Purple Fountain Grass

Purple Fountain Grass is an old favorite of mine!

I always planted it lakeside at the cabin in two planters to enjoy!  This year I planted it when I found the perfect spot and planter for it at home.  

The planter stand has been in my memories since I was a little girl.  I used to go with my Dad on Memorial Day when he returned the planter with new geraniums planted in it to the cemetery where his father and a young sibling was buried.  A few years ago my brother was buried in that same cemetery and I visited the family plot and found the old plant stand still there with a broken and neglected pot that had obviously been forgotten about for many years.  So, I rescued the stand and Denny cleaned it up for me and I installed it in a spot in one of my garden beds.  

This year it seemed the perfect place to blend an old memory of a plant stand with a newer memory of the Purple Fountain Grass.  Seems like my garden beds are filled with more than just plants and flowers, but memories of friends, times and loved ones to enjoy.

Farmer's Market Flowers

I just could not resist the colorful bouquets of flowers Sat. AM for $8!   

When I got them home, I quickly grabbed my clippers and stepped outside to cut a few peony and hosta leaves  (H.Praying Hands works great) and split the colors into two different bouquets to enjoy this week!  

Yep, plump picture perfect red tomatoes and first time fresh corn on the cob (just picked) also came home with me!  Oh, also some awesome wild rice w/dried cranberries hamburger buns tagged along!  

Yep, corn on the cob for lunch with a bacon tomato sandwich!  Perfect July lunch!

Favorite Grasses!

'Fireworks'!  Love it!  Perfect for July!  

I only tried 'Fireworks'  (A variety of Fountain Grass) once and was not impressed, but 
this year I decided to give it another shot in a planter and have fallen in love!

I realized what made the difference, when I purchased it I carefully removed  the dried foliage that was abundent and have kept it well watered!  I was looking for a smaller grass to put in a special owl concrete planter that was gifted to me by my kids long ago when I first began gardening.  I had a collection of owls that they had gotten used to adding to my collection so when they spotted this owl......   It is in mostly sun and has been so colorful!  I just might put it on my front step next year!

Definately on my list for next year again!

Rita's Container plantings!

At last I got to visit Rita's to see what she decided to do outside her new home!  She always has had a special talent for creating attractive planters!  This year was no exception!

Fairies enjoying the summer

My fairy and miniature gardens have matured for the summer now......

This one I view looking out the window in my office!

This turned out so lovely at night also!

Small plants speak well also!

Tammy has a knack for creating scenes with smaller plants and weathered objects of old.

Love this scene!

Rock planter...

When my friend Rita moved downsizing from a home with extensive garden beds she had a few garden art things and pots she was not moving with her..... I happened to be there at the right time and she offered me an unusual artificial rock with a place to insert a small pot for a planter!

I immediately thought of my mini hosta bed and eagerly said "Yes, I'd love it!"  This year I found a lovely tiny leaf coleus that seemed ideal for the planter and my mini hosta bed plants!  It seems right at home spreading over that rock!  

What do you think?