For the Ones That Just Keep on Going and Going

I am so thankful for the flowers and plants that just keep blooming and blooming and showing off their colors.  Without these my yard would seem so drab and monotonous.  So here's to:

Coleus!

Joe Pye Weed

Phlox

Begonias

Black-eyed Susans

What's Bloomin' Now

Blooms & Books

The astilbe is blooming.

New day liles at Dan's study window.

Some of the other colors in the perennial garden.

Now to books.

Just finished The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.  What a page turner!  Even though there is a constant shift in the time period, back and forth between pre WWII England, WWII, the 60s and present day, it builds the suspense and mystery.  It's worth reading a second time in the near future despite now knowing how it all comes together.

The last Agatha Christie I read The Sittaford Mystery was not up to the standard you'd expect from her.  Maybe it was the editors who failed to keep the story believable.  For example, there is huge snowstorm at the start of the story such that roads are impassable.  But how is it in less than a week's time characters are taking walks on the moor or sitting at open windows?  I'm still on my quest to read all her books.  I have less than 20 to go.

Finally, I revisited an old childhood favorite The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett.  I took it on vacation to read and enjoyed it.  I think as an adult I had a better idea picturing the garden she finds since now I'm a gardener.

Emily's Peony

I don't know the real name of this peony so like to call it Emily's peony because at our old house it bloomed around the time of Emily's birthday on June 5th.  We have photos of her as a little girl standing next to it.  She is now turning 32 so that was many years ago!

The peony was first planted under a very small maple tree - a volunteer tree - that we moved to the back garden bed.  The tree grew bigger so the peony was moved to the perennial bed that replaced the asparagus bed.

When we sold that house in 2003 I told the new owners I would be back for several of my perennials including the peony once our new house was completed.  We moved in here in November of 2005 and I returned to dig out the perennials in the spring of 2006.

The peony has not bloomed very well here.  This is the first year it has had three blooms.  Last year there were buds that failed to open.  The year before I don't think it had anything.  Hopefully this is the start of its blooming history for many years to come.

Irises

Enjoy this tour of the irises blooming here.

Wordless Wednesday