A Garden of Many Colors

We all know that gardens should be planned. There are many things to consider, form, leaf shape, season of bloom, color theme, etc. I've always tried to keep my garden in shades of yellow, purple and pink. 

Yeah right! Oh I try all right. I swear that I should only use the proper color scheme, but somehow, a rainbow keeps sneaking in. 

Some people call this clown pants gardening. Well, I just call it colorful! 

I think it all started with the butterfly weed. Most of my garden is geared towards attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, so butterfly and other milkweeds were a must. And this one blooms orange. Oh well, I'll just sneak it in, no one will notice. Ha! It's impossible to ignore butterfly weed in bloom. The neon orange is like a traffic light! 

So once summer arrives full force, I just try to embrace my rainbow garden. You have to admit it, it's cheerful! 

I even get colorful visitors that add to my rainbow. 

I do actually have a few mellow spots, with more subtle colors. But this one was accidental. I planted seeds, it came out a soft, blush pink. If it was my choice, I'm sure I would have picked something much brighter! Isn't it supposed to be elegant and classy to have pastels in your garden? Guess I'm just not the type. 

What's funny is that I always swore that I wouldn't use orange in my garden. Guess I was wrong. I'm not sure why I made that statement, because I use orange in my home decor all the time. 

I suppose I need to embrace my many-colored garden. It does make me smile, that's for sure. Every time I turn the corner on another rainbow, I have to stop and take a picture. 

I've always been a fan of anything colorful and bright, so I suppose it was inevitable that I'd end up with a clown pants garden. 

And when I found this rainbow shining down on my yard, I knew I was right. 

June Garden Walk

It's that time of year where we end most days out on the patio. After dinner I take my current book, a glass of iced tea, and my camera, then head out for a little relaxation. Mostly, I'm waiting for Petey the hummingbird to stop by.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I'm rarely disappointed. Most evenings, the hummers circle my house, taking turns eating at the feeders.

Ruby Throated juvenile

Other friends stop by to use the bird bath.

American Robin

House sparrow

I start snapping pictures, and before you know it, I'm the one circling the house!

Tibouchina with Moonshine yarrow

Sedum Angelina with friend

Sedum Angelina in bloom

Foxgloves

My nightly garden walk always starts out as a photo shoot. But then I start checking to see what's blooming, or maybe pulling a weed here and there, or making note of future projects.

Happy Lights hollyhock

Torch lily

Nigella

Clematis Jackmanii superba and Polish Spirit

Snapdragons, lavender, and yarrow

I always stop by to see which roses are in bloom while on my walk. In the past, May seemed to be the month for roses. But the last two winters have been harsh, making the roses slow to return, if they did at all. Between the tough winter and rose rosette disease, I've replaced many. So the rose bushes are small, and slow to bloom.

Chinatown rose with Oranges and Lemons rose in background

Fourth of July rose

Sunny Knockout rose

Zepherine Drouhin rose

Moonshine yarrow with Zepherine Drouhin roses

June is just right for garden walks. Whether it's an inspection tour, a watering expedition, or simply a photo shoot, any day is a good day for strolling through the yard. You never know what you'll see!

Black and Blue salvia

Asclepias tuberosa

Hypertufa trough with succulents