Hello friends and happy third day of August!
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26
The weather has been dreadfully hot with stifling humidity. With little rain, my Renaissance Man daily spends time watering our garden. The vanilla strawberry blooms are beginning to look stressed!
Because of the heat, most of these photos were taken as the sun was beginning to set.
RM decided to use lumber he had on hand to build flower boxes. ‘Luna Red’ (Hibiscus vivace) with its large blooms has added brilliant color to the front of the garden!
The pig planter has been around for years and is showing his age. He seems to appreciate the vinca that is planted in him every spring!
Speaking of aging…you might notice an ear lying on the ground. The grands were disturbed about the pig’s missing ear. Since they wish for it to be replaced, RM will be using construction adhesive in the off season to restore the ear. The girls and WL know how to get things done!
Another interesting container is this wooden ice cream bucket. The head gardener never throws anything away that can be repurposed. Rosemary was planted because the grandchildren love its fragrance.
This photo of the cottage garden was taken a couple of weeks ago when sunflowers were in full bloom (the sunflower post can be seen here)! The following four photos were taken on the same day.
A couple of rows of zinnias are planted next to the Sunshine Cottage. If you missed the zinnia post you can see it here.
In late May, the ‘Autumn Fire’ sedum had to be moved from its previous location. Because we had no other spot prepared, a couple of them were placed in a raised bed in the cottage garden.
The sunflowers are now spent and the birds are feasting on delectable cuisine!
The cottage garden is small and easy to keep with three raised beds and container plantings!
Due to several nights of below freezing temperatures in April, many of our blooming trees and perennials have been late this year, including the limelights. Our Sioux crape myrtles are still not fully bloomed!
Sage and other herbs are happy in their raised bed!
This is the first time to plant a ‘whirlwind starlight’ fan flower (Scaevola aemula). I am a fan of the fan flower…it has bloomed constantly and its blue/lavender color is unique. Vinca is our go-to flower for the basket in the Schwinn three-wheeler. It is a dependable bloomer for our long hot summers.
RM’s only remaining maiden grass (sniff) with ‘green with envy’ sweet potato vine in the foreground.
“The month of August had turned into a griddle where the days just lay there and sizzled.”
~Sue Monk Kidd
The sedum already has a faint pinkish tint. Behind the fence is a chaste (Vitex) tree. After it bloomed in June, RM removed the flower spikes in hopes that it will bloom again.
‘Luna Rose’ (Hibiscus vivace) with its big, showy flowers thrives in our hot southern climate!
Gardening is hard work with a huge investment of sweat equity. There are always bunnies, squirrels, armadillos, and deer to contend with. Insects are a constant battle and this year it has been the dreaded Japanese beetle! But as the sun dipped lower in the sky, this scene makes me think it is worthwhile! I didn’t ask the head gardener if he agreed!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Always enjoy a walk around your lovely garden.
Thank you, Carole.
tell your head gardener & staff (lol), the views are beautiful!! will be looking for the whirlwind starlight’ fan flower (Scaevola aemula) in the stores.
I will relay the message to my staff (lol). Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Pam, this is exactly why I wrote what I wrote to you on my blog this morning. Your garden, its beauty,…the work of the gardener never ceases. These hot and humid days do “sizzle” (beautiful quote and one of my favorite verses in Psalms). My favorite has to be the pig ear (and knowing how cutely the girls want it “fixed” and RM will not let them down!) and the ice cream bucket filled with such fragrance. The sunflowers and the cottage garden warm my heart. There’s so much beauty, Pam. Especially in your hearts. Your garden gives me hope and makes me happy! I love you and appreciate you so much. 💛💐
Thank you, my sweet friend for your comments that warm my heart. Love you, Karla 💛🙏🏻🎶
It’s my blessing, Pam. I just love your words, pictures,…everything is so beautiful!! I love you!
🙏🏻💛🎶🌻🥰
I was moved today with your scripture upon waking up to another birthday. Your lovely gardens quiet my soul and make me homesick for the gardens i once had. Thank you and god bless
Thank you, Deborah. I am so happy that the scripture ministered to you. Happy birthday blessings!
Tell the head gardener that I think his soft heart shows all the time not just when replacing a broken pigs ear and the reuse of a ice cream bucket but when he goes for walks and shows us his finds. And your design ability in all things , wow! God did a marvelous job when he put you two together. Sweat equity plus two!
Alice, he does have a soft heart. Thank you always for your sweet and encouraging comments!
That wooden ice cream bucket is a wonderful vessel — I’m glad it was saved! Your garden is so dazzling! There is just so much overwhelming beauty here — and so much work! Sunflowers and zinnias are two of my favorites and I love how they work together. Oh my! You are such a pair, you and the head gardener. Definitely a match made in heaven!
Aw, thank you Jeanie for your lovely comments!
Your landscaping is gorgeous! Gardening is a lot of work but your results are fabulous! The head gardener is very talented and the staff are good little helpers. We love repurposed items. It’s so rewarding to find another use for something. The fan flower is so pretty. That little pig is cute with its vinca top. He’ll appreciate having his ear back. 😂 It’s so very hot, please use caution. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. We had bad storms in our county with a lot of damage. My sweet Daddy didn’t have any damage but was without power for several hours. We didn’t have any severe weather at our house, thankfully! It was 98 before the storm and dropped 25 degrees afterwards. Take care, Clara ♥️
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your garden posts. Everything is so lovely and indeed I understand the commitment and hard work it takes to make this happen. My garden gives me so much joy but I could not do it without my Bob. He built a raised garden for me a few weeks ago. Your hibiscus is really beautiful. Love all your ornamental pieces that adds so much to your garden. Have a blessed day.
