garden – Country Design Home

Here’s what’s happening this week in the garden….

The Phlox are in full bloom in shades of purple, white and lavender. They give off such a rich, flowery scent. Probably the biggest we have ever seen in our garden- some are 5 feet tall!! (If I didn’t know better, I would swear coach had cross-pollinated them with those creepy sunflowers…

The daisies are happily basking in the bright sunlight. As is Daisy the dog 🙂

Roses, roses everywhere! Bright pinks and vibrant reds. Is there anything prettier than roses against a white picket fence?

Not sure what these cute little yellow flowers are…

The pond has some lily pads, but the frog seems to have disappeared : (

Black Eyed Susans! One of my favorites, and my name sake. Not sure of the origins of the name, but it always reminds me of the week before my wedding (oh, so many years ago) that I was playing right field in the Wakefield Softball League.

Racing after a long fly ball, I crashed into the center fielder and ended up with a black eye! Nothing a little concealer couldn’t cover by my wedding day. Of course, we didn’t leave for our honeymoon immediately following the wedding, because we both had games on Sunday.

Up at bat, bottom of the third, game tied, the pitcher peers down at me, goes into her windup. Then she does a double-take (may have been a balk, not sure) and yells “Hey, didn’t you get married yesterday!?! What are you doing here!?” Ah, for the love of the game : )

Tiger Lilies are also of the giant variety this year, and in desperate need of some cutting and splitting. Anyone need some for their garden?

The finished bouquet in one of coach’s crocks. Fresh flowers are the perfectly natural way to bring bright, bold color to your space.

So what’s happening this week in your garden? Happy Weeding! Susan

Here Comes the Sun(flowers)

Dreary gray sky today, hot and humid-temps in the 90’s-severe thunderstorms, per the weatherman. Having my morning coffee on the back porch, looking at the exploding garden that all of a sudden needs some serious pruning and weeding. We have rose bushes, daisies, tiger lilies, phlox in several shades of purples and pinks (thanks to the cross-pollination from the bees : ). One forbidden flower in our garden? The Sunflower, aptly named because of their ability to follow the sun with their giant heads. Now, Coach loves sunflowers, perhaps because they are so big that they give a little extra bang for your buck? Me, not so much. They remind me of that giant man-eating Venus Fly Trap in “The Little Shop of Horrors”. (for those of you unfamiliar with this vintage cult film, click here. When I imagine those ginormous flowers hovering around my back porch, the phrase “what’s eating you” always comes to mind. Do you think there is such a thing as SAD (Sunflower Affected Disorder)? If so, I believe I may be afflicted with that particular malady. ..That being said, I do appreciate that sunflowers, with their bright yellow petals and chocolate brown anther (that’s the middle) can make a colorful impact in a small space. Because of the various shades of yellows and browns and golds, they are comfortable in any color scheme.

Most often used in what I consider to be rustic country decor (with chickens too!)sunflowers in today’s modern eclectic esthetic can add a touch of whimsy

a pop of color in an otherwise black and white and red scheme-LOVE THIS!)They can be bright and cheery or

add a bold contrast (yikes! this shower would slay me-literally!)

Sunflowers can bring a touch of country to a city dwelling

Or create a cozy colorful outdoor nook for reading and relaxing (where they are safely ensconced in that large glass cylinder : )

You might like to know that the color Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, happiness and energy and carries the promise of a positive future. Impressionist Vincent Van Gogh thought so, as they were a favorite subject, but most likely that was before he cut off his ear in the throes of depression…

Here’s hoping that this blog about Sunflowers will brighten your day! Susan

Addendum: Dried Sunflower seeds are also a fun, nutritious treat that can be used in many recipes to add some crunch and flavor. This cold broccoli salad with raisins, bacon and sunflower seeds is a family favorite at any BBQ. DO NOT USE UNSHELLED SEEDS in this recipe! Lesson learned the hard way-literally. Have a sunny Friday!