I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Friday, August 7, 2026

Deck Garden in August and Posies Update

 


Hi everyone! Oh look it's already August.

Earlier this week we had almost 2" of rain finally. I'm dubious because no puddles no wet chair cushions, but the deck flowers were very happy. They just love a good soaking rain.


The first July heat wave and then the wildfire smoke event were quite hard on the flowers, esp my zinnies. Their centers turned all black and shrivelly. An intense deadheading happened and I'm so pleased they have come back beautifully.



Cute and colorful if not abundant.

These are Thumbelina, tiny.  Cute but  at the size of a dime [1/2''] they lack presence. I think the regular Lilliput variety, above, are better.

I thouht this pot had the bergamot, but looks like zinnias and some  Baby Bear dwarf sunflowers.

This is a solo sunflower, moderately dwarf. They are so fussy and slow to bloom but charming.

Cosmos is temperamental here, too delicate for the high winds. Doesn't bloom til mid August.  Saved from 2024/ 25 seeds mostly


Coreopsis is such a joy. Early bloom, re blooms all summer into fall.


I was disappointed that the chocolate coreopsis had not germinated. Note the pretty white ruffled edges w deep chocolate brown centers. I call them summer pansies, for their similar coloration.


So I as thrilled this morning to find it blooming in the red impatiens pot! How the seeds got there --wind?--is a mystery.  Not where I sowed them! But so cute.

More colorful pots and tubs. I am enjoying the displays and my various tin folk art stakes. I esp love flowers and ladybugs. The Mr Sun is a cherished gift from my son.

The miniature petunias, adorable blue and white stripes did surprisingly well. First time they've succeeded for me. Same for impatiens. They must like the rather sheltered corner here.



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Posies is coming along nicely.  If slowly, I guess.

I had a qualm about it as I edited these pics. Too bright, too cheery, too---unsophisticated? Too prim and cottage?

But it's supposed to capture my deck garden, probably my last as there are changes ahead. I think the colors are captured, the vibe is right. I'm pleased. Making memories, sewing a story of so many summers of quiet joy with my BabyMo .


The  pattern's star border will be sparrows instead. I have coaxed the main pair of real life sparrows back again, especially the little female. She  arrives promptly every day at 4 pm. I don't know why they were not coming, they miss Mo and his crumbs of daily jerky treat? His calm snoring presence made them feel safe?


 The two that have arrived so far are so fussy. They only like the cheddar crackers which were my treat shared w Mo. I got them hulled sunflower seeds, to avoid mess [and bird feeding is prohibited here, so no evidence] but they scorn the seeds and peer at me til I produce the bright orange crumbs. They don't drink from the bowl I give them either. I can't leave it out because it draws ants. [they shared Mo's water bowl often].


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It's another Friday, I am headed out soon to a birthday party! Always fun despite the hot evening.


Have a good weekend.


love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

tomorrow a rinse and a scrunch, sunshine dry. Then to add the tiny button teeth and pupils. [gosh the white canvas is grungy, sorry.]



This is BabyMo, in case someone new visits and doesn't know who he is/ was. 🌈He is 11 in these pics




7 comments:

  1. "Hot days of summer, the jasmine in bloom...."

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  2. The Baby Mo pictures are so cute. Plus puppies have that sweet baby smell. We have a neighbor with a new puppy and I got to stroke it recently - what I wanted was to scoop it up and nuzzle it. And your flowers look gorgeous, powering through the heat and smoke!

    Ceci

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    Replies
    1. The fun thing about pugs is they look like puppies even when they're senior doggies. Mo was 11 in those pics. BabyMo is just his nickname. I do love puppies...those pink bellies and tiny oh so sharp teeth. On IG the Pugdashians [breeders/ show dogs/''influencers''] have a new baby puggy, "CoCo''. Sooo tiny, I don't think Mo was ever that small.
      The flowers are a surprise, I really thought the smoke had killed them.
      Hope it's not too hot by you, you're further south I think.
      love
      lizzy

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  3. Oh your Posies look exactly perfect to reflect your deck garden--not "too" anything, but just right, Lizzy!! I am smitten--they are just so charming and so "you"..Colors are amazing!! .Nice work in progress on these.
    And the funny guys with their googl-ey eyes are so great!! ;)) Love how they came out--they make me smile!!--
    [I am sure that Lil' Mo is keeping watch from above on your deck doings...so sadly missed for sure...;'((((...]
    Looks like yet another hot and humid day in store here...where is that Canadian cold front when you most need it, right???
    I am prepping a small (10" x 11" +/-) little slow stitchery--a first of 4 planned house blocks...a fun "something different"...trying to ge out of my sewing slump....
    .hugs for a great weekend... Julierose...

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    Replies
    1. Hahaha, "Canadian cold front"===it'll be here in February!

      Thanks for sweet encouragement about Posies. Yours in comparison is so lovely and elegant.

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  4. I am creating a list of flowers to grow in pots next year because the voles have made in ground gardening impossible. Love your Jack o’Lantern quilt.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! The Jacks sure have been fun. You contributed the wool for the faces! as I recall.
      I hope doing pots of flowers is fun and successful for you. The voles sound a bit overwhelming, maybe you need a few pet cats? Hint, if you get large pots you can fill partially w empty water bottles or cut up pool noodles, to keep the pots lighter, use less soil, lessen frost issues. In your climate you could prob start this fall w bulbs like tulips, daffs, hyacinth/ I always want to do that but too cold here. If you do bulbs rem you have to water them all winter, possibly even if its quite rainy.

      Delete

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