Magnificent Munstead

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

This lavendar blooms fragrant and wide. I keep forgetting to pinch it back so when it does bloom it ends up as a blue-purple carpet that blankets all the nearby plants.

A Rose is a rose is a....

by Deborah F. Ling
(Vermont USA)

A rose is a rose is a...

I only grow one rose and it is spectacular!! If there are four flowers on it they are all different shades of an orangy-salmon. I love it!

Breath of spring

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Gypsophila paniculata

These dainty little gems are more commonly called Baby's Breath, usually only seen as fillers in bouquets, but they make for a nice display, blending and adding a spot of interest to any garden setting.

Evening liatris

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

The same liatris take on a completely different hue and texture with the low evening light.

Rose Red

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Paint the Town red

A gift from a friend a few years ago, this little rose has never seemed to settle in its location, so this spring it was put back into the 'baby bed' and thankfully has recovered nicely.

Welcome Turtleheads

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Chelone glabra

Noticed these odd little fellows blooming on the edge the woods for the first time this summer and immediatley had to look them up. Seems some turtleheads have decided to make that area their new home. Welcome!

On the vertical

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Lupine

Could not resist snapping a shot of this lusious blossom growing in nephews front yard this past spring.

COSMOS in the Nighttime Breeze

by Deborah F. Ling
(Vermont USA)

COSMOS in the Nighttime Breeze

Such a lovely color and shape.

Pink freckles

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

The lily looks spectacular close up. The problem is that I keep forgetting to be careful about the pollen. After taking these shots I went back in the house and found my shirt sleeve painted deep red - almost impossible to get out.

Honesty

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Lunaria

These hold a special spot for me. I can remember helping my Grandmother as she showed me the wonder of gathering the pods from her 'Poor mans Dollars' tied and dried so they could be planted
in the spring. Now I can show my own grandchildren.
Gardens, a continuation, renewal in many ways.

Blazing gazania

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

This is the first year I planted these in my garden. They're along the path and would normally be shing in the sun all day. This wet weather kept them shut up for most of the summer, so whenever the sun did cathc them I was right there to enjoy their glorious colour.

Olala Red

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Hibiscus

This, only one of the dozens of blossoms this hibiscus shows off every year, earning it the nickname of Olala. It was the first one I purchased over
15 years ago and is still going strong.

Beeeeeutiful

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

These flowers were covered in tiny bees for most of the summer.

Petite cousins

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Hosta

Standing, at average, only 6 inches tall, these diminutive hostas put on just as good a show as their bigger cousins.

Georgia O'Keeffe-Inspired Rose

by Christen Spiewak
(Kildeer, IL, USA)

A rose from my garden.

Pale Pink Lilly

by Kathy Swartz
(Port Orchard WA.)

From my back yard pond

Coneflower cluster

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

So very pretty and elegant when they first bloom.

Gentle Giants

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Hosta

After trying several different plantings on the north side of the house, finally found many in the hosta family enjoy the shade it provides. I am always amazed how such large plants offer up such delicate flowers.

Fills the bill

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Columbine alba

I think a little white tucked here and there in the flower beds makes for a nice change of pace, a sort of bridge for the brighter colored blossoms to play off from- and another good reason to visit the nurseries!

Old-fashioned Ladys

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Rose

Not knowing their proper name, that is what I call these lovely old roses, although someone once suggested they may actually be Mr. LIncoln Roses. There was only a few of these when we moved here, stuggling in the shade of a very large maple tree, but over the near 30 odd years, they have developed into quite a lovely patch. Their incredible scent floats around on the soft summer air, almost making up for their many sharp thorns!

Barely Pink

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Hibiscus

One of my favorite hibiscus, it never fails to impress me.

Orange all the way

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Cosmos

Another old-time favorite, a real beautiful flower, which tends to often get overlooked.

Crystal Cleome

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

I grew these from seed this year. Amazing plants - they grew about three feet high and have these unbelievable complicated symmetrical blooms that have lasted over two months now. I caught this backlit bloom in the morning sun

Hummingbird magnet in the evening light

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

These Coronada hyssop have bloomed non stop all summer. I just hope they come back next year as the hummingbirds love them.

