On our nice dry day yesterday I was so busy going on errands and then to Sweet Pea's last elementary school track meet (she'll be in junior high next year ☹) I didn't have time to get any plants in the ground. I have them spread throughout the front and backyard just waiting for a dry day to coincide with a non busy day. Hopefully sometime next week that will happen. Until then I was glad to see how the pond area is looking. The fish are very active and spending most of the day swimming around in a little school. The Littlest Gardener's preschool teacher told us we could take home the tadpoles when school is out, so we're looking forward to adding some frogs to our pond.
The pond and it's surrounding plants are just loving the rain and seem to be growing daily. Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' is the pink flowered plant.
Kathleen can you see part of the container plant I put together inspired by yours?
We can't even walk around the back side of the pond right now unless you squeeze along the fence behind the apple tree. The Hostas, ferns, Ligularia 'Othello' and Astillbes are at their best. Surprisingly the slugs have left these Hostas alone. Probably because they are busy eating the lettuce, carrots and broccoli that can't seem to grow faster than the slugs can eat them.
On the far side of the pond Poppies, Larkspur and Bachelor Buttons have all self sown from last year and are growing like weeds. I have a couple of huge clumps of Canterbury Bells (to the left of the pond) that I planted last year, they are very close to blooming. The
Fuchsia magellanica next to the pond is sending up at least two more plants from it's roots. I had no idea that would happen, but the more the merrier!
I found this on the clearance rack at the local home improvement store. I was actually surprised at all of the plants marked down so low already. This is Woodland Phlox (
Phlox divaricata) 'Chattahoochee'. I plan to plant it in my woodland path area.
They are calling for more heavy rain today and again on Friday. I've been out staking up lots of plants since the rain we've had has really knocked down and broken quite a few plants. The Littlest Gardener and I are heading to a craft store today looking for something to do while we're inside for another day.
The pond and it's surrounding plants are just loving the rain and seem to be growing daily. Geranium 'Wargrave Pink' is the pink flowered plant. Kathleen can you see part of the container plant I put together inspired by yours?
We can't even walk around the back side of the pond right now unless you squeeze along the fence behind the apple tree. The Hostas, ferns, Ligularia 'Othello' and Astillbes are at their best. Surprisingly the slugs have left these Hostas alone. Probably because they are busy eating the lettuce, carrots and broccoli that can't seem to grow faster than the slugs can eat them.
On the far side of the pond Poppies, Larkspur and Bachelor Buttons have all self sown from last year and are growing like weeds. I have a couple of huge clumps of Canterbury Bells (to the left of the pond) that I planted last year, they are very close to blooming. The Fuchsia magellanica next to the pond is sending up at least two more plants from it's roots. I had no idea that would happen, but the more the merrier!
I found this on the clearance rack at the local home improvement store. I was actually surprised at all of the plants marked down so low already. This is Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) 'Chattahoochee'. I plan to plant it in my woodland path area.
WOW! What a gorgeous place!
ReplyDeleteIt's really coming alive...buy some paint and paint some containers for the garden..lol
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures, pond is such a great statement in your garden. Have fun at the craft store, my littlest one and me are trying to clean up around this place today , not fun ! Gina
ReplyDeleteLooking good. Good luck with the rain.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Catherine, How pretty and full the pond area is. I enjoy each one of your plants. The new phlox (Chattahoochee) is a real beauty. Hope you and the Littlest Gardener find a fun rainy day project.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, your pond is looking wonderful, so much lovely colour and growth. I'm determined that my hostas will win the race against slugs this year! Your new woodland phlox is a very pretty colour. Enjoy your craft day with the littlest one. :)
ReplyDeleteTadpoles are a good idea. I too have some frogs in my pond, but no fishes. I liked the blue woodland phlox. It will give lots of flowers withall the care you give your plants:-)
ReplyDeleteI want a pond! This is such a colorful, relaxing, welcoming spot. I'm sure your family will have many educational and pleasurable experiences here.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Catherine! What a great looking pond.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting a little tired of the rain myself. Although I can be out in the greenhouse I'd much rather be out with the flowers enjoying all the blooms.
Have a great day.
Kay
Catherine, that pond, how breathtakingly lovely. All the rain must help it's beauty.
ReplyDeleteWhen we get our farm..there is definitely a pond going in. Tadpoles, fish, plants, I can't wait.
Jen
Hi Catherine. Tadpoles will be so fun to watch and add to the pond.It is looking so wonderful with all the plants growing in.Your irises really stand around the pond.Your geranium is blooming so wonderful. I like the new phlox. It rained all around us over the weekend. We could use a little now but they are forecasting storms and hail this afternoon and I hate to even think about hail hitting the flowers. You and the littlest gardener find something pretty to make.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing how the area around your pond changes over the months. It looks wonderful. I can't wait to see some frogs in your pond, how fun!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, your pond garden is looking so welcoming! It's gorgeous! I love the geraniums and iris. How nice of the slugs to leave your hosta alone;-) (at least, those around the pond). You know, our little ones grow up so quickly, it's hard to take it all in. Yours still have a ways to go so you can keep enjoying their activities--even in jr. high. My youngest is just finishing 7th gr. this year, and he just made the National Junior Honor Society. It's so much fun to watch them grow but sad in some ways, too;-( Hope your rain holds off except when absolutely 'necessary', but I know the chances of that happening in Washington state are slim!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I love your pond, so beautiful. Fish & frogs are awesome, your garden looks very relaxing, wish I could visit!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is gorgeous! All the beautiful flowers, and the pond is looking wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe blue phlox is a beauty!
