I almost resisted cutting even one... but gave in to the temptation of enjoying these pretties inside. Add some burgundy-pink dahlias and here we are!
The gardenia and hydrangea loved their very cold weather hibernation. They have produced like crazy! The air is thick with the sweet fragrance of gardenias making my evening walk more pleasant.
My weekly habit is to cut 3 hydrangea flowers for the counter where we have our meals. I clip the ends daily and add fresh water to the Mason jar... adds much joy to the kitchen.
One more little posey.. a periwinkle pot filled with dianthus, dusty miller, confederate jasmine, guara, lemon balm, and basil... the perfect touch for my desk!
I always enjoy reading posts about my blog-friends and their pets. I admit... I am envious of these cute creatures that share your world. Unfortunately, no pets at our house, but an abundance of these little critters. So no cute, cuddly ones just these handsome reptiles that help cut down on the bug population. Oh, if they would just eat gnats!
Thanks for the party, Jane. Hope everyone has a great week. Thanks for coming by... stay cool! We are in for mid-nineties today!
Gorgeous hydrangeas! Am so jealous. Our last snow came after the buds were set, so no old-wood-type blooming at all this year. The so-called rebloomers are struggling with a few blossoms, but am hoping that the re-bloomers will come back strong later on. And, this will make us love them all the more next year! Glad you decided to participate in the party this month.
ReplyDeleteHoping your hydrangea rebounds before summer's end! This one usually hangs on until first frost. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteTHAT:S your gardenia? Good God. Every year I get a gardenia topiary and put it in a pot outside my bedroom window. It blooms and smells heavenly but it doesn't bloom like that.
ReplyDeleteI would be jealous but I don't think I could take it any hotter or more humid than it is here today.....
but like webb I lost all my mophead blooms and will ghave to keep fingers crossed for next year.
After viewing all your beautiful flowers I'm thinking maybe further south isntr so bad!
xo J
I know, Jane...it's a killer, isn't it! Received as an end of year gift in 2002 from a sweet kindergartener and his mom. I kept it potted for a couple years and then decided I'd better plant or risk losing it. This year has been phenomenal...pay-off for the extra cold, wet winter! Temps have been high here, but thankfully along with the humidity, it comes and goes. Early and late are outside times! Thanks for the party!
DeleteSusan, such bounty! I really got into Queen Anne's lace last year--watching it in all of its stages. Your gardenias are heavenly--I think I can smell them. I love your hydrangea ritual! And that lizard is darling. Happy summer. xo, Jen
ReplyDeleteJen...we used to have many more areas with Queen Anne's Lace, but don't see as much lately. The seed pods in the mountains were irresistible! A friend who lives a bit further south saw a photo I had on Facebook and offered to send seeds from her pasture. Looking forward to seeing if I can increase my crop! The lizards abound here...these two were very cooperative subjects! The kitchen hydrangeas encouraged me to sketch and watercolor. May try a bit more of that! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteThe gardenia are gorgeous! I may have to add them to my garden. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis one is most special...it was a gift from a kindergarten student many years ago! Give it a try..you will love the fragrance and the pretty flowers!
DeleteDear Susan,
ReplyDeleteI always love the photos of flowers in your house! The hydrangeas in there wonderful blue look terrific, and I have a soft spot for Queen Anne's Lace. When I had my big garden, I was always a bit reluctant to cut too much - so I collected tiny vases... We have no pets either - too much travel, anda big city - but I enjoy the birds (mostly sparrows) who come to drink on our balcony.
Thanks, Britta! I have become hesitant to cut too much...not a problem I had in the past. I think now that I am home all the time I can enjoy them in nature... A benefit of retirement! I love seeing and hearing the birds, too. My husband enjoys chasing away an errant squirrel or two! Thanks for the visit!
Deletewhat a lovely reptile pet ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hydrangeas and gardenias!
Alicia..the lizards are quite happy here in our yard. We find them all over. Some grow quite large and can startle if one only sees the head! Thanks for taking time to visit and comment.
