Photo Therapy

WITH THE GARDEN LOOKING more than a little "blah" right now, I thought I'd share some photos from my archives--photos of happier times, when the weather was hospitable and pleasant. Maybe these will jar your memory to that time, many months ago. I especially dedicate this post to all of you who remain strangled by winter's icy grip. 

These photos are all from my "Drive-By (Photo) Shooting" file. They were taken around town during previous summers.

Recently, I bought a large seed packet of Red Flax because of what I saw in this front garden last summer.

This flower is Viscaria. Very similar to Red Flax. 

Dogwood 

Voluptuous Hydrangea

Roadside Chicory Blossom of purest blue

Armeria drinking up the sunshine

Double File Viburnum

Echinaceas in the hell strip

A genius juxtaposition: Japanese Blood Grass and blooming Sedum 

A front bed of Japanese Anemone blossoms

Hardy Fuchsias ... oh I miss those sweet blossoms.

A tad bit blurry, Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin) in its floral prime

How come my Hollyhocks never look like this? 

Finally a bit of humor: 

Maybe the most tasteful rendition of pink flamingos I've seen.
And of course, there's always got to be one rogue. 

No taste here at all. 

Hang in there. Spring is coming!

Drive-By (Photo) Shootings

LAST FRIDAY I TOOK another stroll around a neighborhood near where I work. I was on the lookout for street-side beauties and I found them! 

Japanese Anemone 

 Under the shade of a towering broad leaf, I spotted this cool border.

This entire strip was all abloom with pink flowering Japanese Anemones. 

Making my way down the sidewalk a few feet, the Anemones are replaced with a huge fern and hardy Fuchsia. 

A turn towards the property and this cute and inviting row of steps came into view.

And then, just beyond the steps was this enormous mound of Bergenia with a clever perennial Sweet Pea snaking through it. I thought it was photo-worthy. 

Arum italicum

A little farther down, I saw something orange poking through the succulent Bergenia leaves. Upon closer inspection, voila, Arum seed pods. How cool are these? 

Aware that something was watching me, I glanced across the street and pointed my camera at the culprit.

Single Sunflower

 Although all of you may enjoy them, the above and below photos are specifically dedicated to Linnie.

Morning Glory

 Right next to the blooming sunflowers were these pretty, sky-blue Morning Glories. 

After capturing those photos, I set off to find another shoot. Boy did I find it. 

Sedum just starting to bloom among the shrubs. 

 This block had amazing front gardens.

Next door to the above garden was this edible and cut flower garden.

Some baby pumpkins in the hellstrip. 

Corn in the hellstrip

While I was admiring these gardens, the owner came out and we chatted a bit. She told me she was growing this corn to share with her neighbors. They were planning a neighborhood harvest party for that evening. How cool is that? 

A little farther and I ended up on a cul-de-sac.

Albizzia julibrissin or Mimosa (a bit blurry--sorry). 

This amazing Mimosa blew me away. I know Mimosas are notorious for litter and seeding around so I would never have it in my garden but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it from afar, right? 

I had to get a photo of this cool sign. 

Finally, I thought this border was really inventive. The cannas in the middle are amazing.

Have you seen any drive-by gardens lately?