Why we live in Kansas!

The sunset August 13th looked like a Maxfield Parrish painting. Sunsets never last long enough, but oh, so gorgeous for those few brief moments!

Just peachy!

Middle of August and the Bonfire Dwarf Peach is loaded with fruit. It's ornamental, not intended for eating, and not as brightly colored as it's been in past years, but still very attractive.

Before and After

Just wanted to share a few "before and after" shots, from the day our Realtor showed us the house, until today, August 1. Five years later, what a difference.

BEFORE

AFTER

The hot tub didn't work and we didn't really care to have one anyway, so we gave it to some friends of ours and added the stairs leading to a flagstone patio.

BEFORE

AFTER

We planted an Autumn Blaze maple, left and replaced the ash tree that died with a Siberian Elm (Lacebark Elm), right. We also planted a Chanticleer Pear and Korean Sun Pear in the back yard (along with the evergreens along the fences) and several other large trees in the front yard. In a few years, we should have the leafy shade we want.

Spring and Summer

Spring 2010Summer 2010

Interloper

This Wooly Verbena somehow transplanted itself into one of the flowerpots and I nudged it to the center and decided to let it stay. What a good decision! I love how it took center stage in this pot of coleus and wild verbena.

A happy mix

This wild purple Prairie Verbena popped up in the midst of a patch of Dahlberg Daisies and it's been brightening mornings on the deck for several days now.With July coming to a close, we're facing the hottest days of summer and I'm mostly happy enjoying the garden from inside. (That fence you see in this view from our kitchen window is actually a reflection off the patio doors of the backyard fences.)

Landmark housewarming gift

My dad built this flower cart for us as a housewarming gift five years ago. We've put something different in it almost every year, but the petunias and sweet potato vine combo is just perfect to spill over the sides. We love the cart and it's become a landmark to direct people to our house.Here's the cart through the years and seasons.

Happy anniversary

July 15, 2010: Five years ago today we moved into this house and began working on the prairie garden. It's been a wonderful, rewarding adventure.

Lazy days of summer

July 14 and it's the height of the lazy days of summer. Frosty and Sundae share a cushion in the sun on the back deck. Our calico, Biscuit, disappeared for a few days and we were afraid she was gone for good, but she sauntered back home on Saturday, the picture of innocence. We suspect she has a boyfriend in the neighborhood. (Which is exactly why we had nine kittens, including Sundae, to find homes for a few summers ago.)

Rainy Sunday afternoon

Land that I love...Happy 4th!

Ho-ho-ho Green Giants

Our Thuja Green Giant Arborvitaes are really taking off, and we're anticipating the day when they'll provide a nice privacy screen on each end of the yard, and maybe even a bit of a windbreak.

Summer 2006

Summer 2007

Summer 2010

Carefree Delights

A few straggling yellow roses are still on the arbor, but the Carefree Delight wild roses are taking center stage in these last warm days of June.

Scenes from the end of June

June is bustin' out all over!

We've been gone most of the month of June and have missed SO much in the garden. But there's still plenty blooming. After making a vain attempt to tame the weeds this evening, we took a few photos of what's in bloom: false sunflowers, wild bergamot, and a few coneflowers hiding in the mix.