Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
Our weekend was a rainy one, with rain most of yesterday.
We would normally be disappointed with a rainy holiday, but the rain was much needed so we did not complain. We found ourselves and our garden in a severe drought situation which required a lot of watering in April and May. Very unusual for early spring, this stressed plants and slowed progress for new and established plants alike. Because of cool nights, we also sowed seeds a little later than normal.
Join me on a garden walk!
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”
Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV)
Sarah Bernhardt is one of the world’s most beloved peonies and a favorite of mine.
This is the second year since we moved Sarah Bernhardt to a new location. She was loaded with buds this spring. But then something happened and the buds did not open, but stayed very tight. I began to read about what might cause this to happen. We have been in a severe drought, but the head gardener was faithfully watering the peonies. What I finally discovered was the Sarah Bernhardt was on the upper end of a slight slope, therefore the water was draining down the slope before sinking in. The peony wasn’t getting the deep watering that was necessary for the buds to open. Fortunately slow, concentrated, deep watering cured the problem!
Large pink double blooms make Sarah Bernhardt a stand out among peonies! All varieties of peony blooms are large and quite heavy. Our plants require support and have wooden frames around them for protection and to keep the blooms off the ground. RM puts the frames in place when the plants show signs of budding.
Festiva Maxima was also relocated two years ago. It did not perform well last year but made up for it this spring!
Introduced in 1851, Festiva Maxima is known for its sweet fragrance and massive double white blooms.
Two Karl Rosenfield peonies were planted in 2019 in a raised bed next to our driveway. Sarah Bernhardt and Festiva Maxima now share this same space.
Karl Rosenfield peonies are prolific bloomers! The two bushes had produced more than a hundred blooms when I finally lost count! I highly recommend this peony for its beautiful color and the large amount of blooms that it produces.
When I photographed for my Mother’s Day post, the Sarah Bernhardt had not opened. A couple of days later, the buds opened and I made a small arrangement with all three varieties of peonies.
The award winning ‘Stairway to Heaven’ is the only iris in our garden. It is special because a sweet blogger, Sandra gifted it to me. She has since passed away. The iris has been a mystery because it did not bloom last year.
I was excited when it decided to bloom this year. I must divide it because it spread into our ‘Little Lambs’ hydrangea!
We have three different varieties of spirea. Proven Winners Double Play Doozie Spirea’s foliage emerges in a brilliant deep red color in early spring. In late spring, these gorgeous flowers emerge and it keeps flowering during the summer!
Gold Mound Spirea is a popular compact, low mounded , deciduous shrub prized for its vibrant, golden-yellow spring foliage and pinkish-purple flowers! We planted this spirea in 2001 when we reworked our front yard landscape. It has performed beautifully for all these years!
A view into the cottage garden where we plant with a variety of color in mind!
Echinacea, also known as coneflowers were planted last year. They produced last year but this spring they have thrived! Butterflies love the flowers, and birds will feast on the seeds at the end of the season!
EM and EK said it looked like these flowers were wearing colorful skirts!
I have enjoyed our small cottage garden and would love to expand, but my sweet hard-working husband doesn’t need any more added to his already heavy work load. He retired but is busier than ever!
Some of the photos were taken last week when it was cloudy with little sun.
With our severe drought I wasn’t sure if Clematis Jackmanii would bloom. It grows on an old rusty trellis at the back of the cottage garden and was sometimes overlooked when watering. It didn’t bloom as prolifically as last year, but still provided those showy violet-purple flowers!
This is our newest and most favorite addition to the garden! His two sisters and brother have spent countless hours playing in the garden. Hide-and-seek has been very popular, even in winter when there’s nothing to hide behind. The garden animals (there are quite a few) like this turtle all have names, given by EM, EK, and WL. The animals all talk too, and so many stories and tales have been created here. This space has been a source of much joy…games, teas, picnics, reading, storytelling, and more! Daniel is now old enough to join in as we hope to continue planting and growing memories!
I believe our panicled hydrangeas are preparing for a beautiful blooming season. Little Lambs are in the foreground with Vanilla-Strawberry in the background.
I hope you enjoyed our walk in the garden. Thank you for your visit and your gracious comments.
Wishing you a joyful week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Love all of your beautiful flowers. I wish we could grow peonies here in Texas, but it’s too warm. Daniel is such a cute little boy with his red hair and blue eyes. He reminds me of what your dad must have looked like at that age.
Thank you Rachel. We are so thankful that my sweet Daddy held Daniel a couple of weeks before he passed away. Wishing you a blessed Tuesday!
