“Live your daily life in a way that you never lose yourself. When you are carried away with your worries, fears, cravings, anger, and desire, you run away from yourself and you lose yourself. The practice is always to go back to oneself.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Summer is a perfect time to connect with oneself….connect with the land, connect with friends and family. Many people take vacations and trips, others make sure they visit the beach, spend time in their pool or at their camps and lake houses. But for us, we are home all summer in our garden. Very weedy, poison ivy creeping in (oh boy), critters joining us, and veggies growing for us to partake of all season.
It is where I connect with my inner self….working the land, joined to the soil. The veg garden has been productive, and I will update you in a week or two, but for now I want to show you what has connected me to the other June gardens.
As you may remember, we weeded and edged 2 front beds…the Kidney Garden bloomed with sage, hardy gladioli and thyme blooming still. The lavender is also blooming, and the daylily will flower with Echinacea soon.
The Mailbox Garden has had a succession of blooming plants this spring….already flowered were the early creeping phlox, daff and Muscari bulbs and Aquilegia. Now a purple clematis, lavender, hardy geranium, dwarf Nepeta and Dianthus are blooming, with Echinacea, yarrow or Achillea millefolium, Zinnia and Coreopsis right on their heels.
Let’s move to the Wall Garden. On the other side of the peonies is a different part of this long garden that I’ll show you next month, but for now we’ll just look at the front side.
I have not worked in the Wall Garden to remove the many Monarda and Heliopsis volunteers, but oh it has bloomed beautifully. After the irises and alliums were finished, hardy geranium and Tradescantia were blooming purple in the front of the garden. Peonies, Lamium and volunteer California poppies added their blooms to the mix.
And suddenly blooming in late June, was the Oakleaf hydrangea bush. Last year after our very cold winter, it did not flower, but this year it is overrun with huge blooms in the Wall Garden.
Finally blooming throughout the gardens, in later June, were the roses. This yellow rose was flowering after being moved to make room for the veg beds a couple of years ago.
Various red and pink roses showed up as well. Center is the gorgeous double Red Knockout found in the Wall Garden, with the newly moved Rainbow Knockout (top right). Pink Knockout (lower right) bloomed again near the veg garden, after being moved last year. ‘William Baffin’ (lower left and at the top of the post) was huge again in the back left corner in the back of the Bog Garden where it is dry. Top left is the unnamed red groundcover rose in the Sidewalk Garden.
As we move to the back garden, blocking the gate, was the stunning native Goat’s Beard or Aruncus dioicus. It is flanked by another monster plant, hosta ‘Sum and Substance’.
I love watching the formation of the feathery blooms of Goat’s Beard. It catches both the morning light and the setting sun later in the day.
Here are a few more peony pictures from unnamed plants that grow in the back garden. A feast for my eyes.
Weigelas were blooming beautifully this year. Top right is the variegated bush that still struggled a bit in the front gardens. The rest are pictures from an unnamed, but stunning, pink variety that continues to get bigger near the patio.
And this red Weigela is in the front corner of the back fence on the right. I love how profusely this bush grows and flowers each year.
Another flowering bush that took my breath away was the ‘Blue Muffin’ Viburnum dentatum. Last year half of it was infested with insects that defoliated the bush. This year the huge white flowers could be seen in the black of night. Now they are being stripped of the unripe berries developing, as birds descend on it not waiting until the berries turn blue.
And my native elderberry or Sambucus canadensis is really filling out and full of white blooms. The birds and I are anticipating its deep purple fruit.
As the pond heated up, the native flag irises bloomed with the Tradescantias making a sea of purple around, and in the pond.
The native cattails or Typha latifolia were also taking their place in the pond in June.
And the Common Milkweed are taking over half of the Pond Garden that grows on the hill that surrounds the pond. An incredible display…hoping the monarchs notice it one of these days.
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ has now seeded itself all over the back gardens….popping up and spreading its beauty throughout.. I hope to move some into the White Garden, which is the only spot they are not growing…of course!
Also growing like wild, all over the back gardens, are the Knautia macedonica. They will keep flowering until fall.
And as summer heated up in the last week of June, the yellows and oranges were making a statement….daylilies…
And my cultivated Tansy that behaves itself. It is the only one that has survived near the Arch Garden.
Native Gaillardia were also flowering here and there. These are the seeded volunteers that remain from the originals I planted several years ago. I love the flame colors of their petals. They also flower until fall.
And just in time for the end of the month, the Rudbeckia hirtas, that have seeded themselves, were blooming. I must admit, I am so enamored with this plant. The flowers are all different, and had their start in my meadow several years ago. They have now moved to the outskirts of the pond and patio gardens. I need to divide and dig some and get some back to the meadow.
So that was my June garden. What is growing in your garden as summer begins?
