Yeah, I already have loads of pictures of the hydrangeas (Annabelles and oakleafs), but I like this big picture view too much not to post it!
The water hose has become a permanent fixture in the garden — all the local thunderstorms have bypassed us, and the new plantings are suffering a bit. I’m watering the older perennials a bit too, but only every two to three weeks.
I’ll post pictures of the vegetable and herb gardens once they look a little less unsightly. The chard is hanging in there, but the kale has totally bolted. I hate to rip it out without getting one meal out of it, but it seems to be the thing to do. I still have some sunflower seeds – perhaps I’ll plant those in their place. On the positive side, the oregano is doing really well. I think I should thin it out and sell it for ground cover, if only so it doesn’t take over the entire bed!
Coneflower blooms are coming soon, daylilies and the pickerel weed have just started blooming. No goldfish babies yet, but I’m sure they’re just around the corner!
On the Shores of Lake Chicago 
Posted by Carol on June 20, 2007 at 9:55 pm
That is a pretty view of your garden, very restful looking.
I, too, have hoses out.
Posted by Rosemarie on June 22, 2007 at 9:47 am
Everytime I visit your blog I comment the same thing, that your garden is so pretty. It just is and is worth repeating. I think I have fallen back in love with the oakleaf hydrangea, it was just that I was pruning it wrong and now that I got my act tpgether and I have gorgeous blooms. Can I ask what you plant yours with? Mine is all alone (previous owner) and it needs companions. I planted some heuchuras below it and they seem happy — any other ideas? merci!!
Posted by lakechicagoshores on June 22, 2007 at 10:19 am
Hi Rosemarie – thanks for the kind words! My oakleafs are planted up against fences and the house, and mostly have Annabelle hydrangeas in front of them. At the corner of the house, I just have a bunch of native woodland plants (Heuchera like you have, also Solomon’s seal and wild geranium).
If you go back to the original design for the garden (a friend who is a landscape designer did it), there’s always a white and green plant in front of the oakleafs: Annabelles, varigated dogwood, etc. I’ve departed from the design a bit, but the Heuchera I used has green and white varigated foliage. I’m looking forward to the time when the oakleafs poke up higher over the Annabelles so those lovely flowers are more visible!
Posted by How to identify a gardener « On the Shores of Lake Chicago on July 17, 2007 at 10:18 am
[…] I also learned how to identify a gardener. They are the people who, within one minute of walking into your backyard ostensibly to check out your pond, say “Oh, oakleaf hydrangeas!“ […]
Posted by Marie aka Piana Nanna on July 17, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I love all of the white. It looks clean and peaceful and the same time.
Eight hours to sit and do nothing but talk to people, wow, I can’t imagine.
Posted by lakechicagoshores on July 18, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Yeah, the talking part was hard, but there were spans of 45 minutes where no one stopped by. Those times, aided by a good book, were really nice!
Posted by Bloom Day - November 2007 « On the Shores of Lake Chicago on November 15, 2007 at 7:17 pm
[…] (compare the summer view from the other side of the […]