Friday, July 30, 2021

IN THE GARDEN

 

You think I would have enough to do lately. After being off a year and half for the pandemic and then going right into the through's of freelance projects and a new job,  would be enough. Well before the pandemic, when I was still off I had been to Mother's on several occasions where we have slowly been rebuilding some of the gardens to what it looked like when my father was still alive. He loved gardening. While being in Harrisburg on weeks with my good friend at his shop, I'm continuing to potter around in the garden, which is sort of nice,  since I don't have one.  And don't ask what the hell some of these things are, I have no idea what I'm doing as I told Madame Arcati...but everything seems to be doing well.... miraculously. Though the heat is taking a toll lately. The above garden in done, with the help of the big Greek neighbor my mother has next door.  Mission accomplished! These are some of the shots since June. Me in a garden...oh dear. Take a look....

In June, after a four year wait, the Blueberry bush finally yielded berries!!!!! It was very exciting. And a challenge to keep the robins and catbirds from swiping to many. It was nice to be able to just go out and get them. But don't worry, I'm not about to start farming.

No idea. but my father loved these. These were transplanted from another area, where we filled in with grass.

Mountain mint. Smells heavenly.

This critter was fluttering about. At first I though it was a hummingbird or a really huge bee, but turns out it's a Clearwing Hummingbird Moth...larger and more colorful and very soft looking to other moths. I also understand their the only moth to be out in the daylight and use the fluttering of wings like a hummingbird, and pollinate. It was so pretty and fast. Never saw one before this. He was pollinating like crazy.

I couldn't be more happy with the fuchsia. This is the first year we had one survive this long...but the heat may be taking a toll.

A coneflower

My mothers' hydrangeas are going insane this summer as are the zinnias. This is just one bush! At one point we must have had a vase in each room, my friend actually bought a bunch to sell in his shop, and we gave a big bunch to the neighbors on either side of us. 

The heat even seems to be getting to Bugs. Look at the fur ball resting a spell, behind the shed.
A beautiful mustard and ketchup rose. This was one of the newest ones this year. the roses are loving this summer.
Because of the heat and humidity this summer mushrooms seem to be popping up over night it seems. And they are everywhere.
I loved the details in this shot. I guess I never really noticed the delicate details on the underside of the mushroom head.

This stunning black and white moth I came across in the shed. It was huge. Never seen one like this.

And just yesterday caught this beauty in the garden at the butterfly bush and the red plant thingy. They do seem to be attracting butterflies, and lucky I had my phone ready.

And I guess since we have finally introduced so much color, more then we have had in previous years, and several groupings of potted gardens as well, we were overjoyed to finally see the return of a hummingbird!!!! It was so nice. I don't think my mother has seen one since I lived home back in my school days in the 90's. Its been great seeing a whole little habitat coming to fruition I must say. The hummingbird seems pretty friendly too. We can get pretty close, and he doesn't seem fazed.

44 comments:

  1. This post fills my day with color. Of course, any garden you touch becomes a work of art no matter how little you know about gardening. I do miss hummingbirds, a New World bird that doesn’t exist here.

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    1. I was tickled to see them again. It's one bird I don't get at the Casa du Borghese. Not enough colorful flowers I surmise.

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  2. My dear Maddie you do seem to have the touch! Everything looks so beautiful. You are so very fortunate to have had the time to help your mother restore the gardens to their former glory.

    The video of the hummingbird is fantastic. The way he goes from flower to flower getting nectar is amazing.

    Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Amazing how close hummingbirds will let you get. I have seen videos of them feeding from peoples hands...I would love to see if I could do that.

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  3. Oh, I love it all!
    I think you've done a great job. The groupings are super pretty! Love the fuchsias and the roses and the fact that you have so many pollinators! I've seen some butterflies in my garden and I'm very pleased.
    That moth is fabulous, too!

    XOXO

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    1. Thanks Six...considering I don't know what the hell I'm doing. Im just glad the color if bring back the butterflies and hummingbirds. Plus gives me time to play in a garden, since I don't have one.

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  4. The first time I saw a Hummingbird Moth I thought it was an alien. They're amazing.

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    1. It was very cool...I thought maybe it was a baby hummingbird at first.

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  5. Very nice. We sell netting specifically to keep the birds away from blueberry bushes.

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  6. Pretty, maybe you should try a farming, or at least a farmer

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    1. I am not opposed to trying out a farmer.

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  7. I'm like a kid in a sweet shop with this post! (You knew I'd say that, didn't you?)
    Everything is wonderful. The individual plants and the groupings. Divine.
    The plant you don't know the name of, that your dad liked, is an Astilbe. They love damp conditions.

    The black and white moth and the hummingbird, wow!

