8/2/09

Campsis radicans

Campsis radicans is the lovely Latin name for the Trumpet vine. This vigorous, woody vine loves the hot weather that has descended upon the Pacific Northwest. The hummingbirds are drawn to these flowers, as was my husband with his camera. He did an excellent job capturing these photo images.

In doing more research on this vine Wikepedia was quoted as saying "The vigor of the trumpet vine should not be underestimated. In warm weather, it puts out huge numbers of tendrils that grab onto every available surface, and eventually expand into heavy woody stems several centimeters in diameter. It grows well on arbors, fences, telephone poles, and trees, although it may dismember them in the process. Ruthless pruning is recommended." Fortunately nothing has been dismembered yet by the Trumpet vine in our yard! We are not going to prune ruthlessly yet. We are just going to enjoy these vines with the vivid orange blooms.

8/1/09

Surrounded by Beauty at Patti's Kitchen

I love eating at Patti's Kitchen in Moscow, Idaho. Not only is the Mexican food delicious, but the surrounding are full of beauty. I love studying how other gardeners create container gardens. I know next year I will be using sweet potato vine. She has highlighted one container with chartreuse green and added purple sweet potato vine to another.The water feature provides a break from the heat as the cool water spills over the top of the urn.These containers again show how bright combinations of colors can work well for containers.

Drivng Toward Home By Water

the Columbia Princess crossing Lake Roosevelt

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and
expressive feature.It is earth's eye;
looking into which the beholder measures
the depth of his own nature. "
~Henry David Thoreau

I have been away and missed the water that surrounds the place I call home . Even with the unbearable heat and a tired body and mind from travel, I got goosebumps as a got a whiff of dry pine, golden grass, and vast water.
I love crossing the bridge at Fort Spokane and gazing at The Spokane River as it drains into Lake Roosevelt.
Seeing the line of tourists at the ferry reminded me I was close to home.
Lake Roosevelt... as I crossed the ferry I was reminded of it's depth of beauty.

The ferry driver blew the horn to let us know we had once again arrived on our side....the side that gets me closer to home.

7/25/09

Can You PIck a Favorite Flower ?


July, hot sunshine, fertilizer, and water create flower blossoms filled with beauty, fragrance, and vivid color. People often ask me if I have a favorite flower. I usually then ask "In what garden?" , "What time of year?" , "Annual or perennial?", or " In my my garden or yours?" It is a very difficult question.

My favorite flower can change from hour to hour. I am not home today, but JEJ has informed me the bright orange trumpet vines are vivid in color and as beautiful as they have ever been. Today that would be my favorite flower. When I was at the writing retreat I fell in love with deep purple petunias. They were more fragrant and deeper in color than any at my house ever .

Taking a drive through Moscow, Idaho today I fell in love with day lilies. They are blooming everywhere and the creamy yellows and apricots are pleasing to the eye. At my mom's house last week-end it was the mixture of annual blooms in containers on her deck. It was the strong fragrance of a lily outside in the moonlight at my sister's house that was a favorite as it drifted into the dining room.

Tomorrow as a venture out with my camera I may find another favorite. Do you have the same problem as me in July? Can you pick a favorite flower?