Taken on a good day, when the walkway was cleaned and swept, this is the view from my front porch. Oh, annuals change, but most of the perennials have come back this year. I did lose a Stokesia aster however. Had it for about six years. Maybe it was time. Oh, shoot, another trip to the nursery. "Boo-hoo!" I've also moved my clay-pot birdbath to another part of the border. When I took this picture last year, I'd put a plant in its place and installed another birdbath that I'd painted like a sunflower. Later in the summer I moved a chair there.
Everything morphs in a garden! Right? This clematis, to the left of the pathway, growing up against the side of the garage, is always a winner. Although I'm planning on redoing the area where it's located, this Jackmanii will definitely stay! The Graham Thomas yellow rose in the forefront (who's name is lost to me) will be moved within the next month to a much more suitable location near the small gazebo we installed last year. Winding through the little circuitous pathway in front of the house, this is towards the other end of the house. The house is only 40 or so feet long, but with a little maze or network of paths, it makes it seem longer. In the foreground is one of my beloved-can't-ever-have-too-many buddleias. I didn't cut this back enough last year and it got a bit too scraggly. I just whacked it back this year on March 22, to about a foot. I've got three pinks, one lilac and a yellow. Going for three dark purples this year! I'll post more garden pics as this new season unveils. The basic structure won't change but I'm planning on more hot colors. As much as I love pastels, they tend to fade in the high sun that bombards the front of my house. Generally, hot colors show up better at a distance, while pastels look a little blah. These pics are from last season. I'll post more up-to-date photos as new blooms unfold. (Or when I get another roll of film developed, which sometimes can be for months! Heck, I'm just NOW seeing some of my Christmas pictures!!) Now, you didn't think I was gonna forget about the VEGGIES, did you??
About 10 years ago, we dug out the lawn directly in front of the house and over the next four years, constructed a small network of pathways and flower beds. Like any "garden plan"...it grew. One bed led to another, connected to another and so on. Trust me..there is a circular pathway in amongst those flowers. If you can make out a tall, spikey, "grayish" plant, that's perovskia or "Russian Sage". A little "path" winds around the bed where that holds center court.
Meanwhile, I hope you enjoyed these and....REMEMBER....
"Keep Talking To Your Plants!"
Just pick up the gloves!