~Out in the Garden~

I hadn't been out in the garden for a while thanks to two things happening simultaneously: three days of solid torrential downpour (with thunder!), coupled with a nasty cold virus the Youngest brought home and then decided to share with me. 

So when today dawned with some sunshine and I found myself actually able to (sort of) breathe and move around, camera and I tip-toed out into the garden as soon as all the males headed out the door.

There's nothing like a quiet morning-garden after lots of rain.

I enjoyed a calm putter along to visit my plants and see what's blooming.

The hydrangeas were glowing with health- lots of rain made them happy happy happy. The picture above and below is of my largest bush. This one likes to show off with lots of blooms in multiple colors. I need to pop over with some scissors and fill a white pitcher up with those pretty soft pastels. mmmm!

Below is my latest garden acquisition- a 'rescue' plant from Lowes.
You can see how she got scorched last month during some unusually hot weather. They had her sitting sadly in a corner with a 'half off' red slash through her price tag. 
"Yes, you can come home with me, my love. I'll take care of you. I'll give you lots of cold drinks on hot days and I'll tell you how wonderful you are every time I walk by. And in turn you will give me lots of pretty blue and purple blooms and fresh new growth." 
(Yes- I talk to my plants. This is why I need to be in the garden ALONE) ;)

 So far it's been a very rewarding partnership.

 Here is a glimpse of the project I've been working on over the last six weeks . . . continuing the stepping stone path along one long side of my 'lilac' flower bed.

 I'm nearly done- only about four feet to go! Of course, that's about 12 or so more stepping stones to level and dig in to the ground. Maybe by the end of the month?

 And as I continue on, I see the chimney roses could use some pruning. One more thing for the 'to do' list.

 Those purple spike flowers are now fully in bloom. I have no idea what they're called (could you tell?), but I love how they break up all the green right now.

 And more purple! I was surprised to see the butterfly bush is starting to bloom. That's not 'suppose' to happen until July.

 On the other side of the house the daisies seem to be popping up every minute.

 And another batch of roses are starting to open.

 More color . . .

 and a late blooming iris in the mix.

 The butter-bur also loved all the rain we've had. And all the snails loved the butter-bur!

 This is in the back alley along our garage . . . I discovered these wild roses growing here several years ago and they get more prolific each year. I absolutely love them . . . my own little 'secret garden' :)

 And one more beauty to share . . . the garage actually got cleaned out right before I got sick! One can now walk to and from the car without tripping over old pots, buckets, newspaper and broken trellis pieces. Proof positive that beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

So what's growing in your garden? Or your garage for that matter!