Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Pink and White Delight

Thanks so much to all of you who left comforting words on the loss of my dad. I appreciate each and every one of you. It never ceases to amaze me that this blogging community is so full of wonderful, caring people from all over this big, wide world. It warms my heart.

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I've begun this post several times, but one thing or another has kept me from finishing it. Finally, tonight, I'm going to get it finished...by hook, or by crook!

The Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra) began blooming in very early May, and are still showing a few blooms more than half way through June. This plant liberally sows seeds so that I end up with new plants each spring to move around and give away to friends. It's high on my list of favorites.
It hangs so gracefully, and has delicate heart-shaped flowers dangling from each stem in this wonderful rosy-pink shade.
And speaking of shade, it will grow in a shady spot, as well as in sun.


I've enjoyed this garden on the driveway side of our front porch more this spring than any preceding year. It's been absolutely gorgeous, and I've taken so many photos of it that I decided it needed a post of its own, even though I'm so far behind with my posts, and have so many other flowers to show you.

We've seen the lilacs bloom and the Oriental poppies, iris in several colors, columbines, Pansies, and many others, and the peonies are blooming gloriously now.
I plan to post photos of them all as soon as time allows.

The cats are never far away when I'm working in the gardens. Here's Toby keeping me company.

There were blue and white forget-me-nots sprinkled throughout the garden, entirely self-sown.
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And this dainty Arabis (Rockcress) which is a perennial. You can see it between the bushes in the second photo.

This bush, which sits next to the porch steps, is the original plant, given to me by my husband's sister about 16 or 17 years ago. It has certainly multiplied well over the years.

This lovely dark purple pansy came back from last summer, and the Johnny-jump-ups are always willing volunteers. I've just (regretfully) pulled some out today to make room for some marigolds and ageratum.
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I love the tiny forget-me-not flowers. They sow themselves every year with very little help from me. I occasionally move some around to fill in a space.

Such a lovely shade of blue!

They were spread all around the front of the porch, and filled the entire garden on the other side. It's a small area that I plant with impatiens because it's shaded by the big maple tree, so it makes a great spot for the Forget-me-nots to fill in during the early spring.
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This white Bleeding Heart blooms later than the pink, and isn't such a vigorous grower, although this spring it has grown larger than ever before.

It doesn't spread as easily either, but I did end up with one new plant from it this year...it's the first time that's happened.

Chives and Snow-on-the-mountain grow next to it, with a dark colored columbine in the corner by the porch. Posted by Picasa

This pretty heuchera (Coral Bells) grows next to one of the pink Bleeding Hearts. There were several others but they got buried underneath the bushes as they grew bigger, so today I dug them up and will plant them somewhere else.

Finnegan is where he's not supposed to be, as usual. He loves to hide in the "jungle" :)

The columbine sows itself all over too, and often has to be moved or thinned and thrown on the compost heap.

The little English daisies bloom very early and are pretty reliable about coming back each year, and sowing themselves, if I'm lucky. Posted by Picasa

Murphy is sharpening his claws while Finn looks on. These two spend a lot of time entertaining each other, when they're not sleeping :)

This has been an eventful week, but I'll have to tell you about it next time because it's past my bedtime, and I must get up early for work tomorrow. Only 2 more days of school left before summer vacation. I can't wait to have more hours to work in the gardens!

37 comments:

Terri said...[Reply]

What a lovely garden you have! I will save this post and look for these flowers to plant at our new house.

I hadn't heard about your dad. I am very sorry for your loss.
God bless!

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri...

My heartfelt sympathy. I know the grief you are suffering, May the wonderful memories you have of Dad, be as a cushion in your grief.

I’m sorry I haven’t been over for a while. Where does the time go too! Weeks speed by so quickly with never enough done.

I’ve enjoyed reading your post, seeing the flowers you have in your garden and of course, not least, your lovely kitties. They are adorable.

Enjoy your summer vacation. Hugs - Marion

Val said...[Reply]

Ah Kerri, I remember when I posted photos of forget-me-nots you commented that they were a tiny favourite of yours. I love the shape and colours of dicentra, but it never survives more than a year (disappears somewhen during the winter). Great photo of Finnegan in the jungle!

Lis vom Lindenhof said...[Reply]

Wonderful photography of beautiful blooms!

