Wednesday Vignette: Rue Seeds

The purple meadow rue seed heads are lovely in the evening light in my front garden.  Looking through my camera I can forget the Crony Brothers drinking beer in their garage across the street, the cars driving by, and the unrelenting heat wave.  I can just take a moment to enjoy the pink sky and the seed heads blowing in the breeze.    

Don't forget to visit our hostess, Anna at Flutter and Hum, to see more Wednesday Vignettes.

Update:  These are Thalictrum Aquilegiifolium seed heads.  Phew, I feel so much better now.  Thank you, Amy at the World's Best Gardening Blog for pointing out my mistake and saving the day!

Correction:  This plant is a form of thalictrum, meadow rue.  I'm not certain which variety because I lost the tag from the plant swap.  If you know what it is, please let me know!

My Pirate's Pictures

As I mentioned in my previous post, My Pirate has started taking pictures.  He's using the camera on his iPhone 6 plus and is processing his shots through the app Snapseed.  Scrolling through his pictures, I've discovered a theme.  Whenever we go tour a garden he snaps multiple shots of plants that he wants to add to our garden. 

Maihuenia poeppigii, shot taken by My Pirate

When we toured Greg Shepherd's garden, My Pirate took multiple shots of this spiky cactus in his side yard.  I love his shots.  So, when I was at Xera Plants, I picked up the cactus, Maihuenia poeppigii, for My Pirate.  He was thrilled with his new gift.  

Maihuenia poeppigii, shot taken by My Pirate

Here's what the tag said:

Maihuenia poeppigii, zone 6b (-5 to 0)  This succulent Cactus relative is native to the highest elevations of the Andes and it revels in fast draining soils and full sun. Slowly spreading to form colonies in summer it is replete with bright yellow flowers.  The silver thorns contrast wonderfully with the green leaves'. To 4" tall and spreading. Full sun and occasional summer water to speed growth.  Cold hardy and excellent in containers.  Protect containerized plants from winter wet. mye-WAY-nee-uh.

What plant do you secretly hope someone will buy for you? 

Kousa Dogwood Blooms and My Pirate

It only took the life of the blooms on the cornus kousa dogwood tree for My Pirate to heal from his concussion.  He's back to work after over two months at home recuperating.  I am grateful.

During our two months together at home, we played in the garden and bantered like a retired couple.  I was worried sick about him for the first month, but my worry eased as I saw him improve.  I gave up my early mornings photographing the garden and switched to the breezy evenings.  My Pirate and Barnaby kept posing and 'helping' me take pictures.  Until finally, I  told My Pirate to grab his phone and take his own damn pictures.  He has a good eye and I'm going to add some of his shots to future posts.

So, we've become that disgusting couple that has two hobbies in common.  What's next?  Matching outfits?  Oh wait, we already have that one covered. 

Thank you for all of the encouragement and kind words while My Pirate was healing!  We really appreciated it.

Wednesday Vignette: Lucifer

I do not like orange flowers in my garden.  Orange in the garden reminds me of orange traffic cones.  Orange says pay attention and be cautious.

Yet, somehow my neighbors' Crocosmia 'Lucifer' that is on our property, says, "Pay attention to this fabulous white grass and be cautious with the hummingbirds."  

Hummingbirds may be tiny but they are fierce.  Last week, a hummer bitch slapped me for getting too close to the feeder.   I'm developing a complex.  But, I will continue to try and photograph them.

So, who do you think is the star of this photo?  The Lucifer or the grass? 

And don't forget to stop by my friend, Anna, at Flutter and Hum to see her latest Wednesday Vignette!

Photobomb

Aphids live in my garden. I accept that they are part of the food chain. And they almost look pretty glowing in the evening light.  But, they keep photobombing my macro shots.

Brown chicken brown cow! I hope that these ladybugs snacked on that aphid under the leaf following their afternoon delight.

Look at those water droplets on the aphid's feet.  I didn't see it when I took the shot.  Oh, my bleeding heart. 

This one posed for his shot.  Argh!  Have you no shame, aphid?  I'll just keep reminding myself that you are fast food for all the birds and ladybugs in my garden.