Friday, July 6, 2012

They just keep on coming...

 By this time of year we have usually cut back all the artichoke plants...but for some reason this year...they keep producing...but it is too hot and they are tough...so...
 We let them flower! Such pretty flowers too...and huge! As you can see the black eyed Susans are totally surrounding them...I have them planted in the same bed...since they are both perennials with different growing seasons...it works out well...the black eyed Susans are about 3 feet tall now...not blooming yet...full of buds though...

We love to eat artichokes and it is hard to let them flower...but the bees and humming birds are sure happy about it...so we'll wait and then cut them back in a week or so...after we and the critters we share our back yard with finish enjoying them. 
Summer is in full gear around here...there are lizard galore in the back yard...sunning themselves on the back wall and porch...they are funny and seem to have no fear of Don or me...they just stop and come over and look at us when we are gardening...Don has been pulling Bermuda grass every day out of the St. Augustine in the back...since they are both grasses with runners...it can be tedious...but it bothers him that his perfect lawn has that unwanted grass in it! The weather has been pleasant...but a little more overcast in the morning than usual at this time of year...my sons have complained that it is too cold at their houses...and drizzly...but they are on the coast and we are inland so we just get the clouds in the mornings here. There are nice afternoon breezes and if it would stay like this all Summer I would be really happy!
Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a happy place for plants and critters.xx

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

My husband and I love artichokes. When they flower, they are beautiful. The color is striking.

Kaisievic said...

I have never seen an artichoke flower before - they are gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing.

Lavender and Linen said...

These are stunning! I saw one growing wild, in a field, when I was in France.

Sue said...

Hi, Linda!
I just read A LOT of your posts and viewed your photos...I am IN AWE!! I hope we can have a HUGE family reunion soon and get together and talk! I didn't know we had so much in common!

Have a great evening and Sunday...

Love,
Your MN cousin,
Sue
PS Please say "hi" to Don!

Traci said...

WOW!!! These are absolutely gorgeous!