Garden Junk Arrangements

I really enjoy turning junk into flower arrangements on my deck.

 I have had the rusty milk can for years, but this is the first year for the rusty old tool box.


In another area of the deck I have planted and old indoor light with 'Vampire' Calibrachoa, Creeping Jenny and white biden. Do you remember these floor lights that almost everyone had in at least one corner of their living room? I think they make wonderful planters.

The bottom of the container is planted with dahlia (yellow I think). From this side you can't see the real star of this arrangement.

 Let me walk to the back side to show you....

Wow! Loving this vibrant red 'Vampire' Calibrachoa!  I must remember it for future years. It should soon spill over the top and down all sides. I am looking forward to seeing this planting  mature.

This delphinium should open soon.

 This is a very bright peony!

I am now going to douse myself with bug spray and battle the mosquitoes as I attempt to weed these perennial gardens. Wish me luck!

Red Alert Calla Lilly in a Container

I am really enjoying this new purchase of 'Red Alert' Calla Lilies in the urns beside my garage. (You can see some dahlia foliage and some handsome striped leaves of a new pink canna lily planted behind)

 'Red Alert' remains short - no more than 24" high. One bulb produces multiple flowers in a nice red/orange color that looks great with this 'Henna' coleus.

 I am especially fond of the white-speckled leaves some of which echo the red floral color.

 

I am also happy to see that my Korean dwarf lilac shrub 'Miss Kim' is full of blooms this year.

 'Miss Kim' blooms appear just has my old-fashioned lilac bushes fade.

 

This shrub should get about 4 feet tall and wide.

 

Despite very little attention, June has been a great month in my perennial gardens.  I am looking forward to a good season in 2015!

 

Spring Garden is Shaping Up

I spent a few hours on Saturday doing some heavy-duty weeding in the perennial gardens.  Last week we had three nights of frost, so it's only the beginning of garden weather in lower northeast Michigan.

I am very happy with the garden so far this season.  I have never had so many iris ready to bloom! 

The deer have not eaten anything (yet), so I have dozens of Asiatic lilies that should bloom in early July (if our luck holds and the deer don't discover this diner before then).

I stood in my bedroom window and just took these photos:  This one is toward the road....

  The hostas are all looking good, too.  Can you see the circle of them way down the path?

I turned slightly to the right to show you the woodland side of the path.

A few degrees more toward the right shows the view toward the backyard rockwall garden.  I have three arbors and you have seen all three with these views.

I need to put a plant  inside the aqua milk can. I will find something soon.

Many years ago (like 20), I dug up a few lilac shoots from my childhood home.  They have never done much of anything.  Every five years or so, I moved them in hopes that someday I would be able to cut some lilacs for an indoor bouquet.................I had almost given up hope...until this year...I was thrilled to see a ton of flowers on the bushes....this is my second indoor bouquet of lilacs.......

I have really been enjoying this flower holder that I purchased a few months ago....I have used it for daffodils..

 

Easter eggs

 

Mixed spring flowers..........

fake  calla lilies.............

The possibilities are endless!  If you ever see one for sale, grab it!