This is a rose held in the opening blue sky on a cool Autumn day. From a vantage point below the flower and above the ground, there are thoughts of knowing an insect's perception, tracking clouds in a daydream, and being enlivened by contrasts of rich, natural color.
Garden: Double Red Ivy Geranium
This double red geranium is eye catching with its very red color. I raise geraniums and have for several years. Mostly they are planted in pots on terraces which grace our patio.
This is a guide about growing sweet William. Sweet William is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and reseeds. These pretty biennials add color and a sweet fragrance to your flower garden.
While walking the paths of Shore Acres State Park with my husband, I spotted this extremely bright flower among green foliage within a beautiful flower bed. I had never seen such an orange flower before!
Garden: Geranium (Salmon Queen)
Salmon Queen was one of the very first geraniums that I planted. It has done very well over the years. I have posted photos of them to my flower web page in the past, and it continues to be one of my very favorite of my geraniums.
This vinca is a volunteer in my front flower bed. I just love how cheery and hardy these plants are. There are several that have come up next to other plants where landscape cloth has been cut.
As a special gift to me each summer, my husband plants Mammoth sunflowers, my favorite variety, and a few new varieties so that I can see them from my kitchen window.
Making Your Cut Flowers Last Longer
This is a guide about making your cut flowers last longer. Having fresh cut flowers in your home or at your desk is a great way to decorate and add cheer as well. The longer the flowers last, the more you and everyone else get to enjoy them.
I just love this photo. It seemed to have a certain elegance to it with the purple, although unfortunately, I do not know what kind it is. I hope you love these beautiful perfect purple blooms as much as I do.
Scenery: Pink Coastal Blossoms
Hiking the trails above Sunset Beach is always a relaxing and peaceful event. On this particular journey, my husband and I decided to cut across a broad picnic area that they have cleared out above the beach among some trails.
This is a night blooming cactus. The hummingbirds and bees love it and they were on it last night.
Garden: Pink Tube Blossom (Shore Acres State Park, OR)
I thought this blossom was incredibly unique! I love the way the petals are more like tubes than anything else. And, being as pink is my favorite color, it could easily become one of my favorite flowers!
These are blooming along my property line. This was an early morning picture with the sun somewhat low for lighting. I hope you can see the bee on the right central part of the picture.
Garden: Thor Olga (Christmas Cactus)
Thor Olga is one of the first Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) that I obtained. It always is so attractive with its red and white colors against the green of the foliage of the plant itself.
Garden: Angel Trumpet at Night
When I turned on the porch light one evening this gorgeous Angel Trumpet bloom caught my attention. It was even more spectacular at night than it was during the daytime.
Garden: Yellow-Tipped Pink Rose (Shore Acres State Park, OR)
I absolutely love rose gardens. Here, there were yellow roses with pink highlights that I believe were just incredible!
This lone petunia just keeps on going. It came up in a pot I have on my potting bench and it is amazing. A spindly plant, but the flowers are are so beautiful. And as you can see as they get older they change their color tone.
I planted some Sweet William from seeds and love it! Do these plants reseed themselves but the plant dies (like a marigold) or does the plant survive and you just cut it back (like a daisy). Thanks so much!
A friend once called this bloom, 'Angel Wings.' The blooms will soon be opening in large numbers. Photographed with a digital camera in the morning under the patio cover.
This is a beautiful red rose, my favorites like a lot of people's. I walked through my neighborhood and came across this picture perfect rose, just this one, in my neighbor's garden.
How To Make Watering Hanging Baskets Less of a Chore
One of the most critical parts of caring for hanging baskets is to make sure the soil mix never dries out. Here are a few simple tips to make watering hanging baskets less of a chore.
Tips for Low Maintenance Flower Gardening
Imagine endless garden beds filled with beautiful fragrant flowers that come up effortlessly year after year without any help from you. While it might not be realistic to dream for zero maintenance, a low-maintenance flower garden can be a dream come true.
Peonies are a favorite of many gardeners. Here are some tips for planting and growing them.
Scenery: Crocus In Snow (Oregon)
We had a late snowstorm last week. We didn't get a ton of snow but it was enough to cancel school for the kids. My husband took some photos in the morning. I thought this one turned out particularly well.
