Summer Flowers

I worked in the yard off and on all weekend. Bushes are starting to be on 50% off here, so I ran around to different places to find some. I had a privacy fence put in about 2 years ago, and some of my huge bushes had to come out. It has taken me a while to build the landscaping back up. The snowball bush had been about 8 foot tall by 8 foot wide. It had to be cut to the ground when the fence was installed. It sure didn't take it long to bounce back.

I planted four hydrangeas. I have only had one hydrangea, and it hasn't done well. I am thinking it is not enough water. I have plenty of shade for them.  So after all the bushes were planted, I secured a soaker hose in the line of bushes and covered it with mulch. Any tips on hydrangeas?

I know the Annabelle hydrangea grows well here, but I couldn't find any.
I also picked up a Viburnum Summer Snowflake. I have had good luck with viburnums in shade.

Here's what's blooming today, mostly daylilies.

This is Flutterbye

Chicago Flapper

Little Business is only about 3 inches across.

South Seas really are this iridescent coral.

Daylilies, cone flowers, and Asiatic lilies.

Don't these look like a flock of geese? I call them goose heads, but they are really loosestrife. They make me smile.

I am joining a Southern Daydreamer for 

The Triumphator

The word Triumph means: 1.a significant success or noteworthy achievement; instance or occasion of victory. 2. exultation resulting from victory; joy over success.

SO I guess naming this oriental lily TRIUMPHATOR is pretty accurate.

These lilies really have light, sweet fragrance, too.

They start out trumpet shaped and then open up almost flat and the color lightens up.

They grow about 4.5 feet tall on very sturdy stems. I took this pic the morning after a thunderstorm with wind.

They are as big or bigger than my hand.

This one had a little pink freckle on the right. Isn't nature fun?

I am joining

Second hand season continues...

Today I am joining ALISON for the
                                               

AND

with

DIANN

Shall I show you my favorite find first or last? First? Ok.

It looks like a silverware chest, but not lined and a bit musty. It is sitting in the driveway to air out before I paint it chippy white.

My next favorite is ANOTHER birdcage.

It looks like someone started to paint it white, but I am thinking ORB spray paint.

Got two name brands here. The glass tray is Mikasa and the bowl is Pier 1.

These two items, I don't think I'll have to do a thing to. I can see some little pots of succulants in the carrier.

This little cutie has bees all over it and is kinda a ORB already.

It's going to start getting hot here soon, then the sales will be over.

Summer Screened Porch

My porch in the back is screened and has storm windows. I would call it a "little of 3 seasons porch" in Kansas.  A little of spring, a little of summer and a little of fall.

The house plants get a vacation on the porch. Two big redbud trees shade the porch, so there is no direct sun but just the right amount of light.

Mama and I made the cushions together.

We did lime green paisley and dark blue denim.

bottle collection in the porch rafters

The round tablecloth I made from a drop cloth, and Mama made the topper.

You can barely see Oliver in his "vacation cage". He blends in nicely.

Here' s your chair, please stay awhile. Here's the view out the windows.

You can see the hosta bed from here. And I planted those two redbuds 26 years ago. And the tree behind the picnic table is the one the girls had their tree house in years ago.

You can see some of the flower beds from here.  I'll save the flower beds for another post.

I am joining Kim for her Deck and Porch Party

Porch Tablescape

A new tablecloth made from a drop cloth and a new topper made by Mom leads to a tablescape with garage sale finds! So I am joining Marty at

This is the corner of my screened porch. As you can see in the distance, I have a picnic table if we want to host more guests, and room on the porch for a card table also.

The grape leaf plates were a garage sale find.

 I think I will wash the denim napkins without hemming, so they have that summer cut-offs look.

Just a small simple centerpiece since the table is small. A maidenhair fern sits nicely on a little blue and white garage sale plate.

Green goblets were also a garage sale find.

See the rest of the porch as I join Kim for