Thursday, May 26, 2011

I'VE GOT THE BLUES...AND PURPLES...

The garden is struggling a bit these days as we can't buy a drop of rain here in Florida. Color is not abundant except here in my collection of old buckets and other containers scattered about the back patio.


These blue salvias remind me so much of lavender, which does not do well in our normally wet climate.

They start out with buds that are white...


And then, they explode into these gorgeous blue blossoms. I've been experimenting with soft focus, hope you appreciate the effect...


Scaveola in two shades of purple make a pretty showing in my old triple sink.



Purple cat's whiskers in an old cast iron kettle frame the garden cottage in the background.


Oh and an update on mother dove. Still on the nest. Things are looking good.

at

20 comments:

  1. Garden Antqs VintageMay 26, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Shelley, your flowers sure look pretty planted in the buckets.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 26, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    just lovely! cheered me up on a day i needed it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Polka Dot ClosetMay 26, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    I think your pictures are great. Rain please!!!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  4. PatinaMay 26, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Your flowers look so pretty Shelley!
    Wow, no rain, I can't imagine we've had so much rain. I am so ready for a bit of sunshine.
    Hope you get some of our rain and we get some of your sunshine! (o:
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Susie~From My Home To YoursMay 26, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Oh, so pretty....I'm blue with jealousy! I'm telling ya, I can hardly stand it outside.

    I think I'll try to get up the gumption to go to the nursery tomorrow and buy some annuals. Michael did just bring me a huge bag of potting soil, and you know I have the buckets and cans!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Susie................

    ReplyDelete
  6. YONKSMay 26, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    How bizarre that what you pray for there we have in abundance here in the UK at the moment. It's been raining with howling wind for 3 days straight now - when will it end. Wish we couldsend a little your way! :-)
    Dianne
    YONKS

    ReplyDelete
  7. SylviaMay 26, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    You can never go wrong with salvia, they reseed and reward you every year. Love your yard art.

    30% chance of rain tomorrow...let's all do a rain dance....

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  8. Laura @ 52 FLEAMay 26, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Love that soft focus...your photos are gorgeous! Those blue blossoms are just beautiful...and I love them in your zinc containers. Hope you get a few raindrops soon...but only at night! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. MaryAnnMay 26, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Your garden looks beautiful. The pictures are beautiful
    MaryAnn

    ReplyDelete
  10. savvycityfarmerMay 26, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    I love the blue gardens!!
    so calming

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnnMay 26, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Your buckets are lovely with the purple. Hope you get the rain you guys need

    ReplyDelete
  12. JuneMay 27, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Oh I'm lovin' these photos Shelley dear. Beautiful blooms and beautiful containers!!! We don't get much rain here in my part of Idaho, but last night we had a good shower. It was so welcome...anything but snow! lol!
    hugs from here...

    ReplyDelete
  13. trash talkMay 27, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I'm a big fan of...ummm well...fan flowers too...no pun intended. It's one of the few pretties that deliver when it gets hot, hot, hot here in Texas!
    Love the soft focus. Promise me you'll use it on me the next time!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Donna Reyne'May 27, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Hi Shelley!
    I love the blue in the old galvanized buckets!
    Just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. CathyMay 27, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Oh your flowers are sooooo pretty..love them all! We have had our share of rain here in Texas, but today is REALLY A HOT ONE! I do believe that summer has arrived!
    Cathy aka GGJ

    ReplyDelete
  16. Zita - Mlle MagpieMay 27, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Love all your blues and purples. I'm really going for these colours in our backyard this year, with white and just a bit of pink. Your flowers look fabulous in those buckets, Shelley!

    ReplyDelete
  17. LauraNellMay 27, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Those beautiful photos made my day better. Here in West Texas it was a dry 105 today, and my plants are suffering, especially since I have been away a lot in the past week or two. Gardening is a challenge at times, but so worth it.
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownMay 28, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    You have been working in the yard! It's beautiful and gives me inspiration. We had great rain last night finally..
    Enjoy your weekend
    xo~Sue

    ReplyDelete
  19. Faded CharmMay 28, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Love the contrast of the purple against the galvanized buckets:-)

    Why is it that we are getting too much rain and you, not enough? Wouldn't a happy medium be nice right about now?

    Take care,

    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  20. GretchenMay 29, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Love the buckets of blue salvia and other flowers. It has been so rainy here in MN, that our flowers are begging for some sunshine too. Beautiful photos of your flowers.
    Gretchen

    ReplyDelete