You are so sweet, Dianne. I know Bob is so much help with your beautiful gardens. Blessings dear one!
Always beautiful to see your garden. I hope you get some needed rain and things begin to cool down some. Have a beautiful day. Hugs. Kris
We received a quarter inch of rain today and are thankful for it. Hugs 🥰
Everything is looking gorgeous in its blooming finery despite the heat! One of my bunnies lost an ear, I would love to know what Butch uses to repair Mr. Pig…he is a beautiful porcine (the pig, not Butch!!). We are having heavy rain today, and I am thrilled! My local produce stand is selling zinnias for $1/STEM!
Thank you and I will share with you his plan, Roxanne. We have received rain!! Did you buy zinnias?
Oh Pam, that closing photo does make it all worth while. It is stunning! Everything looks absolutely gorgeous. I’m struggling to keep things looking good around here. We have had several days of 104 temps with no relief in sight. I just can’t keep enough water on my plants. I keep trying though. I guess that is what gardening is all about. It is a lot of trial and error and patience. So far, reapplications of liquid fence and motion activated sprinklers are keeping the deer away. However, I just spotted evidence where an armadillo has dug a whole in one of my beds. I have really enjoyed seeing your gorgeous gardens. It is always such a joy! Wishing you a wonderful day and weekend my dear friend!
Shannon, thank you. I feel your pain with the gardening woes. I am glad you may have solved the deer problem. With those high temps. it is really a challenge. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
I always love visiting your garden Pam, and I know it is a lot of very hard work and dedication by both you and RM~I can’t even imagine doing it in this heat, but your efforts are rewarded with so many beautiful flowers!! Psst, I am featuring your colorful zinnias tomorrow on Fearless Friday!
Thank you, Jenna. The heat has been really thought this year. Thank you for the feature this morning, I love it and so does RM!
*tough
Pam, your garden is a canvas of beauty! And of course, your sunflowers always make be smile. My all-time favorite from this post is the wooden ice cream bucket filled with fragrant rosemary. You are just so artistic!
You are so sweet, Mary. Thank you!
So beautiful, I like the use of containers, since I have such a small space I think I will start with more fun containers. Thanks for the idea!
Containers are great for small spaces. Thank you, Nonie!
Just gorgeous Pam – I love your gardens – you two keep them so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with those of us who haven’t done their landscaping yet! 🙂 Happy Thursday my friend!
Thanks so much, Barbara! Have a wonderful weekend!
A lovely walk about with you at
your cottage gardens! The ice cream bucket is adorable!
And you and the head gardener are the sweetest couple!
Happy Thursday!
…and how sweet you are, Nancy! Thank you 💛
I know it is surely a lot of work, but I am so thankful you do it and share it with us here. What a loss it would be to all of us if you didn’t! God bless you all.
Thank you, Cheryl! You are a blessing!
Beautiful Pam! Gardening is definitely requires a lot of sweat equity, especially in July and August! Love the ice cream bucket repurposed as a planter Our crepe myrtles are behind too, I was wondering why. We are getting some much needed rain today, I hope it’s enough to keep from having to water tomorrow. I see you are getting some too, I hope you don’t have any severe weather. Happy Thursday ♥
Thank you, Mary. We were in Birmingham yesterday, but there were really bad storms in our county with major damage and power outages. We didn’t have any damage,
thankfully. It is still raining this morning and we need it. But I know it is hindering clean-up and the power company. Happy Friday!
Ah, the humidity and heat finally broke this week and I am so grateful. It’s such a blessing to throw the windows open, to walk and garden and breathe again. I pray the same for you this evening, friend.
xo
We are receiving rain!
That beautiful Psalm passage really hit the mark, as well as your beautiful gardens on this sultry day. Such joyful color lifts the heart and sets the tone for all things wondrous found in yours and
the head gardener’s domain. There is something so precious and serene that your hard labor
provides this heart and I am grateful you so honor His gifts in love.
Thank you, Mary. You are so encouraging with your lovely sentiments!
Such an enchanting garden tour!
Thanks so much!
Your garden is beautiful! Your photos are so pretty. I understand all the hard work.
It was good to hear you did not have storm damage and you received the much needed rain.
The armadillos are tearing up my natural area. They have dug three huge holes. I’m just ignoring it since nothing works.
I hope we get some rain soon too.
Thanks so much, Bonnie. I am so sorry the armadillos are tearing up your natural area. They are impossible to deal with. Butch is constantly dealing with them. We didn’t receive much rain like most of our county did. But there was a lot of damage not too far from us.
Your gardens are beautiful! Truly inspirational. XO- MaryJo
Beautiful post Pam. You have a lovely garden.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer!
Pam, your gardens are beautiful and I can only imagine the work you and RM put into them – it certainly shows! Love love the hibiscus and I’m with grands about the smell of rosemary – yum. Its so fun to see all the sunflowers facing the same way. I love the fan flower too, its so pretty. I glad you got some much needed rain (we are sooo dry here) and that Mr. Pig will be having an ear reattachment. Take care down there and thank you for sharing your lovely gardens!
I hope you get rain, Kim. Thank you for your lovely visits, my friend!
I love your gardens! Love all the accents too, especially the bike! Sorry it’s been so hot, I know it makes it hard to enjoy the outdoors with the intense heat. I can imagine your grandkids walking around in the garden, it must be so cute!
We’ve had a premium summer up here with only a few days in the middle 90’s.
Thanks so much, Liz! Your summer weather sounds fabulous.