after seven full days off is a fun & daunting proposition at the same time, isn't it? Kind of like my office in-basket. I wonder how I'll ever get back on top of it all. My yard desperately needs mowing, there are weeds & pruning calling my name and I'm still coming down from the niece & nephew vacation. It was fun. Fun and tiring! Running full speed ahead every day with a thirteen & eight year old is enough to put me in my place. I've been water-parking, butterfly pavilion gazing, aquarium viewing, amusement park riding, to the pool, etc., etc. Now it's time to return to the "real world." I promise I'll get around to answering any questions and blog visiting as soon as I can. I just wanted to pop in this morning, say "hello" and share a few photos from the latest blooms in my garden. The most stunning of which is the double apricot hollyhock I purchased last year:
It's taken the place of centranthus and the salmon poppies against the vintage gate in the front bed. I don't think it could have found a lovelier position, don't you agree? I was delighted to discover it blooming, so much so, I photographed it from every angle.
Don't worry, I won't show all the angles, just a few. I think it's an unusually pretty color which is why I bought it. For some reason I prefer the doubles to the single flowered old fashioned variety??
I have light pink, tangerine, this apricot shade & a few rose pink:
These two (the apricot & rose) are the only ones open so far.
I loved the above photo with the morning sun just touching the top of the blossoms. Maybe I favor the doubles because they remind me of peonies or roses which I like so much? Hard to say. Anyway, I have lots to share over the next few days, just bear with me while I get myself back together! My head is still spinning from the tilt-a-whirl and I'm wondering how one week managed to sneak by at the speed of light?
Sounds like you have had great fun Kathleen! Welcome home
xoxo Tyra
Posted by: Tyra in Vaxholm | July 20, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Love the pale pink! I thought it was a rose until I really looked at the leaves. Hollyhock is a plant that is a constant battle to grow here. The leaves are skeletonized before the blooms ever appear. Then the Japanese beetles finish off the flowers. Hollyhocks are one of the plants I would dearly love to grow. They have that old fashioned charm that looks perfect in informal gardens. Yours are outstanding.
Marnie
Posted by: Marnie | July 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Oh, they are lovely! Hollyhocks remind me (again) of my uncle's gardens...one end of his house was lined with the single bloomers in every colour imaginable. Your doubles are outstanding!
Posted by: Nancy Bond | July 20, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Your pictures are beautiful, as always.
I'm glad that you're blogging again, I missed you!!!
Posted by: Darcy | July 20, 2009 at 12:12 PM
How pretty Kathleen! Those doubles are great!
Posted by: Janet | July 20, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Those hollyhocks are awesome. I never seen prettier ones ever!
Posted by: tina | July 20, 2009 at 01:19 PM
So beautiful! Hollyhocks are one of my favorites flowers! The ones you have are gorgeous. The pictures are post card beautiful! :) -Jackie
Posted by: Jackie (Ellie Mae's Cottage) | July 20, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Lucky you to have such delightful hollyhocks! The double apricot looks lovely from any angle! Btw, Welcome back...gail
Posted by: Gail | July 20, 2009 at 05:52 PM
They are very pretty. I had a double at one time in my yard, but it's since disappeared. I love all the angles you caught.
BTW I have some of those frilly pink columbine seeds saved for you. You can email me from my blog and let me know if you'd like some. :)
Posted by: Catherine/gardenerprogress | July 20, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Welcome back Kathleen. They are beautiful and I agree that first one is just lovely and does remind me of a Peony too, which I love.
The reason time went by like the speed of light is called eight and thirteen year olds. I get tired just thinking about it! LOL Although I adore having my grandsons over I must admit to collapsing the minute they are gone!
I am trying to catch up on visiting too as I haven't been on much the last couple of weeks. Gardening, heat, you name it has kept me pretty low key on here lately. The other things that keep me collapsed besides grandsons. LOL I'm a bit concerned about the 3 digit temps they are talking about for next week.
Posted by: RainGardener | July 20, 2009 at 06:45 PM
So glad you enjoyed your week. Even though it was tiring, I am sure you made some wonderful memories for those 2.
Your hollyhocks are stunning! I like both the single and the doubles, but these are glorious. Thanks for the great eye candy.
Posted by: Beckie | July 20, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Those are gorgeous hollyhocks Kathleen ! I wish I could have them here but the years I did .. well "rust" was a terrible problem.
I think I told you I had to take my passion flower vine out of the pot and plant it in the raised bed by the deck ? .. well it is climbing the deck rails like crazy now .. I am really wondering what is going to happen over the winter and will it come back ??? LOL
Posted by: Joy | July 21, 2009 at 05:51 AM
I LOVE your hollyhocks. They are absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Sweet Bay | July 23, 2009 at 04:15 PM