Autumn Garden Goodness

I once read you can determine a good gardener by how their great garden looks later in the season, because any one can run to the nursery in spring and fill their yard with flowers. I think, I may have finally succeeded. The whole garden is loaded with colors! Combined with all these cloudy days we've had, it been a camera's heaven.
David Austin rose "Christopher Marlowe" put on a stunning show, covered in blooms for over a week.

Dahlia's are all gearing up for another round of blooms, including this "Tahiti Sunrise," which towers over me at about 6 feet high.

Nasturium, alyssum, kale, and more flow over front sidewalk.

This unidentified beauty was a gift from a southern California gardener. I had the name pinned down somewhere, and now I can't find it. Nevertheless, I'm testing it's hardiness this winter, and love it's fall performance.

Dahlia "Kelvin Floodlight" was a great $1.60 find a small town nursery. I was suprised to get this big of a bloom from such a small bulb, and know good things are to come as this clump matures.

Hope you are all having a fabulous autumn!

Happy gardening!

Spider Love

I just felt the need to say, if clematis "Arabella" performs for me every year the way she has this year, she will fast become my new favorite clematis. Wow!
These blooms skirt the walkway to my front door.


Also, this gorgeous spider has made a beautiful web in my front yard. I usually find at least one of these each year. I have come a long way from my old arachnophobia!

Happy gardening!

Brookfield Zoo Butterfly Exhibit

This weekend my aunt and uncle took us to the Brookfield Zoo. I was able to steal a few minutes in the butterfly exhibit. I took dozens of pictures, and I had to share them here! Enjoy!

Happy gardening!

Busy summer.

I have enjoyed my edible garden more than ever this year! I have been pulling in a whole collander of goodies almost daily! I am sweaty hot mess in this picture, but I am so happy!

I also had to add a quick photo of my favorite new perennial this year: Echinacea "Hot Papaya" is a real stunner. I am so glad I planted it right in front of the house for all the world to see.

Happy gardening!

Magical Critter Encounters

I have had a wonderful time in the garden this year! I feel like every time I turn around there is magic to be found.
This huge butterfly caught my eye immediately. It was so large it looked like a bird floating around the yard.

I followed this fellow around for some time. I love the irredesance in it's wings.

I was delighted to catch a hummingbird sitting for a spell on my butterfly bush!

Another butterfly beauty.

This tiny frog cuddled up inside a white hollyhock. He was no bigger than my finger nail. I get these frogs every year, and they often sleep in my flowers, but they seem especially small this time around.

This spotted dragonfly perched on top a trellis in the backyard. He matched the sky.

Hope you enjoyed my critters. More to come, I just rebuilt my bird feeding area, and hope to get some pictures of the woodpecker and gold finches I have seen frequenting the yummies.

Happy gardening!

A Few Favorite Shots from July

The Bee's Knees

Black Colocasia over lime sweet potato vine, pink caladium, and scarlet colored ivy geranium.

Echinacea 'Tomato Soup' has smoky-hued blooms.

Front yard is coming along nicely. I love my walkway garden, and the bright blue door is growing on me.


My favorite combination this year? Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' with Dahlia 'Arabian Night.'


Happy gardening!