Bloom Thyme Friday: Lemons to Lemonade

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

In gardens and in life it’s best when life gives you lemons, to make lemonade.
If you have been gardening for even a short time you know that gardens are ever changing. One of the strongest agents of change in my garden is winter. While I am a huge fan of spring. Sometimes the changes that winter pushes through while we are all comfy and cozy by the fireplace with our loves—are “chilling.”  Such was the case this year. Our winter came late, was harsh, warmed up early and then really hit us hard. A few of my roses were not fans and gave up or decided to take their sweet time showing up again.

But it was not the roses that took the biggest hit. It was our Winter Gem Boxwood Hedge. Many of the plants in this hedge had been here 10 years, some only 6. Ironically, we loved them especially in the winter when the snow would fall on them. They are gone now … all of them. I cried. As I looked at the blank canvas, Mr G says he saw that gleam in my eyes. I will add a few things this year but will do more in 2019 as it evolves and I live with our new open space. No question, I will miss my hedge and may even plant another one. But, I’m gonna take some time.

ABOUT CHANGE…

One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 43:19. He’s always got a plan!

LEMONS TO LEMONADE…

Hope your week is filled with beauty and a tall glass of homemade lemonade, if  you need a recipe to try, my recipe is here.  Sure love making lemonade with my boys!

 

BLOOMING THIS WEEK…

HAPPY BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!

 

Rose Buzz: Bathsheba

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

One rose that is creating a ROSE BUZZ in my garden this year is a new introduction from David Austin Roses … BATHSHEBA.

Bathsheba is said to be a well-behaved climber (to 9′ or so) with beauty, fragrance and disease resistance. All the things I want to hear.

Right from the start my new small plant began to take off and start growing strong — even  though I didn’t plant it in the most perfect of locations. (I feared it would not get enough sun.) I have been rewarded with adorable buds and breathtaking blooms. Only 4-5 blooms so far but enough to know that this one captures my attention and heart.

LISTEN FOR MORE INFORMATION…

To hear the charming Michael Marriott with the lovely voice and incredible rose knowledge talk about this rose and the other new introductions, listen to the Rose Chat Podcast here…

https://rosechat.podbean.com/e/david-austin-roses-new-intros-for-2018/

If you are growing this rose, let me know what you think and if you have questions, I’m happy to help! Leave me a note in the comment section below.

SPEAKING OF BUZZ….

Did you see the acrobatic bee in my herb garden that I posted on Instagram? He’s my inspiration. I want to have as much fun as he is having as I work in the garden. And I DO have some work to do–all the roses need dead heading! LOL

As I write this morning, my view from my potting shed is one that makes me happy all the time but especially today as we are getting a MOST and I mean MOST needed rain. No one fulfills the needs of the garden OR the gardener like the Creator…

 

LEMONS TO LEMONADE…

There’s been a lot going on in the garden the past two weeks–some good and some bad. 😳 I’ll have a report on Bloom Thyme Friday!

 Keep creating a buzz in the garden! 🐝

 

Bloom Thyme Friday: Things are Blooming!

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

This is what we wait all winter for! The Bloom Thyme garden is filled with fireworks and fragrance and we are just getting started!

Look at the Rugosas… go ahead, inhale. The fragrance is so strong you can probably smell them from where you are!

 

Iris..

These iris are from Mr. G’s momma’s garden and we can’t wait to see them each year. I love “pass-along” plants, don’t you! They give us so many garden stories.

Loving these peonies!!

Mr. G’s tomatoes are on their way to being delicious. And the nasturtium seeds are up!

The President Clematis looking pretty good but has many more blooms to come and needs a bit of a “tie up.”

Tiny Zinnias are holding their own among the herbs. They won’t be small long! Stay tuned.

 

And, the garden view I love best… the view from my potting shed (garden office) porch.

Now for the best bloom this week…

Introducing the oh so precious Mr. Wyatt…

 

He joins his two growing and equally precious brothers… 

 

 

What a special time I have had in California with these guys and their parents! Family Blessings! I will miss them terribly when I leave this weekend.

Special shout out to Mr. G, who has been faithfully watering my all of potted plants and sending me the real-time pictures of changes in the garden while I’ve been away. 😍 #hesthebest 😍

This Friday finds me so grateful for all I have been given…
WONDERFUL FAMILY
WONDEFUL FRIENDS
AND, PLENTY OF BLOOMS
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a happy Bloom Thyme Friday.

Making progress…

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Making progress…

We are definitely making progress! It has been a week of greening and flowering. The birds are loving it and have entertained me all day as I did my own brand of “flittering around the garden” … planting, pruning and even started fertilizing!

Here’s what’s going on.

One of Mr. G’s favorites —  Creeping Phlox is blooming. Listen in, the birds are loving this morning too  …

Roses that were cut back to the ground are coming right along! Whew! Thank goodness!

Still nothing miraculous happening over the arbor. Super. Sad. Face.  😕

Nasturtiums are soaking before getting planted.

Oh, here comes one of my spring favorites … Rhododendrons. 😍

Color me grateful, happy and blessed. And… tired — that good kind of tired that comes from time in the garden. Isn’t that the best tired!

Now, I’m going to go check on those Dogwoods. I hope they have been saying “no” to frost! Temps are still dipping way down at night!

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, HAPPY BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!