WREATHMAKER

I haven't joined in at Tootsie 's to flaunt my flowers for a while, so I'd better get on it, or summer will be over! First, Queen Elizabeth Rose, a reliable variety. Coleus, in a pot, in semi-shade Swedish Ivy on the lime green bakers rack, with yellow cardinal plant in background. We bought this large wicker trellis at a garden supply store, and are using it just to fill the wall space above the hostas. "Endless Summer" hydrangeas, pink and blue (the blue one was fed more copper sulphate) ....and a general view of the back garden. Enjoy all the other entries in this week's flower postings!

It's time for "Bouquet of the Month" at  Ramblings from a Desert Garden again. Our lilies are in full bloom so I was trying out various "poses" for them, not exactly bouquets. I am reminded that even Solomon in the Bible, who was wealthy enough to afford clothing of the finest fabric or style, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 

I love hydrangeas, and although we can grow the Limelight and Annabelle varieties fairly easily here in Manitoba, it is only recently that with some luck, we can overwinter Endless Summer. Endless Summer blooms in pink in our lime soil, unless we feed it with copper sulphate to bring out the blue . Last week, after a rainstorm, I noticed how soft and pretty the colours were. I am joining in with Monday Mosaics at Mary's. What lovely contributions we find over there every week, and thanks, Mary! *****Click on the photo to enlarge*****

THE OLD MILL STATE PARK, MINNESOTA Rebuilt in 1958, the steam engine and mill are fired up each year as part of park special events and interpretive programs. The beach ridges of the old lake served as travel routes for Indians, traders, and settlers. For the early settlers, the beach ridge just east of the park was one of the travel lanes. Known as the Pembina Trail, the oxcart trail and the river crossing are still visible. This week, we took our 2 youngest grandchildren on a little trip to the USA, where the shopping is just a bit more interesting. On our way back we stopped for a little break at the Old Mill, which for many years was a favorite camping destination for our own children. I chuckle at some of the memories. Most of the time I am called Millie but my hubby and close friends call me Mil. When our eldest grandson was about 2 and a half years old, we all went camping at the Old Mill campground. On the first morning, my hubby said " Let's go for a walk to see t...

Lilies are in bloom! Asiatic lilies do well in our zone 3 climate. I love to make little bouquets. Today I noticed that some of the stems were leaning near the ground so I picked enough to fill a medium sized vase. With it is bupleura, which self seeds every year. I once read that this green flower is quite expensive in the Dutch markets.