Goldfinches in the garden

The bright yellow flash of male goldfinches this time of year alerts me to their presence. Lately, a pair of goldfinches has been eating Liatris,
Rudbeckia, and purple coneflower seeds in the front meadow. I wish I'd been able to get a picture of the male hanging on the spiky Liatris -- they're skittish enough that it's hard to sneak up on them.

The woodchuck(s) must be hungry. They're now starting to eat almost green tomatoes! Or maybe this is a hungry cardinal... woodchucks are most likely.

Small summer containers

I like to keep something green in my containers throughout the year. Perennial herbs, herbaceous perennials with rosettes, Sedums and succulents; all of these are fun and easy to use.



Of course, I also don't want to be tied to watering all the time in the summer, too, which means drought-tolerant plants. But that still leaves lots of great plants to use, creating wonderful contrasts of textures and shapes. This summer's containers aren't quite as spectacular due to our drought here in SC, but some of them are quite nice.

Early morning

Coming back from a long walk on a summer morning often finds the view from the gate slightly misty with early humidity, with the colors clarified by the soft light. It's one of the best times of the day in a southeastern summer.


Mocha posed by the front meadow while I cooled off and snapped some pictures of the garage hanging baskets.


Amazingly, the nasturtiums are still flourishing in these baskets, in spite of the 90+ heat and afternoon sun.


I'm trying to use only drought-tolerant plants in large baskets to minimize watering!