So excited to have some black-eyed susan’s blooming in my garden!!! For those that have followed me for awhile, know how I’ve struggled. For years I’ve tried to grow them as they’re one of my all-time favorite flowers. But to no avail. Everyone said they’re so easy to grow. That they’re too invasive. That they’ll spread all over in no time. To which I said “Yes please!”

But year after year I would get nothing.

No matter if I planted plants, or seeds, or divided pieces from friend’s gardens… I tried EVERYTHING!!! So imagine my excitement now that I seem to have three plants that have “survived” and are now in their third year!!! And they’re FLOWERING!!! I’m hoping I’ve broken the curse?!!!

Colorful lilies in the garden to brighten your day.

A true sign of Summer… and the newest bloom in my front garden!

Surviving the heat… enjoying a little flicker of sun.
This is a new clematis in my garden… “new” as in the second year,
but the first year with flowers!!! So pretty…

This morning’s arrival… a new iris has bloomed in my garden… with more flower buds coming up soon!!! Loving the dramatic contrast of colors … as well as solids vs. stripes!

Spent the morning working in my front yard garden… tending to the weeds, taking out more of last year’s leaves, planting, transplanting & trying my best to make it beautiful. Also enjoying the white crabapple tree blooming at the condo just to the east of me. Simply beautiful… I might need to add one to my yard next year???

Some fun new color to add to my garden… a new Bergenia plant from my Cousin Kim. I’ve never tried one of these before… but I’m in!!! I mean… I’m riding high after my success with my hellebores. How much harder can these be?!!! HA!!!

I’m SO excited that these hellebores have started blooming in my garden! They are first ones to ever survive a Chicago winter in my garden. Sure, it could also be the lack of care, or dogs & kids walking on them?… yes, I get a LOT of that! And not to gloat… or jinx myself… but they are looking very happy & healthy right now!!!

After my trip to Hausermann Orchids a couple weeks ago, I came home with this little beauty too! I’ve never tried growing a Lady Slipper Orchid before… which just opened & is STUNNING!!! The sales guy said it’s not any harder than caring for phaelaneopsis orchids… which I’m okay with… so, fingers crossed!!!

Uncovered something green in my garden this morning! After removing a layer of “dead leaf mulch”… it was great to find this surprise going on underneath! I think it might be my first hellebore plant that survived the winter! I think?… nothing is labeled, so I’m kinda guessing here. But at this point… green is GREEN!!!