The beautiful Iris

Velvety red Roses & Dragonflies

Our first rose bloomed! A rich velvet red with white petal backs. Looks like paper backed velveteen.

A red hot dragonfly perched on a Rose bud next to my chair, as I drank a cup of coffee in the rose/herb garden this morning.


Sorry they are so blurry, I'm sure I was too excited to capture this moment.

The sedum will definitely survive being accosted by the racoon...I like the tulip leaves turning pink.

The apricot Iris bloomed.













The world's tiniest Astilbe! I love that it put out one set of leaves & a tiny bloom! This is where you start when you buy half price bulbs already leafing out in their bags from a hardware store...long after they should have been in the ground. I have high hopes for next year.

There are spiky dark purple blooms in front here, that haven't opened yet...I assumed it's some kind of Iris. Any day now...


Front porch plantings of Sweet Pea and Nasturtiums. A couple weeks should have them sprouted & climbing.



A happy maiden hair fern.

Another look at the front yard.

Destruction!

I came across this mess of sedum this morning.

A racoon is likely afoot!

Torn up from the middle & scattered about. I love a wild animal & wish I could have watched for the shock & awe of a beloved sedum being enjoyed with such abandon.

So I mended it as best I could, lined them up on the soil & buried their tips.

Now I will hopefully now have another sedum growing, here.

A Pacific Northwest Paradise

Today I walked a lush, fragrant, sumptious garden I used to visit as a child. The first place I tasted a cherry tomato right off the vine, and rode a zip line through tall maple trees! This garden was created by Sharon and Mike, my neighbors from my childhood home. The garden stands within a beautiful forest, with fountains, handblown glass ornaments and plants I've never seen or heard of before. What an amazing tour. I hope you enjoy this glimpse at their labor of love for the past 35+ years.

The Deciduous Azaleas were stunning. I'm converted.

See what I mean?

They planted and pruned this tree. It's incredible.

There is mystery through here...

This Hosta came from my great grandmother's garden, transplanted to my grandmother's garden, then to my mom's garden and finally, here it thrives in Sharon's garden.


A nice bent twig fence.

Carpets of blossoms.






















Twisted, cracked tree trunks stand eight feet tall. A perfect foil for delicate foliage.










At the heart of the forested garden is a sunny clearing with Azaleas, Lilies, grasses, vines and much more...

It's such a surprise to step into this part of the garden.












A twisted branch from a walking stick tree pruning will now be the trelis for a Clematis Vine.









The dahlia garden in the distance.

A fragrant single petaled Peony.

A sunny Rose garden including three knock-out roses, sedums, rhubarb stepping stones, heathers, a water fountain and more.










Scrutinizing Hydrangea buds for wedding flower candidates!





Trespassers will be composted.

They make a gorgeous mulch here. I have mulch envy!

And possibly the best part saved for last: A worm bin!