Community Gardens Part Two

While we were in Iowa visiting our son, we went to Anamosa, IA.  It is a small town, with a population of just under 6,000.  One thing I thought that was nice, is that through downtown, people have 'adopted' corner gardens that have been made at the intersections.  I don't know if it is in coordination with Iowa State University - but this little sign indicates that it may be in some way.  

I thought the little picket fences in each flower bed were so cute, as it gave the caregivers to each bed recognition.

We also went to the Wapsipinicon State Park on the edge of town.

As you drive through the park, there is a road who's accessibility depends on how much rain they have received.  Instead of the road going over the gully, you drive on the road through the gully.  Excuse the car antenna. 

 There is also a large pedestrian bridge that extends over the Wapsipinicon River.

On both sides of the walkway, leading to the bridge, there are many wildflowers and native grasses.

While we were standing on the bridge, a deer walked across the path we had just been on and we also found this soft shell turtle sunning it's self on a log in the water.

We hope to spend more time in the park in the future when we visit our son and his family.

Bloomin' Tueday

The hot temperatures bring continuing or new blooms.  I'm so glad I bought this new Coneflower this year.  I just hope it gets as nice and full as the one in my previous post.

Pink Double Delight 

Purpurea Alba white Coneflower mixed in with my purple coneflowers

Mistical (yes, that's how they spelled it) Amber Mist Coneflower - smells soooo good!

A Monarch butterfly enjoying a coneflower

And then over to drink some water off of a Tiger Lily

The 'business end' of a Tiger Lily - you almost have to stand on your head to get a photo

I don't know the names of my phlox - just by color

Pink Phlox

White with pink center Phlox

Wild Petunia

Thanks to Jean for hosting Bloomin' Tuesday.  Stop over and visit the many gardens that are linked there.

Community Gardens

A couple of weeks ago, we visited our son in eastern Iowa.  He and his family are in the process of relocating there from North Dakota.  One of the towns we visited was Monticello, IA - a small town with a population just under 4,000.  They have a beautiful community garden called Riverside Gardens.  

The garden includes more than 25 flower beds.  This turn of the century horse trough, which was once located in the downtown area of Monticello, sits in front of the pergola.

I think one of the reasons I like it so well is because it falls into my category of liking to re-purpose old things. What a better choice but a flower planter ~

The gardens are a showcase for the diversity of flowers available for the area.  From wild flowers to the newest hybrids.

Pink Yarrow 

Yellow Yarrow, Stargazer Lily, Cranesbill Geranium, Daylilies, Monarda, Peony, just to name a few ~

I was really excited to see this nice big clump of  Pink Double Delight Coneflower, since I planted one this year.  Mine isn't nearly as full as this one, but hopefully it will get larger every year.

Such pretty blooms 

The gardens were built and is maintained by volunteers.  Some were in pristine condition . . . some needed a little more attention.

Pergola with sitting area

There are brick walkways throughout as well as a gazebo, wishing well, and wetlands area.  Victorian streetlights were added in 1991, and a house was bought on adjacent property in 1998 and is utilized by the gardeners for meetings and annual sales.  It is funded by memberships, donations, memorials and an annual plant and bake sale held on the first Saturday after Mother's Day.  For such a small town, Monticello really knows how to create and care for their community garden!

One picture, many questions . . .

Why?

Why, when a plant puts out such pretty flowers, do I only get one bloom?  Oh well, better one bloom than none.  I can only imagine how the neighborhood would smell if I had more than one bloom.  I can smell this beauty 10 feet away from it.  I'm really glad it isn't a Daylily so I can enjoy it longer.

Why, when I go outside to deadhead my plants, do I look like a deadhead when I'm done?

And why is it so blasted hot?!?!?!  It was 83° at 6:00AM this morning.

~ Stargazer Lily ~

Garden Bloom Day

A while back, I showed some of the old 'treasures' that I like to have in my garden.  Today, for May Dreams Garden Bloom Day I'm going to show what is blooming in some of them.

One set of double wash tubs has pink and white Impatiens and is surrounded by Honeysuckle Vine on each side of the retaining wall ~

My sons know I like old wagons and wheelbarrows, so my oldest one picked up two wagons at an auction recently.  I put my hanging planter with Petunias and Sweet Potato Vine in it . . . much easier to water ~

An old white and red enamel bowl with Sedums ~

An old Red Wing crock with a broken bottom . . . still works for garden art ~

My other double wash tubs with one Vista Silverberry petunia plant in each side.  I conquered the dreaded tobacco bud worm this year ~

My old tub in the front filled with red and white Impatiens . . . waiting for Nebraska football ~

This isn't part of my antique container theme, but I had to take a picture of a visitor I had last night on my Red Valerian - the black female form of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail ~

This is a shot of my long flower bed and all it's blooms.  It surprises me every day with a 'new face'

Thank you to Carol for my first opportunity to post on your Garden Bloom Day

My garden has exploded!

I finally got some photos taken. After getting through the 4th of July, the butchering - or should I say, trimming of our 50+ yr old Oak trees in the front, and visiting our son in eastern Iowa last weekend, I thought I'd better get some photos taken before the 'show' is over. My Daylilies are spilling color all along the flower bed every day. Some of them, I know their names . . . some of them not.

My Garden Angel sits among the Purple Coneflowers ~

Monarda, Quick Fire Hydrangea, Black Eyed Susans, Daylily 'Aglow', two other Daylilies that I don't know the name of ~

Daylily - Valiant ~

Daylily - Mary Todd

Daylily - Siloam Baby Talk ~

Daylily - Autumn Red ~

Daylily - Lavender Dew ~

Daylily - Little Grapette ~

I don't know the name of this one, but this and one other plant put some double flowers on this year ~

Most of my Hostas are in full bloom now. I'm not real crazy about the flowers, so I will cut the flower stalks all off shortly after they bloom ~

I'm not sure what this plant is, but a local nursery thinks it's a type of Climantis that crawls on the ground rather than needing a trellis. It has been getting thicker every year and looks like I'll have a bunch of blooms shortly. They are almost like Daylilies, in that their blooms only last a day.

I took this on the 4th of July. This Hummingbird Moth had quite a feast! I had to wait until dark and use my flash to get a clear photo. It's wings move so fast, that they are a blur. It wasn't afraid of me, but the fireworks explosions made it jump every time.

This is my first post with Ms. Green Thumb Jean and her Bloomin' Tuesday.  I've been reading her posts for a few years and am now brave enough to share a post with her followers.