Dear Mrs. Gardener

Dear Mrs. Gardener,

I want to thank you for providing the perfect place to raise a young rabbit once again this year. 

I know that, after you found my fur-lined rabbit hole under the pretty magenta flowers, you must have thought that I would not return again to make my nest. 

On the contrary, experience has taught me to do the unexpected. The dense canopy of scented geranium leaves provides the perfect hiding spot for my tiny babies.

I also must thank you for all the food you so kindly provided. It proved to be the perfect means to give a young rabbit a good start in life. 

The strawberries were simply delicious!

And the parsley truly divine!

My baby bunny's favourite food however has been the violets along the pathway to the back gate. 

Please be so good as to plant more violets again next year!

Yours truly,

Mrs. Brown Bunny

Dear Mrs Brown Bunny, 

Thank you for your kind words. I have always hoped that my garden would be home to lots of wild creatures. I am always happy to see the hummingbirds and bees flitting among the flowers. And I have never begrudged the robins and grey doves any of the berries on my trees.

I didn't even mind when a tiny garter snake took up residence in the front garden (although to tell the truth, I was a bit alarmed when the garter snake decided to swallow a toad whole in plain sight of the front porch). 

I have to say that the jury is out on the groundhog that has taken up residence under the back shed (at least I think it is a groundhog: brown, about the size of a small cat, with a short, dark tail). He seems harmless enough, although we have eyed one another suspiciously a few times now. 

The dogs have yet to discover the groundhog, or for that matter your baby bunny, preferring to spend their afternoons lazing around on the cool ceramic tile in the kitchen.

I can live with leafless violets, although they look as if they have been beheaded. I know they will come back in next year. 

But... 

I didn't get to taste a single strawberry this spring. Not one! Ditto on the swiss chard. They have all disappeared save for one very sorry specimen that looks too bedraggled to even think about eating.

Most heartbreaking was the loss of the beautiful parsley which I nurtured all through the bitterly cold days of this past winter. It was all gone after a few quick afternoon snacks. 

I don't mind sharing. Really I don't. 

All I ask for your dear, sweet little offspring to return the favour!

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Gardener

Late Summer at its most Beautiful (Part 1)

As each summer ages, it mellows and becomes golden. Colors seem to become more vibrant, while ornamental grasses and flowers gone-to-seed become soft, billowy clouds. 

We should all aspire to age so gracefully.

Sneezeweed, Helenium 'Feugo' ( Mariachi Series)

Rudbeckia hirta 'Irish Eyes' (Self-seeding Annual)

Mountain Fleeceflower, Persicaria

Ornamental Oregano, Origanum laevigatum 'Herrenhauser' 

Burnet, Sanguisorbia officinallis 'Red Thunder' (Rosaceae)

Agastache 'Blue Boa'

Agastache 'Blue Boa' in the middle distance

Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia

White flowering Nicotiana

Echinacea

Great Blue Lobelia or Cardinal Flower, Lobelia syphilitica and Lobelia syphilitica 'Alba'

Great Blue Lobelia or Cardinal Flower, Lobelia syphilitica and Lobelia syphilitica 'Alba'

White Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'

Spider Flower, Cleome (Annual) 

Fountain Grass, Pennisetum

These pictures were taken at Edwards Garden and a local area park.

The Garden Mid-August

Daylily, 'Evening Gown'

My garden is one of brilliant sun and pockets of the darkest shade. 

Phlox Paniculata, 'Laura' and Phlox Paniculata 'Eva Cullum'

Phlox Paniculata, 'Laura' and Phlox Paniculata 'Eva Cullum'

Bright Orange Tiger Lilies,  Pink Echinacea, and Yellow Rudbeckia

Orange Helenium autumnale 'Moerheim Beauty'

Fence painting is definitely on the agenda but may not get done until next spring!

Oriental Lily

'Pee Gee' Hydrangea Standard

 Orange Helenium autumnale 'Moerheim Beauty' and Phlox Paniculata, 'Laura'

Just call me the Queen of Cute. The bird hanger is from Walmart (it was black before I painted it) 

and I got the tiny birdhouse at Michaels.

As you enter the back gate you move into shade. Out of the glare of the sun, the temperature drops and the street noises fade. Just inside the gate there is the trickling of the fountain and the cluster of plants in pots I have yet to find a home for. So many things still to do before fall!

Proven Winners Hydrangea 'Quick Fire'

Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium dubium' Little Joe'

At the moment, my favourite plant in the back garden has to be this shorter variety of Joe Pye Weed. I love the way it stretches toward the sun. 

The bees however, aren't as fond of 'Little Joe' as they are of the blue Agastache next door. I watched with admiration as this determined bee struggled to scramble over the uneven surface of the pink flowers.

At the moment, Agastache, 'Blue Fortune' has more bees per square inch than any other flower.

Astilbe- Not sure of the variety

Butterfly Bush, Buddleia, 'Miss Ruby'

 The Milkweed finished flowering and now long, finger-like seedpods have emerged.

Dwarf Hydrangea 'Little Lime' and dark purple Coleus 'Vino'

Another favourite. The dark coleus contrasts beautifully with the light white 

flowers of this dwarf hydrangea.

Phlox paniculata, 'David's Lavender' has a sweet scent.

This will be one of the final weekends of summer. Enjoy!

I am going to link to May Dreams Gardens Garden Blogger's Bloom Day. To see other 

beautiful gardens, please click the link.