When I returned from my trip to Tennessee, pleasant surprises awaited in the garden. Know this: I am absolutely terrible with roses. Powdery mildew, aphids, you name it — they're beyond my know-how to battle. There's something in my nature that says "yes" to some plants and "no bleeping way" to others. Nevertheless, this bush, which I thought doomed mostly because of its mostly shady location, is blooming for the first time in two years, perhaps thanks to the rainy winter. For some reason, it isn't falling prey to the other bushes' ailments. How lovely!
Also, the white water lily has flowered. (I didn't even know what color to expect.) Last year, only the blue bloomed. Water gardening is new to me, so everything's an experiment. The lilies are seemingly doing well, though, with these fertilizer tablets for use under water. This bloom is a little past its prime, but you get the picture. (Funny tangent: My biggest goldfish Mason thinks he's hidden when his front half is under this biggest lily pad. He floats there, perfectly still. I need to get a picture of that, but for some reason, I haven't been 'feeling' photography in recent weeks. I mean, I spent six days in Tennessee and didn't take one picture. Too weird.)
Finally, last fall's mum is re-blooming now. (Believe it or not, I had a heck of a time finding this color.) I had meant to be pinching back for a fuller plant, but once the buds appeared, I decided not to.
