Green Thumb Sunday

I missed Green Thumb Sunday while I was on vacation. But, I took some pictures at the cabin we stayed at to post when we returned. My lilac barely had any blooms this year and I was so disappointed. When we drove in the driveway of the cabin the first thing I saw was a huge lilac bush, and the owner had left a bouquet on the kitchen table. The smell was heavenly.

The cabin was part of an 80 acre centennial farm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It was surrounded by apple trees, berry bushes, and on a short walk I found forget-me-nots, tall buttercups, daisies and this lovely iris. We were too early for the berries, including Thimbleberry, which is larger and softer than a raspberry. It's well-known in the U.P. because of the popular jam that's made from it. I would love to visit when they are ripe in July and August.

When we returned home I had a huge surprise. A climbing rose that was here when we bought the house had never done well because it was planted almost on top of a peony. I was so annoyed with it that I was going to rip it up and just get rid of it. This is the first year it actually bloomed, and it's beautiful. Instead of discarding it, I'm going to transplant it to a better location. What a neat surprise to return to!

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

~Brenda