Wednesday, July 28, 2010

It's a jungle out there!

The other morning I went out to water. I turned on the faucet and filled the watering can, and turned around and just had to giggle. This is what I saw--what a jungle! That cleome takes center stage and amazes me every day with it's blooms.
And as I looked further at my little backyard garden, it really looks like a jungle! But, you know..that is the look I love. I am definitely a lover of the cottage garden. Lots of anything that will grow-everywhere!
Out of the 7 zinnia seed packets I planted, 2 groups of flowers have germinated and grown and look great. They are tall, but have small blooms and make great cutting flowers. As a matter of fact, that is the name of the group they are from, "the cutting collection." You know I was not thrilled with the seeds I bought, but at least I got these flowers. They add to that wild jungle look.
The stroll down the path is pretty clam, but you can see all the things I have growing. There are lots of things that are not handling the west sun very well, but for the most part things are doing ok.
In the mist of the early morning hours, it may look like a jungle-but I do love my garden, even in the hot summer time. It is full of so many different things-lots planted by me, and a few planted by my bird friends. I will try and remember how it looks on this hot summer morning some cold and dreary day in January. Remembering will help get me through the winter!

"In the depth of winter..I learned that within me lay an invincible summer."
Albert Camus

14 comments:

JenningsJunk said...

Fun fun pictures and blog post!! Things look pretty good for the last week of July and this crazy heat.

Meadowview Thymes said...

JJ--thanks, and I give lots of credit to Travis for keeping things going while we were away.
It's just so hot...are we ready for fall yet?

meemsnyc said...

Our front garden looks a lot like a jungle too!

tina said...

I can totally relate to you. One of my neighbors said I had a jungle-I was a bit offended. I need to have a good laugh like you. I guess it is all a matter of perspective. Your garden is looking good. The zinnias add a nice spot of color. The tree is doing well too!

misterreereeder said...

I can *see* the *grin* on your face as you are telling your story. It is nice to have things you enjoy.

Meadowview Thymes said...

meemsnyc-I love a cottage garden, which at times may look like a jungle. I think all the heat really brought some things out. I got so busy, I just didn't notice how things had grown! :)

Tina--having a jungle is not a bad thing..it's just what makes you happy. And, I like my little jungle! Thanks for the kind words on the zinnias--only 2 kinds came up, but things will be better next year!

MR--there was a "grin" on my face for sure when I stood up and saw all those plants. Sometimes we get so busy, we forget to look. :)
(hope the roll is going well!)

Roses and Lilacs said...

I love your cottage look too. I admire gardens that are professionally designed but couldn't live with one.
Marnie

Skeeter said...

The way all of my butterfly bushes clump together, it looks like a small jungle but so much activity from the butterflies, hummers and bees so this jungle is a good thing. I am sure the flutterbugs enjoy your jungle as well. Freebies from the birds are great too. They are making their own jungle for you to enjoy :-)

Racquel said...

Your garden looks pretty good this July, so full of color. Mine is looking a bit ragged & worn out already. :(

Meadowview Thymes said...

Marnie, good point! I like to look at all the flowers in formal gardens, but it's just not me. I like that wild cottage style.

Skeeter, I am having butterflies and so many bees. Not honey bees though--bumble bees. I have never seen so many!

Racquel-my garden looks pretty stressed. We spend way too long trying to keep it watered. I have GOT to get more heat tolerant plants next year!

Susie said...

After the heat and dry spells we have had this year I think I am going to shrink my biggest flower bed. I'm so tired of pulling hoses to water.

I think I'm going to throw out some wildflower seed for next year and call it good.

Meadowview Thymes said...

I hear ya Susie! Our temp is suppose to be over 100 for the next 7 days, and my garden faces west! We drag hoses around twice a day--which is wrong. I have lots of things I need to re-do for next year too.

Nola said...

I love your "jungle"; I prefer that look to a very formal tailored garden. Isn't it amazing how fast everything grows?

Ruth Tomlin said...

Thank you for your pictures! My jungle garden makes me happy too? I look at " neat tilt" gardens with all their pine bark and wood chips and think" maybe I should do this too" but then I realise that my garden is for me to love, not my neighbours or some garden guru. I call the "weeds" natures gifts and just let them grow among the flowers and watch the little blue wrens making nests in my jungle garden!
I love your garden, so keep posting pics. Ruth xx