the birds nests are adorable.
Jeanni

~~Rhonda said...

I love the sunflowers and the zinnias! So pretty! Re: trumpet vine...it can be trained up a pole and then trimmed to a small tree form when it grows thick enough to support itself. Then it's easy to mow under and doesn't need a shed or fence for support. Easier to control. If your vine has a long central vine, consider training it up a pole. Thanks for sharing your beautiful blooms! ~~Rhonda

Anonymous said...

Wow is all I can say Carla! Your garden is full, lush and beautiful with blooms and veggies! :)

Ellen said...

Beautiful flowers and nests. Love the baby pumpkin!

Thanks for visiting me at A Season for All Things. I"m your newest follower and look forward to reading more of your posts and pics! ~ Ellen

Deb said...

Beautiful sunflowers and I love the zinnias by the white fence. I LOVE the vignette!

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Carla everything looks so great despite this crazy heat we're getting! Alot of my flowers have not made it. And I'm still waiting for my gazillion green tomatoes to turn red too!

daisy g said...

Absolutely beautiful display of blooms. Your garden makes me feel sun-shiny!!

Rosemary said...

Lots blooming in your garden....... love the bird nests vignette..

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