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In A Vase On Monday
I had to cut back the Goat’s Beard, next to the gate, and I thought it would look great in a huge vase I have.
I added some of the Knautias growing wild all over. I love the look, especially when I brought it inside… the light shining through it made it glow.
And of course I had to make up a yellow vase with Heliopsis helianthoides at the bottom, and the larger Rudbeckia hirta at the top.
In between are the native Daisy Fleabane or Erigeron strigosus that grow all over the Pond Garden.
I am joining in with a few memes this week as I prepare these vases: Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful meme, In a Vase on Monday, and Today’s Flowers hosted by Denise@An English Girl Rambles 2016
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Next up on the blog:
Monday, I be showcasing the veg garden unless, I get the front gardens weeded first. Then I will give you a look at these gardens finally without the weeds.
I am linking in with Michelle for her Nature Notes meme at her blog, Rambling Woods. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Monday.
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What a spectacular variety of blooms. And though I have seen Aruncus in
catalogs, they never looks as fantastic as yours! Wow. I had no idea that got so big……….and gorgeous.
I’m not at all familiar with Knautia….does that self sow, or is it a perennial? Very pretty and looks quite dainty.
In the right location Aruncus can get huge….this one has been growing for almost 10 years now. Knautias are a tall perennial and they do seed like crazy. Finches love the seed heads too and help scatter the seeds.
Lots for you to enjoy in your garden, I love te goat’s beard both in the garden and in the vase.
It is such a great plant Christina and I let the flowers dry on the plant for fall vases!
Fabulous show Donna!
Thanks so much Jessica! Late spring does shine in my garden.
I like your Native Gaillardia! Wish I had that flower in my garden. What a beauty. Here lavender is beautiful now. Lathyrus is coming.
Have a good week!
That is a beauty I agree….gaillardias are special. Lavenders in bloom are a favorite of mine too! Enjoy your week.
Your garden is full of wonder Donna. I can see why summer is your time to be home to nurture it and yourself. That’s a beautiful hosta beside the goat’s beard. Your vases are both full of summer itself.
It has amazed me that hosta….one of my favorites. Glad you enjoyed the June garden Susie!
so much to love Donna – not least the Knautia and the Tansy (would look lovely in a vase!) as well as those peonies and the singularly lovely red of that rose at the top- and of course your sunshine (send some UK way)
Yes I must get that Tansy in a vase Laura….I am sending you loads of sunshine and warm weather my friend…we are lucky here in the NE to be getting it this summer…looks like it could be a hot July here!
Why? Why oh why can’t those genius hybridizers come up with continuous blooming peonies? Yours are lovely, and I miss mine already.
Oh I so agree John…I miss mine too…such a short time for them and oh so much beauty!
You have shown some stunning views of your garden today Donna, the Wall Garden in particular. I have never seen Goats Beard as floriferous as that in your first vase and the second vase is so, well CLEAN and neat somehow, like a gingham tablecloth if you see what I mean!
I am quite pleased with the front half of the Wall Garden this year Cathy. The Goat’s Beard just gets bigger and bigger and I love the gingham tablecloth image of the second vase!
Beautiful garden and beautiful vases, you must be so pleased, Donna!
I am Anca…the garden is giving me so many lovely surprises this year.
The Aruncus is one of my favs & has done well in the drought. I’ve been delighted with my Oakleaf hydrangea as well – so glad to see yours – it looks like a double? I’m finding the super cold winters we’ve had seem to cut all the oak leaf(s) to the ground making them form a beautiful thicket. Sometimes Mother Nature knows best.
Thanks so much for sharing your June blossoms – so very lovely.
Barbarapc
I think the Aruncus likes the drier weather Barbara. Actually my Oakleaf is not a double but they are huge flowers this year with the milder winter. I will be interested to see how the others are doing in my garden this year…once I recover them from all the weeds!
Hello Donna, gorgeous views of your gardens and flowers. The vase arrangement is lovely. Gardens are a wonderful way to loose yourself. Great quote. Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!
Hope you had a wonderful 4th Eileen…glad you enjoyed the garden.
You weren’t kidding with your post title – your garden is busting out! What a show! I was wondering what you’d use in your vase as I moved through your post as you have so many options at your disposal. Both this week’s choices are wonderful, although I particularly love the simplicity and cheerfulness of the second vase.
Yes that second vase was an afterthought once the rudbeckia started blooming.
Despite having a colder winter, I think you are a little ahead of me. My rudbeckias have buds but aren’t blooming yet.
I am surprised how strange the blooms are right now Kathy…the rudbeckias were early and other flowers are late or not showing up.
The Aruncus vase is a sight to behold. Very cool.
Thanks Amelia…when I saw those blooms I knew they would make a fab vase.
Oh – tantalising to have all those milkweed flowers … and wait for the monarch!
