Ninebark Diabolo in Full Bloom, Zesting Lemons New Iris

 I love the blooms on this mature Ninebark.  If memory serves me right, this guy is about 8 years old and has never been cut back.  I find that I like Ninebark best when its limbs are allowed to grow and fall  gracefully in its natural form.

This is how it looks from my computer room window:

We are still waiting for a good rain to end a very early drought. Hence, the nearly dormant grass.

I was thrilled to see this gorgeous bloom on a new iris, Zesting Lemons. I purchased this from Breck's in 2019. It was part of a group package of 6 iris.  Unfortunately 4 of the 6 died off before I ever got to see the bloom.  I waited two seasons before contacting Breck's for a refund  as I know iris often do not bloom the first year.  I just emailed them today, so will see if they send a refund or  replacements for the 4 that croaked .  They have always been very good about standing behind their product.

Love, love this Blue Oat Grass with the blue orbs (bowling balls) and the Speedwell Sunny Border Blue ( which is actually purple).  I have never understood whey companies insist on telling us their flower is blue when it is purple.  Maybe they think we are all color blind.

We Had only a Few Hours of Sunshine this Weekend

and I enjoyed them to their fullest!

I expect this to be the last day I will  use the hammock this year. It's only 55 degrees today, but with the sun shining and a quilt tossed over, it was fairly warm.

For two days it rained and was very windy. My poor urn almost met its demise yesterday afternoon when it blew over for the second time this year.  The thing is so heavy I can't pick it up, yet it fell over twice! When DH came in and told me one side was all cracked, I expected much worse than this.

It is still usable. Next year I will just turn this side toward the garage wall.

I am disappointed in the 4 grasses I  planted in the rockwall garden.  None of them have bloomed.
This is blue oat grass.

I don't think it grew much at all. Do any of you know how long it takes for this grass to grow? I think it is supposed to get very tall.  The other grasses  have not grown much either--Maiden Grass   Gracillimus & Maiden Grass Morning Light.  I always thought grasses grew 4 feet or more in a year.  Hopefully they will take off next year.

Here is something that I am happier with.  The kale has finally turned nice and purple.  I didn't think it was ever going to!

Dead Grass------------or Not?

I cannot remember what grass this is.

I had it heeled in next to the house all winter. I've been watching it for the past three weeks to see if there are any signs of life.

Nothing.

So today I decided I would pitch it.


But wait!


As I ran my fingers through it, I spotted a bit of green.


I think it may be alive!

Whoo hoo!

Now if only I knew what it was!