Mini Roses............

Buy them at the grocery store and they bloom all summer. I used to put them in the ground but have found they do much better in a planter. I had to nurse a couple back to health and they are now ready for a permanent conatainer home. I use old pots or anything handy as a planter. I love this cast iron pot but can not use as a planter with dirt in because of the lack of drainage. I am thinking maybe I will fill it 1/2 full of gravel and then potting soil and put succulents in it next year.
Anyway..........this is one of my mini's that have thrived and are ready to go in the soil.

This little red pepper plant thrived all winter. This is a picture of it mid winter. By Spring it lost its peppers but only just in time for me to put it back outside



Here it is today, blooming and has tiny green peppers on it already. What a happy little plant. Next year I will try to start a couple more in pots. I tried this winter but unfortunatley I used an old kitty litter box with potting soil. Well Boots thought it was for her and well you can guess, so this year we will go to individual pots.

Day Lillies...............

I love Day Lillies they bring so much colour to the garden. They also are hard working plants that are cheerful and prolific. I have tried to collect a few different colours and I have found that the 2nd and 3rd years have been the best. They then begin to spread and for me thats a plus.



This pink beauty is 3 years old now and has doubled in size. This is a single bloom but the plant is really blooming this year.



Yellow is always a good choice



Orange is the work horse of the day lily




I love the dark colours



This is a pretty one



more pink beauties, I will have to look up all the names.



Some of the deep reds are hard to capture the correct shades



William Blakes poem "The Lily"

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

Common Daylilies



This is a lovely deep burgundy red,

Hosta....................I love Hosta's because they fill in spaces nothing else will grow. I have found they love to be in containers and most seem to like some sunlight.I have quite a few in containers because that gives me some height in the garden. I dont yet have the names available but will show some of my collection.




These were all planted last year so have done quite well.




I love this little lime one, its just the right spot for it. Shaded somewhat by the other plants it is quite happy here in the sunshine.



When I dont have much in the way of colour I use glass objects to give a splash of interest.

This is my Peace rose from my garden. I love it for its special colour but mostly because my dad loved it.




Summer is a time to make freezer jam. It is so good, so fresh and yummy. This was last years batch. Alas this year my fridge died and by the time I got the new one all my strawberries were not any good. Still we do have one pot left from last year.

From fresh from the farm strawberries...........



To the very best freezer jam that will bring memories of summer during our long Michigan winters.