Memories of ... our favorite gardens

 One reason I suggest to friends that they take photos of their garden is not just to have an objective record of which flowers were in bloom when or when you'd done a particular gardening renovation but simply as a reminder of all the work you put in to having it succeed. In whichever way you define success. So, the photos serve as an objective record and as a way to look back with fondness on one's past efforts. Just a thought as I share more photos of my early summer garden.

Lily Lionheart. Sometimes lilies peter out over time but occasionally they get strong. The latter was the case for this Asiatic lily. The blooms you see are all off one stem.

Lily White Twinkle. My favorite name in the plethora of new lily varieties added to my garden this year. Pure white with delicate spotting.

Lily Triumphator. This is now the 4th year for this beautiful Aurelian hybrid lily. 

This red-tipped lily is part of an Asiatic lily mix. Lovely.

Lily Sweet Surrender. I thought I'd lost this lily but I had moved it to a different pot and forgot to transfer the tag for it.

This lovely raspberry-red Asiatic lily is from a mix called Summer Garden.

Begonia fuchsioides. Those unfamiliar with this scandent (climbing) begonia marvel at its boisterous nature. Very vigorous!

Echium Blue Bedder. This annual Echium is still a bee magnet, as most echiums are. Very pretty too!

Gomphrena decumbens. A year long blooming machine!

Lily Gold Band. This oriental type lily has huge and fragrant flowers typical of this group.

Lily Satisfaction. This new lily has exceeded expectations, being a richer maroon red than its online photo showed. Wow!

Geranium 'Sugar Plum.' This semi-aggressive carpet geranium has fern-like foliage and very pretty wine-colored flowers.

Calibrachoa variety. Million Bells, as this flower is called, are great for spilling out of a pot or hanging basket.

Aeonium Sunburst. This Aeonium has made itself at home near the front porch steps.

Lily Josephine. Another new Oriental type lily to my garden. Huge, fragrant and perfect!