Have a great day!
Tadpoles! How fun. They will love your water garden. The plants are filling in nicely. Hope you get to plant those plants that are waiting in the wings soon!
ReplyDeleteYour garden sure is lovely and I know those fish are enjoying all the lushness. Enjoy the rain. I saw that on the news-so wish we'd get some.
ReplyDeleteYour pond garden is so serene and beautiful. What a great place to wander and relax!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I just love your garden!! I've always wanted a pond but it would never look as gorgeous as yours! Never in a million years!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to stick around and do some reading of your past posts!!
I love your Cookie bunny . . . and little white dog is a sweetie :-)))
Enjoy a green thumb day,
Lynn
The pond is looking great.
ReplyDeleteWish you could send some of that rain, down to Central Texas. We're already behind, for the year.
Have fun with those inside projects.
~~Linda...
Love your flowers ...
ReplyDeleteWe've had lots of rain here as well. This afternoon's sun has me wishing I was home in the garden as there'll be more rain tomorrow. But sun on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just wonderful.
Wow Catherine, your pond and the plants around are lovely!!! I really like you place. I was once an amateur gardener and then studied, but I still believe that most of what we know comes from working with the plants, looking at them, and mostly loving them. Sorry my English =) My blog is http://jardinesyestanquesenargentina.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine~~ It's kind of nice not having to water, isn't it? And I love what rainwater does to the pond. It seems to make the water really clear. I see 'Ville de Lyon' getting started. And your 'Othello' looks fabulous. Great find on the Phlox. I'll have to get over to HD and see what I can find. Not that I need anything....
ReplyDeleteCatherine, your garden is thriving and with lovely blossoms and foliage throughout. I do think we have had our fill of rain and hopefully the forecast is correct: sunny days coming beginning this weekend. Have a great week and stay dry.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteBachelor buttons growing as weeds! That'd be my dream! I'm just waiting for the temperatures to cool down a bit here so that I can start sowing!!!! I'm so excited and can't wait!
Lovely! I planed astillbes myself for the first time this spring. Hope my shade garden fills in as lushly as yours has
ReplyDeleteYour pond is looking beautiful, I love the lush look. You want the rain to stop and I am jumping for joy because it has rained all afternoon, we have not seen rain since the end of April. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Catherine!
ReplyDeleteYour pond is looking lovely! The new phlox is beautiful, with those dark highlights in the center.
ReplyDeleteYou know how I fell about that pond area since I've already told you several times - I't so great! It made me think about my pond area, the pond is in place surrounded by piles of soil. I do hope the nice weather we've finaly got (I'm so tired of all this rain) stays during the weekend so that we're abel to finish the pondarea and the climbingframes for the Clematises in the raised bed. Non of us needs more rain right no - we want summer to arrive and stay! Hope the sun shines on you today / gittan
ReplyDeleteA pond is just THE best thing you can have in any garden. So many critters just need a pond or its environment. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteA great pond! And such pretty flowers!
ReplyDeleteThose will be lucky little frogs! Your pond is beautiful, Catherine. I like how you mixed in the veggies, as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love your pond area. It is just what I wish I had in my back gardens. All the plants are growing so lush and I am loving the placement of each one. We have had one rain in three weeks and wishing for more. I'm glad you're getting some... have fun with the crafts and the littlest gardener. Fun times making great memories.
Meems
Your pond looks like something from a fairytale; very enchanting! Woodland Phlox is a favorite of mine; it does well for me even in quite shady spots. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, first, congrats to your little grad! My oldest graduates from 6th grade next week and heads into 7th this fall. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad. :)
ReplyDeleteYour pond and garden are truly a place to behold! How wonderful to enjoy this space every day!! I've fought the urge to have a pond quite successfully thus far, but I feel I'm starting to lose the battle. Every time I see yours, I inch closer to creating a water garden. Oh boy!!
Your pond area is looking stunning! My larger pond desperately needs emptying and cleaning out, but it still has newts and tadpoles. Until they develop or move on, I will have to put up with it's rather stagnant state. Hopefully, by the end of the summer holiday...
ReplyDeleteThe smaller pond is half empty. Something (cat, fox or crow) has punctured the liner. Unfortunately, the frogs seem to like that one even better than the larger one, so, once again, I have to wait :(
Your pond is so lush and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe have a bigger pond on our property but I would love something like this closer to our house. Soo inspiring!
I SO love your pond posts Catherine! I think they're my favorite. It looks just gorgeous. I'm so glad you're going to have frogs, one way or another. I know you've wanted them. The nursery I bought my tadpoles from said they were bullfrog tadpoles so they would probably hop off once they make the transformation (to bigger waters!) Your pond is such a nice size tho and so welcoming, yours will most likely hang out. :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how many of our plants are at about the same place ~ especially when there was such a big difference in temperatures for so long. My canterbury bells are about to bloom too and my peony poppies look about like yours. Mother Nature must have a way of balancing everything out???
Also, you're so sweet to link me about your pot! You must be talking about the one in the foreground with the licorice plant in it?? It looks great! I'm beaming with pride (not that you needed any help from me!)
It's so interesting to see the progress of your garden as you blog. Your hostas and irises are beautiful - everything is filling in so nicely and looking very lush. It must be all this rain!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lush look around your pons, so nice and fully planted. Your pink geranium pairs well with the blue iris.
ReplyDeleteThat's a deal to find a Phlox divaricata in flower and marked down already. I have some in front of a large fern, which shows up the beautiful flowers.