A quiet Sunday morning. Birds calling, crows cawing, the occasional car or motorcycle on the road. Lovely. Some lawn mowing is on the agenda today. We didn’t do it earlier in the week because it had been so dry, but after two torrential storms, I think it needs our attention today.
Let me vent for a brief second: I hate Japanese Beetles! I hate bugs eating my plants!
But if you’re a gardener who won’t use pesticides, you’re up against it, I guess. Sigh. I’m doing what I can and I’m thinking of ordering ladybugs but then I read conflicting advice. Some say that those ladybugs can bring disease to indigenous ladybugs. Others say it’s perfectly okay. I have to make a decision in the next day or two.
Then again, the are part of the ecosystem and they also have the right to be and eat. Since I try to ‘do no harm’ I may just have to accept things and send my love to all beings. I’m not afraid of bugs and every being has a purpose.
This is the hydrangea that is next to the porch railing – Annabelle hydrangea. It’s pretty big nowadays and very lush.
This is the Endless Summer hydrangea I planted a couple of years ago. It’s growing very slowly, but it’s awfully pretty. My other hydrangea – a limelight – is at the other end of the porch, but it doesn’t bloom until later in the summer.
A lovely balloon flower in the Memorial Garden.
Oh, my heavens! Can I just say how fabulous these hollyhocks are? Yesterday, I came home from running an errand and I was struck by the height and gorgeous color and how wonderful they look next to the kitchen door. When this plant self-seeded, it (or, the bird carrying the seed) graciously decided to plop that seed at the end of the raised bed, thereby avoiding the window and the air conditioner. It’s as if it knew. Perfect.
In that same raised bed – lavender. And a bumble bee.
I am particularly fond of bumble bees. They don’t bother me and they hover nicely and stay in place so that I can take a picture.
The most important thing to tell you today is this: It’s my sister’s birthday! You all know how I feel about my sister. I adore her. We are incredibly close. There is an eleven year age difference between us but that has never been an issue. We are sisters. We are best friends.
She is one of the finest people it has been my privilege to know. These past few years have been tough ones, with both my parents in her charge because they lived nearby. She was the rock during their illnesses and my mom’s time in the nursing home. She was there for both mom and dad in a way I couldn’t be. All the while she was raising her boys and working full-time. I cannot tell you how much I admire her and how grateful I am for her presence in my life. My brother died in 1991. My other sister has disappeared from our lives. My parents have passed away.
It’s Meredith and me.
Don adores her. How could he not?
Do me a favor? Will you go and visit her blog and wish her a Happy Birthday? She has a new post up and there are some wonderful photos of her oldest son (home for a visit) and Little Z. Here’s the link.
She deserves everything that is good and wonderful in life.
Happy Birthday, Meredith!
Happy Sunday.
Beautiful gardens and beautiful feelings for your sister, Claudia.
Thank you Shanna. She is a beautiful person.
pretty pictures. Have a good day and I will visit your sister now!
Thank you, Doris!
A very happy and fun Birthday to lovely Meredith! You are such closes sisters which is so lovely – I always wanted a sister, sigh!
The garden looks awesome, and those hollyhocks are simply breathtaking – hope they continue to self-seed and in two years you’ll have even more to enjoy.
Mary x
I hope so too! I’m going to miss them next year!
I guess bugs and critters are part of a garden. I know some of my plants have been munched by the deer but they must eat also. I’ve visited Meredith’s blog and wished her a happy birthday. She is truly a beautiful person inside and out!
hugs,
Linda
She is that, for sure!
Your hydrangeas are doing quite well! My endless summer, sadly only has 1 bloom…no other buds. That’s so disappointing and unusual….all other summers, it has been thriving. My lime lights are doing ate well. Bugs are part of having a garden…but some can be so annoying! I spent some time over at Meredith’s…she has a lovely family…and wished her a HB. The weather here has been fantastic….low humidity, and temps in the 70’s….enjoy your day! ;)
I’m surprised by how small this Endless Summer is. My other hydrangeas grew by leaps and bounds each summer. Have a lovely day, Donnamae – temps are in the 80s here today.
Lovely post. Wished Meredith a Happy Birthday. Loved the pictures of her boys.
They are wonderful nephews!
You are the kindest person alive my dear sister. Thank you for the birthday wishes.
I love you,
M
Maybe the second kindest person alive – the first would be you! xoxoxo
Wow, that balloon flower is THEEE most gorgeous shade of purple ever! And what cooperative hollyhocks you have too. Superlative pictures all. Said it before – saying it again. You should do a garden photography book – you have the gift. And have a wonderful Fourth… 🇺🇸
Maybe someday I’ll put one together, Janet.
Claudia, just a warning about bringing in ladybugs… DO NOT. Indiana imported tons of them to fight aphids, years ago and is now overridden with them. Many Hoosiers, myself included, have severe reactions to their secretions. Hives, swollen throats, ER treatments, even reaction from wishing windows covered with their secretions months lTef!
Love your garden pictures, BTW. Hedy
Wow! I’ve never had a reaction. But it’s a bit different when it’s a whole state bringing in the ladybugs. We have ladybugs around here all the time, and if I did order some, it would be a very small amount. But I will surely think about what you’ve said.
Pretty flowers in your garden, Claudia. We’re doing a bit of gardening today, too. Getting the two new raised beds in place. It involves digging up some bulbs. After the raised beds are in place, we can finally transplant the poor tomatoe plants we germinated from seed. They are still stuck in small plastic pots. Read Meredith’s post…so touching how her much older sons interact with Little Z.
It will be wonderful to transplant those tomatoes, Wendy. It’s a perfect day to garden here – though I’m not gardening, just mowing and mowing!
I love balloon flowers Claudia…first they are pretty little balloon..and then they turn into a beautiful star…I went over to Meredith’s blog to wish her a HB…love the pictures of the boys having fun in the ocean and the pool…How I miss seeing the ocean…
I do, too. We really miss the ocean. Living in San Diego really spoiled us!
Lovely tribute to your sis. Your garden is abundant with beauty right now. I find it so hard to grow hydrangeas. Yours are nice.
Hydrangeas might be one of those plants that does better in a cooler climate. I’m not sure about that, but my smaller hydrangea doesn’t do well in the harsh sun.
I’m just heading over to say Happy Birthday to Meredith. Just here to leave a virtual hug to a great sister!
Go give her a hug, too!
Those hollyhocks!!!!! …….no words could do justice. Love!!!!
I know! I’m stunned by their beauty. I’m so lucky!
In our little weekly newspaper this week the Master Gardner column was about Japanese Beetles. She said that July 1 is about the time they make their appearance here. That same night I spied a flower full of them. ugh. She also noted that they are most attracted to magenta/ burgundy/ pink plants. They completely ate my Flowering Cherry tree 3 yrs ago which was a deep magenta. Oh, how I dread seeing them in the yard. She said to go out with a bucket of soapy water and flick them off the plants one by one either in early morning or after 7 or so at night. I will be out with my little bucket in the morning, I guess.
Heading over to Meredith’s! Hope you had a good day!!
I know this will sound crazy, but I just can’t bring myself to drown them. I even rescue flies and put them back outside!
Thanks for the heads up
You’re welcome!