Cris said...[Reply]

Kerri, your flowers are gorgeous and you have been teaching me so much about them, it's a good thing, soon (in about 1 1/2 year) we plan to move to our house and leave the condo. Oh, the bleeding hearts, I thought they were big, because everyone shows pictures of them so big, so now with your pictures it gave me a clear idea of what they are really like. Murphy and Finn are soo cute. I hope you have a great weekend. Take care. xoxox

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

The picture with the pansys and johney jump-ups is lovely. The cat pictures take the prize though. I have hard time getting good pictures of my cats. I need to practice more!

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...[Reply]

Oh what a beautiful place....i can keep looking at the pictures.......and i saw the bleeding hearts for the first time in real when i was visiting Mackinac Islands last week....
thanx for sharing your beautiful garden with us . Its a delightful li'l place ..and enjoy the summer vacations :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Gorgeous flowers and I love them all and have many of the same ones. I like how you have them arranged too.
My silly cat is an indoor cat and just freaked out (major) at the garden hose! I guess he thought it was a huge python.
I too express my sympathy about your dad.

Carole Burant said...[Reply]

Hello dear Kerri:-)

Your flowers are so gorgeous...I also have some pink bleeding heart plants and I agree with you, they sure do grow well! I had never seen white ones, though, so I was quite fascinated with the pictures of them!! I just love your tiny forget-me-nots! The kitties seem to be enjoying themselves:-) Take care my friend and here's to summer vacation!! xoxo

Alice said...[Reply]

It's almost too much delight. When my garden is looking as it usually does on the shortest day of the year, your photos do my heart good.

You know how much I love Dicentra, especially the pink one. Everything looks so fresh, bright and lush.

Yes, it is too much ..... I'm putting on my gardening clothes right now and I should be there by the time school breaks up for summer vacation. Then we'll be able to get into the weeding and a few cuppas ..... should I bring my own tea, or do you drink tea as well as coffee?

OldRoses said...[Reply]

Bleeding Heart is one of my favorite flowers but I've never had one reproduce. Perhaps because I have only ever planted one. I guess you need at least two for seeds.

Susie said...[Reply]

I love those hyacinths, Kerri. I imagine they smell wonderful! Finn looks so "innocent" How can he be accused of any kitty misdoings?
Jasmine looks like she's having fun too!
Your garden is just sheer delight..
((hugs))

LindaD said...[Reply]

Your pictures are a trip down memory lane. So many of those don't tolerate Florida hot nights. Its like gentle rain after long dry hot days.. I am so happy you love to grow them and take pictures to share..
Linda

Midlife Mom said...[Reply]

Your flowers are lovely!! I enjoyed every picture of them. I have some of them but never have had a white bleeding heart, so pretty. I'll have to check at the nursery to see if they have any. Mine are pretty well gone by now and starting to look like they are dying back. I will cut them back when they really get brown looking. You have a green thumb for sure and I love the shots of your kitties! Noodles was out 'helping' me yesterday leaping and jumping in the holes I was digging to plant annuals. He thought it was great fun! I have a patch of catnip that the cats love to wrestle and play in. Enjoy your summer vacation and do lots more gardening!

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

It has been a very pretty spring. The two bleeding hearts that I planted last year still have a couple of blooms and my columbine is huge. We've been adopted by a stray again this year and he loves to be in the garden. I hope you came through the recent storms OK. Summer vacation is finally here!

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

Your Bleeding Hearts are absolutely gorgeous. I have some too but mine look sickly compaired to yours. I have the white ones too, also called Dutchman's Breeches. They do resemble them too.
Your gardens are so neat and well cared for. I wish mine were.

Sharon said...[Reply]

I would love to walk with you through your beautiful garden. I did walk with you through your camera and your wonderful eye for pictures.

Pear tree cottage! said...[Reply]

O! summer gardens!! wonderful Kerri just wonderful. I again look forward to summer now, after seeing your lovely photos all of them the pinks and white and especially the forget-me-not blues.

