Serene Scenery Sunday

Ha roo, pups and cool cats.  It's me, Zim.  Mom went a bit overboard this week, taking pix in our garden and along our walking routes.  She said they made her feel very serene, so I'm going to cut with the chit-chat and post the pix of posies.  Ready to take a look around?

How about a couple big slices of Kansas for starters?

Kansas Sunflower

Kansas Sunflower

Mom was trying out a new (to her) app on her iPhone.  It made her happy.  So did the giant sunflower!

Here are some Prairie Coneflowers:

Ratibida columnifera (Prairie Coneflower)

They're pretty cool-looking, aren't they?  I tried to get a taste, but Mom said that wasn't in the cards. Apparently it's OK if these guys sample the goods:

Coneflower and bumble bee

Black-Eyed Susan and friend
(It made Dave happy that they are color-coordinated!)

...but not me.  That's OK.  I helped Mom ID a plant she's been trying to figure out for a while:

"Oooh!  Fluffy flowers!"

I knew all along it was Gooseneck Loosestrife, but no one asked me.  (The mom of my Valentines is the one who pegged it!  Ha roo to Ruby, Sprite and Holly's mom!!!  For more views, you are welcome to view the set at this link.)

Moving back to our own garden ...

Mums.  In June.

Don't get our mum started about the Mums blooming already.  It makes her leave the serenity zone.

Our Russian Sages are all young - it's the first time we're growing any - so they're still quite small.  They do have flowers, though:

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

Mom's growing another variety called Perovskia Lacey Blue, but it's not really looking so hot right now.  What is looking hot is the Flame Thrower!

Flame Thrower Echinacea

Let's get up close and personal with some Becky Daisies, too.  

Leucanthemum super bum (Becky Shasta Daisy)

That whole "please don't eat the daisies" thing doesn't apply to everyone.  Check out this guy:

Tip du jour:  If you're walking around the garden with your mom, don't try to pounce butterflies that are on posies.

Extra shot of the daisies, just to make the post REALLY long

Both Rose of Sharon varieties are in bloom:

Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)

Ditto (only a different variety)

And throwing its petals into the "let's bloom super early this year" ring are the Crape Myrtles!

Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)

Behind that, up on the first wall you see, is one of our new Lavender plants!  We'll fill you in on that another time - it's another "first time we're growing it" thing.  Here's another look at the Crape Myrtle:

Crape Myrtles

In the background, you can see a Fountain Grass sticking up, some of the Magic Carpet Spirea, some Becky Daisies, and our Yorktown Snowflower tree (it leans to the left).  Oh.  And our King's Choice Elm and the neighbors' Weeping Willow.  They do a lot of great screening.

Last, but not least, since it's Father's Day -- check out who helped Mom with the watering the other day!

Happy Dad's Day, Dad!!!
And Mom says thanks for helping her water!

We hope you have a serene Sunday!  And happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Play bows,

Zim