I've been wandering around my yard all this week, taking inventory and making mental lists of all there is to do. And, as always, there's a LOT. Many plants have jumped their beds and are growing in new and unexpected places, like the "moonshine" yellow yarrow. This is a great plant. It's a hardy perennial that grows easily, blooms from late spring through fall requiring very little attention, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies--which is a big plus in my book. The foliage is gray-green and fern-like. Very pretty. The flowers are excellent cut or dried and hold their brilliant color, turning slightly more golden with age. I add them to fall flower arrangements with a few sprigs of dried lavender.
What's growing behind it is Sunchoke (aka Jerusalem artichoke). A friend gave us a few tubers and for lack of a better place to put them, they were planted here temporarily --but they've been here a few seasons already. They really need a place to call their own, so this task has also been added to my garden to-do list. This plant is native to North America and easy to grow. It's related to the sunflower and has similar type blooms. Besides the beautiful tall flowers, its tubers are edible and provide many health benefits. If you like, you can read more about them here.
The smaller leafed shrub that has filled in around these is everywhere now. It's gorgeous (at times) but just keeps spreading and popping up in unwanted places. Time to get ruthless with it, I guess.
Here's another one that takes over. Not the chives, the 'silver mound artemisia'. It started out so small and innocent looking. It really needs a hillside--on the far side. I want to plant onions here now.
As I made my way around to the backside of the house I began to discover what nine months of rain and cold weather has left behind, and what the soft breath of warm weather has brought back to life and how eventually, long-forgotten hanging baskets can go missing. If it wasn't for the tall hangers on these I might never have found them. Yikes.
Time to get busy . . .have a great weekend!
Very pretty. I love it when everything is blooming!
xo, Cheryl
Posted by: Whosyergurl | June 17, 2011 at 01:26 PM
It all looks nice while it's waiting for you to get busy. What a lot of work ahead! For that reason alone, I'd plant the onions on the far side. :D
Posted by: Vee | June 17, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Love your yarrow!!! I wonder why I have trouble growing it? I had had some in my garden (in Michigan)and it didn't come back this year!!! It was in a lot of shade, maybe that was the reason......? Anyways, your flowers look wonderful!
Hugs from Michigan - Diane
Posted by: Diane (Vruwink) Carlson | June 18, 2011 at 10:40 PM
My flowerbeds also need a lot of work! I just pulled lots of milkweed out of my main bed. My bachelor buttons are EVERYWHERE! It's amazing that after only a few seasons things can get so crazy. My brother just gave me Jerusalem artichoke and I planted it near the driveway. It can take over if it wants!
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 19, 2011 at 04:53 AM