Beautiful Rain

We've had such a bunch of beautiful rain lately. We have been in such a drought leaving the whole state so vulnerable to fires. At one time there were 250 active wildfires. Thank God for the rains. Along with the rains come the humidity, mosquitoes and happy, happy plants. I noticed that the ferns particularly seem to have taken a leap for the better. Many of the small plants I put in last year are thriving and growing larger.. especially one pentas which is covered with red blossoms. I planted the salvia, pentas, fireweed and 4 o'clocks in hope of enticing some hummingbirds to visit. I think perhaps my offering is entirely too small to be noticed.

I have a small bed between the porch and the side entrance and have tried many little things in there. Most things don't do well because it is SO shady. One of the things I tried were periwinkle. I love how white periwinkle just seem to glow in the dark. Several volunteers sprouted in the crack between the sidewalk and the little retaining beam.. I haven't had the heart to take them out and they now cover about half the walk. Love volunteers. It looks as though its time agin for the aloes to bloom. Wonderful, waxy looking little flowers. I love new things, but sometimes its the familiar that pop up again and again that brings the smile.

I go out each day, fully intending to do something in the yard... walk around, perhaps water and go back inside. Now that I'm not 'working' and have ample time at home, my enthusiasm or energy has dwindled. When I look at some of the gardens in these 'blogs'... I'm content to enjoy "just looking" thinking that I might never have gardens anything like those. So many make me think of parks, they are so beautiful and so full. I was amazed at the recent pictures of Hillside Garden... in Germany. In the past I'd seen her photos of others gardens and individual flowers but had never seen the scope of her gardens. Simply lush and beautiful.