Old Roses...........

There are so many varieties of Roses these days, beautiful Roses. A great many of the hybrids do not have scent. Many years ago I got an old fashioned rose from a relations farm. It was at that time planted in the sun, my garden changed over the years and it came to be in shade. At one time it was so full of flowers with heavenly scent that someone asked to pick the petals for a wedding. I was glad to let them. Well, it did not fare well once in shade. So two years ago I moved what was left. I managed to get 3 plants. One has survived and is blooming this year. It looks strong. The other two are gone, but I think this one will thrive. It looks healthy,the flowers are small but are coming along nicely. I took this picture this morning.


The leaves are small as well and sort of curly


So pretty...........I do so hope that this rose thrives now in its new location because its an antique.

Lovely Iris...................

I managed to get a few more pictures of our neighbours Iris today. The wind knocked so many down. What a shame. I sort of wonder what happened out at the Iris farm. We usually go out there and take a look around when they are in bloom. Have not done so yet. I wish I dare ask the neigbour for some of his hehe.

I still think the lavender is my favourite, look at the details.







Not sure what colour one would call this one........bronze or peach?



They are all so pretty. When you go to the Iris Farm and see just how many colours are available it would be most difficult to choose the most beautiful



White?


Yellow is pretty but is it an Iris?....well maybe not traditional but is lovely.


Traditional Purple.......

The one thing I believe has happened with the modern Iris is that it's taller than the old ones and not at all sturdy. The wind just blew them right down. Mine are still standing I am happy to say.
Some of my Dutch Iris were out today



Not sure if that's what they are called but I think that's right.


Plus my own Iris were looking better after the rain last night

Inside a flower

I am working on my photography. I am loving this hobby. To see a flower in the way that you do when you take a picture and blow it up to see all the incredible details.......if one did not believe in God it would convince the most skeptical of people. Such beauty and planning. I will add to this post as I get things done.



Flowers within the flower.



Can you see the Pansy fairy here in the middle of the Pansy face?

Geraniums............

I hear that we can take cuttings from geraniums. I have never tried that. I also know that one can take them out of their pots in winter and keep them. I may try that too. I do know keeping them in the house does not work, nor keeping them in pots in the garage. So.............This Fall I must read up on these things and try it. What have I got to loose. If anyone reads this and has been successful I would love to hear about it.



I love the bright pink ones.



Its very hard to get a true colour in pinks and reds but this is pretty close.



I love this...............to be able to really look at a flower is incredible.


I love it when I can get water drops on the flower. I didn't even see this one when I took the picture.

New Pictures.............

I am experimenting with a new edit program and so I will add to this post as I get some images done............This is a new plant I put in the garden a couple of days ago. I love it, it's an Icelandic Poppy. I think they come in other colours, at least yellow. So I am hoping to find a few more in the hope of them coming up again next year.

Columbine or Grannybonnet..........I do not have much luck with these particular flowers. It's sort of ironic that this beauty is growing on the other side of the fence, still mine but I can't see it unless I go over next door. I must try to get seeds this Fall, so far no luck with them taking.



I have long wanted a water Iris and I found this little treasure when I went to get my fish. I would love some purple ones but we shall see how this goes first. I dont know how long they bloom for. The regular Iris don't last too long really. It seems that in Michigan nothing lasts long. They bloom and are pretty and then they are gone. Not a lot blooms all summer.



I liked this fairy hiding behind the nettles. These are pretty variegated leaves with yellow flowers, I also have some with pale leaves and pink flowers. Not sure of the real names.



My neighbour has some beautiful yellow Iris.......my dad used to call them Flags. Maybe it was a different kind because his all seemed to be blue or purple maybe.



I will post some more pretty flowers another day. Hopefully I will find more interesting things.

Blooming in May...............

Azalea is blooming well and two are almost finished. The one under the pines is about to bloom. I will think about putting in more as they are doing so well. I must find some different colours. It does not do well in tubs so I must find some places to plant them and think I have a couple of places in mind.


The peach one is almost finished


Some days it looks pink but is really a pretty peach. I think I want some shocking pink ones next


Out back the Rhododendron is blooming again. It didn't do a thing last year.



It still doesn't look strong and so I think I must feed it better and cover it in winter so the branches do not break



I bought this pretty basket yesterday for 32.00 the basket itself seemed almost worth that much. Not sure how long the flowers will last but it sure is pretty



The Morning Glory is much happier in my garden. It was not at all happy at the cemetery where it was so hot and dry



I put these in today along with some red ones. As the other one did so well I am hoping that they will all come back next year and thrive.



Here is Tristen waiting for me to come back inside. I love the picture of him looking out the window as it shows the reflection of the garden

New use for old things.................

Do not throw things away until you are sure you can't use them


This old wheel barrow we brought home from my son's house in the U.P. This year I have some white flowers in it, I am just hoping they will grow and fill it up. I may need to put a few Petunias in there to be sure. The next picture is an old berry pail. I have it hanging on a short Shepherds crook.



This old car I got several years ago at a yard sale. It was all rusty and although I had it in the house Tristen was trying to play with it. I didn't think that was a good idea so now its holding some Lemon herb.




This is a part of our chimney that was taken down. Makes a great planter




This old green stool came from our office. We would stand on it to get to the files. Good memories and this year it holds a basket of pansies



This old chair may make it for another year at least. Its really broken down but well, still life in it yet.



A wooden step ladder holds a bird house this year. Some times it will hold flowers.



A wire egg basket holds some ivy for a table decoration. If it gets too dry I will put some moss inside and plant them. Actually I think I will do that anyway as soon as I can get some moss.



I love to look at blogs and get some ideas. I hope someone will enjoy these.

Pretty Butterfly at the beach..........

We went out for the day with Tristen, taking him for a hike and to the beach. I will show more about that in another post. Meanwhile one of the beauties I found was a yellow butterfly. There were several flitting about. Mating I believe. Hmmmmmm. Well this one was a Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly.


They do not seem to be as frightened of people as most do. They certainly got on with business and let me get some close ups.



They will often land on you if you stand still. Most that I have tried to photograph will just fly off when I try to get close. Although I must say the little ones we have had around the garden lately have been kind enough to pose.



A couple of views from Empire beach. It was a hazy day, it often is when it's hot. This is Sleeping Bear Dune


Here is the other direction, Empire Bluffs.


A wonderful place for kids to play, that's for sure. Tristen loves throwing rocks into the water. I am sure all little boys do.



Anyway we all had a pleasant day and I will show more in my Bluebell Woods blog.