Sleepy lives up to his name

It's a gorgeous day today.  Blue sky.  Nice breeze (soon to be gale force winds!) and 60 something degrees.  I'm planning on spending the day in the garden doing weeding and deer spraying.  Went out early this morning for some shots.

Doc is looking good again this year....big, bold and beautiful.

The bees were hard at work this morning....seems there was one in almost every bloom.  

However, Sleepy is another story.  Not one bloom this year.....all leaves.  Definitely living up to his name.   Not sure why unless rhoddies just take a break now and then.

Just had to add a Max photo.  We've been keeping his leg bandaged so he doesn't lick the exposed tumors....well, you can see how well that's going!

Sunday in the garden

Wow.  What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday was sunny and hot - close to 80 degrees.  Today started out sunny and no wind, but within 30 minutes the temperature dropped, the wind picked up and the fog started rolling in.

I spent last weekend weeding and taking stock of the garden - what plants survived and thrived and what ones did I lose?  Went to Freddie's yesterday and bought a few plants to fill in the holes.  Hostas and Astilbes do really well here, so got a few more of those.  Also a couple of Columbines and some Delphiniums.  Everything is planted except for the Impatiens that go under the address sign.

Max came out with me to help, but got bored and wanted in.  You can see the fog in the top right corner.

Max helping me plant.  

Planting the hostas and columbine in front garden.  

This is the west garden, or the shady one.  You can see the Foxgloves in the lower left hand corner.  Last year, I had 3 of them....this year, they're everywhere!   I know some people think they're weeds, but I happen to like them.  They're native,  pretty, low-maintenance and the deer don't eat them.  So, for now, they can stay.  

The mexican orange is in bloom again, and smells wonderful.  This one grows like a weed and blooms 3 times a year.  Maybe being over the septic tank has something to do with that......

The pink rhoddies are starting to bloom.  This one is facing east at the bottom of the bedroom deck.  

This is the first of the rhoddies out front to bloom.  This is Grumpy, soon to be followed by Sleepy and Doc.  Grumpy is always first since he's red, and then the big pinks follow in about a month.   

Waiting.......in the weeds

We're having glorious weather today.  Sunny, gentle breeze and 70 degrees.  I thought a bit of weeding would take my mind off waiting for the phone call about Mom.
This is the first time this year that I've been out in the garden, so I spent a few hours pruning, weeding and general clean up.

Here's a shot of Big Red 2 weeks ago with his big red buds.  They look like a red artichoke.

Here's what he looks like today

Max always helps in the garden.....hunting snakes, eating grass, licking my face and napping.  

Here's one of his favorite spots:  in the shady grass.  He also loves to sleep on the deck in the shade.  Such a beautiful boy!

Is it Spring yet?

It's a gorgeous Sunday.  Blue sky, cool temperatures and best of all....no rain.  I just had to take a picture of the clematis that is in full bloom and taking over the deck.

It smells divine too.  I cut it back every year because it will cover the deck and drive Raymond crazy!  Can't have that.












Here's a close up of the flower:

When I was walking around outside, I came across my new rhoddie blooming!  This is the first purple one I've had and I didn't realize they were such early bloomers.  It's so nice to see plants blooming at last.  Especially when I haven't done anything in the garden to encourage them!   

Here's a shot of my garden helper.  He loves to sit up on the deck and survey his kingdom.