Peter's Purple Bee Balm May 13, 2017

This Peter's Purple bee balm is growing in the back flower bed next to Black and Blue salvia.  I have two other kinds of bee balm that grow in various parts of the gardens - one is a no-name and the other is red Jacob Cline.  They are not blooming yet.  Bee balm is loved by various insects and hummingbirds.  And it is an herb with very aromatic leaves that can be used in teas.

Bulldozing May 6, 2017

It's hard to tell what's going on by these pictures, but this is the progress so far on the bulldozing around the house.  When I arrived on Saturday there was smoke in the air and everything smelled like burning cedar which is a wonderful smell.

 You can see the tree house from our house now.

 There are some huge cedars right next to the Vegetable Garden that the man is going to take down.  Taking down big trees makes me a little sad, but they cast a huge shadow on the garden.  And my meadow grasses won't grow under them either.  They have to go.

Blackberry Jelly May 6, 2017

I was determined not to let my berries go to waste this year.  I noticed a couple of weeks ago that I had six packages of pectin in the laundry room, so I picked the berries and made the jelly on Saturday.  There are still lots and lots of berries in the Orchard, so I will hopefully make some more jelly next week.

Nikko Blue Hydrangeas May 6, 2017

 I planted 6 Nikko Blue Hydrangeas in early spring, so they are still small.  The flowers are blue, not a muddy blue that can't decide if it wants to be pink or blue, they are blue.  So I'm happy about that.  Blue flowers are so unusual.  I love the hydrangeas, and I wanted some more anchor plants in the Infinity Garden.

Bargain Bin Daylilies May 6, 2017

I bought these daylily roots at Home Depot (or Walmart, I can't remember).  The label said Strawberry Candy, but they aren't Strawberry Candy, not nearly as pretty, but they are healthy.  That's the risk when you buy from a big box store.  I will have to yank up the bee balm that has practically taken over so it doesn't smother them by next year, but for now I will let both of them have their bloom time.  The bee balm is forming buds right now.  The tall orange flowers is a Mexican Torch Sunflower that sprang up on its own - must have been in the compost I threw down when I transplanted a Sweetshrub into this bed.

Pink Vitex May 6, 2017

I have this Vitex planted in a stupid spot, totally in the way, but it's too late now.  Well, I've thrown that into my Bad Idea pile and moved on.  Vitex, common name Chaste Plant, has a great smell.  Very pungent, and I really like the smell.

 In this photo you can see a catarpillar-infested collard.  I'm just letting them have it.  All God's creatures gotta eat.

 

Cannas May 6, 2017

The cannas are gearing up for the summer heat, they are some of the most reliable heat lovers.  The red canna is a particularly beautiful plant.  The sun shines through the leaves, and the green and purple combination really gleams.  So pretty.  I'd like to get the bengal tiger canna because it has the same kind of striking coloration in the leaves, and it's a vigorous grower.  Really dramatic.