Saturday, July 21, 2007

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 :) Posted by Picasa

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. Posted by Picasa

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. Posted by Picasa
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 :)

33 comments:

Alice said...[Reply]

Right! That's it! I warned you about posting more flower photos ................!!!!!!

But I'm glad you had such a wonderful birthday. The weather looked fantastic, and you don't look tooooo bad for your age, either ....... lol.

Love, hugs and best wishes always to my dear, dear friend.

Val said...[Reply]

Beautiful flowers! Especially the red monarda (I must look that one up) We have had so much rain here in the UK that it is unbelievable, I believe an obstinate jet stream is the reason! Luckily we havent seen floods down here...yet!

Welcome to being 60 - it happened to me in May and I must say I felt quite liberated. As if I had done my duty to life by bringing up my two girls and doing plenty of community things to help people. A bit of self indulgence feels easier these days for me!

Many congratulations, and you look nowhere near your age! xx

Val said...[Reply]

Kerri, happy birthday, dear lady. You will find your 60s very rewarding.

Motherkitty said...[Reply]

Hi, Kerri, and a very, very happy birthday to you. Yes, you will find that the 60s are more rewarding than previous decades. You are freer to do what you will and no one will question you because you are now amongst the "older" generation. So, go ahead and wear a red hat with a purple dress, go barefooted, eat all the ice cream you want, and be happy.

I must say your flowers are more beautiful than any I have seen. All your hard work is very evident. Your lovely daughter and boyfriend (beaux) were so nice to bring you that tray garden. It's very nice. I'm sure you appreciated their presence very much. Have a great Sunday.

Carole Burant said...[Reply]

How can you not have a wonderful birthday when you're surrounded by such good company and beautiful flowers:-) I'm so glad to hear you had such a lovely day, dear Kerri...I'm also glad to hear that turning 60 didn't hurt too badly! lol I'll be turning 50 in October and all I'm thinking right now is "ouch"! lol Your flowers are truly breathtaking and you are truly blessed with so much beauty around you:-) xoxo

squire said...[Reply]

Hey "old gal", happy birthday.

squire said...[Reply]

Kerri, he is from Newcastle

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

Belated happy b'day wishes Kerri...and loved the lilies....:)

Marlene Depler said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful day.

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

Happy Birthday!

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday, Kerri - it looks as if you had a beautiful day surrounded by family and flowers.

Your hot-color beds with the red lilies and monarda are super! I'm so glad you got a few days of soaking rain in this odd-weather year - Carol of MayDreams Garden has accused Austin, TX of stealing everyone else's rain.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

LindaD said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday dear one! Surrounded by beauty - your girls, your love, those flowers!...such joyful gloriosas, rudbeckias, delicate columbines.. oh so lucious peonies. I had to 'stroll' throughyour last post also.. always wonderful.. like a walk with a friend, the way you write.. Many more blessings through the year to you..

Geraldo said...[Reply]

Happy birthday, Kerri! I've been too busy to post or browse blogs lately, but I'm glad I stopped by today... Your garden is beautiful!

Terri said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday!
I keep waiting every year to feel like a grown up and it hasn't happened yet! How is it for you?
God bless!
Terri

clairesgarden said...[Reply]

many birthday blessings to you!!
you look fabulous,
the garden looks fabulous.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Your gardens are looking wonderful. Have a happy happy birthday!

Kali said...[Reply]

Happy (belated) birthday wishes to you Kerri ~ wishing you a wonderful personal year ahead!
Your gardens look magnificent...simply bursting with spectacular blooms and colour.

p.s. It was my birthday yesterday (23rd).

Granny said...[Reply]

A belated Happy Birthday.

Thanks for the comment today.

Diana LaMarre said...[Reply]

Kerri,
I hope you had the most wonderful birthday!

Your gardens look fabulous. I just love the bright colors. I think the rudebeckia brings so much life to any border.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Belated Happy Birthday! Your flowers look beautiful and so do you for 60!

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

I'm a bit late but Happy Birthday!
The Lord sure blessed you, not only with such wonderful grandchildren but just look at the lovely flowers he commanded to bloom for you.
I remember turning 60. I thought I was getting old. Now I look back on it and think, "Oh to be 60 again!"

Sigrun said...[Reply]

Kerri, I'm late, but I'm there! I wish you a very happy birthday, good luck, health and new plants for your wonderful garden area.

Sigrun

Mrs. Darling said...[Reply]

Oh my, I have no idea how I arrived at your blog but I do know those flower gardens are absolutely gorgeous! I would give anything to have gardens like that!

Susie said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri,
What a cheery birthday post! You know that I was thinking of you on your special day, and I'm so glad to see how wonderful it was. Your flowers are lovely, and the picture of you is a treasure.
love and ((hugs))

Cris said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, your garden must be the secret of your youth, living in such a beautiful place must be rejuvenating, you and your daughters are so beautiful! Yesterday my card and your comment both arrived about the same time, yes, such a coincidence we were thinking about each other! I think these are the most beautiful garden pictures I have ever seen, the fence and the petunias and again the fence with the yellow lillies and the daisies against the red wall are my favorite, should be in the cover of a garden magazine! xoxox

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

Happy Belated Birthday Kerri!
Always remember, you're not old until you think you're old...and you certainly don't look old.
There's also lots of advantages that come with this new number like discounts when you go out to eat, go to the movies, etc.

We still haven't had enough rain here, but your flowers are BEAUTIFUL and it's always a joy to see all of your beauties....including your beautiful daughter & beau and of course, yourself. Cucoo say's hello to Jasmine, I musn't forget that.

I know that your birthday was spectacular.
love,
Sandy

Shelley said...[Reply]

Happy Belated Birthday, Kerri.
Your flowers don't out sparkle YOU!
Both you and they are lovely.

JunieRose2005 said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri,

I'm very late but hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Oh! What a beautiful place you live in!

Junie Rose

LostRoses said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday, Kerri! I can speak from 2 months experience that 60 doesn't feel much different than 59. What a showplace your garden is, lovely colors and placement. It's like you planned it or something!

kylieps said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday to the best Mum in the world- and I want all your blog friends to know it! The gardens are looking beautiful after their soaking.

Merle said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri ~~ Your garden is beautiful and so full of colour, Glad you got a gift you will enjoy and the photos are lovely. Thanks for your kind comments on my posts and glad you enjoyed the pictures and the jokes.
Take care, Kerri, Love, Merle.

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

Happy Birthday. I have read and heard from so many women lately about the joy of being a grandmother. It is that extra icing on the cake. You bee balm reminds me that I need to get more. I have no idea what happened to mine. I also want red lilies. Thanks for sharing your amazing photos. It always gives me inspiration.

Judypatooote said...[Reply]

Happy belated birthday.....remember your not getting older, your getting better.. that's what i tell myself.... your family is beautiful and your gardens are breath taking.....