Garden Close-Ups , Photos by Amy

Up Close this newly opened tree peony flower is a real stunner. The small bush has just one flower, but it's huge. This picture was taken on Saturday.

By Sunday the huge flower was fully opened showing its yellow center. This is a flower that can be seen from a distance.

Yellow Hawkweed may be a weed to some , but it's favorite wildflower for Amy. Although the flowers were wide open during the day today, by sunset they were closed up tight for the night.

Finally this summer we spotted flowers on the Twin flower plant. It's no small accomplishment. You can see how small the flower bud is  compared to the size of a dime. Unfortunately this flower has lost it's twin. Amy observed ants in the area and wondered if they were responsible for the missing twin.

This close-up picture reveals that these small red and black ants were after an earthworm . Perhaps they are innocent in the disappearance of the tiny flower.

Amy's close-up picture of a petunia shows off it's extraordinary markings. I have to tell you the fragrance of this flower is just as intriguing.

Now begins the time when the number of beautiful flowers and interesting things to photograph in the garden is endless. Endless too  is the list of things to be done. It was a beautiful day. Ed spent the entire day outside.We do what we can.  Tomorrow it all begins again.

Gifts For The Gardener

What gift could be more perfect for a gardener than new plants for his new shade garden. Wow! Amy presented Ed with three bloodroot and two twin flower plants. Bloodroot is a favorite wildflower that has given us some challenges in the past. This time we hope the new shade garden will be just the spot for it to thrive. Twin flower is a new plant for us. It's tiny, almond scented, twin flowers look like something a fairy might carry around during a dance in the garden. With the raised shade garden it's possible to sit on the wall and get down to sniff the lovely fragrance of these tiny beauties and still get up again.

After planting the plants Ed was off to the woods to get some forest floor to use for mulch. Let's hope the new arrivals like their accommodations!