Summer Gardens and a birthday

We've just spent a lovely day with our youngest daughter and her beau (I know this is an old-fashioned word, but I like it better than boyfriend!) visiting for my birthday.

Yes, I turned the big 6-0 today!

And strangely enough, I don't feel any different!

It sounds "old" until one gets there, and then it turns out to be just another number!

It's actually a very nice age, especially when there are grandchildren to enjoy.

They gave me an amazing dish garden full of various sedums, 8 in all.
What a wonderful present!

They graciously let me click away, and even Jasmine humored me. Everyone was very tolerant with me (and my camera) today. There are some advantages to birthdays :)

I thought I'd show you what the gardens are looking like now, after two days of good, soaking rains. We've had such a dry summer...the complete opposite of last years flooding rains, but now the lawn has greened up and the flowers are looking happier.

There are several clumps of the tall red asiatic lilies in the front gardens. They're spectacular and the blooms last for a few weeks. The red Monarda (bee balm) is a favorite of hummingbirds. They like the pastel colors too.

The Gloriosa Daisies (Rudbeckia Hirta), or Black-eyed Susans, spread themselves around freely, and often crowd out my lilies and other perennials. I should move more of them, but they're shallow rooted and don't move well unless it's done early and they're kept very well watered. They provide such a bright, colorful, long-lasting show that I hate to disturb many of them, and this spring I didn't have time to move anything much around.

The fence garden is looking pretty this year. I like those hot pink petunias.

The lovely daylilies are blooming!

This one is Persian Market

This is the same creamy yellow lily as the one in the photo with the Persian Market. I've divided it into several clumps. I don't know its name. It's an oldie that I've had for about 16 years. I planted 3 back then and apparently didn't make a note of the names.

Also blooming in this garden are Cerise Queen Achillea (Yarrow), Shasta Daisies, and more Gloriosas.

Here's the same lily closer.

There's a lot more to show you, but this is enough for now. It's late and time for bed.

I hope you're all enjoying the weekend. We had lovely sunshine today after the two days of welcome rain.

Many thanks to those who popped over from Pea's to leave happy birthday wishes. And thankyou Sweet Pea for the birthday greeting :)