They are a treat Diana…I actually pull many after they bloom to keep them under control and they come back next year as prolific as ever.
A lovely round up of your June garden, reflected so prettily in your vases Daonna. I love seeing Fleabane being used, and the Knautia is perfect for pepping up the Aruncus! 🙂
I agree Fleabane is not given its due but I hope to feature it in a post in the future. Glad you enjoyed the Aruncus Cathy…I know you have featured it beautifully when it is just beginning to flower, but I missed those lovely blooms for a vase….so I was happy the puffy flowers worked out so well.
Your flowers look glorious. I love the close-up inset of the milkweed. You’re a little ahead of me. My goatsbeard has just started to bloom, and the first of the ‘Happy Returns’ daylily flowers opened last night.
Yes I noticed we are ahead of you Jean as the daylilies are up and flowering all over now…can’t wait to catch up with your garden soon.
Hi Donna, Happy 4th of July! I hope you are having a great day.
I loved seeing all the blooms in your garden. Thanks for the tour! Your collages are works of art, as are your gardens. I also love the view of your peonies with the white fence in the background.
Happy 4th Deb….hope you had a wonderful day today! And thank you for the lovely compliment.
Hi Donna
I love your roses and peonies and oakleaf hydrangeas! The goats beard is so unusual and looks like a lovely a showy backdrop for other flowers.
Happy 4th of July!
Pat
Thanks so much Pat…I hope you had a wonderful 4th!
Stunning Donna! Oh, how I love Goat’s Beard. I had to move mine and since, well it hasn’t quite been the same but it came in better this year – maybe it’s finally adjusting. That Viburnum Muffin is beautiful! I have a fondness for Viburnums. I miss my garden so – not spending enough time out there. I hope soon that will change. Your quote this post really resonated with me. And an Oakleaf Hydrangea! I still miss mine – just too cold here and I didn’t want to cast another with the same fate. The Oakleaf fall show is almost as spectacular as the flowers! I envy. I haven’t seen any Monarchs yet and I have a pretty good patch of Milkweed out front now – not quite as lovely as your pond backdrop. Doing our best to attract and boost those little orange glories, eh?
I bet your Goat’s Beard will grow lusher each year now as it settles in Kathy….and your garden will welcome you each time you come home to it…we can only visit and do what we can as time is stretched especially for you! Hoping we both see some monarchs soon!
How beautiful. The close-ups add so much info. I love the penstemon Husker’s Red and the goat’s beard/knautia vase is fantastic fun and so unusual.
I am so glad you enjoyed the post and vases Allison!
That’s a riot of beauty!
I’m particularly smitten with your goat’s beard and oakleaf hydrangea.
Bravo!!!
Thanks Aaron….I am smitten with them too!
Donna your garden and all those gorgeous plants is absolutely stunning. How hard you must work all year round for it to flourish so beautifully. The mosaics you’ve created showcase them all amazingly well, I do hope we’ll be seeing more of them next month when Mosaic Monday relaunches on my blog Normandy Life.
Wishing you a wonderful summer in your lovely garden.
Thanks Maggie…I am sure I will be participating….
So beautiful, Donna! You have so many plants blooming profusely already! I was away from my garden for a couple of weeks, for various reasons, and now I’m so glad to be back. 🙂
Oh I bet you are and your garden are glad you are back! Enjoy getting acquainted and seeing what is growing now.
Oh your garden is now very alive, i am sure the insects are frolicking there now too. I also love how you make your collage for posting, they are so beautiful.
Yes lots of frolicking insects….I am glad you enjoyed the collages too!
Totally full of eye catching stuff Donna. I kind of like to lose myself working in the garden.
I am pleased you enjoyed your visit Alistair. I can imagine you getting lost in the garden too!
What a wealth of blooms! I am most jealous of the goatsbeard. Mine has yet to bloom after three years but I keep hoping…maybe if I weeded around it more.
Really 3 years…they do take a while to establish…mine is about 7 or 8 years old now. I find they do prefer dry, part shade best….at least mine do.
So nice. Your garden seems to be overflowing with blooms and the photos are beautiful.
The pond must be a lot of fun this time of year, I need to get moving on mine since without rain everything else is looking a bit sad and I need an oasis!
It has been quite dry this year….
This has been a long week and this post was such a wonderful read. I have planted more penstamon, but still need more spring bloomers.. I do love that goats beard, but don’t think I have a place for it. but am going to look…Michelle
Part sun and dry to normal soil conditions….Glad you enjoyed your visit!
I just enjoy to sit here and scroll thru your photos. Love all the colors at yout flower. It would be a dream to walk around and take photos of them all. 😉
Thank you so much for cheering this with us. ♥
Oh how very lovely of you to say so! I am so pleased you enjoyed your visit!