Pam, your garden is absolutely beautiful! Those peonies are such showstoppers…so lush and beautiful! 🌸 I know you must be thrilled with all those gorgeous blooms. We’re really feeling the effects of this severe drought here at the lake, and with our irrigation head out of the water, it’s definitely been a challenge keeping containers and garden beds happy as we’re on a well. Your garden is giving me serious flower envy and hope for rain at the same time. I especially loved seeing your coneflowers…I know the bees and butterflies will be thrilled. 🐝🦋 Love seeing sweet Daniel, your favorite addition to the garden.😊 Happy Tuesday. 💕
Thank you, Mary. This severe drought has been devastating to our farmers in our area. I can only imagine the challenge of the lake level so low that your irrigation head is out of the water and being on a well. I so hope you will get enough rain to finally not be in a drought. Blessings on your week 💕
oh my gosh Pam little Daniel is growing up so fast. The peonies are gorgeous. I had them in my last home and loved them too. I found out that besides where they are planted that they have to have ants around them to bloom. I always wondered why there were so many ants around my peony plants. Amazing how nature works together for beauty. Have a wonderful day. Hugs. Kris
Yes, Daniel is growing fast. Babies don’t keep, do they?! Thank you for your sweet comments, Kris!
Good morning, Pam. I am strolling (well, scrolling) through your garden. Your peonies are a delight to my eyes. I can smell their fragrance all the way up here in Pennsylvania! What lovely varieties you have. I do not have any peonies, but my neighbor has three different plants. They are not blooming yet, but will in a week or two. I enjoy coneflowers for their ease. They don’t need much water. And just like you said, pollinators and birds love the nectar and seeds.
I can not believe how big Daniel is! He will be running with the others very soon.
I get to see my little guy this week! He is almost 2!
Have a great week ahead! Happy Tuesday!
Thank you, Nancy for your sweet comments. I can’t believe your little guy is almost 2. I know you will enjoy your time with him! Happy week, my friend!
So enjoyed visiting your beautiful garden this morning, all the sweet and fun grand notes and joys through their eyes…such beautiful memories! What a lovely way to start the day, thanks Pam. 🌸💞🌸
Thank you Sue for your sweet comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week 💕
Your lovely gardens are such a treat on this rainy morning, again for several days here. I think my little garden is water logged. I wish my peony would give blooms like you have. We planted one two years ago, did nothing last year and it produced two blooms finally. Maybe I’ve planted it in the wrong place. I always love seeing purple Iris, so beautiful! My sister’s name too. I also love seeing your darling little grand and what beautiful hair! Happy week Pam….
Thank you Emily for your sweet comments. I think you have received more rain than us. Too much rain can damage plants especially in pots. Don’t give up on your peony, yet. I love the name Iris, I would guess your sister matches her name! 💕💜
Beautiful Pam, Just beautiful are your gardens and gorgeous flowers. Your peonies are spectacular, how I wish I could look out my window and see and smell their beauty. I miss being able to grow them…and the iris is lovely with lovely memories, thanks for sharing. We, too have a large turtle in our courtyard and it attracts curious little hands and feet. Luv it. In spite of the lack of rain, your garden flowers are amazing, what a delight for you and RM to reap the rewards of your efforts. Hugs always my dear friend.
Thank you for your sweet comments, Kari. RM works so diligently maintaining this acreage. He loves it, but it is a big job. Sending hugs to you dear friend!
My love of peonies is a second to yours. All of them are beautiful and peonies do well here. Lack of moisture caused all of the blooming plants to hold off blooming but when we got much need rain everything rejoiced by opening up. I have two blooms ha have opened up currently and many more that will soon because I’m watering daily almost, warm days are much welcomed. Had a get together on my screened in porch late yesterday afternoon and loved how late it was went garden lights came on. Memorial Day is definitely the beginning of Summer here.
How wonderful that your peonies are blooming, Alice. How fun to have a get together on your screened porch. I know all of your guests enjoyed being with you. Blessings on your week dear one!
Since moving to Texas, luxury is a fresh, large bouquet of peonies! Living in Minnesota we had them growing in our backyard and they were our petals of peace whenever I needed them. Yours are simply gorgeous!
Mary, I didn’t realize you had lived in Minnesota. I am sure having peonies at your fingertips has been difficult. At least they are available to purchase. Thank you for your visit!
Thank you for the lovely stroll through your spring garden! Those peonies are amazing! No wonder their varieties are so popular. Kudos to you both for keeping the garden flourishing and using it to make wonderful memories for your grandchildren.
Thank you Nancy. We love making the garden a fun place for our grandchildren! It is a perfect place to make memories!
