Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day ~ August, 2012

Mexican Sunflowers are this year's favorite new addition. An outrageously orange annual, planted by seed, in an old whiskey barrel on the deck.

They say it's going to rain. But, it never does. And, the stark contrast between the two halves of my property is very sad, indeed.

Phlox pretties up a sad sack pack of tired blue Delphiniums.

Haven't the heart to show pictures of the back half of the yard. The dry brown area that relies on rainfall which never comes.

Heavenly Blues

I automated everything in the lucky half of the yard. An in-ground sprinkler system plus timers on the deck, and timers in the veggie garden, too.

My previously 'Always Thirsty' flower patch is quite delighted to no longer have to rely on the slacker gardener [that would be me] turning on the hose.

Sweet Pea Climbing Vines
With all that wonderful, consistent water to get new perennials off to a strong start... I decided that this should be the year of the climbing vines.

Giganto Wisteria
I'm gaga over the delicate pink color of these dainty Sweet Peas and those Morning Glories [above] ~ Oh, my! What a stunning sky blue...

I gambled on a cold hardy Kiwi Vine (zone 5 ~ Do you believe it will survive? I'm skeptical.) Plus, 3 bright orange trumpet vines, 4 purple Clematis climbing vines.

And! One vine to rule them all... 

A Wisteria! She's grown 15 feet in her first summer. Once she reaches the roof, I'll be training her to wrap around the room addition. Truth be told, I've killed more Wisteria than any other gardener on the planet. But, I have high hopes for the Missus. She seems to really like it here.

Pop over and say hi to Carol @ May Dream Gardens, Creator of the Bloom Day Meme.

Here's a whole bunch of bright August bloomers, photographed early this morning while in my jammies. (The new neighbors are never too appreciative of that stuff.. but they have learned to look the other way.)

5 comments:

Giga said...

Kwiaty pewno marzą o deszczu i życzę im, aby to spełniło się w potrzebnych dla nich ilościach. Pozdrawiam.
Flowers certainly dream of rain, and I wish them to make it true in the quantities needed for them. Yours.

Janie said...

Your blooms look so colorful and healthy. I'd love to grow wisteria.

Rose said...

The happy half of your garden looks gorgeous, Kate! I've never tried growing wisteria before--15 feet in one year is amazing! It's still dry here, too, though we've had a few brief rainshowers in recent weeks to perk things up. I hope some rain clouds find their way to you very soon.

Carolyn ♥ said...

I laughed when you said "they say it's going to rain, but it never does." Isn't that the truth. Last week the weather link on my computer showed three days of rain and thunder storms... nada. Not even a drop. And we're up next to the mountain. Thankful for secondary water that creates rain without my even thinking about it. Your gorgeous blooms are saying "thank you, thank you."

Karen said...

Kate, you have a lovely garden thanks for sharing. Don't worry about the pyjama's. Lot's of people do it.