Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, August 17, 2009

Our Yard in August


After George mowed last week, I took some pictures around the yard. It was late in the afternoon--and getting shady in spots, but hopefully, you'll enjoy seeing our yard in August. The picture above is one of my favorites ---because the sun was perfect on this hanging basket of Impatiens in our back yard. More pictures are below.







This rose, blooming this month, is named Brigadoon.









I've mentioned before that we have sempervivum (Semps/Chicks and Hens) all over our yard. They are so wonderful since there are so many varieties and colors. AND--when the 'hen' blooms (like the picture above), she then dies and her chicks take over and continue to grow and thrive.









I included this one to show you the progress that George is making on the new flowerbed out in the front. There's alot more to do (paving stones and dirt, and then the planting) --but hopefully, next Spring--we'll have some flowers blooming out there. He's doing a fabulous job!









I love our Clematis. It has grown and grown this year---and does a great job hiding the power pole in our front yard.





Our Roses certainly are still showing off. This beauty is named Whisper...







Another one of our roses, First Prize, has just bloomed and bloomed this summer. It's so beautiful --and smells heavenly.







Here are more Sempervivum (Semps). We have some on both sides of the driveway near the street.









A view of our home and front yard--taken from the street









These little beauties are called Sedum. They will change colors throughout the remainder of summer and by fall, the flowers will be a rusty orange.







Besides Semps, our yard contains many Hostas. I tried Caladium one year since I love those colors, but the Hostas do MUCH better here on the Cumberland Plateau. We have several varieties of Hosta throughout the yard.









Another things I have around the yard (mostly in hanging baskets) are Begonias. This little guy is sitting in the side flowerbed surrounded by more Semps. Begoanias are not my favorite summer flower---but they do well in our climate and they add color to the yard.







Here's another of our August Roses. This one is named Pink Promise.









This beautiful rose, Veteran's Honor, always calls my name. I am partial to red roses--although I like yellow ones, white ones, pink ones, etc. etc. etc... ha ha









Here's another beauty. This one is named Frederic Mistral---but for the life of me, I don't think it looks like a HE, do you????? ha


Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I got lots and lots of Family History done --and had a good time doing all of that detail work!!!!! (What's up with that??? ha)


Hugs,

44 comments:

Jayne said...

Just beautiful Betsy! I love begonias too... such hearty, happy plants. :c)

Beth said...

Nice to see you back, Betsy! I always enjoy seeing what's growing in your lovely yard. I love all the rainbow colors of the impatiens. I used to have lots of impatiens and was always thrilled that they reseeded and came back every year.

Elenka said...

I'm so jealous of your roses!! Here in Maine, I can't get them to do well, except for rugosa's.
Lovely pictures.

Arkansas Patti said...

Did not know hens and chicks bloomed. Will have to give them a try.
You and George can really be proud of your yard.
My blog roll is not working well these days. It said you weren't back yet. Hope they fix it.
Glad you got to work on the Family History.

Cheryl said...

Good morning. So enjoyed my "visit" to your beautiful yard this morning. My you and George have green thumbs for sure! I am slowly building my gardens but its a long process. Could you stop by here and give me a hand :) Your post was a great beginning to my week. Have a wonderful week!

Dorothy said...

Oh, so beautiful!!!! That last pick rose is my favorite. You have a gorgeous yard!

Sunny said...

What a lovely yard you have and your roses are simply beautiful. It was so hot this weekend I didn't weed my garden but you have inspired me!
Sunny :)

Harriet said...

Beautiful flowers as always! Thanks for the information on the hens and chicks, I didn't know they bloomed. I've never been able to get them to live. My Aunt, my Mom and my Mother-in-law all gave me some at different times and they always died.

Kelly said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous. I remember what that yard looked like in June! I can't believe so much time has already passed and summer is drawing to an end. I love impatiens. They are always so cheerful in the shade. I didn't get to plant any this year.....I miss them!

Shelley said...

Sorry if my comment posts twice - I had an error the 1st time!
I'll be over in 20 minutes to enjoy the beautiful flowers in your yard. I'll bring you cookies!
:-) Shelley

Peggy said...

I drool over your beautiful flowers. You two sure have put a lot of work into your yard.

Kirigalpoththa said...

wow you have a big garden!

Darla said...

George is doing a fantastic job!!! I WANT SEMPS!!!!!! Love your Autumn Joy Sedum.....everything is beautiful Betsy...

Randy said...

Oh my! Your roses are incredible! I love the Semps too!--Randy

Anonymous said...

Very pretty home & yard! I had no idea there were plants called hens & chicks & the hen died & the chicks took over. That's wild!

Your roses are exceptionally beautiful!

SmilingSally said...

Your hard work is paying off bigtime.

I got those pretty blue and whites the same way by telling Barbara almost the exact thing that you told me. LOL I won't get tired of them, though!

I Am Woody said...

Your yard is beautiful! I honestly did not know that Hens and Chicks bloomed!!

You were the inspiration for my weekend work too. I had a big pile of family history stuff that needed to be entered on the computer so I made a big dent:)

Susie said...

