Friday Morning Flower Gazing

Happy Friday!

I hope you've had a good week and are happy to see 

Friday come.

We've been experiencing some rather mild temperatures and the nights have been cooling off into the 50's.  It feels like early fall at times.  The farmers are unhappy because the mild temps are slowing down the ripening of their crops.  All I can see is that it makes for good sleeping!

I buzzed out this morning (7:30'ish) with a jacket over my pj's and snapped a few early morning pictures.  I've been absent outside lately because of a few projects that have been occupying my time.  Forgive my lack of visits to your blogs, it's just been hard to devote much time to the computer.

  The wind chime post even got into the pictures

The begonias turned out to be a good choice for outlining the  fountain area.  The hostas have covered them up though in this area.  The Japanese Forest Grass are doing well this year too.  

I watched the hummingbirds dancing around these flowers earlier this morning.  There were 3 of them.  I wish I could capture their activity but whenever I try to take a picture they quickly fly off.

In a matter of moments the sun moves on...

These small hostas add a little interest...

I believe they are called Fireworks

Ready to bloom too...

These Gardenmeister Fuchsia are a favorite for the hummingbirds too.  

The Annabelles have been blooming for a couple of weeks.  I gave some of the blooms some help with some stakes.  When they get wet they lay right down on the ground.  Their are delicate for such a heavy flower.

This Alyssum has come back each year since I planted them and I do enjoy them.  They've jumped over the sidewalk into another bed and are blooming there too.  

I planted Alyssum in this window box but only this one made it.  The geraniums crowded out the rest.  I like how it's cascading down the side.  I've been very happy with the performance of the Raspberry Twizzle Geraniums.  The blooms are long lasting and frequent.

In front of the garage I have three planters.  I got creative this year and didn't use my usual spike type plant for the center.  The Mystic Spires Blue Salvia really got big....I have one on the other side that is much larger.  The are some Gaura, Belleza (talll white flowers) mixed in there and the Raspberry Blast Supertunias are spilling all over the bottom.  The bees and hummimgbirds really like the Salvia and Gaura.  There is some Bacopa in there too but the Supertunias seem to have gobbled up most of the space.

I cheated and took this from my window through a screen.  My favorite Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.

This little Cityline Paris hydrangea doesn't disappoint!

Love

So happy together... 

My little buckets of flowers took their time to get filled out but now they are blooming nicely. 

The Sonic Magic Pink New Guinea Impatiens are a favorite.

I love variegated flowers and plants.

Joy!

Have a great weekend!

Thanks for visiting!

Liz

A walk around the yard....

Well finally... my Rose of Sharon 

(Althea, Hibiscus Syriacus) is blooming!  

It's certainly taken it's time this year to bloom!  Actually I am glad to know it's alive and seeing it bloom was a nod to the fact that I didn't kill it last year when I gave it quite a cutting back! There are a lot of buds yet to open but they are all facing the neighbors house!  I figured I better take a picture before I forget to!

You'll notice the bumble bee was visiting too!  The flowers are a purplish blue double bloom.

Such a pretty flower...

Now on to some random shots

 These Black Eyed Susan's haven't amounted to much this year.  They seem shorter than normal too...

The Stella D'Oro lilies are blooming again, but of course not as prolifically as the first time.

 Some more Delphinium

The Yarrow and Coreposis are still blooming

The Russian Sage has a very wild look to it this year.  I think they prefer to be planted in a spot where they can be on their own.  At least is smells good!

 The Sweet Alyssum that returned from last year has filled in nicely

Smells good too!  We have leaves dropping here and there....the fall season won't be long!

On the deck...I am awarding myself the "ugliest potted plant" award...this Sweet Potato Vine has been polite enough to produce flowers but I can't say that I 

enjoyed the plant.  

Very mixed about my plants I chose this year.  I need a better plan next year!

Let's wander to the back...

The arbor has Sweet Autumn Clematis...no blooms yet...and Morning Glories growing with no flowers too!  What gives??

Along the path some hostas with unusual flowers!  

 The shade in the back yard provides a great environment for these plants

 I only fertilized once this late spring with the Flower Tone and Plant Tone and the annuals
got a sprinkling of Osmocote as they were planted.

The always reliable Impatiens make a great display...the Golden Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa "Aureola" gracefully lay along the stone wall...

Lastly, my planters in front of the garage took off rather wildly! The Sweet PotatoVine really got a run on and has just about taken over!  I do like the red Supertunias...they made a good show. 

One of the bloggers I follow Cabin & Cottage left this sentiment on a beautiful post she did- it grabbed my heart strings and expressed my sentiment!  
With her permission I'm sharing it...
(please click the link to see her beautiful post!)

When the season finally changes, it will be sweet and a bit sad.  I will want to hold summer tightly for a moment as you do with a loved one when you wish you could stay forever.  Already waiting, though not idly, until the next time you meet. . . .

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Thanks for visiting!

Liz

I'm joining 
Fishtail Cottage for
Garden Party #17
and
Today's Flowers