We tend to live according to the seasons and flow with the weather. June is the month of the garden - and so I find myself almost single mindedly focused on it. I almost feel like I must apologize for yet more garden photos!
One of my biggest challenges is fighting the thought that I am "wasting space" with things that are "just pretty". When space is limited I'm tempted to grow only functional, but we need flowers. They attract the pollinators - wasps, bees, hoverflies, butterflies, birds. They smell good. They add color, make the garden look nicer, and they just make people happy. So every year I try to add more of all flowering types. In a small garden like ours even just small splashes of flowers throughout make such a huge difference.
In addition to the purely just pretty things, I like cross functional. Flowering and useful. I can't help it, I'm a Virgo. Throughout all of the beds I have flowering plants which are ALSO edible or medicinal:: sunflowers, nasturtiums, yarrow, toothache plant, feverfew, fenugreek, valerian, mullein, bee balm, anise hyssop, german chamomile, calendula, amaranth, lemon balm, mints, echinacea...and many are planted in a spot because they are companion plants to something else growing there! I get the pretty and the Virgo covered in one swoop.
This week is a beautiful flower week. So many things won't bloom until mid summer, but the early bloomers are always so pretty after so many months of monotone. And even the bushes are blooming!
The first bursts of flowers are always so amazing, aren't they? I can't wait to see it all in bloom.
"Just living is not enough" said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."
- Hans Christian Andersen
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8 comments:
they're amazing, Denise! you can never have too many flowers:)
I'm a firm believer in the magical qualities of "just pretty" blooms.
Gorgeous photos.
OH please don't apologize for your gorgeous photos!! I adore them!!! Though FL has beautiful foliage, we don't seem to have quite the variety as other climates. That realization came to me when I visited Seattle. There are flowers that I have seen on people's blogs that have become must sees for me in my lifetime :). And that quote is one of my faves!! Happy weekend to you!
Never get enough of beauty. That would be a sad day. We're moving and I get/have to restart a whole new garden. Yours is a lovely inspiration.
I ADORE photos of flowers! Don't apologize! I don't think I can ever have enough flowers. (my checkbook thinks otherwise!)
;-)
So, so beautiful right now. Usually it's the May Garden, but there you have it. :)
So exciting.
Think I"m up for pics today, too!
Surrounding ourselves with beauty is so important. And I have to thank you for inspiring me to get out and get some beauty for our yard. There is lots of pink ready to be planted, probably not today, but hopefully tomorrow. :)
mmmm, just lovely. We love the edible flowers around here, though my garden is lacking them mostly this year. I would love to come visit your garden sometime. (and since I'm catching up, I'm also sending many wishes of wellness to you and your family )
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