Zinnias

Today in the backyard

Wyoming cannas

patio tomatoes that survived the summer heat

cypress vine

zinnia patch about to start blooming

sweet basil

grass in need of mowing

rain of gold shrub

Rain

So, it's been forever since I last posted, but this summer has been so long and hot and dry that my garden's in survival mode. Which means lots of dropped leaves and not many thriving plants. But we got a little bit of rain this morning and here's Lloyd scanning the sky for any more that might come our way. Ironically, the plumeria that I used to be unable to get to bloom has had flowers for the past two months.

Honeysuckle

Bee paradise in the backyard

Caterpillar battle

Got back from walking the dog and found the two remaining swallowtail caterpillars vying for the same stalk of dill. I'm afraid the third one may have been a starling snack.

After the rain...again

I've given up the potted dill in the front to three swallowtail caterpillars (and aphids, unfortunately). Just hope the starlings that are nesting just three feet above the pot don't eat these guys before they cocoon.


My virginia creeper monster is back full-force.





We had another inch of rain over the past couple of days. I was excited to see the roma tomato already had some fruit started (it's one of three potted tomato varieties) and the honeysuckle and citronella geranium are starting to bloom.

Mueller field in bloom

Poppies and flax and chicory, oh my. I've been meaning to take my camera to the fields along 51st street in the Mueller development for a couple of months now. And today turned out to be the perfect day. They make me happy every time I pass them. Why can't every developer throw out wildflower seeds?