Pam, this is beyond precious and beautiful! I love peonies! And the echinacea (cones) do seem as they’re wearing colorful skirts!
Daniel is absolutely darling! He already knows he’s blessed!! That turtle is amazing!
Thank you for sharing the beauty around the cottage! Your RM knows the work it requires and you both deserve so much for making our world even more beautiful!
I love you dearly, Pam.
♥️❤️💕🙏 I’m praying daily. 💐
Thank you sweet Karla for your visit to the garden. It keeps us busy! Daniel is precious and we are blessed to make precious memories with our grands!
I love you, Karla. You are always in my prayers ❤️🙏🏻🥰🌺
It’s my blessing, precious Pam. I can imagine how busy this season is for you.
I love you so much and feel your prayers. It means so much to me! 🩷🩷☺️❣️🙏🏻🙏🏻🎶🎶 please know I’m praying for you too!
Oh, those peonies! Be still my heart! They are one of my favorites. Mine get loaded with ants so they stay outside, but oh, that fragrance! And I think your cottage garden has to be an all-time favorite!
Thank you, Jeanie. Peonies are beautiful and I know you will enjoy yours when they bloom!
Oh yes indeed, I did enjoy my walk through your garden, Pam. Oh my, those peonies are stunning, and I thoroughly loved looking at each and every one plant. I loved the “skirts”comment by the girls, and little red headed Daniel is the cutest thing. You and Butch certainly know how to tend a beautiful garden to showcase God’s glory.
Kitty, thank you for your sweet visit and comments. We are thankful to have our grandchildren live a short golf cart ride down the hill. They love playing in the garden!
Yes, a strange spring. I enjoy it, no matter what challenges. Love your peonies, and the cottage garden is so inviting. Little Daniel is a doll! It’s hard to not plant when the season starts, but I completely understand not overbearing the head gardener. It gets to be a tough job, especially as the seasonal chores compete in demanding attention! This year, I am transplanting coneflowers and other perennials that have spread, both into my various beds, and into my sister’s and daughter’s gardens. I’m still waiting to see if two of my Pugster butterfly bushes make it or not. Between the hard winter, early spring freezes and drought, it’s a roll of the dice. I enjoyed going on your garden walk, and the Stairway to Heaven is gorgeous!
Thank you, Rita. Gardening is definitely a roll of the dice. I was just in the garden and saw a Japanese Beetle. You did have a severe winter. Gardening is not for the faint of heart 💚
Good morning, Pam! I have so enjoyed my walk through your stunning garden this morning. Your peonies are breathtaking! Daniel is an absolute doll! I can see why your stunning gardens are a magical place for your sweet grandbabies to play. The view of your cottage garden is so pretty, and I adore coneflowers. My dear friend, I hope you have a wonderful day and rest of your week!
Thank you Shannon for your visit. Blessings always, dear one!
Pam, what a delightful stroll through your garden this has been! You would never know that you are suffering from drought conditions from all that is blooming. The peonies are absolutely stunning and I imagine their fragrance is heavenly. The coneflowers in their skirts are so pretty too, and I’m glad that the clematis provided you with a show of lovely purple blooms. Little Daniel is just adorable and will soon be playing hide and seek in the garden with his siblings too. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden and I hope you get rain soon!
Thank you Kim. Thankfully we have received rain and looks like more is coming! The grands love playing in the garden and we think Daniel has a good start. When we are outside that is his first place to go. I hope you are doing well my friend!
Such a beautiful garden. You must live where it is much warmer than my neck of the woods because you have so many flowers in bloom already. My peonies are just buds now, and I don’t see Purple Coneflower or Black Eyed Susans in bloom until mid summer. I love the turtle, and your photography is excellent. Visiting from Thursdays Favorite Things.
Pam, I’m thankful for the steady on and off again rain that has caused our buds to burst and our trees to fully leaf again! A few more days of pollen season and then it’ll be over and we’ll be free to throw open the windows and doors.
I am loving springtime more than ever!
Happy weekend to you, dear one.
SO lovely Pam! Your peonies are just stunning. I can’t wait to plant some in my garden either this year or next. Thanks for the tour – I got so many beautiful ideas!
Thank you for your visit, Barbara! Happy Gardening!
Pam, a walk in your gardens is so fun and colorful. Love the Purple Coneflowers and Black Eyed Susans. The turtle is so cute with Daniel. Such a sweet photo. The clematis is stunning. I am happy to feature a walk in your garden at Love Your Creativity.
Thanks so much Linda for the feature!
Your grandkids will have the most wonderful memories because of the amazing space you have planted and provided for them! It was such a joy to be able to take a peek into your beautiful garden. May God continue to bless you all.