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Midwest Gardening 2026: Projects and Flowers!
Hubby finished the Gaze-Bo, remember that silly movie with Glenn Ford
Anyway our family still plays outdoor games, and this seated Gazebo with a table is our way to participate and also take it easy. Our old knees aren't really great for active games, but toss games are...so we get to take turns relaxing here in Hubby's design and construction. It's all cedar except for a few boards and vinyl lattice. We will give it a spray of clear stain when it is dry.
This morning was glorious sunshine, so I walked around the property and took fresh photos of the blooming flowers...the HollyHocks were screaming..."Photo ME!"
I imagine them all as Great Dames with spectacles, lace and pearls...they are super glorious this year with the moderate temps and rains the last week.
Lace Collars...
"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille!"
Crimson frocks!
I sprinkle the seedpods late in summer to start new plants. Holly Hocks are bi-ennials, meaning they last two years, but only bloom the second year. So you have to reseed every year to have continuous bloom.
I do sprinkle all the seed pods here and there in the garden too. This is why they have poked up all along the fence.
The color and sunshine make a glorious display.
In Denmark every house had Holly Hocks...so pretty against the white or mustard gold homes.
Sprinkled here and there in my flower beds are Del Oro Lilies, which are compact continuous flowers and they don't spread. Just keep the wasted buds off them and they will flower all summer long.
Getting ready to bloom are the monster Orange Ditch Lilies...I keep digging them out... Hubby promised to get in there and really get them under control for me.
Russian Sage, and some invasive viney thing from my neighbors.
We have a few (7) Tomatoes in buckets along the East side of the house. Just keeping them watered is a chore. Petunias and bi-colored Marigolds grown from seed.
The Sweet Peas are not taking a back seat, they are also very lush this year.
They are 'invasive' but keep blooming for most of summer. I love to add them to bouquets.
They are sweet, and have multiple blossoms this year.
The lattice behind here died, they are wrapped around an old wreath and an iron bed, I guess, I will have to find some sort of lattice for them.
The backyard has flowers here and there, though many aren't blooming yet. Starting flowers from seed does take time, and my saved seeds from last year's blossoms are really just getting started.
At this point ,I will never buy another native plant like this. It's some sort of Goldenrod by the birdbath. I keep a bit here and there but pull out 90% every year. The bees and butterflies love it, but it is most INVASIVE! Native or not!
The bucket has Geranium, Coleus and also Peppermint to keep the bees away from the work station.
My first Dahlia of the year. This is the third year on saving these Corms, I lost all of the Caladiums, and some of the smaller Dahlia corms which spoiled in our low heat garage. I stored them in Perlite, and I think I will use half sand/perlite next year which will be a denser mixture.
The Dahlia plants are huge again because of the rain and temps.
The Clematis went Ta-Da and then dropped with the storms, but I love these little seed centers....which I leave until they dry and then throw on the ground. I don't know if they really, grow, but I hope so.
The Roses on the trellis, we lost about half, but this half has been going strong. They need dead-heading...NOW!
We also lost the roof to the Bird Condo...some wicked winds occurred with the storms.
The first seed Zinnia...and multicolored seed marigolds, too!
We are almost ready for company, we did lose a huge patch of grass. Last Fall we had a surprise snow early, then the leaves fell and were frozen to the ground, so a big bare patch where the leaves were. The paver base needs a new coat of white and rocks. But easier than trying to grow grass in total shade.
No Flowers on the table (I'm allergic to bees), so we have citronella for mosquitos and Peppermint to repel the bees from eating areas.
Flowers in the garden though, we want bees there!
The stairs are planted for future color with Dahlias, Coleus and Impatiens.
We ran out of paint last year, still need to do the railings.
Wave Petunias were very reasonable this year, so I have quite a few.
The pond area is so over grown, I did half of it a week ago and you can hardly tell. This side needs some serious culling. The pots are fun, though and citronella for mosquitos.
Yep...I have to get in there, The kids' fishing poles flew away again, some wicked winds carried them away?
Pump needs to be dismantled and cleaned again...never ending jobs for gardeners.
This creeping Sedum is crazy this year, it choked out the other varieties.
Another Del Oro Gold lily.
Using Citronella and Peppermint as natural repellants is a GREEN thing to do.
We try very hard to Green Garden.
My Oldest Hydrangea 10+ years is finally happy in its new home and giving up some great blooms. Can't wait for the next POOR MAN's Bouquet!
How are your Flowers Blossoming?
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