Happy Wednesday! Grab a cuppa and join me for a stroll around the Potting Shed to see what’s in bloom and buzzing with bees!
This is where I spend my mornings. . . watering, weeding and deadheading.
I’ve always loved the heart-shaped foliage of caladiums.
I used a combination of red and green to fill the window box on the shady front porch of the shed.
A garden hose wreath provides some gardening fun and whimsy on the Potting Shed door! This 3.0 version of my garden hose wreath has a watering can, gloves, rake head with garden tools and bow. This is a quick and easy project for your shed door, fence, gate, or nook on the porch where you want to plant some garden charm! You can find version 1 with blooming wellies, here, and version 2, here.
A Richard Smith & Co. seed catalog cover decorates the watering can on the wreath and is a perennial favorite. You can see it at a table, here, blooming with veggies and flowers.
If you’re looking for a plant that attracts pollinators, self-sows and that tolerates the heat, plant Verbena Lollipop! It grows in zones 6 – 10 and prefers full sun in well-drained soil. We’re in hardiness zone 7b, in our area of North Carolina. A USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. You can look up your hardiness zone by zipcode, here.
I’ve seen several Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies stopping to enjoy the lollipop buffet and nectar. . .
And it’s also a favorite of the bees.
Earth Angel Rose is a fragrant old-fashioned rose and with blooms varying in color from white to soft pink.
The first flush of blooms arrived in early May and it takes several bloom cycles to produce peony-shaped flowers.
Clematis ‘Bernadine’ is a rebloomer variety, flowering in late spring or early summer and then again in August. Ours has been blooming since the end of April.
I love the contrast of the lavender-blue petals with the magenta stamens. It’s happy with 4 – 6 hours of sun, although ours probably gets closer to 8 hours. It’s hardy in zones 4 – 9 and is bee and butterfly friendly!
This is its second year in this pot and it climbed to the top of this 4 foot trellis.
Lamb’s Ear is a bee favorite! The small pinkish / purple blooms on the flower spikes are swarming with bees by early June. Lamb’s Ear is easy to grow with minimal care and tolerates extreme heat and drought-like conditions. Grow in full sun to partial shade in well drained soil. Water is the enemy as it leads to crown rot if there is too much rain or moisture on the leaves.
Here’s a little view from the front of the Potting Shed . . .
The shrubs beyond the birdhouse on the left of the photo are Limelight Hydrangeas which bloom around the end of June.
If you’re looking for an easy to grow, low maintenance shrub in your garden that will provide you with both beautiful cut and dried flowers, plant a Limelight Hydrangea or 5! If you need more convincing, read: How To Grow Limelight Hydrangeas.
Endless Summer Hydrangeas are in bloom! I’m hoping summer won’t seem endless. Mother Nature has been so volatile and extreme with the flooding and tornadoes in parts of the country while we’ve had record-breaking heat with 90+ degree temps no rain for over three weeks. I’ve been starting every day lugging the hose around. Hopefully that will change this week with some much needed rain in the forecast.
Bee balm is blooming and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds . . .
This is a male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. A fun and colorful distinction in identifying males vs. females: Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtails have the colorful blue and orange accents on the wing which the males don’t have. (see the photo of the swallowtail on the verbena at the top of the post which is a female)
Lola is our nature girl. 🐾 She loves sitting in the shade, watching the bees, birds and butterflies.
If you missed it, you can see the window boxes in bloom and find some floral inspiration from my Monday Morning Blooms friends, here.
🌼🦋 🌻🐝🌹
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Between Naps on the Porch
I was delighted to learn the difference between the male and female swallow tail. I was a joy to see your photos of the bees and butterflies especially since it is National Pollinator month. Thanks for all your gorgeous photos,
Susan
So pretty!! We had a really nice, cool day here yesterday in some 8a in North East Georgia. Does the Lollipop verbena bonariensis stay short when it seeds or does it revert back to the tall form?
Hi Kristy, It’s tall~ about 3-4 feet so it’s pretty swaying in the breeze. Yesterday’s weather was delightful here too. Stormy, with the humidity spiking here today, stay cool ♥
Your photos are beautiful. Waiting for our shed to be delivered.
I use Caladiums every year in window boxes on my deck and in containers in the shade garden. So pretty all summer and no work. Your garden is little ahead of mine but the Beebalm and Vitex are ready to burst into bloom to the pollinators delight.Have found that my annual Penta and Lantana are butterfly magnets. I agree with Lola, so much fun to watch. Everyone should have a chair near their garden, to sit, have a cold drink and enjoy the show nature puts on for us.
You have the greenest thumb I’ve ever seen! I’m jealous.
I always love your photos. But today I really enjoyed your narrative just as much as I am trying to plant or bees and butterflies now! Also I now want to find an Earth Angel Rose!
