Naturalization

Now that my summer favorite - the bee balm - is blooming, it seems like this week is the time for the annual summer flowers post.  This particular planting is by the little shed in the backyard, hanging in there tight under the overhang.  It was in full bloom during our first visit to Hawksbill Cabin, so I mark it as something to celebrate.

It's very popular with the butterflies and hummingbirds, and I've seen some great photos that people worked all summer getting.  Me, I'll just aprreciate it for what it is, something very pretty with a fond connotation.

Now, over by the drive, this year we've had a strong showing from this white hydrangea.  This is in a triangular piece of the front west lot that we don't even mow - we keep it naturalized for privacy with the neighbors on that side.  There's probably a quarter acre over there, enlarged a few years back when we bought back an unneeded easement.

And next to the hydrangea, which never bloomed like this before - maxing out with a single flower in most years, we have one of the remaining hostas that the deer haven't found.  They've done their damage to the rest of these plants over by the apple tree, that's for sure, but the good thing is the hostas keep coming back.  It also seems to be thriving up there in its place, getting all the rain and sun it needs, unmolested by any attention to the landscaping.