Fibermania

Mulberries for Breakfast

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We are early risers on most days, especially in the summer when the Cardinals announce the dawn with their whistling calls. So to make the most of the day we have our coffee on the deck and soak in the slanting rays before they become blisteringly hot.

Since we have both of our bikes upgraded with new seats, and pedals (no more toe baskets) and even a kick stand on Dave's new bike, we decide to have a quick ride around the neighborhood. Dave is feeling much better after his spill and we are not riding on any more sidewalks that drop off into gravel beds.

On our ride, I see many beautiful yards, and the plantings are blooming up a storm. Clematis and flax at this lightpole make a lovely combo.

Blazing red lilies against a mailbox named David.

Red climbing roses paired with clematis. This gardener is just showing off!

Even the wild flowers are spectacular. Coreopsis, which grows everywhere in Cary and the Blanket Flowers, a weed that I have failed to grow in my garden, despite several attempts.

One of the ponds along our ride with banks full of flowers.

Mallard Ducks taking a swim.

Another neighborhood pond, where we stop and rest for a bit.

These are all water retention man made ponds, but the wildlife don't quibble.

Mr. Turtle basks in the sun waiting for a fly for breakfast.

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With all this blooming beauty I am inspired to DO SOMETHING with one of my last flower beds, which is in desperate need of attention. The poppies are spent and the balloon flowers are leggy and hopelessly lost in the mess of weeds, pachysandra, condflowers and rudbeckia, so I picked the hottest day of the year and decided to rip it all out and start over.

After visting three stores I came home with pink lilies (just opened overnight)

four new August Moon hosta, which don't mind full sun,

five Shasta Daisies, Becky variety, which are quite tall and about to open,

And eight Stonecrop, Autumn Glory which don't look like much at the moment

but will soon enough match the HUGE ones that border the east side of our deck. ( That's a new single petaled pink peony which I added to the center of the box.)

Sedum are like dense hedges here.

An update on the clematis from Trader Joe's grocery store:

The blooms now coming along in two different configurations. Some multi and some singles. I can't decide which I like better.

I have high hopes that I can maintain that little plant until it reaches the scale of its neighbor Jackmanii. Both arbors are starting to open. I love my garden at this time of year. It is worth the sweat.