Flowers Blooming (July '09)

Liatris (white gayfeather) are beautiful and attract bees like crazy. Then I've got Echinacea (pink and yellow coneflowers), also very popular with the bees but more so with butterflies. Lastly, Achillea (yarrow) which has pretty flowers but the plant is not as attractive. Just some of the new plants I've added to my garden recently.

Why aren't garden centers inspected?

Why aren't garden centers inspected when greenhouses and farms are (by law)? Late blight could have been caught and the devastating Northeast late blight outbreak could have been totally avoided. Instead of tomatoes costing $15/bushel, they'll now cost about $40-50/bushel. Not to mention all the home gardens that have been ruined. So a big THANK YOU to Bonnie Plants, Walmart, Lowe's and Home Depot for selling infected plants!

NY Times article/Outbreak of Fungus Threatens Tomato Crop/June 2009

Mimosa

For a short couple weeks in July it snows in our yard. We have two beautiful Mimosa trees who shed their flowers like snow all over the garden. Not only are they beautiful but they smell just as wonderful. I wish I could wear it. It's close to a honeydew melon but magnified. There are very few Mimosa trees in the Northeast. We already lost one a few winters ago.

On a Thursday afternoon, before a huge rainstorm comes in and shakes most of these flowers free, I've parked a chair under this tree in my backyard. I only get this chance once a year.

(Be sure to click on the image to see the detail in the flowers and leaves.)

Coolest Video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfBlUQguvyw

Vacation, Maine

   

I just got back from vacationing with my family in Maine. Here are a few shots from Camden and Acadia National Park. We haven't been to Maine in so long. Don't know why. It is absolutely beautiful all along the coast!