Betsy your yard looks lovely. I liked seeing the Hens/chicks blooming. I have that same sedum and mine is already turning pink. Seems a bit early to me.

Snowbird said...

I could almost smell the roses. I love roses and whenever I see one, I have to "take time to stop and smell the roses." I think I'm partial to the red ones too but I love all the others as well.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: That is truly a beautiful show in your yard.

Kay said...

What a beautiful yard you have. Looks like you live in a really pretty location.

Becca's Dirt said...

Love the Semps. And my fav is begonia. What a beautiful place you and George have. Can't wait to see the finished garden in the front.

Janice K said...

Your home and yard look very peaceful and serene. It has been a long time since I had any hen and chicks, but I don't recall ever seeing any bloom. What pretty blossoms!

I notice you have your roses in pots. With the shade a clay we have here I have never had much luck with roses, but I have always planted them in the ground. I might try one in a pot next year and see what happens. At least that way I could move it to a place where it would get sunshine.
What do you do with them in the winter months?

Thanks for the idea. Have a great day!

Snap said...

Thanks for taking us a tour of your yard. You all have been busy! I love that your roses are in pots. Some of mine are, too. --- Looking for that perfect spot!

Diane AZ said...

Wow, thank you for the fun tour of your yard in August, Betsy! Those blooming Chicks and Hens look so sweet, maybe they would even grow in my desert garden. All of your other blooming beauties, I'll just have to enjoy on your blog. :)

Carol Murdock said...

Betsy...your "gardener" is just AMAZING! All ten of his fingers must be green! LOL! :)

Unknown said...

You just take the most beautiful pictures! and where are any weeds? Oh my... I wish you could help me get some of mine out!
Have a great week Betsy!

hugs :)
Robin

Leedra said...

Knew you wouldn't stay away too long. The semps are looking good in George's new flowerbed. Can't wait to see your Autumn Joy Sedum with the color. The roses are so pretty. Like the hanging basket in the first photo, the lighting is so good. Can you tell I like this post?

SquirrelQueen said...

Betsy, your yard is beautiful. I love the hanging basket and all of your flowers. I have a different variety of Sedum and it's just beginning to turn pink.

Hugs,
Judy

Elaine said...

Betsy, I love seeing pictures of your yard. It's always so lovely. This time of year mine is always looking a little ragged because of the heat! I'm just counting the days until next month when it cools down and everything takes off again. :)

Blessings,
Elaine

amelia said...

You have such a beautiful yard! We have hens and chicks for the first time this year so I'll have to watch closely to see if and when they bloom.

Connie said...

What variety you have in your yard. I have never seen hen and chicks in bloom. Beautiful tour of your yard.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thanks for the tour of your yard.Each of the flowers is gorgeous,I could never pick a favorite.Now if only I could get a cup of coffee and sit beside some of those flowers for a long visit with you.:)
Blessings,Ruth

Sunny said...

You have such a lovely home :) I love all the pictures you shared with us, thankyou!

I especially love the Semps (hens&chicks) as they remind me of back home when I was little girl.

Mom had those all around the back of the house, in little groups.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Betsy, your yard is just beautiful!
Even in this later stage of summer, everything is so colorful and vibrant, a testimony to your dedication and hard work.
I have pots of hens and chickens, it's probably the only kind I will have the pleasure of rearing.
Thanks for sharing your little bit of heaven with us, I always feel as if I've been on a wonderful relaxing holiday :)

Diane said...

Beautiful, beautiful flowers and yard, Betsy.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Your yard is just an amazing botanical utopia!!! I adore hanging baskets full of color too. :)

Small City Scenes said...

Pink Promise---I like that one. I like yellow and/or orange roses best and red and of course pink oh yeah---all the colors.

You haouse and yards and flowers are looking very nice. MB

Inday said...

Lovely home, beautiful garden with flowers and semps all over and chirping birds .. to live by ... what more could I ask> :)

Thanks for the birthday wishes Betsy.

cherie said...

they sure are abeauty, ms. betsy! oh, what bliss to be able to sit down, see these flowers and try to get caught up with blogging! keep safe! hugs!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hey Betsy,

Your roses are just lovely...what size pot to you have them in?..I like that idea of being able to move them around.

I'm glad all the plumbing is fixed and you are back home. Now get back on your throne and get busy! heeheheee.

I had a pileated woodpecker raising cain this morning..never could figure out what was going on. A young bluejay has finally found the courage to fly to the porch to eat. :0) I've been watching him sit in the Hemlock tree just wishing he was up here with everyone else. And I've had a few dove finally get the courage to come in and eat. I took a few pictures of them today that I'll get posted.

Hugs, Steph

Janie said...

Beautiful photos. Your yard is spectacular!

Connie said...

Betsy, all of your photos are pretty, but I especially love the bright colors of those impatiens! Beautiful!

Mary said...

I'm beginning to wonder if there is anything that doesn't grow in your yard :-) Beautiful flowers, as always!