Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Summer Sights

Summer goes on. The days are long, hot, and sticky. Garden weeds run rampant in this weather. My main chore this time of year is trying to keep up with those crazy weeds. By the time I circle around all my garden beds, new weeds have already popped up in the first bed. Sometimes I finish one bed, turn my back on it, and when I turn back around, there will suddenly be one large weed sticking its tongue out at me. Okay, that part may be a slight exaggeration. But not much!






My hydrangeas are starting to bloom, as is the hardy hibiscus. These two particular plants please me immensely. Maybe it's the extra large size of their blossoms.





Container gardens often need a refresh by this time of year. I've had to switch out a few plants here and there. But that may be because I was out traveling, and they didn't get the water that they needed. My window boxes start off the year with pansies, but when the pansies start to fade, they are switched out for simple begonias. I have a new appreciation for this common flower. They seem to like this particular spot to grow, and reward me by filling in generously. Or maybe they're getting a boost from the organic fertilizer that I often sprinkle in them. The similar window box style planter, seen here at sunset on the side of the garage gets a little different treatment. It's sunnier and larger, so I do more varied plantings there. I'm pleased with this combination of plants, but did have to fill in a bare spot with petunias recently. I'm not happy at how quickly this planter wilts in the heat, so changes will be made next year. I'm not a fan of doing the garden hose rodeo every day, as you may know.






I also made an adjustment to my wine bottle art, which is a fancy name for my version of a bottle tree. When I installed it two summers ago, I used multi-color bottles. Since then I decided to transition over to the traditional blue bottles, forcing me to change the kind of wine that I usually drink in order to acquire the needed supplies. If you look closely, you'll see that I still need to drink one more blue bottle wine. It's a tough project, but I think I can muddle through...



My favorite annual is the zinnia, because it grows easily from seed and comes in so many varieties. Most people who follow my blog or on Facebook know that my absolute favorite is the Queen Red Lime zinnia. They're a little harder to come by than the others, but worth the trouble to me. I love their muted, antique coloring. They're just starting to bloom here and there. Soon I'll have many, many blooms to share! You see, I've had my best year ever for germination, and I have lots more plants than usual. Can't wait! Along with the Queen, I do like Tequila Lime zinnias a lot too. I also planted some of these two varieties in a pots this year, something I've never done before. I was worried they wouldn't bloom in such a small space, but they sure did.




I also planted a patch of Cut and Come Again zinnias in the vegetable garden, to serve as a cutting garden. Hubby built these wonderful raised beds for the veggies, and we now have additional space out there. That's why I claimed a little real estate for these. I actually did pick a bouquet, but as usual, I like them so much as is that it's hard for me to cut them. As you can see, I squeezed a ton of seeds into a tiny little spot. It looks fabulous, I say!




This time of year is when I see an uptick in the butterflies that visit Robin's Nest. Coincidentally, many of the favorite butterfly flowers come into bloom right about now. Butterflies and hummingbirds are two of my main priorities when gardening. So this is my favorite time of year in the garden!





The baby birds we found in the birdhouse have fledged by now, but I do believe there is another brood in the making. Many bird lovers don't appreciate house sparrows, but I'll leave them alone for now. I think in the winter I'll clean out the box and hope that they don't return next year. I read that they chase away the more desirable birds like bluebirds. The bluebird seen in my May post hasn't been spotted since then, even though I often put out mealworms for him. Needless to say, I'd love to see him again. Goldfinches are another story. I see them often here, and try to keep my finch sock filled with nyjer seeds. But it's hard to keep up with those hungry little guys! The mourning doves have learned to hang out beneath the finch sock in order to pick up any loose seed. Did you know that mourning doves have pink feet? Well, now you do!




And so summer goes in Robin's Nest. Most evenings you'll find me out on the patio with my camera around my neck, hoping to see more summer sights to share with you here.







16 comments:

  1. Everything looks fantastic. You have a button bush! That is so cool.

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    1. My buttonbush was a trial plant from Proven Winners. It's supposed to be a smaller version, but so far, it's gotten pretty big!

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  2. I just love seeing all your flowers and gardens! And now I know that next year I will have to buy the Cut and Come Again zinnias - not the variety I bought this year that didn't grow very tall. I love that lime green succulent pot and all the succulents in it! Did you buy it like that, or did you do this arrangement yourself? I've tried succulents outdoors and it hasn't worked for me. Do you keep these in a particular area - maybe where it doesn't get rain or ??

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    1. I planted that lime green pot myself. It was supposed to be hens and chicks, but there was a blank spot, so I plopped in this purslane, and it was just perfect! It's kept on my patio, in full sun, plus we don't get much rain in the summer. I keep it in the basement over the winter.

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  3. Ok, your planters have to be the coolest I've ever seen. And I envy your photography skills. Oh the zinnias I do miss having them at home but my space is running out. Loving your garden designs .

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    1. Thank you so much Patsi! I do love filling my containers. I usually wander around the garden center with a cart full of goodies, mixing and matching them till it looks right. But sometimes, it's just a happy accident! I know what you mean about running out of room. But when I run out, I just fill another pot. My patio is getting full of pots!

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  4. There is always so much to see in your garden and I am admire your beautiful pots and baskets. I killed mine; too much Miracle Grow. I thought if a little was good, more was better. It wasn't. I though about refreshing them, but it is still bloody hot. Jealous over your collection of hydrangea, another challenge in my garden. And love, love, love zinnias. I planted them again the vegetable garden and they are just starting bloom. Can't wait for the lime greens to show.

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    1. I need to remember the "bloody hot" part of summer when I fill my containers. There's always a few plants that are just too needy in the heat. I'm looking at you cleome!

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  5. Robin, your summer garden is so beautiful! I love the zinnias! And your containers! I have seen some liners advertised that are supposed to prevent pots from drying out so quickly. I have never used those, but next year I may try lining my coir baskets with bubble wrap, with drainage holes poked through the plastic.

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    1. I have an additive that you put in the soil to hold moisture, but do I remember to use it? Noooo

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  6. Hello Robin girl !
    I love the huge variety of plants you have in the garden and in those containers (that really colourful pot has me entranced !) .. the blue bottles are so pretty .. I want to do something like that too but it would take me forever with the wine drinking part (believe me I would try my best ! haha) ..the zinnias are so pretty and that hibiscus really caught my eye .. Summer is getting to be long and way too hot/dry here. I am so lucky to have the sprinkler system .. it has saved the garden and my sanity !
    Your place is looking beautiful !

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    1. I think I am addicted to the colorful Mexican pots, and I find myself constantly adding to my collection. It's easy for me to collect wine bottles. Not only do I love it myself, but we hold a wine party every year at Christmas time!

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  7. Hi Robin, Things are looking great your way! I love your bird bath and blue bottles, and am in awe of your button bush. I have one that I planted 4 years ago. It gets a bit larger each year, and is now close to 5 feet tall, and about 2 or 3 feet wide at the top, but has not bloomed yet. I hope it does next year. Just this spring, I planted another I got from a plant exchange across the street, where I also garden. It is in less sun, and will not get watered as much as the one here. It's doing OK so far, so maybe it will be fine there. I had to laugh about you and the weeds. I kind of do that, too, starting at one spot, then going around until I reach them all, then start again. Thanks for stopping by my Wildflower Wednesday post.

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    1. That particular button bush is a smaller variety, I think it's called Sugar Shack. It was a trial plant from Proven Winners, and while I do like it, it's not really sited well. I'd like it better somewhere that it isn't so squished!

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