I was all forlorn that our yard is so tree-shadowed, 'til I realized early this Spring that there is one bit of the yard that gets perfectly respectable sunlight. Enough sunlight to make a flower bed and grow things besides the bleeding hearts and ferns to which I had resigned myself.
And so I made one.
These photos are from June, when every flower seemed to be putting on its most extravagant show.
Things have quieted down a bit now, and only my roses are still blooming so profusely.
I miss all my drowsy little geums, which have gone mostly quiet.
They were outshone by a last burst of ranunculus blooms and since them, just a bloom here and there.
While there were some really pretty ranunculus flowers this Summer (lots of surprise singles & doubles and lovely colors from mystery bulb planting) the plants that bloomed in early Spring were much happier.
I think, like me, they like a chill in their toes.
Creating a garden has been one of the very best undertakings I've ever begun. Planting and tending living green things, things that ask for very little and in turn, give one such a feeling of accomplishment (and of course, shows of dazzling prettiness) is so comforting and grounding and thrilling.
My mom is an incredible and prolific gardener, and her yard is breathtaking and perfectly kept, without feeling overly fussed-over or too manicured. She's got a truly emerald green thumb. I can only wish for a thumb somewhere in the vicinity of mint or pistachio green.
I have more photos from my little shade garden and also some close-up pictures of all the diminuative little flowers I have, which tend to get lost among scene stealers like roses and poppies.
I'll squirrel those away for another day!