    I've been growing Dahlias this year for the first time. They are so beautiful. I must send you a pic. X

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    1. Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers Christina!!! They are expensive to buy here for some reason. Now, let us hope the gardens keeps going. I always think of you on these posts.

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  8. Gorgeous, and when the butterflies come, you know you've done right by the garden.

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  9. What a lovely display of Hosta you have; interesting from a gardener's point of view to see them interspersed with Heuchera. The garden does look lovely, even the Astilbe, my bête noir. I haven't seen a hummingbird in the wild since I lived in Idaho 46 years ago.

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    1. The Hosta have been there for years, and pulled some out to give the area more variety. The Heuchera has been doing well, and even doubled in size already. Yes the Astilbe which I couldn't remember the name of, was my dads favorite. That bed was long gone. We went with that instead of cockscombs, since this bed doesn't get a lot of sun. I didn't even know how it would do, as I don't know what I'm doing, lol!!!!!!

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  10. Gorgeous flowers, cute rabbit!

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    1. I think Debs his rabbit hole is back there somewhere.

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  11. Beautiful! You did a great job!! And Bugs is a cutie.

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  12. Are you for hire Mistress! For winging it, it all looks so pretty! Yep your mother is lucky to have you, and this appears to be yet another talent you have. Perhaps you got it from your father? The moths are so pretty...I have never seen a Clearwing but it sure looks pretty. Love also how you guys utilized that old tree stump!!!

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    1. I have lost a few things, like the coneflower. I didn't know they needed full sun. Just planted some new ones. Those clearwings are certainly fun to watch.

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  13. My favorite is the hydrangeas. One of my favorites. I can see why you too sit in the yard and admire. Im not good with plants either...and usually wing it. Why stress it. if it takes it takes. And loved the hummingbird snippet. They are so cute. You should get one of those feeders.

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  14. Those are wonderful flowers, and I especially loved the hydrangeas. I use those to decorate the homes I build in The Sims 4, but I've never seen one up close. Thanks for sharing that with us.

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  15. wait..you telling me you never saw a prefect mushroom head?!?!?!?

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    1. He sees a perfect mushroom head everyday.

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    2. You two are are expelled for five days.

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  16. Everything is so very pretty, Mads! Love the chubby little hummingbird. I need to set up my feeder, except with this drought the squirrels would probably attack it. I could certainly use you in my backyard for an hour or two.

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    1. You have a bird arboretum by time I'm done. And Ill have to have a talk with the squirrel.

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  17. Thank you for sharing your garden, it's beautiful.

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  18. Hummingbirds are delightful creatures. Everything in the garden is colorful, abundant, and beautiful--just like you.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Your too king Janie!!!! This last two weeks will be the test as the heat get worst. This week some things baked.

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  19. What a wonderful garden of delights you've created, Mistress! The hydrangeas are gorgeous and rabbits always know where the coolest places to hang out, LOL!

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  20. Its all so pretty. I would be like you. I would wing it and wish it luck. Is everything new in the garden? And the Clearwing Moth is so cool. You sure have many talented outlets Mistress.

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  21. WOW!!!! I love all the different selections. And how much help did the Greek give you??? I especially love that rose color...that is so cool, and so nice to see a butterfly.

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  22. The photos are wonderful, but I have been thinking about you today. Did you get caught in any of that tornado weather last night? Hope you are safe and well!

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    1. I am well Todd thank you! Luckily Im in Harrisburg working this week and missed the series of tornados, thought I understand New Hope and Buckingham had some damage. I had no call from my neighbor, so I assume the Casa du Borghese is in one piece.

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  23. Sure some lovely summer shots
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  24. Of all the pictures, I really like the details of the mushrooms! But what I wouldn't do to have a few blueberry bushes in the spring.I also don't know what that red plant is, but I love it.

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  25. You have such great luck with all you come upon and photograph. Stunning stuff... AGAIN! The hummingbird moth! And that Fuchsia... I saw the head of a model and spindly legs in tights and a designer gown. Look at it and tell me you see it. It would be a great look on a runway or stage... the colors are brilliant. How beautiful your garden grows... a reflection on you, my dear. Kizzes

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    1. I see the spindly model, uptonking. I see it!

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  26. Beautiful, Maddie! You've worked wonders in your mother's garden, as that swallowtail butterfly and Mothra, the giant leopard moth can attest.
    I'm hoping to see another hummingbird hawkmoth in my garden this year, but it won't be a clearwing like yours, though.

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    1. I may be nice to submit a photo or two to a garden show I hear about coming up!!!!!

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  27. gardens like these is why I want to retire out of Arizona; I miss gardening.

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    1. Never been to Arizona, I'm sure it's has it's prettiness, but I need to have my four seasons and lush green hills, gardens and mountains.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!