Pineapple Lilies

When other lilies start to wither in the heat, the Pineapple Lilies look lush. A stand of Eucomis adds drama to the garden.

PINEAPPLE LILIES


There are many types but this is one is one of the largest. It’s tag said ‘Sparkling Burgundy.’
Eucomis grow from large bulbs.


Bumble bees love the blooms. They get totally dusted in pollen as they move from bloom to bloom.

Eucomis


This is a very easy plant. They have thrived anywhere I have placed them, even in pots.

FLOW in the garden

Surprised by a Lily

I have been gone again. I cannot bend to pull weeds, so they are large and numerous.


I almost missed a new lily blooming. This is its first appearance.

Lycoris squamigera


It is a Surprise Lily, Lycoris squamigera.

Glad it is tall enough to be spotted over the weeds!

FLOW is home.

The Junk Bug

I saw this tiny pile of debris trundling along the deck railing.

Junk bug


The trashy pack on its back is made of lichen, leaves and dead bodies.


After it sucks the life-blood out of a victim, it stacks its body parts on its back to use as camouflage.

Junk bug


The messy mass moves along slowly searching for its next meal and fashion accessory.


I have to admit I think they are cute once you get past the extra legs sticking out of its back.

JUNK and FLOW

Spider-to-Fly Will Stay Put

I planted this beauty in a hurry. I did not have time to pick the right spot. It had been out of the ground too long and was a shriveled, brown clump.


I dug a hole by the steps where I could easily watch it and keep it watered. It was a gift from Rumple-Rowe, so I did not know it was a giant. My only thought was to revive it.

Now it is thriving. Spider-to-Fly is a gorgeous, happy giant. It is so close to the steps that I must trim its leaves to prevent tripping. When I walk past it my mind says “Move it!”.

Spider-to-Fly

I woke up sad this morning. As I walked through the foyer and peeked out the door there was a giant daylily full of happy faces looking back at me, bright and big and beautiful.

Spider- to-Fly must stay where it is. I will trim it. I will put in railing on those steps.

It must be close to me so it can help me revive and thrive. That is the power of flowers.

FLOW

Sitting for my Lessons…Again

I have been here a couple of times before. Being inert and immobile is humbling.

My school room is my garden and there are many places for me to sit and learn.

I move from station to station like they are learning centers in kindergarten. I am learning different lessons from different places in my garden.

I have one chair where I sit and let my thoughts wind down until there is nothing left but my breathing and the bird calls. This could be called meditation or vegetation. Either way I do nothing.

I pout in my glider. I cry and wipe my red nose as I comfort myself with the methodical movements. If there is a fire in the sugar kettle, I throw things in and watch them burn.

My perch chair gives me a long view of the garden. Here I sit with pen and paper and make lists of tasks to be done and needed supplies to be ordered.

The butterfly chair is also the Japanese beetle chair right now. This one is used on cold mornings because it gets warmed by the morning sun. In the evening I sit in its western shade.

My garden chair is what I collapse into between bouts of weeding, watering and harvesting. It has two giant zucchini in it right now. Those sneaky zucchini! Morphing to giants the minute my back is turned.

The chair by the front door is where I sit when it rains or snows. I have trouble staying indoors despite the weather. This chair also gets packages from Santazon. I sit in this seat the most . It is my ESCAPE chair.

My high chair is where I drink sangria or wine on ice, regardless of its color. Sometimes I add some fruit and eat it last with my fingers. I do this after I have finished all my chores and have prepared the evening meal. I sit high up and sip to reward my self with moments of watching the water move.

I am learning as I sip and sit. These lessons are so much better for me than flitting around like a gnat on caffeine. I know it is time to slow down. Fast and furious no longer works for me.

FLOW

Love that Tiger

The tigers bloom in late June. Mercy, how I love them! The deer, however, do not.

Tall, uneaten Tigers


The crazy combo of plum and peach is mesmerizing. How can one not love such a pointy, spotty face?

Double Tiger Splendens


I have grown many generations of tigers from saving the bulbetes along the stems.

The little clones are identically spledid…thus the name Tiger Splendens.

FLOW

Just Outside My Door

Every step is painful, but I had to visit the new blooms I saw from the window.
I have lost track of some names in this part of the garden.

No name daylily?
Crimson Shadows daylily


Since I am in no shape to bend down and dig for a marker, we must enjoy some of the faces without the names.

Nowhere to Hide daylily
No Name Spiderlily?
No name giant yellow daylily?


This last photo is of a solar powered fountain that my sister gave me. It is my new toy. The height of the spray depends on the brightness of the sunshine. When a cloud passes over, it spits little spurts of water. I sit in one of my chairs to watch… Old lady entertainment!

FLOW

June Blooms

I feel a bit guilty keeping all these lovely blooms to myself. I am surrounded by living treasure.

Moonlit Masquerade

There are flowers everywhere. All the spring rains have produced a riot of color.

Emperor’s Butterfly
Mabel Nolan

The sun has been bright but with scattered clouds to keep the heat down.

South Seas

I am limiting my walking to necessity only. I am glad I got so much done before my hip quit working.

Yabba Dabba Doo

The daylilies seem to be in competition for the best bloom award. All the fences and lights and sprinkled stench has done the job.

I move from chair to chair and watch the birds, lizards, chipmunks and snakes enjoy the garden. That will be my next post…my chairs and my little friends.

FLOWER