Clematis and Summer blooms

One can never have too many clematis. An explosion of Huldine clematis with a touch  of Jackmanii. 

Clematis that is growing on my mock orange bush. I planted it too close,  and it likes to use the bush as a trellis.

 This is beautiful  'Betty Corning' clematis, a true performer for over 10 years in the garden. It smells delicious.   

I planted too many  poppy seeds this year, and the flowers are still  blooming. The seeds are very tiny so I just tossed them into the soil in the spring. I have a variety of heights due to their closeness. 

We went to a lavender farm recently which was wonderful, and it  prompted me to take a photo of the cloth and the soap that I brought back from Provence. See that little cicada soap sitting on the lavender bundle? Every gift shop we went to was selling cicada souvenirs. Do you remember when we had a "cicada invasion" in the US a while back. One landed in my hair, and they are huge.

The basil is doing great this year, and this is the first time I am growing it in a pot. It is so clean and perfect. 

While we're in the garden, let's not forget the milkweed that is a beneficial plant that has a big impact on our ecosystem, serving as the monarch butterflies' only nursery. It's toxic milky-sap aids to protect the butterfly from predators throughout its life. 

 Escape at Home is a close partner to stay-cation and distinctly different. Think sensory gardens, zen spaces, maybe a hot tub. Making the break from workday to after work is marked with these escape activities and more. 

The thistle is such an important plant. Goldfinch mate late and the fluff and seeds will be used for both nesting material and food. 

  Escape to camp where we can build a sand turtle, sand castles and paint rocks for the association's fairy garden.  

"If You Truly Love Nature, You Will Find Beauty Everywhere" – Vincent Van Gogh
Deb