There are a few hardy violas braving the freezing temperatures. This morning they only had some leaves falling on them but by afternoon those cold snowflakes were falling again.
Hardy Flower
Picture of the Day for September 7, 2017
The deer have grazed off my hollyhocks several times this summer but a few escaped the munching and have been blooming for several weeks.
Pink Hollyhock
Picture of the Day for August 16, 2017
The flowers were watered both morning and evening by the falling rain but they were able to catch a glimpse of the sun midday.
Pretty Pink Phlox
Picture of the Day for July 13, 2017
Summertime, in the middle of July, brings a variety of lilies in an array of colors across yards and road ditches.
Colorful Lily
Picture of the Day for June 30, 2017
The lilies and other flowers had some sunshine today before getting another bath from heavy rain, but at least it wasn’t hail.
End of June Lily
Picture of the Day for June 26, 2017
Since lupines prefer sandy soils, I don’t have any growing in my heavy clay soil, so it is a treat for me to see road ditches filled with the colorful display. Large-leaved Lupine is native to the Western US as well as a popular cultivar introduced by gardeners in the Midwest and has become invasive in areas. The Wild Lupine, found in the Eastern US is the only host plant for the Karner Blue butterfly caterpillar. Habitat loss has led to the decline in plants, and put the Karner Blue on the endangered species list.
Lovely Lupines
Picture of the Day for June 14, 2017
Besides the native irises in the water, this planted iris was lucky that it was later in shooting up and missed the deer munching like the other earlier irises which were all nipped off. So there was a little blue waving on flag day.
A Lucky Iris
Picture of the Day for June 5, 2017
I must have a deer that is attracted to yellow since earlier this spring, I had lost a yellow daffodil. It wasn’t eaten, just beheaded instead. And now my yellow and maroon irises are being eaten – which is the first time I have noticed that they have bothered with irises.
Missing Irises
Picture of the Day for May 30, 2017
Among the rainy days, hints of late spring and early summer are still trying to emerge from the gray and display some color in the yard.
Splash of Color
Picture of the Day for April 15, 2017
The wildflowers may be slow in emerging this spring, but other bulb plants are providing some spring color like the blue from the Siberian Squill, which has become an invasive species in the area.
Siberian Squill
