Potpourri

These are a few blooms I managed to snap on my way in and out this past week (it was a hectic week).  I always manage to make a detour through the garden, and right around the main daylily bed on my way out the door to work no matter how hectic things get.  It only takes a minute. :-)

Sebastian the Crab

Mount Herman Giant

It's taken three years for this one to settle in.  It produced an outstanding bloom just in time because 'Mount Herman Giant' was going to give up it's place of honor (the front row) this year, since I've been so disappointed.  The day after I spoke of this dayliliy's demise while standing over it, this beautiful, large, perfectly formed bloom appeared.  I guess it gets to stay now.  Sometimes threats do the trick ... lol.

Don Juan Climbing Rose

Don Juan is not going to disappoint.  

This red, red rose was added to the garden in April, and just look at this stunning bloom already!  

I'm amazed!

Webster's Pink Wonder

This daylily is really a star in the garden, but the "star" quality seems to be rather elusive in photos. 

I'll keep trying.

Apple Tart

Mushrooms

Who says mushrooms have to grow in the dark?  These are growing in a pot with my bougainvillea tree.  They are on a sun drenched deck with little water - sun loving, drought tolerant mushrooms.

Herb Garden

 This section of the herb garden is filling out nicely.  The herb garden now includes: cilantro, sweet basil, oregano, chives, rosemary, lemon thyme, German thyme, marjoram, pineapple sage, society garlic (is this really edible?).  Oh, there's my blue "gazing bottle" tucked in between the black and blue salvia, the pineapple sage and the coreopsis.   So far, it's doing an excellent job of adding a cobalt blue pop of color as well as capturing any bad spirits that might be hanging around.

Thanks for stopping by and happy gardening! :-)

Well, well, well, look what the cat drug in!

"The Cat" has been busy lately.  Somehow, it got on the Internet and ordered two roses from "The Antique Rose Emporium."  "The Cat" ordered a "Don Juan" climber, which it envisions floating across the top of a fence that badly needs a rose.  "Don Juan" is supposed to have a delightful scent and do well in extreme heat.

Antique Rose Emporium

"The Cat" also got a "Buff Beauty" rose, which is can be either a climber or a shrub rose.  It has been considering making this a pillar rose.  "Buff Beauty" is also supposed to have a heavenly scent according to Holley at "Roses and Other Gardening Joys,"  and she should know with all of her experience with roses.  "Buff Beauty" is also shade tolerant.

The roses came in nice sized pots rather than bare root.. 

 "The Cat" also drug in:

White Orchid

This lovely, white orchid (now, how did the cat know I wanted a white orchid?) ...

Ivory Orchid

And this ivory orchid (smart cat) ...

Reminds me of vanilla.

I'll be sure to post photos of "Don Juan" and "Buff Beauty" as they mature.  Hopefully, I can get them established in time for a show this summer. :-)

Gardening, Shopping & Sushi ... Lowes, Mikata & Baskin Robbins

Yesterday was a beautiful day ...

gorgeous weather,

gardening, shopping

and sushi!

What more could a gardener girl ask for?

Yippee!  The irises are making progress (looks like I have more weeding to do).  I guess standing over them, and wishing them along isn't hurting!  Other "mad gardeners" know the gardening insanity of which I speak ...

I love my garden cart! It took many moons for me to finally get my little Cadillac.

Sycamore

The sycamore is one of my favorite trees.  They seem like they are made of porcelain with their smooth, white texture.  



"Mad Gardener" early in the morning ... that's a symptom of Spring Fever!



I'm going to have a mixed perennial bed here again very soon. :-)

Now, for the shopping ... on the way.

along the way ...

Here we go ... the Garden Center at Lowes ... I feel like a "kid in a candy store" already!




Hot Pink Geraniums - I'll be back for these!

 

I had to keep chanting to myself (silently, of course, since people would stare otherwise :-) ... focus, focus, you came here for specific plants, focus, focus ...




Cosmos

 

The Herb Department



I spent a lot of "thyme" ... yes, I just had to say that ... (among other thing$) in the herb department where I got:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Cilantro
• Oregano
• Sweet Basil
• Parsley
•  Pineapple Sage

Special Pineapple Sage Note:  it smells like a pineapple upside down cake ... fabulous!  I always plant it near my path in and out, so I can stop and enjoy the lovely fragrance.  I've heard this is a delicious addition to iced teas (I'm sure it's good in hot tea too ... I'll let you know how that goes).

I still need marjoram, so I can make my spaghetti sauce with totally fresh herbs. 



Just caught my eye ...




Roses

 

O.K., aside from the herbs, I had two Double Knock Out red roses on my list.  I have spotted them down at the end of the table.  Focus, focus, focus ... lol

Ohhhh, the orchid section!!!  Focus ...





I really think orchids could be my next flower addiction ...  I quickly left the orchid section ... too tempting (plus my husband was watching me).  There would be no way to smuggle one to the Sequoia without him seeing me!  The daylily addiction is bad enough anyway!

Time for dinner at Mikata and here's a pic of our favorite, fabulous sushi chef.  Dinner here is always delicious.  :-)

I think this is just what my husband needed after his journey through the Garden Center ... :-).



Seaweed Salad



Rainbow Roll & Green River Roll



On to Baskin Robbins for a scoop of Three Point Chocolate for my husband, and a scoop of Daiquiri Ice for me!

Again, focus, focus, focus ... lol

:-)

Fourth of July Roses by David Austin



FOURTH OF JULY ROSE BY DAVID AUSTIN



FOURTH OF JULY ROSE BY DAVID AUSTIN



More blooms from the past ... I love these Fourth of July climbing roses by David Austin.  I think they look like they're right out of "Alice in Wonderland."