“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” ~ Henri Matisse
I just learned about this cool gig that garden bloggers have going. The 15th of every month is designated as Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day, with bloggers posting about what’s blooming in their gardens that day.
Though I’m not solely a garden blogger, I thought it would a good opportunity to diversify my posts. My garden writing is a little quirky, ranging from my talking compost pile to a snake muse and, most recently, murder (or dinner) outside my kitchen window.
I’ll just keep it simple and pretty today with images of what’s blooming in my northern Virginia (USDA zone 7) garden right now. It’s HOT here this week, well into the ’90’s, with the heat index close to 100. The plants are holding up better than expected, though, given substantial rainfall throughout the spring and early summer.
Here we go. (I just realized that all my shots are close ups — at some point a wider perspective will be valuable as well. But it’s dark outside now, so the window for retakes has closed…)
Not shown: Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Bird’ (a blue lace cap).
I’m afraid I’ve lost the names of the daylilies, if I ever had them (I can’t remember now which I bought and which I nabbed from friends’ gardens). Photos will have to suffice (and let me know if you can identify any of them!).
So I guess that’s about it for the current bloomers. I didn’t include the hostas, the cool foliage plants, or the edibles (the blueberries are still going strong and the figs and tomatoes–planted late–will be ripening up soon).
I was tempted to include a photo of the bark peeling from my crape myrtle tree because I think the residual jigsaw puzzle pattern on the trunk is mesmerizing, but I will need to leave the subtleties of the garden for another post.
What’s blooming in your garden? While I’m on the subject, don’t forget to visit me at my new Facebook page, Whispers From My Garden, and over on Google+ if you hang out there. And if you’re not yet subscribed for email delivery of new blog posts, add your email address to the box above!
Tess Apablasa says
Hey Martha,
I’m Tess Apablasa, Bill Apablasa’s daughter. He is always telling me how nice and complimentary you are regarding my photos, it means so much to me. I just wanted to let you know your photos as well are so pretty! The framing, colors, and angles you get are amazing. You make me want to garden. I’m a big fan..Good Luck!
Martha says
Hey Tess! How wonderful to hear from you! I am a HUGE fan of your photography (you’re very sweet to compliment my amateur attempts, but I know you do more than point and auto-focus). Yes, gardening is full of treasures for photographers and anyone with an eye to close observation of the world. In the meantime, keep on capturing those amazing images when you’re out exploring. I told your dad that you should check out Google+ — lots of photography enthusiasts post their work there (including the pros). I think it would be a great source of inspiration for you. More importantly, I would get to see more of your work there! Thanks SO much for taking the time to connect. ~ Martha
jindra says
who knew you were such a great photographer, in addition to writer? So nice to see such thriving plants :)
Hug!
Martha says
Hugs back to you, Jindra. Thanks for the kind words! Flowers are easy — they don’t move (usually I’m aiming at a moving target on the soccer field). xxoo Martha
Scott Weber says
Gorgeous blooms, in spite of all the heat! LOVE your Lilies…you can never have enough of those!
Martha says
Welcome, Scott! Where do you garden? Here in northern Virginia (not far from Washington, D.C.), the heat index was 110 today. Everybody’s gasping out there, I’m afraid. The lilies, however, are holding their own! Thanks so much for stopping by! ~ Martha