June's floral parade

A few photos of flowers around the garden in late June. I couldn't decide which of these shots of the black lace elderberry to use so I added both. Isn't it gorgeous?!




These lupines got a lot of attention during open garden. They really put on a show this year.


It is always fun to see the native plants blooming. This bright orange lonicera adds a touch of color to the evergreens along the driveway.


A bed sown with a 'northwest wildflower mix' brough us sweet william, which then became the only one to reseed and cross tha past two years until we have this beautiful display. They get no water and have poor soil and could care less


Here are two of my favorite lilies. I've had both of them forever and they are just vigorous and floriferous and always perform well.




Verbascum in a beautiful dusty salmon tone.


The cats are spending more time outside, as long as the doggie isn't around. And yet I still only get pics of them laying about.


There are still all kinds of iris going here, so watch for a post of them soon.

The Irises of Grace Sturtevant

Grace Sturtevant was known as the First Lady of Irises due to her early involvement with the AIS and her amazing record of hybridizing. What a legacy she ahs left us. Sadly, of over 200 introductions only a few dozen of her varieties are still with us. I think they are some of the loveliest ever created.

The irises of Dr. Kleinsorge

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Here's all but three of the Kleinsorge varieties that bloomed this year. Grand Canyon, Daybreak and Cascade Splendor all managed to elude the camera.

Everything but irises...

So busy with the irises and garden visitors I've had little time to do anything else. Here's some recent pics. Tumac is slowly getting better. I cannot wait until he is an old experienced dog tho, as this puppy thing is so tiresome.


Daniel set these stairs into the terrace above the driveway and miss Gracie thinks they are the best. She can often be found sitting on them observing her domain.


Nothing but wind and rain lately. Tho today finally had some sun breaks.


We've been working along the drive and this little sparrow is nesting in the area. Here she is keeping a close eye on us as her fledgling is hopping about in th underbrush trying to hide. It's been learning to fly the past several days and it is fun to see them about.


The woodpecker showed up at the burn pit and proceeded to take one of the stumps apart. It had been infested with ants before we burned it so I assume he was making a quick lunch of them.


Iris pics yet to come!