Mary, What a slice of heaven you have with all the flowers around your potting shed! I’m so envious of your healthy and lush Endless Summer Hydrangeas! What’s your secret?
Thank you Kathy :) It’s all thanks to Pennington UltraGreen Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Plant Food. I apply it in March on the azaleas and hydrangeas and then give the hydrangeas a second dose in July.
I am always thrilled to get your post! There is always something gorgeous blooming in your yard and your talent in photographing nature is wonderful! What a glorious way to begin my day. Thank you!
So many beautiful blooms Mary! I love the verbena lollipops and the Earth Angel Rose, swoon! Gorgeous hydrangeas too…the bees and butterflies…I love that Lola likes to garden with you!
Jenna
Do you fertilize your hydrangeas? If so with what? Beautiful garden!!
Hi Debbie, Yes, with Pennington UltraGreen Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Plant Food. I apply it in March on the azaleas and hydrangeas and then give the hydrangeas a second dose in July.
All of my favorite flowers in your post – so lovely and inviting!
Oh Mary, your garden around your potting shed is heaven on earth! I sighed at the beauty of the Earth Angel Rose. I may have to go out and buy a clematis for a trellis that is empty, after seeing how pretty yours is. I can see why the bees and butterflies and sweet Lola love being in your garden…I would, too! ❤️🌸❤️
Your garden is beautiful. Your narrative is informational. But that Lola!! She looks “stunning” in her new “do”. A movie star for sure.
I can’t think of a nicer way to start my day. Thoroughly enjoyed touring your beautiful garden, Mary. Since I live in the same zone, I especially like the tips you have shared for things that grow well here. I am going to put the lollipop verbena on my shopping list. I have recently moved and have a much smaller garden. I’m thinking the clematis planted in a container might be a nice option here. Yours looks so pretty. Happy gardening!
Love the pictures of your potting shed and flowers. I have the verbena and let it reseed everywhere. I’m in hot/dry Georgia but the forecast is for some rain and cooler temps. Sure hope so.
Beautiful post. I was glad to learn the difference between a male and female eastern tiger swallowtail. I need reminders so thanks. There is so much to know about butterflies. I’ve planted extra milkweed this year but still no sign of any monarchs. In fact, I’ve seen very few butterflies. It worries me there is so much spraying of insecticides it is killing our pollinators. I do have several swallowtail caterpillars on my parsley but the female escaped me laying eggs. Maybe because it has been so hot I haven’t been out as much. I am so glad we are supposed to get some rain tomorrow. Everything is parched.
I love the picture of your potting shed through the limbs of a tree. It frames it so nicely.
It was interesting to learn what you fertilize your camellias and hydrangeas with. I have to buy two 40 lb bags of generic 10-10-10 for my hydrangeas. I used to fertilize twice but don’t now.
Lola looks so sweet in your garden. I loved her birthday post and haven’t gotten a chance to comment yet. You outdid yourself. So cute. Life has been so hectic I stay behind.
Have a good week, Mary.
Everything is gorgeous!!! BUT, my favorite picture is Lola!! She looks like she just got home from the beauty shop!! Such a delight!! You sure live a charmed life!! Good for you!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Very beautiful is your garden! But the most beautiful flower in the garden is milky Lola! A kiss for her, on the nose!
Love love love your garden!!! Your blogs bring me so much joy!
Would love to try verbena lolipop and the bee balm for pollinators. Do you recall the cultivar name of your bee balm? Will look for that raspberry color for my garden spot.
I planted Betony Hummelo this year. Saw it advertised as the 2019 Perrennial of the Year. Thought I’d give it a try. It can take some shade, which I have a lot of!!! Ross Farms in Charlotte, not too far from me, has it.
Love this post Mary! Beautiful garden colors, a new watering can wreath, Lola looking like a sweet young lady- a lovely stroll through your garden. Wishing you a wonderful day! Clara 💕
You have such a beautiful garden Mary! Thanks for sharing!
Good morning Mary,
You have made your space so beautiful! It’s inspiring too. I just looked up my area and it is 6a, so I can plant the lollipop verbena. I’ve had great luck with purple homestead verbena in the past.
I’m wondering about your gorgeous clematis in the pot. How big is the pot and do you need to bring it inside in the winter?
Thank you!
Thank you Portia. Clematis ‘Bernadine’ is hardy in zones 4 – 9 so it doesn’t need to come inside to overwinter in those zones. My pot is wide and shallow, maybe 3 feet in diameter? It came out of my MIL’s garden and it has annuals planted around the perimeter with the clematis in the center. :)
Mary, I love your post — I love your heart. You share so openly. Thank you.
