The Garden is Open

[Edwina's Secretary]

It looks like we may have summer in the Midwest after all! The peonies are finally in bloom and I have everything planted.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pe28c191cafd05f6afd17dca83c746207/fbebac93.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p60d9100d0488d53330c477180105ed2c/fbebae61.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pbdbb3cd3ce97ecfa7d444b97e1ab3e6f/fbebae7d.jpg

and here is the same spot in March!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p804a5aa313b048554bd44542d5bf4f77/fc849d72.jpg

Best of all is the fountain! I scavenged the pieces to make the fountain and just had to convince my husband to install the pump...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pe6f7d7c4925c3ba83fb6779821e916fe/fbec1b38.jpg

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Your garden is beautiful. May I come for a stroll? :)

[Logan]

It is beautiful, Sara! I especially love the peonies! When we were in Virginia, a few weeks ago, they were in full bloom, everywhere, and I was astounded! I'm hoping mine will take off and bloom heartily next spring! :)

[Uabassoon]

Wow I forget that some places actually have seasons! I've only lives in two places and both only had two seasons. Hot and not as hot.

[Randi]

Wow! they're wonderful! :) So they're called peonies - I think it's the same ones we have in our garden, only they're darker.

I'd love to come for a stroll in your garden too! :D It looks pretty both winter and summer.

Does Edwina drink from the fountain? Or is she more busy looking for Shirley? :eek:

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Hehe... I like Uabassoon's comment about 2 seasons...

As lots of ya know its really cold here in winter, but now its summer and 83 degrees and everyone is frying like eggs if they go outside, especially me cuz I have spent my life indoors on the computer thanks to you guys lolol Those flowers are bee-you-tee-full edwinas mommy.. im sure edwina enjoys it!

[Barbara]

Aaaawwww I looove your peonies. And I think I can smell them -mine have some leaves and that's it :(

[iceyshiver21]

Your fountian is beautiful...our fountain is a bath tub...:D :p

[lizbud]

Hummm, my peonies have all bloomed and faded by now.The
pinks & whites were the last to bloom & they dropped their
petals just last week. The dark red/purple ones were this first
to bloom & that was last month sometime.:confused: Funny, I
didn't think the weather in Chicago was that much different
than Indy's weather, temp wise. Your flowers are beautiful.:)

p.s. Did you have much trouble with ants on the peonies this
year?

[zippy-kat]

Me thinks Miz Edwina and Miz Shirley need a bunny compadre to go in that garden..... ;)

[CattleDogMom]

I love gardening! So glad to see someone one else does, too.

I have a vegetable and herb garden growing. This year I have 8 tomato plants, 7 bell pepper, a ceyenne pepper, a cucumber, a greenbean, a rosemary, mint, mugwort and garlic...

In my front yard I have 2 maple trees about 30 feet high, an ash and about 6 oak trees!!! I put lot's of bird feeders and bird houses and now I have a family of doves that live in my front yard!!!

Oh sheesh, i have rambled on.

Regards, Crystal

[Uabassoon]

I have some cactus in my back yard and during the two weeks when it rains here we get some crab grass :D

[CattleDogMom]

You poor thing....

I hear Arizone has a beauty of it's own....not like anything people are used to...

[Uabassoon]

Tucson is pretty as long as you aren't looking down. If you're looking up then it's beautiful, the mountains are great and the sunsets are amazing. But if you are looking down then you see dirt, dirt and more dirt.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I have some dark red peonies too but the picture isn't as good.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pbc902307295714b040251c198f795447/fbebaa03.jpg

Lizbud...they just bloomed last week! My sister lives by Peoria and her plants are always a couple of weeks ahead of mine. Maybe it is the lake! It is always cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter in the city than outside of it! (Despite the Windy City nickname!) Also, mine only get direct sun in the morning. I've noticed others around that are in fuller bloom.

[ramanth]

Ohhh!! What a gorgeous garden. :)

Does Edwina help? ;) :D

[ChrisH]

Sara, your garden looks beautiful and like the fountain a lot!:)

[lovemyshiba]

Beautiful garden!!!
I'm still waiting for the lanscapers to come and do my yard!!!
Yours looks absolutely gorgeous, I really love the fountain!!
Thanks so much for sharing the pictures!!

[Pam]

What a timely topic! I just came inside from lots of planting and putting down mulch. Everything was pretty much delayed this year due to EXCESSIVE RAIN! Grr! I had peonies at my first house and forgot how beautiful they are. I am thinking I will definitely have to be putting some in. No wonder Edwina enjoys the outdoors so much and Shirley has chosen your yard as her own. By the way, have you seen any of the "little Shirleys" yet?

[Miss Meow]

Sara, you have the most peaceful garden. :) It must be so relaxing to sit out there with a good book.

We are now in winter - the last of the roses at work were deadheaded yesterday so there is nothing colourful outside. At least in a few weeks I can go searching for magnolias in the neighbourhood (my favourites!)

Crystal, we are planning a herb and vege garden for our new house, can't wait :)

[CattleDogMom]

You will love it. It is extreemly rewarding....

Happy Gardening!

Regards, Crystal

[Cataholic]

How strange! I don't mean the flowers, they are lovely. My peonies have long since lost their bloom. In fact, I cut their heads off two weeks ago...I hate the nasty brown leaves falling on my nasty brown lawn. While I love peonies, I hate the ants, and how after a rain, they get so bogged down.

ES- your garden is especially lovely.