I told you . . . . . . . .

. . . . . more garden stories would be shared soon!

Parsley & Nikko Blue hydrangea

So, this morning after heavy rain yesterday afternoon and through the night

 hours, I woke later than usual as it was dark and dreary outside. I had

 nothing planned which required more than a good mug of fresh coffee, 

waterproof shoes, and my phone. I stepped onto sopping wet grass - 

looking much greener and healthier for hours of rain - and just walked 

around the house snapping away at what I considered pretty and colorful,

 though most plants and shrubs were dripping and bending. . . . .especially

 the heavy mophead blue hydrangeas.

This is my one lace-cap hydrangea, named Twist and Shout. 

Several years old now, it has pushed through the split rail fence into

 my neighbor's garden - fortunately he doesn't mind!

The big bright green tree centered in the background, is my Celeste fig.

Many of you already know the story of this tree. Planted from a gallon pot 

many years back, and now after several major prunings - including a

 professional one last year when it got totally out of hand - is still huge and 

always the talk of the neighborhood! Looks like plenty of figs now popping

 out for later picking, usually in late July into August.

I so love this beautiful tree. It holds bird feeders, nesting boxes, now and

 then a woven nest is cradled in the branches, lanterns glow in the evening

 hours. It's massive circumference shades a bird bath, azaleas, and a new

 hydrangea will be planted under it soon. . . . . and bluebells and daffodils

have a happy place to thrive in springtime.

Endless Summer hydrangea - huge again despite a good pruning late last winter.

Pots of herbs are coming along well - above the early planting of basil, 

parsley, sage and dill seeds, below the later planted small pots of the

 same seeds alongside an old pot of mint. Pots holding Morning glories

 and Moonflowers already climbing up the fishing line I tied to the

 porch to give them a leg up!

Another Endless Summer - far too big really - but loaded with blooms

 some of which I'll cut and dry later perhaps. The acer is also in need of 

a professional pruning, removing some lower branches to open it up and

 make it look more ornamental  - we've been awaiting our tree guy for

 weeks - so hopefully he'll show up soon.

Have a great weekend everyone.