For years now I’ve had a little saying that I start repeating every February in the hopes that it will come true. It goes like this:
“This is the year. I feel it in my bones. This is the year that my garden is going to be beautiful.”
Most of the fun is in the saying and the imagining, and it’s a good thing because otherwise I would have given up years ago. But this year it came true. It really is THE year. The year of the garden. The year of MY garden.
All those perennials I’ve planted in the past nine years have finally come into their own. They’ve made up their mind to stick around, and I couldn’t be happier.
Some of the valerian is taller than me, and in the evenings and early mornings fills the air with a sweet scent.
The purple clematis was breathtaking this year after leading me to believe that last summer it was giving up. It looks so natural and rustic on the obelisk my boys built from old branches. I really like natural and rustic.
My double pink columbine will always be a favourite, so old-fashioned and dainty.
The lavender is just about to burst into bloom, and when the Lilies of the Valley were at their peak, I loved to sit out there and breath in their perfect scent. Lavender and Lily of the Valley are two of my most favourites. (I have a lot of favourites.)
The cherry pink weigela survived being jumped on when it was hidden beneath a tempting snowbank.
My hostas are gorgeous and lush. When I was a beginner gardener, I couldn’t believe that anyone would want a plant that only had its leaves to offer. Now I wish I had room for a hosta collection! I want every one from the ginormous Sum and Substance to teeny tiny Teaspoon.
My generous husband (who does not enjoy gardening in any way shape or form) helped my brother-in-law build me some raised beds with some reclaimed Freecycle lumber, subsidized the purchasing of topsoil (not to mention bark mulch for all the flower beds) and did all the heavy labour. I have long wanted raised beds, and am enjoying a try at Square Foot Gardening. One bed is planted with only corn. We’ll have a big cornboil in August; can’t you just taste that fresh corn, steamed to perfection and slathered in butter?
Oh yes. I’m loving my garden this year.
Weigela, columbine and clematis in bloom
Double columbine
Lily of the Valley
Bright green astilbe beside cherry pink weigela
I want some of everything! It looks great. And to all of you who don’t live around here, I was there today and it really does look so cozy. :0)
can you please have the corn boil before we move?! i do love a good corn boil. and i was just telling jonathan this morning that someday i want a garden as pretty as yours! i don’t even know where to start, but i want one.
Very beautiful! Your back yard does look so full and cozy. Are you for hire??? π
Shannon, you are welcome to whatever can be divided. I’ll remember that when I’m weeding.
Erin, we are hoping the corn will be ready when you guys are here to pack up your stuff so we can have a big family do before you go.
Jenn, thank you and nope. π
That’s ok, I could only pay you in buttons or peanuts anyway π
It looks very pretty. I think I’ll do more perennials when we move to our new place. You and God make a good team when it comes to growing flowers!