Mary, your garden is a haven of beauty. I must plant some Lollipop Verbena, I am loving yours. Everything looks so lush and healthy, your daily routine of lugging the hose has paid off. We are supposed to get rain, and we really need it. Happy gardening 👩🏻🌾
I’d love to see the inside of the darling potting shed. 🥰
Hi Bobbie, You can search for posts and see the inside of my shed on this page: https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/potting-shed/ 🏡
Great post with beautiful pictures, thank you for the butterfly info… hoping for some rain here in Charlotte my hydrangeas need it! Have a nice rest of your week Mary.
Thank you Theresa. It’s hard to believe we’re wishing for rain with our very wet fall and spring, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed! ☂️
Mary, Your garden flowers around your shed are just beautiful! I can appreciate how much time (and water!) it takes to keep things looking so lush and pretty. If I were a butterfly or bee I’d take up residence in your garden too! Lola is so sweet and the perfect gardening partner. 🐾🌸🐝🦋
Oh, dear, I think my limelights must be too shady…nada bud, bloom in sight…they were planted late last summer…at least, they’re alive…your flowers are fab!! franki from zone 7
Hi Franki, I’m sure they’re fine. I remember after the first year we planted our limelights they were a little late to bud, around the first week in July.💮
“I’ll plant and water, sow and weed,
Till not an inch of earth shows brown,
And take a vow of each small seed
To grow to greenness and renown:
And then some day you’ll pass my way,
See gold and crimson, bell and star,
And catch my garden’s soul, and say:
“How sweet these cottage gardens are!” ”
– By Edith Nesbit
I so enjoy looking around your Potting Shed at all your pretty stuff and flowers and nature!! I also love the inside how you decorate! Lola is pretty relaxing! We finally got much needed rain here in Wilson, NC. I’ve been pulling water hoses trying to keep my flowers alive! My Homestead Purple Verbena is not looking good right now. Before heat it was full of blooms…I’ve watered…maybe too much or not enough??
Such a pretty garden stroll with you, love your clematis, I have a dozen waiting to be added to the rose garden, to afraid to plant them until I have automatic sprinklers, I find them a stunning garden addition.
Always a joy to see your post show up in my reader! Loved your flowers and shed. You have a lot of property around your shed. I love it!
Your photos are so crisp and clear, I could almost smell the beautiful roses. Everything, actually, around your potting shed is beautiful including Lola.
Enjoyed the garden tour, so much beauty. All your hard work is paying off and we get the enjoyment of it too with all of your great pictures. Awesome information also. I need to purchase some of that Penington Ultragreen plant food. Then maybe my hydrangea’s will bloom again. I think I saw it at Lowe’s, will look again this weekend. Thanks Mary, Miss Lola is precious. Hugs to her and I wish we could give you some of our rain, we’re ready to build an ark, lol. 😕
Hi Mary! I always enjoy seeing your gorgeous blooms and potting shed! I am checking in to see how Lola is getting along…being a single dog? Or will she be gaining a sibling?
Looks like everything is at peak beauty Mary, I know you’ve worked hard on your yard-enjoy it! Have a great weekend:@)
Wow what a beautiful post! Love that Earth Angel rose and the clematis! It’s so nice to see all the pollinators you have planted and the beautiful capture of the butterflies and bees!
Gorgeous!!!!
I just planted 2 dwarf limelights in containers flanking my porch. Have always admired yours. Love all your beeskeps by your pretty bench and Lola too of course!
Mary, I’m back for a second look. What do you feed your clematis with and when? I am amazed it does so well in a shallow pot. Mine always does well but did not this year and I don’t know why.
Very informative post. You definitely have a green thumb.
Hi Bonnie, It gets some Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster when I feed the annuals in the pot with it. I start using it every two weeks in the spring and then apply it every 7 to 10 days during the heat of summer when my containers and window boxes are watered more frequently: https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2018/06/20/bees-butterflies-and-blooms-around-the-potting-shed/
Thanks so much, Mary.
Your garden is truly a piece of Heaven on Earth. Thank you so much for sharing the blooms, variety of flowers, name of plant food….all of it.
Mary, your gardens are an inspiration and so very beautiful. I love to look at all the little corners where you’ve put little treasures in between the flowers. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gardens with us. Hugs, Dorinda
Absolutely gorgeous! Your potting shed brings job to so many! Love waking up with my cup of coffee to see your latest blog post. Thank you for sharing your creativity, and gardening expertise!
Your gardens truly can make a dreary day fill with sunshine!!!…they always make me smile…I was turning the Fairchild Gardens last week in Coral Gables, Florida and witnessed a rare Atala butterfly come out of its chrysalis. Even our tour guide was thrilled!
Love your potting shed and gardens…..beautiful!
I am late reading this post and I am so happy to get my Potting Shed fix. Your flowers are just beautiful and your shed is my favorite! Thanks for this gorgeous post!!!!!