Creation Garden Flowers Lift Our Spirits

 

 Borage is nicknamed Bee Bread.

Having a garden is one way to enjoy endless complaints about how badly some flowers turned out - if at all. For example, I kept watching a plant growing in full sun with plenty of water. I was not sure of its identity, even as it grew almost chest high. Finally, a flower appeared at the top of the plant. "Borage?! Borage?! I waited all summer for one more borage plant?!" 

Most of them are a few inches tall and very easy to grow. They squeeze between other plants anywhere. Borage earns the title Bee Bread for the constant attention bees give to the star-shaped flowers, pink and blue. The bees spread the pollen which get the seeds forming and dropping off for even more gentle, graceful borage.

Charli Sue lives for the chase, her DNA adjusted for the Patterdale Terrier requirement.

I mislabeled the plant, but at least I did not misgender it. I added Charli's middle name, Sue, to avoid the sin of misgendering the tiny, terroist terrier. She is a sweet, quiet, affectionate baby inside - but flies out the backdoor to chase moles, rabbits, and squirrels.

Here are some pleasant surprises and delights from this summer -

1. Russian sunflowers grew up tall and spread in the Butterfly Garden as hoped.
2. Promiscuous comfrey - related to borage - was halted by planting bee balm around them, in the Butterfly Garden.
3. Roses were baffled and held back by a bad combination of rain and drought, but now they are blooming in a rainbow collection colors and fragrances. Recipients include cul-de-sac neighbors, our chapel, and medical offices.
4. Tiny white allium (garlic) flowers bloomed as the last bulb flowers of the summer, tall and delicate, a wonder to see up close.
5. One Clethra grew to 7 feet, bloomed like crazy, a good example for 8 younger plants. 
6. Elderberries (no jokes) bloomed and produced plenty of fruit for the backyard birds and squirrels. A possum became a regular, always looking for that middle of the night snack.
7. Honeysuckle rose lifted itself onto the Cow Squares and inspired more vertical plants in the future.

 Honeysuckle rose is loved for its berries and fragrance, and yes it is a weed.