Weather conditions can affect not only how floriferous rose bushes are, but also the color of their blooms. We’ve had relatively cool temperatures here in Manhattan, Kansas lately, and several of my bushes are producing extraordinarily vibrant blooms. This photo is of Secret blossoms, which are loving this cool weather. Not only are they showing beautiful color, but they are also wonderfully fragrant.
Have a lovely day!
A little rain is always good for the garden!
Have a lovely weekend.
This is a photo of our Brown-Eyed Susans that I took last summer. Unfortunately – and to my great surprise – none of them came back this year. That’s the first time in fourteen years that I’ve lost our rudbeckia trilobas. Now, it is decision time. They were in a stretch of garden that is difficult to maintain because it is hard to reach with the hose and also difficult to weed. Do I replant or try to find some other way to landscape that area? There are still irises, yarrow, purple coneflowers and lambs ears in that bed. So that area still requires maintenance, but do I take the opportunity to start down-sizing that strip? Hmmm …
Have a wonderful day!
I don’t usually cut flowers from my garden. I like to leave them in place for passers-by to enjoy. However, with freezing temperatures approaching, I decided to cut a few hyacinths to bring in the house. Their fragrance is remarkable, so I’m glad to have them inside. Have a lovely day!
Scattered storms: a thunderhead, moving in over the neighborhood this evening …
Back in early October, we had unseasonably cold weather. So I snipped about a dozen branches from the basil plants in my garden and put them into water, hoping to extend their usable life by a few weeks. To my surprise they rooted and thrived in my kitchen. (I was surprised because I have never had luck keeping potted basil plants inside.) To my even greater surprise, I was able to keep them going for six months … well at least one of them. Because I used their leaves all winter, I am down to the last stem on my last branch. They were incredibly easy to keep going. I just changed the water and washed out the jars about once a week. What a wonderful, unexpected run of fresh basil. It is still too early to put new plants into the ground, as basil is not very cold hardy. However, I can start a few pots and just bring them in when the temperatures are about to dip too low. Yay! No need to be without this wonderful herb!
Have a lovely weekend!
Despite keeping it covered for the winter, our beautiful fountain is showing damage from the extreme weather this year. I am trying to convince myself to consider it “added charm,” yet I hate to see some of our lions heads crumbling. Oh, what to do? I guess, just wait for spring. Once the fountain is running and splendor has returned to the garden, the old beasts will seem more at ease.
I’ll confess – I didn’t want to spend too much time taking photos outside today. I’m more of a fair-weather photographer. The rain, sleet and hail, have done a good job of turning into snow – for now; but I thought that I’d share this shot from earlier today, when, we were still having a bit of everything coming down. Brrr … what a cold, gray, wet day. Ah, how nice to be back inside with some hot tea!
Just a few days ago, it was nearly 70 F degrees here in Manhattan, and the balmy temperatures melted away almost all of our snow. But so far today we have had thunder, hail, rain, snow and sleet; and yet it is supposed to go up to 47 here this afternoon. Well, that’s Kansas weather for you. At least we aren’t getting hit by the blizzard that has moved in to the west of us!
Wherever you are, may your day be lovely!
The sun is shining this morning and everything looks beautiful after the 12.8 inches of fresh snow that fell here in Manhattan, Kansas yesterday. It is frigidly cold, though, and the schools and some businesses are closed; so not too many people are out and about town. It is hard to believe that it was almost 60 F degrees here a few days ago!
Stay warm! Have a lovely day!
A Taste of Morning 