Oh Look! Pretties....

Every time I pull up my driveway, I'm greeted by a colorful array of flowers and the water feature spraying water into the air.  It makes my heart happy.

Some say buying a premade pot of flowers and replanting is less expensive than buying young plants and making your own planters.  

I disagree.  There is no way I could fill all of my planters at the same cost as premade pots.

The flowers and plants are growing so abundantly!

I bought two of these planters over 20 years ago. They are about 24" wide.  The pots look like concrete which I really like the look of.

Here's how the plants started out this year:

My stair step plant stand has the look of wrought iron.  What's interesting about it is it folds almost flat for storage.  I usually end up putting "leftover" plants in the pots.  It still makes a pretty display, though.  Here's what the plants looked like a month after planting them.

And now....

The tower planter is developing cracks from years of use, but I'm hoping if I baby it along I can use it for a few more years.  It's another of my favorites.

From this....

to this...

It fits perfectly in a small alcove next to the door.

The planters hanging on the front porch railing have filled out nicely.

The mums I planted last year have teeny tiny baby buds on them.  I can't wait to see all the blooms this fall.

 

Several of the perennials are done blooming. They sure were pretty while they showed their floral beauty.

I didn't learn until this year, these flowers are called Star of Bethlehem.  Some say it's invasive, but they have been in the same edge of my yard and haven't spread anywhere else.

I planted a clematis to intertwine amongst the roses on the chain link fence.  This first year, it only produced 4-5 blooms.

I'm sure I've told this story before.  For those who don't know, my Dad (RIP) gave me one spotted tiger lily plant many, many years ago.  He told me one is all I need because it produces seeds and will grow more.

He was right.  I can see him tapping the side of his forehead with his finger saying, "Old Dad knows."

Are you tired of seeing flowers yet?  😁

I was disappointed only two out of eight strawberry roots I planted grew.  

I didn't get a chance to built a raised bed this year, I planted them in pots and will overwinter them in the garage.

I bought a Herb Rocket from Dollar Tree earlier this spring.  I didn't get around to planting it until June.  It's growing up nicely.  Not sure what I'm going to do with so much Basil.  Suggestions?

Many tell me I have a green thumb.

Definition of 'green thumb':

phrase

[US] If someone has a green thumb, they are very good at gardening and their plants grow well.

Since the above is true, I guess I do!  Both my parents grew vegetable gardens, flowers, and plants.  My Dad encouraged me at a young age, probably 7 or 8 years old, to plant a garden. He tilled up a small plot in the yard and saved me some seeds while he planted his garden.  

Actually, I think it was even earlier than that...  through osmosis.

If my Mom were still with us, she would be so excited to see my flowers.  She LOVED plants and flowers.

 

Until Next Time,