In this slow season for the backyard butterfly garden behind the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, we have finally two purple blossoms to photograph out of the four bushes.
I’m still blaming the cold spell and snow cover that did not melt from the first of the year until April.
Over to the right in our fenced off section, though, one bunch of white daisies is still runnng most pleasingly amuck.
Up front, the hostas did their best to push up violet flowers into our world. I think this is the thickest those blooms have been in the hourglass garden and the rectangle up close to the house.
Alas, it seems as if we will again have no flowering on our huge hydrangea in the right-side front rectangle, I fear. As big as it gets, this will be at least the second consecutive year that this plant has refused to bloom. We only need look over to Good Neighbor Tim’s place to see that it’s time.
Wonderful Wife Lorraine’s love and care to her hydrangea has paid off with a blossom this year.
What’s blooming coming the end of July in your neck of the woods? What seems to be giving you more problems than usual this year? Is anything doing better than last year?
Those are beautiful, Mark! Kudos to you and Karen! ❤ (And Tim and Lorraine for theirs.)
LikeLike
Thanks, Rachel. Let it grow! 🙂
LikeLike
Hello, ‘ol friend! I’ve definitely been mia. Nothing personal, of course. Just enjoying being more present with Mr. B, family and friends AND enjoying the outdoors more. Our garden is booming with lush veggies! Brussel Sprouts, carrots, strawberries, cukes, cherry tomatoes, basil, etc. That’s what I’ve been watching grow and harvesting. 🙂
LikeLike
Mangia, Mrs. B. Enjoy it all, mi amiga. ❤
LikeLike
The idea of daisies running amuck makes me quite happy MBM. I can’t tell you what I have blooming….but I did plant quite a few large pots of stuff. And they have bloomed like crazy since I planted them. I know I will have to replant next year. But using the pots works best for our own tiny place.
LikeLike
Good job with the plants, MBC. I like the idea of you enjoying the blooms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very pleased MBM. I have no idea what I’m doing or what I’m doing it with. But they are blooming like mad!
LikeLike
I love the Cherry Cherry photobomb!
LikeLike
Yes, she stuck her mop-top right in there, DE! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’ve heard, and i’ve done it, if you break off what look like the old, dry canes of hydrangeas they won’t bloom that year. maybe that’s it? you have lots of other lovely things going, luckily and hopefully the reluctant hydrangea will be in full bloom next year.
LikeLike
That’s a good tip! Thank you, Beth. We’ll try it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The patience of a gardener…is that a thing?? This was a wet, rough Spring. Things are different. I am a first time basil planter, and just found out that the lovely bees that are frequenting the area are there for the flowers, which means the plant is going to seed. Who knew ??? Next time, I’ll harvest more leaves to keep it vibrant. Hang in there, Mark. ☺
LikeLike
Patience, yes, Van.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your hydrangea looks healthy. Ron bought an eggplant by mistake this year. I planted it and have gotten about 6 eggplants off that one plant. It turned out to be a good mistake. It has been so hot that my green peppers are not doing well at all. Last summer was cooler and my veggies did well. Not this year. Your yard looks great.
LikeLike
I’m glad to hear you are sowing eggplant in your garden in this odd summer, Colleen. They are so tasty, too! Good job, Ron. Say you did it on purpose, always. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Buddleia is an absolute pain here. very intrusive. the daisies would be most welcome
LikeLike
You would love the blooms, Roy!
LikeLike
Our hydrangeas didn’t bloom last year, but they are this year. It’d be a long list to tell you what’s blooming, so I’ll just say a section of my shade garden got rust blight, and I am sad about it, but glad it was small. I really need my husband to MOW. lol
LikeLike
Great doings at your place, Joey. I’m glad. Even with long grass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It takes patience with the hydrangea Mark. Maybe a little “Holy Water” would help.
LikeLike
Yes, it needs to be blessed somehow, Jackie. Thank you!
LikeLike
Great photos Mark! My Rose of Sharons are just now beginning to bloom. Hopefully there will be lots of flowers.
LikeLike
I hope you get plenty of roses, PJ. This is a down year for our roses, unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mark! I’m not sure yet if it will be a good year of Rose of Sharon’s or not, but will know soon.
LikeLike
I think the crape myrtles creeped up on me with their blooms this year. Seems everything is “off” somehow with the blooming season.
LikeLike
I need to see a crape myrtles at your place, J. I am unfamiliar! Yes, everything is off, I agree.
LikeLike
I tried to grow a hydrangea here, but I suspect it is too hot and too dry – it did not fare well. I have a wisteria that has never, ever bloomed. Every year, I wait with anticipation, as everyone else’s wisteria blooms, but nothing ever happens. It just grows and grows, but no flowers. Oh well, maybe next year.
LikeLike
Yes, let’s always hope for next year, S.D. I’m with you for optimism. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The weather has been so strange this year, cold snap, heatwave, cold snap, heatwave and now heavy heavy rain! No wonder the plants are confused! But enjoy what you have it is full of life!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Willow. We take what is give, there and here, my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks good despite all the rain. Maybe your neighbor could give you some tips on making that hydrangea bloom? I know nothing about gardening, so you’re safe from unwanted advice from me.
LikeLike
Thanks, CM. Your advice about the neighbor is good!
LikeLike
Especially coming from me, right? Considering how well I get along with some of my neighbors?
LikeLike
Indeed, CM. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful blossoming hydrangea. That is all.
LikeLike
Thank you, Vonita. That is all. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, you just copied me! 🙂
LikeLike
I did indeed. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely!
LikeLike
Thank you, Amy. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey, How’s Saki doing? Garden is coming along – but the long winter has taken its toll. Great Pics Mark
LikeLike
Saki is doing well, Paul. Yay!
LikeLike
I love your blooming blog, Mark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, Ann. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person