Kat in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada, shared some photos and thoughts on gardening with children earlier, and today she’s got a set of photos to share on the theme of color.
Until this past year, I went through a long phase of wearing black and gray clothing; it suited the seriousness of my job and made life easier in the morning. But this summer, on the same day I bought a purple balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus, Zones 4–9), I bought a lemon yellow print shirt and made a resolution that it was time to stop dressing like doom and gloom. Now I dress like my garden! I think the fresh greens of woodland planting, brilliant botanical jewel tones, prints of flowers and birds, and rich pops of color are more consistent with how I want to express myself in the world.
I know evening primrose (Oenothera) walks a fine line between weed and wildflower, but I love the bright yellow in the lush green surrounding an old stump in our back corner.
The balloon flower that inspired an embrace of color!
These daylilies were salvaged from the side of our house and are multiplying happily in a tough planting area under our black walnut tree.
I love the spider camouflaging itself on a daisy, matching the petals and doing its best to blend in.
These firelight hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Firelight’, Zones 3–8) are newer plantings but took off very well, turning a deep raspberry hue by the time fall came.
The firelight hydrangeas are in their fall colors. The contrast with the lime green hostas as an underplanting was a happy accident.
In one of my few containers, I grew a mixture of mounding nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus, annual) in yellow and orange, and purple Scabiosa. The scabiosa have been moved to the garden to overwinter, so next year will bring something new to this space.
The colorful shirt, alongside an overachieving Liatris spicata.
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Comments
Kat, your richly colorful garden is lovely. And color becomes you!
As I began reading, I was hoping to see a photo of you in your color, and how delighted when you were pictured! Lovely, and what a great story. Our gardens can do many things for us! Your garden is beautiful and you’ve convinced me to try the balloon flower. Thank you for sharing your garden of colorful ? .
Who doesn't love a story and a series of pictures with a great ending...your gpod sharing today has both. I love your happy smile that seems perfectly matched with your sunny yellow top. Include me as a fan of the 'Firelight' hydrangea...that variety is one of my absolute favorites in my garden.
As an artist, I am so happy to know that there are still young people who are not always wearing black. I even see little girls now dressed in black. There is so much beauty in the world around us, including the beautiful colors in the spectrum between black and white. Times change, I know, but I am thinking it may be due to the anxiety of today's society. That is why colorful gardens are also important as therapy, Thank you for sharing your inspiring garden colors and message.
Interesting story about clothing and how your garden influenced you to brighten up what you wear.
Seems the earth tone colors of clothes I tend to wear are covered in garden soil and cat fur...yet my garden pops with lavender a color I'd rather not wear.
You have me thinking a bit about color and all now.
Anyway, your garden is lovely and I enjoyed taking the tour of it via FGPOD. And nice to "meet you" via your photo- so many gardeners here stay hidden.
Love the evening primrose... one person's weed is another's wildflower! Your garden is charming and happy, and so is your new shirt.
Good for you !!!! Makes me happy to see your garden & you smiling in it wearing beautiful bright color !!
Love your lovely happy yellow top!!! Now that's the way to dress! You're far too young to be surrounding your lovely face with grays and blacks - unless, of course, you live in the heart of NYC then we all know what's always in style there! Love your photos!!!
Kat,
Your story is inspirational and your use of color is absolutely beautiful. I'm not quite ready for a yellow shirt, but maybe an orange or purple.
Thank you for sharing,
Dale
Friends used to tease me that I brought my garden with me in my clothing- and for me, it was a conscious choice. Glad you are enjoying bringing your garden wherever you go as well. And for sharing your colorful photos with us.
I too, wanted to chime in and compliment you on your gardens. And I especially loved the primrose photo! Your "firelight" is fab. I don't have that one... YET!? Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks, all, for your lovely and thoughtful comments. I’m so glad this brightened your day today.
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