Drops of Sunshine

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Oenothera

A few of the bright, cheerful sundrops, as my Grandmother always named them.
They never fail to bring a smile to any who encounter them.

After the shower

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

The African Daisies lie flattened following one of our many showers this summer. Note the little fly visiting.

Natures Palette

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Columbine

With their different shape blooms and bright color combinations, who can resist a columbine!

View from the top

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

No matter which way you view these vibrant plants, they alway put on a fantastic show. There'll be more of these going in next year.

Newest member

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Rose of Sharon

This beauty, a new rose of sharon, "Violet Satin" was an anniversary gift -#33! -
from my husband. He sure knows how to pick a winner.

Fuzzy Curls

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

The setting sun picks up all the fuzz and curves of the clematis

Continuous colour

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

I can't believe how long these bloomed - virtually the entire summer and still going strong. As long as you cut off the gorgeous seedheads the flowers just keep on coming.

Butterfly habitate

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Asclepias tuberosa

Better known as simply butterfly weeds, these bright beauties add sparkle to most any flower garden or bed.

Newest member

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Rose of Sharon

This beauty, a new rose of sharon, "Violet Satin" was an anniversary gift -#33! -
from my husband this year.
He sure knows how to pick a winner!

Blushes

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Rose

This little shrub rose remains one of my all time favorite in the yard, still producing its delightful delicate blooms, adding its own delicate scent.

"Paint the Town Red"

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Rose Red

Definitely an apt description for this rose!
A gift from a friend a few years ago, it had never seemed very happy in its location. So early this spring decided the best thing to do was to lift it up and after a summer of
a little extra TLC, it has very recovered nicely.

Garden nymph watches over the coneflowers

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

My wife gave me the garden nymph who lives perfectly beside the coneflowers.

Coneflower awakening

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

Caught this little guy just as the petals were uncurling.

Adam's Needle

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Yucca

Known by various names, any who have ever had a meeting with the ends of their stiff frond-like leafs will
certainly know they are just about as sharp as needles!
but with their tall spire, heavy with soft blossoms, make them another favorite I look forward to each summer.

White Diamonds

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

The evening sun caught the drops on this lily after a shower. I got soaked taking these shots just from rubbing up against all the plants.

Just peachy

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Gladiolus

Had already entered this under 'bulbs' before thinking it might be best suited for the close-up catagory.
This was just a small bulb, so was surprised and could hardly wait to see what color when it bloosomed.
Yes, it's definitely a keeper!

Stately hyssop

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

What a plant - beautiful pastel flowers all summer - and little visitors to boot.

Herb Robert

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Geranium endresii

is what we have always called this pretty little plant, but I have no idea why! Other folks may know it better as Endres cranesbill.

Barely Pink

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Hibiscus

One of my favorite hibiscus, it never fails to impress me.

No ugly duckling now

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

"Winston Churchhill"

A close look at what had been a rather plain little aster
shows it has grown, earned its name, proud to takes into its proper place in the flower bed.

Obedient Dragons

by Sandy Jo
(USA)

Physostegia viginiana

Have seen these listed as 'Dragon Flowers' but I have only known them as Obedient Flowers, though they are anyhting but very obedient. By any name, they are sure a pleasure in the flower beds, blooming later than most other flowers.

Big scary coneflower

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

OK not so scary. Love the central cone on this variety.

Morning liatris

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

These plants look spectacular in the morning light.
A full month of glorius and unusual colour.

Cuddling a clematis

by Jim Smith
(Ancaster ON Canada)

Up close and personal with one of the clematis blooms on the back fence.

A Lowly Landscape Rose

by Marilyn Allen
(Duluth, MN, USA)

Every year purchase a couple new roses, they almost never don't make it through the winter; so every year try a couple different ones. Finally success with Glacier Magic! Blooms all summer with the most profuse and delicate blooms.