DeleteThey all look so very pretty, I bet you house smells wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes...Confederate Jasmine at my desk and gardenias while watching tv! Appreciate your visit!
DeleteBeautiful! I have some blue hydrangeas bushes as well!
ReplyDelete~Sophia
http://plaidismyfavouritecolour.blogspot.com/
Thanks for dropping in!
DeleteAhhh! That Queen Anne's Lace is so pretty! I love that your plant started with seeds you tossed out. I'm thinking this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship and next year you will have an abundance! Love all your pretty flowers and that little lizard is awesome. We have lots of geckos in Arizona but they are light brown - very different from your bright green guy.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your visit, Deb! Fingers crossed on an abundance of the Quern next summer!
DeleteAt last! Something I can say I have in abundance!What you call Confederate Jasmine grows along the carport, beneath the living room windows where we can smell it.Not blooming now, of course, but when it is I'll be snipping sprigs for bedside tables. And I love your gecko!
ReplyDeleteThe winter was very cruel to the Jasmine...we thought we had lost it. But behold, it's back and looking splendid. The fragrance is lovely. The little critters seem to love us...I spotted these two within 10 steps of each other! Thanks for taking time to visit and comment!
DeleteThanks for dropping by my blog for a visit and leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteI have sown seeds for ami majus, the florist's daintier version of Queen Anne's lace but the stems are very spindly. Two years ago I found a QA lace plant in a field with pink flowers and I was smitten. I marked the location and went back to collect seeds and this will be the first year for blooms. I'm really hoping the flowers will still be pink.
Oh my, Judith, I do hope so too! Please post photos! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteHi Susan! Ooohh...you have one of my favorites on your latest post...Queen Anne's Lace! Your photos are all so very pretty. Thank you for being my newest follower! have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Debby! So happy to have found your blog...Happy weekend!
Delete. . . love your little critter . . . love all your flowers . . .
ReplyDeletewe are in a drought so my garden doesn't get sufficient water to be gorgeous.
Carol...our little fellas can startle unsuspecting visitors, but we are quite used to them! The rain comes and goes here...we often are hoping for that summer thunder shower!
DeleteHi Susan, What a treat to see all your pretty flowers. Nothing smells better to me than gardenias. My late mom loved milk glass, too!
ReplyDeleteThe gardenias have filled the night air with their sweet fragrance! I have a tiny collection of milk glass...I have tried to minimize rather than continue to acquire more, but it is difficult! I do like it and am continually tempted! Thanks for taking time to visit!
DeleteWOW, Susan! You have lots of beautiful flowers. I am particularly jealous of your gardenia! It's absolutely gorgeous! I love Queen Anne's lace too. It's such an elegant and unassuming flower. Have a nice weekend. Christa
ReplyDeleteChrista...I have some...YOU have a lot! ;-) Thanks for the visit and your kind comment! Happy week!
DeleteSusan, your frilly flowers made me smile! Queen Anne's Lace is so very dainty and delicate; I don't think we have such prettiness here on the island. And my goodness, I've never seen such a lush gardenia bush in my life! Have bought two sets for the last two years and only managed to get a few blossoms the first year. I guess they need a wetter climate? Love your little aromatic bouquet; must be such an inspiration in itself!
ReplyDeletePoppy
Poppy...many gardeners consider the Queen a weed! How unfortunate for them! The gardenia is several years old and while it usually has a good many blooms, this year has been extraordinary! It is out in full sun during the hottest part of the day. We do prune it back after blooming season. I am going to miss those fragrant blossoms. Thanks for coming by. Happy Week!
DeleteI enjoyed seeing all of your beautiful flowers, Susan. What a treat it must be to have a fragrant gardenia plant! Also, I like your habit of picking 3 blue hydrangea blooms for your table each week. It's often those little things that make life a bit more lovely.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Karen, thanks for the visit and your kind comment. It is indeed the little things that brighten each day!
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