Our garden, through the eyes of a child

I've been spending weeks indoors, due to major foot surgery.  This is the time of year when most of my garden is in bloom, too, and I miss being outside with the flowers.  Through the windows, I can see much of my garden, but it's not the same as being right there.  So, I entrusted my good Canon Rebel t2i to my 11 year old daughter, who has a keen eye and an interest in photography, and sent her outdoors.

Our garden, as seen through the eyes of my child:

These purplish-blue hydrangeas are from our neighbor's garden.  The bush is enormous!

The bush below is near my shed.  About 10 years ago, another neighbor was digging this up and tossing it so they could plant a central air conditioning unit instead.  I asked if we could have it.  It had been a deep, rich blue that almost didn't look real.  When it came to live in my yard, it became pink and purple due to the higher alkaline levels in my soil.

Yes, she found a heart shaped hydrangea blossom on one of the bushes!  This was not 'Photoshopped' in any way!

I think she did a great job!  Not only did she give me a tour of my garden through pictures, but she gave me a tour through her own eyes, and that is priceless.

Peace and blessings to you,

 

Garden Survivors

Too many months have passed since I last posted here at bleu hydrangea.  I did not intend for that to happen, but sometimes Life makes other decisions for you.  ;-)

The summer here in the Northeast was dry and hot, as it was for many other places.  Despite frequent watering by hose, many of my plants and most of the lawn succumbed to the extreme weather and browned out.

I do have a few flowering plants remaining that I dubbed my 'survivors'.  Bless their hearts for hanging in there, long enough for me to get photos before Autumn officially arrives and puts them to sleep.

I love ivy.  This tendril grew through the wicker child's rocker, and I let it be.

Coleus must have loved its protected home on the porch; it really thrived.

Purple Torenia, looking as good as it did the day I planted it months ago.

Ruby Red Pentas, an annual.  This plant did so well, I will probably put it in the garden again next year.

Sweet Autumn Clematis.  This was here when we moved in 17 years ago, and does really well every year.

Buddleia, otherwise known as Butterfly Bush.  This is a miniature variety, growing to about chest-height.

Good old geranium.  I am grateful it continues to bloom, with such bright blossoms greeting me every day.

This hydrangea sports bright purple blooms in the summer, and deep rose and pale green in autumn.  

This is what the blue hydrangea looks like in the fall.  No sign of blue at all!

Here's what it looked like back in the middle of June.  

As the summer drought went on, the blue hydrangea blossoms began to wilt
and change to brown.  I preserved some before it got too late, and
store them in a large acrylic container.

When it rains, we bring in the porch cushions.  Cristabel thinks
she's a Princess (well, she is) and loves to lay on them!

Thanks so much for joining me today!


Peace and blessings to you,

Seasons Change

Welcome!  A big 'thank you' to those of you who visited my last post and left the most encouraging comments.  I really enjoyed writing from my heart, and it pleases me that you all felt touched by it.

I love how the seasons play out in a garden.  Spring brings life to some of my most glorious flowers, like the daffodils, irises, peonies, lilies of the valley, azaleas and more.  

A peony bud, with rain drops inside.

Before the white peony bursts fully, it has the prettiest shade of light pink.

Azaleas.

These plum irises have the briefest of days to shine.

Seems like one day each variety has its chance to dazzle, and the next, the blossoms begin to fade.

The lavender perfumes the air near my dining room window.

As Summer approaches and the weather warms, different plants come into their own.   My beloved hydrangeas make their big appearance.

Blue hydrangeas from my favorite bush.

A garden, through its seasons, reminds me of an orchestra, playing one long piece of beautiful music.  Each player contributes to the symphony.

A view of the side yard, with day lilies and a pink hydrangea.

 I love the beautiful music I see and hear in my yard.  I enjoy this progression, letting each plant do its thing.  

Lady's mantle.  I just love the way water beads up on its leaves.

Clematis had its time to bloom weeks ago.  It's done for the season.

Fuzzy lamb's ears.  I love the soft texture and the silvery green foliage.

Thunbergia continues to wind its way up the trellis.

I am so glad you dropped by today.  I hope you've enjoyed my garden photos!

Peace and blessings to you,