Think of me sitting here house all pulled apart! cold winds rushing in.....me sitting in thickest jumper tapping at the keyboard here......Have I won your sympathy yet? lol lol lol lol

all fun aside the photos of summer on your farm are so lovely.
Lee-ann

HORIZON said...[Reply]

I so enjoy the way you talk us around your favourite bits of the garden Kerri- wish l lived closer to go for a walk beside you and see it all.
I have a few plants that l wish would spread around the garden and those that l wish would not; some gardens are just not big enough.
It is nice to come across someone who shares a love of the garden and flowers- l think l bore the socks off my family at times-lol.
Looking forward to hearing more from you during the summer holidays and seeing your beautiful plants. Now you have put me in the mood for posting on how my garden is growing over here ;)
Hugs and bests dear friend. Keep strong - l know this is a hard time for you. ((Kerri))
Ps- l love your cat’s name by the way- Finnegan! It made me smile.

Tammy said...[Reply]

I enjoy seeing all of your pretty flowers and the sweet kitties peaking out at me!!
:)

Tabor said...[Reply]

I also love forget-me-nots. they are like little kittens open faced for attention. I never had luck with bleeding hearts though.

Nabeel said...[Reply]

pretty flowers give a summer feeling :) i loved the last picture cute cute cats .. what were they trying to grab? a bird may be ..

CountryGirl said...[Reply]

You garden is so beautiful, I am enjoying watching the transition from early spring to summer. I can't wait to see what else you have that will be blooming soon. I love when my cats follow me around the garden. The shots you include of yours always make me smile.

LostRoses said...[Reply]

Gosh, I wish I had bleeding hearts like yours! And mine have certainly never reproduced. I think I'd better buy some more. Your post inspires me!

Sigrun said...[Reply]

I'm always looking with big eyes, how much place and which wonderful plants you have in your garden! I need a bigger garden, grrr.

Sigrun

Susan Tidwell said...[Reply]

A visit to your garden is so refreshing! One can feel the peace and quiet of the countryside. The bleeding hearts are exquisite! And speaking of bleeding hearts, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Did you travel to Australia? My thoughts are with you in this difficult time. I hope you can find comfort in your beautiful garden.

~susan
~patchwork reflections
~memories in a jar

Diana LaMarre said...[Reply]

Kerri,
What a beautiful pastel border. I have never seen such large bleeding hearts. I tried to grow one before and it lasted only a couple of years. It never got nearly as big.

I love the blue color of the forget me nots, too. I didn’t seem to have as many of those this year. I must have pulled most of them out last year before they seeded. Sometimes they are a nuisance, but I miss them when they aren’t here in the spring.

Have a great week!

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

My comment must echo Linda's, because the wonderful bleeding hearts and forget-me-nots are also a walk down memory lane, reminding me of my Illinois garden.

What a pleasure, Kerri, to see your established garden with such wonderful spaces and sweeps of color. It's just lovely.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I bought my first bleeding heart this spring. I really hope that it will grow and give seeds to many more.

JunieRose2005 said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri,

I haven't been here for awhile.

First let me say I was sorry for your loss of your dad.


The pictures of your Bleeding Heart plants are just beautiful and so are the other flowers. I have just one Bleeding Heart and it's the white with the red center. Your pink one is beautiful- and such a lot of blooms!!

Your cats are very pretty and look like they have a great time there, among your flowers!


Junie

TUFFENUF said...[Reply]

Kerri, My thoughts are with you on the passing of your Dad. I hope you can take comfort in your memories of his long life. Thanks for the lovely garden photos (I still think you should make a calendar) You inspire me to work on my garden that is so painfully neglected!

Kati said...[Reply]

Kerri, I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. What is there to say?

Your lovely old-fashioned flowers bring back every comforting memory of gardens that I have loved, especially the forget-me-nots.

Lori said...[Reply]

Just beautiful!

Val said...[Reply]

The dicentra look beautiful, we're always looking for flowering plants that can go into shade. Forget me nots are also favorites of mine, although they can get out of hand!

Judypatooote said...[Reply]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad Kerri...I have been slacking in checking on my blogging friends...I love your bleeding hearts pictures....this may be late, but my thought and prayers are with you.....

Judypatooote said...[Reply]

It's me again...gosh, I was just looking at the wedding pictures and was going to leave a comment and seen that I already did leave one...... oh how painful to get old and forgetful.....

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Your photos are absolutely beautiful and inspiring! I'm enjoying perusing your wonderful blog.