Black Lace Elderberry-Summer View

Ok, Sally, you asked to see a picture of the Black Lace Elderberry in summer months.......here it is.

Butterfly Wings

I was playing around a bit with collages tonight. I liked the way these turned out. Last week I bought a pretty frame with 5 different size openings, I cropped several photos of just the wing patterns on my butterfly pictures and put them in the frame, I really like the look. It gives a whole different perspective.

I placed an order today with Select Seeds, bought some poppy seeds and few other odds and ends, they have just heirloom seeds. I also ordered a couple of Lantanas and a Brugmansia. I had three Brugs but last summer with the flood and all, they did not get proper care so I ditched them last fall instead of over wintering them like I normally do.

Three years ago I bought a few angel wing begonias, they have become a favorite of mine, they are reliable bloomers this time of year. Any flower in Feb is a welcome sight for me.

Shooting Star Hoya

This is a shooting star hoya that is in full bloom right now. It is the easier bloomer of any of the hoyas. It almost always at least one cluster of flowers on it. At the moment there are several.

Beautiful Moon

The moon is absolutely beautiful tonight. Not quite full. We had a very warm melting day. That is OK, I hope the snow melts slowly so we do not have a repeat of last year's flooding.

Elderberry Black Lace

This is a Black Lace Elderberry, sambucus nigra 'black lace' also know as the Japanese Maple of the North. I planted mine a couple of years ago, it has yet to bloom and produce berries, I have hopes that it will this year. It is a very attractive shrub, I would highly recommend it. I think it is interesting even in the winter.

My son "landscapes" while I "garden".....lol..............anyway we both planted this shrub the same spring without knowing the other had chosen and planted it.

Brugmasias

This Brugmasia tree was in full bloom at Reimans at Christmas time as it is almost every time we visit. The scent is wonderful.