Refreshment

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."

                                                        Jane Austen

Tulips

One of my favorite bulbs is the tulip. I prefer the classic dutch flower like the one pictured here. Pink being the ultimate in beauty, at least for me. I usually plant new ones every year because they just don't look as nice the year after. When I've left mine for another year they always ended up being a bit smaller and not all bloomed again. I find it fun to get different colors and varieties each year anyway, because each spring I get to enjoy a new garden!

The Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
   That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
   A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
   And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
   Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
   Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee:
A Poet could not but be gay,
   In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
   In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
   Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Hosta

The hosta is a wonderful plant that looks great in the garden. There are many varieties and shades of green to brighten up the shady areas. I posted a few of my favorites here. They do best in shade and even have some flowers that bloom in June/July. They  are pretty much care free other than watering and even then I don't worry to much if a miss a day or two. This is one plant I will be planting more of in the future. :)

"Wedgwood"

"Patriot"

"June"

"Blue Shadow"

Lilac Trees

I love to bring my flowers into the house. I find though that some are just to fragrant and give me a headache, but lilacs are the perfect cut flower. The sweet smell is not to harsh and still fills a room without over powering it. I don't have a lilac tree were I live now, but in our last home I had a beautiful large one in our backyard. I couldn't wait till spring every year to bring some into the house. I miss those lovely blooms!

Roses

When I think of June, I think of roses. This year mine are a little slow due to our not so spring weather. I find roses a bit fussy, but worth the trouble. One thing I have learned is that they love the sun...at least 8 hours a day. I thought I'd get away with less but those stubborn rose bushes decided not to produce a lot of flowers! I learned my lesson and now only plant roses in full sun. Roses come is so many varieties. My all time favorites are David Austin double roses. They are very fragrant and so beautiful. Can't wait till mine start blooming. :)

Lady's Mantle

Lady's Mantle is one of those plants that has grown on me. I started out with one plant and now have it all over my garden! It's so easy to take care of and looks good all summer long, especially when it rains. I love the way the rain drops just linger on the leaves...so pretty. These plants grow well on their own and self seed. If you don't want to much of it in your garden, you have to watch out and weed them out once in awhile. Definitely a plant worth having. :)