July 7th, 2017

Early in July, and the Garden Flourishes....

Oh, it not only flourishes, it runs away with itself, thinking that with enough passion on the part of the growing things it can gain Jungle Status!!!

However, "let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation.  It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which man gives his heart"  (Karel Copek)

And here am I, going along the borders of the beds pulling out the ground cover 

that escaped from another garden pot at least ten years ago, 

and in another garden all together. 

 But somehow it found its way here, along with transplants,

 and the battle of passions goes on!!!

It has its compensations!!!!

Here are the lilies...glorious and standing up nicely

to the terrible heat we have been having lately.

and the brilliant scarlet bee balm

The daylilies nestle at the feet of the barn flowers

(which will open any day soon)

and up aways the statice and the purple bellflower

make a lovely contrast to the 

silvery lamb's ear

I greedily pick the first of the pale raspberries,

and from the pots some sweet green onions.

a few new potatoes,

a couple of cucumbers

and the promise of wonderful red tomatoes,

just beginning to get a pink underside.

Out at the front entrance the yellow daisies and the creamy mallow

welcome friends and family

 while over in the corner the first hosta start to bloom.

Occasionally Callie and I find a quiet spot, with a book, or some knitting

and we rock a bit and enjoy the 

chatter from the trees that surround us,

although sometimes, when the Clark's Nutcrackers

are in full swing in the walnut trees

things get a bit raucous. 

Gardening is an exercise in optimism, I have heard it said.  

Sometimes it is a triumph

of hope over experience!

I think of the various lovely gardens that 

Charles and I nurtured together,

and find comfort in silent discussions

and a feeling of his presence

by my side.