This year has been such a wonderful year for flowers that I’ve had a hard time cutting them. What’s the motivation? They’re thriving outside. All the peonies that have been staked, tied, keep coming. The rain has been brutal yet there is no denying the difference between last year and this. Would that every year were so! Still, I’m starving for inside flowers!
Moonstone peonies- their first year with us
The peonies live in different places on the landscape. I’m surprised at how different sun exposure affects them. The grouping by the road with full sun, is almost twice as far along in its bloom cycle as those in more shaded areas.
Some years, I feel I don’t have enough color outside to spare for flowers inside. And then there’s the allergies. Larry struggles with the downside of the peonies’ spicy aromatic scent. (I live for it) Consequently, I’m also on the lookout for beautiful showy flowers with minimal pollen. This article had some interesting facts for allergy sufferers. Did you know that sunflowers are hard on people with allergies? I didn’t.
My fantasy is to have so many flowers outside that there’s no choice but to cut and bring some in or share with others. Ever had a “cutting garden?” Caroline Ferriday had one at her Bethlehem CT home in order to send guests home with flowers. The Bellamy-Ferriday gardens have awesome peonies in bloom- you should visit! But then I suspect some of the floral abundance is linked to the bevy of gardeners keeping it up. Each year, I hope to get farther on my own “continuous bloom.” Long way to go. 
The formal garden is excessively green at the moment as I wait impatiently for the astilbe and obedient plants (aka Physostegia virginiana) to bloom. The astilbe are good shade plants which made them a logical choice to put under the shade trees.
I’ve been trying really hard not to throw away money on annuals as it’s a timeworn method for feathering in color. To that end, we just installed the new plant tower. 
It’s about 5.5” -making it a reasonable height for watering. The red glass ball is part of a plan to incorporate other hanging options in lieu of only flower baskets. The rain has been incredibly helpful in watering the baskets this first year.
June 21 is the first day of summer. I love this version of Romeo and Juliet by Mark Knopfler and Emmy Lou Harris. I’m dedicating it to my daughter Bridget who’s getting married in June 22- in two days!!!
Raspberry Hosta
Paola Pillows were created to bring flowers inside all year long. Many of our designs are macro images of hostas. Hostas offer a dramatic addition to any home free of color worry as greens of all kinds blend with everything. My hosta plants live next to some beautiful spirea bushes-which I’m crazy about. Raspberry Hosta is living proof. See the all our flower pillows at Paolaprints.com or on Etsy.
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